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!

I was there on a Friday and sat at the bar. They have a $3 PBR cans special on Fridays so I had…read moresome a couple of those. I ordered the pickle brined chicken sandwich. It normally comes with lettuce, tomato, pickle, and special sauce. I didn't want a mayonnaise based sauce....trying to cut some calories since I'm already having a deep fried sandwich! I instead got a smear of buffalo hot sauce which was a really good substitute. The sandwich was super crisp and spicy. Very good! My only gripe is that when I get a sandwich at a restaurant, I expect some type of side dish. It could be a small amount of fries or some potato chips but something. R&R has lots of good sides so they could offer some free fries but then encourage up charge sides for one of their delicious options like their truffle fries. Ive eaten there a few times and each time, very consistent, good food!! Bartender Chynna was very nice. Bar was getting busy but she handled everyone efficiently and friendly.

Stopped in for lunch and we were seated promptly and greeted by our waitress. We had iced tea and…read moreour waitress suggested several favorites for lunch. I had the burger and fries and my wife had the Korean Steak Bowl. Everything was delicious and we enjoyed the meal. The crowd was minimal and the restaurant was fairly quiet everything was clean and we will go back in the future.

One of my new favorites! I love that this place is on the water and the beer is delicious. They…read morehave a lot of unique options that are not too much or trying too hard. Super friendly bartenders. They had a food truck outside though we didn't get anything. Great seating, dog friendly. Right downtown, but pretty easy to find parking. Stellar spot.

Bartenders nice and helpful. Lots of beers that change throughout the year. Best part is one of the…read morefew bars in Sylva that stay open until midnight! Dog friendly. No food but permanent food truck (Cosmic Take Out) next door and they'll bring your food to Innovation for you.

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.

Good burgers and such . Staff very mountain town friendly, walk in from street, with town of…read moreSylva great place to be. My wife and I have found another place to be relaxing from the norm ... Store front sit down outside bar is inviting .

Awesome lunch and beers at Balsam Falls - the chicken tenders are delicious and a very generous…read moreportion! Highly recommend if you are in Sylva!

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

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.

Absolutely absurd! Stop to get two breakfast sandwiches with two drinks and a side of bacon .. $28…read moreand some change ! Also can confirm from the nice person working the window that the owner just raised prices conveniently as soon as fall arrived for the leaf Lookers!! Never again!!

Greatest, juiciest burgers ever. Grilled onion, mushroom burger was wonderful…read more Now they have fried chicken too!!! Crispy outside juicy, tender chicken inside. The tenders are the "BEST"

Excellent! Brisket and chicken. Service was friendly and fast. Will definitely be back.read more

Service was great, very welcoming and informative folks. The restaurant was clean, and inviting…read more The FOOD is what we went for - tried and loved were the ribs, potato salad and macaroni with cheese. While good, the brisket was full of big chunks of fat that could have been removed during the prep process - charge me what you need to for good bbq but don't serve me chunks of greasy fat! We'd pass on the fried bbq egg roll next visit, it was too greasy for our liking and lacked any real flavor. We'd return next time we're in the area.

I just popped in here while walking around Sylva. I didn't expect much but the cider beer was so…read moregood and the staff was so cool that I stayed for hours and ended up ordering food--despite what their Magic 8-Ball said. This is simply a friendly place with good food, great beer, and amazing prices. Definitely recommended!

This is the portobello burger. It's has spinach artichoke on it. It was good but super messy. The…read moretator tots side dish are always good. They top them with parmesan and seasonings. I stopped in for a quick bite on Tuesday night and it turned out to be trivia night. Don't come that night unless you're actually playing trivia because every time I tried to sit down, I was told the seat was reserved. Wide variety of beers and I like how they include description on the menu. Some places like Lazy Hiker just have the name and you have to ask the bartender what each one is like.