The Highlands Tavern

Cool vibe and excellent cocktails!!! Smoked Old Fashioned is a can't miss. Unfortunately, I have…read morehad mixed experiences with the service at Hummingbirds, so no five star for you!

Just here for the fantastic singer!!! What a vibe- I'll be back! Drinks were delicious and ambiance…read more was cool

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Old Fashioned was amazing! Service, music, and ambiance were amazing. Will definitely be back!

Wine Garden

4.2(43 reviews)

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!

Charcuterie board

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Primary Restaurant and Bar

3.6(41 reviews)

Well, I am happy we didn't look at Yelp reviews before coming here for brunch because we had a…read moregreat experience. Our server, Jenna, provided outstanding service. We were both very happy with our entrees. We would gladly come back if in town again.

There are many delightful options in Highlands, but this is not one of them!!!…read more I went down for the count with food poisoning from the Tuna Tartare appetizer. The crab salad layer between the tuna and rice was spoiled and I PAID for it all night in the bathroom. To top it all off, all the reviews about the snarky manager are accurate! He was unpleasant at the hostess stand and set the tone for the evening. DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Bar

Crispy Brussels were my favorite

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Exterior of the restaurant

Four65 Woodfire Bistro Bar

4.2(207 reviews)

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

Inside

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The Ugly Dog Pub

3.9(440 reviews)

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.

Dog decor

Loaded tots

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

Oak Steakhouse

4.5(91 reviews)

1.9 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.

Very fresh filling, double eggs

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Espresso Martini

Highlands Supper Club

4.6(36 reviews)

0.4 mi

Our dinner at Highlands Supper Club was fanatic! Teddy was also a delight to have as a server!…read more You can't go wrong with the pork chop, chargrilled oysters, or the mac & cheese (or all of it). We will be back!

A cozy, elegant, homey space with beautifully plated dishes. Our group had three red meat dishes…read moreand a fish dish. All cooked to perfection with wonderful flavor, especially the ribeye special. Our waitress was knowledgeable, made great recs, and was competent on accommodating for food allergies. Overall, a solid choice for a nice dinner in Highlands!

Elk tenderloin

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The Stubborn Bull

4.1(36 reviews)

0.2 mi

Food was very good!! Paella good, Patatas Bravas delicious, octopus Amazing.....the service was…read morespectacular!! Our server Julie was very attentive and gave us great suggestions. We are going back for sure. You will definitely like. Finally the ambiance very nice, very relaxing

Great ambience, great service, and even better food!! Every dish we had was absolutely amazing!!…read moreBest food we have had in a long time! We will absolutely be back!!

Bar area

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Ristorante Paoletti

4.2(218 reviews)

•$$$

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.

Menu

Melanzane alla parmigiana

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Prime filet mignon carpaccio

Highlands Wine Shoppe

4.6(17 reviews)

0.2 mi

Great wine shop in Highlands downtown. Everyone so nice and friendly, along with great knowledge…read moreabout wine. Always stop here when visiting Highlands.

What a fun place! We grabbed a glass of wine and a charcuterie board and sat outside next to the…read morefire pit - and had the best time! We look forward to going back when we're in Highlands!