15 of North Carolina's Coziest Spots to Eat and Drink

With our relatively mild winters, North Carolina makes a great winter vacation destination where you can hike, ski or explore one of our historic, charming cities in 50-degree temperatures by day, then cozy up to a fire at night when the temperatures drop. To help you get the most of your next North Carolina winter getaway, we’ve curated this list of restaurants that know how to up the cozy factor with blazing fires, fun winter cocktails, seasonal craft beers and flavors born from the season. Add in some twinkling lights and plush couches and you’ll have a winter dining experience to remember at any of these lovely spots.

Mountains

As you can imagine, our mountains are a magical place to be during the winter months, when log cabins, welcoming resorts and decked out farm inns come alive with the colors that make the season bright. But we’re here to guide you to the flavors of the season, too, showcasing Western North Carolina chefs who like to get creative with seasonal produce.

1 Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen

Sunset Terrace (Instagram: @houseinthemitten)

1 Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen

AshevilleSee on map

The Omni Grove Park Inn has achieved worldwide recognition for its many welcoming attributes, and this oversized mountain lodge shines brightest in the winter. Huge fireplaces greet visitors in the stunning lobby, and several more can be found blazing down the hall inside Edison Craft Ales + Kitchen, Grove Park’s trendiest restaurant. The seasonally rotating menu consists of upscale comfort foods sourced from local farms and purveyors. Pair with one of the seasonal local craft brews on tap for the perfect winter meal. Sunset Terrace is also a popular option for spectacular wintry sunset views.

Website(800) 438-5800Directions

2 Over Yonder

2 Over Yonder

Valle CrucisSee on map

Over Yonder, a farmhouse-turned-beloved restaurant, delivers the best scratch-prepared flavors of the season and doubles as a fresh market focused on honoring the history of Appalachian cuisine (think fried frog legs, potlikker gumbo and brown butter North Carolina rainbow trout). Plus, the charming village of Valle Crucis feels like a comforting hug itself, virtually unchanged for more than 200 years.

Website(828) 963-6301Directions

3 Cozy Countywide Stops

Cornucopia Restaurant (photo: Jackson County TDA)

3 Cozy Countywide Stops

Jackson CountySee on map

From your morning coffee to your delicious dinner, Jackson County is filled with cozy options dotting its mountain towns. For lunch, try Cornucopia Restaurant, which prides itself on being “Cashiers’ favorite porch” for comfort eats. Afternoon calls for a relaxing drink at Innovation Brewing or Sante – the Wine Bar. And look no further than the Library Kitchen + Bar (every book-and-art lover’s dream decor) or for an intimate dinner experience.

Website(800) 962-1911Directions

4 The Square Root

4 The Square Root

BrevardSee on map

Nestled in the Land of the Waterfalls – plenty of which freeze for spectacular winter hiking opportunities before your meal – The Square Root has long been named Brevard’s best restaurant. Enjoy winter-inspired specials such as gingerbread-encrusted pork loin or rosemary Dijon-rubbed prime rib in this beautifully restored historic building.

Website(828) 884-6171Directions

5 Gamekeeper Restaurant

5 Gamekeeper Restaurant

BooneSee on map

Gamekeeper Restaurant offers a memorable blend of upscale mountain charm in a century-old cabin with ultra-cozy fireplaces. Gamekeeper’s menu showcases expertly prepared game, fish, and vegetarian options using humanely raised meats and locally sourced organic produce. Start with the unique Emu Adobo and end with a hearty dish like Pekin Duck, Elk Leg, or a comforting sweet bread pudding.

Website(828) 963-7400 Directions

Coast

The mountains aren’t the only place to spend a snuggly winter’s night out in North Carolina. Along the coast, winter visitors can enjoy smaller crowds and bundling up for a walk along our beautiful beaches before hitting one of these atmospheric eateries.

6 The Boro

Instagram: @visitswansboronc

6 The Boro

SwansboroSee on map

The Boro offers a laid-back vibe for a calm sunset dinner right by the Intracoastal Waterway. With spacious outdoor courtyard seating and firepits, it’s a perfect spot to enjoy live music every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Start your meal with flash-fried calamari, shrimp or tostadas, and don’t miss the signature Icehouse Grandwich. There's also a rotating selection of local beers on tap, making it easy to sip and savor the flavors of the coast while you soak up the cozy atmosphere.

Website(910) 325-0502 Directions

7 Floriana

7 Floriana

WilmingtonSee on map

Floriana is a lively dining spot that blends Italian cuisine with a coastal twist. With charming – individual! – outdoor balconies adorned with twinkling lights, it’s the perfect place for a romantic dinner straight out of your classic romcom. The menu features locally sourced ingredients, including standout dishes like house-made pasta, seasonal risottos and the popular Floriana salad.

Website(910) 504-0160 Directions

8 The Village Table and Tavern

Instagram: @corollabeachhouse

8 The Village Table and Tavern

DuckSee on map

Talk about inviting. The Village Table & Tavern’s fireside lounge is often filled with the sound of live music as guests nibble on the day’s fresh catch or heart-warming seasonal offerings such as seafood pot pie, chicken and gravy, or winter pasta.

Website(252) 715-1414Directions

9 Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar

9 Ocean Boulevard Bistro and Martini Bar

Kitty HawkSee on map

This candlelit dining destination resembles an oversized beach shack on the outside, but inside awaits a romantic vibe and warmth that comes with an open kitchen concept. Go for hearty choices such as roasted rack of lamb with butternut squash and Mediterranean-influenced roast half chicken, and be sure to pair your choice with one of the generously poured, seasonally motivated martinis.

Website(252) 261-2546Directions

10 Cafe Pamlico

10 Cafe Pamlico

BuxtonSee on map

With blazing torches and string lights reflecting off the Pamlico Sound, Cafe Pamlico provides a winter haven during the offseason for visitors who want to experience the best seasonal cuisine on Hatteras Island. They also whip up plenty of special winterized libations, too.

Website(252) 995-4500Directions

Piedmont

North Carolina’s urban center has plenty of intimate dining hotspots perfect for sipping on a winter cocktail or basking in the glow of a fire pit or twinkling white lights. Of course, expect seasonal menus at many of these chef-driven locales.

11 Chez Genese

Featured by: Greensboro Area CVB

photo credit: Greensboro Area CVB

11 Chez Genese

GreensboroSee on map

Chez Genese – the “Place of New Beginnings” – is a French-inspired downtown bistro that employs adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Enjoy heartfelt service in a cozy setting filled with plants, flowers, pillow-lined benches and natural sunlight. Not only can you go for delicious breakfasts and lunches (the croque monsieur and specialty pancakes are favorites), but the bistro also hosts workshops ranging from the Power of Disability Integration to macaron-making. Want cozy by nightfall? Order a seasonal cocktail at Muddle and snuggle into velvet sofas and oversized chairs.

Website(336) 663-7399Directions

12 Angus Barn

12 Angus Barn

RaleighSee on map

Sure, winter dishes make for a fun evening out, but what about a cozy home-cooked steak right beside the fire? Angus Barn brings that same warmth and charm to your dining experience, all in an iconic red barn that’s been a Raleigh favorite since 1960. With an award-winning wine cellar boasting more than 1,600 selections, outdoor firepits perfect for relaxing and a famous chocolate chess pie so good they even share the recipe. There’s even the Wild Turkey Lounge, up in the rafters, where you can unwind with a cocktail.

Website(919) 781-2444 Directions

13 Alexander Michael's

13 Alexander Michael's

CharlotteSee on map

Located in a building that originally opened as a store in 1893, “Al Mike’s” has been a beloved local tavern in Charlotte’s historic Fourth Ward neighborhood since 1983. Influenced by European pubs, this homey gem is stuffed full of character with wooden booths, old-timey touches, seasonal decorations and a circa-1920 beer cooler. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the antique truck parked outside. Pro tip: The “What It Is” – Cajun chicken pasta – is a favorite here.

Website(704) 332-6789Directions

14 JuJu

14 JuJu

DurhamSee on map

We’re firm believers that more restaurants and bars should have fire pits, and in Durham, the place to go for a fireside night out is JuJu. The menu is always evolving, but steamed buns are always a great option – perfect for warming your bones.

Website(919) 286-3555Directions

15 The Fearrington House Restaurant

15 The Fearrington House Restaurant

FearringtonSee on map

The village of Fearrington, a former dairy farm, certainly exudes a picturesque winter setting, and The Fearrington House Restaurant's seasonal menu is equally as inviting. Select a four-course meal at a set price or opt for a chef's tasting, both offering an optional wine pairing. Add a stroll through the gardens hand-in-hand with your dinner companion for a cozy evening to remember.

Website(919) 542-2121Directions