We absolutely love this restaurant! It is right on the edge of the river so if you sit by a window you look out over the beautiful Nantahala River. It's part of the Nantahala Outdoor Center which offers all kinds of river trips but we were there in February so no one was on the water. The food has always been top notch and the wait staff are wonderful. We had their Onion Rings for an appetizer which were very good. They are dipped in a whiskey beer batter and server with a spicy dip. They did not disappoint. I ordered the Quinoa Salad with Blackened Steak, amazing! My partner got the special which was fresh trout filet, blackened, with fresh mango/pineapple salsa. Also amazing. For dessert we ordered the chocolate brownie sundae with vanilla ice cream. OMG! Heaven in your mouth. It's just one of my favorite places. Our waiter was Huxley who was very helpful and just a really nice guy. We will definitely be going back. read more

River's End Restaurant - Chocolate Brownie Sundae - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

We will absolutely return to this place given the opportunity! First of all, The Nantahala Outdoor Center in itself was incredible, we were so impressed and want to bring our family back here in many years to come. So this restaurants location was the most appealing thing to us when we decided to bring everyone for dinner. The view from inside was exactly what we needed, our only desire would've been to be able to sit outside right on the water. But, everything we ordered was phenomenal and the servers were next level, too. We had a wide variety between pasta, pizza, steak, salmon, and trout and everyone was pleased! Plenty of food at a great price too. read more

River's End Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

Tim the bartender was a great guy, really went out of his way to help my wife and I get our meal in the short amount of time, due to coming in on the Great Smokey Mountain Railroad layover. Also, the food was really good, my wife really enjoyed the trout, and my burger was big, juicy, and delicious! read more

Nice place with a cool surrounding at the NOC. We had lunch here during the week. They were fairly busy but we were seated right away. I had the Sherpa Rice w/chicken and it was excellent (although maybe a bit too much sauce). Service was great. read more

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River's End was a last minute decision for our large party. We waited for only a few minutes and were seated at a table, along the river's edge. While we waited for this table, though, several of us ordered drinks from the bar. The gentleman behind the bar appeared to be wishing he were anywhere but there and wow, did it show through in every interaction each of us had with him. Yikes. Had everything else been fantastic, I still would have given only 3 stars, just for his behavior and comments. The bar is one of the first things you see, walking in. He is one of the first faces and impressions made. Absolute fail. Our server, on the other had, was amazing and did her best to tackle some of the hurdles that can come with managing a large party. She was friendly, had a massively infectious smile and was great. We shared several apps but nothing that would make a memory with my tastebuds. I choose the Raven's Fork Salad and really enjoyed it. I added their "Blackened Steak" for an additional $12 and requested it be cooked medium. While I enjoyed the salad, I was really sad to see the steak overly cooked - almost too tough to cut or chew. Several sad strips that are def overcooked. Insert incredibly sad face here. Several opportunities for some improvements here. Maybe someone from management will happen upon this review. read more

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Cute restaurant with a great view. Kid friendly and vegetarian friendly. Kids menu with crayons. Highchairs available. My son had the cheese pizza and lemonade. I had the Sherpa rice. Tasty and filing. Husband had a salad and wings that he loved. Huge seasonal apple margarita that was delicious read more

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Location, location, location! If you are going down the river or just enjoying the area this restaurant is a no brainer. The staff is friendly, the ambiance and views are great and the food is pretty okay. I really enjoyed the onion rings. read more

River's End Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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The rice was absolutely drenched in a teriyaki sauce that tasted straight out of a cheap bottle--overpowering, cloying, and honestly just gross. It completely ruined the dish. I couldn't eat the rice at all, and that's saying something. The trout on top was actually good--fresh and well-cooked--which is the only reason I didn't walk out hungry. But good trout doesn't make up for the disaster underneath it. If you're going to serve something called "Sherpa Rice," at least make the flavors thoughtful and edible. As it stands, it felt like a lazy, overpriced afterthought. Wouldn't recommend this dish to anyone. Do better. I did mention this to the waitress who saw I didn't touch my food and when I told her that honestly, the sauce was really terrible and the fact that it was swimming in it made it inedible she said yeah it's an acquired taste. read more

River's End Restaurant - Their Sherpa rice... absolutely swimming in this teriyaki sauce. Not edible. The trout that was on top was very good. - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

This place is quite the experience! The view of the river is beautiful and fun to watch the rafters and kayaks go by. We liked this place so much we ate there twice. Both times the food and service were fantastic. I ordered the best dam chicken sandwich with mac & cheese and the cabbage slaw. The chicken sandwich really was the best! The second time there I ordered the ribeye steak with mashed potatoes and mac & cheese. It was also delicious. You can't go wrong with this place! read more

River's End Restaurant - Best Dam Chicken Sandwich with Mac & Cheese and Cabbage Slaw - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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Went for the Valentines Day special dinner, reservations required and prepay. Meal and staff were great, live music with the absolute best view overlooking the beautiful river. I would definitely do again read more

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This spot was perfect after paddling at the NOC. The view was lovely! We were promptly seated, and I immediately ordered a tasty bloody Mary. Our server was polite and efficient. The trout was exceptional! Seriously! You cannot beat the view, the food, and the price point was quite reasonable. We would definitely return if we choose to Visit the area again. read more

River's End Restaurant - Trout - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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Beautiful seating and perfect food choices after a day on the water. We both got the burgers. Great, fast service! read more

River's End Restaurant - Frisco burger - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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Food was pretty good. What is irritating is that when the bill came there was an unexpected 3% "supplemental fee". If you're going to charge more just roll it into the prices. read more

We really enjoyed the good here. A nice menu with enough that everyone in your party should be able to find something they like. Very casual place. read more

River's End Restaurant - Entrance - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

Breakfast(eggs, potatoes and sausage) was average...but the Philly cheese steak was really good. Only game in town so you get what you get. The reason for the 2 stars. Cold under cooked sausage- couldn't/wouldn't Came back for lunch/cocktail after rafting. Bartender was annoyed he had to work, was zero personality. Literally said no to making a green tea shot and said he hated them when we asked for 1. We kinda were in shock not knowing if it was a joke. lol what bartender says no to making a drink request. We cashed out and went down the street to a different location. lol read more

This is a really cool place. You would be hard pressed to find a restaurant with a better view. I stopped here on a motorcycle trip but this is clearly an outdoor oriented (hiking and backpacking and climbing) area. Views of the river were amazing and you practically had a good view from every seat. They have spots out front for backpackers to hang their gear. Located right at the NOC. We had a big group and they weren't busy and kind of crammed us into a table that wasn't big enough for everyone. Service was just average, probably a bit below average for how not busy they were. I got the trout sandwich and it was really good, I would get it again. I think I would get the pecan crusted trout to try next time. My friend got a steak salad and he said it was really good. Everyone got something different and there were no complaints from anyone. In fact most of us were jealous of what the others got which is a sign that we need to go back and try more things. There is electric car and motorcycle parking across the street as well as a little convenience store that sells local beers. Again, I highly recommend stopping here even if you don't eat, just enjoy the views! read more

My absolute favorite restaurant in the area. The food is so fresh, the staff is amazing and the views are stunning. Must check this place out! read more

Great location, right on the river. That's what you're paying for. Prices were incredibly high for the quality of the food you get. The service was very good and our waitress was very attentive and polite. Ambiance was nice. Family restaurant with a great view and cozy feel. The chili was awesome and probably the best thing I had. The bread service was $14 and totally not worth it. For that price you would expect a lot better. The brown butter trout was delicious and fresh. The peach cobbler was $10 and made from canned peaches with granola layer over it, ice cream and whipped cream. They had other things on the menu that sounded great but can't imagine it lives up to the expectations. read more

River's End Restaurant - "Peach cobbler" - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

When you are near Bryson city you MUST take a side trip to the NOC and Rivers Edge Restaurant!! I go specifically for the Sherpa! There is no other restaurant I have found with this dish. The other food is great too but I love this dish of brown rice, barley, and lentils with your choice of protein. Top it with the chili or chicken- they all are delicious! Service is always what you would expect from friendly southern folks and the views of the river are amazing. The drinks are a bit expensive- we skipped them this meal. The menu looked good but they cost as much as a meal. I don't go there for the drinks though. read more

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Amazing food and views! We haven't had a bad meal in 4+ years and after trying almost everything on the menu. It's worth the drive

Appetizers were good. The food was good but our chili was cold . Our waitress was very attentive and polite. The host and hostess were not very inviting. We were not greeted with a smile or pleasant greeting. We did not feel welcome to say the least. read more

River's End is such a treat! Great food, great atmosphere and great service! Every table has a view! Some people have written in their reviews that the wait is long. This only happens during peak season. Is it worth it? Yes! We have eaten pizza, burgers, salads, chicken, it all is very good! The wait staff is super attentive! read more

This restaurant is located perfectly in the mountain and sits right next to the beautiful river. It has spectacular views of people enjoying the riverside, paddle boarding and canoeing. Upon arriving you're greeted by a cozy atmosphere and friendly faces. They have a menu full of vast varieties. We started with their mountain fries and let me tell you...‍ these fries are topped with herbs, parmesan, mozzarella, bacon, and jalapeños. And let's not forget their exquisite homemade ranch dressing. Absolutely delicious! For our main entrees my husband chose the Sherpa Rice. Original recipe by the founder's. It's a mix of whole grain, brown rice, lentils and barley. It is also served with stirfry vegetables, your choice of meat and their house made ginger soy sauce. I myself, chose the Tuscan chicken Alfredo pasta, absolutely mouthwatering. Their Alfredo definitely has a twist. Grilled marinated chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, bacon, green onions, portobello mushrooms tossed in their homemade Alfredo sauce. Their bread pudding was our final choice. This dessert was incredible. A warm savory soft delicacy with tons of flavor and topped with ice cream. This place over all is a win. Definitely worth the stop if you're in the area. read more

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The Run the Meat pizza is great. Onion rings are sooo good staff is great. Even on a busy Saturday only has to wait 20 minutes to be seated. read more

If you're looking for riverside dining this is the spot for you. Overlooking the Nantahala, this was gorgeous with the rain bouncing off the roof. The mountain fries were incredible, and the trout cake sandwich was okay, but the Mac and cheese was delish! Their beer and cocktail menu was excellent and I loved the IPA I got. Our server was nice. read more

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To start off with, our server, Abbie was simply amazing. She was friendly and attentive but not overbearing. The food, while not horrible, was pretty average. It's about what you'd expect in a touristy place. My steak was cooked as ordered but was full of gristle which wasn't edible. The mixed vegetables were extremely tasty as was the mashed potatoes. The cocktails were perfect. read more

River's End Restaurant - Onion rings - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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Amazing views!!! The food was delicious and the staff were so friendly and polite. We will definitely be going back anytime we visit! read more

River's End Restaurant - Bars Near Me - Bryson City, North Carolina

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I had the Wesser burger w f fries and spouse had the Mediterranean salad and Salmon. Both were excellent. Huge portion without sacrificing taste. Sandy, our server, was great too. Attentive but not bothersome. Seated on screen porch on river. Beautiful. read more

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Lovely spot to have breakfast or lunch in bryson city area. We stopped by after an excursion in Andrews for lunch. Seated in 10mins at one of their riverview tables where you can watch people kayak. Friendly and quick service. Great cocktails to choose from. Food: Hummus pita 7/10 Bruschetta 9/10 Pecan panko encrusted trout 9/10 especially with the side of beans! Chicken alfredo 8/10, blackened chicken was chewy Overall great meal. read more

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Amazing food after a fun day on the river. Steak was amazing. Ro er views were beautiful. Highly recommend.

Server Abby was amazing, food was great! Wonderful views and great service all around.

Wow! We stumbled upon this place while out driving and sightseeing. It's located in a cool area where there is canoe rapid training, the crossing of the Appalachian Trail and the Trail of Tears, and the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. There's a three-season deck and inside a/c seating. We were pleasantly surprised by the plethora of vegetarian and vegan options. They were willing to accommodate my request to take a protein on the specials and top my salad with it. My husband tried the tempeh Reuben and really enjoyed it. The table next to us had 4 young boys, and we could tell they were thrilled with the children's options. You can't go wrong with this place! read more

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This place is amazing. Everything about it is incredible but the bloody Mary is simply outstanding! The vibe, the service, everything was excellent! I'm from Southern California and aside from a place named Schooners, this is the second best bloody Mary I've ever had. I've been living in E. TN now for close to five years and I have not found a better bloody Mary. The food was also WAY up there in quality. It's a 2-hour drive and I'm considering making the drive every 6-8 weeks just for the bloody Mary. read more

Not only does the testers boast an incredible view but they also offer excellent service and delicious meals! The waitress suggested several options, 2 of which we got. Both items were delicious! I went rogue and ordered the quinoa salad, fearing that it would be bland. It wasn't! It was perfection and an excellent choice for a warm day. My husband got the sherpa rice which was so flavorful. He got it topped with the blackened fish which completed the fish. We got an order of the fried cauliflower bird which were surprisingly yummy! Overall, a wonderful choice! read more

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Service and view of the river is excellent! My husband and I ordered trout blackened for him and grilled for me. They were cooked beautifully but very salty. The Sherpa rice was not cooked enough. Loved the vegetables but again too salty. Bunt cake with icecream was great , plenty for two. read more

The service the atmosphere and the food were all amazing! Variety in the menu also. First, you're greeted by eager hosts that actually smile! There was a small wait, but we were a party of 5. Wait was minimal, and there are amazing shops to visit while you wait. Score for the grandkids, as they got toys! Once seated the service was efficient and friendly. Drinks were fantastic with a variety of specialty cocktails, very unique. ( I had tea, but the wife and daughter got cocktails). The food was very good! I had a fish sandwich ( what else do you get when eating over the river). Fries were really good, and everyone cleaned their plate. Just good attention to detail throughout. We will be going again in October when my other daughter visits. Lovely sight on the river! read more

Located in Bryson City at Nantahala's outdoor center. A perfect spot to dine after whitewater rafting. This gastro pub overlooks the gorge and is a very popular spot for locals and tourists. Well worth the wait! You can put your name in on the app and then check in the door. I ordered a gin drink called the Bees Knees and it was so good and flavorful! The Sherpa rice was perfection with lentils, brown rice and barley. The ginger soy sauce was delicious. The grilled salmon was cooked perfectly! Great views of the rafters and kayaks coming down the river. Service was great! I would highly recommend checking out! read more

The food was excellent and received in a timely manner. The staff was attentive and friendly. Lovely setting on the Nantahala River!

The service was outstanding. Abbie took our order and gave us great service and is a lovely person. The food was to our table in short order and was delicious. Try out the best pizza I have had in years. The onion rings were a favorite too. The restaurant was packed, but they seated us quickly and took great care of all of their guests. We will be back on our next visit to the area. read more

Great summer beer with the paddler pizza. After kayaking this hit the spot. Great NC pizza with crispy crust and enjoyed the summer ale on tap. Only thing we missed was wings but they don't serve them here. So beware but enjoy the awesome view and would come back for the same order! read more