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A North Carolina restaurant ranks at the top of its class — and it wasn’t the only one to receive praise.
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The state is home to four the nation’s best places to eat, a new report finds. Here’s how the dining destinations fared on lists from the travel review website Tripadvisor:
To create the lists of best restaurants, Tripadvisor studied reviews U.S. customers left on its website over the full year leading up to June 30.
“The Travelers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best title celebrates the highest level of excellence in travel,” Tripadvisor wrote in its report published in September. “It’s awarded to those who receive a high volume of above-and-beyond reviews and opinions from the Tripadvisor community over a 12-month period. Out of our 8 million listings, fewer than 1% achieve this milestone.”
Of the North Carolina restaurants that earned spots on the best restaurant lists, a destination in the mountains made the biggest mark. Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands landed at No. 1 for fine dining as it received nods for its “elevated Northern Italian cuisine and legendary wine cellar.”
“Homemade bread and a family vibe sets the scene at this Italian mainstay,” Tripadvisor wrote in its report. “Start with the light, crispy calamari and try a pasta special or two — heaping portions make sure no one leaves hungry. But save room for classic desserts like tiramisu. Staff add to the warm atmosphere and can walk you through their solid wine list.”
Also in the fine dining category, Second Empire in downtown Raleigh ranks No. 12. The restaurant, located in a restored Victorian-era home, received recognition for boasting knowledgeable staff and well-presented dishes, The News & Observer previously reported.
Both Ristorante Paoletti and Second Empire landed on Tripadvisor’s fine-dining lists in the past. Over time, fans have flocked to the website to call the restaurants ideal places for celebrating anniversaries and other special occasions.
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While the fine-dining awards went to the “most exceptional restaurants where culinary mastery and unforgettable experiences define every meal,” another category honored places that are more laid back.
Two North Carolina restaurants — Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian South and Jettie Rae’s Oyster House — rank in the top 25 for casual dining. It might not come as a surprise that both of the winners are in Asheville, which has been named one of the nation’s top destinations for food and beer, CharlotteFive previously reported.
Vinnie’s Neighborhood Italian South was honored for its “friendly staff, large portions, delicious pasta” and other features that have customers have raved about on Tripadvisor.
Meanwhile, Jettie Rae’s was described as a “neighborhood seafood spot” where fans love the lobster rolls and oysters, according to online reviews.
If you’re looking for the top-ranked casual dining experience in the country, you don’t have to travel far from our state. The No. 1 best restaurant in that category was Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, results show.
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This story was originally published October 20, 2026 at 11:24 AM with the headline “4 NC restaurants named ‘best of the best’ in US on new Tripadvisor list.”
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