Time to fuel your inner Foodie and go on a tour of Waynesville’s favorite restaurants. Don’t let those cravings go unsatisfied. Our mountain town’s culinary masters are ready to whip up a meal that will make your mouth water. Whether you like it sweet, savory, smoked, or Southern, Waynesville has several food options for everyone to appreciate.
Brew and Chew
There is nothing like complementing a tasty meal with a cold craft beverage. If you enjoy the brew life, hop on over to Frog Level Brewing Co. and Boojum Brewing company. They know how to dazzle the tastebuds from chips and queso to mouthwatering pale ales. If you’re craving mealtime favorites like pizza or tacos with your brew, you can have both! Head over to Sauced where pizza, tacos and taps are the name of the game. For tasty and traditional bar fare in a casual environment, pull up a seat at Pub 319, the Tap Room at the Waynesville Inn, or Firefly Taps & Grill. Time to raise a glass to cold drinks and flavorful food.
Smokin’ Selections
Time to get fired up for some smoked Southern barbeque. Waynesville is home to several barbeque restaurants that really know how to bring the heat. Get in line at the Haywood Smokehouse for sliced brisket, chopped pork, and smoked prime rib. They smoke their meats fresh every day—so get it before it’s gone! Try tasting the flavors of Texas at Dickey’s Barbecue Pit where you can fill your plate with fresh smoked meats and classic Southern sides. Or make a “pit”stop at Fat Buddies Ribs & BBQ where their cowboy beans and fall-off-the-bone ribs are mm mm delicious. Grab a plate and get the best taste of the South right here in Waynesville.
Take it International
We are so grateful to have a diverse group of cultures that have settled in to calling Waynesville “home,” and with that comes delicious and different cultural foods to savor! For true foodies who like to explore the culinary excellence of cuisines from near and far, you’ve come to the right place. Enjoy fresh Japanese sushi and other delicious Asian culinary specialties at Watami Sushi and Noodles or Kobe Express. For traditional Mexican dishes that will spice up your day, add Los Amigos Restaurante and El Pobre Mexican Restaurant to your list. We also have a new restaurant addition to Waynesville—The Cuban Guy Eatery. Let your tastebuds run wild with authentic Cuban cuisine comprised of recipes perfected over generations. The last stop on this trip around the world in Waynesville, is Italy. Waynesville is home to several traditional Italian restaurants with handcrafted pizzas, pastas, and specialty entrées. If we had to recommend a few, try Amici’s, Angelo’s Family Pizza, and Bocelli’s. No matter which restaurant you choose, you’ll be happy to you did it!
Casual Cuisine
While there is so much activity and excitement in our mountain town, sometimes it’s nice to keep things cool and casual. For a relaxed lunch with fresh sandwiches, wraps, and more, visit the Kornerstone Kafe or the Smoky Mountain Sub Shop. Make an appearance at the Haywood 209 Café or the Church Street Depot if you love classic American food with a charming environment. Bask in the mountain breeze at The Patio Bistro or Third Bay – Filling Station where you can savor fresh soups, salads and scrumptious specials. Fill up before your afternoon adventures with some traditional down-home-cooking at Clyde’s Restaurant.
Enjoy the Finer Things
We all deserve to treat ourselves to a premiere dining experience. Nestled away among the mountains and Waynesville’s Main Street are Birchwood Hall and The Sweet Onion. These crowd-favorites are known for the upscale take on traditional Southern cooking. From hand-poured cocktails to house-made desserts, you’ll want to make sure these places are on your list to visit. For dishes with a unique farm-to-fork experience, taste the exquisite creations at Frogs Leap Public House, which won the Trip Advisor’s Travelers Choice Award in 2020. Their unique dining and spirits menus are rotated seasonally to maintain the freshest ingredients. Another gourmet restaurant with a farm-fresh philosophy is The Chefs Table. This restaurant prides itself on having the ultimate wine country experience, offering an extensive list of award-winning wines and curated dishes prepared with a wine pairing in mind. Get ready to taste the Smokies in a way that will exceed your mountain-high expectations.
Delightful Desserts
We’re sure you’ve heard the phrase “Life is short, eat dessert first.” Well, considering our tasty treat offerings here in Waynesville, we aren’t going to argue with that. For all those with a sweet tooth, there are tons of options to satisfy your sugary desires. Roll on over to Farm to Cake Bakery and Wildflour Blue Bakery for—you guessed it—baked sweets. Fill your box with cakes, cannoli’s, cupcakes, cookies, and more. To cool off after a long hike, stop into Jack the Dipper Ice Cream Parlor for made to order warm waffle cones and creamy hand-dipped ice cream. But wait, the desserts don’t stop there! Rise and shine with some fresh baked Daylight Donuts to get your hole foods in for the day.
Wow that’s a lot of food! Just listing all those enticing eateries makes the mouth water. Be sure to check out our full list of restaurants in Waynesville to start planning the ultimate foodie tour. If you’re someone who lets your phone eat first, tag us in your pictures with #HayNow and @VisitNCSmokies. Bon appétit!
