North Carolina’s more than 700 cities and towns offer an abundance of delicious restaurants and eateries and the best small-town restaurants you will find on the planet. From tiny bistros to full-service spaces, the Tar Heel State will keep your tastebuds satisfied. Listed are some of North Carolina’s finest small-town restaurants, in places you may not have considered visiting. Well, now you have a reason.
- Swansboro Food & Beverage Co., Swansboro
A M/TripAdvisor This casual, coastal spot offers cuisine with a southern flair. Swansboro Food & Beverage Co., 106 Front St, Swansboro, NC 28584, USA
You’ll find some alternatives to the ordinary, here, and some classic recipes, such as clam chowder, burgers, and steaks.
Swansboro Food & Beverage Co./Facebook Try out the fresh, sweet greens salad with strawberries, feta cheese, pecans, and dried cranberries.
- Neptune’s Kitchen and Dive Bar, Rodanthe
Neptunes Kitchen And Dive Bar/Facebook This awesome eatery is known for its friendly service and overflowing portions, from seafood combo baskets, shrimp baskets, crab legs, and shrimp tacos to name a few. Neptunes Kitchen and Dive Bar, 24394 North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968, USA
Don’t let the “dive bar” part in the name fool you, as it has a full bar with bottled beer and some on tap. Have one with this classic Philly cheese steak sandwich.
Neptunes Kitchen And Dive Bar/Facebook Takeout is always available.
- Spring Creek Tavern & Inn, Hot Springs
The Spring Creek Tavern/Facebook The dynamic restaurant offers a warm, welcoming environment with cold beer, hot food, and smiling service. Spring Creek Tavern, 145 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
Who doesn’t love a hot, cheese pizza with your favorite toppings?
The Spring Creek Tavern/Facebook And if you need a place to stay, three rentals are available over the tavern.
- Smith’s Red & White Restaurant, Rocky Mount
Smith’s Red & White Restaurant Located right next to the grocery store with the same name since 1954, this decades-old family-owned business has been serving people with quality. Smith’s Red & White, 3635 N Halifax Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, USA
The restaurant opened in 2010, features fresh recipes from the grocery store. The staff even makes their own sausage.
Smith’s Restaurant Go in for some old-fashioned cooking at its best served from generous buffets for breakfast and lunch.
- Small Town Nutrition, Burgaw
Small Town Nutrition/Facebook This unique restaurant offers healthy meal replacement shakes, smoothies, mega energy teas, and other nutritious alternatives. Small town Nutrition, 115 W Fremont St, Burgaw, NC 28425, USA
Walk in today for the friendly service and watch out, the smoothies and fruit drinks are known for their addictive qualities.
Small Town Nutrition/Facebook From oatmeal to apple crumb cakes and donuts, this diverse menu will surprise you.
- Waterman’s Grill, Edenton
Waterman’s Grill Located in a century-old building, try this restaurant for a casual dining experience in historic Edenton. Waterman’s Grill, 427 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932, USA
The seared ahi-tuna with roasted garlic peppercorn crust comes with a delicious side of seaweed salad.
Waterman’s Grill From the steamer and raw bar to the grill, the generous menu items can be washed down with delightful seafaring spirits.
- Ristorante Paoletti, Highlands
Ristorante Paoletti/Facebook Born in 1953 by its owners from the Marche region of Italy, the multi-generational family-owned restaurant’s heart and soul have always been the guests and family. Ristorante Paoletti, 440 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
These rich, traditional Italian family recipes have been perfected over decades.
Ristorante Paoletti From the Frutti di Mare menu, choose the lovely Cioppino Paoletti, with fresh Maine lobster, scallops, shrimp, mussels, fresh coastal fish, and clams in a robust marinara sauce over linguine.
- Foragers Canteen, Dillsboro
Foragers Canteen/Facebook The restaurant is known for its eclectic mix of world cuisine culminating into an interesting dining experience. Foragers Canteen, 42 Depot St, Dillsboro, NC 28725, USA
With a Southern and Italian heritage, passion is what you’ll taste in the food here, cooked with love and handmade ingredients.
Foragers Canteen/Facebook The fried deviled eggs are out of this world and just one of the many appetizers on the extensive menu.
- The Angus Steakhouse, Hickory
LKNCHOWHOUND/TripAdvisor This unconventional restaurant off the beaten path is a hidden gem. The Angus Steakhouse, 3795 U.S. Hwy 70 SW, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Part of this old-school charm is ordering at the counter. Take in the atmosphere at this unpretentious diner.
Tom B./FourSquare Whether it’s a juicy steak or one of their famous sandwiches with french fries, the food is delicious.
- ShoeBooties Cafe, Murphy
ShoeBooties Cafe Try some distinctive downtown dining at this interesting place. And Shoetini’s Lounge upstairs also offers a full menu. ShoeBooties Cafe, 25 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC 28906, USA
Some of the chef’s specialties include steak, chicken, seafood, and pasta.
ShoeBooties Cafe/Facebook A Saturday night feature is the amazing garlic-encrusted prime rib and live music.
- Blue Cow Grille, Southport
Blue Cow Grille At this cool grill each guest is greeted with the colorful, eclectic interior featuring the blue cow. Blue Cow Grille, 108 E Moore St, Southport, NC 28461, USA
And the menu is as dynamic as the interior, with such items as the Kung Fu Kickin’ Chicken, which is a fried chicken breast with horseradish mayo, soy glaze, Asian slaw, and arugula.
Blue Cow Grille/Facebook Or try the homemade pimento cheese and fried green tomato burger with crispy french fries.
Do any of the best small-town restaurants in North Carolina pique your interest? If you visit one, please tell us about your experience in the comments below. And if you are in the mood to shop, be sure to visit these 12 charming general stores in the state.
A M/TripAdvisor
This casual, coastal spot offers cuisine with a southern flair.
Swansboro Food & Beverage Co., 106 Front St, Swansboro, NC 28584, USA
Swansboro Food & Beverage Co./Facebook
Try out the fresh, sweet greens salad with strawberries, feta cheese, pecans, and dried cranberries.
Neptunes Kitchen And Dive Bar/Facebook
This awesome eatery is known for its friendly service and overflowing portions, from seafood combo baskets, shrimp baskets, crab legs, and shrimp tacos to name a few.
Neptunes Kitchen and Dive Bar, 24394 North Carolina Hwy 12, Rodanthe, NC 27968, USA
Takeout is always available.
The Spring Creek Tavern/Facebook
The dynamic restaurant offers a warm, welcoming environment with cold beer, hot food, and smiling service.
Spring Creek Tavern, 145 Bridge St, Hot Springs, NC 28743, USA
And if you need a place to stay, three rentals are available over the tavern.
Smith’s Red & White Restaurant
Located right next to the grocery store with the same name since 1954, this decades-old family-owned business has been serving people with quality.
Smith’s Red & White, 3635 N Halifax Rd, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, USA
Smith’s Restaurant
Go in for some old-fashioned cooking at its best served from generous buffets for breakfast and lunch.
Small Town Nutrition/Facebook
This unique restaurant offers healthy meal replacement shakes, smoothies, mega energy teas, and other nutritious alternatives.
Small town Nutrition, 115 W Fremont St, Burgaw, NC 28425, USA
From oatmeal to apple crumb cakes and donuts, this diverse menu will surprise you.
Waterman’s Grill
Located in a century-old building, try this restaurant for a casual dining experience in historic Edenton.
Waterman’s Grill, 427 S Broad St, Edenton, NC 27932, USA
From the steamer and raw bar to the grill, the generous menu items can be washed down with delightful seafaring spirits.
Ristorante Paoletti/Facebook
Born in 1953 by its owners from the Marche region of Italy, the multi-generational family-owned restaurant’s heart and soul have always been the guests and family.
Ristorante Paoletti, 440 Main St, Highlands, NC 28741, USA
Ristorante Paoletti
From the Frutti di Mare menu, choose the lovely Cioppino Paoletti, with fresh Maine lobster, scallops, shrimp, mussels, fresh coastal fish, and clams in a robust marinara sauce over linguine.
Foragers Canteen/Facebook
The restaurant is known for its eclectic mix of world cuisine culminating into an interesting dining experience.
Foragers Canteen, 42 Depot St, Dillsboro, NC 28725, USA
The fried deviled eggs are out of this world and just one of the many appetizers on the extensive menu.
LKNCHOWHOUND/TripAdvisor
This unconventional restaurant off the beaten path is a hidden gem.
The Angus Steakhouse, 3795 U.S. Hwy 70 SW, Hickory, NC 28602, USA
Tom B./FourSquare
Whether it’s a juicy steak or one of their famous sandwiches with french fries, the food is delicious.
ShoeBooties Cafe
Try some distinctive downtown dining at this interesting place. And Shoetini’s Lounge upstairs also offers a full menu.
ShoeBooties Cafe, 25 Peachtree St, Murphy, NC 28906, USA
ShoeBooties Cafe/Facebook
A Saturday night feature is the amazing garlic-encrusted prime rib and live music.
Blue Cow Grille
At this cool grill each guest is greeted with the colorful, eclectic interior featuring the blue cow.
Blue Cow Grille, 108 E Moore St, Southport, NC 28461, USA
Blue Cow Grille/Facebook
Or try the homemade pimento cheese and fried green tomato burger with crispy french fries.
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