Everything!!! Lovely views…read moreService was excellent Food was well presented and very tasty! Be sure to bring a jacket or wrap as it can be a bit chilly!

Our first time visiting the Blowing Rock area in 35+ years. I went to school in Boone many years…read moreago. In town for a few days for my birthday. We chose this restaurant for my birthday dinner - based on reviews. Reservations seemed to be required at least 10-14 days in advance and we still could only get 8:30. That's OK for us as we tend to eat later most of the time. It seemed we may have been the last party to arrive as the restaurant was clearing out shortly after we were seated. The Good: beautiful place and great views, at least for me. And although there was a table open at the window where we could both see views, we were placed at table closest to lounge area where my husband's back was to the window. The server was very nice, knowledgeable and mostly attentive. My husband's mentioned he would have liked a 2nd drink but after all the food was served (see below) we didn't see her again until the end. She did acknowledge my birthday when she initially greeted us. She recommended we each order a plate from each the appetizer, salad and entree menus and described one from each in great detail. The menu is very pricey and she is likely trained to make these suggestions. For example, on the appetizer menu, one scallop was $22. This is the one she recommended. Our garden salads and entree's were good - but not extraordinary. Husband ordered the tuna but was able to substitute scallops for the tuna ($55). I ordered the pork tenderloin ($48). I received it barely warm. The server promptly returned it to the kitchen to be heated. She was very kind about it. Once it was warm it was tasty. Was served with carrot puree that was excellent (seemed to have some brown butter and warm spices). Will likely try to recreate this at home. The Bad: There were 3 other tables being served in our area while we were there. I might guess they were locals based on the major difference in the level of service we received vs what the other 3 received. Don't get me wrong, as previously mentioned our server was very kind, knowledgeable and helpful. There was also a young man (dark curly hair) dressed in all black that spent a considerable amount of time at all 3 of the other tables when he brought their food out. He seemed to offer extensive explanations and have general conversations. He also brought out food, dropped them and was gone before we could even say thank you. There was a lady (straight dark hair in a sleeveless green dress with a name tag - (seemed to be a manager) that spent significant time at each of the other three tables as well as in the lounge area next to us with 2 couples there. Even after I had to return my cold food, she never stopped by to even say welcome/hello and make sure the plate was now satisfactory. My husband was a chef/proprietor/manager in restaurants for 35-40 years. He couldn't believe there was no check in after having to return a plate. One other table had a birthday and they brought her a dessert with a candle. I wasn't offered anything like that. Not sure if it is complimentary. We were only asked if we wanted to see a dessert menu and there was no other mention of my birthday except when we were first greeted. For the prices on the menu, I would think everyone would get great service and the manager would check on every table. Just left a bad taste in our mouths, not because the food was bad, but since we received average service when all around us received over the top service, I don't foresee returning and don't recommend them.

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.

This is a great place to eat in Blowing Rock. I always get the fried asparagus with their wonderful…read moreRanch dressing. Talk about a wonderful appetizer! I usually get a soup and salad combo because their soup is so truly fantastic I have never been disappointed. They have some nice salads as well. Also, their Rueben sandwich is out of this world. Service is always great and the restaurant is nice with booths and good lighting.

Service was great. location and vibe was awesome. we ate on the back patio. The tomato bisque as a…read moreside was the best food there. Flawless actually. The monte cristo was good. The salmon stack was not. But that may be just personal preference. I felt they were under cooked and the fish taste stood out way more than I was hoping for. Would go back and try something else though.

We weren't quite certain before we entered what type of restaurant this was going to be. Don't let…read morethe exterior dissuade you from entering. What a beautiful and unique restaurant. The food was top notch. Very high end. . Service was spot on. It was very unexpected. Ask for Burlene. She is fabulous. We will definitely be back again.

Twigs consistently provides delicious meals! The Thursday night bar filet is to die for! The steaks…read moreare always cooked perfectly. There was only one server in the bar area, but she did an amazing job if keeping all the balls in the air. This is more of an adult type of restaurant, with a cozy mountain vibe.

First night in blowing rock we got a rez here. Such a beautiful inn and restaurant and great…read moreservice. I had the halibut and chose acorn squash (all entrees come with mashed potatoes too). Delicious! One got steak au poivre and it was highly peppered but so tasty. One got steak and crab cake. One got Parmesan crusted chicken. Everything was so good! We brought home their signature banana cream pie and a peanut butter pie. Both great!

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.

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.

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.

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!

limited menu.Food was delicious. my husband had the trout and he loved it. I had the bison…read moreBolognanase. a little heavy on the salt. pasta could have been cook a minute or so more. bread butter amazing. we also had r the Burrata dish. delicious but you def need the bread with it. service was Fabulous well informed staff.

The server did a fine job and really wanted it to be a good experience. The appetizer (cornbread)…read morewas cold and should have been hot. Brought again and still cold. The entrees were good but mine (salmon) was more like an appetizer, priced as an entree. Dessert was awful. Don't get the olive oil cake. Hard has a brick. Service was very slow and not the servers fault. Would not return. They did not charge us for appetizer or dessert.

First...great atmosphere! Next...wonderful service without being overbearing....yet when asked…read moreabout items, very patient and real, great recommendations. And of course...the food....was excellent. The Sea Bass was amazing and cooked perfectly. The Bison short ribs were so good and the compliments to each dish (sauces, risotto, poblano sauce, kale, bok choy....superb! What a great decision to reserve a table...I hope to return if in the area again I think you will also be very glad you went.

Delicious food, lovely service…read more I was visiting the area and this place and the menu caught my attention. 'The Gamekeeper', what name could be more intriguing for a unique dining experience? I was not disappointed in the food. All selections were ideally prepared, seasonally balanced, and well paired. What I was really pleased about was the service. The staff elevate the entire experience. To name one or two would leave out what was an incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and cohesive Team. I would certainly recommend The Gamekeeper to anyone looking for the complete dining experience.

Incredible. 5 stars, over the top. Paella extraordinaire. This is fine dining at its finest.read more

Beautiful scenery in west glow resort. We had a wonderful charcuterie board and salads…read more Entree's were great . We did not hear the specials but after we heard them were happy with the regular menu . I am not a dessert person but the strawberry shortcake and chocolate torte were savory and not overly sweet . Would come again when in town