Nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Boone has a bounty of culture and beauty to discover. It’s a quaint town rich with outdoor adventure and charming artistic attractions. Unsurprisingly, Boone is also a high country haven for the culinary craft, and there are some great restaurants in Boone to enjoy.
The foodie scene in Boone prides itself on a focus of fresh and local fares sourced sustainably and isn’t something you would expect out of a small North Carolina mountain town.
Everything comes with a flair of mountain town charm and Southern hospitality—nothing pairs with their eclectic eateries like a bonafide Boone beer from a Boone brewery. Let’s dig into the best Boone restaurants.
The Best Restaurants in Boone, NC
Dan’l Boone Inn
The Dan’l Boone Inn is an institution in Boone and has faithfully served patrons for over 50 years! Having a meal here is one of the best things to do in Boone! They specialize in high country food and provide family-style home cooking.
Meals are shared family-style amongst the table; it all begins with a summer salad or soup in winter. You get three types of meat, five vegetables, biscuits, preserves, dessert, and whatever beverage you’d like for the main course.
It’s an impossible amount of food and feels like you’ve just stepped into Grandma’s kitchen. Everything is so good you’ll have a hard time stopping yourself from eating all of the enormous portions. The restaurant is famed throughout the South, and they’ve garnered a slew of awards over the years. It is classic southern cooking. If you’re craving
The Cardinal
The Cardinal boasts cuisine as fresh and local as possible, always with an added bit of extra flair. Everything is farm-to-table, as they solely utilize regional farms such as Heritage Homestead and Against the Grain. It’s in a log cabin which provides a warm woodsy feel, matching any meal you may order.
They serve all the favorite American foods, though you may find fares on the menu that are unique and exciting compared to the usual suspects of the area. If you’re feeling adventurous, order the Wild Game Burger. It offers a patty made up of unusual meat that is always rotating and includes options such as emu or antelope. The portions are always hefty, so come prepared (meaning hungry).
If you aren’t a carnivore, don’t despair, they have the best beet burger you’ve ever tasted on deck here. Even with all of their inventive dishes, they certainly haven’t neglected their drinks menu. The owners have a solid bartending background, and each cocktail feels thoughtful and carefully crafted.
There are 12 taps of continuously rotating Carolina drafts. The outdoor patio is a delightful way to dine and dog-friendly so you can bring your pup along. The Cardinal is a classic and choice for a savory and often surprising supper.
CoBo
The name stands for the amalgamation of Colorado and Boone. The Rockies are where the head chef and owner learned to create exciting new Asian flavors to bring them to the quaint mountain town of Boone. He flawlessly combines his hometown roots with upscale Japanese delicacies to make one of the best restaurants in Boone. CoBo serves up specialty rolls that capture the imagination and hearts of all who venture here for sushi with a twist.
They offer a diverse range of sakes, including hot, crystalline and cloudy, and flavored. Get a flight so you can taste test many of them at once and compare the more traditional styles to the newer and funkier ones. You can also get a sake-tail, like the Ichigo Fizz, strawberry sake, gin, lemon, basil, honey syrup, and prosecco.
The decor incorporates a mountain atmosphere, warm lighting, and stone columns that feel elegant yet homey. The urban ambiance is sophisticated, matching the balanced Japanese flavors of the fares. At the open sushi bar, you can watch the experts delicately and deftly roll your order.
The menu is contemporary; try the Sundown Express, yellowtail, apple, avocado, crab, lemon, red tobiko, and ponzu. The New Yorker is another heavy hitter made with filet mignon, lobster, asparagus, shallot, and special sauce. CoBo offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Coyote Kitchen
Coyote Kitchen is a family-run restaurant and a staple of the food scene in the area. Specializing in Southwestern Caribbean Soul Food, these dishes’ bold and fascinating flavors are sure to blow you away.
Each item on the menu is inventive, ensuring you’ll find a plate to pique your interest and please your palate. Coyote Kitchen offers bowls, boats, burgers, and burritos. As a sustainable establishment, the fish they use are eco-friendly, and the meat is free of all hormones and antibiotics.
One culinary concoction, in particular, has become a local legend, the Taos Boat. It’s layers of cornbread, black beans, rosemary chicken, roasted sweet potatoes, roasted corn, fried plantains, tomatoes, broiled jack cheese, and chipotle cream cheese.
It’s also an ideal dining destination for vegans and vegetarians. Any ingredients can be switched out for any other, allowing you to make the meal that suits your dietary needs and giving you a wider variety than most.
Gamekeeper Restaurant
The Gamekeeper Restaurant and Bar is set between Boone and Blowing Rock and makes for a romantic evening or fine dining meal. They serve up classic American dishes and new spins on traditional Southern dishes. The menu rotates with the season and features plenty of vegetables and meats to satisfy any diet.
They strive to source the best local products and farm-raised meat for use in the kitchen. The service at the restaurant is terrific, and the setting makes for a memorable experience. It’s both polished and relaxed for a unique atmosphere.
Eleven80 Eatery
If you’re after good food and drinks, then it’s tough to do better in Boone than Eleven80 Eatery. They have an eclectic menu of excellent bar and American food that pairs perfectly with their tasty cocktails. That means you can enjoy everything from burgers and homemade chips to gimlets and old-fashioned.
Their sandwiches are the show’s real star, and they have some mouth-watering options. If you’re at any events or breweries in Boone, keep an eye for the food truck that serves the community. I love a good chicken sandwich, and their Fried Buffalo Chicken sandwich is fantastic!
Taqueria El Paso
- Address: 2693 NC-105 (GPS)
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Price: $
Cheap and delicious tacos, fajitas, and burritos are a match made in heaven for a college town. It’s tough to find many restaurants in Boone cheaper than Taqueria El Paso. Mexican cuisine is my favorite, so anywhere that nails a proper Mexican food.
There is nothing fancy about this hole-in-the-wall joint, but the food is the real draw. Service is excellent here, and it’s always a pleasant interaction with employees. Check out the Al Pastor tacos if you’re after the best tacos in town.
Come Back Shack
There is no argument that the best burgers in Boone are at the Come Back Shack. It’s a simple menu, and you won’t find much else than their excellent burgers, fries, and mac & cheese. The quintessential burger here is the Fried Green Tomato Burger, with fried green tomatoes, house-made sauce, pimento cheese, and lettuce.
If you have a particular diet, you can still find an option here, as you can choose from chicken, fish, and veggie burgers. You can pair that all with a tasty milkshake or even soft pretzels. Come-
Melanie’s
Start your day with the best breakfast in Boone at Melanie’s Food Fantasy. This laidback cafe serves delicious farm-to-fork American breakfast classics. It’s the perfect spot for brunch but be prepared for a wait as it’s a super popular spot if you come.
Complaining about delicious french toast and fruit paired with a cup of fresh coffee is tough. Melanie’s also has healthy morning meals such as the tempeh scramble, fresh fruit, granola, or an herb omelet. However, we’re particular to their potato madness and stuffed french toast.
F.A.R.M. Cafe
A veritable haven for vegetarians and vegans, F.A.R.M. Cafe, provides all the best meat-free fares and locally sourced food. All the ingredients used here are locally grown. They make simple, fresh, and well-seasoned food to highlight these products.
It’s a small joint a bit off the beaten path, but those in the know can direct you right to it. The menu changes every day based on what is seasonal and available. The decor is full of local art and thriving plants for a hip and homey feel.
Lost Province Brewing Co.
Who would’ve thought that in this little North Carolina town, there’s a really cool place to grab a drink with delicious food? Lost Province is one of the best spots around here for good food and drinks. It’s right in downtown Boone and the name is a nod to where it’s at – the three counties, Ashe, Allegheny, and Watauga, are called the lost province because they used to be pretty isolated.
The big copper oven is smack in the middle of everything, and they use it to cook up some seriously tasty dishes. They’re all about local and organic ingredients, and they make everything themselves – po’boys, pita wraps, pork chop sandwiches, you name it. They’re even tight with local farms to help out the community.
Their microbrewery keeps putting out all kinds of creative craft beers. They’re known for their funky labels and fun names. One beer that’s been a hit is the Sour to the People – it’s a tangy IPA that’s got folks talking. Another favorite is the Kiss My Grits Southern-style lager – a real classic.
The place is down-to-earth and relaxed, no fancy vibes here. You can kick back in their roomy taproom, always full of folks enjoying their pints and each other’s company. They do a bunch of community stuff too, like trivia nights and Beer 101 classes.
booneshine brewing company
Booneshine shines as a beacon of craft beer and fine dining, deeply rooted in the local community. The brewery’s modern and cozy tasting room is perfect for enjoying drinks and laughter with loved ones. The beer garden, bathed in Carolina sunlight provides a lush oasis, and the outdoor deck offers beautiful mountain views.
Their diverse craft brew collection, including the Golden Hour IPA and the South Fork Grapefruit Gose, showcases their commitment to quality.
Their menu ranges from appetizers to main courses, all skillfully prepared with an artisanal touch and is one of the best restaurants in Boone if you’re after a laid back atmosphere.
The Bacon Barbecue Popcorn and Blue Collar Charcuterie Board are highlights. Partnering with Stick Boy Bakery ensures fresh bread for various dishes. Booneshine is a popular spot for college students and young professionals, creating a lively weekend atmosphere!
EXPLORE THE REGION
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- 14 Best Things to Do in Boone
- 15 Dreamy Cabins in Asheville to Book
- 8 Best Blowing Rock Restaurants to Try
- 20 Blue Ridge Parkway Drive Stops You Have to Make
- 30 Best Small Towns In North Carolina You Should Visit
Plan For Your Trip to the South!
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Hi. Joy Bistro and Cafe Portofino have been closed… And FARM cafe is not off the beaten path, it’s right in downtown. You may be confusing it with something else because the cool thing about that restaurant is you can pay what you can… It stands for feed all regardless of means. They do have food for all diets but are not strictly vegan or vegetarian. Also Gamekeeper is very high end but they serve various game meats which makes them unique: elk, emu, bison, rabbit, etc.
Booneshine, although a brewery, has amazing food as well.
I wish you’d not use “joint” as a descriptor for smallish restaurants. Real estate in Boone is very limited, and most in the downtown are older buildings. We are hemmed in by the university and the beautiful geography.