The guide to eating in or dining out on the Piedmont lakes. The establishments listed here have water access on site or very nearby. Or we really, really like what they're sellin'!
Got a favorite you'd like us to include? Constructive criticism? Call us: 703-372-3131 or use the feedback form below.
High Rock Lake
High Rock Marina & Campground
1013 Wafford Circle, Lexington.
800-382-3239.
Fresh, made-to-order snacks and dinners. Eat on the deck, or get a to-go order to spend more time on the water. 20 Slips. Open Sun – Th 9am – 8pm; F – Sat 7:30am – 9pm. Casual to shorts & flip-flops. $
Lakeview Family Restaurant
9185 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury.
704-637-3699.
Down-home family dining. At the public access ramp, and across Bringle Ferry from Tamarac Marina (see 51 on High Rock Lake map), so you can come by boat. Open for breakfast, lunch & dinner. Sun 7a-8p; W-F 7a-8p; Sat 7a-2p. Very casual. $
Tamarac Marina
9120 Bringle Ferry Rd, Salisbury.
704-636-1918.
hours: Sun – Tu 7a – 8:30p; W 4p – 8:30p; Th 7a – 8:30p; F – Sat 7a – pm. Come by boat, there are slips, gas dock & ramp. (see 51 on High Rock Lake map) Very casual. $
TJ’s High Rock Lake Restaurant & Lounge
2675 Providence Church Rd, Salisbury NC.
704-633-0251.
www.HighRockLakeRestaurant.com
Cruise in by boat or drive in by car. Located on the water’s edge on the Rowan County side of beautiful High Rock Lake. Large menu, live entertainment. Full bar. Open Th – Sat 4p-til. Casual. $-$$
Badin Lake
Badin Lake Family Restaurant
2507 Blaine Rd, Badin Lake.
336-461-2660.
Great jumping off point for that Badin fishing trip. Above Fish Tales, Uwharrie Point Marinas and Badin Shores Resort. Southern breakfast and lunch menu items. Seafood & steaks available on weekends. Open Sun 5am – 11am; M 5am – 2:30pm; Tu – Sat 5am – 9:00pm. Very casual. $
Jay's Seafood Restaurant
40439 Stony Gap Rd, Albemarle NC
704-982-5814
Family-owned & operated since 1967. High-quality seafood served in a relaxed, family atmosphere. Enjoy the buffet or made-to-order kitchen items that include steak, chicken, seafood, and more. This hidden gem isn't on the water, but is convenient to both Lake Tillery and Badin Lake, off Hwy 24/27. Hours: 4-9p Th; 4-9:30 F-Sat; 11a-8:30p Sun. Casual. $$
Old North State Club Marina
201 Old North State Ln, New London.
336-461-4456.
The menu caters to a wide variety of tastes, from comfort classics to the latest creations. Very casual.
Scallywag's Bar & Grille
at Badin Lake Marina (formerly Fish Tales)
700 Lake Forest Dr, Badin Lake.
336-461-2565.
Waterfront at Badin Lake Marina & Watersports. Lake-front dining inside or outside on large, covered patio with beautiful lake view. Great food, hand-dipped ice cream creations. Beer & wine. Come by water or road, plenty of new parking areas and boat slips, gas dock & boat ramp, store, pontoon rentals. Lunch, dinner, breakfast on weekends. Dine in or take out. Open Thurs-Sun. Seasonal hours. Casual. $
Lake Tillery
Lefler's Place Cafe
6423 NC Hwy 73 W, Mt Gilead NC
910-439-5451
Operating continuously since 1922, Lefler's does barbeque smoked the right way, over an open pit using only hickory wood. Hand-patted burgers. Home made chili and slaw. Definitely not fast food! New owners in 2013 have re-instated all of the old traditional Lefler's recipes. Stop in for an ice cold Coke (in a glass bottle) and one or two of their famous hot dogs! This place is complete with a country store, so get your local produce to go. It's not on the water, but it's close. And well worth the trip! Hours: 7a-2p M-W; 7a-8p Th-F; 7a-3p Sat. Closed Sun. Casual. $
Harbor Café
197 Twin Harbor Dr, Mt Gilead NC
910-439-0043
Full breakfast and lunch menu during the week, with the addition of flounder & shrimp dinners Fri & Sat evenings. Breakfast is everything you can imagine, including French toast and pancakes. Lunch, too, with salads, plates & baskets, burgers, sandwiches & wraps. Just off Lilly’s Bridge Rd in the Twin Harbor community. Sun-Th 6a-2p; F-Sat 6a-9p. Casual $
Jay's Seafood Restaurant
40439 Stony Gap Rd, Albemarle NC
704-982-5814
Family-owned & operated since 1967. High-quality seafood served in a relaxed, family atmosphere. Enjoy the buffet or made-to-order kitchen items that include steak, chicken, seafood, and more. This hidden gem isn't on the water, but is convenient to both Lake Tillery and Badin Lake, off Hwy 24/27. Hours: 4-9p Th; 4-9:30 F-Sat; 11a-8:30p Sun. Casual. $$
River Wild
1185 Lilly's Bridge Rd, Mt Gilead NC
910-439-2022
Fresh, innovative flavors are at the heart of this menu. "Wild" twists include the 100% pure, perfectly-seasoned bison burger. Fresh, hand-crafted burgers on toasted brioche buns. Creative Roast Beef melt featuring premium metro deli beef, caramelized onions and secret river sauce on thick sliced sourdough bread. Yum! Dockage available at Lilly's Bridge Marina (See #51 on the Lake Tillery Map). Deck seating overlooking the marina. Carpet golf! Plenty of parking (You know, if you come by car.) Full bar, live music. Hours: 4-10p M-Th; 11a-11p F-Sat; 11a-9p Sun. Casual. $$
Try one or all of these waterfront or water-access restaurants next time you're, you know, hungry ...
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