Dining
The High Country is truly a culinary destination. With award-winning restaurants featuring everything from local favorites to European cuisine,
the High Country offers something for even the most discriminating palate. Here is our list of must visit restaurants.
High Country Destination Restaurants
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Vicious Biscuit
A family business born in the South where biscuits are king! We are a fast-casual restaurant serving ridiculously delicious, over-the-top creative comfort meals, complimented by Southern hospitality and an entertaining guest experience. Our philosophy is: We are not in the restaurant business- we are in the entertainment business!
Our goal is to offer our guests an authentic dining experience, rich with southern hospitality from the moment you are greeted until you have viciously devoured every last crumb of our award winning, made-from-scratch biscuits.
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The Gamekeeper Restaurant
We feature locally grown harvests, farm-raised meats, game & fresh seafood. Our menu changes daily and you never know what you'll find. Shark? Octopus?
We are located on beautiful Shull's Mill Road across from Yonaholossee Inn in an eclectic, stone cottage. Enjoy beautiful deck views with one of our specialty cocktails. All ABC permits.
15 years and still doin' it!
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Stick Boy Bread Company & Kitchen
Visit the Stick Boy Kitchen to enjoy many breakfast options like bagels and breakfast plates or fresh pastries delivered daily from our bakery location.
Also choose from our many lunch sandwiches - hot or cold sandwiches made with high quality fresh sliced deli meats and unique vegetarian options all served on Stick Boy bread.
House made soups made daily, and fresh salads made with local ingredients. Everything goes great with fresh roasted coffee and real fruit smoothies!
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Dan'l Boone Inn Restaurant
Serving family style since 1959, the Dan'l Boone Inn serves throughout the year. Please call for seasonal hours and price information.
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Pepper's Restaurant
Pepper's has served great food in the High Country since 1975. Sandwiches, homemade desserts, fresh seafood and steaks. Check out our menu on our web site. New bar with live entertainment now open.
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Timberlake's Restaurant at Chetola
Beloved North Carolina artist Bob Timberlake is the inspiration behind this unique dining experience. Mr. Timberlake, who is known for creating things of exceptional artistry and imagination, used his deeply rooted love of food as the impetus behind the distinctive menu. From Mesquite-dusted shrimp and salads of mountain-grown spinach, to Carolina-raised trout and roasted Carolina quail, each dish will be one worth savoring. Breakfast is served daily in Timberlake's Restaurant; lunch is served daily in Headwaters Pub (seasonal hours apply). In addition to serving dinner nightly (seasonal hours apply), we will offer our outstanding buffets on Mother's Day, Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's Eve, and during special events such as Symphony by the Lake. Seasonal outdoor dining.
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Fercott Fermentables
Fercott Fermentables is a unique shop located in downtown Lenoir NC. Fercott's specializes in craft beer, fine wine, cider, mead, and specialty cheeses. Featuring a rotating small plate menu and specialty cheese and charcuterie boards, Fercott's is the perfect place to wind down after work, or enjoy a chilled night out with family and friends.
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Shipley Farms Beef - Farm Market - Tours
For over 100 years, the Shipley Family have raised Hereford and Angus bred beef, to produce only the highest quality, best tasting, pasture-raised, Appalachian Grown beef in the High Country!
Come see first hand how responsible farming practices make all the difference for our animals, our environment, and the flavor of our beef. Visit our Farm Market and bring the kids along for a cattle check-in and feeding!
Just 10 mins from downtown Boone! Advanced tickets are required and can be purchased through: https://shipleyfarmsbeef.com/book-a-farm-tour
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F.A.R.M. Cafe
F.A.R.M. Cafe is a non-profit, donation based pay-what-you-can community cafe where we feed all regardless of means. Every Monday-Friday for lunch we serve REAL.GOOD.FOOD. produced from local sources when available.
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The Horton Hotel & Rooftop Lounge
Downtown Boone's only boutique hotel and rooftop lounge, boasting modern decor and a down to earth, local vibe.
Our 15 uniquely decorated guest rooms feature the comfort of Kingsdown mattresses, 100% fine cotton and plush down bedding, custom wood slab furniture, and special amenities to make your stay in Boone one you will never forget. Our intimate space is curated with beautifully handcrafted designs and historical artifacts, referencing the story of our building and its original owner, Walter Horton. Our luxurious suites overlook King St and downtown Boone and we have a few pet-friendly rooms for those who love to travel with their pups. Many of Boones popular local restaurants, retail stores, and the Appalachian State campus are within walking distance, right outside our doors. Room rates include our complimentary artisan breakfast bar and free parking in downtown Boone.
Relax in our rooftop and lobby lounges, serving craft beverages, specialty beers and wines, as well as delicious shared plates. Cozy up to our fire sphere and unwind, wrapped in a warm blanket, surrounded by breathtaking 360 degree views of Howards Knob, Appalachian State and historic downtown Boone.
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Art of Living Retreat Center
At the Art of Living Retreat Center, we strive to bring you the powerful practices of meditation and mindfulness, Ayurveda, yoga, so that you may have more happiness, health, and peace in your life.
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The Historic Orchard at Altapass
THE ORCHARD
The Historic Orchard at Altapass is a non-profit heirloom apple orchard, heritage music venue, and education center with a mission to preserve the history, heritage, and culture of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is open seasonally, May through October, and offers a variety of memory-making activities, sure to be enjoyed by the whole family.
APPLES
During the harvest season, over 35 heirloom apple varieties are available, with some varieties being available as early as mid-July, and others ripening into late October. Each variety offers something special through unique textures and complex flavor profiles. Whether you’d like to take home some bagged apples or have the full u-picking experience, fresh apples are available behind our General Store (the big red barn) in our Apple shed.
MUSIC AND FUN
The orchard offers free live music each weekend from June through October in a beautiful outdoor pavilion overlooking the Blue Ridge. Enjoy traditional mountain music, dance a bit, play a game on the back deck, and take a stroll down to the Apple Core Grill for a Jumbo BBQ Sandwich. Be sure to check our events page for details.
GENERAL STORE
Our General Store, located in the big red barn, partners with regional artisans and craftsmen to offer a curated selection of local items. There you’ll find everything from tasty treats like warm apple pie and handmade fudge to jarred preserves, jewelry, books, ceramics, and signature clothing.
EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES
In keeping with its mission to educate the public about the Appalachian experience, the Orchard offers a variety of educational experiences. Visit the model train exhibit with a replica of the Orchard land, stop by our indoor Monarch butterfly exhibit, and search for the queen bee in our honeybee apiary.
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Boondocks Brewing
Two locations in West Jefferson.
Tap Room & Restaurant - 108 S Jefferson Ave
Brew Haus & Events Center - 302 S Jefferson Ave.
Our Tap Room & Restaurant offers full service dining as well as take-out, Custom Catering & Banquet services. Covered outdoor seating, two fully stocked bars with over 30 craft beers on tap.
Our Brew Haus is our Brewery and events venue and is the perfect place to book your special event or private party. We hold monthly Wine Pairing Dinners as well as monthly Beer Pairing Dinners at the Brew Haus. We specialize in Weddings, Corporate Events, Reunions and Birthday parties. We have a full Commercial Kitchen, all ABC permits and can leverage our Restaurant support staff to handle any size event.
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