Last Updated on November 14, 2022
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After multiple sit-downs at these delicious Blowing Rock restaurants, we’re convinced that this North Carolina mountain town is filled with culinary geniuses. And when planning a weekend or chasing waterfalls, picking a restaurant can be tough, because there are so many good ones!
So that’s why we’ve created a list of our favorite must-eat restaurants in Blowing Rock. You’ll find spots along the main drag and beyond in this guide, so grab your fork and appetite, and let’s go!
We’ve organized this article to include:
- Downtown Blowing Rock Restaurants
- More Incredible Blowing Rock Restaurants
The restaurants are ordered alphabetically and do not display our personal preferences.
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Downtown Blowing Rock Restaurants
Best Cellar
Located inside of The Inn at Ragged Gardens, The Best Cellar (2013 Sunset Dr) has made quite a name for itself! Serving Blowing Rock since 1975 where the original owners sold soup, sandwiches, and books, today’s menu looks a little similar but elevated.
From fresh Oysters Rockefeller to Maine Lobster Bisque as starters, The Best Cellar certainly is one of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock! Savor a rack of lamb, veal marsala, or their incredible Salmon Oscar.
Read More: How to Explore the NC Oyster Trail (10+ Adventurous Ways!)
Blowing Rock Ale House
Sure, Blowing Rock Ale House (152 Sunset Dr) is known for incredible brews. But did you know that the High Country Ale pairs wells with their Ale House Pretzels?
And don’t forget to order a juicy Carolina Bison Burger served with charred tomato jam and a stout glaze.
Stop in for a brewery tour on Saturdays or book a room at their Inn. Either way, just make sure to grab a six-pack to go after your delicious meal!
Back to the beer for a second, because we also included Blowing Rock Ale House among our favorite North Carolina breweries.
Read More: The Best Breweries in Asheville
Savannah’s Oyster House
You might be thinking… Aren’t we too far inland for oysters? But in the High Country, anything is possible! Savannah’s Oyster House is a Blowing Rock restaurant favorite among many! Serving the best fried oysters and shrimp alongside seafood boils, you can have it all and keep coming back for more!
Read More: 13 Amazing Restaurants in Banner Elk and Nearby (+ Where to Drink!)
Six Pence Pub
When in the High Country, you should spend at least one meal eating like royalty at Six Pence Pub (1121 Main St)! This delightful spot brings us back to the pubs of London, and for good reason.
Serving both American and British comfort food surrounded by British décor, it’s not hard to feel like you’ve just hopped across the pond.
Grab some Bangers & Mash, a Beef Guinness, or a Shepherd’s Pie while there. Oh, and wash your meal down with a delicious pint or a snort of Glenfiddich.
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The Speckled Trout
Is there any better introduction to Appalachia than a home cooked and locally sourced meal from The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop (922 Main St)? This Blowing Rock restaurant celebrates regional dishes and supports North Carolina farmers.
They also serve delicious meals like the Cracker Crusted NC Mountain Trout (pictured, above), Chicken ‘n’ Dumplings, and a finger-licking-good Smoked Trout Toast.
The Speckled Trout’s bottle shop also boasts an impressive wine and beer selection for dine-in or take-out.
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Storie Street Grille
A beautiful stone walkway leads to Storie Street Grille (1167 Main St). There, you’ll find one of the best upscale restaurants in Blowing Rock, where Southern classics mix with Mediterranean flavors.
Storie Street Grille offers an extensive wine list and cocktails liquored up with NC Spirits.
But the best part of all is their dishes. Stars like Watermelon Salad, Chicken Piccata, and Aegean Pasta stand out among some stiff competition.
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Town Tavern
Town Tavern (1182 Main St) mixes a classic feel with a beautiful outdoor patio, as well as delicious comfort food and live music. Loosen up your vocal cords on some of their world-famous wings before belting out some Whitney on Karaoke night.
Take a minute and browse their impressive menu of delicious specialty sandwiches and burgers while sipping on a refreshing brew.
The Village Café
Another Blowing Rock restaurant just away from Main Street, The Village Café (146 Greenway Ct). This beautiful, rustic house once served as a workshop for spinning, weaving, basketry, and woodwork and today pumps out tasty meals.
Follow the restaurant’s delicious smells down a stone pathway and indulge yourself with light and airy crepes, Fugasa Toast, or their warm pecan-crusted Montrachet Goat Cheese Salad. Reservations are strongly encouraged because this place fills up!
Read More: 25+ Amazing Waterfalls near Banner Elk (within 2 Hours’ Drive)
More incredible Blowing Rock Restaurants
Bistro Roca
Bistro Roca (143 Wonderland Trail) is an upscale bistro that serves comfort food. Tucked away from Main Street by the Annie Cannon Gardens, diners can expect gourmet burgers, wood-fired pizzas, and some of the best lobster mac ‘n’ cheese in the High Country!
The Chestnut Grille
The Chestnut Grille (9239 Valley Blvd) is located inside of the iconic Green Park Inn and is a nice spot to dig into High Country fare. Their seasonal menu highlights local produce with elevated techniques.
You can also enjoy Braised Pork Osso Bucco over house-made pasta or a locally sourced Elk Meatloaf with blackberry jus.
Snag your reservation before the place gets booked up. Oh, and hopefully, you’ll have plenty of time to walk around this historic hotel!
Read more about our time at Green Park Inn and why we’ll back to one of our favorites in North Carolina!
Foggy Rock
If you love good food with a surprising twist then head out to Foggy Rock (8180 Valley Blvd)! This locally owned spot (partnered with Sunny Rock Eggs and Things next door) strives to make food fun and interesting.
True foodies will love the innovation in dishes like Chicken and French Toast and their Voodoo Mama Juju Pizza.
The secret sauce in their Royale with Cheese makes this one of our favorite Blowing Rock restaurants.
Timberlake’s Restaurant at Chetola Restort
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Timberlake’s at Chetola Resort (185 Chetola Lake Drive) isn’t just for guests! In fact, Timberlake’s serves one of the best breakfast buffets in Blowing Rock! Inspired by the historic building it’s housed in and North Carolina’s renowned artist, Bob Timberlake, diners can expect expertly crafted menu items like a pan-seared duck, Korean braised short ribs, and incredible desserts.
Dine inside or eat on the patio overlooking the lake- Timberlake’s is one of the best restaurants in Blowing Rock!
Woodland’s Barbeque
If you’re hankering for BBQ and Mexican, why not have both in the same place? Woodland’s Barbeque (8304 Valley Blvd) is a quirky little spot bursting with flavors from the South and south of the border.
Located off the main drag, diners can chow down on juicy pulled pork and ribs, the biggest wings you’ll ever see, and homestyle Mexican food.
With nightly entertainment and award-winning food, we think a meal at Woodland’s is a must!
Bonus Blowing Rock Restaurants
Kilwin’s
While not specifically a Blowing Rock restaurant (it’s a franchise), we couldn’t leave the locally owned Kilwin’s (1103 Main St) off of our list.
Sweet smells of chocolate and fudge waft down Main Street, where you’ll usually find a queue of people waiting to get in. This is the perfect place to stop for an ice cream cone or to satisfy your post-meal sweet tooth!
Read More: 30+ Great Things to Do in Boone (Hikes, Eats, and More in App Town)
Boone Restaurants
I bet you didn’t know that we love the High Country so much that we’ve also created a guide to Where to Eat in Boone! What is so wonderful about Blowing Rock and Boone is how close they are and how incredible both restaurant scenes are!
Some of our favorites include Sunrise Grill, Wild Craft Eatery, and CoBo Sushi!
Read More: Winter in Boone (20 Great Activities, Snow Tubing, and More!)
Ready to Dig Into These Blowing Rock Restaurants?
Now that we’ve put our favorites out there, we’re hungry for another visit to the High Country. In the meantime, we hope you can make it out there and keep these places warm for us.
Also, do you have any favorite Blowing Rock restaurants to add? If you’ve never been before, which of these places to eat would you try first?
That is a great list; you got most of our favorites on it! I might add the Best Cellar Restaurant located in the Inn at Ragged Gardens on Sunset (opposite the Blowing Rock Ale House). Next up, Boone and Banner Elk!
Awesome, AJ! Looks like we’re going to have to return for a visit to Best Cellar, huh? Thank you so much for stopping by!
I agree, Best Cellar!
You missed Best Cellar…wonderful restaurant inside the Inn at Ragged Gardens.
Also, Famous Toastery , a new restaurant on Sunset, and Timberlake’s restaurant at Chetola. Timberlake’s has a lovely outside patio to enjoy on Spring, Summer and Fall days.
Thank you so much, Genie! We’ll definitely have to return for a visit to these places you mentioned. Appreciate the tips!
My husband and I recently opened up the Grilled Cheese Cafe. Internationally inspired gourmet grilled cheese. Our town is loving it. Eat at one of our cafe tables or take it to go!
1179 Main Street
Southmarke Courtyard
Kewl, we love grilled cheese! We’ll hit you guys up next time up!
Ditto this. Thank you so much, Rochelle! Always happy to support local businesses, especially when they’re starting up!
We totally agree with Carl, support your local businesses! All the Blowing Rock shopkeepers know my wife on sight (I’m sorry to say! ? ). We’ll visit you next trip up Rochelle!
Wow! Congratulations Rochelle! We’ll be sure to stop by next time we are in town and say hello!
Grilled Cheese Cafe has the best Tomato Soup with grilled cheese crotons!
Best Cellar!!! My very favorite!!
Another win for Best Cellar! I think I know where we’re going next time. 🙂
Bistro Roca tops the list for us! The calamari appetizer is a must.
Thank you, Terri! We’ll definitely have to stop by and check out Bistro Roca!
Agreed! How is Bistro Rocca not on this list???
Hi D,
Please see the honorable mentions and you’ll find Bistro Rocca. Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
My Missus reminded me you can’t forget about the Restaurant at Gideon Ridge! We don’t eat there often, but my wife LOVES it.
Sorry, have to disagree with 2 of these. Storie Street and Speckled Trout are not good at all! Have given Storie Street a second chance and they still did not deliver! Awful!
Agree to disagree? Either way, thanks for stopping by and commenting, Rebecca!
Bistro Roca and hands down the best restaurant in BR! Local favorite!
Thank you, Samantha!
You missed two excellent restaurants that are favorites of both locals and visitors. The Best Cellar has the best crab cakes and baked acorn squash in the High Country. The restaurant at Gideon Ridge is fabulous, small, and five star quality with an amazing view. Both of these eateries offer excellent service, great menus, and fine dining service. They shouldn’t be missed!
Thanks for letting us know, Pam. We’ll have to stop by and check them out next time:)
Best Cellar at Ragged Garddn Inn is also a great one. Especially great for special occasion, Thanksgiving and New Years Eve (reservations are a must those holidays). Wonderful menu and great drinks from a craft bar. Whole thing is within an historic grand house (at one time) now turned restaurant and Boutique Hotel. Definitely worth a try, all year. Enjoy music on the lawn Friday evenings May- October. Great way to end a week (or is that start a weekend ?)
Thank you, Kelly! Will definitely have to check it out when we’re back in Blowing Rock.
Definitely agree with the comments about the Best Cellar..great place..also think Bistro Roca is an amazing restaurant which deserves much more than an honorable mention..Gamekeeper restaurant is also a very unique and exceptionally good place as well .
Awesome, David. Thanks so much! Will definitely keep this in mind as we update our guide to Blowing Rock restaurants. Have a great day!
*Correction*
Kilwin’s is locally owned by a family in Blowing Rock, but the store name itself is a franchise.
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for mentioning this. I’ve made the correction and appreciate you stopping by to share that.
The restaurant at Gideon Ridge is AMAZING. That along with The Best Cellar and Bistro Roca are always on our must-go list!