The Bluffs

I got the Chicken dinner. The pieces were smallish, but they more than made up for it with their flavorful seasoning. Probably the best seasoned chicken I've ever had, Sorry, Mom. Nice atmosphere and the two employees I dealt with were very friendly and professional. I would definitely return and try more menu items. I took some cobbler home and it was excellent, as well. Bonus: this restaurant is in a beautiful, scenic property, Doughton Park on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The food was fantastic and the service was great. The fried chicken was A+ and all of the sides were delicious. Get the collard greens. They brought crayons and things for the kids to color on while we waited. FYI parents - the kids meals had very generous portions. They were essentially the same size as the main menu. I definitely recommend stopping here as you traverse the parkway.

Joshua was a wonderful waiter. The breakfast was amazing. We wanted the homemade spaghetti but it was too early for lunch. We will be back for sure.

Oh my gosh - absolutely my favorite place to eat on the parkway and I've eaten at the Pisgah Inn and at Peak of Otter Lodge. The vibe is fantastic, the employees are fun (and I really liked the music they played too.) I sat at the bar and had a beer and the shrimp and grits and it was amazing. I'd come back here any time I got the chance!

I am giving this review after the third day the newly remodeled restaurant, Memorial Day 2021, thus all comments reflect the just opened status and may change. First of all it is reservation only at this point. Call ahead and secure your spot as it is very busy. Second, it is shut on Tuesday but that may change based on Memorial day being a Monday. Third, the ambiance is better than original and yet fully restored. Painted beams, upgraded chairs make it bright and more sophisticated. Perfectly restored fixtures and bar stools, and a very clean up service area makes the 1949 dinner shine. The menu was great but a little thin as they ran out of some items from a massive turn out. The food was great, but be prepared for a little higher prices. We paid $35 before tips for an appetizer, two lunch items and tap water. In my opinion well worth it for the experience and isolated location.

Beautiful restaurant right on the BRP. Good southern comfort food. Our waitress was extremely friendly and attentive. Reservations must be a thing. When we got there at 11:00 AM we were asked if we had reservations. I first thought it was a joke because the place was empty, but she was serious. By the time we left, it was packed. The tent out front should have been a clue that it is a popular place.
Great experience all the way around. Hope we can eat there again next time we’re in the area.

Bottom line: Loved my experience and will be back. Excellent location right on the Blue Ridge parkway (easy access with plenty of parking). Food was good. Service was attentive, pleasant, and helpful. I thought the prices were reasonable for the location (maybe a little high, but not outrageous). Overall, I highly recommend stopping here during a drive along the Blue Ridge parkway.

More details:
The burger was good (especially the grilled onions). Several other items on the menu caught my eye including the Fried Chicken, Shrimp and Grits, and the Waffles - plenty of options for my next trip. During a hike in Doughton Park, I'm going to try the ice cream as well.
Since there are nice picnic areas in Doughton Park (with amazing views), maybe a to-go order...
At this time, they don't require reservations (although recommend them on busy weekends and holidays). Normal hours include breakfast 8-10, lunch 11-4, and dinner 5-8 (although they fed me during the lunch to dinner changeover). Since not all of the BRP even has cell service, having WiFi during this stop was great.
Note that they are closed on Tuesdays. And they are currently waiting for their liquor license, so no beer or wine yet.
The Doughton Park campground is a short distance down the road - which is a nice walk.

The Bluffs restaurant was a mainstay along the BRP for many years. After closing for a decade, The Bluffs has recently been renovated and is working to re- become a must stop landmark on the Blue Ridge parkway.

Looking forward to my next opportunity to stop while on the BRP.

We had a great brunch here yesterday on my mom’s birthday. The food was excellent and our server, Josh, met all of our many requests. It’s a beautiful drive on the parkway from our property just north in Independence, Virginia. My mom and a friend from her exercise class had a few mimosas which was entertaining. As we were leaving I went to the counter to get a coffee to-go cup. There was a gorgeous young lady behind the counter. She may have been the owner or possibly a manager of the restaurant. Very nice indeed. This place is a great pit stop, in my opinion, if you are local or just traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway. Make reservations online with your iPhone. They have busy times.

We hiked to The Bluffs from the Doughton Park campground on the Bluff Mtn trail. It was a gentle up and down through forests and meadows and just long enough to work up an appetite. Reservations are highly recommended as it is a busy place. I thought the pecan crusted trout was delicious. My husband was craving fried chicken and cornbread and said it was very good. The building was recently remodeled preserving the woodwork, using original fixtures, and old photographs. You feel immersed in the history. We highly recommend and will be going back.

Love this place! The food and ambience we're awesome! I had the chicken salad sandwich and my family had the Reuben and the BLT with fried green tomatoes. Everything was fantastic.The chicken salad sandwich had walnuts and Red grapes infused which was delicious. They had great music playing as well. What a great find on the Blue ridge parkway! A true gem!! I will definitely recommend to friends and family and I will definitely be returning when I'm back in the area. After our hike its was a great way to finish the day!!

This area of the Blue Ridge Parkway is just beautiful. The Bluffs restaurant is icing on the cake. Our food was so good! We had burgers with vegetable sides and everything we ordered was delicious and well seasoned. The staff is very friendly and helpful. We drove up from Greensboro for the day and it was well worth the drive. Don’t miss this iconic restored restaurant. It’s a gem!

Great place for food and to rest. Reasonable priced, friendly people trying their best. We hiked from the picnic area over the Highlands, had lunch and then back

Attentive service, epic location, awesome food.
Definitely try the fried chicken. Crispy outside with tender, moist meat. Also for starters, get the spinach artichoke dip.

I wish I could give it more than 5 stars!!! My friend and I stopped in for a late lunch. She had the vegetable plate. She couldn’t stop saying how delicious the sweet potato casserole was. I had the shrimp and grits! They were phenomenal! They give you a generous portion too so I’m having the rest for dinner! If you are on the Blue Ridge Parkway, you must stop in for a meal or at least some cobbler! If you are in West Jefferson or Sparta, why not take a scenic drive to enjoy a meal at this sweet spot. It’s a little piece of history, clean as a whistle and so quaint. I love the southern charm and local art. The service was outstanding as well! You can also pick up some souvenirs there. It’s right across from Doughton Park so you could take in some amazing views before or after your meal or take a hike and work up an appetite. The Bluffs is a Blue Ridge Parkway treasure that everyone should check out! I will be back soon!

I am glad to see the bluffs restaurant back open.my wife and I went in August and loved it.the menu is great and the staff is very friendly.dont leave till you have tried the fried chicken or shrimp and grits.we will be back before they close for the season

Great service, nice location, wonderful food, small town feel ON the Blue ridge Parkway....can't be beat. Stop in when you pass through; it will be well worth your time.

Fried chicken was some of the best we've ever had. One person in our group had the fish that was outstanding. Mashed potatoes were superb and the cornbread was outstanding. All around great experience.

Character detail and excellent food. The refurbished oldest food establishment on the Parkway is well worth the current detour. Easy to moderate hikes surrounding make for a great day. Check current hours of operation. Hopefully they will survive the current roadwork that detours travelers right past this unique site in a wonderful natural setting.

Just a wonderful place to stop. We tried a little bit of everything on the menu, and I would go back for the sides alone! Everything was good and the collards, mashed potatoes, burgers, salads, and breakfast biscuits were very very good. Prices were very good for being in an area where there isn't much competition. They are seasonal, but are worth the stop- probably the best on the northern NC side of the BRP.

IT SHOULD BE ILLEGAL TO SERVE FRIED CHICKEN THIS GOOD!!

Seriously- this chicken can go up against any grandmama’s chicken any day! My husband and I were in on this past Sunday and once again we were not disappointed. Cal and his staff were bustling, yet still took time to visit with every table.

The food was amazing, with a wonderful blend of seasonings and served at the perfect temperature. I had the chicken, mashed potatoes and collard greens, while my husband had the chicken and salad. The portions were large, the skin was crispy, and the meat was tender and juicy. You can tell that they take the time to make sure it is made right.

Do not let the detour deter you. Yes, you will drive out of your way, but you will not stand in line more than five minutes once you get there.