North Carolina’s culinary scene is unparalleled; we have world-class restaurants and winsome little diners, a distinct state cuisine and some of the best farm-fresh produce in the country. And while there are some notable restaurants and foods you’ll find on virtual every listicle and magazine Top 10, some of North Carolina’s very best fare is found when you take the road less traveled. Gamekeeper Restaurant is a little-known restaurant in North Carolina that’s basically in the middle of nowhere, but absolutely worth the drive.

Located in North Carolina mountain country, between Boone and Blowing Rock, you'll find a remote restaurant that is a total hidden treasure.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
Gamekeeper Restaurant is tucked away on a hill in the North Carolina wilds, surrounded by a babbling brook and enormous trees, as if part of the landscape itself.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
This rustic fine-dining restaurant is located in a 1950s-era stone cottage that's the epitome of 'hygee.'
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
The inside is full of warm tones and exposed beams, making for a positively perfect dining experience.
Gamekeeper Restaurant/Google Local
And as afternoon turns into night, the ambiance inside this winsome little restaurant is downright magical.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
(As are the views.)
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
Gamekeeper Restaurant specializes in locally sourced game, including elk, bison, venison, and duck.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook

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Don't mistake this fine dining restaurant as fussy or ostentatious, however. The fare here is classic and comforting.
Danny Pleasant/Google Local
The grilled elk, for example, features generous sides of North Carolina favorites: mac 'n cheese and greens.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
A champion of North Carolina farmers, Gamekeeper sources much of its menu locally.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
The result is a rainbow-colored bounty of fresh produce that takes all of the restaurant's dishes to the next level.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
A beautiful place to visit year-round, each season brings a new experience.
Gamekeeper Restaurant/Google Local
The menu changes with the seasons, too, like with this sumptous spread of Thanksgiving favorites.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
Dining should be an experience, and it is, at Gamekeeper Restaurant.
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar/Facebook

This remote restaurant in North Carolina truly is worth the effort to get there. It’s not only one of the best restaurants in the state, but its idyllic location truly makes for a delightful dining experience. You can learn more about Gamekeeper Restaurant — and book a reservation! — at their website.

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3005 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC 28607, USA