To celebrate our favorite destination dining spots in unexpected towns across the state, we asked one of the South’s most renowned chefs, Bill Smith, to trace North Carolina’s fine-dining scene to its earliest roots.
fine dining
Over the Moon in Belhaven
Feasts at Spoon River combine gourmet dishes and an ever-changing art space that would rival any meal at Tiffany’s.
An Inn for the Ages in Hillsborough
Having survived Civil War pillaging and nearly two decades of neglect, a historic hotel in Hillsborough refuses to surrender. The structure’s latest incarnation brings memories of the past together with modern twists on Southern cuisine.
From Elizabeth Hudson: Fine Days of Fine Dining
Our editor in chief reminisces on her first special-occasion restaurant experience in North Carolina.
Piedmont Meets Provence at Saint Jacques
The couple behind the Burke Manor Inn and its restaurant, Saint Jacques, whisk their guests away for classic French fare and Old World elegance — all without leaving Guilford County.
The Prescott Is Where Everybody Knows Your Name
A Kernersville chef brings the intimacy and familiarity of a local diner to high-end entrées — and even a fancy burger — that defy small-town expectations.
Blue Ridge Big Easy at The Copper Door
This Hayesville restaurant is more than 580 miles from New Orleans, but the flavors of Cajun Country have found a happy home in the mountains of Clay County.
