Who is the Outer Banks Restaurant Association?

More than just an industry support organization, the Outer Banks Restaurant Association represents a diverse and exceptionally talented community famous for culinary creativity and warm southern hospitality.  As an association, our goals are many but focus on promoting the (formerly) best kept secret about The Outer Banks, our fantastic dining options.  Our beautiful strip of sand has always been a mecca for beach-goers and nature enthusiasts, but our gifted chefs and inspired entrepreneurs are showing our visitors - one plate at a time - that our culinary creations are worth the trip on their own!  

Beyond promoting our dining as a destination, the OBRA is your source for food-related events!  With our new Culinary Calendar and our already popular Email Blast program, you'll stay up to date with all of our upcoming Festivals and Cook-Offs.  Chowder to Chili, Clam Bakes to BBQ Parties, stay in the know with the OBRA.

Organizationally, the core of the OBRA is made up of restaurant owners and managers, but the strength of the association lies in its diversity of affiliates.  Of course many of our top suppliers are represented, as well as a solid sampling of our media and advertising partners, but many do not realize that anyone can join.  You need only to be passionate about food!  Some of our most devoted members are just big fans of eating out on the Outer Banks!

As you might expect, the OBRA is a 501-C-3 non-profit.  To help achieve our goals, we also partner with - and contribute to - other local non-profits and national philanthropies like The Community Care Clinic, Outer Banks Hotline, DVAC, the local Food Bank, Relay for Life, March of Dimes, and the Outer Banks Community Foundation among others.  Additionally, the OBRA also offers scholarships through our OBRA Culinary Education Scholarship Fund.

So, to recap... The OBRA is your organization for celebrating food and fun on the Outer Banks and we look forward to you joining us!

Thanks for reading this far!  See you soon!

What can the Outer Banks Restaurant Association do for you as a member?

•  Increase the visibility of your restaurant as part of the Outer Banks Restaurant Association (OBRA) year-round marketing efforts.
• Expand your exposure on the high traffic OBRA web site and Facebook group (www.obxtasteofthebeach.com) (www.facebook.com/pages/OBX-Taste-of-The-Beach/49332863674)
• Promote your food related events by utilizing the OBRA on-line Culinary Calendar.

• Enjoy invaluable food service industry networking.

• Improve your brand through the philanthropic efforts of your Association.

• Enjoy more qualified staff through training provided by through the OBRA Culinary Education Scholarship Fund.

• Influence marketing decisions at the regional level through your association’s seat on the Dare County Tourism Board.

• Benefit from the revenue provided by our NEW shoulder season events.

• Amaze the world through as an exclusive participant in the Outer Banks’ premier culinary extravaganza, OBX Taste of The Beach Weekend. (Recognized as a Top 10 Wine & Seafood Festival in the nation, awarded by Coastal Living magazine.)

There has never been a better time to join the restaurant association.  Sign up today for your chance to be part of all of these things and the exciting new opportunities being created everyday at the OBRA, like Spring Restaurant week and our new on-lone gift certificate sales program.