Step inside The Painted Fish Cafe and Beer Bar and discover something truly unique in North Carolina: recognizable dishes with a twist. You will find an upscale experience in a completely relaxed, casual ambience where you can indulge in great food, fun beers and superb wines all at surprisingly reasonable prices.
Heated outdoor dining includes a spectacular view at the foot of the beautiful Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Good food is nothing without something spectacular to wash it down. The Beer Bar aspect of The Painted Fish Cafe and Beer Bar offers a continually evolving array of artisanal beers in a fun tasting atmosphere.
Heated outdoor dining includes a spectacular view at the foot of the beautiful Sugar Mountain Ski Resort. Good food is nothing without something spectacular to wash it down. The Beer Bar aspect of The Painted Fish Cafe and Beer Bar offers a continually evolving array of artisanal beers in a fun tasting atmosphere.
Reviews (27)
Carol Pethel
Jan 27, 2022
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We ordered a child’s mac and cheese and found a metal shard in it. We reported it to the waitress, who was wonderful and very nice, who took it off the bill immediately. We would have stayed to finish the dinner with the rest of our party until the manager spoke with us. The manager’s attitude was terrible, fake and dismissive. It was obvious she didn’t care at all, and we will never be returning to this establishment again.
Robert B.
Jan 27, 2022
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Shawna R.
Jan 19, 2022
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Richard Uhl
Jan 19, 2022
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I would like to start out saying their service is absolutely outstanding! Their food is excellent and the atmosphere was terrific!
I highly recommend eating there and every time we come to mountains we look forward to visiting painted fish café.
Marcie was the best server we have had and we would like to personally thank her for the best experience there !
I highly recommend eating there and every time we come to mountains we look forward to visiting painted fish café.
Marcie was the best server we have had and we would like to personally thank her for the best experience there !
Marc W.
Dec 24, 2021
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Suzi K.
Nov 24, 2021
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Zuzu Madanat
Oct 27, 2021
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Delicious food and very friendly staff. I wish they could find more staff to be able to have more availability. We tried to go back the next day (Sunday) for brunch, but we were told they no longer have brunch because of being short-staffed.
They are doing a wonderful job with food and I hope they get staffing down soon!
Appetizer: tuna nachos
Soup: curry chicken and tomato
Entree: blackened salmon
They are doing a wonderful job with food and I hope they get staffing down soon!
Appetizer: tuna nachos
Soup: curry chicken and tomato
Entree: blackened salmon
The Cool P.
Oct 23, 2021
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Katie C.
Oct 06, 2021
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The best food in town, hands down. i got the filet and it looked so good i forgot to take a picture, and it tasted even better.
the service was a little slow when we first arrived even though we had made a reservation, but once the waitress got to us she was on point and we even got a dessert on the house which was very much appreciated. they know how to make their customers happy!
i will definitely be returning and if you're looking for quality food cooked to perfection definitely check them out.
the service was a little slow when we first arrived even though we had made a reservation, but once the waitress got to us she was on point and we even got a dessert on the house which was very much appreciated. they know how to make their customers happy!
i will definitely be returning and if you're looking for quality food cooked to perfection definitely check them out.
Tania R.
Sep 13, 2021
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Nick C.
Aug 20, 2021
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I couldn't decide between 3 and 4 stars here, but I figured I'd be nice. I've been here a handful of times and have always had a decent meal, but I wasn't too impressed this time. Part of the reason is because the service was fairly slow, but that's how a lot of places are during COVID.
We started out with the pork belly and fried green beans as appetizers. The pork belly was very tender and had great flavor. The sauce that came with it would probably taste great on anything. I also had the beef curry soup which was okay but not great. I think the French onion soup would
We started out with the pork belly and fried green beans as appetizers. The pork belly was very tender and had great flavor. The sauce that came with it would probably taste great on anything. I also had the beef curry soup which was okay but not great. I think the French onion soup would
Henry H.
Jul 15, 2021
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We always try to eat here each summer.
We have found the food incredible. The fried oysters appetizer is the best I've had anywhere.
Ate there this past Saturday night. Had the oyster appetizer and Grits and Shrimp with vegetable medley--I highly recommend. Wife had pecan-encrusted trout--loved it.
Staff was excellent. Thank you for a great dining experience.
BTW we are eating there again tonight.
We have found the food incredible. The fried oysters appetizer is the best I've had anywhere.
Ate there this past Saturday night. Had the oyster appetizer and Grits and Shrimp with vegetable medley--I highly recommend. Wife had pecan-encrusted trout--loved it.
Staff was excellent. Thank you for a great dining experience.
BTW we are eating there again tonight.
Marcia R.
Jul 15, 2021
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This was a terrible restaurant experience. We waited 1 hour for bread and butter. When we questioned when our dinner would be out the server said they were backed up. At 1 hr 10 minutes the chef/owner came out from the kitchen
and proceeded to yell and berate us for questioning when our dinner was coming. We got up and left having never been served after 1 hour 10 minutes and the owner yelling at us. This is no way to run a business.
and proceeded to yell and berate us for questioning when our dinner was coming. We got up and left having never been served after 1 hour 10 minutes and the owner yelling at us. This is no way to run a business.
Laurie A.
Jul 15, 2021
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Linnea is awesome!! What a great find!! We LOVED everything!! Tuna nachos, Greek salad and the ceasar were amazing!! For dinner we tried the special catfish, nc blackened grouper, chicken with bacon jam and the lamb kebobs, and all of us made the clean plate club!!
And as a closer we ordered the special blueberry pie with goat cheese and sliced almonds. Again we all made the cp club.
We will be back!!
And as a closer we ordered the special blueberry pie with goat cheese and sliced almonds. Again we all made the cp club.
We will be back!!
Kari Smith
Jul 14, 2021
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My family and I came to the Painted Fish and I'm gonna speak for myself, I noticed first that the ladies' restroom was very well sanitized and smelled clean. The inside of the restaurant was very clean, all the other patrons looked like they were enjoying themselves, the whole atmosphere was just great.
I ordered the Black Trout with zucchini with, I think it was called, bacon tomato jam? and let me tell you, I thought that this was absolutely the BEST fish dinner I ever ate.
My family and friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals, too.
I will rate the Painted Fish a 5 star restaurant.
We also
I ordered the Black Trout with zucchini with, I think it was called, bacon tomato jam? and let me tell you, I thought that this was absolutely the BEST fish dinner I ever ate.
My family and friends thoroughly enjoyed their meals, too.
I will rate the Painted Fish a 5 star restaurant.
We also
Calvin V.
Jun 13, 2021
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Melanie N.
Jun 06, 2021
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The first time we went here, it was outstanding. NOT SO TONIGHT unfortunately on so many levels!
We ordered Tuna nachos as an appetizer, house salads, NY Strip steak dinner and Pistachio encrusted, pan seared Halibut dinner and coffee.
No cocktails tonight as we are heading back to "base".
The waitress forgot the coffee but quickly apologized and went back to get it.
I'll start with the TUNA NACHOS . Pretty good however the tuna could have been much smaller chunks. Lots of tuna, no complaint there. A couple sauces, one salty, one spicy but needed a bit of sweet to compliment in
We ordered Tuna nachos as an appetizer, house salads, NY Strip steak dinner and Pistachio encrusted, pan seared Halibut dinner and coffee.
No cocktails tonight as we are heading back to "base".
The waitress forgot the coffee but quickly apologized and went back to get it.
I'll start with the TUNA NACHOS . Pretty good however the tuna could have been much smaller chunks. Lots of tuna, no complaint there. A couple sauces, one salty, one spicy but needed a bit of sweet to compliment in
Bm Q.
May 15, 2021
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Great food. Charming, clean interior. Easy parking. Enjoyed chatting with the bar keeper and a local. We were in no rush. They were quite busy. Make reservations before going. Strawberry bread pudding was grand. My husband enjoyed his steak. Pork Belly appetizer was great. I also liked the escargot. Food was fresh and they try to incorporate local produce.
John A.
Apr 01, 2021
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WOW INCREDIBLY IMPRESSED,!!!!! Service was perfect, nice and friendly, gave suggestions. Had brunch and it was same or better quality than what we have in Miami. Chicken and Banana Foster Waffles were sooooo good, Had the painted salad, would have enjoyed more but my wife took plate away. It was delicious. Will be back when we come back.
Robert W.
Feb 25, 2021
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Ann M.
Oct 14, 2020
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Michelle D.
Oct 08, 2020
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We had a wonderful dinner at this warm, inviting restaurant last night. Lilly, our server, could not have been more efficient or helpful. I had a cup of the sweet pea, crab and basil soup, and it was nothing short of divine. (I am a soup person and would have given anything for the recipe; alas, it would have been wildly inappropriate to ask for it.) My main course was the shrimp scampi, which was delicious with just the right amount of garlicky goodness, and the inclusion of Brussels sprout leaves was a nice touch. For dessert, I had the chocolate torte, served with a dollop of whipped cream
Jay Y.
Aug 09, 2020
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My wife and I had dinner here last night. It was excellent. They had a specialty cocktail of the day and it was delicious. My wife had the pecan-crusted trout and it was very good. I had the lobster and crab lasagna and it was also excellent. We tried the blue pie for dessert, which was a combination of fresh blueberries and goat cheese. It was a little unusual, but we liked it. The atmosphere was fine and the service was very good. Highly recommend.
Stephanie J.
Oct 25, 2019
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This place gets bonus points for having one my favorite beers during our visit, Mango Tango Foxtrot IPA by Deep River Brewing. Good food with great service sums this place up. We started off with the cajun sausage & crab dip followed by the sesame tuna and salmon scampi for our entrees. The sweet potato gnocchi in the scampi was okay. We did order dessert and decided on the chocolate torte, it was amazing.
Kayla F.
Aug 14, 2019
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We ate at the Painted Fish Cafe while on vacation this summer. We've eaten here before when visiting the area previously. Overall the experience was good. The location is conveniently close to downtown Banner Elk and right in the middle of many surrounding areas.
There are a good amount of seats on the inside. We visited on a Wednesday as a party of 4 and were sat right away. The special that night was a fried chicken plate. Two members from my party ordered this dinner and said it was good. It even came with a cheesecake for dessert that they opted to take to go. I was lucky enough to get
There are a good amount of seats on the inside. We visited on a Wednesday as a party of 4 and were sat right away. The special that night was a fried chicken plate. Two members from my party ordered this dinner and said it was good. It even came with a cheesecake for dessert that they opted to take to go. I was lucky enough to get
Darryl Thompson
Nov 14, 2018
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Roxie White
Oct 28, 2018
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Absolutely an unexpected experience in the best way possible! The decor throws you off. It's gives off mom and pop restaurant vibes and I was expecting typical mom and pop quality food. I opened the menu and was very surprised with the expensive prices but I went with it. The. Food. Was. Fabulous! So worth it! I have never been so happily surprised. They had a mushroom truffle creme brulee that sounds risky but the chef pulled it off so well! He even came out to say hi to us and see how we liked it. I'm only giving them four stars because it was weird eating such delicious food and be staring at
