Blowing Rock, NC/ Boone, NC, is our home away from home.  It is where we spent the majority of our weekends while living in Charlotte, where we spend most of our summer and where our heart is.  We have a home in these beautiful mountains and have enjoyed learning how to forage the land and find ways to make local restaurants gluten-free and even a few REID-friendly options.

Blowing Rock Where to Eat Gluten Free

  • Our go-to local restaurant is Bistro Roca ($$ behind Main Street/the park, but worth the money). While REID, we would order salmon with fresh veggies and fruit (there are other options/modifications that can be made to meals). Bistro has a great ambiance and is more kid-friendly earlier in the evening. If you would like to try a cocktail, be sure to try the Gin-I-Tell-Ya!

On Main Street in Blowing Rock, you can find a few gluten-free options.

  • The Speckled Trout is a cute little restaurant on the corner of Main Street that offers a variety of local trout dishes,  including gluten-free fried trout (shared fryer) and gluten-free buns. There is often live music and great cocktails.
  • Across the street from the Speckled Trout, you will find the local Mellow Mushroom, of course ofering gluten-free pizzas (not REID).
  • Blowing Rock Brewery offers burgers in a lettuce wrap, but the other options are few and far between. It is a great place to sit outside on a cool fall day.
  • Blowing Rock Market is located in a converted gas station with plenty of charm on Main Street. It is a great place to grab a quick sandwich on the run (most restaurants downtown Blowing Rock are packed and hard to get into) or for a picnic on the Blue Ridge Parkway. The sandwich menu offers gluten-free wraps and salad options.
  • Heads up, the smell of waffle cones and ice cream will capture you on Main Street, and they’ve strategically placed it next to the playground (few options there, but they do have GFCF sorbet that is unfortunately not REID clean…good luck 😉). Otherwise, stick with the locals and enjoy an ice cream sandwich from Blue Deer instead. Here, you will find a variety of cookies that can be paired with your ice cream of choice. My favorite is their gluten-free chocolate chip cookie with vanilla ice cream (unfortunately not REID or dairy-free). This is my personal favorite dessert of all time, seriously.
  • Sunrise Grill is a breakfast spot just off Main Street that offers gluten-free pancakes, eggs benedict, gluten-free bread/buns, biscuits & gravy.

 

Boone, NC Where to Eat Gluten-Free

Boone is another neighboring town, located just 8 miles down the road from Blowing Rock.

  • Many of the restaurants on King Street (aka the main street in downtown Boone) can accommodate gluten-free customers but don’t list GFCF items on their menus.
  • Lost Province Brewing is just off of Main Street behind the popular Mast General Store (a must-visit). It is our go-to spot for Boone. Not only do they offer gluten-free pizzas, buns/bread, and desserts (most nights), but their seasonal salads are often spectacular.
  • In Boone you will also find Juice Boone. A fantastic juice and smoothie option with an occasional REID/paleo treat.
  • Kindly Kitchen, upstairs on King Street, is a vegetable-forward vegan restaurant that prepares delicious locals and offers vegetable dishes with many gluten-free options.
  • Vicious Biscuit- a franchise resturant near App State that has some of the most delicious gluten-free biscuits I have ever had. There is also now Betty’s Biscuits on King Street in Boone that apparently offers gluten-free biscuits as well, but we have not been yet.
  • Come Back Shack is a local fast-food burger joint on your way into town. It offers GF fries and grass-fed beef. While it does not have gluten-free buns, you can have your burger or chicken sandwich prepared in a lettuce wrap or salad instead.
  • The Local Lion is a special donut and coffee spot packed with locals. It offers a gluten-free muffin option on most days and a wide variety of freshly prepared gluten-free donuts on Friday mornings. Unfortunately, as far as I am aware, it is not dairy-free or REID.
  • One of the better-known GF restaurants in Boone is Coyote Kitchen, tucked back in a strip mall. It serves plenty of southwestern rice bowl dishes at a great price but is unfortunately not REID-friendly, and it is not at the top of my go-to list.
  • EarthFare & Be Natural Market are both local health food stores with many gluten-free and REID options. EarthFare often has a wide selection of freshly prepared foods as well.
  • Appalachian Cookie Company (made to order cookies, the GFCF Yosef cookie is 🙌 but not REID clean).

Our Favorite Things To Do In The Area

  • Tweetsie- a small Western Amusement Park. Of course, a favorite for little ones https://tweetsie.com/
  • Sky Valley Zip Line tours- our son LOVES this kid’s zip line. Perfect for little ones and those with extra needs (I’d guess ages 3+ and well-assisted). They offer an awesome adult zip line as well. https://www.skyvalleyziptours.com/homemobile/
  • Rock Dimensions-Rock Climbing wall in downtown Boone that also offers local climing trips and summer camps http://www.rockdimensions.com/
  • Virginia Creeper– we love using Blue Blaze Bike rentals about 1hr away. Reservations are highly recommended. I love this 18-mile DOWNHILL scenic bike ride. This converted railroad is covered with beautiful old canopied trees and follows the river nearly the entire ride.
  • Rough Ridge Hike– a must-do hike with spectacular views! Just off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Parking can be tough during the high season in the summer and fall- http://www.exploreboone.com/outdoors/hiking/rough-ridge/
  • Grandfather Mountain– Close to the Rough Ridge hike, has the Mile High swinging bridge, numerous hiking trails and a small zoo. http://www.grandfather.com/
  • Grandfather Mountain Winery-beautiful casual setting on the water with live music, picnic tables & rocking chairs. Bring your own snacks/food.
  • Julian Price Park Canoeing/Kayaking just off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great afternoon activity for little ones 2 and up! http://brpatravelplanner.nomadmobileguides.com/…/conten…
  • Whitewater Rafting (about 1.5hr away)- Take a look at Wahoo’s Adventures for some great options suitable for ages 4 and up.
  • New River Tubing Float Trips– just outside of Boone with High Mountain Expeditions. https://highmountainexpeditions.com/nc-adventures/river-tubing/
  • Downtown Blowing Rock has a nice park or stroll around bass lake near downtown Blowing Rock. Great place to pack a picnic or grab a sandwich from the Blowing Rock Market.
  • Alpine Rollercoaster in Banner Elk
  • Original Mast General store on NC-194- in Valle Crucis (there are two, but stop at the one on the same road as the pumpkin patch and the one closest*** to it)
  • Visit Westglow Spa in Blowing Rock and get a half day pass to use the pool and amenities.
  • Pumpkin Patch in Valle Crucis (do the tractor ride) http://harvestfarmllc.com/
  • Appalachian Ski Mountain– just 4 miles away https://www.appskimtn.com/m/m
  • Hawksnest Snow Tubing (and ziplining)- https://hawksnesttubing.com/
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