34 Best Restaurants in Central North Carolina, North Carolina

As punk rock as fine dining gets, the Stanbury is both the funky neighborhood restaurant you wish was in your neighborhood and the casual yet "special occasions" spot people travel to for birthdays and anniversaries. While the menu may intimidate with crispy pig's head and bone marrow, the exemplary staff is happy to explain dishes and regulars are thrilled to recommend their favorites. No reservations are taken, so diners strategize by arriving early for a seat or putting their name down before enjoying a drink outside or at a nearby nightspot. The cocktail list is short but solid, plus many local beers, European wines, and surprising spirits. 

The Triad's first food hall, Stock + Grain is next to Truist Point ballpark (home to the High Point Rockers pro baseball and Carolina Core FC soccer) and close to downtown showrooms, so it can be as busy or as quiet as the town of High Point. Expect to find vendors of burgers, pizza, sushi, barbecue, and coffee, plus a few wild cards. Order a beer from the 20 taps at Bevelry or a craft cocktail at Cahoots.

"SOB" dishes out a mean pulled-pork sandwich, but it's not your typical barbecue joint—the varied menu also includes grilled salmon with chimichurri and an array of gourmet burgers. Tables out front fill up on weekends—it doesn't hurt that it shares a wall with Brown Truck Brewery, whose fresh IPAs and lagers are a perfect accompaniment to the elevated pub grub.

This restaurant's full name is Sweet Potatoes (Well Shut My Mouth!), and once you have a taste of these Southern classics, you'll know why. Expect friendly service and more food than you could possibly eat.