After a long boat ride across the water, few things sound better than crispy, golden fried fish and a place that feels like it has been waiting just for you. Tucked away on a small island in North Carolina, there’s a spot where hungry travelers step off the ferry and find exactly the kind of meal they were dreaming about.
It looks casual and unfussy from the outside, but the food and the friendly buzz turn a quick bite into a memory. Come curious, come hungry, and get ready to fall in love with a true island favorite.
An Island Tavern at the End of the Ferry Line
Roll off the ferry with an empty stomach and you’ll find this lively tavern sitting right where road-weary travelers need it most. Located at 1175 Irvin Garrish Hwy on Ocracoke Island, it’s the kind of place that feels built for hungry arrivals.
The island itself is reachable only by boat, and the ferries don’t offer food along the way. That leaves plenty of people stepping onto land with growling stomachs and a mission to find something good, fast.
Positioned as a handy first stop for those coming off the Hatteras route, this American restaurant has anchored the local dining scene for over three decades. It’s not fancy, and it doesn’t try to be.
What you get instead is fresh seafood, a warm welcome, and a menu served straight through the day. Whether you land at noon or mid-afternoon, the kitchen is ready.
For anyone new to the island, it’s the perfect introduction to Ocracoke’s easygoing, salty-air charm.
More Than Thirty Years of Feeding Locals and Travelers
Some places come and go, but this island staple has stuck around for more than thirty years, quietly becoming part of Ocracoke’s story. Regulars who return year after year treat it like a reunion with an old friend.
One longtime visitor shared a sweet moment: after showing up wearing an old anniversary shirt, a manager surprised them with a leftover shirt from a later celebration. That kind of gesture says a lot about how the place treats people.
Being a family-run, mom-and-pop operation means the money spent here stays right there on the island. Supporting it feels less like a transaction and more like joining a community.
Folks describe it as having a hometown feeling, the sort of spot where you’re greeted warmly the second you walk through the door. Whether you’re a first-timer or a decades-long fan, you’re welcomed the same.
That staying power isn’t luck. It comes from consistently good food and genuine hospitality that keeps people coming back trip after trip.
Fried Fish Baskets Worth the Boat Ride
Crispy on the outside, flaky and tender within, the fried fish here is the reason so many travelers make a beeline off the ferry. It’s the star everyone talks about, and for good reason.
Visitors rave about the fried fish sandwich in particular, noting how the golden crust stays crunchy while the fish inside remains fresh and soft. A pillowy bun ties the whole thing together into a satisfying handful.
Fresh-cut fries come alongside, and diners love that they’re the real deal rather than frozen. Cooked until just right and well seasoned, they hold their crispness even in a takeout box.
Fresh local seafood drives the kitchen, with options like the catch of the day giving anglers-turned-eaters a taste of what’s swimming nearby. Mahi-mahi often shows up as a featured fresh pick.
Order a basket after a long journey and you’ll understand the loyalty. It travels well, fills you up, and delivers that laid-back island flavor people cross the water to find.
Crab Cakes That Let the Crab Shine
Ask around and the crab cakes come up again and again, earning more mentions from diners than almost anything else on the menu. That kind of buzz doesn’t happen by accident.
What sets them apart, according to happy guests, is how much actual crab you taste. Rather than padding them out with filler, the kitchen lets the sweet, delicate meat take center stage.
Paired with fresh-cut fries, they make a hearty, satisfying plate that easily fills you after a day of exploring the island. It’s comfort food with a coastal soul.
Several folks mention ordering them alongside oysters or other seafood, building a spread that shows off the kitchen’s range. They hold up well as takeout too, arriving neatly packaged and still full of flavor.
For anyone who loves crab but hates the disappointment of a cake that tastes like breadcrumbs, this is a reliable win. Order them, share a bite if you must, and prepare to understand why they’re such a repeat favorite here.
Oysters, Conch Fritters, and Starters to Share
Before the main event arrives, the appetizer lineup gives your table plenty to fight over. Guests happily report that the starters set the tone for a great meal.
Oysters earn glowing mentions, whether served ice cold and fresh or dressed up as oyster Rockefeller. Several diners insist you shouldn’t skip them, calling them a highlight of the whole visit.
Conch fritters have their own devoted fans, with more than a few people declaring them an absolute must-order. Crispy calamari also wins praise for arriving flavorful rather than greasy.
Other crowd-pleasers include fried shrimp, crab and shrimp dip, tuna bites that come perfectly seared, and even egg rolls that surprise people with how tasty they are. There’s something for every craving.
Hush puppies deserve a special shout-out, showing up in review after review as a side worth adding to any order. Golden and satisfying, they’re a Southern classic done right.
Grab a handful of these and settle in. Sharing appetizers here is half the fun of the experience.
Fresh Catch of the Day and Blackened Favorites
Not everything here comes battered and fried, and the fresh-fish options prove the kitchen knows how to let seafood speak for itself. Diners who choose the daily catch rarely regret it.
On any given day you might find a choice of three fresh fish, giving seafood lovers a chance to pick their favorite. The rotating selection keeps regulars curious about what’s landing next.
Blackened preparations draw strong praise, with guests singling out blackened drum and red drum as standouts. Described as fresh and well prepared, they often arrive with sides like potatoes and broccoli.
One diner followed their server’s suggestion and left thrilled, calling the blackened drum excellent and the whole meal a hit for the table. Good recommendations clearly pay off here.
The catch of the day fish sandwich also earns repeat applause from first-timers and veterans alike. Fresh, flavorful, and cooked with care, it’s proof this spot takes its seafood seriously.
If you want island flavor without the fryer, this is the corner of the menu to explore.
Walls Wrapped in License Plates and College Pennants
Look up while you wait for your food and you’ll find the walls telling stories of their own. Hundreds of license plates and college pennants cover nearly every surface.
The collection has grown over the years thanks to guests donating their own keepsakes. One longtime visitor even spotted an expired plate they’d handed over years earlier, still proudly on display among the crowd.
Part of the fun is scanning the banners for a piece of home. Travelers delight in finding their alma mater or hometown represented, a happy surprise when you’re far from familiar ground.
People from all over describe the joy of spotting a college flag or a favorite team’s banner hanging above their table. It turns a simple meal into a little scavenger hunt.
The eclectic, cheerful decor matches the tavern’s laid-back personality perfectly. Nothing about it feels staged or overly polished.
Give yourself a few minutes to soak it all in. The walls are basically a scrapbook of everyone who’s passed through, and you might just add to it.
Screened Porch, Sky Deck, and Where to Sit
Choosing your seat here is half the adventure, since the place offers a few distinct spots to settle in. Each one gives the meal a slightly different mood.
Inside, an air-conditioned dining room keeps things cool and comfortable, a welcome retreat on hot island afternoons. It’s the go-to when the weather outside turns sticky.
The expansive screened porch, fitted with ceiling fans, lets you enjoy the breeze while admiring those famous banner-covered walls. Guests love lingering there, taking in the scenery as they wait.
Up top, the sky deck rewards you with island views and open-air dining. It’s the kind of perch that makes a casual lunch feel a little special.
One helpful tip from visitors: if you’d prefer to stay cool, just ask. A few diners found the outdoor seating warm on peak days and were happily moved indoors when they requested it.
Bring your dog along too, since some guests mention their pups were welcomed and even offered water. Whatever seat you pick, comfort is close by.
A Lively, Family-Friendly Atmosphere
Step inside during a busy stretch and you’ll feel the energy right away. The place buzzes with a fun, laid-back vibe that makes any meal feel like a mini celebration.
Families fit right in here. One guest recalled a kids’ princess birthday party happening the same night, thoughtfully set apart so it stayed festive without crowding the other tables.
Younger diners get a kick out of the picky-eater favorites like mac and cheese and flat-style chicken tenders, praised for being perfectly breaded. Fried pickles round out the crowd-pleasing lineup.
Kids’ meals arrive with a playful twist, served on take-home Frisbees that double as a souvenir. It’s a small touch that turns dinner into a keepsake.
The friendly, cheerful staff add to the welcoming feel, greeting locals and visitors alike with warmth. That hometown spirit shows in how people describe their visits.
Whether you’re rolling in with a big group, a road-trip crew, or the whole family, the atmosphere makes room for everyone. It’s easygoing fun with good food at the center.
Service With a Personal Touch
Great food gets you in the door, but the service is what many guests remember most. Time and again, people describe the staff as friendly, attentive, and full of helpful suggestions.
One diner called their server the best they’d had all week on the island, praising spot-on menu recommendations that led to a memorable meal. Good advice clearly comes standard here.
Food tends to arrive quickly, made to order and served hot, which matters when you’ve just stepped off a ferry starving. Fast, warm plates keep the good mood going.
A road-trip crew who logged over a thousand miles voted this their best meal of the whole journey, crediting both the kitchen and the welcoming staff. High praise from folks who ate their way across the map.
Like anywhere, an off day can happen, and a few visitors noted service can vary. Still, the overwhelming theme is warmth and genuine care.
When you land a great server, they’ll steer you toward the best dishes and make the visit feel personal. That human touch is part of the charm.
Hours, Prices, and How to Get There
Planning your visit takes a little know-how, since getting here means catching a ferry to Ocracoke Island. The restaurant sits at 1175 Irvin Garrish Hwy, an easy first stop once you arrive.
Doors open daily at 11 AM and the posted hours run until 10 PM, seven days a week. The full menu is served consistently throughout the day, so you won’t miss out no matter when you show up.
A friendly heads-up from recent visitors: if you’re arriving late off an evening ferry, try to get there with time to spare rather than right at closing. Kitchens wind down, and an early arrival makes for a smoother, happier meal.
Expect prices in the range of about twenty to thirty dollars, which many diners feel is fair for fresh seafood on a remote island. Portions tend to be generous.
You can call ahead at 252-928-4441 or check howardspub.com to plan your stop. A little timing goes a long way toward a relaxed, delicious island meal.
Why Ferry Riders Keep Coming Back Hungry
By the time you’ve finished your basket of golden fish and swiped the last fry through whatever’s left, it’s easy to see why this spot has earned such devoted fans. It delivers exactly what a hungry traveler hopes for.
Fresh seafood, quick and hot plates, and a cheerful, banner-draped setting add up to a meal that fits the island perfectly. It’s casual enough for flip-flops yet special enough for a celebration.
Regulars return year after year, road-trippers rank it as a trip highlight, and first-timers walk out already planning a second visit. That loyalty tells the real story.
Is every single visit flawless? No place is, and a rare off moment can happen.
But the steady stream of happy diners speaks volumes about what awaits most guests.
Come off the ferry with an appetite and an open mind, and you’ll likely leave grinning, full, and glad you stopped. On an island where dining options are few, this one has earned its place as a beloved go-to worth crossing the water for.