Memorable Culinary Excursions

artisanal, banner elk

What’s a great vacation without great food? There are so many amazing restaurants in this area that it’s hard to narrow the field.

One of the best is called Artisanal in Banner Elk and it is open May through October.  This is the place to go for special occasions: Artisanal has developed an exclusive partnership with one of the top, 100% certified organic farms in the mountains of NC, coordinating the growing seasons to insure that the freshest ingredients are available daily.

1200 Dobbins Rd, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828-898-5395).

gideon’s ridge, blowing rock

Gideon’s Ridge in Blowing Rock is our personal favorite and very hard to get reservations, so plan ahead! Their intimate European styled dining room has long range mountain views. The menu changes daily, which gives their Culinary Team the ability to use only the best ingredients available from local farms and small batch purveyors located right here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. When the weather is nice, definitely choose a table on their patio; the food is exceptional.

202 Gideon Ridge Rd, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828-295-3644).

best cellar, blowing rock

The Best Cellar, also in Blowing Rock, is located in the Ragged Garden Inn and is always a quality experience. The Best Cellar prides itself on having provided its customers with the finest of food, wine, and service for 30 years. All dishes and desserts, are prepared each day on site. Many of their dishes have been favorites for years, but they always have daily specials to satisfy those customers looking for something new. Valet service available.

203 Sunset Dr, Blowing Rock, NC 28605 (828-295-3466).

gamekeeper, boone

If you like something on the wild side, be sure to try Gamekeeper—very close to our Lance Crossing properties. Well known for interesting and delicious interpretations of Southern classics, the menu changes seasonally blending the traditional with the exotic, satisfying both meat and veggie lovers. They specialize in emu, bison, elk, and boar…and were voted one of the “Best 100 Romantic Restaurants in America (2018).

3005 Shulls Mill Rd, Boone, NC 28607 (828-963-7400).

peddlin’ pig

For country style BBQ in a casual setting, go no further than The Pedalin’ Pig, with locations in both Boone and Banner Elk. Here you can find southern style with a gourmet flair on ribs, pulled pork, brisket, and chicken among other delicious options. Their food is locally sourced with a fine selection of western NC microbrews and regional wines.

2968 NC-105 A, Boone, NC 28607 (828-355-9559), or

4235 NC-105, Banner Elk, NC 28604 (828-898-7500).

over yonder

The closest restaurant to The Briar Patch is Over Yonder, a country-chic eatery right in Valle Crucis. Over Yonder opened in June of 2014 in the former homestead of the Taylor Family, one of the founding families of Valle Crucis. Their mission is to interpret classic Appalachian food in a modern yet casual way, and they do this by sourcing the best product and then doing their best not to screw it up. Everything is scratch-prepared, or as they like to call it, “done the hard and stupid way.”

3608 NC-194, Sugar Grove, NC 28679 (828-963-6301).

kilwins, Stick Boy, Local Lion

No trip to the High Country is complete without a little something sweet! Be sure to check out our favorites: Stick Boys Bakery (345 Hardin St, Boone, NC 28607), Kilwins Ice Cream (1103 Main St, Blowing Rock, NC 28605), and The Local Lion, which makes fresh donuts daily (791 Blowing Rock Rd, Boone, NC 28607). Jerome’s favorite ice cream flavors are S’mores and Blowing Rock Mud. And our newest, funnest addition: sweet or savory crepes at The Penny Path (278 Shoppes on the Parkway Rd Suite 35, Blowing Rock, NC 28605).

coyote kitchen

For an unusual culinary adventure, try the casual Coyote Kitchen. Specializing in Southwest Caribbean soul-food, they offer a variety of food from creative burritos to bowls to burgers. They use only antibiotic and hormone free meat options, eco-friendly ocean fishes, vegetarian and vegan dining options, and offer savory daily specials and flavors to die for! Jerome’s fave is the Marley burrito and the Jalapeño burger.

200 Southgate Dr, Boone, NC 28607 (828.265.4041).