On The Rocks Restaurant and Tavern in Atlantic Beach offers casual dining with friendly service for locals and all who visit the Crystal Coast. From our 30+ item salad bar to lunch sandwiches and burgers to dinner entrees of steaks or local seafood, we strive to bring you the freshest and best flavors offered along the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Our Executive Chef hand selects the highest quality foods and creates house recipes you'll discover are loaded with flavor. Whether it's one of our scrumptious appetizers like the Dune of Nachos or an amazing signature item like our Island Shrimp, you'll discover exactly why locals love our dishes.
Our Executive Chef hand selects the highest quality foods and creates house recipes you'll discover are loaded with flavor. Whether it's one of our scrumptious appetizers like the Dune of Nachos or an amazing signature item like our Island Shrimp, you'll discover exactly why locals love our dishes.
Reviews (28)
Lynne Dilauro
Jan 30, 2022
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We are locals and dine at On The Rocks often! The food and service never disappoints! Lisa is usually our server and her dynamic personality always shines! She’s always friendly and knows what we are drinking before we do! You can’t go wrong here, as there are many menu items to choose from! Mahi Tacos and AB pasta are always our faves! But anything you order will be great!!
Tina P.
Jan 30, 2022
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We've been down here on vacation for over a week and the eaten all over the island. This place was hands-down the best food we've had! We ate fried flounder with sautéed zucchini and a baked potato. We had fried green tomatoes as an appetizer and split a piece of Keylime pie for dessert. Every single thing was so good! And the ladies running the restaurant tonight or like a well oiled machine and so fun. Even the music was great! We will definitely come here again.
Jack Endress
Jan 13, 2022
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Second time going after waiting a few years to see if it improved. Food was still horrible. Nacho chips were stale and cheese tasted funny. Lemon snapper tasted fishy and was just mush. BLT was on Texas toast but only had two pieces of bacon on it, more lettuce then meat. Whole place smelled unclean as soon as we walked through the door.
Barb M.
Jan 05, 2022
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We were staying at the Doubletree hotel and the front desk guy suggested we try this location for dinner. Conveniently located almost directly across the road.
Very welcoming and friendly staff. Varied menu and several draft beers available as well as a fairly extensive wine list.
Our server Lisa was sweet, efficient and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu and gave us ample time to decide.
Our meals (Lemon Snapper and Island Shrimp) were fresh and well prepared.
Would absolutely recommend this location and we plan to return one more time before we leave the area.
Very welcoming and friendly staff. Varied menu and several draft beers available as well as a fairly extensive wine list.
Our server Lisa was sweet, efficient and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu and gave us ample time to decide.
Our meals (Lemon Snapper and Island Shrimp) were fresh and well prepared.
Would absolutely recommend this location and we plan to return one more time before we leave the area.
Terri M.
Jan 03, 2022
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We got take-out burgers, seafood and loaded potatoes... everything was delicious. The fried shrimp and oysters were some of the best we've had in Atlantic Beach. The burger patties were very thick (I prefer a thinner patty) but were still very tasty. Even the slaw served with the seafood was especially good. Highly recommend!
Victoria Brown Hartsell
Dec 30, 2021
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Matt Hoyman
Dec 17, 2021
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Sam Laws
Oct 19, 2021
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The rocks had the feel of a neighborhood restaurant. Didn't seem to be geared to adjust the tourist you know taking money one time and never see you again. The service was great 15 minute wait for a table on a Saturday night. Appetizer of fried oysters ,it is an "R" month!!! Main dish was lemon snapper excellent.
They will definitely get a visit next time through
They will definitely get a visit next time through
Christi Ann
Oct 17, 2021
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Besides the awesome food, Lisa, or server, was just wonderful! We ate there late, during off season, and were the only table there. Not only was Lisa super friendly, she gave us plenty ideas of what do do around the islands for our next day.
The prices seemed rather reasonable, and we did get a lot of food for our table.
The prices seemed rather reasonable, and we did get a lot of food for our table.
Marla Cutler
Sep 28, 2021
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This place is amazing! My family and some friends were staying at the Hilton across the street and decided on this for dinner since it was easy. The wait time was around 30 minutes but the kitty hawk gift shop next door was an amazing place to kill time. Our waitress, Lisa was absolutely INCREDIBLE, so attentive and personable! My burger came back a little underdone for my liking but she quickly made sure i had everything i needed in no time! great atmosphere and live music, very clean, and overall a nice place to eat in AB! highly recommend!
Shane E.
Sep 27, 2021
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This was my 2nd trip there and both were excellent. I've enjoyed the shrimp and grits and the seafood pasta, both were delicious, and they don't skimp or over load you on the seafood, the dishes were well balanced. The calamari was outstanding as well. The only drawbacks I have for OTR is the live music is a bit too loud for the size of the place....there is no way to escape it. Prices are a couple bucks too high in my opinion but this won't stop me from coming back
Cheri L.
Sep 15, 2021
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We ate there two nights in a row, we sat at the bar and the bartender was fantastic! The food was great but the bartender was better. Have not had such a great bartender in a long time. My husband had IPA's and they have a good selection of beers. Both nights the other customers were friendly, mix of locals and tourists.
Christopher Rogers
Sep 10, 2021
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The 15 minute wait was well worth it. We were seated fairly quickly. The staff is very friendly. Overall, the place is family friendly, serves good food and a lot of it. (we had the snapper and dune of nachos and our kids had the chicken bites, quite excellent!) The portions are generous. The kids' meals would be a modest meal for an adult. The prices are competitive with the chain restaurants. 10/10 would recommend. We plan to come back next time we're in town.
Jennifer H.
Aug 29, 2021
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Found this place because it was across from our hotel. So glad we did. We enjoyed our meal very much. Food was good and you get plenty of it.
Pros: great size portions for the price
Food was delicious
Staff was friendly
Had live music
Cons: place is kind of small so not many tables
The live music was great but EXTREMELY loud. To point t that you had to yell at waitress to communicate.
All in all this was a really good place. We ate and had tons to bring home. And price is great. We got 2 appetizers, 3 meals and a desert and sodas for less than 100 bucks
Pros: great size portions for the price
Food was delicious
Staff was friendly
Had live music
Cons: place is kind of small so not many tables
The live music was great but EXTREMELY loud. To point t that you had to yell at waitress to communicate.
All in all this was a really good place. We ate and had tons to bring home. And price is great. We got 2 appetizers, 3 meals and a desert and sodas for less than 100 bucks
Mekenzie W.
Aug 29, 2021
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Amy Braxton Hairr
Aug 27, 2021
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Michele Beavers Ramge
Aug 17, 2021
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Oh my God... This is the best seafood location at Atlantic Beach. Not only is the staff amazing kind friendly as well as knowledgeable about the food's prepped here. The food is amazing. also a shout out personally to LISA and KEOAIRRA who served me and my daughter and the manager here who is amazing... You want to find a good place to eat and be pampered then definitely stop by ON THE ROCKS at Atlantic Beach
TomandShantelle Campbell
Aug 12, 2021
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Joelle was so nice and very accommodating to our large party. Our server, Lisa was amazing. She answered questions, kept our drinks coming, and took very good care of our party. Music was fantastic but the… overall star of the night was the food! Seafood pasta, wings, fried shrimp, and Cajun chicken pasta were all delicious. We’ve been to several places on the island while we’ve been here on vacation but only one did we go back to just a few nights later..On The Rocks.. best food of our stay. Thank you, we can’t wait to come back!
Jerry Fackler Sr
Aug 12, 2021
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Suzanne Moore
Jul 27, 2021
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Not my local fave by any means. The food was not worthy of the one hour wait. Our server (Jesse) was the best part of being there. She was fast and cheerful. My tater tots were on the cool side of room… temperature. They looked and tasted like they had been fried twice in dirty oil. Disgusting. Speaking of temperature, the room was very, very warm. The high back booths made it worse by now allowing any decent air flow. We will NOT go back and will NOT recommend it to our friends.
Kady D.
Jul 18, 2021
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J. D.
Jul 15, 2021
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On The Rocks turned out to be a disappointment and a huge waste of money. The decor was cold and run down... lots of wasted space and holes in the wall... sitting in the waiting area I thought we should go somewhere else. Shame on me for not listening to myself.
On to the food. Our meals consisted of steamed shrimp, two orders boneless wings a bowl of seafood chowder and an order of potato skins.
The twenty count orders of boneless wings were massive! Each order must have consisted of two or three large chicken breast cut into large chunks that were breaded and fried. Unfortunately the boneless
On to the food. Our meals consisted of steamed shrimp, two orders boneless wings a bowl of seafood chowder and an order of potato skins.
The twenty count orders of boneless wings were massive! Each order must have consisted of two or three large chicken breast cut into large chunks that were breaded and fried. Unfortunately the boneless
John Hannan
Jun 23, 2021
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Nothing fancy, just the average seafood and burger joint near the ocean. All Inside dining, no exterior windows. There is a small staging area where a man was performing acoustical music, which I enjoyed. The staff was welcoming and friendly. The food was good. We shared the dune of nachos and had shrimp tacos.
Terence W.
Jun 02, 2021
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Came here just to have a few drinks. Was not the best of nights for me. The wonderful bartender was so amazing. Loved her! She always made sure I was without a drink and she as fun to talk with.
After a few hours, I decided to try some food. Everyone near me that had ordered, looked amazing. I ordered the 9oz. Filet, seared scallops, mushroom, Brussels sprouts and a potato.
It was the best steak I've had in years! I was amazed. I think I told them four or five times (alcohol taking. LOL) If you like a good medium rare, that will melt in your mouth, come here!!!
All the food was amazing
After a few hours, I decided to try some food. Everyone near me that had ordered, looked amazing. I ordered the 9oz. Filet, seared scallops, mushroom, Brussels sprouts and a potato.
It was the best steak I've had in years! I was amazed. I think I told them four or five times (alcohol taking. LOL) If you like a good medium rare, that will melt in your mouth, come here!!!
All the food was amazing
Lisa S.
May 12, 2021
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Always get that AB Pasta -- amazing scallops & shrimp & cream sauce. And we rotate in a few other things to eat family-style... today it was grouper bites and the oyster po boy, plus a side of brussel sprouts and bacon. This is one of the few places where I like the fries better than tater tots. And our server tonight, Lisa, was fab. We may have particularly clicked because of our shared name, but I bet she's just as friendly and engaging with people who have other names.
I'm glad they've extended their week to now be dinner every day but Sunday; not sure if that&apos
I'm glad they've extended their week to now be dinner every day but Sunday; not sure if that&apos
Stuart Greer
Jan 08, 2021
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Across the street from our hotel, we walked over on a Wednesday night and were seated immediately. Servers were friendly and the food was out super quick. Started off with the Dune of Nachos and cleaned the plate. The kids loved their cheeseburgers and the club sandwich was enormous! We had the Island Shrimp and Seared Tuna Steak, and we loved every bite. Highly recommend this place and we will be back!
Tim W.
Nov 27, 2020
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Allison P.
Sep 04, 2020
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I recently tried this place while visiting Indian Beach. It was a Tuesday night and the place was nearly empty, so we had no trouble getting a table for 5 without a reservation. Our server greeted us right away and was very friendly and accommodating throughout the meal.
We started with drinks and calamari for an appetizer. They have their spin on all the usual beachy cocktail options - I went with something that had rum and it was a bit sweet, so they added less pineapple juice in the next round and it was much better. The calamari could have been a bit crispier, but it was a good portion size
We started with drinks and calamari for an appetizer. They have their spin on all the usual beachy cocktail options - I went with something that had rum and it was a bit sweet, so they added less pineapple juice in the next round and it was much better. The calamari could have been a bit crispier, but it was a good portion size
