Content Produced in Partnership with Explore Brevard.
North Carolina has a little bit of everything, from the coasts of the eastern part of the state to the mountains of the west, but perhaps the Tar Heel state’s strength lies in its small towns. Brevard, which is surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains, sits within easy driving of Asheville and Greenville, South Carolina, and is one of those amazing towns with Main Street USA peacefulness. Brevard is packed with oodles of charm, natural beauty and culinary delights. Fresh, local ingredients and innovative takes on classic dishes is what you’ll find here. We can get you started with recommendations, but there are too many great eateries to name, so you’ll just have to make the trip to Brevard and experience it for yourself.
Sunrise Café
It’s the most important meal of the day, and we have just the stop to get your day off on the right foot. Sunrise Café is right across the street from Brevard College, near downtown Brevard. Sunrise serves up traditional southern breakfast treats and biscuits, but the variety of savory & sweet bagels and breakfast burritos are the real bright spot here. For example, Sunrise serves up a burrito supreme which is made with a jalapeño cheddar tortilla, sausage, home fries, salsa, pepper jack & cheddar cheese, two eggs, onion and peppers. Sunrise is also open for lunch, and has a variety of sandwiches, salads and snacks.
Ktchn
One of Brevard’s newest additions is Ktchn, with a wide selection that leans toward Italian pasta dishes but also includes burgers and sandwiches. Ktchn opened its doors in 2018, and the atmosphere inside is wonderful. If you’re having lunch, the restaurant is awash in natural light. If you’re in after dark, you’ll be engulfed in romantic lighting like a more traditional Italian restaurant. The dishes are anything but ordinary, however. Whether you want a fine pasta dinner or a chicken parmesan sandwich, you’ll find unique flairs, like the sweet potato tots as an option for sandwiches. If you’re a fan of sweet potato fries, these tots are a must try.
Quixote
Our next stop is fine dining straight from Mexico. Quixote’s menu is described by the owners as “home-style recipes straight from Guadalajara.” Quixote opened in 2012 and serves up brunch and dinner with options for meat lovers and vegetarians alike. There are so many delicious dishes on this menu that it can be difficult to decide on just one, but it’s hard to go wrong with the house specials. We recommend the Piña Cantamar, which is a half pineapple stuffed with mango and chipotle shrimp, topped with chihuahua cheese, and then baked. You have your authentic Mexican dish, a delicious cocktail, and you’re sitting inside Quixote’s star-lit dining room or out on the patio enjoying the sounds of downtown Brevard — It doesn’t get much better than that.
The Falls Landing
A staple of the community has earned its reputation for a reason, and The Falls Landing in downtown Brevard is certainly no exception. The Falls Landing has been open since 1993 and is a seafood-focused restaurant. The Falls Landing also has meals you’d expect to find at a fine dining establishment, like steaks, rack of lamb, and linguini, but the seafood steals the show. Freshwater fish, including salmon with a panko horseradish crust and a Dijon chive cream cheese or North Carolina trout pan-seared with a saffron dill cream are absolutely delightful. Ask your server about beer pairings with local brews like Brevard Brewing and Highland Brewing.
Dugan’s Irish Pub
Bar food, when done right, is one of the most enjoyable guilty pleasures. Dugan’s Irish Pub has put together a menu you wish your local bar had. High quality fried options are what awaits when you step into Dugan’s Notre-Dame inspired pub. Shareables, like the onion rings and cheese curds, which are both served with Dugan’s jalapeño ranch dip, are exactly what you need to go with a pint of Guinness or a North Carolina beer. If you’re looking for something to devour all by yourself, Dugan’s has signature burgers, like the delicious patty melt or the bleu cheese burger. There’s also traditional Irish food, like Shepherd’s pie, Dublin Bay fish & chips, and corned beef & cabbage.
Forks of the River Taproom
There are tons of great restaurants in Brevard, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t point you (and your taste buds) toward an establishment focused on serving up an array of North Carolina beer. Forks of the River Taproom, just southwest of Brevard in Rosman, sits on the banks of the French Broad River. Forks of the River regularly rotates its taps to feature new and seasonal brews, and they also have a wide selection of canned beers, as well. Once you have your beer, you can sit inside the taproom, on the covered porch, or at the picnic tables right next to the French Broad. It doesn’t get much more relaxing than sipping on a cold beer and listening to a babbling river.