Ristorante Paoletti named top U.S. fine-dining restaurant

Ristorante Paoletti in Highlands, North Carolina, has been named the top fine-dining restaurant in the United States by Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards. The Northern Italian establishment, located in the Blue Ridge Mountains, ranked 16th globally, surpassing dining destinations in major cities such as New York, Las Vegas, and Miami Beach.

In addition to fine dining, North Carolina offers diverse culinary experiences ranging from traditional barbecue to mountain-style game cooking. Notable regional spots include Skylight Inn BBQ in Ayden, known for its smoked chicken and vinegar-based pork, and The Broken Spit in Siler City. In the High Country near Boone, Gamekeeper Restaurant specializes in locally sourced game dishes served in a rustic stone cottage setting.