Western North Carolina’s long growing season and mild winters are perfect ingredients for a bountiful harvest of produce, dairy, and other fresh farm products. This annual abundance is one of the many reasons why people value life in our slice of the Blue Ridge Mountains. And when fresh local produce makes it to local restaurants, local chefs concoct something magical.
Whether you consider yourself a “foodie” or you just enjoy local food (who doesn’t?), delicious options are available at every peak and hollow. If you’re planning a day trip to Maggie Valley, there are several locations you won’t want to miss.
Here are five delicious stops for a great foodie day in Maggie Valley, NC.
Breakfast at Joey’s Pancake House
Joey’s Pancake House is a family-style restaurant that has been serving breakfast to locals and visitors since 1966. Their menu features a large variety of tempting pancakes, golden waffles, country-style cured ham, and seasonal specials spiked with flavor. Among their dozen regular pancake specials are silver dollar, apple struedel, Reese’s Cup, and orange blackberry ricotta pancakes. Fans of Joey’s can also purchase store items, including coffee mugs, country ham, and Christmas ornaments. Joey’s is open until 1:00 PM, seven days a week.
4309 Soco Road, Maggie Valley | (828) 926-0212 | joeyspancake.com
Lunch at Maggie Valley Restaurant
While many restaurants come and go, Maggie Valley Restaurant has been a local staple since 1952. Authentic Southern dishes always made fresh, fast service, and competitive prices have drawn the crowds back year after year. Breakfast is served until 2:00 PM, and lunch starts at 11:00 AM, making every day a great day for brunch! If you’re not afraid of carbs, we recommend adding a side biscuit with red eye gravy (coffee, country ham drippings, and pepper) to your meal, available upon request.
2804 Soco Road, Maggie Valley | (828) 926-0425 | facebook.com/carversmvr
Drinks at BearWaters Brewing
What happens when passion collides with creativity, a love for beer making, and the best ingredients? Award-winning beer! BearWaters Brewing serves artfully crafted brews in a vast variety of European and American styles and flavors. But they also place emphasis on quality, service, community, and sustainability. Indulge your foodie senses at their three-kitchen dining experience, featuring artisan pizza, authentic Thai cuisine, and chef-driven bistro steaks. These distinct culinary experiences combine cultural authenticity with elevated bistro-style cooking.
4352 Soco Road, Maggie Valley | (828) 944-0009 | bearwatersbrewing.com
Dinner at Frankie’s Italian Trattoria
There are some great dinner options in Maggie Valley—more than you’d expect for a town this size. But today, we settled on Frankie’s Italian Trattoria as our foodie day suggestion. The Perrone family has brought authentic Italian recipes to their trattoria (less formal than a ristorante, but more formal than pizzeria). Their extensive wine list pairs well with a full menu of antipasti, insalate, and panino. Try a classic brick-oven pizza—a recipe perfected more than a half century ago. Or choose from a rich menu of “secondi” entrees.
1037 Soco Road, Maggie Valley | (828) 926-6216 | frankiestrattoria.com
Dessert at Maggie Valley Ice Cream
Indulge your sweet tooth and your inner child at Maggie Valley Ice Cream. This ice cream parlor specializes in sundaes, milkshakes, banana splits, and old fashioned soda floats. What more could you ask for? Choose from dozens of ice cream and frozen yogurt flavors, including Dutch chocolate, peanut butter fudge, and cotton candy. As a bonus treat, stop by Jelly Belly’s Mountain Gift candy shop next door!
3481 Soco Road, Maggie Valley | facebook.com/maggievalleyicecream
Make Maggie Valley, NC your home, and enjoy great food every day!
Maggie Valley traces its roots to the early 1800s and a group of pioneering settlers in Cataloochee Valley. Today, Maggie Valley is an epicenter of old-time mountain fun—with family restaurants and fine dining, foot-stomping Appalachian song and dance, putt-putt, and some of the best snow skiing in the South. This laid-back resort town is easy to traverse year round. Most businesses are located along a five-mile stretch of US Highway 19 known as Soco Road. Nearby Cataloochee Valley is home to a growing elk population.
Does that sound like the perfect lifestyle for you? Find your dream home in Maggie Valley, NC!
