Tasteof Jackson
Tasteof Jackson
Tasteof Jackson
THE TASTE OF TRADITION
Enjoy hearty, family-style meals that leave no one hungry. Pass platters of fried chicken and vegetables, and save room for a slice of the famous Vinegar Pie-a sweet, tangy staple on the menu since the early 1900s.
The reopening brings new flavors to the table as well. The new Bakery Café serves up artisan coffee and fresh-baked goods for the morning crowd, while the Bar & Lounge provides a sophisticated spot for a craft cocktail or local brew
FEATURED IN OUR STATE MAGAZINE & SOUTHERN LIVING
Downtown Sylva Since 1989
Pooch Positive
Voted WNC’S BEST!
Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials
Upscale Cocktail Bar
Covered Elevated Outdoor Dining
Appropriate Spaced Seating
We believe that truly great meals are started on farms, finished in kitchens, and best enjoyed outside (preferably near a creek), so we created Foragers.
Enjoy hot, fresh burgers with all the fixins, mouthwatering seasonal entrees, tantalizing twists on traditional tacos and salads, a full bar and rotating taps of local craft beers, and so much more. Seasonal hours vary.
Need a caterer for your event? Whether you’re hosting a banquet or a ball, a wedding or a work-thing, adding Foragers to the guest list is as easy as calling or visiting our website and requesting a quote.
Hours Vary (check
Pet Friendly
Bringing Your Best Friend Along? You’re in Good Company.
For most travelers, the thought of leaving a beloved pet behind can put a real damper on trip planning. The good news? You don’t have to. Our area warmly welcomes four-legged family members, and we’ve made it easier than ever to explore, dine, and unwind.
Dine Out With Your Dog
Many of our local restaurants, breweries, and cafés are proud to roll out the welcome mat for well-behaved dogs on a leash. Whether you’re settling in for a cold craft brew on a sunny patio, savoring a warm meal as the evening cools down, or grabbing a casual bite between adventures, there’s a great chance your pup can pull up a seat right beside you.
Find Pet Friendly Spots Near You
To help you plan, we’ve put together a guide to outdoor dining venues, pet-friendly restaurants, and welcoming breweries in the area. Visit www.mountainlovers.com/restaurants-breweries to browse the full list before you arrive.
Prefer something in hand? Stop by our Visitor Center to pick up one of our dedicated pet-friendly brochures. All pet friendly restaurants have D in the directory.
Children’s Chocolate Classes a Sweet Treat
Baxley’s Chocolates in downtown Sylva has been offering chocolate-themed classes to children for three years now. These private children’s classes are limited, with 5 to 8 children per session. Each class lasts about 30-45 minutes. To note a responsible adult is required to accompany the child.
Baxley’s covers where chocolate comes from and allows the children to color or read while their chocolate creations are setting up. Classes included making pretzel rods, heart lollipops, bunny lollipops, cat and dog Oreos, chocolate bars and much more.
For more information about classes in 2026, call Baxley’s Chocolates at 828-631-3379, visit their Facebook page or website at www.baxleyschocolates.com
Concerts on the Creek
The Town of Sylva, Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce team up to produce the Concerts on the Creek summer music series. The concerts are held at the Bridge Park gazebo in Sylva every Friday from 7-9 p.m.
The 17th annual season in 2026 will start on Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) and end on Friday, Sept. 4 (Labor Day weekend). That will be 17 Fridays of Concerts on the Creek. These events are free with donations encouraged. Dogs must be on a leash. No smoking, vaping, coolers or tents allowed. Bring a chair or blanket. Food and beverages are available.
For more information, please contact the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce at 828-586-2155, visit our Facebook page or online at www.mountainlovers.com.
May 22 The 80s Rewind
May 29 TLQ+2
June 5 The V8s
June 12 Mission Accomplished
June 19 Summer Brooke Band
June 26 Darren Nicholson
July 3 PMA
July 4 Gotcha Groove
July 10 Suns of Stars
July 17 Arnold Hill Band
July 24 Natti Love Joys
July 31 Ska City
Aug. 7 Whiskey Mountain Band
Aug. 14 Dashboard Blue
Aug. 21 Tuxedo Junction
Aug. 28 Rockabilly Roy & the Kopy Kats
Sept. 4 Get Right Band
Jackson County will proudly present its July 4 Fireworks Festivities for the 11th year in a row on Saturday, July 4, 2026.
This year’s special event will feature the Jackson County Community Band and exciting concert by one of the region’s finest bands, Gotcha Groove, who will perform classic rock/pop/ Motown/beach music, followed by an impressive fireworks show when the sun goes down.
The concert will be at the Bridge Park Pavilion in downtown Sylva, where there will be food trucks, children’s activities and more family-friendly activities.
Local residents and visitors can see the fireworks from just about any viewing location in the downtown Sylva area including Main Street, Mill Street and the Jackson County Historic Courthouse steps.
For information, call the chamber at 828-586-2155 or visit us on Facebook or our website www.mountainlovers.com Fourth of
Angry Elk Brewing
3312 US Highway 441 N, Whittier (828) 497-1015
angryelkbrewery.com
Jackson County’s newest ale trail location with food truck onsite
B & Al’s Grill m
1558 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-5686
bandalsgrill.com
Burgers, sandwiches
Balsam Falls Brewing Co. D
506 W Main St, Sylva (828) 631-1987
balsamfallsbrewing.com
Balsam Falls Brewing features over a dozen homemade brews on tap
Baxley’s Chocolates
546 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 631-3379
baxleyschocolates.com
Handcrafted chocolates, truffles, toffee
Blue Ridge Bootleg D
470 W Main St, Sylva (828) 307-2016
blueridgebootleg.com
Authentic Appalachian coffee, bold flavors, and rich storytelling in Sylva.
Bowl and Blender Dm
200 Marsh Lily Drive, Sylva (828) 214-5141
bowlandblender.com
Smoothies, Acai bowls, protein drinks, cold brew, and more
Brio Tuscan Grille
777 Casino Drive, Cherokee (828) 497-8233
brioitalian.com
Italian, steaks, chops, fish
Catamount Jaxe, LLC
114 Market Street, Cullowhee (828) 820-8055
catamountjaxe.com
Cullowhee’s first and only social axe throwing house
City Lights Café Dm
3 East Jackson Street, Sylva (828) 587-2233
citylightscafe.com
Crepes, paninis, soups, salads, baked goods
Creekside Oyster House and Grill Dm
219 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-1985
creeksideoysterhouse.com
Seafood, steaks, speciality sandwiches
DaLaya Thai Cuisine m
1084 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 477-4945
dalayathai.com
Genuine Northern Thai Cuisine
Dillsboro Chocolate Factory
28 Church St, Dillsboro (828) 631-0156
dillsborochocolate.com
Chocolate, espresso bar, fudge, jerky and Jelly Belly jelly beans
Dogs on Wheels
211 Manna Way, Sylva (727) 512-9318
Classic hotdog cart offering delicious hotdogs and homemade lemonade.
El Patron Mexican Restaurant
86 W Main St, Sylva (828) 586-8805
elpatronsylva.com
Authentic Mexican food, margarita specials and daily menu specials
Enloe House Wine Bar Dm
78 Front Street, Dillsboro (828) 226-7322
Wine Bar in the heart of Dillsboro with indoor and outdoor seating
Fonda Cactus
200 Marsh Lily Drive, Sylva (828) 508-5235
fondacactus.com
A cozy spot that brings the vibrant flavors and authentic atmosphere of a traditional Mexican street shack to life
Foragers on the Creek Dm
5 Grindstaff Cove Rd, Sylva (828) 307-2781
foragerscanteen.com
Exquisite food and drink in historic downtown Sylva
Great Commission Coffee
170 Front Street, Dillsboro (828) 361-1248
greatcommissioncoffee.com
Premium specialty coffee served with a heart for global mission
Harrah’s Cherokee
Casino
777 Casino Drive, Cherokee (828) 497-7777
caesars.com/harrahs-cherokee
Different restaurants serving varied menus
Haywood Smokehouse
403 Haywood Street, Dillsboro (828) 631-9797
haywoodsmokehouse.com
Texas style BBQ plus ribs, brisket, sausage, sauces
Innovation Brewing Dm
414 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-9678
innovationbrewingnc.com
Handcrafted ales, seasonal ales, ginger ale
Innovation Station Dm
40 Depot Street, Sylva (828) 226-0262
innovationbrewingnc.com
Dillsboro’s first brewery and a second location for Innovation.
Lazy Hiker Brewing Company Taproom Dm
617 W Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-3555
lazyhikerbrewing.com
Taproom and restaurant
Lucy in the Rye Dm
612 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-4601
lucyintherye.com
Homemade breakfast served all day, made in the house
Lulu’s On Main Dm
678 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-8989
lulusonmain.com
Gourmet dining, seafood, chicken, vegetarian, pastas, soups, desserts
Mabel’s Kitchen
1609 Acquoni Road, Cherokee (828) 497-7134
mabelskitchennc.com
Enjoy a wonderful home-cooked breakfast and brunch in the heart of the Smoky Mountains
Mad Batter Kitchen Dm
617 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 586-3555
madbatterkitchen.net/
Pizza, calzones, salads, sandwiches, movies
Quirky Birds Bistro & Front Street Takeout Dm
148 Front Street, Dillsboro (828) 586-1717
frontstreettakeout.com
Full bar and bistro, with a soulful flare
Rivers and Rails Tavern Dm
2 Dills Street, Dillsboro (828) 367-1225
rnrtavern.com
Brews, food, and entertainment
Signature Brew Coffee
Roasting Company
sigbrew.com
Sylva’s oldest coffee roaster, offering retail and wholesale coffee by the pound
South of Philly
44 East Sylva Shopping Center, Sylva (828) 586-0550
southofphillync.com
Philly cheese steaks, chicken phillies, fries, onion rings, cold cut sandwiches
Speedy’s Pizza and Pub
1070 Skyland Drive, Sylva (828) 370-2090
Y Y speedyspizzapub.com
Classic pizzas, hearty pub fare, and lively community atmosphere
Sweet Tea Boba
642 West Main Street, Sylva (828) 220-2023
sweetteaboba.com
Offering boba, tea, sweet tea boba, and specialty drinks
The Cut Cocktail Lounge
486 W Main Street, Sylva (828) 631-4795
thecutcocktaillounge.com
Cocktail lounge with European cafe, Asian street food and deserts, coffee and tea
The Jarrett House m
518 Haywood Road, Dillsboro (828) 370-2128
jarretthouse.com
Southern cooking featuring the original Jarrett House recipes served family style
The Well House
65 Craft Circle Riverwood Shops, Dillsboro (828) 586-8588
facebook.com/well.house.52
Sandwiches, soup, salads
Ultra Star Multi-tainment Center Harrah’s
777 Casino Drive, Cherokee (828) 497-8818
ultrastarus.com
Whether you’re grabbing a bite lane-side or hosting an event in our private party rooms, we’ve redefined the game
White Moon Dm
545 Mill Street, Sylva (828) 331-0111
whitemoonnc.com
White Moon Cafe serves coffee and tea, with a cafe style food menu
Wize Guyz Express
4732 US Hwy 74, Whittier (828) 370-2084
wizeguyzgrille.com
Express menu, burgers, pizza & wings
Wize Guyz Grille Dm
68 Big Cove Road, Cherokee (828) 479-2838
wizeguyzgrille.com
Amazing wings and pizza, along with the best grill around
