Who’s Serving?

Written By: Marlene Osteen | Issue: December 2023

Who amongst us is not besotted with Christmas? These are the days that offer the best kind of restaurant dining. Why? Indulgent ingredients abound – icy oysters, pungent truffles, caviar that pops, champagne that sparkles.

And there are fragrant wreaths, and Christmas tunes, trees aglow, and fanciful décor. In other words, it’s the perfect time to head out to one of the local restaurants and relish the fun. So, here’s the very best places to share the spirit, elevate the mood, and charge the surroundings.

Good cheer all around!

Please note this is a partial list as announced at time of publication.

Dine In

Fire + Water at Fire Mountain
(800) 775-4446, Scaly Mountain
Christmas Day Feast – one seating

Four65 Woodfire Bistro + Bar
(828) 787-2990, Highlands
Christmas Eve from 11:00 A.M. to 10:00 P.M.

Hidden Valley Tavern
(828) 866-3144, Sapphire
Christmas Eve from 11:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. and 4:00 to 9:00 P.M.

Highlands Annual Christmas Day Dinner
(904) 270-9655, Highlands
Christmas Day from 11:30 A.M. to 3:30 P.M.
At Hudson House at Highlands Country Club, to benefit local charities.

Hummingbird Lounge
(828) 787-2525, Highlands
Christmas Eve, regular menu served all day with live music from 6:00 to 10:00 P.M.
Christmas day from 11:00 A.M., serving light fare menu from Noon to 9:00 P.M. Live music Noon to 4:00 P.M. and 6:00 to 10:00 P.M.

Julep Farms
(706) 960-9600, Dillard
Christmas Eve

The Library Kitchen and Bar
(828) 743-5512, Cashiers
Christmas Eve dinner

Madison’s Restaurant
(828) 787-2525, Highlands
Christmas Eve, regular dinner menu from 6:00 to 9:00 P.M.
Christmas Dinner from Noon to 6:00 P.M. Reservations required.

Oak Steakhouse at Skyline Lodge
(828) 526-4008, Highlands
Christmas Eve lunch and dinner
Christmas Day from Noon to 6:00 P.M.

Primary Restaurant
(828) 526-3555, Highlands
Christmas Eve for lunch only

The Restaurant at Greystone Inn
(828) 966-4700, Lake Toxaway
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day for lunch and dinner

The Ruffed Grouse Tavern at Highlander Mountain House
(828) 526-2590, Highlands
Open Christmas Eve Brunch

Ristorante Paoletti
(828) 526-4906, Highlands
Christmas Eve dinner

Stubborn Seeds
(828) 200-0813, Highlands
Christmas Eve for lunch and dinner

Ugly Dog Public House
(828) 526-8364, Highlands
Christmas Eve

Wild Thyme
(828) 526-4035, Highlands
Christmas Eve for lunch and dinner

Take Out

Dusty Rhodes Superette
(828) 526-2762, Highlands
Christmas Eve until 1:00 P.M.

Mountain Fresh Grocery
(828) 526-2400, Highlands
Christmas Eve

Order Ahead, Pick Up Before

Happ’s Place
(828) 743-5700, Glenville

The Kitchen Carryaway
(828) 536-2110, Highlands