
Dining in the High Country
Scroll to see our favorite lunch and dinner spots.
Our Favorite Restaurants
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The Gamekeeper Restaurant
Boone/Blowing Rock
Located in a charming stone cottage amidst lovely views of ferns and native Poplar and Maple trees, The Gamekeeper is our favorite mountain restaurant. The Gamekeeper has a game-focused, mountain-modern menu. It is a must-try for dinner! We recommend making reservations in advance.
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The Pedalin' Pig
Banner Elk
The Pedalin’ Pig is our favorite BBQ joint in the mountains. Its a casual spot dishing up BBQ staples such as brisket and ribs along with a range of beers. It’s a great option for lunch or dinner. The brisket sells out quickly, so we recommend an earlier dinner. You must try the corn nuggets too!
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Gideon Ridge
Blowing Rock
Enjoy dining Al Fresco or in the intimate dining room at the top of the mountains. The cuisine is an eclectic blend of the freshest mountain ingredients, prepared in the classical style. The experience and views are exceptional, so reservations are a hot commodity. Ressies open 2 weeks in advance, so mark your calendar to call when they’re released!
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Stonewalls Restaurant
Banner Elk
Stonewalls features steaks, seafood & cocktails offered in a long-running restaurant with an old-school vibe. Our favorite dish on the menu is the Prime Rib- it is excellent! And Grace Ann loves a good dirty martini by the fire in the summer. Fun fact: we ate at Stonewalls with our families the night before Kyle proposed, so it will always be a special place for us!
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Bistro Roca
Blowing Rock
Bistro Roca is an upscale-casual bistro & bar that is perfect for lunch while exploring Blowing Rock. It’s a casual fine dining restaurant and bar quaintly nestled off the beaten path near downtown. The menu features New American comfort foods & pizzas from a wood-burning oven, unique salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and homemade desserts.
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The Speckled Trout
Blowing Rock
Speckled Trout is a rustic, no-frills spot for Southern fare & Lowcountry seafood for lunch & dinner. We explore the roots of Appalachian food & beverage culture & re-create it in our kitchen by preserving & reviving ingredients of our local heritage.
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The Mellow Mushroom
Blowing Rock
A 70s-inspired restaurant with trippy vibes coupled with the delicious flavors of hand-crafted stone-baked pizzas and unique local beers, making it the perfect place to relax and unwind. We love stopping by Mellow Mushroom for a quick calzone while shopping in Blowing Rock.
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Six Pence Pub
Blowing Rock
Located on main street in Blowing Rock, Six Pence features traditional American, and British comfort foods. It’s our favorite place to eat after watching the Blowing Rock 4th of July parade. Check to see if they have the “Trickster” from Green Man Brewery if you visit!
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Bella's Italian & Pizza
Banner Elk
Bella's has pizza and authentic Italian cuisine. Sit at the bar or high-top tables and enjoy your favorite sports game with a beer or cocktail and one of the delicious appetizers. We love grabbing takeout from Bella’s for an easy dinner after a long day of hiking or a trip to the lake!
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Artisanal Restaurant
Banner Elk
Artisanal features a fully farm-to-table menu, all made with locally grown ingredients. Artisanal is our go-to special ‘date night’ spot when we’re in the mountains. For a gourmet mountain dining experience, Artisanal takes the cake.
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Stick Boy Kitchen
Boone
Stick Boy’s is a great place to stop for lunch or grab some sweet treats! It’s a laid-back cafe specializing in creative sandwiches on house-baked bread, plus soup, salad & coffee.
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The Cardinal
Boone
Lodgelike joint featuring an eclectic burger menu, fried chicken & sides, plus creative cocktails.