Top 10 Places to Dine in Winston-Salem in 2027

How We Ranked These

We weighed each restaurant on what diners actually care about — food quality, consistency, value, atmosphere, and service — cross-referenced against Tripadvisor, Yelp, OpenTable, and local press from Winston-Salem Journal and Visit Winston-Salem. Picks span price points so the list works for a casual lunch, a family dinner, or a special-occasion night out. The weighting:

• Food quality and execution — 30%
• Consistency and service — 20%
• Value for the price — 20%
• Atmosphere and setting — 15%
• Menu range and dietary options — 15%

A famous name that has slipped on consistency drops; a smaller spot with great cooking and fair prices climbs.

1. The Katharine Brasserie & Bar 🏆 BEST OVERALL

The Katharine Brasserie & Bar

Inside the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in the restored R.J. Reynolds building downtown, The Katharine serves polished French-American brasserie fare — steak frites, roasted chicken, fresh oysters, and an excellent cocktail and wine program. The dining room is one of the most handsome in the city, and the bar is a destination in its own right. Dinner runs about $45–$80 per person. It earns the top spot for the best combination of food, room, and service in Winston-Salem.

Best for: special occasions, business dinners, date night.

2. Sweet Potatoes 💎 BEST VALUE

Sweet Potatoes

A downtown institution since 2003 in the Arts District, Sweet Potatoes (Well Shut My Mouth!!) serves elevated Southern soul food — fried chicken, shrimp and grits, salmon cakes, and namesake sweet potatoes done several ways. The room is warm and lively and the portions are generous. A full meal lands around $20–$35 per person, making it the best value on the list.

Best for: Southern comfort food, casual lunch, group dinners.

3. Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar

Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar

Set in a restored 1920s mansion in the West End, Spring House focuses on seasonal, farm-to-table Southern cooking with an emphasis on local sourcing. Multiple intimate dining rooms make it a favorite for celebrations. Mains run $28–$45.

Best for: farm-to-table dining, anniversaries, quieter rooms.

4. Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro

Mozelle's Fresh Southern Bistro

A cozy West End bungalow turned bistro, Mozelle's is known for fresh, scratch-made Southern plates — fried green tomatoes, low-country shrimp and grits, and a strong weekend brunch. Expect $20–$38 per person.

Best for: brunch, lunch, relaxed Southern fare.

5. Mission Pizza Napoletana

Mission Pizza Napoletana

A nationally recognized Neapolitan pizzeria, Mission Pizza turns out blistered, wood-fired pies from a 900-degree oven, plus excellent antipasti and a thoughtful natural-wine list. It has earned national press for some of the best pizza in the Southeast. Pies run $16–$24.

Best for: wood-fired pizza, casual dinner, wine lovers.

6. Quanto Basta Italian Eatery

Quanto Basta Italian Eatery

In the heart of the downtown Arts District, Quanto Basta ("QB") pairs handmade pasta and Italian classics with one of the city's best craft-cocktail bars. Lively and date-friendly. Plan on $25–$45 per person.

Best for: handmade pasta, cocktails, date night.

7. Little Richard's BBQ

Little Richard's BBQ

For Lexington-style pork barbecue — chopped, hickory-smoked, and served with red slaw and hush puppies — Little Richard's is a Winston-Salem-area staple. Classic, no-frills, and affordable at $12–$22 per person.

Best for: North Carolina barbecue, casual family meals.

8. Camino Bakery

Camino Bakery

A downtown coffeehouse and bakery beloved for fresh breads, pastries, breakfast plates, and excellent coffee. A perfect casual breakfast or lunch stop at $8–$16 per person.

Best for: breakfast, coffee, pastries, working lunch.

9. Willow's Bistro

Willow's Bistro

Tucked just south of downtown, Willow's offers an approachable seasonal menu of small plates and entrees with a strong wine and craft-beer list in a relaxed neighborhood setting. Expect $22–$40 per person.

Best for: small plates, neighborhood dinner, wine pairing.

10. Cugino Forno Pizzeria

Cugino Forno Pizzeria

A casual, family-run Neapolitan spot in the Wake Forest Innovation Quarter, Cugino Forno serves authentic wood-fired pizzas in a fun communal-table setting. Affordable and consistent at $14–$22 per person.

Best for: casual pizza, families, quick dinner.

A Guide to Winston-Salem’s Emerging Culinary Neighborhoods

While downtown and the West End get most of the attention, Winston-Salem’s dining scene has expanded into several distinct neighborhoods worth exploring in 2027. Trade Street in the Arts District remains the epicenter for walkable, chef-driven spots, but Peters Creek Parkway has quietly become a hub for international cuisine, with family-run Vietnamese, Indian, and Mexican restaurants offering meals in the $12–$25 per person range. The Reynolda Village area, anchored by the Reynolda House museum, offers a more refined, garden-adjacent dining experience with spots like The Village Tavern (entrees $18–$35) and the seasonal pop-ups at Reynolda Gardens. For a truly local experience, head to Waughtown Street in the southeastern part of the city, where a cluster of taquerias and Latin bakeries serve some of the most authentic and affordable food in the Triad — think tacos for $3–$5 each and fresh pan dulce for under $2. Each neighborhood has its own character: Trade Street is buzzy and art-filled, Reynolda Village is tranquil and historic, and Waughtown offers a genuine taste of the city’s growing diversity. When planning a dining crawl, consider starting with appetizers and cocktails in the Arts District, moving to a main course in Reynolda, and finishing with late-night tacos or churros on Waughtown — a strategy locals use to sample the city’s breadth in a single evening.

How to Navigate Reservations, Wait Times, and Peak Hours

Winston-Salem’s top restaurants vary widely in their reservation policies, and knowing when to book can save you an hour-long wait. The Katharine Brasserie & Bar and Spring House Restaurant, Kitchen & Bar require reservations at least one to two weeks in advance for weekend dinner slots, especially during college events (Wake Forest and UNC School of the Arts) or the annual RiverRun International Film Festival in April. Sweet Potatoes and Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro accept reservations for parties of six or more but typically hold 30–40% of tables for walk-ins — arrive by 5:15 PM on a Friday or Saturday to secure a spot without waiting. Little Richard’s Barbecue and Mission Pizza are strictly first-come, first-served, with peak waits of 20–45 minutes between 12:30 PM and 1:30 PM for lunch and 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM for dinner. A pro tip: many downtown restaurants offer bar seating that opens up earlier than main dining tables, and bartenders often serve the full menu. For large groups (eight or more), call at least three weeks ahead for Spring House or The Katharine, and consider weekday lunches — Tuesday through Thursday — when many of these spots have same-day availability and quieter atmospheres. If you’re flexible, use OpenTable’s “notify me” feature for cancellations, which are common at the 24-hour mark.

Dietary Restrictions, Allergies, and Inclusive Menus

Winston-Salem’s dining scene has improved significantly for guests with dietary restrictions, though the level of accommodation varies by restaurant. The Katharine Brasserie & Bar leads the way with a dedicated gluten-free menu and a chef who will modify most dishes for dairy-free or nut-free requests — just note it on your reservation. Sweet Potatoes offers clearly marked vegetarian and vegan options (their collard greens are cooked without meat on request) and can accommodate gluten-free diners with advance notice, though cross-contamination is possible in the shared fryer. Mission Pizza has a dedicated gluten-free crust (add $3) and vegan cheese, but their kitchen is small, so inform the staff when you order. For halal or kosher dining, options are more limited: Zaytoon Mediterranean Grill on Peters Creek Parkway is fully halal, with platters in the $12–$18 range, while kosher diners will need to call ahead to most restaurants — Spring House has accommodated kosher-style requests with 48-hour notice. If you have celiac disease or a severe allergy, Camino Bakery offers a rotating selection of gluten-free pastries and sandwiches, and their staff is trained in allergen protocols. A general rule: call during off-peak hours (2:00–4:00 PM) to speak directly with a kitchen manager, and always mention restrictions when booking — the best Winston-Salem restaurants take dietary needs seriously but appreciate the heads-up to prepare separate prep areas and utensils.

FAQ

Is The Katharine Brasserie & Bar really the best restaurant in Winston-Salem? It consistently earns top marks for its refined French-American menu and polished service, making it a strong candidate for best overall. However, “best” is subjective—diners seeking a more casual or affordable experience may prefer other spots on this list.

How much should I expect to spend at a top Winston-Salem restaurant? Prices vary widely, from around $20–$35 per person at Southern comfort spots like Sweet Potatoes to $45–$80 per person at fine-dining venues like The Katharine. Most mid-range options fall between $25 and $50 per person.

Are these restaurants suitable for vegetarians or those with dietary restrictions? Many of the top picks offer vegetarian and gluten-free options, though menus change seasonally. It’s best to check the restaurant’s current menu or call ahead to confirm specific dietary needs.

Do I need a reservation for these popular dining spots? Reservations are strongly recommended for fine-dining and high-demand restaurants, especially on weekends. Casual spots may accept walk-ins, but wait times can vary.

Which area of Winston-Salem has the best concentration of top restaurants? The downtown Arts District and West End neighborhoods have the highest density of highly rated dining options. Old Salem also offers a few historic, well-regarded spots.

How often is this list updated? This list reflects the dining scene as of 2027, based on current reviews and local feedback. We aim to revisit and refresh the rankings annually to account for new openings and changes in quality.

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Sources

• Visit Winston-Salem — dining guide
• The Katharine Brasserie & Bar — official site
• Sweet Potatoes — official site
• Mission Pizza Napoletana — official site
• Tripadvisor — Winston-Salem restaurants
• Winston-Salem Journal — dining coverage

*best restaurants in Winston-Salem review — where to eat in Winston-Salem, top dining, ratings, and a review of the best places to eat in Winston-Salem 2027.*

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