By Winston-Salem punches far above its weight when it comes to food. The old Camel City has quietly grown into one of North Carolina’s most rewarding places to eat, with a chef-driven pizza counter that draws diners from across the state, a French brasserie inside a landmark hotel, a coffee roastery that bakes some of the best biscuits in the Triad, and a deep bench of Southern bistros run by people who have been feeding this town for decades. Whether you are visiting Old Salem for the weekend or you live here and want a fresh dinner idea, this guide covers where to eat in Winston-Salem and exactly how to plan your visit.
Most of the action sits in two walkable pockets: downtown and the Innovation Quarter on the east side, and the West End and West Fourth Street corridor a few blocks over. You can park once and reach most of these spots on foot. For a broader rundown, Visit Winston-Salem’s restaurant guide is a reliable local starting point.
The Must-Try: Mission Pizza Napoletana
If you eat one meal in Winston-Salem, make it here. Mission Pizza Napoletana is regularly named among the best pizza in North Carolina, and it operates less like a pizzeria than a tiny chef-driven osteria. The signature experience is the Pizzakase, a bespoke, off-menu tasting built around the wood-fired oven, alongside a rotating prix-fixe and a small a la carte list. The dining room is genuinely small, so this is a place to plan ahead rather than wander into.
Reservations are highly recommended and can be booked through the restaurant’s website. They cannot seat groups larger than four without a reservation, and peak times (roughly 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.) book out fast.
- Address: 707 N Trade St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 893-8217
- Hours: Wednesday and Thursday 5:00 to 8:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; closed Sunday through Tuesday
- Website: mpnws.com (reservations recommended)
Southern Bistros and Comfort Food
Mozelle’s Fresh Southern Bistro
Tucked into the West End near West Fourth Street, Mozelle’s is a deliciously quaint little bistro that has become a local benchmark for fresh, Southern-inspired cooking. The atmosphere is cozy and lively, the menu leans on quality seasonal ingredients, and it remains one of the most dependable date-night and special-occasion spots in town. The same team is behind the newer Betty on Burke downtown, so you have two strong options from one trusted kitchen.
- Address: 878 W Fourth St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 703-5400
- Good for: brunch, lunch, and dinner; weekend reservations recommended
Bernardin’s at the Zevely House
For a proper occasion (an anniversary, a milestone, a night when everyone wants real service and a serious entree), Bernardin’s serves Continental fine dining inside the historic Zevely House. Expect classics done well, from seafood and lamb to filet, in one of downtown’s most atmospheric old buildings.
- Address: 901 W Fourth St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Good for: special-occasion dinners; reservations recommended
One note for longtime visitors: Sweet Potatoes, the beloved Trade Street Southern spot, closed in 2025 after more than 20 years. If a friend points you there, that recommendation is out of date. Mozelle’s and Betty on Burke are the natural places to redirect that craving.
French Flair and Italian Wine Bars
The Katharine Brasserie & Bar
Set inside the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel in the landmark former R.J. Reynolds building, The Katharine blends a traditional Parisian brasserie with upscale American Southern cooking. It is one of the few downtown kitchens serving from early morning through late night, which makes it a flexible pick for breakfast, a long lunch, weekend brunch, or a dressed-up dinner. The bar is a destination in its own right.
- Address: 401 N Main St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 761-0203
- Hours: breakfast daily 6:30 to 10:00 a.m.; lunch Monday to Friday 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; weekend brunch 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; dinner daily 5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
- Website: katharinebrasserie.com
Quanto Basta: Italian Eatery & Wine Bar
An intimate West Fourth Street favorite for Italian comfort food and a thoughtful wine list, Quanto Basta has a covered patio that is one of the nicer places downtown to linger over a glass. Seating is first-come, first-served, so arrive a little early on weekends rather than counting on a reservation.
- Address: 680 W Fourth St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 893-6144
- Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; closed Sunday through Tuesday (no reservations)
Coffee, Biscuits, and Craft Beer
Krankies Coffee
A downtown institution since 2003, Krankies roasts its own coffee in the city’s old industrial district and turns out some of the best biscuits in the Triad. The reference order is the Krankies Classic, a fried chicken biscuit finished with Texas Pete and honey. The space is full of character, with a full bar alongside the espresso, and it has long been a hub of the Innovation Quarter’s creative scene. This is the spot for breakfast, brunch, or an easy lunch.
- Address: 211 E Third St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (closed the first Monday of each month)
- Website: krankiescoffee.com
Foothills Brewing
The downtown brewpub from one of North Carolina’s best-known craft breweries pours its full lineup alongside solid pub food and frequent live music. With long daily hours, it is the reliable answer for late-night bites, a casual group dinner, or a beer after walking Old Salem. Their flagship beers are a local point of pride.
- Address: 638 W Fourth St, Winston-Salem, NC 27101
- Phone: (336) 777-3348
- Hours: open daily, roughly 11:00 a.m. to midnight (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
- Website: foothillsbrewing.com
More Local Favorites Worth Knowing
The roster runs deeper than one trip can cover. A few more spots locals send people to:
- Forsyth Seafood Market & Café (108 N Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.): a no-frills market and cafe where the fish is as fresh as it gets in the Triad.
- Heff’s Burger Club (285 W Fourth St): griddled smash burgers and a quick, casual downtown lunch.
- Di Lisio’s Italian Restaurant (301 Brookstown Ave): old-school Italian-American near Old Salem, good for families.
- Thai Harmony (102 W Third St): dependable Thai and Asian fusion right downtown.
- Milner’s American Southern (630 S Stratford Rd): polished Southern classics on the Stratford Road corridor west of downtown.
Where to Stay Near the Restaurants
If you want to walk to dinner, base yourself downtown. The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel puts you inside the same landmark building as The Katharine and within a few blocks of nearly everything on this list. Nearby downtown hotels and inns, all bookable through travel sites like Expedia, keep you close to Trade Street, the West End, and Old Salem without needing your car for dinner. For trip-planning context on lodging and attractions, Visit NC is a useful statewide resource.
Plan Your Visit
A few practical tips to make the most of a food-focused trip:
- Reserve the small rooms early. Mission Pizza, Bernardin’s, and Mozelle’s fill up on weekends. Book Mission Pizza in particular days ahead.
- Mind the closed days. Several of the best kitchens (Mission Pizza, Quanto Basta) are closed Sunday through Tuesday, so plan dinner for midweek or the weekend.
- Park once, walk the rest. Downtown and the West End are close enough that you can leave the car and string together coffee, dinner, and a brewery stop on foot.
- Pair it with Old Salem. Many of these restaurants are minutes from the historic district, making it easy to combine sightseeing with a great meal. See Visit Winston-Salem for current hours and events before you go.