Banner Elk Cafe & Tavern

During our vacation, my family and I had the pleasure of dining at this establishment for both breakfast and dinner, and I must say, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.

The espresso bar in the morning is a real treat. It offers a great selection of coffee that perfectly complements the breakfast menu. Speaking of breakfast, it was nothing short of delicious. I particularly recommend the Mountain Man breakfast – do yourself a favor and opt for the French toast with strawberries. It's a flavorful start to the day that really sets the tone.

Come evening, the dinner and pizza menu stood out with its variety and quality. It's evident that there's a commitment to maintaining high standards for all meals, not just a specific time of the day. The food was impressive and catered to a range of tastes, making it a hit with my entire family.

The atmosphere of the place adds to the overall dining experience. It’s designed like a comfortable mountain lodge, which creates a cozy and welcoming environment. The waiting area deserves a special mention – it's equipped with comfy couches and a warm fireplace, making any wait time pleasant and relaxing. Conveniently located next to the bar, you can easily grab a drink while you wait.

In conclusion, this restaurant is a fantastic choice whether you're looking for a hearty breakfast to kickstart your day or a satisfying dinner to round off your evening. The combination of great food, a wonderful atmosphere, and thoughtful amenities like the waiting area makes it a place I'd gladly return to.

If you come to Grandfather Mountain, please stop by Banner Elk Cafe & Tavern, their food is amazing! Look at the pictures you will see how the food presentation is made! Beautiful to perfection! You have to look for the server named Mackenzie, she is so helpful and super friendly!

Looking for lunch in Banner Elk and we came across this cafe. Many of the restaurants in town don’t open until dinner. We arrived before 11:30 and were seated immediately. However there was a waiting line when we left.

There are two menus which offers a wide range of choices. We decided on chicken sandwiches and they were tasty. Our server was friendly and efficient.

Our overall experience was good.

I created my own pizza, and it was DELICIOUS. My husband had the Alfredo pasta w chicken, and he said it was one of the best alfredo he ever tasted. Oh, we also tried the hot chocolate, and it was great. We wanted to try the snicker pie cause it looked delicious, but we were super full so next time. Staff was super friendly. Our server was Caleb, and he did an amazing job.

Went for dinner and got sirloin and pepper jelly porkchop. Best steak ive had at a restaurant maybe ever, and porkchop was absolutely amazing. It was so good we cane back for breakfast the next morning and the breakfast was also top tier, our server hailey was the absolute best!

Went on a Friday evening when live music was playing, very nice, but loud. Large place with 2 menus to choose from (cafe menu & lodge menu), which was cool. Good service, nice server. Large bar. Very busy, popular, and happening place! I enjoyed my visit there while staying at Banner Elk.

Went in on a Saturday night, only had to wait about 20 mins for a table for 5. Had live music in the bar area. Waitress was so good she took our order, never wrote anything down and everything was perfect. Pepper jelly, goat cheese covered pork chop, with bacon cheese grits and kale.

Stopped by for a bite to eat and a beer. Country fried steak lunch special was delicious and affordable. Everyone was happy with there foods and kaluhas and coffee was good. Thumbs up

Super cool place and friendly staff with great teamwork. Has two kitchens in one restaurant, so you get two menus. I had the DC burger the first time I went and the French dip the second time. Both were awesome. Tried the fried pickles, but the breading just wasn't for me. They have an incredible coffee menu. I had the iced vanilla latte both visits and honestly, I'm still thinking about it. Can't wait to visit this place again when we make it back up to visit.

My husband and I stopped here quite a few times on our weekend getaway to the mountains. Their breakfast was delicious, waitress was awesome. The crew at night that works the bar is awesome as well - we had a bartender named Sara and she was great! She worked with an awesome team too but we never got their names. Highly suggest for a cozy, “mountain” feel for dinner & drinks! Well definitely be back ☺

This place has that upper mountain charm! The food is exquisite and you get to choose from 2 different menus. Big variety of spirits also. So many different cake slices to choose from and they are mouth watering. Price ranges from $10-$30per person and for how much food you get its worth every penny.The staff is fast and friendly and the place is very clean. Best place for a first timer in Banner Elk or anyone visiting. Tried the Salmon bowl (Which is beautiful), The grilled pork chop with goat cheese and pepper jelly, lobster risotto and fried green beans and the kids cheese burger and fries. Seriously..the food is delicious! 5 out of 5!

The food was really good , service grate!! Atmosphere 10-10

Went on March 9th, 2024. The trout was amazing and a great deal. Two fillets for the price was a great deal compared to other restaurants I’ve been to. And it wasn’t just quantity; it was cooked and seasoned perfectly.

Absolutely best place around! We got seated within minutes(the place is huge). And get ready for menu’s galore! The food was fast, service was great, and the atmosphere fit perfectly with the town! Highly recommended!

Another great Google find.
The food was good, the fish was amazing!!
The serves was friendly and knew both menus VERY well!
Great atmosphere, if you are wondering about going, here is your answer, YES!

We stopped in for lunch. My wife ordered the fried mountain trout, and I ordered the same except grilled. They were very delicious and very full serving.

Cite place with food, good coffee and some sweet treats. Enjpuabt atmosphere. The sumatra drip was great.

I got the chicken park sliders, which were perfect for what I needed. Service was exceptional!

Such a cozy vibe! We loved the atmosphere the most and the friendly staff. It's always wonderful when you see regulars joking with the waiters. We ordered the "mountain man" breakfast. Delicious.

First time me and my wife have eaten here and we absolutely loved it! We will definitely be back to enjoy some more great food. I had the Mountain Trout and it was perfectly cooked and seasoned. Our server was on point as well! Can say enough good things about this place.