This guide shares everything you need to know about dining on the Biltmore Estate, including what to expect from the various restaurants, where you can eat without a reservation, and which we recommend for kids.
Beyond the stunning gardens and America’s largest home, Biltmore Estate offers a wide range of dining experiences. You’ll find a variety of options across the property, from a casual food truck at Antler Hill Village to a four-star meal at The Inn.
Note: To access the estate’s restaurants, you must have a day ticket, a Biltmore Annual Pass, or be an overnight guest. The only exception is The Dining Room at The Inn, which is exclusively for overnight guests and annual passholders from January to October.
Dining At The Biltmore Estate
Dining options on the Biltmore Estate are located across the property, with the majority concentrated near the Antler Hill Village and Village Hotel area. To help you plan your visit, this guide is organized by location.
We’ll begin by detailing the restaurants in each area—Antler Hill Village, The Inn, and near the Biltmore House—before offering specific recommendations on picnicking, kid-friendly spots, the best choices for lunch and dinner, and important details on dress code and dietary accommodations.
What You’ll Find In This Article
Restaurants at Antler Hill Village & Village Hotel
Antler Hill Village is a charming, self-contained area with a variety of restaurants, coffee shops, and snack spots. It’s located next to the Village Hotel, making it a convenient hub for dining.
Cedric’s Tavern
This lively spot offers classic English pub fare like fish and chips and a pub burger, along with great outdoor seating.
It’s a fantastic choice for families, offering a dedicated kids’ menu with several options. It’s open for both lunch and dinner, and reservations are recommended, especially during busy times.
Village Social
Located inside the Village Hotel, this casual restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu features comfort food favorites like fried green tomatoes, shrimp and grits, and meatloaf, along with a dedicated kids’ menu.
Bistro
Also located at the Village Hotel, this is a great spot for an elegant dinner with an open-kitchen concept. The menu includes fine options like filet mignon and handcrafted pastas.
Outdoor seating is available on a lovely patio. Bistro is open for dinner only.
The Kitchen Cafe
A convenient grab-and-go option for breakfast or lunch, this spot offers coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. It’s ideal if you need a quick bite on the way to your next activity.
Smokehouse Food Truck
An unexpected but delicious find in Antler Hill Village, this food truck serves up tasty BBQ, hot dogs, and excellent mac and cheese. It’s a great option for a quick, casual lunch, especially with kids in tow. You can enjoy your meal at one of the many scattered tables around the village.
The Creamery
Open year-round, this ice cream shop is a perfect destination for a sweet treat. You’ll find espresso drinks and an assortment of ice cream flavors, including the famous Winky Bar Sundae.
Wine Bar at The Winery
The Biltmore Wine Bar is a perfect spot to relax and enjoy a drink and a bite to eat. You’ll find seating both indoors and out, with a fire pit ideal for a cool day.
The menu features wine by the glass, bottle, or flight, as well as non-alcoholic beverages like sparkling grape juice. To complement your drink, you can order a selection of small bites, including cheese and charcuterie boards. While reservations are required for a wine tasting, they are not needed to visit the Wine Bar.
Restaurants at The Inn On Biltmore Estate
You’ll find the gorgeous and grand Inn on Biltmore Estate near Antler Hill Village. Apart from the wonderful spa, the beautiful suites and the great views, you’ll also find some of the best restaurants at The Biltmore.
Below are details on dining at The Inn on Biltmore Estate. Poolside dining and room service are also available at The Inn.
The Dining Room
As the estate’s premier four-star restaurant, The Dining Room provides a true Vanderbilt-style experience. With white tablecloths, fine china, and stunning views, it’s a must-do for a special occasion. The menu features exquisite seafood and seasonal meat options. It also hosts a breakfast and brunch buffet. Resort elegant attire is required for dinner.
Library Lounge
This elegant and relaxing spot within The Inn is perfect for a cocktail or a light snack. The menu features Biltmore wines and a selection of savory and sweet treats.
Restaurants By the Biltmore House
A handful of dining options are located near the main house, perfect for a meal before or after your tour.
Stable Cafe
Situated inside the estate’s former horse stables, Stable Cafe offers a memorable dining experience. Some tables are even set in what were once horse stalls!
Stable Café is a top contender for the best lunch on the property, serving sandwiches, burgers, and a BBQ sampler. Reservations are highly recommended.
Bake Shop
The Bake Shop is an easy place to grab a quick bite after your tour of the Biltmore House. It’s located just to the side of it and offers pastries and other baked goods. You can also get a coffee, espresso drink, hot chocolate or hot tea. You’ll find gingerbread men during the holidays at The Bake Shop.
There’s a great courtyard area out front with tons of tables up for grabs.
Courtyard Market
Located by the Biltmore House, the Courtyard Market is an order-at-the-counter spot. They serve casual fare like hot dogs, pulled pork sandwiches, and salads.
Biltmore Dairy Bar
Biltmore Dairy Bar is a seasonal ice cream shop is a perfect afternoon pick-me-up. The menu features cones, milkshakes, and sundaes, including the popular Biltmore Churn with creamy vanilla and peanut butter cups.
The Conservatory Café
The Conservatory Cafe is a small kiosk on the Conservatory’s back patio. This spot offers Biltmore wines, light snacks, and small plates. It’s perfect for a quick refreshment but not a full meal.
Where to picnic on the Biltmore Estate
Picnicking is an excellent dining alternative at the Biltmore, offering a relaxed way to enjoy the beautiful scenery. The estate features several ideal spots to spread out a blanket and enjoy an outdoor meal with friends and family.
Here are a few of the best picnic spots on the Biltmore Estate:
Diana Statue Lawn: Located up a series of steps in front of the house, this lawn offers magnificent views and is perfect for people-watching. Just be sure not to picnic on the main Front Lawn below, as food and beverages are not permitted there.
Deer Park Trail: For a more secluded experience, follow the trail along the French Broad River. This tranquil spot is perfect for setting up a chair and taking in the riverside views.
Bass Pond and Trails: Take the walking path from the Conservatory to the Bass Pond for another beautiful option. You’ll find a small waterfall at the south end of the pond, creating a picturesque backdrop for your meal.
For the most up-to-date information on Biltmore’s picnic policy, be sure to check their official site before you go.
Quick Guides & Recommendations
Now that we have covered all of the dining options, we thought it would be helpful to quickly give a few suggestions to make your time at the Biltmore a bit easier. And if you need more help, check out our guide to planning your Biltmore visit.
Best Place To Eat Lunch At The Biltmore
For a truly unique experience, don’t miss Stable Café, located in the historic horse stable. If you’re looking for something quick and casual, the Smokehouse Food Truck is a great choice. For outdoor dining with table service, head to Bistro.
Best Dinner Restaurants
The ultimate Biltmore dinner is at The Dining Room—nothing compares to this four-star experience. For a more casual but still excellent meal, Cedric’s Tavern is a fantastic choice, especially if you have kids with you.
Kid-Friendly Restaurants
Many restaurants cater to kids with dedicated menus. Our top picks for families are Cedric’s Tavern and Stable Café for their kid-friendly menus and atmosphere. The Smokehouse Food Truck is also a great option for a fast, crowd-pleasing meal.
Where To Get A Snack
Head to The Creamery or the seasonal Biltmore Dairy Bar for ice cream. For a pastry and coffee, The Bake Shop is a great stop. You can also enjoy a glass of wine and small plates at the Wine Bar at the Winery.
Things To KNow Before Dining At The Biltmore
The Dress Code For Dining At The Biltmore
For most dining experiences at Biltmore, you can dress in casual resort wear. However, there are a few exceptions:
Library Lounge: The Biltmore also encourages resort elegant attire for evening cocktails and entertainment at the Library Lounge.
The Dining Room: For dinner at this four-star restaurant, resort elegant attire is required. This includes slacks, a dress shirt, a dress, a suit jacket, or a suit. For breakfast, you can wear resort casual attire.
Dietary Options At The Biltmore
Many restaurants on the Biltmore Estate are accommodating to dietary needs.
Gluten-Free Options are available at Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, The Dining Room, Library Lounge, Stable Café, and the Wine Bar.
Vegetarian Options are available at Bistro, Cedric’s Tavern, The Dining Room, Library Lounge, Stable Café, The Bake Shop, The Courtyard Market, The Kitchen Café, and the Wine Bar.
