Our Favorites
These are our favorite restaurants and shops. We are foodies who avoid fast foods, so those establishments that make the list serve quality foods that are delicious in a delightful atmosphere. New additions will be added as we discover them. If you find a treasure, let us know in the contacts page.
Our Favorite Restaurants and Shops
LUNCH and DINNER
The Purple Onion (Saluda)
A fantastic dinner restaurant with a great 3-season covered patio as well as outdoor tables under umbrellas and inside seating. The menu is slightly Mediterranean, though there are burgers and other non-Mediterranean dishes on the menu. Well-behaved dogs on leashes are welcome on the patio. Open 11:00 - 3:00 for lunch and opens at 5:00 pm for dinner. Closed Tuesdays.
16 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773. (828) 749-1179. http://www.purpleonionsaluda.com
Flat Rock Village Bakery (Flat Rock)
Hands-down one of the best breakfast places we have ever been to anywhere, but they also serve lunch and early dinners starting at 11:00 am. They serve fantastic homemade wood-fired pizza (after 11:00), great salads, and sandwiches on homemade bread. Open 7 days from 8:00am-5:00pm.
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2710 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC 28731 http://villagebakerync.com/ (828) 693-1313
Wildfour Bakery (Saluda)
See Breakfast
Haus Heidelberg (Hendersonville)
This fabulous German restaurant is located right at the point where Greenville Hwy meets Spartanburg Hwy just outside of downtown. The food is amazing. My favorites are the Sauerbraten, Weiner Schnitzel, and the Gypsy Schnitzel, and all of the sausages are fabulous! Save room for dessert as they have some fabulous choices. Open Mon-Thurs 11-2 for lunch and then 5-9 for dinner, and open Saturday from 11-9 and Sunday from 11-8. Reservations suggested.
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630 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28792. (828) 693-8227. http://hausheidelberg.com/menu
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MezzaLuna (Hendersonville)
Great Main Street spot serving wood-fired pizzas & Italian fare. Very good restaurant and a great setting sitting under the red umbrellas in the large sidewalk cafe area right on Hendersonville’s fabulous Main Street. Both the pizza and the Italian dishes are really good.
Pet friendly in the sidewalk cafe area. Open 7 days a week from 11:00 am - 8:50 pm.
226 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 https://mezzaluna-hendersonville.com (828) 697-6575
Camp Fire Grill (Flat Rock)
A great spot in Flat Rock’s Little Rainbow Row shops. They have great burgers, roasted chicken, and a lot more, as well as a full bar. Camp Fire Grill is owned by the same people as Hubba Hubba BBQ, which says a lot for the quality of the food. Pet friendly outside seating. Closed Tuesdays.
Open Monday and Wednesday from 3:00 - 8:00 pm. Open Thursday - Sunday 11:00 - 8:00.
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2770 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC 28731 http://www.campfiregrillnc.com/ (828) 595-9849
Hubba Hubba Smokehouse (Flat Rock)
The area’s best BBQ according to many. Owned by the same people as Camp Fire Grill, and located right next door in Flat Rock’s Little Rainbow Row shops. Slow-smoked over wood fires, hand-pulled, and served with homemade sauces. Best in region if not even farther.
Open Monday - Thursday 11:00 - 3:00, Friday - Sunday 11:00 - 7:00.
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2724 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC 28731. (828) 694-3551
https://hubbahubbasmokehouse.squarespace.com/menu
Mountain Deli (Hendersonville)
Our favorite sandwich shop. We often pick up take-away orders to take on a hike. The sandwiches are fabulous, but make sure you also grab a brownie! Located on Main St in Hendersonville. Pet friendly outside seating under umbrellas available. CLOSED WEEKENDS. Open Monday – Friday 10:30am – 3:00pm.
343 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 http://mountaindelinc.com/ (828) 693-0093
Aroma Indian Restaurant (Hendersonville)
An excellent Indian restaurant on Hendersonville’s beautiful Main Street. It’s hard to walk anywhere near this place without craving Indian food as the aroma of the cooking wafts down Main Street and 5th Avenue as they prepare to open. Some outdoor seating available.
502 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC. https://www.indianaromabistro.com/ (828) 393-5501
The Wood Room (Flat Rock)
A very popular BBQ joint on Greenville Hwy in Flat Rock. In our opinion, it is not as good as Hubba Hubba, but that is only our opinion. They are always busy, so lots of people love it.
1501 Greenville Hwy, Hendersonville, NC 28792. https://www.orderflatrockwoodroom.com/
(828) 435-1391
Brook’s Tavern (Hendersonville)
A snug, brick-walled pub-like restaurant offering traditional American fare like burgers, sandwiches & salads. All are excellent. They have a huge bar and sports on the TVs. Open 7 days a week 11-8.
142 3rd Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28792. https://brookstavern.com/ (828) 595-9994
West First Wood-Fired Pizza (Hendersonville)
Mediterranean fare like thin-crust pizzas, pasta & fresh-baked bread in a striking loft setting. Good pizza. Closed Sundays. Open Monday - Saturday from 11:00 - 2:00 and 4:30 - 9:00.
101B 1st Ave W, Hendersonville, NC 28792. http://westfirstwoodfired.com/ (828) 693-1080
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Kilwyn’s Ice Cream and Chocolates (Hendersonville)
Okay, so not necessarily dinner, but really that’s a matter of opinion. Kilwyn’s has great ice cream. We especially love their chocolate ice cream and their raspberry sorbet. Find them on Main St. at
506 N Main St, Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 698-9794
https://www.kilwins.com/pages/stores-near-me-hendersonville-nc-28792-0043
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Celtic Creamery (Hendersonville)
Another very good ice cream shop with all ice cream made right there in the store. This is not a chain and their product is excellent. They are just off of Main St on 7th Ave.
227 7th Ave E, Hendersonville, NC 28792 (828) 595-9250 https://celticcreamery.com/
BREAKFAST
Wakey Monkey (Saluda)
A beloved coffeeshop, bakery, and lunch spot in downtown Saluda, right behind the police station.
Hours are Tue - Fri 6:30 am - 2:00 pm, Sat - Sun 8:00 am - 2:00 pm. Closed on Mondays.
28 Church St, Saluda, NC 28773 http://wakeymonkey.com/ (828) 769-9040
Flat Rock Village Bakery (Flat Rock)
Hands-down one of the best breakfast places we have ever been to anywhere. Egg sandwiches on homemade bagels or bread, breakfast salads (don't knock it til you try it), and pastries and breads to die for. They have excellent teas, organic coffees, and espresso drinks. They source as much as possible from local farms and other local suppliers. Also serves lunch and early dinner.
Open 7 days a week from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.
2710 Greenville Hwy, Flat Rock, NC 28731 http://villagebakerync.com/ (828) 693-1313
Wildfour Bakery (Saluda)
Lovely bakery with fresh pastries. They also serve lunch and brunch. Pizza nights are Wednesdays and Fridays from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Closed Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Open Wed and Friday from 8:00 - 2:00 and for dinner from 5:00 - 8:00. On Saturdays they are open from 8:00 - 2:00. On Sundays they are open from 9:00 - 2:00.
173 E Main St, Saluda, NC 28773 http://www.wildflourbakerync.com/ (828)-749-3356
GIFT SHOPPING
Elm and Owl Gallery (Saluda)
The Wrinkled Egg (Flat Rock)
Dogwood (Flatrock)
Hendersonville’s Main Street and 7th St Districts - many, many shops