Great spot for lunch and a brew while heading to Boone. I had a delicious turkey and gueyre…read moresandwich with homemade chips. Yum . And cold Mexican lager. Hubby got the fried chicken sandwich with a cold ipa. Always great spot to stop.

Where to start my review of this truly horrible luncheon experience. In a town that is geared…read moretowards tourists (I'm a resident), and where one restaurant tries to outdo the other, this restaurant is sorely lacking, in everything from wait staff to food. What they do have is a lot of different types of beer. So I guess if you just want a beer with tasteless food then this is the place to go. My friend and I had lunch at around 12 noon. There were literally only four other tables with a few people. Our waiter came to take our order and basically gave the impression that he wishes he was anywhere other than in this restaurant working. Not even a smile or a hello how are you doing? He was truly uncaring and answered us in half syllables when we had questions about the menu. OK whatever -/so we ordered a burger and the turkey Gruyère sandwich. At $19 for a burger (most other places in Blowing Rock charge around 12) and another 19 for a turkey sandwich you would expect at least french fries or coleslaw as a side. The sides are potato chips ( how cheap can you get) or green beans?????? if you want anything else like a side salad or fruit you have to pay an additional five dollars. Literally every other restaurant in town that serves sandwiches or burgers gives you a choice of several sides that come with the meal . But here a hamburger with a side of fruit was $23. Our waiter never came back to check on us, but another waitress did come a couple times and filled my tea glass with ice and asked us how everything was and brought samples of the beer. Thank you to whoever that was. Wish you could have been our waitress. Because our waiter was so unconcerned about waiting on us that he apparently forgot we were there. After a half an hour of not receiving our food in a restaurant that was mostly empty, I flagged him down and asked him what happened to our food. He said he would go and check on it. He came back and said that ours was the next ticket up.!! so basically this waiter held onto our ticket and then got reminded that he had to actually put it in for us to get our food. So we waited another 10 minutes. The burger was so tiny you practically needed a magnifying glass to see it. Burned to a crisp because of course the waiter also forgot to ask how we wanted it cooked. We like it medium rare, and definitely not charred and well done. The Turkey sandwich with Gruyère was just some turkey slices and I'm assuming gruyere cheese which I couldn't really taste. The whole sandwich was definitely forgettable. So that's my review. I still gave the waiter 10% tip, which he did not deserve. He did not deserve a tip at all. Needless to say, will never be back at this restaurant again. Nor will I ever recommend it. Because lunch for almost $60 for two people with two disgusting sandwiches was obscene.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

Food was great, and service was great as well. Ambiance was fine, typical for the type of…read morerestaurant...nothing fancy but good

If you hate microwaved Mexican food you'll love Mexican Rock. Hand crafted authentic Mexican…read morecooked perfectly and served with style. Absolutely delicious, perfectly sized portions, great presentation. The restaurant itself is just lovely with comfortable seating and unique decor. Margaritas were tasty, potent and fun! The staff was among the best we've experienced anywhere....attentive, knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and fun! If you are in Blowing Rock or nearby you should give this place a try!

Went last night (for the upteenth time) and loved it! Had…read morepizza and beer! Food is great Service is even better Ambiance is great!

Busy bustling and friendly option for great pizza!!! Always wanted to try Mellow Mushroom glad I…read moredid! I opted for a veggie pizza with non dairy cheese and extra sauce to dip my pizza in and it was delish!!!! Their wings look good too - maybe next time for those!

I went to a local event here. The building was beautiful and they had a pretty outdoor space. The…read morestaff was wonderful! Parking can be tight since the event we went to ran out of space.

Can't speak to the pricing cause I went to a corporate event here, but the staff seemed kind and…read moresocial area was quite nice. A little too dark for my taste, has a specific vibe that it's going for, but I will say it's really pretty. They ran out of parking so we had to park on the other side and walk down the steep Hill, that was a little inconvenient. The food was not really anything exceptional, A bunch of different hors d'oeuvres that looked fancy but didn't really taste amazing. Overall, good experience with nice staff and pretty area.