Where to eat in Saluda, NC
Though it’s a small town, you’ll find plenty of great restaurants in Saluda, NC. They have everything from a fine-dining French bistro to a local BBQ joint and even a hybrid outdoor apparel store and taproom.
This guide details all of these restaurants, as well as a coffee shop and a bakery that we absolutely love. For additional details on Saluda, like where to stay, things to do and even a few answers to FAQs, check out our guide to Saluda.
One thing to keep in mind is that Saluda is a small town and many of their businesses depend on tourism. Several of the local Saluda restaurants close during winter or have limited hours while there’s a dip in tourism. Make sure to check the hours of the establishments if it’s during the off-season to see if they are open and/or operating on winter hours.
What you’ll find in this article
Map of Restaurants in Saluda, NC
As you’ll see in the map below, everything in Saluda is very close! Most of the restaurants are centered in the downtown area between shops. Green River BBQ isn’t quite as in the mix as others but it’s still very close and walkable to downtown. Green River Eddy’s is the only one truly removed from downtown.
Lunch and Dinner Restaurants in Saluda, NC
The Purple Onion is a great destination for lunch or dinner in Saluda, especially when you can enjoy their outdoor patio!
Their lunch menu includes sandwiches, pizzas and salads, as well as a few starters. Purple Onion’s NY white cheddar pimento cheese is always a favorite of ours and you can’t go wrong with a personal-sized pizza!
Though their dinner menu shares a few things in common with lunch like the starters and pizza, there is also a whole entree section with chicken, ribeye and even puttanesca. There’s also a charcuterie board on the menu. And, of course, excellent desserts!
Purple Onion hosts live music events, so make sure to check their calendar to see what’s going on. You’ll want to book tickets for their shows in advance.
For fine dining in Saluda, look no further than Azalea Bistro. It’s a southern fare meets French bistro-style place, and boy do they do it right.
Choose from a prix fix menu (four-course, six-course or ten-course) and expect delicious, beautifully plated food. We especially love their she crab soup and the filets.
Azalea offers an ‘endless’ brunch on the weekends, with an all-you-can-eat menu of french toast, omelets, eggs benedict, fruit and more. What an excellent way to spend a weekend morning! It’s definitely the best brunch in Saluda.
As of fall 2023, Green River BBQ is currently closed.
Well of course Saluda has its own local Carolina BBQ joint! We highly recommend Green River BBQ for so many reasons, one of which is the delicious food. They have great sauces, tasty sides (soooo many sides!!) and excellent pulled pork, in addition to everything else.
Green River BBQ also has great outdoor seating. It’s covered but remains open and airy. It’s also heated in the winter and there are fans for the warmer days. I never worry about bringing my kids here, which is a big plus in my book.
Green River smokes pork, brisket, chicken, turkey, trout and baby back ribs. It’s a female-owned operation that has been a part of the community since 1984.
A restaurant located inside an outdoor apparel shop! That’s right! Green River Eddy’s is located inside Saluda Outfitters. You can grab a table in between various outdoor apparel setups and shop from your seat while enjoying a delicious meal. They also have outdoor dining if that’s more your style.
The other thing that I love about Green River Eddy’s is that they have such a diverse menu but it’s all great! You’ll find burgers, fish tacos, a chicken parm sandwich and churros + ice cream on the same menu.
As the name suggests, they also have several beers on tap (over 15!) plus wine and cocktails.
A taco shop in Saluda, NC! The Saluda Purple Onioin Taqueria affectionately called the S.P.O.T. is by the same team behind the Purple Onion and does not disappoint. It’s a great place to stop in for a taco or two, a bowl of queso and a margarita.
If you do get a taco, make sure to make it spotted-style! It will come wrapped in both a soft flour tortilla and a crunchy corn tortilla.
Coffee Shops and Bakeries in Saluda, NC
A favorite spot of ours! Wakey Monkey is an awesome coffee shop and cafe in downtown Saluda. Our favorite item on the menu is their amazing cinnamon roll with cream cheese icing. It’s super flaky and seems like a cross between a croissant and a cinnamon roll. We highly recommend it!
Wakey Monkey is a great place to catch up with friends, get lost in a book or work remotely. We have been several times and always see a mix of this!
We like to stop for a quick coffee and breakfast treat at Wakey Monkey when venturing down I-26 from Asheville. There’s a playground less than a 2-minute walk away that is perfect for little ones to let out some energy.
A hidden gem restaurant in Saluda! Wildflour does it all and makes it look easy.
First of all, they have an all-day breakfast! Their grits are simply delicious and we also love their french toast. Wildflour also has a delicious lunch menu with sandwiches and salads. And, of course, so many freshly baked goods! And pizza for dinner! I love going here because you can get something totally different for each meal.
Though we’d like to keep it a secret, Wildflour also has awesome brunch specials on Sundays. Try their biscuit french toast if it’s on the menu!
Wildflour has great outdoor seating out front and on the side by Gardener’s Cottage and Brass Latch.
