North Carolina has great food cities and restaurants. So naturally, online reviewers weigh in on which places are the best. One of Yelp’s newest lists ranks the “Best Restaurants in North Carolina.” Or 100, at least. The review site typically aggregates the reviews and number of reviews, and the volume of submissions to rank them.
Below are the top five, including a popular burger joint in Carolina Beach.
More: These 9 Wilmington Area Restaurants Are on Yelp’s List of the Top 100 in North Carolina
1. Surfin’ Spoon, 3408 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head
Find cool treats and ice cream sandwiches at this beachside shop. The Surfin’ Spoon offers 10 flavors of self-serve soft serve (like the popular sea salt caramel pretzel frozen yogurt, as well as vegan options and gelato) and about 50 toppings to choose from. As for the sandwiches, Yelpers love the Lemon Lavberry (a lemon cookie with blueberry-lavender ice cream) and the Classic Chocolate Chip Cookie with vanilla ice cream.
2. Haywood Smokehouse, 403 Haywood Road, Dillsboro
The western half of the state is home to three locations of this barbecue restaurant. (And another one makes the top 100 list.) They’re known for their brisket and Brunswick stew, sides like burnt-end baked beans, and bourbon chocolate pecan pie. Yelpers also love their selection of local beer.
3. Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen, 3805 Tinsley Drive, High Point
This family restaurant serves classics like Middle Eastern salad, falafel on pita, chicken shawarma, baba ganoush and beef kafta. Online reviews also recommend the desserts: tiramisu and baklava.
4. Huli Sue’s BBQ & Grill, 1 Page Ave., Asheville
The Asheville area is well represented on Yelp’s list. But the best thing about the area is this restaurant that brings a taste of Hawaii to the state. Yelpers say you’ll have to brave the crowds to try their huli chicken, poke bowls, macaroni salad, and fish tacos.
5. Island Burgers & Bites, 111 Carl Winner Drive, Carolina Beach
The locals already know this place. It’s always a top contender for best burger in the state. As one Yelp comment said, “Best burgers in town and everyone agrees.” The best options, according to reviews, are the bacon cheeseburger, the Philly cheesesteak, hot dogs, and the chicken bacon ranch sandwich.
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Allison Ballard is the food and dining reporter at StarNews. You can reach her at aballard@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Best Restaurants in North Carolina, According to Yelp
