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    The Highlands Tavern

    4.8 (37 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 11:00 PM

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    THE HIGHLANDS TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

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    Homemade focaccia
    Victoria P.

    Such a hidden gem in Highlands. I can't believe we've been going for 4 summers now and we just happened inside on a random Friday night. It's so cozy & has a great wait staff. We LOVED our server Tim!! The food is amazing - no complaints from these Louisiana girls!

    Paul & Diana having drinks before entrees @ the bar @ Highlands Tavern
    Diana P.

    Food, Services, Ambiance all very good Had "Cheers" vibe. Loved what I ordered Vegan barbecue Jack Burger and slaw Going back after dental appointment today

    Abigail M.

    A Must-Visit in Highlands: Exceptional Food, Warm Atmosphere & Outstanding Service Highlands Tavern is an absolute gem! On a bitterly cold afternoon, they welcomed our group in early, setting the tone for an experience that was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we walked through the doors, the atmosphere was warm, inviting, and full of energy--exactly what you hope for in a perfect mountain town spot. The food--WOW. We expected good, but what we got was next-level. Every dish was fresh, flavorful, and clearly crafted with serious talent in the kitchen. You can tell there's a real passion behind the menu, and it shines through in every bite. The cocktails were absolutely divine. Thoughtfully crafted, perfectly balanced, and just what we needed to complement the meal. And the service? Flawless--attentive, engaging, and genuinely friendly, making us feel like regulars even on our first visit.If you're in Highlands, do not miss this place. Whether you're looking for a cozy spot to warm up, a lively atmosphere to enjoy great company, or simply one of the best meals in town, Highlands Tavern delivers on every level. We can't wait to come back!

    Chicken pesto sandwich with side of house pickles
    Abigail D.

    Our experience at Highlands Tavern ranks far and above our expectations. Being in Highlands for a work trip, we decided to head downtown for a late dinner, not at all thinking we were about to have a freakishly delicious meal. Highland Tavern was a welcome reprieve from the epic storm we (foolishly) went out in. Though looking back, the storm only added to the charming memory. Think dive bar, but warm, clean, and polished. We were greeted by the bartender, gosh I wish I remembered his name! Great conversationalist, like hanging out with an old buddy. Met several interesting folks sat beside us as well. Our first impression of the menu was pure intrigue, the flavor combinations were new and appealing - not the same drab offerings you see over and over again. We began with house made dill focaccia with miso honey butter. Oh my word. It came out warm and about the size of two huge cake slices. After tasting the bread, we just KNEW everything else would be fantastic, and was it ever. My husband got the prime rib sandwich, he could barely find words to describe how incredible it was. We were so pumped that the chef herself came out and checked in on us - when does that ever happen? Later she even had a drink with the patrons after the kitchen was closed. We just loved this place. Everything you would want from a dining experience. Go, and be amazed.

    Double D burger - burger between 3 donuts

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    1 day ago

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    3 months ago

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    1 month ago

    Amazing service, delicious summer, drink, and fantastic food. This is such a hidden gem.

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    9 months ago

    wonderful restaurant not many tables big bar Cool been around a while. Good food good beers, good cocktails good wine.

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    10 months ago

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    4 months ago

    Always a 10, from wait staff to pub food we really enjoy popping in for music on Wednesday nights or weekend lunch

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    3 years ago

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    7 months ago

    Great food and great service!! Will definitely return!! The 4th Street burger is the way to go!! The wedge was fantastic as well.

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    1 year ago

    Cool atmosphere. Nice enough staff. Wayyyyy over priced. $21 for a Bullet Old Fashioned? $10 for a draft Pilsner? Eish.

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    1 year ago

    Great drinks . Bartenders awesome Food great and nice atmosphere. will go back every time in Highlands

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    2 years ago

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    2 years ago

    Such a friendly place and the food is always delicious with cocktails and wines. Also, a nice ambience.

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    4 years ago

    The food and service was great! We had the candied bacon, focaccia, Brie and Korean eggs. The Korean eggs were by far the table favorite!

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    4 years ago

    Outstanding!! Wedge salad, brisket burger, peanut butter cheesecake. Couldn't be better!

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    4 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Amazing dinner, incredible service and unbelievable desserts! We came back 2 nights in a row, and I'd go back again right now!

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    4 years ago

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    Review Highlights - The Highlands Tavern

    Wedge salad, brisket burger, peanut butter cheesecake.

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    Wine Garden

    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!

    Photos
    Wine Garden
    Charcuterie board
    Charcuterie board
    Wine Garden

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    Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

    Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

    4.2
    (209 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

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar
    The Hot Pig Pizza

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    The Hot Pig Pizza
    The Ugly Dog Pub

    The Ugly Dog Pub

    3.9
    (443 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Ugly Dog Pub was one of my favorite places I visited in Highlands. The food was amazing, the smash…read moreburger definitely lived up to the hype, and the beer selection was great. The live music was an awesome touch and made for a fun atmosphere. I was able to bring my pup since I sat outside, which was a huge plus. Just keep in mind that if you're dining on the patio, the service is more limited, you order and pay at the bar, and they'll bring your food out to you. Overall, this is a must-visit if you're in Highlands, North Carolina, especially if you're a fan of great burgers, good beer, and a laid-back atmosphere.

    We were seated right away. A little annoyed that our party of 5 was seated at a small corner booth…read moretable. Ended up using the back of the booth for our water bottle and condiments and still struggled for space. Buffalo wings were good but not exactly Buffalo. No buttery spicy hot sauce. It was more peppery than buffalo. Wings were cooked perfectly though Reuben is excellent as are the jalapeno Mac bites. Cheese dip was also excellent but we (and the table next to us) had to ask for more chips. Not portioned terribly well. Beer options were very slim (2 on tap from what it gathered). I'm sure there were plenty of bottled options but draft was disappointing. We ordered the ale but they tapped out and brought us brown ale. At 5pm...only a brown and stout on tap. Overall, it was a pretty middling experience but the food was good and they offer a military appreciation discount.

    Photos
    Dog decor
    Dog decor
    Soft pretzel and jalapeño cheese
    Soft pretzel and jalapeño cheese
    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

    Oak Steakhouse

    4.4
    (97 reviews)
    1.9 mi

    From the moment we arrived, Marysa (the hostess) greeted us with a warm smile and made us feel…read morewelcome. Despite how busy the Oak was, she was able to find us a table, which we greatly appreciated. The chef did an outstanding job with the trout dish, which was absolutely delicious. Our server, Chip, was charming, attentive, and knowledgeable, helping us navigate the menu with ease. Rich, the manager, also took the time to visit our table and ensure we were enjoying our experience, making us feel genuinely valued as guests. The exceptional hospitality and attention to detail from the entire team made our visit truly memorable. Oak has created a wonderful dining experience, and if every restaurant had a staff like this, dining out would always be a pleasure.

    Holy portion sizes!!!! I thought, "let's get a couple appetizers for brunch!" The Poutine is a…read morestartling amount of food. Should 100% be on the entree menu! Deviled eggs are some of the best I've had, ever! Country fried steak was obviously cut from some prehistoric bird! Just a massive slab of delicious fried meat over biscuits and topped with gravy and an egg! Eggs Benedict was also excellent and a huge portion. BLTA we also really good and came with a ton of fries. Bring your appetite or ask about portion size before hand! Just a wonderful experience! This will be on our list everytime we visit!

    Photos
    Oak Steakhouse
    Very fresh filling, double eggs
    Very fresh filling, double eggs
    Espresso Martini

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    Espresso Martini
    Highlands Supper Club

    Highlands Supper Club

    4.6
    (55 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We had dinner at the Highlands Supper Club and the service, food, and ambiance were outstanding…read more Our server, Alex, was warm and friendly and very knowledgeable about the menu and wines. She was aware of our time constraints as we were headed to the playhouse for a performance. She was very attentive and took great care of us. The food was amazing and very pleasantly presented. My wife had the salmon entree and I had the ribeye with the chimichurri sauce. Both delicious. I would highly recommend this establishment for any occasion. We will be back.

    10/10 -- If I could give more, I would!…read more Service, food, and atmosphere, absolutely top tier. Don't think twice... BOOK that reservation!!!!! I highly recommend this place. Kyle, our server, and Joe, the general manager, went completely above and beyond!!!! We started with the Caesar salad -- super crisp lettuce, a generous portion perfect for sharing for two, and it came with a crunchy baguette topped with a smoked trout cream cheese-style spread. Such a unique and delicious touch! We also tried the trout fingers from the kids' menu since we'd only had trout once before, and they were good. For entrées, I had the barbecue lion's mane mushroom with slaw, potatoes, and asparagus and wow, don't let my picture fool you, it was absolutely delicious! My husband ordered the elk with grits, asparagus, and a rich demi-glace... and it was FANTASTIC. We almost never order dessert, but I'm so glad we did! The pecan pie (with a whipped cream cheese topping) was incredible -- not overly sweet like traditional versions, but perfectly layered and full of flavor. We loveddddd this place. Can't wait to come back!

    Photos
    Highlands Supper Club
    Wonderful biscuits!
    Wonderful biscuits!
    Highlands Supper Club

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    The Highlands Tavern - desserts - Updated August 2026

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