Cute little spot in downtown Hickory. We enjoyed the Riverwalk, then came downtown to stroll around…read moreand shop. It was a busy day with the farmers market, but we were able to get seated very quickly. Good brunch food with decent portions. Very good prices too. We tried the BLT with fruit and the steak & eggs. Food was good, and service was pretty fast. This is a small place, but they have a large outdoor section that was full. If you can get an outside table, it is under a nice covered patio. Staff is friendly and place has cute decor. I will definitely come back.

Small restaurant downtown Hickory with hometown vibes. The staff was friendly and accommodating…read more The bar had a nice selection. I really enjoyed the blueberry lemon drop! I had the hangover burger with home fries and also tried the open face chicken biscuit and the grits. I enjoyed the food and felt the prices were very reasonable. The outside patio area is very large so although the restaurant is pretty small they are able to seat a lot of ppl.

This is Hickory's only Speakeasy! Go through the door labeled No Entry and find a beautiful little…read morebar lounge. Small and comfortable with a few food options a d a long list of carefully crafted cocktails from excellent mixologists.

Great atmosphere, great staff. Highly recommend !! Wonderful selection of cocktails and best…read moreselection of cigars in town !!

From the owner: Step through the doors of Epic Speakeasy into an authentic 1930s atmosphere where speakeasy vibes…read moremerge with modern sophistication. Discover an extensive range of 105 cigar brands, each hand-selected to provide the ultimate smoking experience. We have smoking and non-smoking areas. Indulge in a craft cocktail as you relax on the marvelous back porch or retreat to the adjacent cigar club. Epic Speakeasy offers an unmatched escape from the ordinary, making it a haven for cigar enthusiasts and cocktail aficionados alike.

Solid bar with solid food. Nothing crazy but nothing bad either. Prices are good and you won't be…read moredisappointed. Inside is pretty cramped but the service is good. The chicken tenders were a little tough but you could tell it was real chicken. Overall a great spot if you just want some easy bar food.

This was a place that was on a number of YouTube videos for Hickory so we decided to get a beer…read morehere. It was VERY busy, but we got a table in the bar. We ordered a beer each but honestly they were a bit flat. We didn't send them back, but also didn't want to complain or order another so a beer each and out. It was okay, nothing special.

Very nice atmosphere. We sat outside and enjoyed a very pleasant evening. The wait staff was…read moreawesome and very attentive. The food was outstanding! You must visit this little jewel in Hickory. Highly recommend

Disappointing. This was our first time experience at this restaurant; and we won't be giving it a…read moresecond try. It was our anniversary, we had high hopes based on other reviews. However, Service was extremely slow. Chicken was visibly burnt and dry, fettuccine pasta had no flavor whatsoever. We sent back a drink that was made wrong and told the server we will just stick with water. However when we got the bill the drink was still on there. The most confusing part was that the place wasn't even that busy so the poor service was perplexing. Hopefully this review saves someone else from the same bad experience.

Overall a really nice surprise in Hickory NC! It's a combo of burgers & sushi which is unique but…read moreactually works quite well. I got the bento box to try a little of everything and my slider was well cooked and had a ton of flavor and the sushi roll was fresh & balanced. We sat on the patio which was super nice for a pretty day. Service was great and attentive, may be a new favorite in Hickory.

I have had two experiences with Cowa Sake. First of all, I ordered takeout from them through…read moreDoorDash. Everything was neatly packaged and remained warm for the drive to my hotel. I had the dumpling of the week which was DIVINE and I also had a spicy tuna roll which was excellent. Most recently, I stopped in for lunch. I ordered the tuna poke bowl and it was good. I didn't enjoy it as much as the sushi roll and dumpling I tried previously because it didn't have many ingredients and was a little bland. But I will consider this a one off since the other food I've tried from here was so good. The space is trendy and bright. It is a little loud, at least during the lunch hour, but it is a fun vibe. Staff are kind and work hard. This is a great restaurant.

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.

Highlands Butchery delivers an excellent dining experience overall, earning a solid 4.5 out of 5…read morefor the visit described. The combination of attentive service, high-quality steaks, and a standout bourbon selection makes it a spot worth seeking out in Valdese.[1][2][3] ## Service and Hospitality Austin provided friendly, knowledgeable service, with spot-on recommendations and consistent follow-up throughout the meal, which really elevated the evening. The staff quickly seated the party of four and acknowledged the celebration for the wife's birthday, helping the night feel special from the start. When one filet needed a bit more sear, the owner personally stepped in, oversaw the re-fire, and had it returned to the table cooked perfectly. That level of ownership and responsiveness showed real commitment to **hospitality**. ## Food and Preparation Entrées arrived beautifully plated and cooked to appropriate temperatures, which is especially important at a butcher-driven concept known for its meats. The corrected filet came back with the ideal sear and doneness, reinforcing confidence in the kitchen's skill.[2][1] Portioning and presentation aligned with expectations for a farm-to-table steakhouse, highlighting the quality of their locally sourced meats.[3][1] ## Bourbon Library The bourbon library is a major highlight, offering an impressive selection of hard-to-find bottles that adds a distinctive draw for whiskey lovers. It pairs perfectly with their meat-focused menu and makes Highlands Butchery feel like a destination, not just a neighborhood spot.[4][1][2] Having such depth behind the bar also supports Austin's recommendations, allowing guests to explore pours they may not encounter elsewhere. ## Atmosphere and Noise The only real drawback of the evening was the room volume, which made conversation a bit challenging at times. Given how popular and lively the space can be, some additional noise baffles or acoustic treatments could help deaden the sound and make the dining room more comfortable without losing the energetic vibe. With that one improvement, this experience would easily move from a 4.5 to a full 5 out of 5, especially given the strength of the service, food, and bourbon program!

My husband got food poisoning that was severe after eating there on the evening of 4/24/2026.read more

Great dining place at downtown Morganton. Came in town to visit an old friend who live right at…read morethe downtown surrounding by all the business owners. The best deal on Wednesday is all wines are 50%. Two of us shared a bottle of Tilla Syrah Malbec. I had salmon that was well prepared but slightly well-done. The flavor was great. My friend had Fish & Chips (two fried fish surrounded by way too many wedge fries). The place is very roomy and not too noisy to have a great dinner conversation.

A very good nice dinner out! Our family went and I couldn't believe what they did to make it…read moreenjoyable for the kids! The server brought out a basket of toys for kids to play with and made sure their food came first. All the food is spectacular and can't say enough about it! Treat knows how to celebrate! We went in October and it was decorated in full fall and Halloween fashion!

My husband and I went to the Inferno Tavern, Newton NC for the first time tonight. It was…read morefantastic!! I'd like to start off saying that it is almost impossible to find a place that will make an espresso martini in and around this area. I asked for one first thing and the bartender had no issues making one. I was pleasantly surprised. The espresso martini was SPOT ON!! DELICIOUS!! My husband enjoyed his coconut rum and Coke so much, he got two!! My second drink was off of their "winter cocktail" menu. This menu was unique and intriguing. I can't for the life of me remember the name of the drink I got, but I promise most people based on description would pass. DON'T pass!! The drink was served warm with wine, rum, and spices. It taste like an apple cider or a flavorful tea, I could not taste the alcohol, that makes it a true cocktail in my opinion it also makes it dangerous!! hahahaha!! Move over Long Island ice tea!! We both got burgers. Both flame grilled I believe. Cooked perfectly and soooooooooooooo good!! My hubby got the inferno burger. If you love spicy, This one is for you!! It's not for the faint of heart. I chose the American burger. It was everything you want in a classic burger and it's my new fav place for a burger!! I chose a wedge salad for my side. It was large for a side. I only wish they had charred/grilled the wedge just to step it up a notch. Hubby got the pub chips.... tasty and plentifu!! Overall food was delicious. The staff were very nice and attentive. The building is beautiful and their vintage adds, mural, and gargoyles are a delightful and unique touch to the decor. I hope to see more the next time we go. We WILL be back for more!!

I would give it a zero star if I could. Went to try Inferno. Had to seat myself. No big deal. But…read morewaiting 10 minutes and not one person acknowledged us. Not even a middle finger. Another customer arrived and was taken care of before us. Not very good if you're trying to be a successful restaurant. This place will not make it if they continue like this. Very unorganized. Ambiance was kind of low. Felt like I was at a funeral. Unfortunately I can't comment on the food.