Bistro Roca is an amazing spot! We love the decor, which is rustic but modern if that makes sense…read more The different seating options are also unique and bring a different ambiance to each section. Food is excellent. I LOVE the duck pizza pie. Honestly the best pizza in my book ever. My husband enjoyed his brisket saying it was tender and flavorful. The starter calamari was meaty and not overly breaded like many calamari! Great kids meals options!! Our waitress was so kind and was thoughtful in letting the girls order before us so their food arrived with the apps. A must go to while in blowing rock, you won't regret it!

We went to dinner here while in the area. It was a cozy setting with a great atmosphere inside…read more However, they sat us on the closed-in patio by a window which ended up being a little too chilly. For my dinner I ordered the Wood Fried Brussels. The Brussel sprouts were not caramelized like I had at other places but it was very good and probably healthier. There were a lot of good flavors with the beets, candied pepitas, pickled peppers and the saffron aioli. I would recommend this dish. Others at the table ordered the Cobb Salad, classic wedge with salmon, & the Artisan pizza. Unfortunately, the salmon was not completely cooked so it went uneaten. Two people in our party ordered diet cokes which were fountain drinks. The diet cokes were not good because there was no carbonation. The pizza and Cobb salad were good. If you eat here during the colder months, I recommend asking for a seat inside. That seemed like it would have been a cozier experience.

I always love eating at The Speckled Trout when visiting Blowing Rock!…read more My family and I had a lovely lunch on the screened porch. We all ordered the trout, which was a perfect lunch portion. I appreciate that you can order trout in a variety of styles. The almond-crusted trout was superb! They also have a great beer selection, especially local brews to the NC mountains. Not only is their beer and food always great, but their service is always friendly. :)

We spent the day exploring beautiful Blowing Rock and decided to stop by The Speckled Trout after…read morehearing so many great reviews. It absolutely lived up to the hype! We ordered the trout deviled eggs, the smoked trout Boursin, and split the cracked crusted trout lunch with Hoppin' John and smoked Gouda grits. Every part of the meal was delicious and perfectly prepared. The trout was fresh, flavorful, and the sides complemented it so well. The only thing I'd mention is that the smoked trout Boursin is incredibly rich. It's delicious, but if you're dining as a party of two it may be a bit much in flavor so you won't want to eat too many. We weren't able to finish it. Flavor was great but could have saved. The staff was friendly and attentive, and the service was excellent. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation, even for lunch, to avoid a long wait. We were lucky enough to sit outside on the patio on a beautiful day, and the atmosphere made the experience even better. We'll absolutely be back the next time we're in North Carolina!

Went for Christmas lunch and it was AWFUL. Just AWFUL. Minimal offerings with a carving "station"…read morethat only offered bloody roast beef. Weird salad, of sorts. Cold popovers. Hard bread smeared with some cream cheese and topped with 2 whole red grapes. Scalloped potatoes cooked to mush, canned yams with some marshmallows melted on top, green bean something from cans, "creamed" spinach that was thawed frozen chopped spinach with breadcrumbs on top-- nothing "creamed" about it. Half the buffet was hours-old leftover breakfast items like rubbery scrambled eggs, dry grits, and -- the worst-- alarmingly undercooked quiche served refrigetator-cold. Thought of the quiche still makes me a little queasy. Dessert station was weirdly dominated by no fewer than five whole buttermilk pies -- the only pie offered. SHAME ON CHETOLA for even offering this, and at upwards of $100 per person. My fault for not checking recent reviews but it is hard to see how anything could go downhill as far as Timblerlake's has. Ugh. Just terrible.

limited menu.Food was delicious. my husband had the trout and he loved it. I had the bison…read moreBolognanase. a little heavy on the salt. pasta could have been cook a minute or so more. bread butter amazing. we also had r the Burrata dish. delicious but you def need the bread with it. service was Fabulous well informed staff.

Not much beats some green beer, scotch eggs and Irish music on St Patty's in an Irish pub in…read moredowntown Blowing Rock. Great selection of beers, drinks, regular food items and of course Irish food at this fun spot right on Main St. I had an Irish ale turned green that was cold one tasty. They even turned my wife's cider green which was a nice addition to the day's celebration. The scotch eggs were delicious. Hard boiled eggs wrapped in flavorful sausage that are baked and then served chilled. The dressing and dipping sauce went perfectly with the dish. Really a fun spot all around with great service, fun and hip atmosphere whether it's St. Patrick's Day or not. We'll be back!

Sat outside on the patio with a group of 4 adults, 2 little kids, and a baby. All the food was…read moretasty and they were accommodating to a pick and choose ingredients basically request for the 2 little kids. Staff was helpful. Nice umbrellas and ample space out to stash our wagon off to the side. Wagons or strollers would not be recommended inside.

Had lunch Wednesday. Great staff and outstanding food…read more Had the steak burger very good. Others in our party had a Rubin sandwich, fish sandwich and the Tavern burger. All were out standing. Our waitress was Sara and she was great.

We stopped here on a beautiful spring Sunday morning, and it was the perfect way to start the day…read morebefore exploring Blowing Rock. There's so much to do in the area, and this was a great first stop. The food was excellent, the service was excellent, and the menu had a really nice variety. We sat outside on the patio, which made the whole experience even better on such a nice morning. I ordered the blackened shrimp salad, and it was outstanding. It was a very large salad loaded with fresh vegetables, some fruit, and plenty of blackened shrimp. Everything tasted fresh, flavorful, and well prepared.

From the moment we walked in, the entire staff was incredibly friendly. A team effort for sure…read more Seth our server was so polite and very helpful in recommending some options. Both my husband and myself ordered a steak, him a New York and I had the filet. Both were cooked to order and very flavorful. The salads were awesome as we could build our own! We were sat in what I would call the atrium area and it was quite nice with the natural light. We will come back here the next time we come to Boone.

Steak and the prime rib were amazing! They were busy so we sat at the bar, and the bar tender was…read moreawesome, I can't possibly recommend this restaurant enough!

Delicious food, lovely service…read more I was visiting the area and this place and the menu caught my attention. 'The Gamekeeper', what name could be more intriguing for a unique dining experience? I was not disappointed in the food. All selections were ideally prepared, seasonally balanced, and well paired. What I was really pleased about was the service. The staff elevate the entire experience. To name one or two would leave out what was an incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and cohesive Team. I would certainly recommend The Gamekeeper to anyone looking for the complete dining experience.

Let's just start out with the obvious. The service, meal options and atmosphere are tops. Our…read moreparty of 6 was fortunate to have Allan G as our server. The wine and cocktails assistance was great and the mixed grill appetizers were perfect. The bison short ribs are killer. A very enjoyable evening. Everyone in the party raved about the meal and service. Bravo to the chef, staff and management. Our first trip to the area proved challenging on a rainy night in the mountains. We opted for transport via uber and Lyft services. FYI it's almost impossible to confirm service in Blowing Rock. With no show transportation at 9:30 pm the staff jumped into action. Lucky for us the one driver that did show agreed make 2 trips.

I enjoyed our dinner here, but I wanted an upscale romantic restaurant, and while it came up in my…read moresearch, that's not how I would describe this space. The restaurant is right off the lobby of a hotel. There is a small bar, and it's a small, but open concept dining area and it is LOUD in there. I enjoyed the old fashioneds, I got one smoked and one not, they were both very good. We split fried goat balls, and then I got the southern style fried rice. I thought both had creative flavors but enjoyed the rice better. You have to be very committed to that type of cheese to eat more than one - they are intense. I think I'd rather eat on the patio than inside and enjoy the fresh air and music they had. Lastly, give yourself time to find parking, the lot was full and people were circling when we got there. We got really lucky with a spot after circling the block.

Superb evening at this sleek and modern lounge and restaurant in the lobby area of The Embers…read moreHotel. We weren't expecting such a high level experience when we first booked a stay at this newly finished hotel. Classy cocktails, beers, plenty of wine variety, you name it. Went with the Old Smokey as a starter. An old fashioned kicked up a notch. The house smoked maple syrup and charred orange peal knocked his cocktail out of the park. I could smell that smoky flavor from the other end of the bar as it was being made. Bartender was super friendly and had some great mixology skills. We opted for apps all evening, but can't wait to come back and try some more of the menu. The homemade bread is a must. These puppies come out hot and steaming, with this amazing bacon butter to lather them in...outstanding! Our server also recommended the mushroom pate. Mushroom pate you say?! Yes, yes I do. One of the best pate's we've had in a long time. Super flavorful, creamy and smooth. And the homemade chips sticking out of it were the bomb! Then the goat cheese fritters...I had to battle my wife for these flavor bombs. This place is outstanding and not many people know about it...yet. Newly finished in 2024, this is going to be our go to when we want to be right in the heart of Blowing Rock.

Make reservations months in advance for this gem! Located in an old stone manor, the Best Cellar is…read morethe best restaurant in Blowing Rock! The rack of lamb and buttermilk chicken are some of my favorites. The staff are very professional and seem to continue working there for years. The renovated the gathering area to make a rustic, yet upscale bar. Parking is not a problem because they offer valet.

Our table, our server and our meal were the best. The Best Cellar is well known in the area. But…read morebeing well known doesn't necessarily mean that the quality will always be the best. However, our night was everything that we had wanted and more. We were bringing our guests so we needed them to be the "Best" Cellar that night and they were.

I stopped at Hellbender while visiting Blowing Rock during a motorcycle trip through the Blue Ridge…read moreMountains and had a very enjoyable meal. Traveling solo, I sat at the bar and found the service friendly, attentive, and welcoming throughout my visit. My drink stayed filled, and the staff did a great job making a solo diner feel comfortable. I started with the soup, which was excellent and a great way to begin the meal. For my entrée, I ordered the large mac and cheese. The portion was generous, rich, and very satisfying after a long day of riding in the mountains. Everything was served hot and prepared with care. The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, making it a great place to unwind after spending the day exploring the area. The restaurant felt welcoming without being overly formal, and I never felt rushed during my meal. Overall, I had a very good experience. Good food, attentive service, and a comfortable atmosphere. I would gladly return the next time I'm in Blowing Rock.

Hidden Gem in Blowing Rock…read more After spending the morning at Grandfather Mountain, I took the scenic route into Blowing Rock and stumbled onto an absolute gem. Hellbender Bed & Beverage and Bistro Roca share the same space now, and the result is one of the most charming spots I've found in the High Country. The outdoor patio was beautiful, with flowers everywhere, cozy seating areas, fire pits, and plenty of dogs lounging alongside their owners. The gravel patio was a little uneven, so my table had a slight tilt, but honestly, the atmosphere more than made up for it. I started with a glass of Crémant de Loire. Crisp, cold, refreshing, and exactly what I wanted after a morning of mountain exploring. For lunch, I ordered the Moules Frites. The mussels arrived swimming in a rich, flavorful broth with basil and sun-dried tomatoes, alongside a generous pile of perfectly cooked fries. The combination with the sparkling wine was fantastic. I cleaned the plate. The service was friendly, welcoming, and genuinely pleasant. My only suggestion is a little more attention to the details. If you're serving mussels, a spoon is almost essential for enjoying that incredible broth. A smaller seafood fork would also make fishing out the mussels easier. Minor things, but details that can elevate a great meal into an exceptional one. The prices were surprisingly reasonable. My entrée and glass of bubbles came in around $23, which felt like a great value considering the quality, portion size, and setting. I skipped dessert only because I was determined to finish every last fry, then headed into town to walk off lunch and hunt for something sweet. If I return--and I absolutely would--I might even stay at the inn. The cottages looked adorable, and the whole property felt warm and inviting. Just a short walk from downtown Blowing Rock, this place delivers on atmosphere, food, and mountain-town charm. Five stars for the food. Four stars for service. Five stars overall because I'd happily come back tomorrow. Life is too short to eat mediocre food. Get out there and stuff your face.