By Greensboro eats well. The Gate City pairs deep North Carolina barbecue roots with a downtown dining scene that has earned national attention, including James Beard nominations and a spot on the country’s top wine lists. Whether you are visiting for a weekend or you have lived in the Triad for years and want a fresh reason to leave the house, this guide rounds up the restaurants that locals genuinely love, with the addresses, phone numbers, and hours you need to actually get a table.
The Greensboro Classics
Some Greensboro restaurants are practically civic institutions. These are the places newcomers get taken to first and the ones that keep generations of regulars coming back.
Stamey’s Barbecue
You cannot write about eating in Greensboro without starting at Stamey’s Barbecue. Founded in 1930, Stamey’s serves Lexington-style chopped pork shoulder cooked low and slow over hardwood hickory coals, dressed with the region’s signature tomato-and-vinegar dip and served with red slaw and hush puppies. Pitmasters arrive before dawn to light the fires for a cook that can run eight to ten hours, and you can taste the difference. The original location sits across from the Greensboro Coliseum, which makes it a pregame ritual for concert and ACC tournament crowds.
- Coliseum location: 2206 W Gate City Blvd, Greensboro, NC 27403, (336) 299-9888
- Battleground location: 2812 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27408, (336) 288-9275
- Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. (drive-thru opens 10:30 a.m.); closed Sunday
Undercurrent Restaurant
For a special occasion downtown, Undercurrent has set the standard for elegant dining in Greensboro since 1998. The kitchen turns out refined, locally sourced New American plates in a calm, white-tablecloth room, and the wine and cocktail program is taken just as seriously as the food. It is the kind of place residents save for anniversaries and out-of-town guests they want to impress.
- Address: 327 Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: (336) 370-1266
- Hours: Lunch Tuesday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 9:30 p.m.; Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.; closed Monday. Reservations recommended.
Downtown’s Acclaimed Tables
Greensboro’s downtown core, anchored along Elm Street and a short hop up Battleground Avenue, holds the highest concentration of buzzy, walkable restaurants in the Triad.
Machete
Few Triad restaurants have drawn as much national attention as Machete, a James Beard Award nominee known for an inventive, seasonally changing menu of artful small plates and one of the best wine lists in the country. The tasting-style format is built for sharing, so come hungry, come curious, and let the kitchen lead. It is intimate, so plan ahead.
- Address: 600 C Battleground Ave, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: (336) 265-8859
- Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday 5 to 10 p.m.; closed Sunday and Monday. Larger parties should call to reserve.
B. Christopher’s
An Elm Street steakhouse with a clubby, old-school feel, B. Christopher’s serves generous cuts of steak alongside seafood and seasonal specials. It is a downtown favorite for celebration dinners, date nights, and anyone craving a proper American steakhouse experience within walking distance of the city’s theaters and bars.
- Address: 201 N Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: (336) 274-5900
- Tip: Reservations are smart on weekends and around any event at the nearby Tanger Center.
Crafted: The Art of the Taco
Right in the heart of the South Elm Street strip, Crafted: The Art of the Taco takes the humble taco and runs it through a globally inspired, locally sourced lens. The menu is creative, generous with vegetarian and vegan options, and backed by craft beer and cocktails, which makes it an easy, lively choice for groups with mixed tastes. There is a sister concept, Crafted: The Art of Street Food, in the same family.
- Address: South Elm Street, downtown Greensboro, NC 27401
- Hours: Generally Tuesday to Sunday from late morning through evening; closed Monday. Check the website for current hours.
Natty Greene’s Pub & Brewing Co.
A downtown hub since 2004, Natty Greene’s pairs house-brewed beer with hand-pattied burgers, hand-cut fries, deviled eggs, and other casual comfort food. It is the place locals default to for watching a game, grabbing a relaxed lunch, or kicking off a night on Elm Street, and the big, welcoming space handles groups with ease.
- Address: 345 S Elm St, Greensboro, NC 27401
- Phone: (336) 274-1373
- Hours: Monday to Wednesday 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Thursday to Saturday 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Green Valley Road and the Hotel District
Just west of downtown near Friendly Center, the Green Valley Road area is home to a cluster of standout restaurants run by the locally beloved Quaintance-Weaver group, which also operates Greensboro’s celebrated boutique hotels.
Green Valley Grill
Green Valley Grill serves seasonal European and Mediterranean fare from a wood-fired rotisserie and grill, backed by a deep wine program with dozens of pours by the glass and a long-running Wine Spectator award. The Tuscan-inspired dining room and patio make it feel like a getaway without leaving town, and it connects to the O.Henry Hotel for an easy stay-and-dine weekend.
- Address: 622 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408
- Phone: (336) 854-2015
- Tip: Reserve ahead for weekend dinners and live-music evenings.
Print Works Bistro
A short walk away, Print Works Bistro brings classic French bistro cooking to a striking, light-filled space beside the LEED Platinum-certified Proximity Hotel. Think steak frites, mussels, roast chicken, and a buzzy bar scene, all executed with the polish you would expect from one of the city’s best-known hospitality groups. It is a reliable choice for brunch, business lunches, and pre-show dinners alike.
- Address: 702 Green Valley Rd, Greensboro, NC 27408
- Phone: (336) 379-0699
Where to Stay Near the Best Tables
If you want to eat your way through Greensboro without driving after dinner, base yourself near one of these dining clusters. Downtown puts you within a stroll of Elm Street’s restaurants and bars, with several full-service hotels close to the Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Out near Green Valley Road and Friendly Center, the Proximity Hotel and the O.Henry Hotel let you walk straight from your room to Print Works Bistro or Green Valley Grill. All of these can be booked through major travel sites like Expedia, and staying near a dining district is the simplest way to turn a good dinner into an easy night.
Plan Your Greensboro Food Trip
A few practical notes for getting the most out of the city’s restaurants:
- Reserve for the marquee spots. Machete, Undercurrent, B. Christopher’s, and Green Valley Grill fill up on weekends and on any night with an event at the Greensboro Coliseum or the Tanger Center. Book a few days out.
- Plan around the Sunday and Monday closures. Many of the best kitchens, including Stamey’s (closed Sunday) and Machete (closed Sunday and Monday), take early-week breaks. Confirm hours before you go.
- Barbecue is a daytime affair. Stamey’s and most traditional pits close by 9 p.m. or earlier, so make it lunch or an early dinner.
- Start your trip planning at the source. The official Visit Greensboro dining guide and the Downtown Greensboro directory are kept current and are the best way to catch new openings and seasonal hours.
Hungry for more of the Triad? Greensboro sits within an easy drive of Winston-Salem and High Point, so a great meal here is often just the first stop on a longer eating tour of central North Carolina.