Last Updated on January 3, 2023
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Rocky Mount is an adorable mill town in the heart of Eastern North Carolina, just off I-95. A perfect compliment to the fun things to do here is all the delicious restaurants in Rocky Mount.
After digging into all the great places to eat here, we’ve come away impressed and want to share some of our favorites with you. This guide covers where to eat in Rocky Mount, including casual coffee, elevated Southern cuisine, and hometown eats.
If you’re looking for specific restaurants, here’s how we’ve organized things:
- Restaurants in Rocky Mount Mills
- More Restaurants in Rocky Mount (and Elsewhere in Nash County)
We’ve also broken down whether these places to eat serve, breakfast, lunch, brunch, and/or dinner. Enjoy!
This post is part of our series on all the awesome things to do in North Carolina (especially on the eastern side), with a specific focus on our awesome food!
Restaurants in Rocky Mount Mills
We start things in Rocky Mount Mills, a history- and fun-packed place to stay and visit!
Books & Beans
1151 Falls Rd | Breakfast and Lunch
Owned by novelist and New York Times bestselling author, Etaf Rum, Books and Beans goes beyond just the title page. While selling books alongside Counter Culture coffee, Books and Beans also has a thriving online community and virtual book club.
For the nosh, you’ll find breakfast and lunch sandwiches that will satisfy your hunger alongside your need to turn to the next page.
We also included Books and Beans among our favorite bookstores in North Carolina, in case you were wondering!
TBC West: Tacos & Taproom
1121 Falls Rd | Lunch (Saturday only) and Dinner (Wednesday to Saturday)
Beer and tacos are best friends, so at TBC West you get to hang out with the gang! Tarboro Brewing Company beer in a laid back atmosphere with innovative taco combinations make this one of the most amazing restaurants in Rocky Mount!
Tipsy Tomato
7 East Elm St | Lunch and Dinner
Pizza, but elevated. The Tipsy Tomato slices gourmet wood-fired pizza in a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere. Not only are the pizzas amazing, but as the name suggests, they also have an incredible line up of local craft beer on tap.
Tap@1918
1135 Falls Rd | Dinner
If you are looking for an upscale dining experience in Rocky Mount, Tap@1918 is the ticket. From the same chef and owner at Lou Reda’s (see below), Tap@1918 takes on comfort food but with elevated ingredients.
A pastrami Burger, house-made bratwurst, and even pork belly curry are three of many reasons why this is a restaurant you need to visit.
Incredible Restaurants in Rocky Mount (and Elsewhere in Nash County)
We’ll now venture away from the Mills but think you should keep your fork handy and enjoy these additionally amazing restaurants in Rocky Mount.
Anne’s Donuts
2714 Sunset Ave
Starting in 1953, Anne’s Donuts have been made the old fashioned way ever since. Deep fried, crispy, yet doughy on the inside you are hard pressed to find a better doughnut in North Carolina!
Original glazed or filled, it is undeniable that Anne’s Donuts is a must-eat when in Rocky Mount.
Larema Coffee House
106 S Washington St | Breakfast and Lunch
Located in the historic downtown, Larema Coffee House was one of the most recommended restaurants in Rocky Mount. Meaning “my friend” in the Acholi language of Uganda, this space is where people from across the community can come together.
Featuring coffee roasted by Coffee Culture, their lattes are absolutely delicious. Pair that with a salad, avocado toast, or a buffalo wrap and you’ll see why this place came so highly recommended!
We also noticed they have a great beer and wine selection! I even spied Dirtbag Ales (one of my favorite Fayetteville breweries) featured there!
Lou Reda’s
3646 Sunset Ave | Brunch, Lunch, and Dinner
From the same owner as Tap@1918, Lou Reda’s is an upscale American restaurant that will leave you begging for more. From the perfect burgers to the Lobster Mac n’ Cheese, hungry diners can expect exquisite flavors with fresh seasonal local ingredients.
The Prime Smokehouse
207 E Thomas St | Lunch and Dinner
If you are looking for ribs in Rocky Mount, Prime Smokehouse should be your first stop! This is where you’ll find two amazing concepts packed into one delicious experience.
Ed Wiley Jr was one of the best saxophonists in the South. He was also an incredible cook. His son, Ed Wiley III, took his father’s two great skills and turned it into Prime Smokehouse.
With his slow-smoked Texas-style barbecue and live jazz music, Prime Smokehouse is absolutely a must-eat Rocky Mount restaurant!
Read More: 50+ Easy Day Trips from Fayetteville (Great Getaways!)
NABS
219 NE Main St | Breakfast and Lunch
NABS, or “Never A Better Sandwich” comes from the same masterminds as The Prime Smokehouse. The concept is fast, easy, and delicious.
This East Coast-style deli is great for picking up something fresh for breakfast or lunch. Don’t forget about their delicious single-origin Ethiopian coffee, either.
Church Street Grill
121 W Church St, Nashville | Breakfast and Lunch
Are you even in the South if you haven’t had a biscuit yet? Luckily, Church Street Grill serves the fluffiest and buttery biscuits in Nashville!
This hometown place will welcome you with open arms and a very tasty breakfast and lunch menu.
Barley & Burger
2921 Zebulon Rd | Lunch and Dinner
Gourmet Burgers, hand spun milkshakes, and Hollywood nostalgia are reason enough to eat at Barley & Burger in Rocky Mount! Sourcing their high quality meat from world-renowned butcher and chef, Pat LaFrieda, you know that every burger is juicy and delicious.
You’re also going to want some barley with that burger! Taps rotate weekly and feature ice-cold local beer.
Moe & D’s
123 S Church St | Lunch and Dinner
Family-owned and home to a great atmosphere, Moe & D’s serves pub food with incredible value. Slicing up some yummy cheesesteaks, Moe & D’s is one of the best restaurants in Rocky Mount for families and sports fans.
Gardner’s Barbecue
1331 N Wesleyan Blvd | Lunch and Dinner
Cooking up barbecue since 1972, Gardner’s is a third-generation Rocky Mount institution still running in family. Their all-you-can-eat buffet is affordable and offers up incredible pulled pork, fried chicken, and Southern food at its finest!
Chew-N-Chat
1005 West Mount Dr | Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Cooked to order and made from scratch, Chew N Chat Café serves up Southern Classics from family recipes and the freshest ingredients. Keep up with their seasonal menu, but we think you’ll rave about their desserts, too!
Save room for a slice of chocolate pie or lemon pound cake and check out the daily specials!
Which of these Restaurants in Rocky Mount are Your First Picks?
With a great mix of restaurants in Rocky Mount from the Mills to downtown and beyond, we think you’re going to enjoy eating in this wonderful slice of North Carolina. If you’re from the area or know it well, we’d love to know where you like eating here.
Of course, if you haven’t been yet, we’re curious to know where you’ll be eating first. As always, let us know in the comments section or by email.
Note: If there’s a place not on the list that you think we should know about, please (kindly) tell us about it. All suggestions are welcome!
Good excellent
The Chuck Wagon
Prime Smokehouse is in the mills now…d chill spot is on Thomas street…good article though.
Central Cafe above needs to be removed. It went out of business last month after years open!
Very sad for us live here but wasn’t same past couple
Years.
So sad! Thank you for updating us.