Good people + Quality Food

Poor Richard’s has been a beloved Manteo landmark since 1984, proudly dishing out quality deli sandwiches with Boar's Head ingredients. Our menu features timeless classics such as Italian subs and our renowned Reuben, as well as specialties like the Heart Attack Wrap and the Angry Burger.

Our historic restaurant has the cozy atmosphere of a ship's cabin, paying homage to the rich maritime heritage of the Outer Banks. You ascend a ramp to enter, navigating a wood-paneled corridor before placing your order at the counter. Take a seat in a snug booth or enjoy the view from our back porch, which overlooks the picturesque Manteo Waterfront. In the evenings, Poor Richard's transforms into a local hangout spot. Our After Hours Bar has a regular line-up of talented solo artists and bands, delivering authentic nighttime entertainment.

Poor Richard’s was founded in 1984 by Richard Brown. Legend has it that he originally named the restaurant Ships Galley but people kept mistaking it for a seafood restaurant, so he put a sign out saying “Poor Richard’s” and the rest is history. In the early days, a local radio station occupied the front of the building, where Tod Clissold worked as Sales Manager, often buying his lunch from the sandwich bar behind. When the radio station moved out, Poor Richard’s opened the space as an after-hours bar and it became a popular spot for late-night snacks and entertainment. In 1998, Tod Clissold bought Poor Richard’s and has now spent nearly 30 years working in this beautiful historic building. Whether you're a first-time visitor or an Old Salt, we welcome you to come on in and savor a true Roanoke Island experience. Enjoy our beautiful views from the Waterfront Boardwalk. You can reach us on foot or by boat, bike, or car!

The Outer Banks are steeped in history, from Native Americans to the first English settlers to pirates and the Freedman’s Colony. Roanoke Island plays a key role in Outer Banks legend. Long before the settlements of Jamestown and Plymouth, our island was the site of the first English colony in America.

In 1584, an English fort and settlement were built on Roanoke Island but abandoned in 1585 due to weather conditions, supplies, and strained relations with the Native Americans. Two local chiefs, Manteo and Wanchese, had been brought to England to improve relations, but the colonists and natives struggled to coexist.

In 1587, a group of 110 English colonists arrived on Roanoke Island. On August 18, Eleanor Dare gave birth to Virginia Dare, the first English-speaking child in the New World. The baby's grandfather, Captain John White, returned to England for essential supplies a week after the birth. He was unexpectedly delayed in England for three years. In 1590, he returned to Roanoke Island and found no trace of the colonists. The letters "CRO" and "CROATOAN" were carved on two trees. The fate of the lost colonists remains a mystery. Their story is kept alive through the outdoor drama "The Lost Colony", performed at the site since 1936. Roanoke Island was permanently settled in the mid-1600s and Dare County was established in 1870. The town was named Manteo in 1873 and officially incorporated in 1899.

Manteo's downtown area was revitalized for America’s 400th anniversary celebrations. A 69-foot, square-rigged sailing ship was built to represent the Elizabethan vessels that brought the first English colonists to the New World. The Elizabeth II is named after one of the seven vessels that sailed in Sir Walter Raleigh’s second expedition to Roanoke Island. She is located in Shallowbag Bay at Roanoke Island Festival Park and can be seen from our back porch at Poor Richard’s.