Stanly County, NC is found just east of Charlotte, nestled next to the Uwharrie Mountains. It’s a little hidden gem that is just recently being discovered by folks looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life, overcrowded lakes, and most of all, TRAFFIC!
As this county is growing, more and more interesting things to do are coming in, including new restaurants, seemingly every month. This guide, written originally in July of 2023, will be updated as I find a better “Best of”.
Stanly County: Best Breakfast
At this point, all of the breakfast locations are pretty much diners. A couple of places are attempting Brunch, but my best breakfast, for now, is focused on a restaurant that offers breakfast more than one day a week. This one is a bit off the beaten path and quite tiny, but serving up good grub in a country diner feel with some awesome ladies serving! You can’t go wrong with a stop at Wink’s Country Cooking, located off Hwy 52 in Albemarle. In my Google review, I rated them the best biscuit, hashbrowns AND sausage in Stanly County.
Stanly County: Best Sushi
Until recently, I would have never thought I’d recommend a sushi restaurant in the county as it hasn’t traditionally been a huge thing here. That being said, in the last two years, I have tried multiple sushi restaurants and there is for sure, one hands down winner! You can’t go wrong with Lantern Sushi in Norwood, NC. I’ve tried various plates here and I have yet to have something I didn’t like. Beautiful and delicious sushi rolls, quality sake, amazing ginger salad and a super friendly staff tie in together to make this a Best of Stanly winner for Sushi!
Stanly County: Best Date Night Restaurant
There are a couple restaurants great for a date night that could rate in the Best of Stanly County but there is one that rises to the top, in my opinion. Offering good food, a great vibe, and the best restaurant bar the county currently has to offer, my Stanly County Best Date Night Restaurant goes to The Local Room. If you go on a Monday, you’ll even find a date night special complete with an app, entree, dessert, and a bottle of wine! Or stop by on a Wednesday and get half-price bottles of wine! They also offer a superb bourbon selection and fantastic cocktails. Even though their drinks are amazing, the food is the star. They also add new items to the menu very often. My favorite meals include Fire Roasted Salmon, Ribs, and the Burger.
Stanly County: Best Day Drinking
With four wineries, a brewery, a distillery, and multiple bars; there are a lot of places to visit for great libations in Stanly County! There is one that sticks out, especially if it’s a beautiful day. My pick for Stanly County Best Day Drinking experience is The Loping Crow Distillery. A family-owned business, you’ll find the crew super happy to serve you up their latest batch of spirits. They have a rotating list of cocktails made from their own liquors and I have yet to have a bad one. On a Saturday, you’ll likely find some live music and a food truck. Grab a fire pit or a picnic table, sit back, relax, and enjoy the day!
Stanly County: Best BBQ
I can’t do a Stanly County “Best of” list without including Barbecue. I think we have a couple really amazing Barbecue restaurants but the one I pick for Stanly County’s Best is Log Cabin BBQ in Albemarle, right off Hwy 52. The crew there serves up some very tasty BBQ with all the sides and darn good hush puppies. Their vinegar sauce is one of my all time favorites and the sweet potatoes are insanely good. I like to put the barbeque in my sweet potato and cover it in the vinegar sauce. Yum!
Stanly County: Best Mexican Food
From their restaurant, to their food truck to their sister restaurant, I can’t recommend El Vaquero Mexican Grill enough. El Vaquero is located in Locust, NC near the RedBridge Community. Their service is top notch and their food is consistently delicious. If you are lucky enough to run across the El Vaquero Food Truck, you’ll enjoy eating a wonderful Mexican meal outside just as much, if not more!
