Posted in North Carolina Food & Dining October 15, 2020 by

24 Restaurants You Have To Visit In North Carolina Before You Die

North Carolina is a foodie paradise. You’ll find inventive, unique, and locally-sourced restaurants in Asheville, fine dining at the top of a mountain, and amazing eateries located in unassuming small towns along the coast. Nearly everywhere in North Carolina is home to a few amazing restaurants. But with so many to choose from, how does one even choose? Well, this list of the 24 best local restaurants in North Carolina is great places to start, and they’re guaranteed to give you that once-in-a-lifetime experience.

1. Mateo, Durham
Yelp / Melody K.
Yelp / Tonya P.
Mateo appears on almost every food blog as one of the best restaurants in North Carolina. Mixing Spanish tapas with a southern touch...you'll get the best of both worlds in this extremely trendy and delicious restaurant.
2. Artisanal, Banner Elk
asmith6688 / TripAdvisor
Artisanal uses a farm-to-table approach sourcing the freshest local ingredients for tasty, unique dishes. Make sure to grab a table May-Nov when Artisanal is open.
3. Rhubarb, Asheville
Trip Advisor
Rhubarb is an award-winning, chic Asheville eatery that specializes in farm-to-table American fare. Stop by on Sunday nights for the 'supper menu.'
4. Kindred, Davidson
Yelp / Kim S.
Set among the quaint downtown district of Davidson, Kindred came on the scene and quickly rose to fame. This 'chef-driven' restaurant has an ever-changing menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients.
5. Herons, Cary
Yelp / Ron W.
Located in an upscale hotel setting, Herons is perfect for a chic, five-star date night.
6. Angus Barn, Raleigh
Angus Barn
Angus Barn is an amazing steakhouse in a unique location. If you're looking for that perfect medium-rare filet, go here!
7. Fearrington House Restaurant, Pittsboro
Fearrington House
Exotic, creative, and unique cuisine awaits your taste buds in this rustic yet cozy farmhouse restaurant and hotel outside of Chapel Hill. Without a doubt, Fearrington House Restaurant is one of the best local restaurants in North Carolina.
8. The Dining Room, Biltmore
Tammy J / TripAdvisor
Everyone deserves an elegant, five-star experience at least once. The Dining Room is perfect for that. All meat is farm-raised and the veggies come straight from the garden.
9. Chef and the Farmer, Kinston
Yelp / Ed. U
You might have seen Chef and the Farmer on PBS...but behind the scenes, this amazing restaurant is worth the 2-3 month wait. Chef and the Farmer is the perfect mix of subtle southern cuisine with a uniquely elegant approach.
10. The Snappy Lunch, Mt. Airy
Yelp / David H.
The Snappy Lunch is half the experience and half the amazing food. You'll get the Mayberry vibe with Andy Griffith regalia adorning the walls. But you MUST order a pork chop sandwich!
11. B's BBQ, Greenville
Flickr / Southern Foodways Alliance
If you're looking for some of the best Eastern style Q in the state...B's BBQ should be top of your list!
12. Ryan's Restaurant, Winston-Salem
Ryan's Restaurant
Ryan's Restaurant offers a steak with a view. Located amidst dense greenery, you'll love the cozy setting. Ryan's pairs delicious dishes with an extensive wine menu. It's perfect for date night, celebrating with friends and family, or a Friday night out.
13. The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar, Boone
The Gamekeeper / Facebook
You haven't experienced high country dining until you've tried Gamekeeper. Specializing in a wide selection of game, this rustic mountain eatery is a mingling of elegance and Appalachia charm.
14. The Copper Door, Hayesville
The Copper Door / Facebook
The Copper Door is a quality steakhouse that won't break your budget. Intimate yet rustic, it's perfect for date night.
15. On the Square, Tarboro
On the Square
Located in one of the oldest towns in the state, On the Square specializes in urban-inspired dishes minus the urban setting. Their fresh, ever-changing menu always offers something new. On the Square is a perfect mix of fine dining, yet comfortable and approachable.
16. Lexington Barbecue, Lexington
Lex BBQ
Lexington Barbecue THE place to stop for the best Lexington-style Q in the region. Don't forget to bring your appetite with you!
17. Cúrate, Asheville
Yelp / Jeff L.
There's no denying Asheville is a foodie haven. One must-try is Cúrate. Enjoy uniquely delicious Spanish-inspired tapas.
18. Amos Mosquito's, Atlantic Beach
Yelp / Rick N.
On your next trip to the Crystal Coast, you must try Amos Mosquito's. Everything (besides the ketchup) is made from scratch in-house or locally sourced. It's a meal you won't forget. Not to mention the waterside patio is perfect for summer nights.
19. Colington Cafe, Kill Devil Hills
The Colington Cafe
Colington is consistently ranked as the number one dining spot on the Outer Banks. You'll find it nestled beneath 300-year-old oak trees. Colington specializes in elegant dishes without sacrificing traditional, comfortable roots. Order up some fresh seafood and experience the best OBX has to offer.
20. Dame's Chicken and Waffles, Durham
Yelp / Mollyann R.
If you're a lover of chicken and waffles or just soulful southern comfort food, Dame's should be at the top of your list. So much deliciousness!
21. Price's Chicken Coop, Charlotte
Yelp / Bruce K.
And for some of the best fried chicken you'll ever have in your life, you have to visit the famous Price's in the Queen City.
22. Johnson's Drive-In, Siler City
Yelp / Robin H.
This no-frills, straight-up joint is like stepping back in time. There's plenty of award-winning 'burger restaurants' in North Carolina, but the best one you'll find in the state is Johnson's.
23. River's End Restaurant, Bryson City
Rivers End Restaurant On The Nantahala River / Facebook
For a restaurant with a view, River's End is one of the best local restaurants in North Carolina. Located at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, each seat promises a riverside view. Enjoy classic breakfast dishes like Fontana Hash Browns, or a hearty lunch after a morning of kayaking.
24. Fiction Kitchen, Raleigh
Heather B. / Yelp
For some of the best vegan and vegetarian dishes you'll find in the Tar Heel State, you have to try Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh.

What did you think of our list of some of the best local restaurants in North Carolina? Did your favorite make the cut? Tell us in the comments!

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Address: 109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701, USA
Address: 1200 Dobbins Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604, USA
Address: 7 SW, N Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Address: 131 N Main St, Davidson, NC 28036, USA
Address: The Umstead Hotel and Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Dr, Cary, NC 27513, USA
Address: Angus Barn, 9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27617, USA
Address: 230 Market St, Pittsboro, NC 27312, USA
Address: Biltmore Estate Dr, Asheville, NC 28803, USA
Address: 120 W Gordon St, Kinston, NC 28501, USA
Address: Snappy Lunch, 125 N Main St, Mt Airy, NC 27030, USA
Address: B's Barbecue, 751 State Rd 1204, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
Address: 719 Coliseum Dr NW, Winston-Salem, NC 27106, USA
Address: 3005 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC 28607, USA
Address: 2 Sullivan St, Hayesville, NC 28904, USA
Address: On the Square, 115 E St James St, Tarboro, NC 27886, USA
Address: 100 Smokehouse Ln, Lexington, NC 27295, USA
Address: 13 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801, USA
Address: 703 E Fort Macon Rd #5425, Atlantic Beach, NC 28512, USA
Address: 1029 Colington Rd, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948, USA
Address: 530 Foster St #130, Durham, NC 27701, USA
Address: 1614 Camden Rd, Charlotte, NC 28203, USA
Address: Johnson's Drive-In, 1520 E 11th St, Siler City, NC 27344, USA
Address: 13077 US-19, Bryson City, NC 28713, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center

best local restaurants in north carolina

October 20, 2020
Beth C.

What's the most famous restaurant in North Carolina?

As you might have gathered from our list outlining some of the best local restaurants in North Carolina, the Tar Heel State has no shortage of delicious dining options. If you're curious to try one of the most famous restaurants in North Carolina, you'll want to head to the Dining Room at the Biltmore Estate. Of course, the Biltmore Estate itself is one of the most-visited attractions in North Carolina, and the Dining Room is no different. If you're looking for an excuse to dress up and pretend you're living like a Vanderbilt, a trip to the Dining Room at the Biltmore Estate might do just the trick. Many of the menu items feature locally-grown ingredients, some of which come right from the Biltmore Gardens.

Where can I eat in North Carolina that only the locals know about?

If you're looking for the best restaurants in North Carolina that fly under the radar, it's a good idea to try a place off-the-beaten-path. One such example is Hillbilly Hideaway, a lovable restaurant that only the locals know about. It's a classic roadside restaurant that specializes in home-cooking. Since 1977, Hillbilly Hideaway has been serving up classic American fare, such as fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans. When you visit, be sure to bring your appetite with you, as the portions are known to be quite generous! For more information about Hillbilly Hideaway, read our previous article.

Where can I find the best pizza in North Carolina?

North Carolina is positively brimming with delicious local pizza restaurants you'll want to try. From classic Italian to wood-fired and New York-style, there's simply no shortage of delicious pizza here in the Tar Heel State. If you're looking for the best pizza in North Carolina, start with any of the following spots: Pizzeria Omaggio in Charlotte, Randy's Pizza in Raleigh, Inizio Pizza Napoletana in Charlotte, Pure Pizza in Charlotte, Pizzeria Toro in Durham, Asheville Pizza & Brewing Co., Benny's Pennello's in Charlotte, Lost Province Brewing Co. in Boone, Lisa's Pizzeria in Rodanthe, Sergio's Pizza in Raleigh, and Amici Pizza in Charlotte.