REID'S CAFE - RAW BAR, SEASONAL MENUS & HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS
Reid’s Café is a labor of love from Tina Houston, owner of Reid’s Catering Co. which has been established here in the High Country since 1999. At the base of Grandfather Mountain, Reid’s is centrally located between Banner Elk, Linville, Foscoe, and all the gorgeous Grandfather communities.
SEASONAL INGREDIENTS & SCRATCH-MADE EXCELLENCE
Just as we value beautiful ingredients in our catering, the café procures the highest quality of seasonal ingredients for our rotating seasonal menus. We value the handmade and fashion from scratch details as small as the aioli and dressings we use, to housemade focaccia and pastries, and slow roasted meats. We avoid industrially grown and processed foods.
We love the intentional, the specific, the well-cared-for.
RAW BAR, OYSTERS & FRESH SEAFOOD
Our raw bar features fresh oysters on the half shell and regional seafood sourced from local waters. We serve grilled whole fish, elegant salads, and soups made to order—all highlighting the season’s finest ingredients.
HANDCRAFTED COCKTAILS & NATURAL WINES
We specialize in handcrafted cocktails made with premium spirits and seasonal ingredients. Our beverage program emphasizes natural wines—sustainable, traditional, and with minimum chemical additives—alongside craft beer and amazing coffee from Bald Guy Brew, as well as loose leaf teas and tisane from Bellocq Tea Atelier.
We serve all these delicious things Monday through Saturday starting at Five O'clock.
Our Approach to Dining at Reid’s Café
Is Reid’s Café considered a fine dining restaurant in the High Country?
Reid’s Café offers a fine dining experience in the High Country, while maintaining an approachable and welcoming feel. The focus is on quality, craftsmanship, and attention to detail—without the formality that can sometimes come with traditional fine dining.
It’s a place where guests can enjoy thoughtfully prepared dishes, exceptional ingredients, and attentive service in a setting that feels both elevated and comfortable.
Does Reid’s Café use locally sourced ingredients?
Yes, Reid’s Café prioritizes locally sourced ingredients whenever possible, partnering with farms and purveyors throughout the High Country and surrounding regions.
This commitment allows the kitchen to highlight the best of each season while supporting local agriculture and ensuring that every dish is built around fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Is Reid’s Café a farm-to-table restaurant near Banner Elk, NC?
Reid’s Café embraces a farm-to-table approach, sourcing seasonal ingredients from local farms and artisans near Banner Elk and across the High Country.
Rather than relying on large-scale distributors, the restaurant focuses on carefully selected ingredients that reflect the region—bringing guests closer to the land, the farmers, and the season in every dish.
Does the menu at Reid’s Café change with the seasons?
The menu at Reid’s Café is intentionally seasonal, evolving throughout the year based on what is fresh, available, and at its peak.
This approach allows the kitchen to stay creative while offering guests a dynamic dining experience—where no two visits are exactly the same, and each menu reflects the time of year in the High Country.
Does Reid’s Café serve fresh seafood from regional waters?
Yes, Reid’s Café features fresh seafood with a focus on quality and sourcing, including selections from regional waters along the North Carolina coast.
The restaurant’s raw bar and seafood offerings are carefully curated to highlight freshness, sustainability, and flavor—bringing a coastal influence to the mountains.
What can guests expect from the raw bar at Reid’s Café?
The raw bar at Reid’s Café is a centerpiece of the dining experience, featuring a rotating selection of oysters, clams, shrimp, and other fresh seafood.
Guests can expect thoughtfully sourced options, including North Carolina oysters and premium selections, all prepared simply to highlight their natural flavor. The raw bar pairs seamlessly with the restaurant’s wine and cocktail program for a well-rounded experience.
What are natural wines and why does Reid’s Café feature them?
Natural wines are made with minimal intervention—using organically or sustainably grown grapes and little to no additives during the winemaking process.
At Reid’s Café, natural wines are chosen for their authenticity, character, and ability to complement seasonal, ingredient-driven cuisine. Much like the food, the wine program reflects a philosophy of simplicity, quality, and respect for the process.