If you're anywhere near Dillsboro or Franklin and craving barbecue done right, do yourself a favor…read moreand head straight to Haywood Smokehouse. This place doesn't just serve food--they serve comfort, craftsmanship, and enough smoky goodness to make you wonder why you ever ate anywhere else. The star of my visit? The fried honey BBQ ribs. Good grief. These things should come with a warning label because once you take that first bite--crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and coated in that sticky-sweet honey BBQ magic--you're officially ruined for all other ribs. They're the kind of ribs that make you pause mid-bite just to appreciate what's happening. Absolute perfection. The service was exceptional from the greeter that welcomed us when we walked in to our server (Paige). Everything else followed suit: hearty portions, rich smoky flavor throughout, and sides that taste like they came straight from someone's grandma's kitchen. The staff was friendly, the atmosphere cozy, and the whole experience felt like a hug delivered through barbecue. If you're looking for a place that feels authentic, delicious, and memorable, Haywood Smokehouse deserves a spot at the top of your list. And seriously--don't leave without getting those fried honey BBQ ribs. You'll be thinking about them long after the plate is empty.

Probably the best BBQ I've ever had. Cool little country place. The service was excellent and…read morefriendly. We sat outside with our dog in the shaded seating area. I felt that the pricing was quite fair, considering the extremely high quality. I tried the brisket and ribs and they were both top notch. Very highly recommended and worth going out of your way for a treat like this.

This was not what I was expecting -- in the best way possible. I came here with a friend who had…read morevisited the previous location before they moved, and I can confidently say this experience delivered exactly what I needed. First, let's address the only downside: my burger was slightly overcooked. The server was very kind and attentive, but by the time she came back around to check on us, it felt a little late to send it back. I decided to remove the meat and enjoy the rest of the burger -- and surprisingly, it was still very good. My only hope for next time is that everything comes out cooked exactly as intended. Now for the positives -- because there are plenty. The wait time was excellent. We didn't have to wait for a table, and the food came out in a timely manner. That level of efficiency definitely adds to the overall experience. This restaurant is clearly operating at a high level. The location is great, the atmosphere is welcoming, and everything feels well-managed. You can tell there's pride behind what they're doing. We ordered The Goat Burger with Crispy Buttered Taters and started with the Fried Deviled Eggs. The fried deviled eggs were a standout. They had a salty base with a slight kick of heat, and the pickled onions brought in a sweet, tangy balance that elevated the dish. The salty-sweet combination worked beautifully together. A strong appetizer choice. As for The Goat Burger -- aside from being slightly overcooked -- the flavor was impressive. The patty was well seasoned, and the fried goat cheese paired with bacon created a rich, savory profile that complemented the crispy buttered taters perfectly. Everything worked cohesively on the plate. Even after removing the meat, the toppings and structure still delivered strong flavor. The food was absolutely worth the money. I left feeling full and satisfied without feeling overly heavy, which is always a plus. This is a place I will go back to again and again. I would confidently recommend it to others -- great location, good food, good people, and solid service. They also offer wine and beer for those who want to enjoy a drink with their meal. Overall, a very strong experience. I'm looking forward to coming back -- and next time, I'm hoping everything comes out cooked perfectly.

Came to town for my older daughter's college tour at WCU and looked up foragers on a previous visit…read moreand looked up the reviews so decided to bring the whole family +1 and give it a try. The layout of the restaurant is very homey with the Green velvet love seat by the door in the waiting area. It seems very casual with mostly family's and a few couples at the bar. When we arrived there was a short wait so we walked out to admire the Jackson County Courthouse on the hill across the street. After our brief walk our table was ready. We had my wife, son 2 daughters and the oldest one's boyfriend who goes to WCU. We started with the fried deviled egg and cheesy prosciutto croquettes for an appetizer. Big fan of the tomato jam and croquettes so much that I saved the remaining portion for my Gouda grits. They have a wide variety on the menu so everyone found a meal they would enjoy. My wife got the motherclucker chicken sammich with a salad, my youngest daughter got pasta Alfredo, my son got the Rueben, I ordered the fish tacos with Gouda grits and Karlea and Tristan got a basic burger and fries. Other than being messy, my fish tacos were tasty with the slaw and blueberry composite. My wife liked her chicken sammich even though it was at the edge of her threshold for spicy. Brody enjoyed his Rueben but the seasoned veggies were a bit bland. Forager seems like a Sylva staple that will stay on my shortlist. Cheers!

This spot was worth driving out of Cherokee (where we were staying) for dinner. The staff and our…read moreserver were very kind and quick. The restaurant is very cute and rustic, giving a nice classy feel. We got the French onion soup and fried mushrooms. The soup was a solid classic and the mushrooms were crispy on the outside and juicy and soft on the inside. I don't think that the boots sauce was the right combo with the mushrooms, only because even a small amount of the sauce overpowered all of the flavor. We split the country fried steak with a loaded baked potato and the creamed spinach. All three things were absolutely excellent and tasted home cooked. We got an Apple baked crisp with ice cream on it for dessert. It was baked to order, but was a little too overpowering with the cinnamon. Kind of felt like we were eating a straight up cinnamon sticks, it was almost bitter. The apple slices in it were nice and soft though.

This is an unapologetic steakhouse in the best way possible. Ambience is old school steakhouse in…read morean old charming house(?). Service was amazing- thanks to our sever Lacey. We both had a couple of Southern Old Fashioned's that were great but I gotta tell ya' that ribeye steak is out of this world. Simply prepared to let the quality of the meat shine through. Massive cut/ took at least half of it home with me along with half of the baked fully loaded backed potato. Not cheap, but the value of the meal is absolutely there. Check it out and enjoy!

Good beer, dog friendly and laid back atmosphere! We've been twice and it hasn't disappointed!read more

Cool place and convenient location in the middle of Silva. The restaurant is laid back with a…read morepretty cool vibe. The menu is innovative and concept is great. I can see this being awesome in the evening with live music and the beer flowing. However, I was there in the daytime for lunch and without the excitement of people, alcohol, and live music to add to the ambiance, I thought the food was just okay. No complaints, just nothing to brag about either. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

Do not walk, run here! We ended up at this place by…read moreaccident headed back to Asheville. Amazing food! A true jewel by the river. I would drive an hour to get this food again.

While it is easy to find, it is a very unassuming dark red building set back from the road. You…read moreenter the gravel parking lot through a narrow driveway across a set or railroad tracks. None of the spaces are marked but it's not difficult to figure out where to park. Since the lot is gravel, be aware if you have mobility issues. You can park near the entrance but not adjacent to the building so there will be at least a short walk to the door. There is also a small step up to the porch in front of the door. The pickup window is next to the entrance door which is a nice touch as the interior is small and would certainly get crowded if to go orders had to wait inside. The interior is small with table seating for about 20. There is also a small outside patio for warmer weather dining. There are several windows allowing you to look over the very near river. We got there shortly before they opened and were seated within a minute of entering. We got a nice corner table next to the river. Our servers were very pleasant. They went over the menu and specials and were very patient answering any questions. One thing to note is they do not allow substitutions, so read the menu description carefully to be sure you know what you are ordering. We wound up ordering their daily specials. Unfortunately, I forgot to take note of what they were called. One was a curry and the other included short ribs and soup. We also ordered spring rolls. The spring rolls were brought to the table in about 10 minutes. They were hot and crunchy and excellent. The dipping sauce was a touch spicy and really brought out the flavor of the spring rolls. The main dishes were brought out after about another 15 minutes. The curry dish was outstanding. The meat was tender and seasoned very well. There was a slight overall spiciness to the dish, but it quickly settled into a warm glow that simply begged for another bite. The short ribs and soup special were also outstanding. The ribs were cooked perfectly with the meat falling off the bone. The soup was flavorful and the ingredients fresh. We ate until we were stuffed and then ate a little more. We simply could not finish everything and took the last bit with us, and it was just as good reheated the next day. We also decided to take a mango and coconut milk dessert to go for later in the evening. This was a wonderful finish to a great meal. The mango was fresh and flavorful. The coconut milk and sticky rice made for a great taste texture. For such an unassuming building the dining experience would rival that of any big city. The fact it is located in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina allows it to offer an experience unrivaled by any better known restaurant. If you are anywhere near Sylva, you own it to yourself to partake of a meal at Dalaya.

This pizza was so delicious and has now made mad batter become one of my favorite spots to eat…read morearound western carolina. The servers are friendly and it didn't take too long for the food to come out. The inside is very groovy and fun. When I was here, they were having music bingo. Other nights they do karaoke and such.

Cool local bar right on the downtown strip . Great pizza , Lots of high top seating . No seating…read moreoutside . Lots od draft beer. They have music as well

We wandered in after window shopping looking for dinner. Beautiful interior, wonderful staff! No…read morewait! Steak with browned ramp butter, seasonal fare. Delicious!

Had the Thai soup - it was a full bowl and delicious! Just enough spice. My friend had a Caesar…read moresalad with salmon- it looked amazing. Our server was sweet, gave a great recommendation for the Thai soup and took great care of us. Cute restaurant, cozy and quiet.

Great deli with sandwiches, soups, salads, desserts. They have soup daily special. Service is…read moregreat. We got cheddar broccoli soup, smoked turkey sandwich, roast beef sandwich, grilled cheese sandwich. All so good. The special well inside the restaurant. Deli style ambiance.

My husband has been dining at The Well House since he was a little boy and introduced me to this…read moreplace about 30 years ago. This restaurant is located in the basement of an old home (now a gift shop) and anyone visiting town may not see it since it's tucked away. Each time we visit Dillsboro we stop in for a sandwich. My husband's favorite sandwich is the Triple Treat and he enjoys their hot dog with sauerkraut. I had their cheesy chicken tortilla soup and a turkey sandwich. Everything on the menu is delicious. The servers in the restaurant are always friendly and checking to make sure we have everything. This is an order at the counter and food served at the table. I would recommend a stop in if you're looking for a place to grab a sandwich with a unique setting.

Heard about this place from a friend so we had to check it out! Fast friendly service!!! Great…read morebreakfast, cool retro diner! Will eat here again!!

We were only in town for 2 nights, so we went one of the mornings, but wished we'd gone to Dunkin…read moreDonuts instead. It's a cute little breakfast spot for locals. It's been their spot since 1926 and I'm not sure it's been cleaned since. The food was ok, but not delicious. The ladies room was so filthy that when I opened the door - I turned around and walked right back out of it trying not to touch anything. Good coffee & good service, but the toast was stale, only 1 kind of jam, flavorless hash browns, flat omelette. My husband got 2 eggs - cooked correctly - but also flavorless. (They didn't use any seasoning on anything, not even salt & pepper.) He said the sausage was ok, as was the sausage gravy. I got a Philly cheesesteak omelette (ok but not great) and asked for my hash browns we'll-done. They overdid the outside but the potatoes were uncooked & flavorless in the middle. This place belongs to the locals, save yourself and let them have it.

The food is always great and have been here many times. I love the veggie burger, which is not…read moretypical - made of all fresh ingredients like black beans and sweet potatoes. French fries are hand cut and burgers are super juicy and big with lots of ooey-gooey cheese. Sweet potato quesadillas are also good. Small menu with about 10 items. You really can't go wrong. Picnic tables outside and you can bring your dog. Innovation brewery right there where you can grab a beer and bring it to your table. You can also sit at innovation and cosmic will bring your food to you there.

Probably the best burger in Sylva. The hand cut fries are also very good, whether plain or with the…read morenumerous options to dress them up. On a sunny and warm day like yesterday, it's very pleasant to sit by Scott Creek and eat on the picnic tables. Service is a little slow, but that's only because everything is being cooked from scratch. It's worth the wait. It's a little pricey, but you'll know where the money went when you dig in.