The perfect stop for a Bachelorette Mountain Weekend adventure - The Ruffed Grouse was the perfect first spot for my Bachelorette weekend. We all started with Espresso Martinis and Spritz (Apreol and Hugo) all of which were served surprisingly quickly for craft cocktails and were delicious! We shared the Whipped Pimento Cheese started which you DO NOT wan to miss and then all enjoyed an array of dishes including the fish & chips, the vegetable bowl, and the burger. Highly recommend The Ruffed Grouse for both indoor seating by the cozy fireplace and outdoor in the sun with music. Can't wait to come back! read more

The Ruffed Grouse - Fish and Chips - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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I always love this restaurant when in highlands. It's super cozy. Eclectic decor. Always busy!! Sit in the bar if you can. The food is top notch and delicious!! read more

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Simmer Pesto Gemelli was Fantastic. I added grilled chicken. Awesome and generous portion!

As others have said the food is just average. I had the eggs Benedict with pork belly. It was served warm not hot. Portion was good. Partner had 2 eggs sunyside up and a side of sausage and banana bread. I had a Bloody Mary which was fine (Old Bay?) and partner had a Mimosa. We were not offered coffee so we had to ask for it. Again everything was average. Dining room was uncomfortably warm and stuffy (heard others complaining about it). All this for $88 plus tip. Has to be better choices in Highlands. read more

Very average Lunch serving salad size was like a side salad. Marginal ingredients. Servers seemed harried and inexperienced. Grilled chix protein add to salad (?) was burnt and I had to send back. Quirky environment in historic inn but that's about it. read more

Food was good but service was not great. Had to ask for several things that should have been obvious. Music inside was too loud to have a conversation. Musician were good, but should have been outside. read more

Bluegrass Brunch with live music in a great rustic room is very nice. Service is very attentive but the food is only good, not knock your socks off. No complaints. read more

We just happened to walk in. It was busy as it was lunchtime during Fall colors, but got a table for a drink at the bar while we waited. Bartender was super efficient. We all really enjoyed our food. I had the Cubano which was a nice take on it - Served on a nice fresh baguette. Fries were super fresh and seasoned well. My husband had the curried chicken salad which he liked a lot. Our friend got the fish and chips and it was delicious! Very lightly breaded and great homemade tartar sauce. I was envious and want to make a trip back to get my own plate of it. Server was excellent. We loved the eclectic, whimsical but tasteful atmosphere. Beautiful old lodge. I really want to go again. read more

We have had drinks several times with friends and always enjoyed it. The inside area is very charming and very old world feel. The bar area is small, but there are plenty of seating accommodations. We like sitting outside by the fire pit, or really any of the seating areas are great. The bartenders who have served us, have always been very nice and accommodating & one made some especially tasty espresso martinis. Always love to stop in here when we're in the area. read more

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Beautiful setting, great theming & decor befitting its name and the area, fantastic staff from the bartender to the servers - I give all that a 5! However, we're at the restaurant, let's not lose sight of that, and that's where we take a dip, food 2.5 at best. The appetizers, Heirloom Tomato Confit, Garlic, Herbed Oil, Grilled Focaccia. Doesn't it sound lucious and decadent? No seasoning, served ice cold from the fridge, tomatoes still firm and focaccia, you say, to grab that delicious unctuousness , another no! It's tasteless focaccia crumbs, sprinkled on top of the cold unseasoned tomatoes. Yikes. 2nd course, I love beets, I ordered the Beet Salad with Berries, adding a piece of grilled chicken. The chicken, huge, the star of the show, a tender, well grilled and beautifully seasoned or marinated chicken breast. The beet salad , however, quite sad, no seasoning, nor dressing, one slice of red beet again unseasoned, but it was edible, why choose that word? Because of the two larger slices of candy stripe or chioggia raw beets that also accompanied the berries. A chainsaw couldn't have cut these old fibrous, again, unseasoned beets. Beets get enough of a bad rap as it is, Dude give them the love they deserve. Someone in our party tried their version of beef on wick, thinly sliced, pink roast beef, thoroughly enjoyable and delicious. The Grouse's Cuban, overdressed. We come to the end of lunch, I mention to my server, without making a fuss, please tell the chef that these beets are not edible, they're old and very fibrous. Now, I didn't ask to be comped, I'd eaten the one slice of beet as well as the delicious chicken, I just felt he should know not to serve those beets to anyone else. I said nothing about the disappointing confit. Server came back and said, the Chef took $2 off, it made me laugh out loud! Note to self, I should have looked at the reviews before sitting down, but the place is so charming and welcoming, oh well, lesson learned. Eat elsewhere, there are plenty of better restaurants to choose from in the area. read more

This place has a diverse range of seating, from typical tables to more cozy couches. I got the turkey club sandwich and truffle fries (lunch menu), along with an old fashion. The sandwich was surprisingly very flavorful and seasoned. The fries were a good addition! Service was good. My waiter was very friendly and accommodating, so my experience was positive. I would come here again! read more

The Ruffed Grouse - Turkey club sandwich with truffle fries - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

This place is lovely! My husband and I spent a few days in Highlands for a mini honeymoon and decided to try this place for Sunday brunch. They suggest reservations, but we got lucky and were able to get a table outside right away. The service was great and the menu has an awesome selection of brunch items. I chose the chicken biscuit and my husband got the breakfast tacos. We also ordered a couple of mimosas. Everything was delicious! We both really enjoyed our meals and the waitress was extremely friendly. This place is a little pricey, but so is every other restaurant in the area. We will definitely dine here again the next time we visit Highlands! read more

The Ruffed Grouse - The breakfast tacos. - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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Unique interior but everyone thought just ok food. Service was good though. Sweet waitress.

We ate dinner at the Ruffed Grouse for a party of 8. They were very accommodating. Ambiance was fantastic, Food was delicious, and our server,desmir , was very polite. We had the sweet potato fingerlings and truffle fries to start. Best truffle fries we have ever had. All entrees were great. Highly recommend the ravioli and chai espresso martini! read more

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Took our 96 year old Dad for a mountain excursion and decided to have lunch at the Ruffed Grouse. Could not have been more pleased. Simple menu with delicious food; ambiance was super chill; server (Sam) was outstanding; loved the period specific decor...from furnishings to art to colors and lights... And while we sat indoors there was a very comfortable outdoor eating area with a fantastic guitarist performing. We'll be back.. and a very scenic drive up from Greenville. read more

The Ruffed Grouse - The Captain taking it al in - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

We've had drinks here many times and the vibe is fantastic and cozy. This past occasion we had lunch and it was very average- not worth it in my opinion with so many options in town. Stick to a drink by the fire and find somewhere else to eat. read more

Try the bar for dinner. First come, first served. It's well worth the conversation with Danielle and Alannah. Best stop and experience in our stay in Highlands, NC. read more

Best meal we've had in Highlands! I've had lunch here outside many times but this was the first time eating dinner inside. We had a group of six and EVERYONE truly loved their meal. Great service and a menu with many options. Place is cozy without the tables being on top of one another. Pricy but worth it. Make reservations. read more

The Ruffed Grouse Tavern is set inside the 18 room Highlander Mountain House hotel, a former farmhouse built in 1885 high on a hill in downtown Highlands. It is open for breakfast, lunch & dinner Wednesday through Sunday. Seating includes stuffed sofas and wing chairs and a nice wood burning fireplace that feels good even on a cloudy June afternoon. Intimate vibe & great service. Full bar service available. We went for Sunday brunch and enjoyed blueberry pancakes and omelette. Both were evidence of a well sourced and manage kitchen. Am anxious to return for lunch and dinner. read more

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This is the coolest little brunch spot with fun, live music and delicious food. The atmosphere is so much fun! I highly recommend!! read more

The Ruffed Grouse - Sunday brunch - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

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I really wanted to enjoy The Ruffed Grouse, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing from the start. When my girlfriend and I walked in, the hostess seemed annoyed that we were even there. She acted as if finding menus was a huge inconvenience and even insisted we both sit on the same side of the table, despite us clearly wanting to sit across from each other. After finally being seated, it took about 20 minutes before our waitress came over, and even then, she didn't greet us or introduce herself--her only words were, "Do you want anything besides water?" The service continued to feel slow, dismissive, and unwelcoming throughout the evening. The food might be fine (we didn't stay long enough to find out), but with this level of service, it's hard to recommend The Ruffed Grouse to anyone. A restaurant should make guests feel valued and comfortable, and unfortunately, that was not the case here. read more

Four of us went for Sunday brunch, and we all thought it was outstanding! Plenty of food to eat. Service was just a tad slow, but what do you expect? It's high season here in Highlands North Carolina. read more

The Good--The decor and comfortable seating were very nice. Our shared sandwich was delicious and the fries were hot. The Bad--The squash soup was served in a nice size bowl but ONLY 1/4 full! It was accompanied by a slice of raisin bread which looked yummy until it was turned over and completely charred. Iced tea $4...Wow!!! read more

Food was excellent! Devils in horseback for an appetizer....dates stuffed with blue cheese and wrapped in bacon on a bed of tasty arugula...perfect start with the seasonal martini. For dinner I had mountain trout and I must say superb. The skin was crispy and the fish was succulent. I ate every bit including the skin. Husband had the locally sourced pork chop. Tender, juicy and cooked perfectly. We were thinking of ordering a Pinot noir but there was not one on the menu so our waitress sent the sommelier to our table and he helped us with our selection and we ended up getting a beautiful French Chardonnay that paired perfectly with both of our meals. Chef's kiss! Great service. And I didn't even mention the lovely cozy interior including a stunning taxidermy wall, sheepskins on the chairs for winter, candlelight, stunning bar..... perfect December evening in the mountains. read more

Went last Saturday for brunch & it was great! Food was really good. We had the burrata appetizer & I had the salmon tahini Cesar. My mom really enjoyed their Bloody Mary's. Will def go again! read more

Chef Rodney is bringing his talents to the highlands ! The food is amazing and he has a way of making everything look beautiful! read more

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The ambiance here is really nice, but I would only come back for drinks. My $56 meal came with a what tasted like instant potatoes and rubber tasting vegetables. The filet itself was good, but we won't be back for dinner. read more

Great food, slower pace environment, eclectic atmosphere. Highlander breakfast was amazing, Especially the cheese grits! read more

The Ruffed Grouse - Menu - Seafood Near Me - Highlands, North Carolina

Unfortunately, we had a pretty bad experience :( It was our last night in Highlands on our mini honey moon and we decided to go out on Valentine's Day. unfortunately our experience was near terrible . We ordered appetizers- did not get them until 30-45 after ordering, and then followed by not getting our food at all. We ended up getting our food to go and it was still not great. Overall, horrible experience and I wish things could have been different. Will never be going back. read more

They were not busy the afternoon we stopped in for lunch. The vast majority of the tables were vacant, but there was still a 15 minute wait. So, we thought we'd have a cocktail while we were waiting for a table. The bar was not staffed, although several people were standing there waiting for bar service. So, no drink while we waited for a table. Once we were seated, we waited as several servers passed with no acknowledgment. When we finally got up to leave to go someplace else, a server finally approached. This was a major disappointment as we used to enjoy eating here. We would have given no stars but not an option here. read more

After waiting for over an hour after ordering and seeing tables that came in 30 min after us get their food. I asked to speak to a manager. Not only was there no manager but I was offered many excuses that did not apply to us. Avoid this place!!!! Total brunch time = 2:30 min. read more

I have been going to The Ruffed Grouse once or twice a year for the past several years when we visit Highlands. Initially, I loved this place - great facility, good drinks, good food with lots of options and flexibility. My last two visits have not been good and I will find new places in the future. Drink quality has gone way down. Last few mixed drinks were just bad. Service level is crap when balanced against the cost. Our last waitress recommended a meal with gluten when my wife asked for a gluten-free option. Service is slow and the staff doesn't seem well-trained. Food is okay. Last visit I ordered the hamburger, which was good, but they were out of fries and could only offer a salad side. read more

Wonderful evening at the Ruffed Grouse. The food was outstanding! Grace, our server was fantastic. Great recommendations and her timing was perfect. I accidentally left my purse behind and she actually came out of the restaurant to find me. Atmosphere was great with live music! Perfect evening!! read more

One of the best salads I've ever had but a wonderful dinner all around except for one of the cocktails which was not cold. We saw the bartender make the cocktail then start gabbing with one of her coworkers before making the other cocktail so by the time it was served one was warm. read more

I wanted to like this place, I really did. After years of enjoying the Main Street Inn, we went to lunch earlier this season in hopes it hadn't changed that much.This is sadly nothing like the bright,happy, southern cuisine restaurant we loved. It's the second restaurant in town that has opted for some strange and horrible, depressing grey blue color inside. In the rainforest???Really. We had basic sandwich's and soups for lunch with house wine. Meh. Something not fun is happening to Highlands restaurants. Whether its Covid issues, trying to appeal to a new crowd, trying to turn Highlands into something more Yankee swanky...I'm not sure. read more

Great little spot to grab a nice lunch and some good drinks. They were understaffed as expected during these times since people get paid to stay home, but that's a whole different subject. The young woman working the bar was doing double duties but was excellent and worked her butt off. She even personally delivered our food to us outside after being told they would not serve our food but we'd have to go inside to retrieve it from the bar when ready due to being short staffed. Bottom line I will definitely go back when I'm in this town again. Had the turkey club and the mozzarella pesto sandwich that were both amazing along with some of their specialty drinks. read more

Our experience was nothing great eating here. Bland food. Waitress was slow to get our order. My Salad was great! I think we expected the food to be more upscale, being in the town of highlands, NC. Not what you think when you walk inside. The inside is very tacky per say. Just odd vibes and dark. The layout is unwelcoming. Glad we tried.. just wasn't for us. read more

EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING!!!!! Had a reservation to celebrate our engagement BUT HMH called and did NOT leave a message. When I returned the call when I was available, I was told something was wrong with the kitchen and that my reservation would be moved 2.5 hours later. Unfortunately, that did not fit in with our travel plans. read more

I have had countless BAD food experiences here. charming place BUT! salads tiny, brunch awful. just awful; cold eggs atop soggy toast. guacamole was there but not much of it. my friend's hot tea was cold. asked 2 times to reheat it and it kept coming back cold. White wine was plopped down onto the table with no ice bucket. after 30 min we requested one. kept thinking she would bring one. they are always understaffed. at one dinner 2 years ago, the food was cold, incorrect for some of us, wine selections slim, waiter was so rude and even said, "she doesn't need a birthday dessert with candles (after front desk promised to pick up a few candles for my friends request) because "she celebrated here two nights who. WOW. Thankfully he is gone now. Whitney, wait staff, is awesome but the rest...no matter how charming, I'll not go again. 4th time, I say, NOPE! read more

Amazing burger and great music on Thursday night. And homemade bread and butter - delicious