Food
A friend of mine just visited Cashiers for her honeymoon, and she passed along several recommendations for delicious bites. We took her up on all we had time for, and we were not disappointed. For our first night, we made a reservation at The Orchard. It was without a doubt one of the best meals I've ever had. The fare was fresh and perfectly prepared. The atmosphere was inviting and comfortable. They also have a charming guest cottage that's available to book (two night minimum). It would be ideal for a couple's retreat! I wouldn't miss this special spot.
Next up was Cornucopia Restaurant for a casual lunch. Think sandwiches, soups and salads. We stopped in after going on a short hike to a nearby waterfall. Everything we ordered was fresh and came quickly. They have vegetarian and vegan offerings too!
After taking Meriwether tubing at a nearby ski resort, we were hungry but tired. We opted to warm up at a local pizza spot, Slab Town Pizza. We really enjoyed it -- the mozzarella sticks were so cheesy!
Other Restaurants to Visit in Cashiers & Highlands
Here are some restaurants that came highly recommended in both Cashiers and Highlands that we'd like to visit next time around.
- Cashiers Farmer's Market - Unfortunately the farmer's market was closed during the off season, but a friend of mine recommended it for the perfect casual lunch spot. You can also grab delightful food to-go for a picnic or hike.
- Ristorante Paoletti - If we'd had one more day of our visit, I would have loved to go here for a nice Italian dinner. It came highly recommended by several friends. Be sure to make a reservation.
- Old Edwards Inn - They have a variety of dining options to enjoy an upscale experience.
- Ugly Dog Pub - Check out this spot for a casual meal with good bar food.
- Slopeside Tavern - Located at the ski slopes of Sapphire Valley Resort.
- Meritage Bistro - A great brunch or dinner spot. Reservation recommended.
Hotels
The perfect option if you're looking for a convenient, clean place to relax after fun days of exploring the mountains. The property was just renovated, featuring a modern feel with everything you need. It's centrally located in Cashiers, plus there's a few restaurants to enjoy within steps of your door.
For an upscale experience, consider Old Edwards Inn. It's located in Highlands -- about six miles from Cashiers. This mountaintop resort features gorgeous grounds with has a unique, European feel. They have guest suites, cottages and cabins available. Enjoy fine dining, an on-site spa and a convenient location to shops and restaurants downtown. They've done a beautiful job combining effortless mountain living and European décor. If you don't end up staying here, you can always make a reservation to eat a special meal!
The understated elegance of this property was my favorite. The grounds surrounding the country inn are beautiful -- from the lake to the cabins and gardens -- I can imagine how lovely this place would be when everything is in season. During our visit, it was covered in a blanket of fog that created such a peaceful landscape. From the farm fresh breakfasts to cozy fireplaces -- this place is the absolute perfect spot for a weekend escape. Also worth noting, they have a free shuttle to downtown Highlands.
Other Activities
It was an easy walk to see Silver Run Falls. Next time, I'd love to take some food with us, maybe from the farmer's market. There was a large rock that would've been perfect to lay a blanket and enjoy some sandwiches. The other waterfall we visited was called Bridal Veil Falls.
There were dozens of options for local shopping, especially in the way of interiors and antiques. Unfortunately, most of the shops were closed for the winter season, but I did get to visit the cutest florist/gift shop called Fiddlehead. I bought some things for gardening this Spring and some decor items for Easter. I think Carson's favorite shop of all was an outdoor store called Brookings.
We took Meriwether tubing since she's not quite old enough to ski and she loved it. We'd recommend visiting Sapphire Valley Resort, but be sure to snag your tickets in advance (on-site) because they sell out quickly.
If you plan to visit this area, don't hesitate to reach out and we can chat. I've already received several messages on Instagram asking how we liked it, so I hope this guide helps you get a better idea of what we enjoyed during our visit!
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