Highest-rated restaurants in Hickory by diners
Highest-rated restaurants in Hickory by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Hickory, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#26. Harbor Inn Seafood
- Rating: 4.0/5 (44 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2555 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Ku-Ru Sushi & Grill
- Rating: 4.0/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1322 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Hart & Soul Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (62 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 25 4th St. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Hickory Bread Cafe
- Rating: 4.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 1756 Catawba Valley Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Cafes, Desserts, American
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Golden Eggroll
- Rating: 4.0/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1820 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese, Pan Asian
- Read more on Yelp
#21. 13TWENTY Hickory Pub
- Rating: 4.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 1320 16th St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Pubs, American, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Thai Lotus Restaurant
- Rating: 4.0/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2601 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Taste Full Beans
- Rating: 4.0/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 29 2nd St. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Duck N Good Food Place
- Rating: 4.5/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3005 1st Ave. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Chinese, Laotian
- Read more on Yelp
#17. Fourk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (178 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1410 4th St. Drive Northwest Ste 103 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Taj Indian Cuisine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (47 reviews)
- Address: 958 2nd St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Indian
- Read more on Yelp
#15. The Peanut House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (86 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2352 Springs Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Laotian
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Bubblys
- Rating: 4.5/5 (257 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1854 Catawba Valley Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Crescent Moon Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (120 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 256 1st Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Vegan, Gastropubs
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Vintage House Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 271 3rd Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Boca
- Rating: 4.5/5 (132 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 74 8th St. Southeast Ste 108 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Moroccan, Spanish, Tapas Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Standard Oyster Company
- Rating: 4.5/5 (136 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2147 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Charlie Graingers
- Rating: 4.5/5 (78 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2450 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbeque
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Durty Thumbs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 802 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Caribbean, Caterers, Party & Event Planning
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Authentic Mexican Restaurant Las Isabelas
- Rating: 4.5/5 (66 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 305 1st Ave. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Notions
- Rating: 4.5/5 (59 reviews)
- Address: 206 Union Square Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Angus Steak House
- Rating: 4.5/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3795 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp
#4. 92Chicken
- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 310 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Korean, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#3. Hatch Sandwich Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (314 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 268 1st Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Vegetarian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Umi
- Rating: 5.0/5 (113 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 40 Cloninger Mill Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp
#1. El Vallartazo
- Rating: 5.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 1095 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Empanadas
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.
