The 12 Best Restaurants in Winston-Salem for Food That Captures the Soul of the City
By Kelly McMurtry
Winston-Salem isn’t just about Moravian cookies and tobacco history anymore. The city has blossomed into a food lover’s playground, balancing Southern tradition with modern creativity. Here’s my guide to some of the best spots to savor what Winston-Salem has to offer.
Spring House
1. Spring House
Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar is a standout dining experience housed in a beautifully restored 1920s mansion. Chef Timothy Grandinetti crafts progressive Southern cuisine with a focus on local, seasonal ingredients, offering dishes like pork chops with red cabbage and chorizo sweet potato hash.
2. Young Cardinal
Young Cardinal Café and Co. is the answer to your breakfast dreams. The cinnamon roll pancakes are almost too big to finish (almost), and the airy, industrial space makes it feel like a reward for getting up early.
3. Heff’s Burger Club
Hidden in a strip mall, Heff’s serves burgers so good you’ll dream about them. Their rotating specials keep things interesting—think wild toppings like bacon jam and jalapeño aioli. I once ate here after a run and immediately regretted not bringing stretchy pants.
4. Mission Pizza Napoletana
Mission Pizza feels like the cool friend who insists their Neapolitan pies are the real deal—and they are. The crust is blistered perfection, and the toppings range from classic Margherita to bold combinations like nduja and honey. I ate an entire pie to myself and told everyone I was conducting "research."
5. Krankies
Krankies isn’t just a coffee shop; it’s a biscuit haven. Their fried chicken biscuit slathered in Texas Pete and honey is why brunch exists. Plus, the quirky vibe and local art give you the full Winston-Salem experience.
6. Forsyth
This family-owned spot has been serving fresh seafood for decades. The hush puppies alone at Forsyth Seafood Market & Café are worth the trip, but their fried fish plate is what dreams (and stretchy pants) are made of.
7. Bernardin’s Restaurant
Located in the historic Zevely House, Bernardin’s is where you go for a fancy night out. The menu leans upscale with dishes like Chilean sea bass, but the service keeps it warm and welcoming.
8. Mozelle’s
Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro makes Southern comfort food look chic. Their tomato pie is iconic, but don’t sleep on the meatloaf or shrimp and grits. This cozy spot feels like eating at your stylish Southern aunt’s house—if she also had a thing for wine pairings.
9. Acadia Foods Market & Deli
A tiny gem, Acadia Foods offers house-made sandwiches and salads that hit the sweet spot between simple and satisfying. The smoked turkey sandwich was so good, I almost considered asking them to cater my life.
10. The Katharine Brasserie
Housed in the Art Deco former R.J. Reynolds building, The Katharine Brasserie & Bar blends French brasserie style with Southern flavors. The duck à l’orange is indulgent, but the people-watching from the bar might be even better.
11. Foothills Brewpub
The OG of Winston-Salem’s craft beer scene, Foothills pairs its award-winning brews with pub food done right. Wings, burgers, and a pint of Jade IPA? It’s the trifecta of happiness.
12. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes is a Southern soul food legend. Their fried chicken with a sweet potato cornbread muffin should be its own food group. This is the kind of place where you linger over every bite and maybe order another plate just because you can.
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