25 Best Restaurants in Greensboro, North Carolina

There are so many restaurants in Greensboro, North Carolina, scattered around the best of Gate City’s things to do (especially with kids). No matter where you are in this city, you’re likely to find something good to eat.

With classic North Carolina barbecue, Middle Eastern, Mexican-Asian Fusion, and elevated American, the city’s options are almost too numerous to name. And because Greensboro is a bit spread out, we’ve organized this article into a few separate sections.

Here’s what you’ll find, in case you’re searching for a specific place to eat:

• Restaurants in Greensboro (Downtown)
• Restaurants in Greensboro (Market St, Gate City Blvd, and Wendover Ave)
• Restaurants in North Greensboro
• Restaurants in South Greensboro

You can skip around to other parts of the city but keep reading as we share our favorite restaurants in downtown Greensboro.

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Restaurants in Greensboro (Downtown)

Downtown is a small square compared to the other parts of the city, but some of the biggest and best restaurants in Greensboro live here.

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Blue Denim

217 S Elm St

Many of the Greensboro restaurants that we feature on this list are casual, but Blue Denim is the exception. This is a restaurant where you want to take your time, make a reservation, and savor each bite.

With intimate dining and exposed brick, Blue Denim serves Cajun and Creole-inspired dishes alongside local craft beer and an extensive wine list.

The menu changes seasonally, but you can never go wrong with an order of crawfish beignets, crawfish étouffée, and finish with a white chocolate pecan bread pudding.

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Cheesecakes by Alex

315 S Elm St

It’s true what they say. You haven’t been to Greensboro if you haven’t eaten at Cheesecakes by Alex.

This is clearly our pick when thinking about dessert restaurants in Greensboro. There are 20 year-round flavors and two seasonal varieties choose from.

These cheesecakes are simultaneously melt-in-your-mouth and velvety.

Starting out as a request to please his mother-in-law, Alex set out to make the perfect cheesecake. He failed multiple times and eventually found success, which we have researched to confirm.

You should at least order a slice before you’re convinced to take a whole cheesecake home. You can also bring some friends and make your own cheesecake “flight.”

Either way, this is one of the restaurants in Greensboro that you must not pass up.

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Corner Slice

600 N Elm St

The Corner Slice is owned by Doug Jones, the restauranteur also behind Fishers Grille next door. At the Corner Slice, you can enjoy pizzas, oven-toasted subs, and salads.

Speaking of the pizzas, your options are named after nearby streets or the nearby “Park,” like the pie pictured above.

TVs on the walls around the bar and dining room pair nicely with covered outdoor seating. Whether you’re seeking some fresh air or some a/c or heat, the Corner Slice has you covered, especially if you’re hungry.

Crafted the Art of the Taco

220 S Elm St

Warning: you are not about to enter a Mexican restaurant! Crafted the Art of the Taco is proudly a taco joint because that’s what they do best. But they don’t just make boring meat and cheese tacos.

No, Crafted elevates what goes in a warm tortilla with an international spin and fresh local ingredients.

So grab that good-ole-‘Merica-inspired Big Truck Taco with pulled pork, gooey mac n’ cheese, and bacon BBQ sauce or throw it Island Gangnam-style with blackened tuna, kimchi, and garlic and pineapple aioli.

Pictured above are the Dirty South Nachos, representing North Carolina with sweet potatoes, pulled pork, and that sweet chipotle aioli!

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Dame’s Chicken & Waffles

301 Martin Luther King Jr Dr

Many folks in Durham will know this Greensboro restaurant’s name! Black-owned and absolutely delicious, we can’t help but say you’re missing out if you don’t eat at Dame’s Chicken and Waffles.

Pick from one of their popular menu plates or choose your own pairing of chicken and waffles- we guarantee you’ll be licking your fingers and still thinking about your meal for weeks.

Read More: Restaurants in Durham

Fishers Grille

608 N. Elm St

The building that houses Fishers Grille goes back to 1927 when it was a grocery. After multiple businesses came and went, the restaurant arrived in 1989.

Since then, Fishers Grille has brought the local community together to eat, drink, be merry, and be entertained. Grab a tasty burger, a sandwich, some appetizers, and a drink and enjoy yourself here.

Live Blues on Tuesdays and flat-screen TVs help, as do Fishers Grille’s amazing beer, wine, and top-shelf liquor selection.

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Hops Burger Bar

2138 Lawndale Dr & 2419 Spring Garden St

There are multiple Hops Burger Bar locations, but the one on Lawndale Dr comes first in ABC order.

This place is one of the best Greensboro restaurants for more than just the delicious patties of certified Angus Beef they serve. It takes the All-American and kicks up more than a notch!

Whether you’re going for The Spicy Goat (goat cheese, applewood bacon, sweet & spicy pepper jelly) or asking for the entire farm with a Cuban Cow (grilled ham, burger, pulled pork, spicy pickles, Swiss cheese, and lime-Dijon aioli) you likely won’t be eating another meal that day!

They only use local produce, dairy, and cook to whatever temperature you like. Choose from 6-, 8-, or 12-ounce burgers and spring for one of HBB’s specialty sides.

We got the zucchini-carrot chips and red onion rings and didn’t leave a single one on the plate! Oh, and don’t forget to check out the local brews while there, too!

Jerusalem Market on Elm

310 S Elm St

Jerusalem Market on Elm has fed the Triad for over 30 years, and where you’ll find the best Middle Eastern food in Greensboro, and all of North Carolina.

It’s family-run by kids using their father’s recipes, which adds to the appeal. Omar and Easa take pride in offering authentic and fresh fare, where you can eat in or take your food to go.

The Shawarma is roasted in-house daily and they serve colorful, fresh, and bright salads to complement the rest of the menu. No matter what you do, don’t leave Greensboro without coming here!

Liberty Oak

100 W Washington St

Serving up innovative and freshly prepared dishes to Gate City since 1980, Liberty Oak Restaurant is one of the best-known Greensboro restaurants. They offer everything from sandwiches to the most delicious finger-licking shrimp and grits you’ll find outside mom’s house!

You’ll also be inclined to order their Fried Goat Cheese Salad served with bourbon-soaked cherries, perfectly cooked Seafood Risotto Carbonara, or their namesake Grilled Chicken.

Don’t feel pressured by us, though. These are just some of the offerings at Liberty Oak.

Natty Greene’s Brewing Company

345 S Elm St

Natty Greene’s serves up delicious brews at their Brewery (1918 West Gate City Blvd) and Brewpub (345 South Elm St) with a concentration on ales and sours.

However, we’re big fans of the latter, which also serves up delicious grub! Natty Greene’s sources locally as much as possible and you can tell from the tastiness that comes out.

You’ll love their Southern-inspired dishes like the Cowpen Burger (bacon, pimento cheese, Jim’s Own sauce). Their small bites are also very nice. Our favorites are the pork rings, Southern Spreads (black-eyed pea hummus, tomato spread, and pimento cheese), and deviled eggs!

Read More: The Best Breweries in North Carolina

Restaurants in Greensboro (Market St, Gate City Blvd, and Wendover Ave)

You may notice some restaurants in other sections with addresses that include these three streets, but we’re focusing on places southeast of downtown.

Bandito Bodega

1609 Friendly Ave

You might see the Bandito Burrito food truck around town and you should certainly keep an eye out for them throughout the Triad and Triangle. You can also head over to their brick-and-mortar Bandito Bodega.

Mexican and Asian fusion dishes on the menu include the Thai Beef Salad (pictured), Asian Tacos, Kimchi Fried rice, and the Southern-inspired Southwest Pimento Burrito.

Grab a bite here and you’ll see why Bandito Burrito is one of the best places to eat in Greensboro.

Emma Key’s

2206 Walker Ave

Emma Key’s is a restored 1950s barbershop located in the Historic Lindley Park neighborhood serves up flat-top grilled burgers and more! With delicious milkshakes and breakfast sandwiches, this Greensboro restaurant is open every day from 9a-9pm. 

Every burger on the menu can be substituted for a turkey burger or a beyond burger and their outdoor patio is kid-friendly and inviting! Make sure to order their sweet potato fries so you can dip them in the cinnamon sugar sauce for that extra flavorful burst! 

Freeman’s Grub and Pub

1820 Spring Garden St

Weekly specials and stellar mainstays are a great reason to visit Freeman’s Grub and Pub. Their pub-inspired menu and large drink selection take your usual fare and kick it up a notch.

Sure, Freeman’s offers comfort food like fried chicken, brisket, and wings but with a sophisticated touch of demi-glaze, blackberry bbq, and smoked.

Oh, and don’t forget about their French fries with rosemary, garlic, and shallot or a jalapeno salt with cumin. Trust me, this restaurant in Greensboro is where comfort foodies go for a fix.

Pho Hien Vuong

4109 Spring Garden St

From the outside, Pho Hien Vuong is completely unassuming. But when you walk in, you’ll be guaranteed to find a place completely packed and ready to take your name.

And you want to wait because the meal that comes is totally worth it. If you came for a large menu, Pho Hien Vuong is one of those Vietnamese restaurants that will not disappoint.

Whether you’re new to pho or have just returned from a trip to Vietnam, this place will impress you with its fresh, tasty, and approachable food.

While the menu is large and possibly overwhelming, every dish offers a distinctive flavor. Family-owned and operated since 1996, the dishes at Pho Hien Vuong bring us back to our Southeast Asia backpacking days!

Scrambled Southern Diner

2417 Spring Garden St

Located next to Hops Burger Bar in Lindley Park, Scrambled Southern Diner is a family-friendly Greensboro restaurant that is almost always slammed. Using local produce and North Carolina products, Scrambled is known for its all-day breakfast menu.

From breakfast sandwiches and biscuits to creamy hollandaise plates, most people waddle away full and happy from Scrambled Southern Diner! And any place that lets you get a side of bacon-wrapped meatloaf for breakfast gets an A+ in my book.

Lindley Park Filling Station

2201 Walker Ave

From gas station to delicious eats, Lindley Park Filling Station is one of our favorite and most consistent restaurants in Greensboro. Perfect for lunch or brunch, Lindley Park Filling Station’s menu consists of elevated sandwiches and burgers.

Sticks & Stones

2200 Walker Ave

Local is the word that gets dropped the most at Sticks & Stones. Kneading locally milled, organic flour to perfection for their delicious wood-oven pies, this Greensboro restaurant isn’t just a pizza joint.

Ingredients are sourced from neighboring farms, which also gives the menu a seasonal flair.

Sticks & Stones is also allergen-friendly. Gluten-free crust and vegan chicken are available for substitution and vegan cheese can be used for no additional charge.

Yum Yum Better Ice Cream

This Greensboro restaurant was a surprise recommendation from our Instagram followers! Yum Yum Better Ice Cream is a simple ice cream and hot dog shop located around the campus of UNC Greensboro and has served the community for over one hundred years! Family-owned since 1906, two dogs and a scoop is a must when in Greensboro!

Restaurants in North Greensboro

Cugino Forno

1160 Revolution Mill Dr

Get a true taste of Italy when at Cugino Forno! Three cousins spent years perfecting their craft and researching the best Neapolitan style pizza so they could dish it up to you. Located in the Revolution Mill district in Greensboro, expect true authentic and fresh ingredients. With 80% of the ingredients imported directly from Italy and the pizzas fired in a 900º Napoli oven, we guarantee this is the best pizza you’ll have in your entire life! 

Cugino Forno also has locations in Winston-Salem, Clemmons, and Durham! 

Green Valley Grill

622 Green Valley Rd

Located inside the employee-owned O. Henry Hotel, Green Valley Grill serves fresh seasonal dishes with Mediterranean flavors.

With a beautiful outdoor patio and an impressive wine list, Green Valley Grill is probably one of the best restaurants in Greensboro for a romantic date.

Print Works Bistro

702 Green Valley Rd

Print Works sits inside the LEED-certified and employee-owned Proximity Hotel. This place is not to be forgotten when discussing restaurants in Greensboro.

It’s so good that many people come here even if they’re not guests of this amazing North Carolina hotel.

Soak up the outside patio’s beautiful greenery while eating or sit in their sophisticated dining room. Also, don’t overlook the drink menu! 

With hundreds of wines to select from and delicious, handcrafted drinks there are so many ways to explore their bar’s capabilities.

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Stamey’s Barbecue

2812 Battleground Ave & 2206 W Gate City Blvd

Stamey’s Barbecue sits across from the Coliseum, and this is one of those restaurants in Greensboro that always gets mentioned in our Facebook Group.

This place landed itself on the NC BBQ Society’s Historic Barbecue Trail, thanks to a long history of making the good stuff. Their pit building is one of the state’s largest and best-equipped to keep the fire going, too.

Its ten brick fireplaces are lined along a rectangular building and smoke pork shoulders over hot coals, typically taking six hours.

You’re welcome to choose your own path, but for me, Stamey’s chopped barbecue and sweet tangy slaw are finger-licking good. 

Read More: North Carolina Barbecue: Iconic Restaurants, History, and More

Village Tavern

1903 Westridge Rd

Village Tavern’s Greensboro location sits near the corner of Westridge Rd and Battleground Ave (not far from Guilford Courthouse). There are a few locations in other states, but this place started in Winston-Salem and is very welcome in our guide to the best restaurants in Greensboro.

The daily drink specials are enough to draw friends, couples, or coworkers for an afternoon or evening out but the food is another reason to stop by. Throughout the week, enjoy a yummy lunch or dinner and on Sunday, stop by for brunch until 3:00 pm.

There is a multitude of options, but a Village Tavern steak is what we’d order first. They’re perfect for dinner, especially after a bike ride or run.

Oh, and don’t pass on the sweet potato fries. They’re like candy.

Restaurants in South Greensboro

We’re working hard to explore the best restaurants in Greensboro’s southern reaches, but for now, enjoy some yummy banh mi!

Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery

3808 W Gate City Blvd

In an unassuming shopping center off of Gate City Blvd, there is a pocket of incredible Vietnamese restaurants. One of those is Banh Mi Saigon Sandwiches & Bakery, which serves some of the best banh mi in North Carolina.

What makes a banh mi is the flaky crusty French bread, and at Banh Mi Saigon, they make their own bread in-house every day. The prices are extremely reasonable and definitely great for on-the-go noms.

Don’t forget to grab a bubble tea too!

BONUS BRUNCH

The Magnolia House is a historic hotel in Greensboro that serves the most amazing brunch on Sundays! The Historic Magnolia House is a Green Book site, meaning that during segregation it was listed as a safe place for Black travelers. Many Black celebrities including James Brown, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, and Jackie Robinson stayed at the Magnolia House.

Today, you enter through the side door for Brunch just as Black travelers did in the 1950s. Open to the public for brunch on Sundays, make sure to order the fried fish, shrimp, and grits (which are the best grits you’ll have in all of North Carolina!).

Ready to Eat at These Restaurants in Greensboro?

We’re still hungry to revisit these awesome Greensboro restaurants, just so we can keep tabs on our favorite dishes while trying new things. If you’re new to the city, which spot would you try first?

We also know there are more great eats to find in Gate City and can’t wait to share our discoveries with you.

If you know the area, we’d love to know your favorite restaurants in Greensboro. Let us know in the comments where you would take someone if they hadn’t dug into Greensboro’s awesome food scene yet. 

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