After A Day Of Adventure, These Restaurants In Bryson City, NC Are Sure To Refuel You!
Having made a yearly trip with friends to Bryson City since 2013 (whew! I just realized how long we have been doing our yearly trip!), we have tried many restaurants, cafes, coffee houses, and breweries. Here are our favorites for you try.
Also see our Weekend Getaway To Bryson City for a complete guide to this simply awesome mountain town in North Carolina.
Restaurants and Breweries In Bryson City
Note- *Many places close in the off-season (roughly Dec- March) so be sure to check websites and social media if you are visiting then to see what’s open.
Anthony’s – Since 1990, this has been a favorite of locals and visitors alike. I know that my friend group makes a point to come here. It’s across the street from Smoky Mountain Railroad Depot, so the kids enjoy looking at the trains while waiting to eat.
Any of the pizzas and the garlic knots appetizer are perennial faves. Anthony’s is also very kid-friendly, important as we have added some tiny people to the group over the years.
Try to sit outside on the large porch if you can, but it can get so busy here that it’s best to take what you can get. Food service can get a little slow as well if it’s busy so try to come early.
We always order an appetizer to tide the kids over (and a craft beer for ourselves).
Everett Street Diner – Do you want whopping portions of good old-fashioned biscuits and gravy with eggs and bacon? How about homemade pancakes or delicious french toast?
Then head to this unpretentious diner run by super nice people and have at it. Only serves breakfast and lunch. (Lunch is fantastic too but I looove breakfast.) Across the street from McClanahan’s.
High Test Deli & Sweetshop (aka The Filling Station) – Offering really good deli sandwiches that are perfect for bringing on your hike into the woods. Also has hot dogs, chili, fresh soup, and kids meals.
Try their wonderful turkey rueben. Plus they do a really cool “frozen sandwich” where they mix and match their homemade cookies with their soft serve ice cream and then freeze it. Combinations vary but it is fun to try.
On Everett St next to the shopping center with the fly fishing shop.
Soda Pop’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor is a wonderful trip back to 50’s kitsch and serves you delicious ice cream, milkshakes, or sundaes for the ride. It is hard not to smile when you walk in, and the kids are certainly massive fans.
Mountain Layers Brewing Company is a great place to hang and has one of the best views in town from their 2nd story deck. Lots of their own brews on tap but also have soft drinks and wine.
They often have live music as well. Definitely more of a bar atmosphere later in the evening, but I have brought the kids there in afternoons and early evening and it’s very family-friendly.
You can eat at one of the 3 tables in the tiny area by The Rice Wagon Food Truck behind the brewery, but I would take it up to the open deck on the second floor of Mountain Layers Brewery and enjoy it with a much better view.
The Rice Wagon is a permanent food truck serving Hawaiian BBQ and Asian Fusion food. Grab a delicious meal and a beer and enjoy the evening.
One of Mountain Layers Brewery’s Facebook reviews sums it up best by saying “if you don’t go to the Rice Wagon, you will have wasted your entire trip to this beautiful little town.” I have to agree.
Bryson City Brewing recently opened in the space previously operated by Nantahala Brewing Company.
They carry a nice selection of area craft beers plus interesting cocktails and a full bar menu. I really love the space and the giant beer garden.
I love the atmosphere of this place with a huge, fenced-in yard with plenty of space for kiddos to run around and plenty of outside tables to enjoy the scenery.
They even had chalk for the kiddos to scribble on the painted fence- what a neat idea. Serves farm fresh burgers, sandwiches, wings, and salads and has a good craft beer list.
Bryson City Outdoors & Taproom is one of my favorite shops. I love outdoor gear and I love trying beers from craft breweries new to me so I get to do both here.
They don’t brew their own but carry a lot of interesting ones from all over the country.
They also have wines and wine slushies for those dog days of summer!
Bakeries And Coffee Shops In Bryson City
La Dolce Vita is an inviting little coffeehouse serving all the fancy kind of coffees you could find in a big city but without the big city prices. Also has house baked bagels and biscuits, yummy cookies, and an assortment of other baked goods.
They do serve light brunch type fare as well, such as bagels and biscuits loaded with toppings plus wraps and salads. It is not a big place though so it can get busy. Try for the tables on the sidewalk so you can watch the action on Everett St.
Bryson City Bakery and MRKT On the Square combine two things I like- great coffee and poking through fun local shops all in the same building. Run by Bryson City Outdoors, the MRKT has kids toys, games, gifts, clothes, souvenirs, and old-fashioned candy section.
The bakery has a wide variety of treats and fresh baked breads as well as breakfast sandwiches and quiches. Their coffee is on point as well. There’s even a kids area for them to play whilst you browse or just enjoy your coffee in peace. Two thumbs up!
Restaurants At Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Located roughly 20 minutes from downtown Bryson City, Nantahala Outdoor Center (aka “the NOC”- known for its whitewater rafting) is a really fun scene.
Parents can grab a beer onsite at Wesser’s on the River and watch the kids splash in the cold, calm water there.
Kayakers also like to practice on the rapids right in front of Wesser’s picnic tables so there is always something to watch. The NOC often has live music on the weekends as well, so there is always something going on it seems.
River’s End Restaurant is located across the pedestrian bridge from Wesser’s. It’s a favorite with the Appalachian Trail thru-hikers for its giant rice plates and has been around since the 70’s. It has huge windows overlooking the river, so the view is outstanding.
Happy Trails! Enjoy your adventures in Bryson City! – Amanda
See our Weekend Getaway To Bryson City for a complete guide to this simply awesome mountain town in North Carolina. You might also like Our Favorite Places To Stay In Bryson City.
