For a small town in northwestern North Carolina, Wilkesboro, NC has a laid-back, community-driven food and drink scene that draws on a strong tradition of Southern comfort cooking, barbecue, and craft beverages. The downtown has welcomed a steady wave of new cafes, restaurants, and craft producers in recent years, joining the longtime favorites that have anchored the area for generations. Click on the establishments below to dive deeper into the spots we’ve personally explored around Wilkesboro.
Two of our favorite stops in downtown Wilkesboro are Dooley’s Tavern and Grill — a tavern-style spot whose name pays tribute to Wilkes County’s most famous folk legend, Tom Dooley — and TwoBoros Brewery Pizzeria, a downtown brewery and pizzeria whose name nods to the broader “Two Wilkesboros” identity shared with the neighboring town across the Yadkin River. Both spots offer something genuinely distinctive in a downtown that’s increasingly worth exploring on its own merits.
Beyond these featured stops, Wilkesboro’s broader food and beverage scene supports a familiar but well-loved mix of Southern favorites — barbecue spots serving smoked pork, ribs, and traditional sides; casual diners, burger joints, and family-run restaurants featuring comfort food like fried chicken, meat-and-three plates, and homemade desserts; coffee shops serving fresh-brewed coffee in welcoming settings; and several pizzerias around the downtown core. A local distillery also offers a taste of Wilkes County‘s long tradition of mountain spirits. During seasonal events and festivals, food trucks and vendors set up around the downtown area, adding another layer to the food scene.
Whether you’re stopping in for a quick meal before exploring W. Kerr Scott Reservoir, settling in for an evening at the brewery, or grabbing a cup of coffee on the way to MerleFest, Wilkesboro’s food and drink scene rewards visitors who take their time.
