Banner Elk is one of the best mountain towns to visit in North Carolina. Situated near Boone and Blowing Rock this is one of the best places to visit in North Carolina. There are plenty of things to do in Banner Elk for outdoor lovers (and even wine lovers!)
Just because there are only 1000 inhabitants doesn’t mean there aren’t some fantastic Banner Elk restaurants to try. From Creole, to Cuban, and delicious bbq here are the best restaurants in Banner Elk to try.
Best Banner Elk Restaurants
1. LP on Main
Who says you can’t enjoy upscale dining in an informal atmosphere? Well, whoever said it hasn’t tried dining at LP on Main! Most of the dishes on the menu are quintessentially American such as braised short rib and bison meatloaf.
Southern favorites are also available including fried oysters and po’ boys. For a real gourmet treat, try the quail and oysters or black Angus beef tartare. Only fresh seasonal ingredients are used when possible. Be sure to leave room for one of the restaurant’s amazing desserts. How does the chocolate bourbon pecan pie sound?
2. Stonewalls Restaurant
- Price: $$$$
- Cuisine: Steak and seafood
- Address: 344 Shawneehaw Ave S, Banner Elk (GPS)
- Website: See menu
Stonewalls Restaurant has been around since the mid-80s, so you can bet you’ll get a meal that’s backed by many years of experience. Prime ribs, salads, seafood dishes, burgers, pasta dishes and steaks are just some of the things you’ll find on the extensive menu.
However, when you dine at this eatery, the experience is just as necessary as the meal itself! Enjoy fabulous service in a laid-back environment where you can kick back on the huge outdoor patio or around the fire pit. Don’t forget to ask about the delicious craft cocktails and desserts after your main meal!
3. Chef’s Table
- Price: $$$$
- Cuisine: American restaurant
- Address: 140 Azalea Cir SE, Banner Elk (GPS)
- Website: See menu
When you dine at Chef’s Table, you dine on a diverse mix of American, Japanese and Italian culinary delights. Who would have thought you would get a flare of all these cuisines in one of these Banner Elk restaurants.
Fresh seasonal ingredients are used in the creation of delicious options such as chicken tacos, salmon carpaccio and beet salad. The restaurant also serves some of the best sushi around.
4. Puerto Nuevo Restaurant
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Classic Mexican and Te-Mex dishes
- Address: 2120 Tynecastle Hwy UNIT 1, Banner Elk (GPS)
- Website: See menu
North Carolina is quite a long way from the Mexican border, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a hearty feed of Mexican cuisine while in Banner Elk! This popular eatery serves a wide variety of tasty options including beef tacos, salsa, chicken enchiladas and, of course, quite possibly the best margaritas in town!
5. Sorrento’s Bistro
It’s casual, it’s lively, it’s friendly and it’s traditional. But, it’s also gourmet, upscale and chic. I’m talking about the long-standing Sorrento’s Bistro, the Italian eatery that feels like your everyday neighborhood eatery.
This is until you sink your teeth into one of the expertly-prepared and delicious dishes that’ll have you wondering if you’re actually dining in a bistro in the south of Italy.
Some of the dishes you can enjoy at Sorrento’s include fried calamari, artichoke, burrata, crab cakes, chicken marsala and a variety of pizzas and pasta dishes. On nice days, you can enjoy your meal on the lovely patio.
6. Bayou Smokehouse & Grill
Although New Orleans is over 500 miles away from Banner Elk, the city’s cuisine is alive and well at the Bayou Smokehouse & Grill! This popular, laid-back eatery is known for its barbecued dishes and Cajun and Creole cuisine.
On the menu, you’ll find a wide variety of options including smoked beef brisket, Cajun shrimp gumbo, burgers, po’ boys, pasta dishes, fried chicken, red beans and rice and smoked sausage. A bar serving cocktails, beer and wine is on-site, and it’s a great place to watch a sporting event or enjoy a game of billiards.
7. The Painted Fish Cafe
- Price: $$
- Cuisine: Seafood, comfort food
- Address: 2941 Tynecastle Hwy, Banner Elk (GPS)
- Website: See menu
You might recognize most of the dishes on The Painted Fish Café’s menu, but you’ll realize that these old favorites are not the dishes you remember from your childhood! The chefs here like to put a unique and modern spin on time-honored meals.
Enjoy a variety of pasta dishes along with some options you may not be familiar with such as curry scallops.
8. Artisanal Restaurant
When it comes to fine dining in Banner Elk, nothing beats the Artisanal Restaurant. This eatery, which is situated inside a striking refurbished barn, serves a variety of farm-to-table dishes that are as pleasing to the palate as they are to the eyes!
Some of the delicious options available include steak, grilled South Carolina quail, apple braised pork chops and mushroom risotto. Outdoor seating is available.
9. Bodegas Kitchen and Wine Bar
For some Caribbean vibes, delicious Cuban-inspired dishes and some of the best views in town, head to Bodegas Kitchen and Wine Bar! It’s casual, but it’s also elegant so you can expect top-quality service and expertly-prepared gourmet food in a laid-back atmosphere.
Enjoy tapas, BBQ ribs, tostones, empanadas and sandwiches. Of course, as one would expect, rum cake is the most popular dessert here and you can follow your meal with a delicious cocktail.
10. Bella’s
For a small NC town, Banner Elk certainly takes visitors around the world when it comes to diverse cuisine! At Bella’s, it’s delicious Italian dishes that you’ll enjoy. Whether you just want to share a pizza with the rest of your travel party or you want to dine on pasta or seafood, you’ll find plenty of dishes to choose from on the menu.
Check out the extensive wine list to find the perfect drink to go with your meal or opt for some craft beer.
Best Banner Elk Restaurants NC
- LP On Main (American)
- Stonewalls Restaurant (Steak and seafood)
- Chef’s Table (American)
- Puerto Nuevo Restaurant (Tex Mex)
- Sorrento’s Bistro (Italian)
- Bayou Smokehouse & Grill (Cajun and BBQ)
- The Painted Fish Cafe (Comfort)
- Artisanal Restaurant (American)
- Bodegas Kitchen And Wine Bar (Cuban)
- Bella’s (Italian)
