The High Country’s Top Culinary Destination

For a town with less than 1,500 residents, Banner Elk has an amazing culinary scene. So amazing, in fact, that Banner Elk is known as the culinary hot spot of the NC High Country.

An impressive array of locally-owned independent restaurants has made this resort town a dining destination. Whether you’re in search of a fine-dining white tablecloth experience, an upscale bistro, ethnic cuisine or a satisfying sandwich from a tasty deli, this town’s thriving food scene covers the spectrum.

Artisanal restaurant is the pinnacle of Banner Elk’s culinary offerings, a fine dining restaurant twice named among the Top 100 Restaurants in America by Open Table. Meanwhile, a new name on the Banner Elk dining scene is Chef’s Table, a farm-to-table eatery serving the freshest local ingredients in the High Country.

Speaking of the High Country, if you want a taste of the mountains, don’t leave without ordering fresh trout. Have it for dinner at long-time favorite Banner Elk Cafe & Lodge. Banner Elk Cafe is unique because its two kitchens offer a wide selection of lunches and dinners from two menus.

After a morning or afternoon cruising the slopes of the nearby ski resorts on Sugar and Beech mountains, stop into Williams Deli & Bakery to refuel. Choose from a selection of hot, cold and build-your-own sammies. Hot sandwiches include a mountain Cuban, Carolina Italian and The Southern, made with pimento cheese, bacon, spinach, cucumbers and onions on sourdough bread. Williams Deli features rotating soups of the day and sweet selections from the bakery – everything from pies, pound cakes and cake pops, to cookies, muffins and bundt cakes.

Sample authentic Cajun cuisine at LP (Louisiana Purchase) on Main or Bayou Smokehouse and Grill. Warm up with gumbo, jambalaya or blackened mountain trout. Bayou has a variety of craft beers on tap, and LP on Main has received multiple Awards of Excellence from Wine Spectator Magazine.

Since 1985, Stonewalls Restaurant has been a destination for locals and visitors. Now under a new ownership, the restaurant has upgraded to a chef-driven menu with plenty of culinary creations. Of course, Stonewalls remains the place for juicy steaks, slow-roasted prime rib and its well-known salad bar.

For international fare, be sure to stop by Puerto Nuevo (Mexican), Sorrento’s Bistro (Italian) and Cam Ranh Bay (Vietnamese).

And don’t skip breakfast while you’re here. Bella’s serves Belgian waffles, stuffed crepes and scratch-made biscuits.

Still hungry? Click here for a full list of Banner Elk restaurants.

Fall for Banner Elk this Autumn

Few places in the North Carolina mountains have the variety of leaf-viewing options of Banner Elk. Nestled at 3,701 feet above sea level, Banner Elk normally reaches peak color around the third or fourth weekend of October. Leaves typically begin changing in late September or early October, followed by a vivid progression that often stretches into early November.

Scenic peaks and native hardwoods surround Banner Elk, providing many vantage points to view autumn’s splendor. One of the best vantage points is the Mile-High Swinging Bridge atop Grandfather Mountain. People from all over the East Coast visit in fall to take in the panoramic view from Grandfather.

There are many different ways to view fall color in Banner Elk. Some soak in the splendor from kayaks and canoes on Wildcat Lake, while others hit the hiking trails in and around the town. An adrenaline rush of autumn color is available at Wilderness Run Alpine Coaster.

Meanwhile, the Profile Trail at Grandfather Mountain State Park offers great views and has its trail head on the outskirts of Banner Elk. Another popular place is the high-altitude Emerald Outback trail system.

Banner Elk’s famous Woolly Worm Festival conducts woolly bear caterpillar races the third weekend of October. The races determine which worm receives the honor of forecasting the upcoming winter weather in the NC High Country. Learn more about this unique fall festival by clicking here.

Adventure seekers hit the local rivers for whitewater rafting from Edge of the World Outfitters or High Mountain Expeditions. Or, let the vehicle do the work with a meandering drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Even a simple stroll along the Banner Elk Greenway yields spectacular viewing options.

Another nice thing about a fall visit to Banner Elk is the proximity to peak fall color from early October to early November. A 15-minute drive in early October up to Beech Mountain puts you at peak color because of its 5,506-foot elevation. In early November, you can drive about 30 minutes down to the Linville Caverns area to view peak colors.

When the autumnal day is done, settle into comfortable lodging and indulge in delicious cuisine from a number of eateries. A bountiful food selection gives Banner Elk its nickname of “the Culinary Hot Spot of the NC High Country.”

For a list of lodging options, click here.