Restaurants In Old Fort, NC: The Ultimate Guide

A roundup of restaurants in Old Fort, NC, from a craft brewery overlooking Mills Creek to the best cinnamon rolls around. We share details on the atmosphere, food offerings and more.

Old Fort, NC is a charming mountain town just 30 minutes east of downtown Asheville. It’s located along I-40 and serves as a great halfway point between Asheville and Hickory, NC.

Old Fort has a small and easily walkable downtown with just a few shops and eateries. This guide shares our top picks for where to eat, many of which have opened in the last few years. The town is having a bit of a moment right now, especially with the reopening of the Catawba Falls Trail in May 2024.

This guide to restaurants in Old Fort details the best places to eat and what to expect at each. Don’t miss our day trip itinerary to Old Fort for more ideas on how to spend a day in this charming town.

Where To Eat in Old Fort

Use the map below for a quick glance at where to eat in Old Fort. As you can see, all of the restaurants are in the same area. Did we mention it’s a small and charming town?

Restaurants in Old Fort

Hurricane Update: Hillman Beer suffered significant flooding and damage during the storm. They are raising money to support staff during the rebuilding process.

Craft beer + burgers by Mills Creek

Hillman Beer Old Fort is a craft brewery offering a diverse beer selection, including light Kölsch ales, hoppy IPAs, and rotating specialty brews. They also provide non-alcoholic options like craft soda and kombucha.

Their food menu features local grass-fed burgers, sandwiches, salads, rice bowls, and shareable appetizers.

The brewery is kid and dog-friendly, with ample outdoor seating, including picnic tables and a patio overlooking Mills Creek.

Hillman Beer also has a taproom near Biltmore Village in Asheville.


European-style brews + great outdoor seating

Whaley Farm Brewery is a craft brewery specializing in European-style lagers and British ales with an Appalachian twist, including unique brews like chanterelle ale with foraged mushrooms.

On-site food is provided by the Abbiocco Pizzeria food truck, which offers classic and specialty pizzas made with local ingredients.

Whaley Farms Brewery offers dog-friendly outdoor seating. It’s an ideal spot for relaxing with a pizza and beer after a day on the trail.


Gourmet cinnamon rolls + coffee at a cozy bakery

Gogo’s is a bakery in downtown Old Fort specializing in cinnamon rolls. They offer over 10 daily flavors from classic caramel pecan to unique options like orange creamsicle and maple bacon.

Gogo’s also serves oatmeal cream pies, pizza rolls, and locally roasted coffee.

You can enjoy your treats inside or use their drive-through to get your rolls on the go.


Espresso bar with excellent coffee + cozy ambiance

Seeker Coffee is a chic coffee shop in Old Fort with a full espresso menu, matcha, chai, drip coffee, and pour-over options.

They serve beans from Cooperative Coffee Roasters and other high-quality sources, alongside a rotating selection of sweet and savory pastries.

Seeker Coffee offers ample indoor seating, cozy lighting, and a relaxed ambiance, making it a perfect spot to work remotely in Old Fort, NC.


Burgers + ice cream on Main Street

Black Beary’s Cafe is a cafe and ice cream shop in Old Fort offering a variety of burgers, sandwiches, southern comfort food, and ice cream treats on Old Fort’s charming Main Street.

Signature items include the blackberry burger with egg, bacon, and blackberry spread, alongside appetizers like cheese curds and fried pickles.

Complete your meal with a shake or sundae made from Mayfield ice cream.


Cafe with hearty classics + vegan options

Davis Country Store & Cafe offers southern classics like sausage biscuits with gravy, deli-style fare like Reuben sandwiches, as well as plant-based options like the Vegan Big House sandwich.

They also serve coffee, smoothies, and both regular and vegan ice cream and shakes.

Davis Country Store & Cafe is an ideal spot to grab breakfast before hiking Catawba Falls or pick up a sandwich post-hike.


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Disclaimer: Hours, pricing, menus, etc. may have changed since we last updated this post, so make sure to confirm all of this directly prior to visiting any business or attraction listed on our site.

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