Your Guide to the Best Restaurants in the High Country

A quick update for readers: as of May 18, 2025 The Red Onion, mentioned below, has closed its doors.

I absolutely love where I live. The hikes, the views, and the pace of life is just the start.

But one of the main reasons I love living in the mountains of North Carolina, and especially in the High Country, is the vast selection of locally-owned restaurants. If you’ve read my content you know I’m a hardcore foodie, and I’m here to share a local’s perspective on the best restaurants in our area.

Should I go ahead and issue a warning? Because this post may cause hunger. Maybe enough hunger for a weekend trip up to the area (or a reason to eat out on the town tonight if you’re a local). Let’s get started…

Breakfast

Stick Boy Kitchen ($10-20 per person)

This place is one of my favorites for breakfast. Get yourself either a Breakfast Bagel or the Everything but the (Stick Boy) Kitchen Sink and be sure to ask for their homemade ketchup. It’s out of this world. Not in the mood for a big breakfast? Start your day with one of their breakfast treats like their blueberry scone (or chocolate chip pumpkin scone during the fall).

Melanie’s Food Fantasy ($10-20 per person)

Melanie’s is the perfect brunch spot with girlfriends. This is a fun and quirky restaurant in the heart of downtown, so it can get busy really quick! Their Eggs Benedict and homefries have never, ever failed me.

Betty’s Biscuits ($10-20 per person)

Betty’s is across the street from Melanie’s and offers a variety of savory and sweet biscuits. I’m a sweet tooth so my go-to biscuit is A Fool & His Gold (hot biscuit, seasonal berries, whipped cream). They also have a fantastic hot drink selection and give you your check inside hardcover books. What?! They’re another perfect spot for brunch!

Coffee

Local Lion ($5-10 per person)

Local Lion has, guaranteed, kept their lights on because of customers like me. Aside from their craft coffee (roasted fresh daily) they’re also one of the best donut spots in town! My go-to here is a decaf vanilla latte with oat milk. Hot in the winter, iced in the summer.

Hatchet Coffee ($5-10 per person)

Hatchet has never, ever failed me. They’re a great spot to go and get some work done or to get a small bite and coffee with a friend. If you’re coming in or out of town through 421, this is right along your route!

Mountain Dog Coffee ($5-10 per person)

This spot is relatively new to the area and I’ve been hooked since they first opened! Mountain Dog Coffee has a great selection of breakfast pastries and sandwiches, not to mention a solid selection of coffee and speciality drinks. My go-to here is their Pesto Bialy: ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, and pesto on a bialy. YUM.

Lunch

Wildwood Community Market ($10-20 per person)

Wildwood, I love you, and I especially love your black bean burger. It’s one of the best I’ve had on God’s green earth. If you go, get it. It’s as good as any meat-based burger, at least in my very humble opinion.

Booneshine Brewing Company ($10-20 per person)

Booneshine is *classic* Boone. They have a beautiful beer garden with a food truck or you can sit inside their tasting room for their full menu. Tempted yet? If so, start your visit there with the following appetizers: the Soft Pretzel with Beer Cheese, the Brookshire Fries, and their Crispy Brussels Sprouts. If you’re a fan of craft beer, this is the spot for you!

The Red Onion ($10-20 per person)

My favorite salad in the world can be found at The Red Onion: the Lemon-Poppy Salmon Salad. I love her so much. And if you’re hungry for dessert, be sure to get their Crème Brûlée. It is exquisite.

Dinner

Town Tavern ($10-20 per person)

Town Tavern is one of our favorite places to visit after a hike. The wings here (Bourbon Glaze, I’m looking right at you) are to die for, paired with either their Sweet Potato Waffle Fries or Potato Skins. I dream about this meal often. So simple, yet so perfect.

Lost Province Brewing Co.’s Downtown Brewpub ($10-20 per person)

When I think about the Margherita pizza at Lost Province, I feel all sorts of warm inside. Their 12″ Neapolitan style wood-fired pizzas are perfect for sharing or consuming solo (been there, done that). Their charcuterie boards are also superb and highly recommended as an appetizer. Another great place to drink some local brews!

Coyote Kitchen ($10-20 per person)

Okay, I love french fries. But have you ever had yuca fries? I don’t know what sort of magic seasoning Coyote Kitchen sprinkles on the yuca, but whatever it is, I’m sold on it and the Garlic-Lime Aioli. That and the rest of their Southwest & Caribbean soul food-based menu. Also their coconut rice? BLESS IT, LORD.

Reservation-Based

CoBo Sushi Bistro and Bar ($20-30 per person)

You can’t come to Boone and not make reservations at CoBo. While you’re there, get the Yosef and the Appalachian specialty rolls. And if you’re not big on sushi, try the New Yorker. It’s steak-based sushi and a great way to enjoy the sushi scene!

The Gamekeeper ($50-100 per person)

If you’re coming up the mountain for a special celebration (anniversary, birthday, etc.) or you’re a local looking for a unique food experience, you’ll want to make reservations at The Gamekeeper. This spot is tucked away between Boone and Blowing Rock and offers fine dining with locally sourced game.

Vidalia ($20-30 per person)

Vidalia is on the outskirts of downtown Boone and a great place for brunch or dinner. We’ve celebrated birthdays and anniversaries here and have loved each meal experience. Be sure to get their Truffle Fries, Honey Butter Rolls, and especially their Grilled Sixty South Salmon if you’re going for dinner.

Drinks & Dessert

Venture Chocolate & Wine ($1–10 per person)

If you’re in downtown Boone for dinner, skip dessert and walk over to Venture for a glass of wine and a couple of their bon bons in The Cellar. Alternatively, if you’re a sweet tooth like me, pop into their Chocolate Lounge on the main floor for a bon bon to-go (but let’s be real, you’ll end up with more than just one). Get the passionfruit, it’s outrageously good.

Appalachia Cookie Company ($1–10 per person)

Who needs Insomnia Cooke (or Crumbl) with a local place like App Cookie Co.? This gourmet cookie spot recently moved closer to downtown Boone and I’m so glad they did! Their Snickerdoodle cookie is my all-time favorite.

Blue Deer ($1–10 per person)

Want cookies AND ice cream? This is the spot for you! Blue Deer Cookies has three locations across the High Country and they’re perfect for hot summer days when you want something sweet.

Takeout

Thai/Vietnamese, Indian, and Greek. Need I say more? Each of these spots are fantastic for takeout when you’re not in the mood to cook or wait on food after a long day of exploring the area.

Sabeing Boone King ($10-20 per person)

Their Thai Fried Rice with CRISPY Chicken is a dream.

Mint Indian Cuisine ($20-30 per person)

It’s all about the naan here for me. That and their Chicken Coconut with Basmati Rice.

Ambrosia Kaféneio ($10-20 per person)

Get. The. Greek. Fries. You won’t regret it.

Honorable Mentions

And because there are so many locally-owned spots in this area, I’ve decided to highlight a couple more that I love…

• Birdies Coffee & Treats
• Tout Suite
• Horton Hotel Rooftop Bar & Lounge
• The Speckled Trout
• fizz Ed
• The Cardinal
• Come Back Shack

Alright, it’s time for a meal out. For you, for me, for all of us. Wherever you end up, just be sure to support local. They’re the backbone of communities like ours and deserve every penny.

Happy eating, friends!