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Lakeside Restaurant

4.6 (98 reviews)
Closed Closed
Updated 2 months ago

Lakeside Restaurant Photos

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LAKESIDE RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Loud
Upscale
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Lakeside Restaurant

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Mushroom Bruschetta.
Michael M.

Every dinner we've had at Lakeside has been outstanding, from the great service, food and wine list, you can't go wrong spending an evening at Lakeside Restaurant for dinner! The views of the lake are also nice!

Crostini appetizer special - amazing!
Megan T.

We came to the Highlands area for our anniversary and decided to choose Lakeside Restaurant as our place for dinner. We called a little late for reservations, but were able to still get booked! So I highly recommend calling as early as you can to get the time you want. Drinks - we started with the mordern mai tai and bada bing martini. Both were absolutely delicious! They know how to make a cocktail! Food: -Costini - topped with garlic spread, whipped avocado, tomatoes, almonds, and goat cheese. This was an appetizer special. If it is available - get it! Amazing! -Crab cakes and stuffed rainbow trout dishes - both of the main meals were amazing too, full of flavor. What's ironic, is the sides - broccoli, rice, and mac and cheese had absolutely no flavor, and were about as bland as could be. So, if they could get the sides to be as flavorful as the meals, they would get 5 stars for me for a perfect meal. Dessert - blueberry bread pudding. I'm not a big bread pudding fan, but this was actually pretty good. Definitely recommend Lakeside if you are in the Highlands area. We really enjoyed the service, meal, and ambiance at this restaurant!

Goat cheese appetizer
Jenn M.

Had a wonderful meal at Lakeside tonight, highly recommend this Highlands classic. Service is excellent! I called for a reservation and they couldn't accommodate me until later than I hoped... they promised to call night of in case there were any cancellations. THEY DID CALL! Got me in at our preferred seating time. From the time we arrived until we left we encountered nothing but kind, efficient and welcoming service from the staff. Food was absolutely delicious. Highly recommend the goat cheese appetizer and the Black Bass special was perfection. The salad and bread pudding dessert were good... just not amazing. The dining room is intimate and charming but not romantic or private. Tables are tightly spaced and it's loud inside. This shouldn't keep you from going... it just makes it a four star experience instead of a five star. They also have a cute patio by the lake (really more of a pond) but it was too wet to enjoy. We will absolutely return to Lakeside on a future trip. Excellent food and service!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Schnitzel
Brad M.

My wife and I dined at Lakeside during a recent weekend getaway to Highlands and were so glad we did. It's clear this restaurant falls in the "local institution" category and it felt local and authentic in the best possible way. The walls are decked out with local art (most for sale) so that adds to unique character. The owner and staff were extremely welcoming and helpful from start to finish. Neither my wife nor I is big on seafood, but the menu is varied and we both found something we loved (her the ravioli and myself the chicken). The squash soup was also top shelf. Pro tip: you have to call for a reservation (old school!), but don't be put off if you have to leave a message; they will call you back on availability and confirmation. Highly recommend checking out Lakeside, even if your taste is more turf than surf.

Dawn R.

This outdoor garden is so charming, and the view is so pretty it is worth a stop just for this. They have several fish items on the menu. We were told their small dining room of 12 tables was full until 9pm so we opted to eat out in the garden, even though it was a bit chilly. We asked them to turn on the outdoor gas burners for heat and only one of the 2 was working. A waitress went around and gave out blankets, so that was nice. We started off with the lobster bisque. I didn't detect any lobster in there, and the flavor was mildly salty but it was ok. My hubby got the NC Mountain Trout ($24). Our waiter said the trout comes from nearby in Brevard, NC. To me, the trout was tasteless. My husband liked it ok, but called it basic and bland. I got the seafood pomodoro ($32). It had good flavor. Our waiter was great and had a good personality. We also enjoyed watching a chickadee going in and out of a birdhouse right beside the dining guests. We got the chocolate flourless cake with butterscotch syrup on top for dessert. It was so rich, do not even try to get this to eat by yourself ! It was semisweet chocolate and very dense. I got a Dark and Stormy cocktail. It was heavy on the rum and didn't taste balanced. But overall, the view and service makes up for everything else.

Chocolate mousse
Kristen Claire G.

Absolutely outstanding. It's always a special occasion here, but when it's really something to celebrate, this is where you need to treat yourself. Make sure you call ahead for a reservation, especially during season. Also check to see if they have any brunches coming out because that is not to be missed. I joined my grandparents here for Easter and the whole time we felt like royalty. The 3 course menu lets you satisfy all of your taste buds and leave feeling full + happy. And in my case, ready for a nap. How can you leave leftovers when everything is SO GOOD?! We sat inside, the dining area is cozy and decorated with local artist. I'm personally a big fan of the mountain trout paintings, very fitting for that upscale mountain vibe. On a nice day the patio would be the place to be. It overlooks the lake, hence the name "Lakeside" and is great for checking out some of the local real estate. Now the food. I started with the roasted beet salad... I love beets and was extra please to see golden and purple ones... would love that salad as a larger portion with protein for a meal if they ever open for lunch. My main with the crab cake bennedict... holy smokes... one of the best if not the best benny I've ever had. The grilled bread was a nice change from

Salmon asparagus

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3 years ago

Excellent food and the staff is great. RSVPs a good idea. Place is small and the view is really nice. Especially nice in the garden

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4 years ago

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9 years ago

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3 years ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

Sometimes service is slow, but food is good, place is comfortable and price is competitive.

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5 years ago

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8 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

Wonderful food and service! The stuffed pork chop was excellent - best I've ever had!

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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5 years ago

Great food and great service. The view was terrific as well. I would highly recommend dining here.

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6 years ago

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10 years ago

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12 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

Loved The Manhattan cocktail and my pork entree was excellent. Will definitely go again.

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13 years ago

Great service and my stuffed trout was good. Small restaurant and the owner chef inquires as to your meal at each table.

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14 years ago

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7 years ago

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Wine Garden - Trout Dip

Wine Garden

4.2(43 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

Highlands, NC is truly a little slice of heaven! If you're ever there, you must have lunch or…read moredinner at the wine garden attached to Old Edwards Inn & Spa! It's such a beautiful and peaceful space to dine, especially with the amazing Spring and Fall temps they get there. We were with a party of 6 (plus a baby), and walked up without a reservation a bit late in the evening. We figured we'd try it and see if we could get in if it wasn't too late, and luckily enough, the hostess was kind enough to make it happen for us! The menu actually has a lot of variety for a wine garden - drinks and food wise. I started with the French onion soup and it was delicious. The Caesar salad was also quite yummy, but the meatloaf was the showstopper of the night! I am still dreaming of it now, and wish I could replicate it myself because it was that good and memorable! For dessert, I ordered the affogato which is their house made vanilla bean ice cream with an espresso shot and it was the perfect ending to the night! Our server was so attentive and kind, and constantly checked in on us and cleared our plates since the tables are a bit on the smaller side. I had an excellent experience all around!

Had an fantastic afternoon visiting this place for lunch and drinks. The food was delicious, and…read moresitting out under the trees next to a little waterfall and stream as well as the nearby architecture really feels like you've traveled somewhere special. Our waiter was also very nice! Highly recommend!

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Wine Garden
Wine Garden - Charcuterie board

Charcuterie board

Wine Garden

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Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

4.2(207 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

This was our first stop in town for lunch, and it was exactly the kind of fuel you hope for when…read morekicking off a weekend. Four of us grabbed spots at the bar, ordered Aperol Spritzes, and immediately settled in. We shared the salad and the veggie pizza, and on our waitress's advice added pepperoni--and wow, was that the right move. This pizza is the real deal: incredible color, a perfectly crisp, crunchy crust, and layers of flavor that genuinely blew us away. I make pizza at home (yes, with an Ooni), and this is the kind of pie that makes you pause mid‑bite and say, "Okay... they know what they're doing." Not floppy, not overdone--just expertly made and insanely satisfying. The atmosphere sealed the deal. Sitting at the bar felt fun and communal, with friendly locals, fellow visitors, and staff all contributing to the vibe. It was welcoming, lively, and exactly the energy you want when you first roll into town. Phenomenal pizza, great drinks, and a spot that understands hospitality. We'd come back for the pizza alone--but everything else made it even better.

This venue is beautiful! I loved the lights and the olive tree in the midst of the dining area…read more Service was a bit slow, but they were quite busy. As well as the bar was full. Apparently we were very unlucky when it came to bar seating this trip We ordered the burrata to start. It was fresh and absolutely delicious. But our Hot Pig pizza seemed to miss the mark. The sauce that was drizzled on top didn't seem to add anything to the dish. It just kind of fell flat after such a delicious start. We finished off with a bit of gelato which was also super yummy! And the coffee was wonderful but it was served so hot that we had to wait a while before even being able to sip it. Overall it was a good dinner, we just wished we had gone with a different pizza

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Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar - Inside

Inside

Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar
Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

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The Ugly Dog Pub - Pretzels & Cheese Dip

The Ugly Dog Pub

3.9(440 reviews)
0.1 mi
$$

The Ugly Dog served as our pit stop the whole time we were visiting highlands. Whether it was for…read morea meal, snack, or just a cocktail to relax a bit. We stopped by our first day for lunch and I ordered the classic Reuben and fries. Both were delicious I loved the fries so much. My husband ordered the bacon and pimento smash burger which was just as delicious! Day two I had a chicken sandwich and he ordered the Cuban. Day three we had the soft pretzels and cheese dip. Those were bomb! My favorite cocktail was the Italian Spritz. It was so light and just a nice refreshing drink for the afternoon. Service was average. Nothing terrible or great. You can tell they get pretty busy each day. What I really loved was all of the photos of dogs framed on the walls! It was fun to see all the different pups that had been added over the years

Ugly Dog is one of our favorite places in Highlands…read more Hubby and I enjoy their Burger with the loaded Tater Tots. I appreciate that the Tater Tots are gluten-free, and I heartily recommend them! The bar can occasionally get loud and rowdy, but the crowd always seems happy. Servers are friendly, and knowledgeable of food sensitivities. You may have a little bit of a wait, but these people are on it, so they'll get to you asap. Be sure to visit Ugly Dog while you're in Highlands. I think you'll like it.

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The Ugly Dog Pub - Dog decor

Dog decor

The Ugly Dog Pub - Loaded tots

Loaded tots

The Ugly Dog Pub - They seat you and bring a chilled glass container with cold water

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They seat you and bring a chilled glass container with cold water

Oak Steakhouse - Egg Frittata with salad

Oak Steakhouse

4.5(91 reviews)
2.0 mi

We live in Charleston so we are very familiar with the Oak Steakhouse that's located here but the…read moreone at the Skyline Lodge, really delivered!! Everything about the restaurant was so special, amazing location for a sunset dinner, perched high above the Blue Ridge Mountains - amazing views. The best thing is if you stay at the Skyline Lodge, it's just steps away from your room and that comes in super handy when it's brunch time! We were fortunate enough to enjoy these two meals; dinner & brunch with our kids (who are foodies too) and they are now huge fans of Oak Steakhouse. They said it was the best steak they ever had, you can't go wrong with the Filet! The menu is not huge but really has all of the dishes you would want for an amazing dinner. Plenty of options, even if you don't eat steak. Amazing sides to accompany each dish and you must start with the bread, which is made in-house. I went with a dish I have not tried before and it did not disappoint, Venison Wellington while my wife tried the trout. I will let the photos do the talking. They also pour an amazing espresso martini by the way and to finish you have to try the chocolate cake, trust me! We also want to give a shot out to all of the staff and servers; their attention to detail and overall service was outstanding! Seems to be the case at all Indigo Road establishments, they really know hospitality. We cannot recommend Oak Steakhouse enough, even if you're not staying there but in the Highlands of NC make sure you give them a visit.

My wife and I had an excellent meal in our first visit to Oak this holiday season. It's a modern…read morerestaurant with a subtle mid-century vibe that nods to the Skyline Lodge that it is incorporated into. Our server was very friendly and (unprompted) comped our bread service after a lengthy delay. Once received, the bread was amazing and went nicely with my lettuce wedge salad. The entrees were excellent as well, with my wife loving her risotto and my steak frites being top notch with fork-tender beef and amazing truffle fries. The portions are generous so to-go bags are a common sight. Oak is not inexpensive, but clearly the value is there if you are looking for a proper steakhouse experience near Highlands.

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Oak Steakhouse
Oak Steakhouse - Very fresh filling, double eggs

Very fresh filling, double eggs

Oak Steakhouse - Espresso Martini

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Espresso Martini

Ristorante Paoletti - Melanzane parmigiano

Ristorante Paoletti

4.2(218 reviews)
0.2 mi
$$$

My family and I had the privilege of dining at Ristorante Paoletti twice during our recent stay in…read moreHighlands. The restaurant is located on the main street that runs through the town making it easy to find. Be sure to make a reservation as it fills up quickly. The staff we encountered during both visits were friendly and professional. The food was exceptional each visit. The eggplant parmigiana starter was tender and so flavorful. Three of the four of us ordered it on the second visit as it was that good. The beef carpaccio and meatball starter were also enjoyed. For entrees we had the trout Frances, stuffed halibut special, the gnocchi special, the mushroom tortellini and the linguine pescatore. All dishes were delcious while the trout Frances, mushroom tortellini and linguine pescatore were our favorites. It is worth mentioning their gnocchi could not have been better prepared as it was like a fluffy pillow as gnocchi should be. Had it been paired with the truffle sauce from the mushroom tortellini then it would have been perfection. For dessert, we sampled several ice creams, sorbets, the tiramisu and the Blueberry Coconut Layered cake. The raspberry sorbet and cappuccino Oreo gelato were the fan favorites for the dessert course. Ristorante Paoletti receives our highest recommendation as it is on point with offering a positive atmosphere, friendly staff and delicious food.

The ambiance and service were great. With that being said, unfortunately the food was terrible…read more Everything was covered in cheese- usually a good thing but not on these dishes. The grouper was over fried and doused in butter. The pasta dishes had so much cheese- it was over powering- same for potatoes. Lasagna was good. Unfortunately we won't be back.

Photos
Ristorante Paoletti - Menu

Menu

Ristorante Paoletti - Melanzane alla parmigiana

Melanzane alla parmigiana

Ristorante Paoletti - Prime filet mignon carpaccio

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Prime filet mignon carpaccio

Lakeside Restaurant - seafood - Updated May 2026

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