Café Violette

Lovely! This was an unplanned visit. We were headed to dine somewhere else in Blowing Rock. Because it was unplanned, we could only get outdoor seating. But it worked out for us.

We met the owner, Sunshine. Nice lady. We ordered the steak tartare, the soup du jour was this amazing creamy based pepper (like a pepper bisque) with a bit of a kick. I loved it so much, I dipped the focaccia into the soup. Delicious!

We also shared the halibut for dinner. So you may notice the plate has been split.

We enjoyed sitting on the porch looking out on the lovely downtown street & watching people and families walk by. It was a pleasant experience.

We scheduled reservations for a birthday celebration and we are so happy we discovered this amazing place. Michael was our waiter and was very impressed with the menu and the food service. We are very picky foodies and this place we HIGHLY RECOMMEND.

We were so lucky to get reservations at this exceptional French restaurant where I had one of the 2 best meals of my life! Ellen, our guide and friend (server simply can't describe how wonderful she was), explained the menu in detail and amplified our dining experience. I started with a perfect Sazerac. Then came mussels in a creamy pastis sauce followed by a crispy duck with labneh and apricots. Desserts for our party of 3 were too luscious for description. If you get a chance, go there! If you love food, plan a trip! You will not be disappointed.

We had one of the best dining experiences we have had to date. Our serving professional Cody was so knowledgeable and made excellent recommendations. We had the Grouper and scallops and neither my husband nor I wanted our meal to be over. It was just excellent. I also recommend their twist on the old fashion..
Excellent!

This French restaurant is quaint and charming creating an intimate, cozy atmosphere perfect for date nights and special occasions.

The menu focuses on local seasonal ingredients and changes often.

They are famous for their handmade French breads and mussels, so definitely add them to your starters.

The octopus is cooked to perfection with tons of flavor.

If you have never tried escargot, this is the place to try it! The escargot was perfectly cooked in a creamy, rich, garlic sauce topped with lovely little puffed pastries. The dish is excellent for sharing.

For small bites, they have a wonderful chaucuterie selection.

They have a fantastic cocktail menu in addition to beer and wine.

Chicken Cordon Bleu, Filet mignon and ESPECIALLY the Halibut was amazing on Thursday! We had the best time, great service and incredible food. Thank you💜

We happened upon this restaurant when everywhere else in Blowing Rock had a 1hr+ wait. They were able to seat us at the bar immediately. The service was very good with great attention to detail. The food was excellent and we would definitely recommend. It is a little pricey, but the quality in service, atmosphere, and food were a match for the money.

Also, I believe our servers name was Michael and he did a wonderful job!

I’m not one for reviews, but my husband and I’s experience was wonderful! We have been staying in Blowing Rock for the past week and prior to our arrival, I did some homework, researching the best restaurants in the area, since we are foodies and it’s a big part of our travels. This cafe was amongst the best restaurants listed in the area.
Our dinner at Cafe Violette was at the end of our week long stay in Blowing Rock, with several dinners around town already behind us, so we feel comfortable in saying, for the value, Cafe Violette is the “BEST” restaurant in town, our meal was wonderful and modestly priced!! The staff was amazing! Respectfully attentive to ALL their guests.
We had perfectly prepared, farm to table, “fresh” local vegetables, Halibut, Chicken Cordon Blue and escargot with puff pastry. The dining area was quaint, comfortable and beautifully decorated; lovely upholstered seating, lighting, music and place settings with perfectly paired Riedel wine glasses for our individual wine selections (we experienced some Libby wine glasses at some of the other “fine” dining locations in town). It was clear that they are focused on “every” dining detail. If your staying in the area and are wanting a true 5 star, high-end, lovely dining experience, this is the “only” place in town that hits ALL the criteria. This place is a jewel!

Most delicious Meal we have had in a long time. If you are you looking for a place that makes you feel at home with the best food around you definitely need to be here. The service and staff were impeccable. It is truly a gem in Blowing Rock, NC.

What a delicious meal and a quaint atmosphere! From the cocktails to the mussels, halibut, and mouth-watering steaks - delicious! I highly recommend this fantastic restaurant!

Fantastic! The service & server were amazing. Very patient even with all of our questions. Everything from our mocktails to dessert was wonderful!

Under new management, Café Violette is a gem and knows what's up. With COVID, they have spaced seating (including plexiglass barriers), including outdoor dining with heaters and sanitized blankets to keep warm on a colder night. Abbey (ask to sit in her section!) is incredible - she gave both her recommendations and our space. She was so beyond sweet and very attentive. We even went there two nights in a row she was so great.
For the food/drink, the bartender is a mixologist - highly recommend the cocktails.
Appetizer - Albondigas (meatballs) were a great texture and sauce
Entrees -
Steak Frites - perfectly cooked and nice touch of the chickpea fries
Scallops - light but huge portion with 5 large scallops, wonderful flavors and perfectly cooked
Pasta Carbonara - different than your typical carbonara, but amazing flavor (and naturally heavy)
Dessert - have to give a shout out to the Pistachio ice which has legit chunks of pistachio nuts

Go here. They're wonderful, kind and great in the kitchen and behind the bar.

The quality of the food was outstanding. I had the filet with side of scallops and both meats were perfectly executed. Great service and the owners really care about your experience. Thank you for a wonderful birthday dinner!

The service was great and the food was amazing! Make sure you have a reservation.

This was the best food I have eaten in 3 years. Glad they are there and hope they stay.. EXCELLENT!! Romantic.. Relaxing... Quaint. Thank You it was worth every penny

This place continues to give Blowing Rock visitors and locals world class cuisine. Fresh flavorful ingredients, not heavy. We love this place!

This place is incredible. We sat at the bar for an anniversary dinner and the food was outstanding. Our bartender, Lucia, made the experience even more memorable. Lots of delicious vegetarian options. Can't wait to come back!

A surprisingly wonderful little spot right on Main St in Blowing Rock. Once you find a parking space (only downside), Cafe Violette delivers on every level. Everyone from hosts, servers, manager/owner were smiling and very friendly. They were knowledgeable about the menu choices, and those menu choices weren't your everyday options. Quality, locally sourced ingredients are highlighted. Be sure to start with the focaccia with 4 dipping choices. Their "build your own charcuterie board" option is something new to us, and appreciated. My wife and I both enjoyed delightfully light shrimp fettuccine entre's...but steak, seafood and vegan dishes were also available. We finished things off with 2 unique dessert choices. Don't skip the bread and dessert options, their pastry chef is phenomenal. I hope you will give Cafe Violette a try...we know we will be back on our next visit.

We had a fabulous meal during our first visit. The drinks were yummy, the mussels were an excellent starter, and our entrees (halibut and scallops) were absolutely delicious.

Beautiful place. Excellent good and service. So glad we found them