20 Delicious Restaurants in Wilkesboro NC + North Wilkesboro

Published by Carl. Last Updated on May 24, 2024.

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Our guide to restaurants in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro NC covers meals from breakfast to dessert!

Wilkesboro is a picture-perfect mountain town in Western North Carolina that offers bootleggers, world-class wineries, NASCAR, and more.

The town has so many things to do, from the popular MerleFest music festival to the Wilkes Heritage Museum, that its diverse food scene often gets overlooked.

Restaurants in Wilkesboro are an eclectic ensemble of flavors, cuisines, and vibes. Whether you’re looking to start your day off right or enjoy a hearty meal after exploring, Wilkesboro has it all!

In this Wilkesboro NC restaurant guide, we’ll detail some of our favorite places to eat, from casual brunch spots to upscale eateries. Here’s how we’ve organized the guide:

Map of Restaurants in Wilkesboro
List of Restaurants Featured in this Guide
Restaurants in Wilkesboro
Restaurants in North Wilkesboro
More Things to Do in Wilkesboro (NC Travel Guides)

We’ve separated this article into Wilkesboro restaurants followed by restaurants in North Wilkesboro given how close this town is. If you’re a local, a new resident, or a frequent visitor like us, we’ve got you covered with this NC food guide!

Map of Restaurants in Wilkesboro NC

Map of Restaurants in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro NC

You can use the following maps to plan your Wilkesboro food adventures:

List of Wilkesboro NC Restaurants Featured in This Guide

The 50s Snack Bar (Wilkesboro)
6th & Main (North Wilkesboro)
Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria (Wilkesboro)
Anchor Coffee (North Wilkesboro)
Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery (North Wilkesboro)
Call Family Distillers (Wilkesboro)
Cinder Bistro (North Wilkesboro)
Dean’s Southern Bistro (Wilkesboro)
Dom’s (North Wilkesboro)
Dooley’s Tavern and Grill (Wilkesboro)
Glenn’s Restaurant (Wilkesboro)
The Lost Wombat (North Wilkesboro)
Liberty Theatre in North Wilkesboro (Bonus)
Mr. Toro Bakery and Taqueria (Wilkesboro)
Nina’s Bakery and Coffee (Wilkesboro)
Plaza Del Sol (Wilkesboro)
The Spice is Right Food Truck (Wilkesboro)
Talia Espresso (North Wilkesboro)
Talia Espresso Drive-Thru (Wilkesboro)
Two Boros Brewery and Pizzeria (Wilkesboro)

The Best Wilkesboro Restaurants

Now, it’s time for a closer focus on the restaurants in Wilkesboro that keep us coming back to the area.

The 50s Snack Bar

Address: 109 W Main St, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

A downtown breakfast and lunch place, the 50s Snack Bar is a vintage diner serving the best American comfort food. The checkered floor and decorated walls make for an easygoing morning dining experience.

Breakfast is served until 10:30 AM, with classic options like eggs and biscuits, followed by lunch.

The 50s is closed on Saturday and Sunday, so stop by sometime during the week!

Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Address: 1919 US Hwy 421, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Amalfi’s Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria has served authentic Italian cuisine to the Wilkesboro community since 2002.

The owners, Tony and Lellena Catta, are from Naples, Italy, and moved to the United States in 1996. Tony attended culinary school in Italy and incorporates these skills into his work today.

Customers can choose from an extensive menu of pizza and specialty pasta dishes.

Amalfi’s serves baked pasta dishes, chicken and seafood specials, subs, and sandwiches. For the best Italian around, Amalfi’s is the place to be.

Call Family Distillers

Address: 1611 Industrial Dr, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Visiting Call Family Distillers is mandatory any time you’re in Wilkesboro, aka the Moonshine Capital of the World. Known for evading the law and smuggling moonshine in fast cars, Willie Clay Call was considered uncatchable by the ATF.

Today, his family legally distills and no longer has to run while creating quality moonshine.

As far as moonshiners go, this family runs what might be one of the most important distilleries in North Carolina. Along with amazing spirits, Call Family Distillers has a great food menu.

Personally, their burgers are where I start but your options include wings, steaks, and more. No matter which direction you go, your meal will be a wise choice as long as it’s at Call Family Distillers.

Dean’s Southern Bistro

Address: 1510 Mall Square, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Dean’s Southern Bistro is a casual dining restaurant specializing in cozy comfort food and country cooking. Share a basket of wings or shrimp with the table, or order an entree all for yourself!

Entrees include fried flounder or catfish, grilled salmon, steaks, and vegetable platters.

Dean’s is also known for their homemade cakes and baked goods. Try one of their desserts while dining, or grab a cake to take with you for later.

Dooley’s Tavern and Grill

Address: 102 E Main St Suite 1, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Dooleys Tavern restaurants in Wilkesboro — Dooley’s Tavern

Dooley’s Tavern and Grill is the go-to spot for Wilkesboro locals to dine, drink, and socialize. All the dishes are made in-house, but Dooley’s is known for their amazing hamburgers!

Beyond their delicious burgers, Dooley’s also offers salads, sandwiches, wraps, and the area’s largest vegetarian and gluten-free selection.

This downtown restaurant is one of our top places to eat while in Wilkesboro!

Glenn’s Restaurant

Address: 800 River Street, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

We agree with the locals when they tell you that Glenn’s is the best place for a classic drive-up dinner. Glenn’s has served home-cooked meals for fifty years for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

They offer everything from omelets and biscuits to hot dogs and burgers.

Glenn’s is also known for its ice cream and milkshakes, which boast over 50 flavors. Top off your meal with a creamy and delicious specialty shake!

Mr. Toro Bakery and Taqueria

Address: 117 W Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

In downtown Wilkesboro, Mr. Toro is a wonderful authentic Mexican/Salvadorian restaurant. If you’ve been craving tacos or tortas, this is the one place you must visit in Wilkesboro.

The menu is divided into Mexican entrees and Salvadorian ones, allowing customers to sample different cuisines.

Mr. Toro is also a bakery, so don’t leave without trying some fresh Hispanic desserts and pastries.

Nina’s Bakery and Coffee

Address: 101-2 N Bridge St, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

Nina’s is a small-town bakery and cafe perfect for early mornings and lazy afternoons. Enjoy a cup of locally roasted coffee or handcrafted espresso creations with a signature pastry or baked good.

Nina’s also offers a limited lunch menu, with specials like soups, sandwiches, and salads. This cozy cafe is one of our top picks for breakfast and coffee.

Plaza Del Sol

Address: 1917 US-421 Suite A, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

Plaza Del Sol is a trendy Mexican spot that prides itself on serving authentic Mexican cuisine to Wilkesboro.

The stylish restaurant features a colorful interior with Mexican flags and similarly-colored decorations dotting the ceilings and walls.

Plaza Del Sol boasts an impressive menu with over 5 pages packed with delicious Mexican dishes and creations. You can’t go wrong with nacho appetizers for the table, followed by any of the great fajita, quesadilla, or seafood special options.

The Spice is Right Food Truck

Address: 102 South West Street, Wilkesboro, NC
Facebook Page

You’ll see The Spice is Right Food Truck ambling around Wilkesboro offering classic lunch and dinner options with a creative twist. The food truck prides itself on tasty food with no external distractions: just you and a great meal.

The classic menu includes cajun burgers, chicken fajita wraps, and more.

The food truck is open for limited hours for lunch and dinner, so check their Facebook for their location and hours.

Talia Espresso Drive-Thru

Address: 1838 B US-421, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Talia Espresso is based in nearby North Wilkesboro (more on them below), but the franchise has opened a drive-thru-only location in Wilkesboro.

The drive-thru in Wilkesboro is perfect for grabbing a quick cup of coffee and pastry.

Specialty beverages include pumpkin-spiced chai, Mayan mocha, blackberry lavender lattes, and many more creations. The elegant menu includes strawberry avocado toast, fruit bowls, and homemade pastries.

Two Boros Brewery and Pizzeria

Address: 111 E Main Street, Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Two Boros Brewing Wilkesboro NC Restaurants

While Two Boros is first and foremost a brewery—and the only one in Wilkesboro!— it also boasts a rather impressive dinner menu. It’s located across the street from Dooley’s and owned by the same people!

Two Boros serves excellent brick oven pizza, but customers can also enjoy calzones, rotisserie chicken, and upscale appetizers.

Restaurants in North Wilkesboro NC

North Wilkesboro and Wilkesboro are just a five-minute drive apart. Lucky for us, this means that visitors to Wilkesboro can also enjoy the delectable restaurants in the town’s northern counterpart!

Here’s a list of some of our favorite North Wilkesboro restaurants.

6th & Main

Address: 210 Sixth Street, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

6th and Main North Wilkesboro NC Restaurants

6th & Main is one of the most classy restaurants in Wilkes County, with an elegant menu curated by an experienced culinary team.

The restaurant is in a reformed house, and the interior features an upscale atmosphere of soft lighting and luxurious seating.

Entrees include grilled salmon, filet mignon, chicken penne pasta, mushroom ravioli, and more. 6th & Main is the perfect spot for a great meal and even better cocktails.

Anchor Coffee

Address: 132 W D Street, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Anchor Coffee began in 2014 when owners Gregory Brady and Nathanial Griffin experimented with different coffee roasts and flavors.

They started a company that connects their communities to great coffee worldwide via their cafes and stores in North Wilkesboro and Winston-Salem.

This local cafe is one of our favorite places to start the day, or after a bike ride along the nearby Yadkin River Greenway. While Anchor may be more coffee-focused, any of their yummy pastries pair nicely with pour-over, drip, or any other drinks on the menu.

Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery

Address: 201 Wilkesboro Avenue, North Wilkesboro, NC

It’s not often that you find the perfect blend of comfort food and ice cream, but that is what awaits you at Brushy Mountain Smokehouse and Creamery.

This award-winning restaurant serves barbecue, Southern cuisine, and homemade ice cream.

Try local favorites like Barbecue Crunchers, Country Ham Biscuits, and old-fashioned, hand-churned, customizable ice cream. A meal at Brushy Mountain is a uniquely delicious dining experience.

Cinder Bistro

Address: 532 Main Street, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Formerly Copper Barrel Brew Haus, Cinder Bistro continues to live up to the claim that it serves “the best barbecue in Wilkes County.”

Cinder Bistro features a rustic-style interior with wooden walls, floors, and tables. Locals and visitors flock here for a delicious meal of classic barbecue, wings, and ribs.

The restaurant also offers a Sunday brunch, a rare sight in Wilkes County!

Dom Bakeries & Pizzeria

Address: 908 D St, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Dom Bakeries and Pizzeria North Wilkesboro NC Restaurants

Dom Bakeries is family-owned and makes all of its pastries fresh daily. From delicious fluffy donuts to savory hand pies, there’s something for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Then there’s the pizza, which you can order for take out or to enjoy on the patio upstairs. Personally, I love devouring a pizza (with a salad) before grabbing something sweet for dessert or the next day.

The Lost Wombat

Address: 810 Main St, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

This is the ultimate family-friendly restaurant in North Wilkesboro! Enjoy great pub-inspired food and beer and the fenced-in outdoor area, which includes a play structure!

Since the owner is Australian, this might be the best place to grab Shrimp on the Barbie in North Carolina. Of course, you can stay within your own comforts with a cheeseburger or fish and chips.

Above the Lost Wombat is the Tavern, which is where you go to grab an adult drink, play some old-school games, or watch the game with your friends.

Talia Espresso Coffee Shop

Address: 809 Main St, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Talias Espresso North Wilkesboro NC Restaurants

Talia’s North Wilkesboro location offers a little extra oomph with its coffee, serving breakfast and lunch. For breakfast, you can go all in with a croissant, an omelette, or something lighter like oatmeal or avocado toast.

Then there’s lunch, which you can make as light as you want (salad) or adventurous with an artisan handcrafted pizza.

Any of their scones or pastries can serve as dessert or breakfast the next day. We approve either way!

The Liberty Theatre (Bonus North Wilkesboro Restaurant)

Address: 816 Main St, North Wilkesboro, NC
Website

Liberty Theatre North Wilkesboro NC Restaurants

We know Liberty Theatre doesn’t fall under the traditional “restaurant” category, but there’s more to this place than new releases at a discounted price, and the perfect old-fashioned vibe.

This place, as the marquee out front says, has been serving the world’s best popcorn since 1932. I may not have visited all of the world’s popcorn producers but I can at least say that this is the best popcorn I’ve tasted in all of North Carolina.

That’s why Liberty Theatre has earned a spot in this section dedicated to restaurants in North Wilkesboro.

Ready to Eat in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro?

Whether you’re search for a new restaurant in Wilkesboro or have never visited the area, we think these places will live up to their billing. If you’re familiar with the area, we’d love to hear from you.

What are your picks for the best restaurants in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro? Which of these would you visit first when hungry?

Let us know in the comments and remember to share your Wilkesboro food adventures in our North Carolina Travel Facebook Group.

More Things to Do in Wilkesboro, North Wilkesboro, and Nearby (NC Travel Guides)

We’ve created many more travel guides that feature these Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro restaurants and other things to do. Here are a few of them.

20 Delicious Restaurants in Wilkesboro and North Wilkesboro