Recommendations
Current families’ wisdom
We asked current Wake Forest families to share their favorite local restaurants and hotels with incoming families.
Hotels
Most often mentioned appears first.
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Kimpton Cardinal | https://www.thecardinalhotel.com/ |
| Graylyn | https://www.graylyn.com/ |
Courtyard Marriott (downtown) | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/intcd-courtyard-winston-salem-downtown/overview/ |
| Hotel Indigo | https://www.ihg.com/hotelindigo/hotels/us/en/winston-salem/intdt/hoteldetail |
| Marriott on Cherry Street | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/intmc-winston-salem-marriott/overview/ |
Courtyard Marriott (University) | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/intcy-courtyard-winston-salem-university/overview/ |
| Brookstown Inn | https://brookstowninn.com/ |
| Airbnb (local rental homes) | https://www.airbnb.com/a/stays/Winston-Salem–North-Carolina–United-States |
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Hilton Garden Inn | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/intwsgi-hilton-garden-inn-winston-salem-hanes-mall/ |
Hampton Inn and Suites (downtown) | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/inthxhx-hampton-suites-winston-salem-downtown/ |
Home 2 Suites by Hilton (Hanes Mall) | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/inthmht-home2-suites-winston-salem-hanes-mall/ |
Residence Inn (Hanes Mall) | https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/intws-residence-inn-winston-salem-hanes-mall |
Spark by Hilton (Winston-Salem State University) | https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/intncpe-spark-winston-salem-university |
Places to Eat
Recommended by Multiple Families
Most often mentioned appears first.
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Bobbyboy Bakeshop | https://www.bobbyboybakeshop.com/ |
| Young Cardinal Café and Co. | https://andrewsrestaurantsws.com/young-cardinal/ |
| Krankies | http://www.krankiescoffee.com/ |
| Midtown Café and Dessertery | https://www.midtowncafews.com/ |
| Mama Zoe’s | https://www.mamazoes.com/ |
| Bagel Station (Whittaker Square) | https://bagelstation.net/ |
| Dough Joe’s | https://www.doughjoesnc.com/ |
| Louie and Honey’s Kitchen | https://www.louieandhoneyskitchen.com/ |
| Mozelle’s (weekend brunch) | https://mozelles.com/ |
Other Recommendations
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Famous Toastery | https://famoustoastery.com/locations/ |
| Penny Path Cafe and Crepe Shop | https://www.facebook.com/thepennypathwsnc/ |
| Camino Bakery | https://www.caminobakery.com/ |
| First Watch | https://firstwatch.com/locations/winston-salem |
| Breakfastime | https://breakfastimenc.com/ |
| Cagney’s | https://www.cagneyskitchen.com/cloverdale-ave |
| Village Tavern | https://www.villagetavern.com/location-winston-salem-reynolda-village |
Recommended by Multiple Families
Most often mentioned appears first.
| Name | Cuisine | |
|---|---|---|
| Village Tavern | https://www.villagetavern.com/location-winston-salem-reynolda-village | American tavern fare |
| Theodore’s | https://www.theodoresnc.com/ | Sandwiches, wraps, salads |
| Dioli’s | http://diolis.com/ | Italian deli and bakery |
| West End Cafe | https://www.westendcafe.com/ | American cafe fare |
| Mozelle’s | https://mozelles.com/ | Fresh Southern bistro |
| The Porch | https://theporchws.com/ | Innovative Tex Mex |
| The Loop | https://www.thelooprestaurant.com/winston-salem-north-carolina | Pizzas, burgers, salads, & shakes |
| Putters | http://putterspatioandgrill.com/ | Bar/pub food |
| Cugino Forno Pizzeria | https://cuginoforno.com/ | Neapolitan style izza |
| Betty on Burke | https://www.bettyonburke.com/ | Small plates, inspired entrees |
| The Carving Board | https://thecarving-board.com/ | Soups, salads, sandwiches, and more |
Other Recommendations
| Name | Cuisine | |
|---|---|---|
| Fourth Street Filling Station | https://www.theoldfourthstreetfillingstation.com/ | American fare |
| Mellow Mushroom Pizza | https://mellowmushroom.com/location/nc-winston-salem-314-w-4th-st-27101/?utm_source=gmb&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=Winston-Salem-NC&utm_content=26 | Pizza, salads |
| Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen | https://roosterskitchen.com/a-noble-grille/ | Wood-fired, artisan cooking |
| Village Juice | https://www.villagejuicecompany.com/locations | Clean food and raw juices |
| Honky Tonk Smokehouse | https://www.honkytonksmokehouse.com/ | Barbecue in the Texas- or Memphis-style |
| TJ’s Deli | http://www.tjsdeligrill.com/ | Deli sandwiches and more |
| Real Q (BBQ) | http://real-q.com/ | Barbecue |
| Elizabeth’s Pizza | https://www.elizabethspizzamenu.com/?utm_source=gbp | Pizza, Italian |
| 1703 | https://www.1703restaurant.com/ | Upscale with seasonal and locally sourced ingredients |
| O’Brien’s Deli | https://obriensdelinc.com/ | Deli sandwiches and more |
Katharine Brasserie (downtown in the Kimpton Cardinal hotel) | https://katharinebrasserie.com/ | Parisian brasserie-inspired menu |
| River Birch Lodge | https://riverbirchlodge.com/ | Mountain casual dining |
| Sir Winston | https://sirwinstonrestaurant.com/ | Exquisitely prepared farm-to-table cuisine |
Recommended by Multiple Families
Most often mentioned appears first.
| Name | Cuisine | |
|---|---|---|
| Mozelle’s | https://mozelles.com/ | Fresh Southern bistro |
| Ryan’s | https://ryansrestaurant.com/ | Upscale steakhouse and seafood |
| Fratelli’s Italian Steakhouse | https://www.fratellissteakhouse.com/ | Italian steakhouse |
| Rooster’s Wood Fired Kitchen | https://roosterskitchen.com/a-noble-grille/ | Wood-fired, artisan cooking |
| Spring House | https://www.springhousenc.com/ | Southern-style, seasonally-inspired dishes |
| Di Lisio’s Italian | https://dilisiositalian.com/ | Italian |
| Village Tavern | https://www.villagetavern.com/location-winston-salem-reynolda-village | American tavern fare |
| The Porch | https://theporchws.com/ | Innovative Tex Mex |
| Cibo Trattoria | https://www.cibotrattoriaws.com/ | Italian |
Katharine Brasserie (downtown in the Kimpton Cardinal hotel) | https://katharinebrasserie.com/ | Parisian brasserie-inspired menu |
| Mission Pizza Napoletana | http://www.missionpizzanapoletana.com/ | Pizza |
| Burke St. Pizza | https://www.burkestreetpizza.com/ | Pizza |
| East of Texas | ||
| Downtown Grille | https://downtowngrille.com/ | sophisticated dining with the finest regional meats and seafood |
Other Recommendations
| Name | Cuisine | |
|---|---|---|
| Sage and Salt | https://sageandsaltbistro.com/ | American bistro |
| Taco Mama | https://tacomamaonline.com/ | Mexican |
| Cugino Forno Pizzeria | https://cuginoforno.com/ | Neapolitan style izza |
| Bernardin’s | https://www.bernardinsfinedining.com/location/winston-bernardins/ | Sophisticated, succulent cuisine |
| Firebirds Wood Fired Grill | https://winston-salem.firebirdsrestaurants.com/ | American |
| Betty on Burke | https://www.bettyonburke.com/ | Small plates, inspired entrees |
| Diamondback Grill | https://diamondbackgrill.com/ | Sports bar with casual fare and delicious dinners |
| O Calcutta | https://ohcalcuttaws.com/ | Modern Indian |
| Milner’s American Southern | https://gotomilners.com/ | American Southern |
| West End Cafe | https://www.westendcafe.com/ | American cafe fare |
| River Birch Lodge | https://riverbirchlodge.com/ | Mountain casual dining |
| Elizabeth’s Pizza | https://www.elizabethspizzamenu.com/?utm_source=gbp | Pizza, Italian |
| Mama Zoe Michaels | https://mamazoes.com/ | Homestyle cooking |
Other Local Recommendations
| Name | |
|---|---|
| Reynolda House Museum | https://reynolda.org/ |
| Reynolda Village and Gardens | https://www.reynoldavillage.com/ |
| Old Salem historical tour and Winkler’s Bakery | https://www.oldsalem.org/ |
| NC Museum of Art Winston-Salem (formerly SECCA) | https://ncmawinstonsalem.gov/ |
| Name | |
|---|---|
| ROAR (dining and entertainment) | https://www.roarws.com/ |
| Fiddlin Fish Brewing Co. | https://fiddlinfish.com/ |
| Foothills Brewing | https://www.foothillsbrewing.com/ |
| Wise Man Brewing | https://shop.wisemanbrewing.com/ |
| Joyner’s Bar | https://joynersws.com/ |
| Katharine Bar | https://www.katharinebrasserie.com/ |
| The Remedy Cafe and Bar | https://www.remedyws.com/ |
| Caviste Wine Bar | http://www.thecavistews.com/ |
| Jolo Vineyards | http://www.jolovineyards.com/ |
| Divine Llama Vineyards (in East Bend) | https://www.divinellamavineyards.com/llama-trekking-new |
| Name | |
|---|---|
Bailey Park (downtown Winston-Salem) | https://www.innovationquarter.com/bailey-park/ |
| Salem Lake | https://www.cityofws.org/2129/Salem-Lake |
| Tanglewood | https://www.forsyth.cc/parks/tanglewood/ |
| Hanging Rock State Park (hiking) | https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/hanging-rock-state-park |
| Winston-Salem Dash baseball | https://www.milb.com/winston-salem |
| Pilot Mountain State Park | https://www.ncparks.gov/state-parks/pilot-mountain-state-park |
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