Robbinsville NC Restaurants: Top Farm-Fresh Eats

Robbinsville, North Carolina, is known for quite a few things: the Great Smoky Mountains, sparkling lakes and rivers, scenic byways, and a wealth of recreation in the great outdoors. However, while planning your retreat to beautiful Robbinsville, you may also want to scout out a few top eats in the area. Well, we’ve done the hard work for you. From quick bites to glamorous sit-down meals, there’s plenty of amazing food for gourmets to enjoy in Robbinsville. Ready to dig in? Here are six of the best Robbinsville NC restaurants you won’t want to miss while you’re in town.

Carefully Crafted Robbinsville NC Restaurants

When you have time to spare between kayaking the Nantahala River or biking through the Smokies, consider sitting down for a tantalizing dish. These first four restaurants feature cozy and glamorous dining rooms, perfect for when you want some quality time with family and friends after a busy day. Plus, a few of these Robbinsville NC restaurants even boast breathtaking views of the landscape.

Tapoco Tavern

Nestled along the banks of the world-famous Cheoah River is the charming Tapoco Tavern. With a warm atmosphere and serene setting, it’s easy to see why this restaurant is coined the best restaurant in Robbinsville. Settled within the boutique lodge, the Tapoco Tavern welcomes both locals and travelers to admire the rushing Cheoah River and wildlife while they indulge in great food and even better drinks. Moreover, the Cheoah Dining Room is also located on-site and includes seasonal, locally-inspired dishes served al fresco on the terrace or inside the elegant dining room. What’s more, this hidden gem is part of a boutique hotel, the Historic Tapoco Lodge, that you can learn more about later in this blog.

Address: 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Snowbird Mountain Lodge Dining Room

Second only to Tapoco Tavern, the Snowbird Mountain Lodge offers an intimate dining experience in the Great Smoky Mountains. Guests of Snowbird’s restaurant dine with all-encompassing views of the mountainscape, paired with mouthwatering dishes made of fresh, high-quality food. Stop in for a breakfast of blueberry pancakes or savory eggs benedict and crispy bacon. Pair it with a Mountain Mary, the lodge’s signature Bloody Mary, or a mimosa for a zesty start to the day. The dining room also serves lunch and a four-course dinner with meats and veggies from local farms.

Address: 4633 Santeetlah Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Willow Tree Restaurant & Bakery

This cozy Robbinsville restaurant is a well-loved steakhouse and bakery. A quaint house-converted restaurant, Willow Tree Restaurant & Bakery has been making gustatory impressions with the finest ingredients for years, serving fresh steak, chops, and trout, as well as vegetarian dishes. Enjoy a Friday or Saturday night dinner al fresco, beneath swaying trees. Or, head inside for an intimate candlelit dining experience. Moreover, Willow Tree is known for its homemade pastries, cakes, pies, and other baked goods. So, be sure to grab a sweet treat or two for later when the late-night cravings hit.

Address: 302 Ford St, Robbinsville, NC 28711

Lynn’s Place

If you’re looking for a family-owned restaurant with that classic, cozy diner feel, this next Robbinsville, NC, restaurant is for you. Since 2003, this local favorite in the heart of downtown Robbinsville has served up homemade American cuisine rooted in the Southern culture of the Carolina Mountains. Lynn’s place is a soulful neighborhood restaurant known for its hand-cut steaks, fresh hamburgers, and diverse choices of mouth-watering homemade desserts. Not to mention, it has a great salad bar with all the seasonal fruits and freshly cut veggies you could ask for. So, if you’re looking for a home-like dining experience with family recipes and extraordinary hospitality while you explore Robbinsville, you won’t want to miss out on Lynn’s Place.

Address: 237 E Main St, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Robbinsville NC Restaurants Quick Bites

Of course, when you’re on the go, getting dressed up and sitting down for a purposeful meal isn’t always ideal. So, we’ve made sure to include some quick bites and more casual eats. From juicy roadside plates to steaming pies to go, there’s a fast dish for everyone’s taste buds found in the Robbinsville NC restaurants below.

Dragon’s Den Grill

If you’re looking for a bite while cruising the Tail of Dragon, a famous 11-mile stretch of US-129 with scenic views of the mountainscape, stop at Dragon’s Den Grill. This edgy eatery is a favorite hang out spot for riders located within the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort off Exit 3 of US-129. Soak in Robbinsville motorcycle culture at this one-of-a-kind restaurant. Open for breakfast, lunch, and early dinner, Dragon’s Den is famed for its fried chicken, burgers, and great atmosphere. Plus, you can pick up a few souvenirs after you eat, then you’re back on the road!

Address: 17548 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Papa’s Pizza To-Go

Who doesn’t love a hot pizza after a long day? Of all Robbinsville NC restaurants, Papa’s Pizza To-Go has arguably the best pies in town. Created with “small town USA” in mind, Papa’s Pizza has served small communities across Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee a diverse menu of Italian classics at a price you can’t beat. Moreover, Papa’s Pizza makes its own dough, pizza sauce, and ranch dressing in-house, with all the freshest ingredients and toppings. Choose from a variety of favorites, including pizza, subs, breadsticks, pasta, salads, and desserts for a delicious ending to a day on the water or trails.

Address: 211 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771

T. Dubbs Barbecue

Finally, if you’re trying out Robbinsville NC restaurants, you can’t skip out on classic southern barbecue. T. Dubbs is a modest roadside restaurant featuring al fresco seating and savory eats. Their menu features burgers, brisket, wings, chicken, sandwiches, tenders, and just about every other simple southern cuisine. So, if a down-home meal cooked with flavor and served with plenty of sides is what you’re craving, stop by T. Dubbs barbecue stand for a delicious meal in the shade.

Address: 448 Rodney Orr Bypass, Robbinsville, NC 28771

Where to Stay Near Robbinsville NC Restaurants

If you’re ready to experience all the tasty food and stunning sights that Robbinsville has to offer, you’ll need a great place to stay. Fortunately, lodgings in Robbinsville don’t disappoint. Take a look at two of our favorite boutique hotels and one-of-a-kind escapes in the area below to kick off your foodie adventure.

Historic Tapoco Lodge

Home of Tapoco Tavern, the Historic Tapoco Lodge offers more than just one of the best Robbinsville NC restaurants. Since 1930, the Tapoco Lodge has welcome both locals and travelers to its cozy property along banks of the Cheoah River. This 120-acre campus is a welcome homebase for your Robbinsville adventures, boasting well-groomed hiking trails, crackling riverside firepits, tennis courts, and a dreamy lodge ambiance that warms you from the inside out. Of course, Tapoco also features Tapoco Tavern and the Cheoah Dining Room, two of the area’s most beloved restaurants, which offer fresh, flavorful dishes and stunning views from the terrace and patio seating areas. Explore charming lodge accommodations below.

Accommodations

• Lodge Suites: located in the main lodge; feature private bedrooms with king beds, spacious baths, seating areas, and breathtaking views of the river below. Sleep two per suite.
• Lodge Rooms: located in the main lodge; feature king beds, bathrooms, seating areas, and views of Smokies or river (no TVs in Lodge Rooms). Sleep two per room.
• Cabin Rooms: feature whole cabins or cabin rooms with connecting doors. Includes amenities like king beds, porches, hot tubs, and river/mountain views. Occupancy varies.

Huffman Creek Retreat

If you’re craving a bit more seclusion during your Robbinsville stay, Huffman Creek Retreat has just the experience for you. Nestled along a burbling creek in the dense wooded forests of Appalachia, Huffman offers seven unique Robbinsville cabins. Whether you’re on a couples’ getaway or family vacation, there’s a cozy cabin to accommodate your trip. This expansive, beautiful property is pet-friendly and boasts miles of private hiking trails for you and yours to explore. Unwind creekside in a hammock, roast s’mores around the campfire, or settle onto your front porch with a glass of wine and a good book. Not to mention, you’re just a short drive from Lake Santeetlah, the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and Cherohala Skyway.

Accommodations

• Creekside Lodge: features king bedroom, three queen bedrooms, bunk room, full kitchen, living area, and front and back porch. Sleeps 14.
• The Trout House: features three queen bedrooms, full kitchen, living area, and multi-level porch. Sleeps six.
• The Homestead: features a king bedroom, two queen bedrooms, a bunk room, full kitchen, living room, and front and back porch. Sleeps ten.
• The Barn: features a full bed loft, two twin bed loft, full kitchen, living room, and front and back porch. Sleeps four.
• Hemlock Cabin: features queen master, twin sleeping nook, full kitchen, living area, and front porch. Sleeps three.
• Chestnut Lodge: features five queen bedrooms, twin bunk beds, full kitchen, living room, and front and back porch. Sleeps nine.
• The Treehouse: features two sleeping pods, full kitchen, living room, and covered porches. Sleeps five.

Taste Test Robbinsville Restaurants with Nook Outdoors

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