Appalachian restaurants that have earned James Beard awards represent the region’s vibrant culinary heritage, blending tradition with innovation. These establishments showcase the diversity of Appalachian cuisine, from hearty comfort foods like those at Jim’s Steak & Spaghetti House in West Virginia to refined farm-to-table experiences such as The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee. Recognized for excellence in categories like hospitality, service, and America’s Classics, these restaurants embody the region's community-driven ethos and deep culinary roots. Each winner highlights a unique slice of Appalachia’s food story, honoring local ingredients, historic recipes, and a commitment to quality.
Chai Pani
Outstanding Restaurant
Asheville, North Carolina
2022
Chai Pani is renowned for its “mind-blasting” Indian street food and features chaat, which is “crunchy, spicy, sweet, tangy, brightly flavored Indian street snacks,” according to its website. The restaurant emphasizes bold flavors and affordable pricing, serving as a pioneer in changing perceptions of Indian cuisine in the U.S.
More information:
Website: chaipaniasheville.com
Location: 22 Battery Park Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Cúrate
Outstanding Hospitality
Asheville, North Carolina
2022
Cúrate specializes in authentic Spanish cuisine, offering a warm dining experience featuring traditional tapas, paellas, and Spanish wines. Katie Button and Felix Meana and family built Cúrate on its Spanish meaning – ‘heal yourself.’ They believe that discovering new flavors can unite people in a delicious moment of wonder and joy that cures the soul,” according to the website.
More information:
Website: curatetapasbar.com
Location: 13 Biltmore Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Jim's Steak & Spaghetti House
America's Classics
Huntington, West Virginia
2019
A West Virginia institution since 1938, Jim’s is known for its homestyle spaghetti and steak dishes. Its retro diner ambiance and welcoming atmosphere make it a beloved staple in the community, earning it an “America’s Classics” award, focusing on family-owned restaurants that have been operating for at least a decade.
More information:
Website: jimssteakandspaghetti.com
Location: 920 5th Ave, Huntington, WV 25701
Primanti Brothers
America's Classics
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
2007
Since it was founded in 1933, Primanti's has become a cultural icon of Pittsburgh. Famous for its iconic sandwiches stacked with meat, coleslaw, and fries, Primanti Brothers offers a taste of Pittsburgh's history and casual dining excellence.
More information:
Website: primantibros.com
Location: 46 18th St, Pittsburgh, PA 15222
The Barn at Blackberry Farm
Outstanding Service (2015)
Outstanding Wine Program (2014)
Walland, Tennessee
A luxurious dining destination, The Barn offers elevated farm-to-table cuisine paired with an award-winning wine selection, all set within a picturesque Tennessee estate. “Housed in a turn-of-the-century bank-style barn located in the center of our Farmstead, the James Beard Award-winning restaurant offers multi-course menus rooted in our Appalachian ingredients from around the region as well as farm products harvested just a few feet from the front door,” the website states.
More information:
Website: blackberryfarm.com
Location: 1471 W Millers Cove Rd, Walland, TN 37886
Highlands Bar & Grill
Outstanding Restaurant
Birmingham, Alabama
2018
A pioneer of Southern fine dining, Highlands Bar & Grill featured refined seasonal dishes inspired by regional ingredients, with a focus on warm, attentive service. Their daily-changing menu, rooted in classic French technique, offered the best from each harvest. Cooler weather brought game venison and quail, root vegetables and greens, the first springtime shad roe and the blue-green, live and kickin’ soft shell crabs arriving a few weeks later, followed by summer’s shell beans, tomatoes and okra. Until the COVID pandemic, the restaurant’s regional heritage ingredients and gracious service had endured since its opening in 1982. It is rumored the restaurant will reopen one day. We hope so.
More information:
Website: highlandsbarandgrill.com (still up)
Location: 2011 11th Ave S, Birmingham, AL 35205
The Bright Star
America's Classics
Bessemer, Alabama
2010
Operating since 1907, The Bright Star is the oldest family-owned restaurant in Alabama. It offers a blend of Greek-inspired and Southern comfort cuisine, making it a landmark for both locals and visitors. Signature dishes include seafood gumbo, Greek-style snapper, and mouthwatering steaks.
More information:
Website: thebrightstar.com
Location: 304 19th St N, Bessemer, AL 35020
Brooks’ House of Bar-B-Q
America's Classics
Oneonta, New York
2016
Brooks' House of Bar-B-Q, located in Oneonta, New York, is a legendary family-run barbecue restaurant that has been serving customers since 1951. Known for its signature chicken, slow cooked over charcoal pits, and a tangy, homemade barbecue sauce, Brooks' has become a regional favorite and a destination for lovers of classic barbecue. The restaurant also features a catering service and a gift shop, enhancing its reputation as a must-visit for hearty, delicious meals steeped in tradition.
More information:
Website: brooksbbq.com
Location: 5560 NY-7, Oneonta, NY 13820
Moosewood
America's Classics
Ithaca, New York
2000
Moosewood, located in Ithaca, New York, is an iconic vegetarian restaurant that has been delighting diners since 1973. Renowned for its fresh, globally inspired dishes, the restaurant is celebrated for its commitment to sustainability and locally sourced ingredients. Moosewood has also gained fame through its influential cookbooks, which have inspired home cooks around the world to explore creative vegetarian cuisine. With a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that constantly evolves, Moosewood remains a pioneering force in plant-based dining.
More information:
Website: moosewoodcooks.com
Location: 215 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850