Posted: January 17th, 2012
By: Allysen Mahaffey
Administrative Professional, WFU Law International Graduate Programs
Downtown Winston-Salem (www.dwsp.org)
Moving to a new city can be overwhelming, exciting, and frustrating all at the same time. I moved from southern California to Winston-Salem, North Carolina in August of 2010 for a new job and adventure. Luckily, the World Wide Web has made moving across the world, or moving across the country in my case, a little bit easier. One of my favorite things to do is to go out to eat or get coffee with friends, which can be hard to do if you don’t know what restaurants, bars, or coffee shops you’re looking for. After some google and yelp research, as well as asking local friends for advice, I’ve spent the last year and a half trying out new places to eat and hang out in Winston-Salem. It’s become somewhat of a tradition of mine now- to try out new places every week for lunch with a friend who went to Wake Law school and knew his way around better than I. Additionally, my friends and I take advantage of downtown restaurant specials who participate in the “Big Eat” every Tuesday during the months of January and February.
English Conversation Club lunch at Rose’s Deli
Also, here at the WFU Law International Graduate Programs office, we decided to reignite the “English Conversation Club” with our LL.M., S.J.D. and V.I.R. students by going out to lunch once a month. The students practice their conversational English skills and we all get to try out a local restaurant. Between trying out new places with friends, taking advantage of the “Big Eat” specials, and organizing the English Conversation Club lunches, I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of good, local establishments with pleasant atmospheres and friendly people. To help new students out with finding places to eat and hang out, I have compiled a list of recommended restaurants, cafes, coffee shops and bars. I love a good atmosphere, reasonable prices, and unique dishes.
Sit-down restaurants (some also have bars)
Kimono Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar
4910 Old Country Club Road
It’s cheap, fast service, and the shrimp sauce is to die for. Favorite dish: Hibachi Chicken
750 Summit Street
A family-owned Greek restaurant that has great breakfast and lunch. Favorite dish: chicken souvlaki with their homemade potato chips
871 4th Street
American southern food.-The atmosphere is great, especially when it’s nice outside. Drink specials include half-off wine Wednesdays. They also have a great Sunday brunch.
2 locations in Winston but I’d recommend this location for the outdoor patio: 221 Reynolda Village
American Food. The crab dip appetizer is delicious.
300 S Liberty st ste 125
American/Southern . It’s located in an old train station, has a great selection of beer and wine, and outdoor patio. You have to try the fried green tomato BLT
134 N. Spruce Street
Asian fusion food- very unique and good atmosphere.
300 South Liberty Street Suite 125
American comfort food, super cheap and still good
529 North Trade Street
American/Southern food. It has one of the best brunches in Winston-Salem.
314 West 4th Street
Pizza and Bar. Also serves sandwiches, salads, etc. Some of the best pizza I’ve ever had. All their specialty pizzas are super unique. My favorite one is the Funky Q. Chicken or Gourmet White pizza
723 Trade Street
American breakfast food. It has late hours, breakfast is served all day, located on Trade Street. My favorite dish is the Apple Butter baby breakfast sandwich
411 South Marshall Street
Mediterranean and local cuisine. Haven’t actually been yet but heard great things. A little more expensive.
630 S. Stratford Rd
The best steak in Winston-Salem…gourmet (expensive) Southern food…it’s delicious!
209 West 6th Street
American Food, great wine. It has a very nice ambiance and backdoor patio. Also great for going out at night. Also has really good beer specials.
905 Burke Street
American Food. Really cheap for a lot of food.
916 West 4th Street
American Food. Great sandwiches and lunch spot, but also open for dinner.
District Roof Top Bar & Grille
770 Liberty View Ct (upper Trade street)
A brand new bar/restaurant in Winston-Salem, awesome for its outdoor patio and view of downtown Winston-Salem
Buffalo Wild Wings Grill & Bar
1045 Hanes Mall Blvd
Chicken wings galore
1547 Hanes Mall Blvd
Delicious Mexican with tons of vegetarian options
3005 Bonhurst Drive
American Food- lots of options for lunch & dinner, and many say they serve the best steaks in town.
More casual restaurants & cafes
Lunch:
2898 Reynolda Road
Great sandwiches and Italian goodies and close to campus
318 South Stratford, Thruway Shopping Center
Delicious salads and sides, good for lunch
Several locations in Winston-Salem, including one on campus, but my favorite is 1925 Peace Haven Road
Fast food but it is delicious!
Favorite dish: Spicy chicken sandwich. (hint: try out all the side sauces they have, especially the Chick-Fil-A sauce)
3064 Healy Dr (inside the Harris Teeter)
Best Thai food in Winston, and the cheapest!
Favorite dish: Chicken Yellow Curry
4505 Kester Mill Road
Delicious milkshakes!
3273 Robinhood Rd
Southerners favorite place for a burger and fries
901 Reynolda Rd.
Great place for unique sandwiches and they have a bar
1412 South Hawthorne Road
You have to try the chili cheese dog
1140 Burke Street or 3352 Robinhood Rd
Good, cheap pizza and open late
580 S Stratford Rd
Delicious greek gyros!
5000 University Pkwy
Really great sandwiches and discounts for WFU students
128 Hanes Mall Circle
Delicious Mexican fast food…the burritos are HUGE
Breakfast Only:
129 Oakwood Drive or Whittaker Square Shopping Center
The best bagels in Winston-Salem, great for breakfast or lunch
There are several- click on the link for all the locations
Don’t expect fancy…they have delicious hash browns and chocolate chip waffles…open 24/7, a late night favorite
Coffee shops:
122 Reynolda Village
Great coffee and sandwiches. Plus it’s close to campus. Try the grilled cheese!
211 East Third Street
My favorite coffee shop in Winston. Also is a venue on the weekends for bands, local shows, and has an art gallery
228 West Acadia Ave.
Local coffee shop and grocery store
Desserts:
Winkler Bakery in Old Salem
529 South Main Street
Delicious lemon pound cakes and Moravian cookies
1263 Creekshire Way
Delicious frozen yogurt bar…mix and match frozen yogurt and all the toppings, pay by the ounce.
33 Miller Street OR 3384 Robinhood Rd.
Another delicious pay by the ounce frozen yogurt bar.
Bars/Nightlife (some places also serve food)
412 W 4th Street
Play pool and check out the darts and other games downstairs
620 N Trade St
A local favorite…they have trivia every Tuesday night, about 40 beers on tap, and live music every weekend
279 West 4th Street
Kind of pricey but delicious cocktails
1500 West First St
Tons of draught beer, really great food and outdoor patio
853 Reynolda Rd
A WFU favorite…you can play pool here too
1131 Burke Street
Nice ambiance, great bar
627 Trade St.
Unique cocktails and beer selections. Quite small inside the bar, but they have a large covered outdoor area.
232 West Acadia Ave.
A relaxing/quiet place to enjoy beer.
Allysen Mahaffey joined Wake Forest Law staff as the International Graduate Program’s Administrative Professional in August of 2011.
One Response to “A Guide to Winston-Salem Restaurants”
1
Japanese – Sushi, Hibachi, & Tempura
Tomo E
http://www.tomoesteakhouse.com
984 Peters Creek Parkway
Winston-Salem NC 27103
336-0725-0886
A variety of menu selections and combinations; vegetarian options; great lunch deals. My current favorite Asian restaurant!
posted at 8:29 pm pm on July 23, 2012 by Kathy Pounds