12 Coolest Locations to Eat


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Welcome to our information on distinctive eating places in North Carolina. This listing consists of locations that stand out for his or her scrumptious meals and memorable eating experiences. From scenic to themed settings, uncover the range that North Carolina’s foodie scene gives.

Let’s dive into the guts of North Carolina, the place the meals scene is as vibrant and various as its landscapes. From the misty peaks of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the sunny shores of the Outer Banks, this state gives a feast for the senses!

We’re setting off on a journey to uncover eateries that break the mildew. These aren’t your typical eating places. They’re spots the place the setting is simply as charming because the menu. Consider eating in a restored barn, a historic inn, or perhaps a double-decker bus turned café. It’s all in regards to the expertise, the sort that sticks with you.

Our information will take you thru a choice of North Carolina’s most original eating experiences. From modern dishes that problem your style buds to cozy spots that really feel like entering into one other period, we’ve received one thing for everybody. Able to see what makes eating on this state actually considered one of a sort? Right here we go!

The top restaurants to visit in North Carolina right now

Distinctive Eating places in North Carolina: 12 Unimaginable North Carolina Eateries

From pirate-themed adventures to meals with mountain views, North Carolina’s distinctive eating places have all of it. Get able to discover these one-of-a-kind locations that make consuming out an unforgettable expertise.

1. Deluxe Effective Eating

Deluxe Enjoyable Eating transforms high-quality eating in North Carolina right into a vibrant celebration. This distinctive spot combines a festive ambiance with beautiful recipes. Think about eating in a spot the place the decor sparkles with artwork and gold, making each second unforgettable.

The menu is a journey of flavors, that includes dishes adorned with 24k edible gold leaf. Drawing inspiration from Japanese European and Mediterranean traditions, every meal is crafted from the freshest, high-quality elements. It’s a visible and gastronomic delight.

The innovation extends to the drinks, with cocktails that mix premium spirits like Don Julio 1942 and Johnnie Walker Blue in sudden methods. And for an actual showstopper, attempt the “It’s All There” bloody mary, a towering drink garnished with an array of seafood.

Deluxe Enjoyable Eating gives custom-made packages and menus for teams, making certain a memorable expertise. It’s the right place for these in search of a unprecedented high-quality eating expertise in North Carolina.

Deluxe Fun Dining is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.Deluxe Fun Dining is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.
Deluxe Enjoyable Eating transforms high-quality eating with a vibrant celebration, combining a festive ambiance with beautiful recipes.

2. Double D’s Espresso and Desserts

In Asheville, a metropolis identified for its distinctive appeal, Double D’s Espresso and Desserts stands out as a must-visit. This café isn’t simply any café; it’s housed in a 1963 Lodekka double-decker bus from Bristol, England. Earlier than turning into a comfortable spot for espresso lovers, this bus had fairly the journey, even serving as a celebration bus in Atlanta.

Now, it’s one of the distinctive locations to eat in NC. Inside, you’ll discover a heat, inviting house that may seat as much as 25 individuals upstairs. The decor retains the bus’s unique appeal whereas including a contact of luxurious. It’s a spot the place children and adults alike really feel a rush of pleasure, entering into a bit of historical past become a café.

Double D’s serves quite a lot of espresso drinks and desserts, making it excellent for a fast cease or a leisurely afternoon. The outside patio is a success in hotter months, providing a dog-friendly house and generally dwell music. Whether or not you’re a neighborhood or simply passing by Asheville, Double D’s offers a novel slice of historical past alongside together with your caffeine repair.

Double D's Coffee and Desserts is a must-visit café housed in a 1963 Lodekka double-decker bus, offering unique charm.Double D's Coffee and Desserts is a must-visit café housed in a 1963 Lodekka double-decker bus, offering unique charm.
Double D’s Espresso and Desserts is a must-visit café housed in a 1963 Lodekka double-decker bus, providing distinctive appeal.

3. Fearrington Home Restaurant

The Fearrington Home Restaurant gives a mix of rustic appeal and culinary excellence. Nestled in a 1927 farmhouse, the setting is pure nation stylish. Suppose heavy floral drapes and oil work, creating a comfortable but elegant ambiance.

Chef Colin Bedford is on the coronary heart of this foodie gem, embracing farm-to-table eating. He picks recent elements proper from the restaurant’s backyard for his seasonal American dishes. Think about seared foie gras or candy potato risotto with house-made bacon and lobster knuckles.

Positioned in Pittsboro, simply south of Chapel Hill, this restaurant is a part of Fearrington Village. The realm, as soon as a dairy farm, nonetheless options Belted Galloway cows and Tennessee fainting goats. It’s a scenic spot that feels worlds away, but it’s conveniently near Raleigh-Durham Worldwide Airport.

Among the many greatest locations to eat in North Carolina, The Fearrington Home Restaurant stands out for its personalised wine pairings and a wine listing boasting over 800 choices. Don’t miss their signature scorching chocolate soufflé, a menu staple for over 30 years!

The Fearrington House Restaurant blends rustic charm with culinary excellence, nestled in a 1927 farmhouse.The Fearrington House Restaurant blends rustic charm with culinary excellence, nestled in a 1927 farmhouse.
The Fearrington Home Restaurant blends rustic appeal with culinary excellence, nestled in a 1927 farmhouse.

4. Dan’l Boone Inn Restaurant

Inside the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains you’ll discover the Dan’l Boone Inn Restaurant. This spot is a slice of historical past, making it stand out amongst distinctive North Carolina eating places. For over 60 years, it has been a comfortable haven for these in search of consolation meals with a aspect of nostalgia.

Right here, meals are a communal affair, served family-style. Image this: tables laden with platters of their signature nation ham biscuits and famend fried hen, surrounded by hearty sides. It’s a throwback to dinners at grandma’s, the place the feast by no means ends and each chunk is a delight.

The expertise of eating at Dan’l Boone Inn is about extra than simply consuming. It’s in regards to the heat of welcome, the enjoyment of sharing, and the satisfaction of a dessert effectively earned. Simply bear in mind, this place retains it old style – money or test solely!

Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant offers comfort food and nostalgia for over 60 years.Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant offers comfort food and nostalgia for over 60 years.
Dan’l Boone Inn Restaurant gives consolation meals and nostalgia for over 60 years.

5. Loss of life & Taxes

Within the coronary heart of Raleigh, Loss of life & Taxes stands out, because of the culinary abilities of Chef Ashley Christensen. This distinctive spot has a backstory that’s as intriguing as its menu. Initially a funeral dwelling, then a financial institution, it’s now a trendy restaurant after an in depth two-year makeover.

It ranks among the many coolest eating places in NC for its mix of class and luxury. Image eating at customized marble tables, sitting on leather-based banquettes, underneath stylish lighting. The place shines with native artistry, from ceramics to aprons, all made by people from the world.

The menu? It’s a wood-fired surprise. But it surely’s not all in regards to the grill. Dishes are crafted with a twist, like olive oil infused with the scent of burning embers. Highlights embody zesty roasted oysters, lamb tartare with a crunch, and tender octopus paired with butter beans. And for individuals who love watching cooks in motion, there’s a particular spot on the kitchen bar only for you.

Death & Taxes, led by Chef Ashley Christensen, was once a funeral home and bank, now a stylish restaurant.Death & Taxes, led by Chef Ashley Christensen, was once a funeral home and bank, now a stylish restaurant.
Loss of life & Taxes, led by Chef Ashley Christensen, was as soon as a funeral dwelling and financial institution, now a trendy restaurant.

6. Boone and Blowing Rock

Tucked between the charming cities of Boone and Blowing Rock, within the lush mountains of North Carolina, you’ll bump into a hidden gem: The Gamekeeper Restaurant. This spot is a real treasure, nestled on a hill and surrounded by nature. Think about eating close to a delicate brook, underneath the shade of towering timber—it’s like being a part of the forest itself.

Often known as one of many hidden gem eating places in North Carolina, The Gamekeeper gives a novel eating expertise. The menu is a artistic celebration of recreation and seasonal flavors, showcasing the chef’s aptitude for mixing conventional and trendy tastes. Right here, each dish is a discovery, from succulent elk to tender venison.

The setting of The Gamekeeper is as particular as its meals. It boasts a country, cozy vibe that makes you’re feeling proper at dwelling. It’s a spot the place the fantastic thing about the outside meets the heat of fine firm and nice meals.

The Gamekeeper is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.The Gamekeeper is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.
The Gamekeeper gives a novel eating expertise with a artistic menu celebrating recreation and seasonal flavors.

7. Mike’s Farm

Mike’s Farm in Beulaville’s Again Swamp is a slice of North Carolina’s coronary heart. This farm, with its roots deeply embedded in North Carolina’s soil, has developed from promoting Christmas timber to turning into a full-fledged vacation spot for these in search of a style of nation life.

Should you’re in search of enjoyable locations to eat in North Carolina, this spot received’t disappoint. Right here, consuming is an journey. The farm’s restaurant dishes out hearty, home-cooked meals that style like they’re straight from grandma’s kitchen. Prepare for mouth-watering fried hen, creamy macaroni and cheese, and a feast of Southern favorites that can fill you up with pleasure.

When you’ve completed your meal, there’s a lot to discover. You may meet pleasant cattle, dive into seasonal occasions, and browse a store stuffed with native North Carolina merchandise and scrumptious baked items. From goat feeding to festive hayrides, there’s all the time one thing to do!

Mike's Farm offers fun dining with hearty, home-cooked meals straight from grandma's kitchen.Mike's Farm offers fun dining with hearty, home-cooked meals straight from grandma's kitchen.
Mike’s Farm gives enjoyable eating with hearty, home-cooked meals straight from grandma’s kitchen.

8. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

Within the coronary heart of Raleigh, the Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers new life to a historic mansion from 1879. Initially constructed for Raleigh’s mayor, this grand constructing was left empty for years earlier than its transformation right into a eating haven in 1997. Now, its numerous rooms supply distinctive eating vibes, from mild and open to wealthy and grand.

The renovation preserved the mansion’s unique appeal, together with a grand staircase that connects eating areas throughout three flooring right down to a welcoming tavern beneath. As one of many distinctive eating places in NC, Second Empire gives a menu that’s each creative and mouthwatering.

The menu modifications with the seasons, that includes every thing from hearty crab truffles to tender filet mignon, alongside irresistible desserts like Creme Brûlée and Chocolate Soufflé. Every dish is complemented by a fastidiously chosen wine, making certain a eating expertise that’s each scrumptious and memorable.

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern revitalizes a historic mansion from 1879, offering diverse dining vibes since 1997.Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern revitalizes a historic mansion from 1879, offering diverse dining vibes since 1997.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern revitalizes a historic mansion from 1879, providing various eating vibes since 1997.

9. Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant

Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant in Morehead Metropolis Yacht Basin is a must-visit. Again in 2005, Chef Floyd Olmstead and his spouse, Shana, reworked an previous 1921 home into this culinary hotspot. It’s a comfortable place the place music fills the air, associates collect across the firepit, and the menu is a pleasant mixture of flavors from world wide.

Impressed by the well-known French chef Georges Auguste Escoffier, Chef Floyd brings a contact of Southern appeal to dishes influenced by Asian, Latin, and Caribbean cuisines. Favorites like Shrimp & Grits and signature Crab Truffles showcase the restaurant’s dedication to recent, native elements.

Floyd’s stands out as considered one of North Carolina’s greatest eating places not only for its meals however for its ambiance too. Whether or not you’re celebrating an important day, having fun with a novel cocktail, or simply on the town for the Massive Rock Blue Marlin Event, Floyd’s gives an unforgettable expertise. It’s a cornerstone of the Crystal Coast’s eating scene.

Floyd's 1921 Restaurant is a culinary hotspot transformed from an old 1921 house, offering a delightful menu.Floyd's 1921 Restaurant is a culinary hotspot transformed from an old 1921 house, offering a delightful menu.
Floyd’s 1921 Restaurant is a culinary hotspot reworked from an previous 1921 home, providing a pleasant menu.

10. Hillbilly Hideaway

Tucked away in Walnut Cove, Hillbilly Hideaway is a journey again to the roots of Southern cooking. Since opening in 1977, this cabin restaurant has been serving up scrumptious Southern meals solely on weekends. Its cozy log cabin partitions and informal decor make each meal really feel such as you’re eating at dwelling.

What units Hillbilly Hideaway aside is its distinctive serving fashion, resembling a rolling buffet. They wheel out carts loaded with all their tasty dishes proper to your desk, and also you decide what you need. It’s all-you-can-eat, so that you’re inspired to indulge till you’re totally glad.

As one of many enjoyable eating places in North Carolina, Hillbilly Hideaway gives greater than nice meals. There’s a present store and a music corridor throughout the car parking zone the place dwell nation, bluegrass, and gospel music play on Friday nights. Should you dine on the restaurant first, the music is complimentary. This spot is a neighborhood secret, nevertheless it’s price discovering for a real style of Southern hospitality and leisure.

Hillbilly Hideaway offers a taste of Southern cooking in a cozy log cabin setting, exclusively on weekends.Hillbilly Hideaway offers a taste of Southern cooking in a cozy log cabin setting, exclusively on weekends.
Hillbilly Hideaway gives a style of Southern cooking in a comfortable log cabin setting, solely on weekends.

11. The Angus Barn

The Angus Barn in Raleigh is a legend for steak lovers. Successful awards for the perfect steak and high-quality eating, it’s a favourite spot for a lot of. This place began with a dream on a bit of pastureland and has grown right into a family-run success story.

Celebrating 60 years, The Angus Barn has develop into a Raleigh establishment. It’s identified for its steak and potatoes menu, a imaginative and prescient that got here to life because of the founders’ exhausting work. Now, it serves over 22,000 steaks a month to visitors from throughout.

As considered one of North Carolina’s greatest eating places, The Angus Barn doesn’t simply impress with meals. Its wine choice is top-notch, incomes accolades for over 30 years. Plus, it’s acknowledged nationally, rating as the one North Carolina restaurant on a prestigious listing of high unbiased eating places within the nation.

The Angus Barn is a legendary spot for steak lovers, with award-winning fine dining.The Angus Barn is a legendary spot for steak lovers, with award-winning fine dining.
The Angus Barn is a legendary spot for steak lovers, with award-winning high-quality eating.

12.  The Melting Pot

Diving right into a pot of melted cheese or chocolate is an journey at The Melting Pot. This restaurant turns dinner into an interactive expertise, the place you may cook dinner your personal meals proper on the desk. From cheese fondues as starters to decadent chocolate fondues for dessert, it’s a spot the place each chunk is a delight.

Amongst distinctive eating places in North Carolina for dinner, The Melting Pot shines. Right here, your meal kicks off with creamy, melted cheese. You get to choose the flavors that go into it. Then, you dip issues like bread, veggies, and apples into this tacky delight. It’s a enjoyable and attractive begin!

Subsequent up is the principle dish. You get a plate stuffed with uncooked meats, seafood, and veggies. You cook dinner these your self in a pot of scorching broth or oil proper at your desk. It’s like being a chef, however far more enjoyable. You may cook dinner steak, shrimp, and many veggies till they’re simply best for you.

However the perfect half? Dessert. It’s all about chocolate fondue. This chocolate is heat and wealthy, and you may add flavors to make it even higher. You dip fruits, marshmallows, and cake items into the chocolate. It’s the right candy ending!

The Melting Pot is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.The Melting Pot is one of the unique restaurants in North Carolina.
At The Melting Pot, visitors cook dinner their very own meals on the desk with cheese and chocolate fondues.

13. Pirates Touchdown Steak and Seafood Home

In North Carolina, themed eating places supply distinctive eating experiences that transport you to a different world. Pirates Touchdown Steak and Seafood Home is an ideal instance. Right here, you step right into a pirate’s realm, the place the decor, music, and even the employees costumes immerse you in a swashbuckling journey.

The menu is a treasure trove of flavors, that includes recent seafood and juicy steaks. Think about eating on shrimp scampi or a superbly grilled ribeye whereas surrounded by pirate flags and treasure chests. It’s an expertise that mixes the fun of a pirate story with the pleasure of a scrumptious meal.

Pirates Touchdown stands out amongst themed eating places in North Carolina for its dedication to creating an unforgettable ambiance. Whether or not you’re a neighborhood or simply passing by, this restaurant guarantees a eating expertise that’s each enjoyable and satisfying.

Pirates Landing Steak and Seafood House offers a swashbuckling adventure with themed decor and staff costumes.Pirates Landing Steak and Seafood House offers a swashbuckling adventure with themed decor and staff costumes.
Pirates Touchdown Steak and Seafood Home gives a swashbuckling journey with themed decor and employees costumes.

Regularly Requested Questions Concerning the Distinctive Locations to Eat in North Carolina

Bought questions? Our North Carolina restaurant information’s FAQ part is right here that will help you discover the state’s eating choices.

What meals is exclusive to North Carolina?

North Carolina is known for its barbecue, particularly pulled pork. Cooked slowly over low warmth, the meat turns into tender and flavorful. It’s usually served with a vinegar-based sauce, a staple within the state. One other distinctive dish is livermush, a pork product combined with cornmeal and spices. These meals mirror the state’s wealthy culinary traditions.

The place to eat when visiting NC State?

When visiting NC State, try the perfect eating places in North Carolina close by. Raleigh, the town that properties NC State, boasts a vibrant meals scene. From farm-to-table eateries to worldwide delicacies, there’s one thing for everybody. Don’t miss the prospect to attempt native barbecue spots or seafood eating places that spotlight the state’s coastal catches.

What meals is Charlotte well-known for?

Charlotte’s eating places supply a various culinary scene, with the town’s well-known dish being Carolina-style barbecue, significantly pulled pork. Charlotte additionally excels in soul meals, providing dishes like fried hen and collard greens. For a novel native expertise, discover the town’s meals vehicles, which serve every thing from connoisseur burgers to worldwide bites.

What sweets is North Carolina identified for?

North Carolina is understood for its Moravian cookies, significantly in Winston-Salem. These skinny, crisp cookies are available flavors like ginger and sugar. Candy potato pie, constructed from North Carolina-grown candy potatoes, is one other favourite. Don’t overlook to attempt Cheerwine, a cherry-flavored comfortable drink, for a candy style distinctive to the state.

What are some scenic locations in NC to eat?

North Carolina gives eating with breathtaking views. Get pleasure from meals overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains or alongside the Outer Banks for ocean vistas. Eating places in Asheville and Boone present mountain surroundings, whereas coastal cities like Wilmington and Morehead Metropolis supply waterfront eating. These spots mix nice meals with beautiful landscapes.

The place can I discover low cost eats in North Carolina?

For affordable eats in North Carolina, discover native diners, meals vehicles, and barbecue joints. Cities like Raleigh, Durham, and Greensboro have meals halls the place you may style totally different cuisines at inexpensive costs. Search for day by day specials at native eating places, too. Many locations supply offers that allow you to get pleasure from scrumptious meals with out breaking the financial institution.

What are some themed eating places in North Carolina?

Themed eating places in North Carolina supply distinctive eating experiences. From pirate-themed eateries on the coast to train-themed diners in small cities, there’s a enjoyable setting for each style. Asheville has a restaurant inside a double-decker bus, and Charlotte boasts a diner that feels such as you’re in an previous film. These spots add an additional layer of pleasure to eating out.

How can I expertise North Carolina’s meals tradition?

To dive into North Carolina’s meals tradition, attend meals festivals and native farmers’ markets. Attempt dishes like Japanese-style barbecue, recent seafood, and native wines and beers. Go to historic diners and family-run eating places to style recipes handed down by generations. Exploring the state’s meals scene is a journey by its historical past, communities, and traditions.

What are the must-try dishes for first-time guests to North Carolina?

First-time guests should attempt North Carolina barbecue, identified for its vinegar-based sauce. One other must-try is shrimp and grits, showcasing the state’s coastal seafood. Don’t depart with out tasting Lexington-style barbecue as effectively, which incorporates a ketchup-based sauce. These dishes supply a style of North Carolina’s various meals scene.

The place can I discover the perfect seafood in North Carolina?

For the perfect seafood, head to the coastal areas. Cities like Wilmington, Morehead Metropolis, and the Outer Banks are dwelling to eating places serving recent catches day by day. Search for spots that provide Calabash-style seafood, a neighborhood favourite identified for its mild, crispy fried fish and shrimp. These coastal gems present not simply superb seafood but in addition lovely ocean views, making them among the high locations to dwell and go to in North Carolina.

Remaining Ideas On Distinctive North Carolina Eating places

We hope you loved exploring our North Carolina restaurant information. From mountains to coast, this state has flavors for everybody. Whether or not you’re craving barbecue, seafood, or one thing candy, North Carolina’s received it.

Keep in mind, eating right here isn’t just about meals. It’s in regards to the expertise, the views, and the individuals. Subsequent time you’re in North Carolina, dive into our information. Uncover new favorites and make recollections across the desk whereas basking in North Carolina’s magnificence. Thanks for becoming a member of us on this tasty journey!

The top restaurants in North Carolina for all types of travelersThe top restaurants in North Carolina for all types of travelers
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