If you're in the Outer Banks and want a tasty breakfast, lunch or dinner while you experience local history, a trip to the Life Saving Station Restaurant in Duck, North Carolina should be on your "must-do" list.
The Life Saving Station is one of three restaurants at the four-star
Sanderling Resort. Since it borders the Atlantic Ocean and Currituck Sound, guests can sip their morning coffee while watching the sunrise and enjoy a nightcap watching the sunset.
The Caffey's Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5 was established in 1874. (Credit: Sanderling Resort)
The Life Saving Station Restaurant is located on the former site of Caffey's Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5, which was established in 1874 as one of 29 stations to save shipwreck victims, cargo and ships along the perilous North Carolina coast. It was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The coastal waters along the Outer Banks are called the "
Graveyard of the Atlantic" because there have been over 5,000 shipwrecks since the 1500s when the government started keeping records. As the number of shipwrecks increased, the federal government created the US Lifesaving Service (USLSS) to manage stations along the coast. In 1878, all the stations were recognized as a separate agency of the United States Treasury, called the Life-Saving Service, which eventually became the United States Coast Guard.
The two-story, shingle-style, frame building is completely renovated. (Credit: Sanderling Resort)
The two-story, shingle-style, frame building is completely renovated and decorated with nautical artifacts and historical memorabilia, thanks to the efforts of two local families, the Slicks and the Stetsons. The front of the building has never changed, but the Keeper's Loft upstairs, originally an open deck, is now a popular venue for parties and meetings.
The Keeper's Loft was originally an open deck and is now used for parties and meetings. (Credit: Sanderling Resort)
The Slicks and the Stetsons restored nautical artifacts and historic memorabilia they found on site.
Nautical artifacts and historic memorabilia found on site were restored.
They also tracked down Station and Coast Guard uniforms, badges and insignia used by the rescue crews. All are on display in shadow boxes throughout the restaurant.
Uniforms, badges and insignia used by the rescue crews on display.
The lunch and dinner menus feature fresh local seafood such as Blue Crab & Corn Chowder and Crab Cake Sliders, and southern coastal cuisine such as Crab Hush Puppies and Crispy Pork Belly with Korean BBQ Sauce and Pickled Red Onion. Our group sampled the hush puppies, pork belly and crab cakes. All three were a preview of how good our dinner would be.
Crispy Pork Belly With Korean BBQ Sauce and Pickled Red Onion.
My Pan Seared Scallops with Orange Beurre Blanc were as good as they sound. A few of my friends had Broiled Halibut, the catch of the day, and said it was tender, flaky and sweet. Others enjoyed the Shrimp Carbonara with linguini, pancetta, green peas, fresh cream, and parmesan.
Pan Seared Scallops with Orange Beurre Blanc, Rice Pilaf and Charred Broccolini.
The Life Saving Station's specialty dessert is Chocolate Raspberry Crème Brûlée. I opted for the New York Style Cheesecake with Grand Marnier-scented strawberries, and several of my friends raved about the Flourless Chocolate Torte with Espresso Chocolate Sauce.
Locals say the Life Saving Station Restaurant serves "the best breakfast on the Outer Banks." When we saw Vanilla Bean French Toast, Pecan Waffles and Blue Crab Benedict on the menu, we wished we had time to come back the following morning to see if they were right.
Pecan Waffles with warm Vermont Maple Syrup.
Once a maritime rescue station, the lovingly restored Lifesaving Station Restaurant is now a tribute to the courageous crews that watched over the "Graveyard of the Atlantic" and saved the lives of shipwrecked mariners. Locals and visitors alike enjoy visiting to enjoy a delicious meal along with a taste of local history.
The Lifesaving Station Restaurant is located at the Sanderling Resort in Duck, North Carolina and is open from 11 am to 10 pm daily.
