The Pump House and Other Road Trip Restaurants

Burst out of your zip code bubble and venture out to these dining destinations within four hours of Charlotte. Start planning your day or 36 hour, weekend road trip now, and don’t forget to tag #scoopEATS on your instagram posts so we can see!

(all distances are from Center City Charlotte and all drive times are google map estimates : )

The Pump House
575 Herrons Ferry Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730

Distance from Charlotte: 20.9 miles, 25 minutes
The scoop: As if the killer menu wasn’t enough of a draw, at The Pump House you can dine with a picture perfect view of the Catawba River. Better yet, you can choose from your pick of their dining room with a view, patio or rooftop bar. Join them for happy hour Monday-Friday from 4-6 pm, and for live music on Wednesday’s 6:30-8:30 pm (prime sunset viewing time).
Worth the drive for: Start off with the Fried Green Tomato appetizer (it’s topped with pimento cheese!), and the Short Rib and Shrimp and Grits for supper.

Nellie’s Southern Kitchen
36 North Main Street, Belmont, NC 28012

Distance from Charlotte: 13.7 miles, 22 minutes
The scoop: It’s Southern cooking and hospitality done right at Nellie’s Southern Kitchen, where you’ll enjoy twists on classics in their industrial dining room and rooftop bar. Try it out for a leisurely Sunday brunch with their heavenly looking Chicken & Waffles and live music.
Worth the drive for: Signature Fried Chicken, the Smoke Wagon (Pulled NC Pork or Portabellas with Four-Cheese Mac and Dixie Slaw). For dessert, keep it simple with classic milk and cookies.

Kindred
131 North Main Street, Davidson, NC 28036

Distance from Charlotte: 21.6 miles, 26 miles
The scoop: This lake favorite is still on our list of must-venture-to stops in the area. The chefs keep the freshest ingredients on hand, so their menu changes frequently with the seasons. Grab a seat at their old-fashioned bar or a booth with a front row seat of Davidson’s Main Street.
Worth the drive for: Scallops a la Plancha, Appalachian Trout

Heritage Food & Drink
201 West South Main Street, Waxhaw, NC 28173

Distance from Charlotte: 30.1 miles, 40 minutes
The scoop: Chef Paul T. Verica serves up fresh takes on Southern favorites including specialty deviled eggs and shrimp and grits. Keep up with their changing menu here.
Worth the drive for: On the menu now: salad with scallops, watermelon, tomato, mint, cucumber and  jalepeno. Stop by for brunch to grab a housemaid donut.

Soby’s
207 South Main Street, Greenville, SC 29601

Distance from Charlotte: 102 miles, 1 hour 47 minutes
The scoop: In the heart of Greenville, SC is a divine fusion of Southern flavor and International flair. Sit in the warm restored historic dining room, or be part of the action on their lively patio. Stay tuned to their Facebook page for daily and seasonal specials. Also for our gluten-free friends, Soby’s has an extensive menu just for you, check it out here. 
Worth the drive for: She Crab Soup, Upcountry Shrimp & Grits, Bacon Wrapped Pork Tenderloin, Cervena Venison.

Eesola Lodge
175 Linville Avenue, Linville, NC 28646

Distance from Charlotte: 110 miles, 2 hours 4 minutes
The scoop: Local and seasonal flavors set the tone as Executive Chef Patrick Maisonhaute and staff prepare the nightly four-course meal at the Eseeola Lodge. Diners have their pick from seven entrées, not to mention their wine list.
Worth the drive for: Kick off a weekend getaway with the weekly Thursday evening seafood buffet.

Artisanal
1200 Dobbins Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604

Distance from Charlotte: 119 miles, 2 hours 12 minutes
The scoop: Complete your trip to the mountains with a menu of farm-to-table dishes using local ingredients served in a converted barn. Hurry up and make your reservations, Artisanal closes for the season on October 29. Make your OpenTable reservations here.
Worth the drive for: Caramelized Cauliflower to share, Hickory Smoked Pekin Duck Breast, Wagyu Sirloin

Rhubarb
7 South Pack Square, Asheville, NC 28801

Distance from Charlotte: 130 miles, 2 hours 2 minutes
The scoop: Chef John Fleer brings farm-to-table to a chic downtown Asheville eatery. Gather ’round the communal table for their Sunday Supper Menu, featuring the best of the weekend’s market finds, often presented by local guest farmers.
Worth the drive for: A cooking demo, sometimes held in conjunction with Sunday Supper. Menu notables include Looking Glass Goat Cheese Gnudi and Mongolian Barbecued Lamb Ribs.

Cúrate
11 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801

Distance from Charlotte: 130 miles, 2 hours 2 minutes
The scoop: If you believe food can heal, Cúrate is a must-stop on any Asheville trip. Literally meaning “cure yourself” in Spanish, Cúrate transport diners to Spain with authentic dishes including croquetas de pollo and jamón Ibérico in a lively tapas bar setting.
Worth the drive for: Take your waiter’s word for it and let the recommend top picks. Favorites include pincho moruno (lamb skewers), albondigas con jamon (meatballs with cured ibérico de bellota ham in a tomato sauce), and not-to-be-missed dessert specials like housemade ice cream.

The Fearrington House Restaurant
2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro, NC 27312

Distance from Charlotte: 140 miles, 2 hours 6 minutes
The scoop: The epitome of Southern hospitality, inside the intimate dining rooms at the Fearrington House Restaurant guests enjoy five-star service and a handcrafted seasonal menu. Led by Executive Chef Colin Bedford, the team at the Fearrington ensures an impeccable experience, whether you’re staying the weekend or just for dinner.
Worth the drive for: On the Summer menu: Heritage Farms Pork Tenderloin with Eggplant Caviar & Oven Dried Tomatoes. Quail with Peaches, Buttered Chanterelle’s & Charred Corn.

Boiler Room Oyster Bar
108 West North Street, Kinston, NC 28501

Distance from Charlotte: 247 miles, 3 hours 41 minutes
The scoop: Venture on East for seafood galore at Boiler Room Oyster Bar. Feast on steamed oysters by the peck and even a burger topped with friend oysters. Their Facebook page is full of daily and seasonal specials, stay tuned.
Worth the drive for: Specialty oysters, Blueberry BBQ Chicken Sandwich, BR Blended Burger Project and the Chef’s Choice Fish Platter on Friday nights.

Chef and the Farmer
120 West Gordon Street, Kinston, NC 28501

Distance from Charlotte: 247 miles, 3 hours 47 minutes
The scoop: You may have caught a glimpse of Chef and the Farmer on PBS’s A Chef’s Life, but now you can experience it for yourself. We’ve heard great things about everything on the menu, from appetizers (fried okra and ranch dressing ice cream) to dessert (Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie).
Worth the drive for: Flash Fried Collards, Country Ham Wrapped Peaches. Wreckfish, Clams and Shrimp Stew.

Sam Jones BBQ
715 West Fire Tower Road, Winterville, NC 28590

Distance from Charlotte: 248 miles, 3 hours 39 minutes
The scoop: When the owners insist on having a smokehouse on-site, you know it’s going to be good. Stop in for slow-smoked favorites and classic BBQ sides.
Worth the drive for: Jones Family Original BBQ Tray: slow smoked BBQ pork, a piece of Skylight Inn style cornbread and sweet slaw.