One of the best things about Waynesville, NC is its thriving food scene. There is truly something for everyone here. Centered around the super charming Main Street area, the restaurants are unique, full of character and feature delicious food, fun beverages and southern ambiance and comfort. While Asheville also has great restaurants, the Andon-Reid is just a very short drive away from an abundance of dining options right here in town. Here are some of our favorites as well as a detailed guide to what you can expect to enjoy for your meals when you visit Waynesville!
Great spots for fancier meals
From celebrating special occasions to date nights to just treating yourself, Waynesville has great options for upscale dining. Here are some of our favorites and those that our guests have told us they’ve enjoyed:
The Chef’s Table – For a special occasion, The Chef’s Table on Church Street is the place to go. Featuring fantastic and creative dishes, there is also an extensive wine list and a cozy, vibrant ambiance. Andon-Reid guests always rave about their experience at this iconic Waynesville restaurant. Make sure you try the deconstructed lasagna! Reservations are definitely recommended.
Singletree Heritage Kitchen – One of Waynesville’s newest restaurants, Singletree is in a great location on Depot Street and is a wonderful addition to Waynesville’s upscale dining options. This restaurant is quickly gaining a following amongst the locals in Waynesville. You won’t be disappointed with a special occasion meal at Singletree.
Sweet Onion – On the corner of Miller and Montgomery Streets is another local favorite that has stood the test of time. Sweet Onion serves contemporary southern comfort food and has a fun atmosphere, particularly in the warmer months. The meatloaf is to die for!
Switchback at Cataloochee Ranch – While not technically in Waynesville but in nearby Maggie Valley, Switchback at Cataloochee Ranch is a fabulous dining experience for a special occasion. The steak is to die for, the menu is creative and fresh, and we can’t recommend the bread service enough. Their focaccia bread is absolutely amazing!
Other great options include Bocelli’s Italian near downtown and Birchwood Hall Southern Kitchen on Main Street. On busier weekends, reservations are recommended for all of these restaurants.
Casual Meals, Breweries & Pubs
For a more casual experience or a more laid-back feel, there are some incredible options to choose from in Waynesville (including one in a gas station!). You can’t go wrong with any of the below:
The Scotsman – Right across the street from The Chef’s Table is a traditional Celtic pub with fun food and even more fun drinks. Lots of live music as well! Give the Scotch Eggs a try and don’t miss the different takes on Mac & Cheese. YUM!
Boojum Brewing & Frog Level Brewing – Our two local breweries are both awesome spots to relax and enjoy quality food and drinks. Boojum is a large space on Main Street with really good upscale pub food and a vibrant atmosphere. Frog Level is a fantastic option for enjoying fun beers and a super-relaxing outdoor space right along Richland Creek.
Haywood Smokehouse – In the Hazelwood area of Waynesville, Haywood Smokehouse is a very popular option for BBQ. It’s a great option for takeout and features tasty Texas-style BBQ and indulgent sandwiches. The atmosphere at the converted home restaurant is full of buzz and always busy. There are also locations further west of Waynesville in Dillsboro and Franklin.
The Red Fox – From the owners of Boojum, this is a great spot with a big menu right on Russ Avenue. They are also creating a new beer garden on premises.
Further afield from the downtown area, but no less tasty, are other unique spots. In the northern part of Waynesville, give a look at options like Blue Rooster, Vale 243 and Haywood 209 Café (the one in the gas station!).
Burgers and Pizza
For that classic burger craving, Waynesville has a great spot to get your fill at Church Street Depot. Church Street Depot is a downtown staple right across from The Scotsman and is reminiscent of Five Guys. Don’t miss the classic burger and milkshake combinations. And many other restaurants on this list have great burgers as well, like Boojum.
Not to be outdone by Waynesville’s burger joints are Waynesville’s pizza places. Our favorites include Dough Boys (across from the American Legion tucked inside Mad Anthony’s Tap Room), Angelo’s, Sauced and Waynesville Pizza Company. If you are looking for creative pies with a fun culinary flair, then definitely give Dough Boys a try (FYI, the pepperoni is pretty spicy!). For more classic options, try Angelo’s and Waynesville Pizza Company. Sauced is a cool bar on Main Street that also specializes in tacos and draft beer (and great appetizers).
Asian
Right on Main Street are two very popular Asian cuisine options, Suwana and Watami. Suwana serves tasty Thai and Japanese dishes in a buzzy atmosphere in the heart of Main Street and also has a location in Asheville. For those sushi cravings, Watami is the place to go.
Lunch
While you may be a bit full after Andon-Reid’s gourmet two-course breakfast, some of our favorite lunch spots are great local businesses with super tasty food. In the Hazelwood area is Beach Mountain Diner, a classic diner in a completely refurbished space, and in the Main Street area is The Patio Bistro, Smoky Mountain Sub Shop, Main Street Diner, Waylon & Honey’s, and Kanini’s.
Coffee
There is also no shortage of great coffee options in our small town. We are fortunate to have three really good coffee places all within a very short drive from the Inn. Panacea Coffee in Frog Level is a guest favorite, as it shares outdoor space with Frog Level Brewing along Richland Creek. They also feature yummy sandwiches and plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. If you are headed to Main Street area, give Orchard Coffee a try. If you are headed towards West Waynesville, you might check out Smoky Mountain Coffee Roasters in Hazelwood. If you are heading towards the East and Asheville and need a driving coffee, we recommend Coffee Cup Cafe in Clyde
More information about Waynesville restaurants
Of course, if you are looking for a quick bite or just to grab some food or refreshments for your room, Waynesville also features numerous fast-food and coffee chain options (Dunkin’, Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, Zaxby’s, Popeye’s, Taco Bell, etc.), plus numerous major grocery chain options. Waynesville features Publix, two Ingles (one on either side of town) and a Walmart superstore.
Be sure to check the hours before you head out to any of these great places. As in most towns, many restaurants have variable hours on Sunday through Tuesday. While some are closed during these days, there’s always a great option any day of the week to grab good eats.
And of course, there are also many great options in nearby towns like Maggie Valley, Sylva, Dillsboro and Canton. Check out our blog post about the nearby towns to hear about some of our favorites like Ilda, Southern Porch, Homecraft, Twisted Spoke, and Bearwaters Brewing.
And don’t just take our word for the great food scene in Waynesville. Here are some other resources that might be helpful as well. We hope you visit sometime soon to experience this wonderful gem of a food town!
The 14 Best Restaurants in Waynesville NC for Foodies
7 Must-Try Restaurants in Waynesville, NC – Southern Food Junkie
Restaurants in Waynesville, NC | Smoky Mountains NC
