The best restaurants in Boone

49 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

Browse another shelf: all of Boone’s best · Nightlife · Arts & Culture · Entertainment · Antiques, Thrift, & Vintage · Home & Garden · Hobbies, Books, & Crafts · Beauty · Shopping · Health & Wellness

Pinned in Boone today

This spot is open today.

Two pinned places a day in Boone — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. List your business →

Paid placements are always marked.

Restaurants · 49 places · showing the latest additions first

Project BBQ

Restaurants

Born from an Austin obsession and a 600-gallon dream that grew into a 1000-gallon beast, Project BBQ keeps it old-school with hardwood-only…

3209 S Roan St (Johnson City)

Born from an Austin obsession and a 600-gallon dream that grew into a 1000-gallon beast, Project BBQ keeps it old-school with hardwood-only smoke and a whole lot of love. If you crave true craft barbecue without the gimmicks, consider this your nudge to swing by this week.

From the Tri Cities newsletter, August 7, 2026

Website ↗

Eco-conscious Southwest & Caribbean soul food menu in bright, cheery digs graced with local art.

200 Southgate Dr

Eco-conscious Southwest & Caribbean soul food menu in bright, cheery digs graced with local art.

Website ↗

San Dee's Cafe

Restaurants

Casual spot for all-American comfort food such as pizza, burgers, and soft-serve ice cream, plus a salad bar.

412 Pineola St (Newland)

Casual spot for all-American comfort food such as pizza, burgers, and soft-serve ice cream, plus a salad bar.

Website ↗

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

2805 Linville Falls Hwy (Newland)

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

Website ↗
Run a Boone business? Two pinned spots a day — $10 here, $25 adds the newsletter. Advertise →

The Best Cellar

Restaurants

Haute American fare from land & sea served in a log cabin on the grounds of a boutique mountain inn.

203 Sunset Dr (Blowing Rock)

Haute American fare from land & sea served in a log cabin on the grounds of a boutique mountain inn.

Website ↗

Relaxed outpost of an area chain offering familiar Mexican cooking, including fajitas & enchiladas.

168 Boone Heights Dr

Relaxed outpost of an area chain offering familiar Mexican cooking, including fajitas & enchiladas.

Website ↗

Pizza Plus

Restaurants

Pizzeria chain offering create-your-own & specialty pies, plus pastas & sandwiches.

1637 S Shady St (Mountain City)

Pizzeria chain offering create-your-own & specialty pies, plus pastas & sandwiches.

Website ↗

Cafe serving global fare made with local, organic ingredients, plus beer, wine & spirits.

506 W King St

Cafe serving global fare made with local, organic ingredients, plus beer, wine & spirits.

Website ↗

Steak, seafood & other American fare in a European-style inn with mountain views, fireplace & patio.

606 Beech Mountain Pkwy (Beech Mountain)

Steak, seafood & other American fare in a European-style inn with mountain views, fireplace & patio.

Website ↗

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

203 Beaver Creek School Rd (West Jefferson)

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

Website ↗

Family-friendly burger joint serving a large selection of burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries in a casual setting.

4183b Newland Hwy (Linville)

Family-friendly burger joint serving a large selection of burgers, chicken sandwiches and fries in a casual setting.

Website ↗

Bocca Bistro

Restaurants

Casual, cozy bistro, pizzeria and restaurant, serving classic and gluten-free Italian staples.

276 Watauga Village Dr # G

Casual, cozy bistro, pizzeria and restaurant, serving classic and gluten-free Italian staples.

Website ↗

Upmarket American fare in a striking converted barn, plus outdoor dining & a free local shuttle.

1200 Dobbins Rd (Banner Elk)

Upmarket American fare in a striking converted barn, plus outdoor dining & a free local shuttle.

Website ↗

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

1601 NC-268 (Lenoir)

Convenience store-based pizza chain doling out create-your-own pies along with wings.

Website ↗

Comforting eatery featuring sushi rolls and a wide variety of Pan-Asian staples, from curries to pho.

3990 NC-105 (Linville)

Comforting eatery featuring sushi rolls and a wide variety of Pan-Asian staples, from curries to pho.

Website ↗

Holy Smokes BBQ

Restaurants

Unpretentious eatery serving barbecue sandwiches, chili and pulled pork, as well as fudge.

3363 Beech Mountain Pkwy (Beech Mountain)

Unpretentious eatery serving barbecue sandwiches, chili and pulled pork, as well as fudge.

Website ↗

Steaks, seafood & cocktails offered in a long-running restaurant with an old-school vibe.

344 Shawneehaw Ave S (Banner Elk)

Steaks, seafood & cocktails offered in a long-running restaurant with an old-school vibe.

Website ↗

Hardee's

Restaurants

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

799 E Main St (Jefferson)

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

Website ↗

Casual family-run eatery supplying Italian comfort food & pizza in an art-lined space with a patio.

140 Azalea Cir SE (Banner Elk)

Casual family-run eatery supplying Italian comfort food & pizza in an art-lined space with a patio.

Website ↗

The Pedalin' Pig

Restaurants

Laid-back establishment serving traditional BBQ fare like brisket, ribs and pulled pork.

2968 NC-105 A

Laid-back establishment serving traditional BBQ fare like brisket, ribs and pulled pork.

Website ↗

Locally sourced New American fare, plus wines, microbrews & spirits in an upscale, casual setting.

1167 Main St (Blowing Rock)

Locally sourced New American fare, plus wines, microbrews & spirits in an upscale, casual setting.

Website ↗

Rustic, relaxed restaurant featuring a seasonal Appalachian menu, as well as weekly live music.

922 Main St (Blowing Rock)

Rustic, relaxed restaurant featuring a seasonal Appalachian menu, as well as weekly live music.

Website ↗

BBQ plates & homestyle sides doled out in modest, country-style digs with live music on weekends.

500 Pineola St (Newland)

BBQ plates & homestyle sides doled out in modest, country-style digs with live music on weekends.

Website ↗

Laid-back option for traditional barbecue (including chicken and pulled pork plates and sandwiches) plus homemade sides and a gift shop.

77 Ruffin St (Linville)

Laid-back option for traditional barbecue (including chicken and pulled pork plates and sandwiches) plus homemade sides and a gift shop.

Website ↗

Locally owned and operated eatery serving all-day breakfast, plus lunch, dinner, and fresh-baked pastries.

503 Pineola St (Newland)

Locally owned and operated eatery serving all-day breakfast, plus lunch, dinner, and fresh-baked pastries.

Website ↗

Comfortable spot for Italian specialties, such as pizza, plus a full bar.

2855 Linville Falls Hwy (Pineola)

Comfortable spot for Italian specialties, such as pizza, plus a full bar.

Website ↗

Eem Boone

Restaurants

Thai spot for traditional dishes like pad thai and curries, plus take-out.

2575 NC-105

Thai spot for traditional dishes like pad thai and curries, plus take-out.

Website ↗

Casual pizzeria featuring brick-oven pies, pastas & sandwiches, plus games & weekly live music.

402 Beech Mountain Pkwy (Beech Mountain)

Casual pizzeria featuring brick-oven pies, pastas & sandwiches, plus games & weekly live music.

Website ↗

Shopping-mall dining room offering creative American eats, oysters & full bar in a hip setting.

4004 NC-105 Unit 8 (Banner Elk)

Shopping-mall dining room offering creative American eats, oysters & full bar in a hip setting.

Website ↗

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

946 Main St (Blowing Rock)

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

Website ↗

The Cardinal

Restaurants

Lodgelike joint featuring an eclectic burger menu, fried chicken & sides, plus creative cocktails.

1711 NC-105

Lodgelike joint featuring an eclectic burger menu, fried chicken & sides, plus creative cocktails.

Website ↗

Bayou Banner Elk

Restaurants

BBQ plates & Cajun dishes, plus craft draft beer, offered in a relaxed setting with outdoor seating.

130 Main St E (Banner Elk)

BBQ plates & Cajun dishes, plus craft draft beer, offered in a relaxed setting with outdoor seating.

Website ↗

New Miyoshi

Restaurants

Informal eatery for traditional Chinese dishes and Japanese specialties like hibachi, plus takeout.

1195 Millers Gap Hwy (Newland)

Informal eatery for traditional Chinese dishes and Japanese specialties like hibachi, plus takeout.

Website ↗

Hardee's

Restaurants

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

141 Pioneer Village Dr (Mountain City)

Fast-food chain serving fried chicken, big burgers & made-from-scratch breakfast biscuits.

Website ↗

The Pedalin' Pig

Restaurants

Laid-back fixture with locally sourced, hickory-smoked BBQ dishes, plus regional wines & microbrews.

4235 NC-105 (Banner Elk)

Laid-back fixture with locally sourced, hickory-smoked BBQ dishes, plus regional wines & microbrews.

Website ↗

Easygoing restaurant known for its seafood such as flounder and shrimp, plus a salad bar.

9930 NC-16 (West Jefferson)

Easygoing restaurant known for its seafood such as flounder and shrimp, plus a salad bar.

Website ↗

Relaxed Italian dining spot in a shopping mall with Italian entrees, pizza, wine & craft beer.

3585 Tynecastle Hwy (Banner Elk)

Relaxed Italian dining spot in a shopping mall with Italian entrees, pizza, wine & craft beer.

Website ↗

Pizza and other comfort foods, plus homemade breads, and groceries.

8146 Valley Blvd (Blowing Rock)

Pizza and other comfort foods, plus homemade breads, and groceries.

Website ↗

Comfortable spot for breakfasts and lunches, with pancakes, burritos and fried chicken as well as biscuits.

8937 NC-105

Comfortable spot for breakfasts and lunches, with pancakes, burritos and fried chicken as well as biscuits.

Website ↗

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

805 W King St

Funky, art-filled chain pizzeria featuring craft beer, calzones & creative stone-baked pizzas.

Website ↗

Pizza Inn

Restaurants

Pizzeria & buffet chain offering several crust options, plus pastas & more.

1346 1st Ave SW (Hickory)

Pizzeria & buffet chain offering several crust options, plus pastas & more.

Website ↗

Formal spot serving Italian fare ranging from pizzas to pastas & meat entrees, with a separate bar.

2968 N Center St (Hickory)

Formal spot serving Italian fare ranging from pizzas to pastas & meat entrees, with a separate bar.

Website ↗

Pizza Hut

Restaurants

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

2907 16th St NE (Hickory)

Popular delivery, carry-out & dine-in chain known for pizza, wings & pasta, plus sides & desserts.

Website ↗

The GoodPizzas

Restaurants

Counter-serve pizzeria turning out New York–style pies alongside Italian eats such as garlic knots.

4440 N Center St (Hickory)

Counter-serve pizzeria turning out New York–style pies alongside Italian eats such as garlic knots.

Website ↗

Casual, modern eatery serving wood-fired pizza, burgers, pasta and breakfast dishes.

2039 N Center St (Hickory)

Casual, modern eatery serving wood-fired pizza, burgers, pasta and breakfast dishes.

Website ↗

Locally sourced eclectic cuisine & an extensive, global wine list in an upscale-casual setting.

242 11th Ave NE (Hickory)

Locally sourced eclectic cuisine & an extensive, global wine list in an upscale-casual setting.

Website ↗

Casual eatery for BBQ standards like pulled pork and brisket, plus sandwiches, burgers and sides.

4571 US-11E (Bluff City)

Casual eatery for BBQ standards like pulled pork and brisket, plus sandwiches, burgers and sides.

Website ↗

FOURK

Restaurants

Stylish venue with a lively atmosphere serving American bites with a twist & specialty cocktails.

1410 4th St Dr NW (Hickory)

Stylish venue with a lively atmosphere serving American bites with a twist & specialty cocktails.

Website ↗

Listed here?

You’ve earned the mark — get the BaseLocal’s Best badge for your site →. Want in? List your business →