The Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week

othing captures the true flavor of the Outer Banks quite like fresh soft-shell crab, harvested locally and served just hours from water to table. From classic sandwiches to creative small plates and indulgent dinners, it’s a coastal favorite you won’t want to miss.

The 4th Annual Outer Banks National Soft-Shell Week returns May 11–16, 2026, featuring 38 participating restaurants from Duck to Cape Hatteras and Roanoke Island. Throughout the week, locals and visitors are invited to enjoy a restaurant crawl of creative soft-shell crab dishes and vote for their favorite, making it easy to explore the destination through one of its most iconic coastal traditions.

New this year, the event expands with crab-inspired cocktails, in-restaurant appearances from Sheldon the Crab, and the debut of the Soft-Shell Express, an experiential, ticketed tour produced by Outer Banks Adventures. Launching May 12 and May 13, the tour features two routes (Duck–Kitty Hawk–Kill Devil Hills) and (Manteo–Nags Head) and includes behind-the-scenes visits to local crab shedders along with tapas-style tastings at participating restaurants. Tickets are now available for the Soft-Shell Express May 12th Route and May 13th Route.

Soft-shell crabs are harvested just after molting, making them tender, delicate, and entirely edible, a true reflection of the skill and tradition of Outer Banks watermen. Plan your week, explore participating restaurants, and check back for voting details and tour updates as you get ready to experience this signature coastal event.