13 Best American Restaurants in Highlands

“⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Lunch Experience at Prime in Highlands! Our lunch at Primary in Highlands, NC, was simply outstanding. From the moment we walked in, we were warmly greeted by the host and restaurant manager, which set the tone for a wonderful meal. We started with perfectly cooked Oysters Rockefeller, followed by a fresh and flavorful green salad. My husband had the chimichurri marinated chicken sandwich, which was the special of the day, while I opted for the 14-ounce New York strip. Although I couldn’t finish the entire steak, it was perfect for sharing, and it was cooked to absolute perfection. The service was impeccable, attentive without being overbearing, and the atmosphere made for a lovely midday meal. We topped off the experience with a delicious slice of carrot cake, which was the perfect sweet ending. If you’re looking for an exceptional lunch in downtown Highlands, I highly recommend Primary for its fantastic food, atmosphere, and top-notch service“

“Everything was perfection 😀“

“Finally tried the Tavern tonight and am already thinking about my next visit! The menu was eclectic and had a fantastic selection. We started with the Foccacia and it was perfectly baked and seasoned and came with a miso butter and something like an olive tapenade. Big enough to share with our neighbors:) I had the green curry with lemongrass chicken and it was rich and packed with all the goodness a curry should have. The hubby had the steak sandwich and the steak was tender and the toppings just made it so tasty. Dessert- if there’s creme brûlée i have to have it. Tonight’s special was a salted caramel and it was perfection. If you go, try the smoky and the bandit cocktail. The presentation was crazy and the taste…well…I limited myself to one..I could have drank these all night. Lol. 10/10 recommend!“

“Great find off the main drag (downtown) in Highland's. The owners are lovely (married couple in their 80's) and had a sandwich shop back in the day in Highlands. We got the burger and gyro sandwich. Burger was juicy and the gyro meat was tender and plentiful. Worth a stop for sure.“

“Our new Year's Eve meal was fantastic! We had the stuffed chicken and the sea bass entrees.The desserts were done perfectly and presented nicely. Overall a great night and meal. I have been dining at On the Veranda for over 15 years. Great job everyone at the Veranda!!!“

“Sat at a table outside. Nice atmosphere. Had the guacamole burger. My friend had the shrimp & grits. Both were very good and reasonably priced.
Updated review: Discovered that they make really good Margaritas but ordered a Margherita flatbread pizza, which should have 3 ingredients - Tomatoes, Mozzarella, and Basil. This one had no basil! And, it was a little soggy for flatbread.“

“As usual, the food was high quality and the service is what you expect in a nice restaurant. They know how to get fresh fish and cook it right. I we could not resist dessert because their desserts are great. I highly recommend the lemon moose cake with raspberry sauce. It got very noisy, but I don't know how that can be avoided. They were packed out. Reservations suggested.“

“Meal and service was excellent! Highly recommend going there,make a reservation. The grouper and halibut were awesome!“

“We had an excellent dining experience, thanks to Casey’s outstanding service. He was incredibly attentive and made sure we felt well taken care of throughout the evening. For dinner, I enjoyed the pheasant, which was absolutely delicious, while my husband had the ribeye—perfectly cooked and full of flavor. Our son ordered the sirloin, but it wasn’t quite to our liking. Casey handled it with professionalism and care, ensuring it was promptly corrected. His warm and accommodating nature truly elevated our experience, making our evening both enjoyable and memorable.“

“We enjoyed their salmon cakes immensely, that they make from their own poached salmon and then into patties. We served it with the aioli, on a bed of greens. It’s like getting a catered meal just for two. Love the people there. Rare breed.“

“Great food and atmosphere!“

“Great food, great people!“

“lot to choose from. fresh n hot grill, take n bake entrees, deli, NY style pizza.“