16 Best Vegetarian Restaurants near Banner Elk

“Joshua gave us great service today. The trout was the best I ever eat and the prime rib was great. Never had Fried Devil Eggs before and they were good. Without a doubt we will go back.“

“Great food and staff highly recommended“

“One of my favorites!
⭐ Banner Elk Winery — Banner Elk, North Carolina

A perfect family gathering spot for the holidays. A perfect place to have a family gathering.

Banner Elk Winery is truly one of the most beautiful and inviting places to gather with family during the holiday season in North Carolina. From the moment we arrived, we were greeted with warm, attentive service that set the tone for an exceptional visit. The team here really knows how to make guests feel welcome — whether you're a large family group, a couple exploring the High Country, or travelers like us soaking in the mountain charm.

The wine selection is absolutely exquisite. Every pour was smooth, flavorful, and carefully described by the staff, who clearly love what they do. It’s rare to find a winery where every member of a group loves something different and everyone finds a new favorite. Banner Elk Winery delivers that effortlessly.

The grounds are breathtaking — perfectly manicured, peaceful, and designed for lingering. We enjoyed sitting outside with a glass in hand, surrounded by rolling hills, crisp mountain air, and gorgeous views that feel straight out of a holiday postcard. It’s also a beautiful place for a stroll, with plenty of space to relax, unwind, and take in the scenery.

For anyone visiting the area — especially during the holidays — Banner Elk Winery is the ideal destination for family gatherings, celebrations, or simply enjoying the magic of the mountains. Exceptional wine, impeccable service, and unforgettable ambiance. A true gem of North Carolina.“

“I'm a first generation Sicilian, so I grew up on the cooking of my Nona and mother; so I set a high bar of standard. The food was better than the average Italian restaurants that you will find in a strip mall. The service was wonderful and fast. I regret that I don't remember the name of the young gentleman that was our server. The bathroom was terrible...enough said. Portions are quite large. It's too bad that they, like many businesses, don't offer military/veteran discounts. If it wasn't for those of us who served, so our Country can afford those the luxury of freedom, businesses would not be able to operate, as they now do. "Freedom does not come for free". All in all, I rate them 31/2 stars.“

“We had an awesome dinner last , we always do, Our waitress, Sue Russ, was superb, she never missed a beat, serving 12 people, I give her five stars, fortunate to have her“

“Awesome bbq food, cozy atmosphere and a good place for making memories with family“

“I had a great evening with SaraJoe as my waitress/ bartender. Sara is funny and 'on point' with drinks and service.The ambiance is just as you'd expect for a middle upper class mountain town, amazing! I tried the pizza it was great but not my favorite. There is a full menu and a good beer selection on tap.Make the trip to Banner Elk Cafe Sara Jo is a server worth the ride for impeccableservice and a great sense of humor“

“MUST READ!!!

Ok, we have a vacation house in the area and decided to give Valle De Bravo Mexican Grill a try. I didn’t read the reviews before we came in but as we sat at the table I gave them a quick look. 3.8 from Google and I was like, we’re here so let’s do this.

Things to know:
1) They will bring you unlimited Tortilla chips. But, they have a salsa bar which means you have to get your own salsa. No big deal, like some reviews made it out to be.

2) If you order tacos, same goes as the chips, there is taco bar with all the fixings that you have to get up and get yourself. Again, no big deal like some reviews made it out to be.

3) Food was delicious and we would definitely come back again.

4) Service was blunt and to the point. I think we had the manager as our server. He was not rude or unprofessional, he was just straight to the point. “What do you want” and we he gave us the bill, all he said was “here ya go” and walked away. I saw other servers engaging in conversation and being very polite.

All and all you won’t be disappointed, just be prepared not to be pampered or treated like a princess if the manager serves you.. lol

I got the combo #23 and the wife special #7, very good and large portions..“

“Have I really never reviewed this restaurant before? Shame on me! It's definitely the go-to for a great meal in Newland.
The food here is always delicious. I even try new things because I know it's going to be good. All of the staff from top to bottom are always sweet and helpful. Service is always quick. Don't get me started on the salsa bar. So many flavors from cool and creamy to hot and delicious. Portions are very generous.
My favorite dishes here are the pollo loco and grilled salmon salad. And did I mention their fabulous salsa bar?!“

“Great find. Will definitely be back. 😋“

“This is a really unique pizza and arcade. The pizza is delicious and authentically wood-fired, and there is memorabilia all over the place. There are even two trains that run above you on suspended tracks. The only downside? Pizzas cost $30 a pop so it's not the cheapest.“

“they should serve alcohol“

“I would just like to say that the owner of this restaurant is a true class act and a real gem of a person. 4 days after hurricane Helene hit, I still hadn't been able to get in touch with my family, as it had wiped out cell service far and wide. One night I was out driving around, and after 30 miles, I found this restaurant and was able to hook up to their Wi-Fi. During this process, the owner rolled up, probably wondering what I was doing sitting in his parking lot in the dark in the middle of the night. When he inquired as to what I was doing, I told him that I was trying to find a way to get in touch with my family. Not only did he tell me to take all the time that I needed, he also asked me if I needed anything that he could get for me out of the restaurant, such as food, supplies, water, ice. When I told him that I did indeed need ice (as my power had been out for 4 days at this point), he went inside and brought me three bags of ice, shook my hand and wished me the best. He even told me to come back the next day and he would feed me. Thanks to his kindness, I was able to get in contact with my frantic family and let them know that I was indeed okay. In all of the chaos and horror of hurricane helene, this was one bright spot. Thank you very much, sir. You'll never know what it meant to myself and my family.“

“If you are around Sugar Mountain or Beach Mountain Ski Resorts area and feeling like having Chinese, definitely a great place for the taste and cost. You may have to look beyond the usual warm and fuzzy server/hostess/waiter approach to enjoy the amazing food.“

“I had the barbecue sandwich combo With Mac and cheese, sweet tea, and we also ordered fried pickles. Everything was good!“

“Service was excellent even though they were short on wait staff.
Local bar feel with semi boisterous regulars. (thus the three star rating)It was fine for us but not exactly family oriented.
Worth a visit if you don't mind that small local bar feel.“