I love Maggie Valley. Visiting this little mountain town takes me back to a simpler time and place that I don't really feel anywhere else. It doesn't matter if I visit in the spring, summer, fall, or even winter; I always feel at peace here.
Over the years, I've also found some of the best restaurants in Maggie Valley, NC, and many of them have become just as much a part of our trips as the mountains themselves.
Why Maggie Valley Is So Special to Me
I've been coming to Maggie Valley since some of my earliest childhood memories. I was around four years old on my first trip. I don't remember much about it, but I do remember my parents buying me a stuffed bear and staying at a motel across a creek. That motel is still there today, although now it's known as the Route 19 Inn.
As I've gotten older, Maggie Valley has become even more special to me. I come back to relive those childhood memories, but I've also made plenty of new ones here. My wife and I started visiting after we got married, and we made trips here with my mom and dad because they loved Maggie Valley too.
I still enjoy riding by the old Ghost Town in the Sky property and thinking about what it was like when we could actually go up the mountain and spend the day there. I was even fortunate enough to visit one last time when the park reopened in 2007.
There's just something about Maggie Valley that keeps calling me back.
Of course, one of my favorite things to do while I'm here is eat. Haha.
Best Restaurants in Maggie Valley, NC: My Favorite Places to Eat
That's what this guide is all about.
These are some of my favorite restaurants in Maggie Valley, based on places I've personally eaten over the years. This isn't meant to be a ranking of every restaurant in town. Instead, it's a collection of places that I've enjoyed and would recommend to someone visiting the valley.
This will also be a living guide. Restaurants come and go, and I'm always finding somewhere else to eat, so I'll continue adding restaurants and more detailed reviews as I make my way around Maggie Valley.
If you're planning a trip and want ideas for what to do between meals, I also have a complete guide to my favorite things to do in Maggie Valley, NC, including scenic drives, waterfalls, hiking, shopping, and some of the attractions my family and I enjoy visiting.
Joey's Pancake House
Address: 4309 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
If I had to pick the restaurant that I associate most with Maggie Valley, it would probably be Joey's Pancake House.
I honestly couldn't tell you how many times I've eaten here over the years. It's one of those places that has become part of our Maggie Valley tradition.
And here's something else I always tell people: I think Joey's has the best regular cup of restaurant coffee in the area. There's nothing fancy about it. It's just a good cup of coffee that goes perfectly with a mountain breakfast.
Although Joey's changed ownership a while back, I think the new owners have done a great job of keeping that tradition alive. The food still tastes the way I remember it, and it still has that classic Maggie Valley breakfast experience that keeps us coming back.
I've eaten here enough times that Joey's deserves more than a couple of paragraphs in a roundup, so I wrote an entire article about it.
Read my full Joey's Pancake House Maggie Valley, NC review →
Pop's Butts on the Creek
Address: 1584 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
When I'm in Maggie Valley and craving barbecue, Pop's Butts on the Creek is one of my go-to spots.
I've eaten here many times over the years, and I've always enjoyed the barbecue. I've only ever ordered the chopped barbecue, but that's because I like it enough that I have a hard time ordering anything else.
The pork has great flavor, stays moist, and, to me, one of the signs of good barbecue is being able to eat the meat without covering it in sauce. I can do that here.
The sides have always been good too, making it a solid choice when you're looking for barbecue without leaving Maggie Valley.
I eventually want to go back, take more pictures, try a few more things, and write a full article about Pop's Butts on the Creek. Until then, it definitely deserves a spot on my list of favorite places to eat in Maggie Valley.
If you’re planning to stop by, you can check out Pop’s Butts on the Creek online for their menu, hours, and more information.
Frankie's Italian Trattoria
Address: 1037 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
If you're craving Italian food in Maggie Valley, Frankie's Italian Trattoria is one of my favorites.
I've eaten here twice, and both times I ordered the chicken Parmesan. I know I should probably branch out and try something different next time, but it's hard when something is that good.
The sauce is amazing, and I really like the cheese they use on the chicken Parmesan. Everything just works together.
One thing you need to know about Frankie's is that it can get crowded. We've found that getting there early is usually a good idea because this is a popular place.
There's a reason people keep coming back, though. Based on my experiences here, Frankie's has earned a permanent spot on my Maggie Valley restaurant list.
If Italian food sounds good while you’re in the valley, check out Frankie’s Italian Trattoria for their menu and current hours.
J. Arthur's Restaurant
Address: 2843 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
J. Arthur's is another Maggie Valley restaurant we've eaten at many times.
When I'm in Maggie Valley and I'm in the mood for a steak, this is usually where I'm headed.
Steak isn't the only option, though. Their menu also includes dishes like ribs, chicken Marsala, chicken Parmesan, and even North Carolina rainbow trout, so there's a pretty good variety if everyone in your group isn't looking for the same thing.
For me, though, J. Arthur's has always been one of those dependable local places where I know I can go for a good steak while we're in town.
It's another restaurant I plan to cover in more depth on a future visit.
You can check out J. Arthur’s Restaurant to see their current menu and hours before you go.
Maggie Valley Restaurant
Address: 2804 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Maggie Valley Restaurant is another place I've eaten at quite a few times over the years, although I've only been here for breakfast.
It has been a while since my last visit, but I always enjoyed eating here.
This is more of the traditional breakfast I grew up eating: eggs, bacon, grits, omelets, French toast, pancakes, and the other familiar breakfast favorites.
That's part of what I like about places like this. Sometimes you don't need anything complicated. You just want to sit down and eat a good old-fashioned breakfast before heading out to explore the mountains.
I don't know who owns the restaurant today, so I won't comment on the current ownership, but based on my past experiences, Maggie Valley Restaurant remains one of the places I'd consider for breakfast when I'm in town.
If you’re thinking about stopping in for breakfast, check out Maggie Valley Restaurant for their current hours and information.
BrickHouse Burgers & Pizza
Address: 3914 Soco Rd, Maggie Valley, NC 28751
Sometimes when we're visiting Maggie Valley, especially during college football season in the fall, we don't want a big night out.
We want to grab some food, head back to wherever we're staying, turn on a football game, and relax.
That's where BrickHouse comes in.
We've ordered pizza from here quite a few times and have also eaten inside a time or two. The pizza has always been good, which is why we've continued going back.
They serve other food as well, but so far I've only had the pizza, so that's all I can personally recommend.
Like several popular Maggie Valley restaurants, BrickHouse can get pretty crowded. But if we're looking for pizza—especially something to take back and eat while watching a game—it's one of our regular choices.
If you’re in the mood for pizza while you’re in town, check out BrickHouse Burgers & Pizza for their menu and current hours.
What About Restaurants Near Maggie Valley?
One of the great things about staying in Maggie Valley is that you're also just a short drive from Waynesville.
We almost always make our way over there at least once while we're visiting. Downtown Waynesville is fun to walk around; there are plenty of shops to explore, and there are some excellent places to eat.
If you've got several days in the area and don't mind making the short drive, check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Waynesville, NC. I've personally visited the restaurants on that list, and it's a great companion to this Maggie Valley guide if you're trying to decide where to eat during a Western North Carolina trip.
More Maggie Valley Restaurants Are Coming
This list isn't finished—and I don't really want it to be.
Maggie Valley has been part of my life since I was a kid, and I don't see myself stopping my trips here anytime soon. I'll continue adding to this list of the best restaurants in Maggie Valley, NC as we try new places and revisit some of our old favorites.
Some of the restaurants listed above will eventually get their own full Southern Food Junkie articles. When they do, I'll link those detailed reviews here so you can see more pictures, what we ordered, and what we thought about the experience.
For now, these are some of the places that have become part of our Maggie Valley memories.
And that's really what I love about this town.
It's not just Ghost Town, the mountains, the Blue Ridge Parkway, or even the food. It's remembering coming here with my parents, returning with my wife, making new memories, and somehow still feeling a connection to the little boy who came here all those years ago carrying a stuffed bear.
If you're planning your own trip, be sure to check out my guide to Things to Do in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, for more of our favorite places and activities around the valley.
And, of course, come hungry.
Let's Get Food Junked!
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