Lily’s Snack Bar

We stayed in one of their dog friendly room. It cost $50 extra a day to bring your dog. The room…read morewas near the back entrance. Which was nice to let her in and out quickly. The room walls are thin so we heard a lot of noise from the outside waking us up early in the morning. You also have to pay for parking at 25 a night but there was a lot of construction making it difficult to get our car out. I know not the hotels fault but definitely keep that in mind. They had really nice robes. They also had a sound machine in the room. We had a thing on the wall that would randomly flash at night and beep. We had issues with the bathroom. The door would not close all the way and We could not get hot water when we tried to shower late at night. We had to go to the front desk and they had to call maintenence which took a bit to work through the issue. Eventually they got the hot water back but an annoying time waster. They discount our stay at 10% for the issue. The breakfast was really nice full of local pastries. The staff was so nice and friendly. The lobby area and bar was super nice and had a cute vibe. The roof top is super pretty at nice with nice fire pits. The staff was super friendly. I would have rated a 4 star but the price was high plus the issues we had knocked it down a star.

This review is for a 2 night hotel stay- not the bar. We highly recommend staying!…read more It is a quaint hotel, very homey feeling! The front desk staff is so nice and helpful. Our favorite part was the location. It was so conveniently located. They have a front door with access to king street and a back door to Howard street which was convenient. We were able to come and go easily. The rooms aren't huge but had everything we needed including a mini fridge and the shower was really nice. Of note- it didn't have a huge window in the room, just a small one towards the ceiling. There was a tv with lots of channels and a channel guide. We received some coupons and recommendations to nearby businesses which was a nice touch. Our experience was a bit different because it was very snowy so we couldn't enjoy the rooftop bar. The parking was also tricky- they have a loading zone right in front for checking in, but we circled the block several times and it was taken every time so it was kind of a pain to unload our car. We also had trouble finding the parking lot (even with the address, directions and map) which is behind the hotel, across the street and diagonal from the hotel. We had to circle a few times to find it. But that may have just been because it was dark and snowing. Our favorite part was definitely the breakfast. It is at the downstairs bar. It is complementary when you purchase the parking pass, and you order what you want from a menu. They have lots of options, including fresh fruit, hard-boiled eggs, and lots of pastries and baked goods from stick boy bakery in town. We love stick boy so this was amazing! So high quality and tasty! They also have other things available for purchase like avocado toast. They also have coffee from a local coffee shop available all day. We would go back!!!

Rooftop bar area

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Suite 11, top floor has a very comfortable king bed as well as this pull-out sofa sleeper.

The Cardinal

4.4(359 reviews)

Cute little spot with really unique cocktails and delicious burgers! Also highly recommend the…read morejalapeño cheddar hush puppies. Our server was friendly and helped me pick a cocktail after the one I wanted was out. Can't wait to go back and try another burger.

Things seemed moderately busy at the Cardinal on the Sunday evening when I stopped by. There's not…read morea ton of parking, by the way, given the restaurant's roadside location. But I wiggled my vehicle into a tight spot and went in for a burger and a beer. I believe there were about 10 to 12 options available on tap, and I went with what was listed as an Irish stout from somewhere in the Northeast. It wasn't bad, though it seemed more like an imperial stout. My sandwich choice was the Cowboy, with ground elk at its core. It was a good choice too, and the accompanying fried onions and melted cheese complemented the meat well. I ordered the burger medium, but I think I'd go for medium rare if I could go back in time. The medium option wasn't bad, but I think a little less heat and a little more moisture would only make things better. I kept things simple with the side item, going for the fries which were of the thinly sliced McDonald's variety, not bad but nothing remarkable. The server covering my table was pleasant and prompt, though soft spoken so I occasionally had to ask her to repeat herself amidst the music and noise. I wouldn't call any of these selections a bargain, but the prices didn't veer too far from what you'll find in many burger joints. All in all, not an earthshaking experience, but a place I'd be willing to go back to. 3.5 stars.

Dining area

Small single Cardinal lettuce wrap burger, very good, perfect size. Okra was killer.

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Inside bar

Daniel & The Dog

4.3(3 reviews)

We stopped by for a nightcap and dessert after a date night. The space is on the smaller side, and…read moretables close together, which gives it a very intimate and cozy feel. Note, however, that if you're looking for private secluded spaces, this may not be the spot. We were able to be seated immediately upon arrival, and our server was promptly by the table to go over the menu with us. We each ordered a cocktail and the skillet chocolate chip cookie. The skillet chocolate chip cookie arrived a bit before both of our drinks, which was a bit odd considering we had waited probably 15 minutes without drinks. As far as the cocktails, we ordered the Cynar Old Fashioned and the Buffalo Heard. The old fashioned was good, though I didn't notice the flavor of the Cynar at all. It was very dry, which I like, but may not be for you if you like a sweeter old fashioned. The Buffalo Heard was light and refreshing, with a nice bit of the bourbon shining through. Overall, the cocktails were quite good. It's a unique spot, and has a lot of potential. It appears they are still ironing out a few kitchen/bar/service kinks, but I think these are all small things. Look forward to visiting again soon.

So yummy! Had the best French 75 with Vodka and Burrata Salad with fruit. The balsamic dressing…read morewas authentic with the right blend of vinegar and oil and the fruit just took it over the top! Super friendly service. John served up the best drink ever and the bar aesthetic was the perfect reflection of the earthiness of Boone with elevated sexy. I felt like I was in a secret part of Boone meant for the "in crowd" only.

Burrata salad with fruit

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Eleven80 Eatery

4.5(231 reviews)

Here's the break down. Tuna: 5 stars…read moreChicken and waffles sandwich: 4.5 stars Cali flatbread: 4.25 stars There was a mistake when our flatbread was brought out. but waitress was more than willing to fix the mistake. However, we liked it well enough to keep it (adding balsamic glaze). Quaint little spot. Entrance is inside the mall for those who may be confused. Would go back.

Great. Food Great service…read moreA wonderful lunch place to eat. Clean and neat. Good adult beverages as well.

Seared Shrimp Skewers with Herbed Jasmine Rice

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Shrimp appetizer

The Beacon Butcher Bar

4.1(62 reviews)

0.9 mi

This place is definitely a vibe. Live music, great service and the food did not disappoint. I had…read morethe lobster ravioli, my husband had the pork chops and my son (birthday boy) ordered the sirloin steak (mkt price ) all reasonably priced - the steak however was way too expensive $80. But overall it was a great experience.

Good to slightly average food. Really unremarkable, cold, under seasoned,fairly dry focaccia at…read more$12? The stuffed barramundi was bone in which made it terribly difficult to navigate. I can remove a bone from any fish, far or cooked but with the stuffing it was just a mess and every bite had bone. Service was engaging and effective but as the restaurant got a little busier she was absent for a good while, no one came to our table for approx 20 minutes after entrees were served and we wanted another bottle of wine. I wrote a mediocre review on another app and the manager/host called me and when gave him my comments all he kept saying was, " we take great pride in everything we do"...and it was clear my comments fell on deaf ears. Good products, very nice ambiance, okay service...but all in IDK...prob wont ever return.

Main dining area

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Fizz ed

4.5(63 reviews)

0.7 mi

Fun, family friendly atmosphere with live music. Lots of drink options, including some fun…read morecocktails, and a simple menu of food, wings, burgers, typical bar food. We only had drinks this time, but we were able to find seats at the bar even at prime dinner time.

Walking around Boone, we popped into this bar/restaurant to listen to some live music, take a load…read moreoff and enjoy a beer. Located in the heart of down town, but not on King St (the main road), but a street back instead. The staff were friendly, and welcoming. They provided us with menus, and had pretty nice selection of both beers and food, offering burgers, sandwiches, and wings, salads and more. They had a blues grass band playing while we visited, and other bands listed to be playing later. Their walls had fun art to look at/purchase, and even the lights over the bar

Live band

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The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop

4.3(502 reviews)

5.3 mi

On our annual trip to Blowing Rock in May, we had to visit Speckled Trout twice. We love their…read morelow-carb options combined with their custom crafted cocktails, this place is a must-visit for every trip to Blowing Rock. Their cocktails are crafted with homemade syrups, and change seasonally. I had the Garden in Tibet--a delicious drink with gin, Prosecco, sugar snap pea syrup (!), green elixir syrup, elderflower liquor, and lemon. You'd think this could be a too-sweet drink, but it was PERFECT. My husband had the Which Damascus the first time, with rye whiskey, cherry basil syrup, hickory syrup, Amaro Montenegro, Tiki bitters, Peychaud bitters, and orange. He enjoyed it, but I thought it was definitely too sweet. He had a Garden in Tibet on our second visit, and preferred the Tibet to the Damascus drink. We love their unique smoked trout deviled eggs as an appetizer. This dish has two eggs filled with smoked trout, and three filled with a deviled egg mixture. The accompanying house hot sauce is so good! For our entrees, we both had hickory-smoked trout on the first visit Mine was definitely saltier than his. We had three sides--collard greens, smoked Gouda grits (our favorite), and corn, hominy, yellow squash & chile hash (so fresh and delicious!). On our second visit, I had the almond and cornmeal-crusted trout with the smoked Gouda grits, and my husband tried their fried chicken sandwich with slaw. He absolutely loved the sandwich--the chicken was thick, juicy, and very tender. He'll definitely get the sandwich again. Service is always good at Speckled Trout, and I love that we can pay with ApplePay at the table via the Toast handheld. We can't wait to return.

Went here for dinner based on several recommendations. I went for the blackened trout with 2…read moresides, by wife had a different prep. Food came quickly and was excellent. I saw a Wyagu burger come out and it looked delicious - wish i had ordered that, would choose it if I go again. FYI, this place is busy and you will need a reservation, best to make it well ahead of you want your time slot.

Dining room

The Speckled Trout Restaurant and Bottle Shop

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Outside of the speckled trout

Table at Crestwood

3.4(38 reviews)

4.1 mi

During a one-week stay in the area with my family, we chose to dine at The Table at Crestwood based…read moreon its reputation and pricing, expecting a more elevated overall experience. The ambiance is pleasant, with a nice setting and attractive views, but ultimately nothing memorable or distinctive enough to justify the positioning or cost. The food was acceptable, yet uninspiring. For the price point, we expected more refinement, creativity, and depth of flavor. The menu itself is very limited, offering few choices, which further amplifies expectations, unfortunately, those expectations were not met. The service was friendly, and the staff was courteous; however, the experience lacked polish and professionalism. The service felt casual and inconsistent with what one would expect from a restaurant in this price range. The wine list is minimal, with very few compelling selections, and the bar program is underwhelming. Cocktails and offerings feel basic, again falling short of what the pricing and setting suggest. Overall, this is an okay dining experience, but not one that aligns with its cost or reputation. With stronger culinary execution, a more thoughtful menu and wine selection, and improved service standards, it could meet expectations, but in its current state, it does not.

We came to this restaurant as an opportunity to eat a warm delicious meal at our inn with a…read morebeautiful view of the blue ridge mountains. The ambiance did not disappoint and we were able to sit in front of the windows overlooking the outside. Our service was warm and friendly and we didn't have to wait long for our meals. Our favorite items we enjoyed were the Brussel Sprouts and the Turtle Cheesecake (from Stick Boy Bakery). Some feedback; the short rib wontons had good flavor however we wondered how the meat, while full of flavor, was dry texturally. Also our tenderloin seemed to be overly charred on the outside, making it a bit bitter, flavorwise.

Brussel Sprouts

Meatloaf. Taking dry and bland to a new level.

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No. I haven't had a sip yet. I did remove the opaque ice cube.

The Embers

4.2(29 reviews)

5.3 mi

Superb evening at this sleek and modern lounge and restaurant in the lobby area of The Embers…read moreHotel. We weren't expecting such a high level experience when we first booked a stay at this newly finished hotel. Classy cocktails, beers, plenty of wine variety, you name it. Went with the Old Smokey as a starter. An old fashioned kicked up a notch. The house smoked maple syrup and charred orange peal knocked his cocktail out of the park. I could smell that smoky flavor from the other end of the bar as it was being made. Bartender was super friendly and had some great mixology skills. We opted for apps all evening, but can't wait to come back and try some more of the menu. The homemade bread is a must. These puppies come out hot and steaming, with this amazing bacon butter to lather them in...outstanding! Our server also recommended the mushroom pate. Mushroom pate you say?! Yes, yes I do. One of the best pate's we've had in a long time. Super flavorful, creamy and smooth. And the homemade chips sticking out of it were the bomb! Then the goat cheese fritters...I had to battle my wife for these flavor bombs. This place is outstanding and not many people know about it...yet. Newly finished in 2024, this is going to be our go to when we want to be right in the heart of Blowing Rock.

Food: the orecchiette pasta was tasty. Had a squash base and pasta mixed with mushrooms. was a…read morelarge portion and shared it between two people. They have seasonal menus so this was the winter menu Service: waitress was incredibly nice and explained everything on menu and answered questions we had Ambiance: located inside the embers hotel next to the front lobby. Had plenty of seating and had an outdoor area too. Parking: since it is located inside the hotel, the parking is located around the hotel

The Embers Restaurant opens both to the inner and outer serenity of Blowing Rock

Lemon roasted chicken

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Smoked Trout dip

The Local

4.3(880 reviews)

We tried to get a table here almost every day of our 5-day trip, but it was packed! We finally…read moresmartened up and called a day ahead for a reservation. It might have just been the holiday rush, but I always figure "busy means good," so my expectations were high--and The Local didn't disappoint. We started with the nachos; they were delicious, though I do wish they came with a bit more meat. For mains, the burger was outstanding--probably one of the best we've had in the entire area. We also ordered the Brazilian steak, which was cooked perfectly and came with great plantains. The quinoa with tofu was good, too, though it was a little dry and would have been perfect with a sauce. The service really stood out. Our waitress was incredibly attentive and refilled my water at least four times without me asking. Great ambiance and an all-around good experience. Definitely worth the wait!

Stopped in here to grab a bite to wrap up our day of exploring. There was a very long wait, but we…read morewere table to get seats at the bar. Bar tender provided menus, and checked back on us after a few minutes to take order. They've got a good menu with pizza, sandwiches, burgers, and a good variety of entrees (seafood, steak, chicken, pasta), basically, they've got something for everyone. Not being too hungry, but knowing we needed something, we decided to just split an order of the pulled pork nachos. The food came out fairly quickly, looked and tasted great. They did not skimp on toppings. Staff was friendly, food was good, only complaint is it was very dark inside, and surprisingly loud in the restaurant, I can't imagine being there with live music, I assume it would be impossible to have a conversation.