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The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort, Duck, NC

The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort

4.3 (797)
$30 and under
American
1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 18 times today

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Located in the original Caffey’s Inlet Life Saving Station No. 5, the Lifesaving Station is Sanderling’s casual, three-meal-a-day restaurant celebrating southern coastal cuisine. Our second level offers sweeping views of the Currituck Sound and is available for small and large parties with an expansive kid’s menu.

The Lifesaving Station maintains an impressive wine list. At the newly renovated No 5 Bar now located on the first level, local North Carolina breweries are featured on tap.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary Southern, Comfort Food
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–11:30 am Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (252) 449-6654
  • Website
    http://www.sanderling-resort.com/restaurants-and-bars/life-saving-station
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Private party facilities
    We offer private event space for up to 24 guests. Please contact info@sanderling-resort.com for more info!
  • Location
    1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949
  • Neighborhood
    Duck
  • Parking details
    None
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 797 people are saying

The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.3
4.3 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.3Ambience
  • 3.9Value

Noise • Energetic

Loved For

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for brunch

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Kid-friendly

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Healthy

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Hot spot

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Neighborhood gem

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for fine wines

  • Coastal North Carolina

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Coastal North Carolina

    American

  • Outer Banks

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Lifesaving Station at Sanderling Resort offers a charming dining experience with "fantastic service" and a cozy setting. Guests rave about the "amazing" crab cake Benedict and the flounder dishes. While some mention slow service, many appreciate the attentive staff and serene patio dining. Perfect for special occasions!
797 Reviews

  1. Beth VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area11 reviews

    2.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 3
    Food was excellent but the service was so slow. Not sure if it was a kitchen issue or server issue or both, but we waited 10 minutes for water and drink order and then it was nearly 50 minutes from food order to delivery. There seemed adequate front house staff, so maybe training/management could help fix. For instance, if the hostess sees a table's server is tied up with a large group step in and fill water glasses and let guests know their server will be over soon. The table next to us had to get food to go after waiting nearly 45 minutes for their order as their baby needed to be fed. There was also no communication during the wait. Again, all things that a manager could help smooth over.

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  2. Grant

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill21 reviews

    3.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    Extremely convenient if staying at Sanderling. Service could not have been better. Food was quite good, but rather standard options and not exceptional quality/flavors (crabcakes had way too much filler and were bland). Ambience is more like a breakfast/lunch place, but not great for fairly expensive dinner (lighting too high, no character). Cocktails and wine were good.

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  3. michael

    Virginia3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on June 2, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    Wife Loved the fillet mignon, potatoes were very salty. I got the Flounder special,was ok, not impressed with the seasoning.Both of us were supposed to have broccolini, for the second Wedding Anniversary in a row (40/41st). They served Broccoli 🥦,lol.Drinks and wine too expensive for the place. Crab hush puppies had no Crab! Disappointed.Waiter was very nice. We both said that we're never going back.

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  4. Jen

    Washington, D.C. Area5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 29, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Server was amazing!! I recommend the crab hush puppies.We weren't a fan of the main course.

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  5. Mary

    Virginia5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 28, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent service. Attentive and so polite. Sent us outside to take pictures of the sunset. We thoroughly enjoyed our evening.

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  6. GAIL VIP

    San Francisco Bay Area5 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on May 26, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We enjoyed a very nice meal on a rainy Memorial Day. The food was delicious. Our party ordered the braised short rib, crab cakes and the burger. Our server was very attentive. The dining room was full but not loud nor chaotic. We also appreciated that we didn't have to deal with the traffic one typically finds in Duck proper when the weather is bad. All in, a very nice evening. We will be back.

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  7. Phillip VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 26, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    I surprised by the many bad reviews. Our experience was exactly the opposite. Great sandwiches, sides and service.

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  8. Lindsay

    Chicago / Illinois1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 25, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The food and service here are amazing! Highly recommend the crab cake Benedict.

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  9. Ariette VIP

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We were dining on the Patio, so no noise and just the sun and the wind. Service was as usual great and so was the food.

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  10. Elizabeth VIP

    Washington, D.C. Area39 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 12, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    We’ve been coming to the Lifesaving Station for many years, and I’m guessing they may have changed chefs again. Our server was not good, my Mom ordered her burger rare, and it was well done. The burgers weren’t prepped as described, my Caesar salad had tomatoes & croutons that were clearly store bought. The server came back to ask questions about our order, but never wrote anything down, and I knew he didn’t remember the order before he walked away. He disappeared for long stretches of time, my iced tea sat empty. It was disappointing all around. The setting is appealing & the fire in the fireplace was nice.

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FAQs

The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (252) 449-6654.

The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort is rated 4.3 stars by 797 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Coastal North Carolina
  4. Outer Banks
  5. Duck

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 18 times today
Google Map for The Lifesaving Station - Sanderling Resort

1461 Duck Rd, Duck, NC 27949

Additional information

  • Neighborhood
    Duck
  • Hours of operation
    Breakfast Daily 7:00 am–11:30 am Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–4:30 pm Dinner Daily 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Contemporary Southern, Comfort Food
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
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