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    Smith's Cafe

    3.8 (6 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 am - 2:00 pm

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    a tray of food on a table
    Jay H.

    I got the Hamburger steak w/ mashed potatoes and fried okra LITERALLY only ate the mashed potatoes, the hamburger steak actually needed a knife to slice not to mention it was also very pink on the inside... I actually was too hungry to be trying new restaurants but I really had faith in this place, BIG DISAPPOINTMENT!

    the outside of the restaurant

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    2 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    2 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Helpful 4
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    5 years ago

    The breakfast is pretty good. The staff is friendly. The restaurant itself is pretty clean as well as the restrooms.

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    The Counter at Chef & the Farmer

    The Counter at Chef & the Farmer

    4.3
    (16 reviews)
    4.6 mi

    My wife and I visited Chef & the Farmer in Kinston to celebrate my birthday, and it turned out to…read morebe one of the most memorable dining experiences we've had in years. We were delighted to be personally greeted by none other than Vivian Howard -- James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, television personality, and author. It was our first visit since Chef Vivian reimagined the restaurant into its current format: an intimate, chef-driven dining concept she calls "Chef New," inspired by one of her favorite restaurants, Chez Nous in Charleston, where a compact menu of six rotating daily selections keeps the focus squarely on quality and creativity. Chef Vivian herself seated us, and from that moment, the warmth and intentionality of the experience never let up. We were fortunate to be seated directly in front of the open kitchen, where we had the pleasure of meeting Chef Hope and watching the culinary team work with quiet precision. Every member of the staff -- from our server to the pastry and salad chef -- contributed to an atmosphere that felt both refined and genuinely welcoming. The prix-fixe menu, which rotates weekly, offered a wonderful range of choices. We opened with a starter of soft-shell crabs -- caught just two hours prior -- served with charred scallion mayo and a bright corn relish. The dish was extraordinary: delicate, fresh, and perfectly executed. My wife's Brussels sprouts, tossed with spiced peanuts and goat cheese and finished with a honey vinaigrette, were equally impressive. A generous pour of Sorgente Prosecco made it all the better. For our mains, I chose the flank steak, accompanied by asparagus with green butter and a silky root vegetable purée. My wife opted for the house-made tagliatelle in a shrimp scampi that she couldn't stop talking about. Both dishes were beautifully presented and thoughtfully composed, reflecting the restaurant's deep commitment to farm-to-table sourcing and local ingredients. The meal concluded with fantastic desserts and continued conversation with the staff, who were as knowledgeable as they were passionate. Throughout the evening, there was an evident attention to detail in every element -- from the food preparation to the way each dish was explained and presented. This is the kind of dining experience that reminds you why food matters. We will absolutely be back.

    We've eaten a few times at Chef & the Farmer, enjoyed the Kitchen Bar experience, and were excited…read moreto try the latest iteration, The Counter. As always, Vivian does not disappoint. The Counter occupies what was once the private dining room at Chef & the Farmer. Decor is cool - bare brick, tin ceiling, polished cement floor, tables and chairs new but antiqued. An eclectic mix of music plays - a little too loud for my liking, but not so loud that we had to shout. Perhaps a dozen tables, plus a few on the sidewalk for when it warms up. The menu is simple, only a dozen or so choices. Some are old favorites, some new creations. A special of the day is offered. You order at the counter, and food is served at your table. You pick your table. We opted for an early dinner, arriving at 4PM on a Sunday. It was quiet in the restaurant, only us and and one other table. Service was good, but a little disjointed - one entrée arrived a full 5 minutes before the rest of the food. I tried shrimp and grits, the daily special. 6 shrimp, atop a bowl of cheddar grits, adorned with ground sausage, mushroom and roaster red pepper sauce. The shrimp are smoky; a crispy crunch to each one. Grits are creamy and perfect, complete with a few lumps. The sauce pulls it all together and adds the tiniest hint of heat. YUM! Also tried blueberry bbq chicken enchiladas. These are 3 to a serving; tortillas stuffed with shredded chicken prepared with Vivian's famous blueberry sauce. They're served in a shallow pool of poblano cream and topped with sliced radish, cilantro and cotijo. With a side of black beans. The chicken is the star.. it's moist, flavorful with the sweet/sour goodness of the blueberry sauce. Delish! Also tried a trio of sides - fried collards, hushpuppies and beets. The fried collards are a familiar favorite - deep fried collard leaves, crispy and salty. Hushpuppies are golf-ball sized, wonderfully crisp on the outside, moist and sweet on the inside. They're topped with apple & jalapeno preserves. Beets are served with slices of orange, topped with spiced and feta vinaigrette. To be honest, you could just order one of each of the sides (there are others) and that would be a meal! The counter offers wonderful food. Not quite the experience of a full sit-down meal (I really MISS Chef & the Farmer), but still - worth the drive to Kinston.

    Photos
    Command Central Kitchen.
    Command Central Kitchen.
    Bmeele Sprouts, Spiced Peanuts, Goat Cheese, Honey Vinaigrette
    Bmeele Sprouts, Spiced Peanuts, Goat Cheese, Honey Vinaigrette
    The Counter at Chef & the Farmer

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    Mike's Farm & Country Store

    Mike's Farm & Country Store

    4.3
    (193 reviews)
    30.2 mi
    $$

    Mike's Farm on Haw's Branch Road is an amazing rustic and true farmhouse dining experience for the…read moreentire family. We recently celebrated there for our grandson's 4th birthday. The food is homey deliciousness and is served family style. We love it. The staff is energetic and kind and friendly. Once the main meal is finished, prepare for incredible desert options. We had the banana pudding. The grounds have activities for walking and shopping and the kids get the see and feed Goats, Sheep, Ducks, cows and other spectacular animals. A well rounded outing for the entire family.

    I came to check out the nc product barn.. full of nc made products! I know on Friday I can get a…read moreplatter of the famous Mac n cheese from the fridge up by the counter but I always look to see what all they have. So many great products.. sauces, dips, food stuff and a lot of others! You can see what goes into all the products and where they are from! They even had samples on counter of several products.. I tried a granola and fell in love! Pineapple walnut! Owned and operated by veterans, hand crafted called staats bakery..Dobson nc.. one example of nc made ! They have a corner with local wines and you can sample them.. I love this barn it's always an adventure.. oh and yes I've eaten in restaurant and had deserts from gift shop the ice cream is a delight and foods yummy.. come early and come hungry!

    Photos
    Sauces made in nc
    Sauces made in nc
    Strawberries
    Strawberries
    Mike's Farm & Country Store

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    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

    4.2
    (286 reviews)
    66.6 mi
    $$

    Food was excellent, ribeye with green beans and fried okra & spaghetti squash with salmon/shrimp…read more Service was on point Nice atmosphere We got there early before the crowd at supper time rush

    Floyd's Restaurant Review - (4/5) Floyd's delivers exactly…read morewhat great Southern comfort food should: generous portions, rich flavors, and dishes that are clearly made with care. Unfortunately, several sanitation observations during my visit kept an otherwise excellent meal from earning a higher rating. The dining room was noticeably warm throughout the evening, making it somewhat uncomfortable during the meal. On the positive side, every member of the staff we encountered was friendly, welcoming, and eager to help. We also had the opportunity to meet the pastry chef, who was personable and clearly passionate about his work. The meal began with the house rolls, which were outstanding. They were warm, incredibly soft, buttery, and practically melted in your mouth. The Shrimp Napoleon was an excellent appetizer and easily one of the highlights of the evening. The shrimp were well prepared, the flavors were balanced, and the dish had wonderful depth. I'd rate it an 8/10. The deviled eggs had good flavor overall, although the filling leaned heavily toward mustard. The egg whites were somewhat firm and gave the impression they had been prepared well in advance and refrigerated. While enjoyable, they weren't nearly as memorable as the other dishes. The meatloaf was exceptional--without question one of the best I've ever had. It was tender, flavorful, and complemented perfectly by a rich, savory gravy. The green beans tasted remarkably fresh and were cooked beautifully. I added a side of cheese grits, which were creamy, cheesy, and absolutely outstanding. Portion sizes throughout the meal were generous and represented excellent value. Dessert finished the evening on a high note. The Key lime pie was outstanding, with a perfectly balanced tartness, smooth filling, and excellent crust. It was one of the best restaurant desserts I've had in quite some time. Where the experience suffered was in several sanitation and food-handling observations. During service, I observed an employee visibly sweating, wiping away perspiration, and then continuing food service. A fly was also discovered in an iced tea, and from my seat I was able to observe that the tea had been poured from a communal pitcher that was being used to refill multiple guests' glasses. One observation was particularly concerning. While seated near the service area, I watched an employee package a guest's leftover meal. During the process, the container slipped, partially opened, and the food fell onto the kitchen floor. Rather than discarding it or replacing the portion, the food was simply picked up, placed back into the container, and boxed as though nothing had happened. As someone who pays close attention to restaurant operations, moments like these raise legitimate concerns about food handling standards and overall sanitation practices. Floyd's has all the ingredients of a destination restaurant. The food is genuinely excellent, the staff is welcoming, and several dishes are worth returning for. However, consistent execution extends beyond the plate. Food safety and sanitation are just as important as flavor, and the observations from this visit make it difficult to award a higher score.

    Photos
    Garden art
    Garden art
    Meatloaf sandwich with a side of collards
    Meatloaf sandwich with a side of collards
    Floyd's 1921 Restaurant & Catering

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    Smith's Cafe - soulfood - Updated July 2026

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