7 classic roadside diners in North Carolina that are worth a detour
Hearty, mouth-watering food and an authentic atmosphere make these classic diners in North Carolina worth visiting—no matter how far you have to drive.
North Carolina is home to a diverse selection of restaurants, from upscale fine dining establishments with white tablecloths and lengthy wine lists to pubs with hearty fare and craft beer. There are also plenty of classic diners in the Tar Heel State, complete with checkered tablecloths, large booths, a long, narrow counter with barstools, and maybe even a jukebox.
While many of the best diners in North Carolina can be found in major cities like Raleigh or Charlotte, some are tucked away in smaller towns or located off the beaten path. Don’t let their location deter you, though—with their delicious, down-home dishes and charming, retro interiors, these diners are definitely worth the drive.
Keep reading to discover the best detour-worthy diners in North Carolina that serve up homestyle dishes with a heaping side of nostalgia.
1. Angie’s Restaurant
Angie’s Restaurant, located just northeast of downtown Garner, offers classic country cooking in a casual and cozy environment. Founded in 2011 by Angie Mikus, who started waiting tables at another Garner restaurant when she was 15 years old, Angie’s Restaurant has become a staple in the Garner community.
Open for breakfast and lunch, the menu is full of comforting Southern dishes that are made to order. For breakfast, there are 10 different omelets to choose from, as well as biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches, and platters. Lunch options include a variety of burgers, sandwiches, and salads, as well as platters featuring protein options such as city ham, country-style steak, and pork chops, served with two sides and bread.
Garner is located about 10 minutes from Raleigh, meaning you don’t have to stray too far off the beaten path to enjoy a meal at Angie’s. And don’t worry about showing up solo. Mikus says when the restaurant is busy, diners are often seated at tables with other patrons they don’t know and walk away friends after sharing a meal.
Hours: Angie’s Restaurant is open from 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
Address: 1340 W. Garner Rd., Garner
2. Lucy in the Rye
If you’re heading to Asheville for a mountain getaway, consider taking a detour to Sylva for some comforting diner food. Less than 50 miles from Asheville, Sylva is a small town that’s home to Lucy in the Rye, a classic American diner serving breakfast and lunch six days a week.
Sink into one of the restaurant’s cozy leather booths and enjoy all the Southern-style diner staples you know and love, from big breakfast plates and omelets to fried chicken, corned beef hash, and biscuits and gravy. Or, try one of the restaurant’s more unique offerings, such as spinach pie (an ode to chef-owner Dino Mitsides’s Greek roots), The Ringo, a loaded Belgian waffle, or a miso beet burger.
If you’re dining with kids, they’ll get crayons and paper to draw something that will later be displayed on the restaurant’s walls.
Hours: Lucy in the Rye is open from 7:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. (closed on Tuesday).
Address: 612 W. Main St., Sylva
3. Old Bridge Diner
If you’re planning a beach getaway from mainland North Carolina, add breakfast or lunch at Old Bridge Diner to your itinerary. Located on Oak Island, Old Bridge Diner exudes classic diner vibes, serving up hearty, comforting meals in a casual, cozy environment.
As is the case with most diners, the majority of Old Bridge Diner’s breakfast options celebrate the humble egg. Choices include egg plates, served with two sides, omelets (cheese, meat and cheese, or veggie), eggs Benedict, and steak n’ eggs. Other options range from pancakes to biscuits and gravy to French toast. For lunch, Old Bridge Diner offers a large selection of burgers and sandwiches, as well as seafood, lunch plates like country fried steak topped with sausage gravy, and salads.
Hours: Old Bridge Diner is open from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. daily.
Address: 132 Country Club Dr., Oak Island
4. Clyde’s Restaurant
Located in the often-overlooked town of Waynesville, which is just a short drive from Asheville, Clyde’s Restaurant is worth driving out of the way for. The retro interior of this downhome diner features spacious booths perfect for families and plenty of counter seating for solo diners.
Clyde’s offers a lengthy list of burgers and sandwiches, including a chili cheeseburger, a patty melt, a pimento cheeseburger, and a reuben sandwich. Some of the restaurant’s entrees include a chicken platter, beef tips, ribeye, and fried shrimp. The portions here are generous, just as you’d expect at a classic diner.
Hours: Clyde’s Restaurant is open Wednesday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Address: 2107 S. Main St., Waynesville
5. Beach Mountain Diner
Beach Mountain Diner is also located in Waynesville—with a second location in Dillsboro—but offers a slightly different diner experience than Clyde’s Restaurant. The Blue Ridge Mountains are a favorite vacation spot of Beach Mountain Diner’s owner, Barry Adeeb, who also owns multiple award-winning beach diners in Florida. Beach Mountain Diner is a concept restaurant inspired by Adeeb’s two favorite places: the mountains and the beach.
The restaurant’s breakfast menu includes diner classics like omelets, biscuits and gravy, breakfast sandwiches, pancakes, and waffles. The lunch menu also features diner favorites, as well as some unique offerings, such as a tuna and tabouli pita and an avocado stuffed with chicken, tuna, or tabouli salad.
The interior of Beach Mountain Diner is a bit more contemporary than most diners, but it still features some classic touches, including leather barstool seating, roomy booths, and drop lighting.
Hours: Beach Mountain Diner is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 429 Hazelwood Ave., Waynesville, and 489 Haywood Rd., Dillsboro
6. Ward’s Grill
Step into Ward’s Grill, and you’re instantly transported back in time. This 1950s-style diner serves classic Southern breakfast and lunch dishes, including burgers and sandwiches, roast pork or beef, grits, and biscuits and gravy, as well as tasty desserts like handspun milkshakes and sundaes.
Located in the small mountain town of Saluda, Ward’s Grill has an authentic retro diner aesthetic, with red and white checkered tablecloths, exposed pipes, and drop lighting. The restaurant is situated next to Thompson’s Store, the oldest grocery store in North Carolina, where you can pick up gourmet goods, local jams, fresh produce, craft beers, and more.
Hours: Ward’s Grill is open Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Address: 24 E. Main St., Saluda
7. Johnson’s Drive In
The menu at Johnson’s Drive In is limited—but each item is executed to perfection. The unpretentious diner has been around since 1946 and is best known for its mouth-watering burgers, made with grain-fed beef and Velveeta cheese and served in parchment paper. (According to its website, the restaurant’s burgers were voted Best Burger in North Carolina by the North Carolina House of Representatives.)
Johnson’s also serves hot dogs and cheese dogs, grilled cheese and lettuce and tomato sandwiches, and fries.
Part of Johnson’s charm is the fact that not much has changed since it opened decades ago. The menu remains largely the same, as does the interior, which features wood paneling on the walls and green leatherette stools and booths. The restaurant is located in Siler City, a quick drive from bustling areas like Greensboro and Chapel Hill.
Pro tip: Arrive early to ensure you get to try a burger—the restaurant prepares a limited number of burgers every day and closes whenever the food runs out.
Hours: Johnson’s Drive In is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until the food runs out).
Address: 1520 E. 11th St., Siler City
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