Restaurant named ‘most charming’ in NC is a 2-hour drive from Raleigh
The most charming restaurant in North Carolina, according to Microsoft Start (MSN), is under two hours from Raleigh.
Ryan’s Restaurant, a seafood restaurant and steakhouse in Winston-Salem, was named the state’s most charming restaurant “that will steal your heart.”
General Manager Kelly Seaver credits the restaurant’s location and atmosphere, noting the restaurant’s location was picked out by helicopter by the original owner, choosing a hillside spot in the woods with a rolling creek.
“Ryan’s is located right outside of downtown Winston-Salem, but sitting inside or outside on our deck, you feel many miles away from the hustle and bustle of the city,” Seaver told The N&O.
“Many customers often ask if the restaurant was originally a home, and I can understand why. The dark wood paneling, bricks (taken from the demolition of the historic Robert E. Lee hotel in Winston in 1972) and large chandeliers give a cozy and homey feeling to the restaurant.”
Winston-Salem restaurant named ‘most charming’ in NC
Ryan’s Restaurant has been locally owned and under the same management since 1981, located near the heart of Winston-Salem.
“A visit to Winston-Salem’s Ryan’s Restaurant is a magical experience. It’s a cozy spot set deep in a forest, where you can dine out on the deck looking out over the trees and steam, while inside the comfy sofas and crackling fireplace will keep you snug,” MSN wrote.
“The restaurant serves a tempting menu of mainly seafood and steaks, which diners say are cooked to perfection, but it’s the fairy-tale surroundings that keep people coming back time and time again.”
Ryan’s enforces a dress code, requiring collared shirts or sweaters for men and upscale attire for women, including dresses, skirts, slacks and dress jeans. Athletic wear, hats and shorts are not allowed.
Indoor and outdoor seating can give diners a unique experience whenever they visit the restaurant, offering twilight summer outdoor dining or cozy fireside dinners in the winter.
“Enjoy the panoramic view of large oaks and a rolling stream from the many window-side tables, or the large, starlight deck. Or, savor the intimate atmosphere from a comfortable sofa, and in the winter, the warmth of a crackling fireplace,” the restaurant’s website says.
Best places to sit seasonally
Seaver recommends requesting the following spots when making a reservation, depending on the time of year you dine:
• Winter: Dine in the Board Room, in a cozy spot by the window and the fireplace.
“It’s also a fully decorated Christmas spot. We go all out for Christmas with our decorations,” Seaver said.
• Fall and spring: “The deck is a wonderful place to dine. There are only five tables and it’s weather-dependent because it isn’t covered, so I always recommend those as early as possible,” she said.
• Summer: “Any table by the window overlooking the greenery and little bridge behind the building is great.”
Ryan’s Restaurant is located at 719 Coliseum Dr. in Winston-Salem. Dinner is served Monday through Saturday, and to-go orders are available Monday through Thursday. To make a reservation, visit ryansrestaurant.com/reservations or call 336-724-6132.
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