As a traveler, I am always motivated by food and my recommendations will always include something to eat. I get this from my dad who would not hesitate to drive 30 minutes out of the way in pursuit of the perfect sticky bun which after years of looking he has declared he found it at Stick Boy Bakery (but that is for another blog)!
Here are just a few of my favorite restaurants in Boone, NC.
If you love a craft cocktail and an elevated meal – this is your spot! The Beaon has a season menu that focuses on fresh ingredients & local goods. I’ll never forget the dinner I had here with three of my best friends that were visting for the weekend. We all passed around our plates to taste and share because it was too good not to! Perfect for a date night, celebration, or just beacuse.
Booneshine is a fantastic spot that offers something for everyone. Number one, it is dog friendly so you can bring your dog and eat on the patio or in the beer garden. It is also kid friendly with games and plenty of space to run around. If we are in town on a Saturday, this is a must stop! Every weekend they smoke brisket and porkbutt for over 14 hours and it is melt in your mouth delicious. You can only get it on Saturdays in the beer garden. They also have a fantastic menu in the restaurant. I would definitely call ahead on the weekends for a table, especially if there is an Appalachian Football Club game.
This is a Wild Juniper staple. It’s perfect timing to call in your order before leaving the cabin and just as you get to the restaurant your order will be ready for pickup. I am a sucker for all of their apps and wood-fired anything. All of the pizzas are amazing and I love the white bean spread. They don’t do carry out on the weekends because they get pretty busy, so call ahead for a table. It’s always worth the wait. Or, the bar is first come first serve and you’ll have the perfect view to watch everything being cooked in the wood fire oven.
If you are over in Blowing Rock, NC the Speckled Trout is a great place to stop for craft cocktails and great food. You can try North Carolina mountain trout, prepared six different ways my favorites include hickory smoked or blackened. However the real reason I keep coming back is for pork rinds that come out to the table still snapping from the fryer – a guilty pleasure!
Over yonder is located in the charming town of Valle Crusis, NC, home the original Mast General Store. The charming restaurant is in the former homestead of the Taylor family, everything isscratch-prepared. You’ll absolutely need a reservation and save room for the butterscotch banana pudding!
