5 Must-Visit Places to Eat When in North Carolina (2024)

Food makes up for binding a trip tightly together. And when the trip is to North Carolina, people can find an entire foodie paradise in the town. North Carolina, by luck and hard efforts, is blessed with traditional Southern cooking and classic dining restaurants. The state has everything from fanciest hotel restaurants to the most chill street food joints and a range of diverse global flavors. The food offerings here become more inventive when locally sourced ingredients, farm-fresh meat, and executive chefs bring their magic along.

When it comes to food, North Carolina has a range of local, National, and International Restaurants. While the best amongst the lot is in Ashville and Charlotte, the other section of Carolina too has some good options. However, the bigger the list, the trickier it is to choose from. But why worry when we have a pretty comprehensive and definitive guide with us?

5 Must-Visit Places to Eat When in North Carolina

Continue reading about the 5 Top-Rated Restaurants to Eat when in North Carolina. Have a look:

1. The Fearrington House Restaurant

Fearrington House is a fine dining restaurant in North Carolina, just outside of Chapel Hill, Pittsboro. Known for its seasonal menus and exceptional services, the restaurant is conveniently located for individuals of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill. Operating for over 4 decades now, Fearrington House Restaurant offers southern American cuisine with a European flair. Their three-course and four-course meals with excellent wine pairing are an absolute must-try. Committed to offering a delicious seasonal menu, Fearrington has something new and exciting for your very next visit. Their promise for fresh and tasty dishes comes from the fact that Fearrington has its on-site garden. This much-lauded restaurant has several indoor and outdoor features to check out.

2. Biltmore Estate Dining Room

Biltmore Estate Dining Room is another popular place to eat when in North Carolina. It is a fine place for indulging in elegant dining specializing in regional cuisine. The Dining Room offers a chance to dress up in period-style clothing and feel like part of the surroundings. The chef here uses locally sourced ingredients from Biltmore estate and other neighboring farms. Even for meat, they have their beef and lamb raised on the estate. The dining choices here showcase the finest meats, seafood, and hand-crafted pasta. The restaurant operates from 7:00 am to 11:00 am for breakfast and 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for dinner. Besides dining, the Biltmore Estate is a beautiful architectural and historic landmark one must check out.

3. Gamekeeper Restaurant

Gamekeeper is a rustic 1950s-era stone cottage and fine dining restaurant in Boone, North Carolina. This mountain culinary gem has been operating since 2000 and is popular for its ever-changing and exhilarating menu. Their menu is full of exotic meat options, including ostrich, wild boar, emu, boar, and elk. Though for catering to the other section of visitors, Gamekeeper also boasts a huge vegetarian menu that changes seasonally with exotic, satisfying, and juicy flavors. For vegetarians, the Gamekeeper Restaurant serves a veggie plate full of everything from the nearby mountain and an exquisite cheese plate, both of which are a must-try. Other fabulous options include Okra Salad, Duck Breast, Potato Croquettes, Pesto Pasta, and Elk Denver Leg. The restaurant offers dining services from Wednesday through Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm.

NOTE: For dining at Gamekeeper, reservations are a must.

4. Haberdish

Haberdish is a mill town southern kitchen and craft cocktail bar in Charlotte. This rustic-chic restaurant is known for offering Southern-style cuisine along with craft cocktails. Its country, modern aesthetic, and laid-back ambiance feature brown bricks and light-wood floors pair. There are patterned plates and rustic furniture that create enjoyable and engaging vibes. To start with, try their Smoked Deviled Eggs and Nashville Hot Shrimp Skewers. Further, grab a plate of Fried Chicken with Creamy Cheddar Grits and complete it with some Whoopie Pies. For drinks, Haberdish has bartenders who pour seasonally crafted apothecary cocktails directly from the 1950s soda fountain. Haberdish operates dining opportunities from Tuesday through Sunday. For easy homestyle meals, it is a must-visit restaurant in North Carolina.

5. LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood

Serving American comfort food, LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood is one fine eatery in North Carolina. The restaurant is located in Charlotte and offers an unfussy dining experience. To begin with, try their Seafood Mac & Cheese, Yam, and Spiced Shrimp Platter served with Yellow Rice. Other must-try from their menu includes Lulu’s Chicken and Waffle, Fish and Grit, and the Grilled Salmon Platter. For mocktails, try their Baltimore and Strawberry Lemonade. LuLu’s Maryland Style Chicken & Seafood has a very safe and soothing vibe. Munching on its comfort food while watching the busy outdoors is an experience on its own. Before ending up your meal, do try a slice of Lulu’s special pound cake.