The 14 Best Restaurants in High Point, NC: Where to Eat Now
By Eric Barton
When most people think of High Point, they picture end tables and sectional sofas—maybe even a 12-foot-tall chest of drawers. But I’ve spent enough time here to know the city also has a dining scene that deserves its own attention. High Point isn’t the sort of place where chefs plate dishes with truffle foam or edible dirt. Instead, you’ll find spots where the food speaks for itself. And it speaks well—like James Earl Jones narrating your dinner. Here’s a rundown of 14 of High Point’s best restaurants.
Giannos
1. Giannos
Giannos does Italian food the old-fashioned way, with big portions and no pretense. The pizza crust is perfectly blistered, and the pasta is house-made. It’s the kind of place where everyone seems to be celebrating something, and you’ll likely join in once you see the dessert tray.
2. Blue Water Grille
This Emerywood mainstay doesn’t feel the need to shout. The menu leans heavily on seafood, like a pistachio-crusted salmon that’s rich and buttery but somehow still manages to feel light. The open kitchen turns out dishes that are both pretty and satisfying, and the quiet hum of conversation inside makes it feel like the kind of place where deals get made over dessert.
3. Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen
Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen is the kind of unassuming spot that surprises you with its authenticity. Run by the Odeh family, this small restaurant specializes in Middle Eastern classics like shawarma wraps and creamy hummus, both of which are among the best you’ll find in the Triad. The lamb kabobs are the standout, charred on the outside and tender within, served with fragrant rice and a side of tzatziki that’s worth eating by the spoonful. It’s a no-frills spot, but the bold flavors and warm service more than make up for the modest setting.
4. Biscuits, Brisket, and Beer
Inside High Point’s buzzing Stock & Grain Food Hall, Biscuits, Brisket, and Beer delivers exactly what the name promises—plus a little more. Their biscuits are buttery, flaky works of art, served with everything from honey butter to pimento cheese. The brisket, smoked low and slow, arrives tender and hit with just enough char to keep things interesting. Pair it all with a local craft beer on tap, and you’ve got a meal that feels both indulgent and unpretentious.
5. Sammy G’s Tavern
Sammy G’s is the kind of place you take your parents when they visit—and they’ll probably end up insisting on paying because they’re so impressed. The steaks are always solid, but it’s the seafood that sneaks up on you. Their shrimp scampi is shockingly delicate, and the fried calamari is almost too good to share.
6. Frady’s Taphouse
Frady’s Taphouse feels like the living room you wish you had—one filled with excellent beer and no bad vibes. This cozy spot offers an impressive tap list featuring regional craft brews and hard-to-find seasonal releases. The food menu is equally inviting, with elevated pub fare like crispy chicken sandwiches and loaded fries topped with smoked pork. The vibe is relaxed but thoughtful, with a staff that’s eager to chat about their latest beer arrivals or recommend a pairing. Stop by on trivia night, and you might just end up staying longer than planned.
7. 98 Asian Bistro
Downtown High Point isn’t where you’d expect to find a sleek spot serving crispy duck breast with tamarind sauce, but chef Kevin Chang brings elegance to every plate, whether it’s drunken noodles that pack a punch or the gorgeously plated sushi rolls. Bonus: The interior is all dark woods and clean lines, giving the space a sophistication that feels worlds away from the drive-through-heavy strip nearby.
8. Southern Roots
This Jamestown spot (close enough to High Point to count) feels like a neighborhood secret that everyone somehow knows about. They do a pan-seared scallop so perfect you’d swear it was plucked straight from the ocean and hustled to the plate. The cozy dining room feels like it belongs in a farmhouse, which pairs well with the unfussy but flawless menu.
9. Blue Rock Pizza and Tap
This downtown High Point staple serves up inventive, hand-tossed pies with a flair for the unexpected. The "Thai Dye" pizza, with a spicy peanut sauce, grilled chicken, and fresh cilantro, is a standout, while the classic Margherita proves they can do traditional just as well. Blue Rock Pizza and Tap’s extensive tap list features a rotating selection of local and regional beers, making it as much about the pints as the pies. With its laid-back atmosphere and friendly service, it’s the kind of spot where you’ll want to linger long after the last slice is gone.
10. Magnolia Blue
Southern food can often lean too heavy, but Magnolia Blue knows when to stop before the butter overtakes the biscuits. Their shrimp and grits taste like a carefully edited recipe, with just enough spice to keep you awake. The cocktails here are almost as impressive as the food, with concoctions that wouldn’t look out of place in a big-city speakeasy.
11. Sweet Old Bill’s
At Sweet Old Bill’s, barbecue is the main event, and they pull it off with a confidence that feels earned. The smoked brisket has that perfect line of fat running through it, and their signature sauces actually complement the meat instead of hiding it. It’s the kind of place where you’ll leave smelling like smoke but won’t even care.
12. Blue Zucchini & Co.
With a name like Blue Zucchini, you expect a certain quirkiness, and this place delivers. The chalkboard menu is heavy on sandwiches, like a turkey club that could redefine your expectations of deli meat. The mismatched furniture and funky vibe make it feel like you’ve stumbled into a really good café in a much bigger city.
13. The PepperMill Café
If you’re looking for a spot that feels a bit more dressed up but still approachable, The PepperMill is your answer. Their duck breast is one of the most memorable plates in town, seared perfectly and paired with a seasonal side that actually feels intentional. The dimly lit space gives it a date-night vibe, but the staff keeps things friendly.
14. The Brewer’s Kettle
The Brewer’s Kettle is part bottle shop, part bar, and wholly committed to doing things well. There’s no kitchen, but you can BYO snacks or catch one of their rotating food trucks, which sometimes dish up surprisingly ambitious fare to pair with your IPA.
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