Your Guide to King, NC (What to do, Where to eat, Where to drink)

Amanda Motsinger

August 10, 2026

Looking for an easy small-town day trip? Head to King to discover a historic downtown, locally owned restaurants, and one of the best playgrounds in the Triad — all just a 20-minute drive north of Winston-Salem.

Updated August 2026

Restaurants in King

Inexpensive

King Drug & Grill | 142 S. Main Street | $ | This historic family-owned pharmacy features a lunch counter serving a small menu of sandwiches and salads. Locals recommend trying their freshly squeezed orangeade.
Dairi-O | 365 E. Dalton Road | $ | King is the birthplace of Dairi-O! What started as a walk-up burger-and-hot-dog stand in 1947 has grown into a beloved NC chain. They’re still best known for their burgers, all-beef hot dogs, and milkshakes.
Bagel Boss | 152 Kingscote Way | $ | This is NC’s first location of the famed Long Island brand, offering authentic New York bagels, boiled and baked fresh every morning! Try their bagels with a cream cheese spread or a deli salad for lunch. Also serving breakfast burritos, omelettes, and egg sandwiches.
King Kitchen Family Restaurant | 521 S. Main Street | $ | No-frills country cooking served all day long, with breakfast available anytime. Expect generous portions, daily specials, and all your comfort-food favorites.
PB Clark’s Family Restaurant | 427 Kirby Road | $ | With 4.5 stars from over 800 reviews, this diner keeps the locals coming back. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner through the week but close around 2 PM on weekends.

Moderate

Little Italy Pizza & Italian Restaurant | 612 S. Main Street | $$ | After moving from Naples, Italy, to North Carolina, the Looz family turned their dream of sharing authentic Italian food into a restaurant. Now with multiple locations, it’s a local favorite for baked ziti, chicken cacciatore, and other Italian classics.
Amazing Thailand | 705 S. Main Street | $$ | Family-run Thai restaurant serving made-to-order dishes at any spice level you can handle. The drunken noodles and curries are their most popular dishes!
The Dalton | 102 E. Dalton Road | $$ | Upscale-casual restaurant and bar inside a beautifully restored 1914 building. The menu highlights include their cajun chicken alfredo and blueberry bread pudding for dessert.

Upscale

The Mercantile Chophouse | 101 E. Dalton Road | $$$ | This premier steakhouse from local chef and restaurateur Adam Andrews serves dry-aged beef from a local meat processor, seafood, craft cocktails, and a full bar. Dinner only — reservations recommended!

Things To Do In King

King Antique Mall | 607-M S. Main Street | More than 20 dealers under one roof, with everything from vintage toys to fine china. The owner is a certified appraiser so that you can ask questions about your own treasures!

Robertson Family Farm | 439 Hartgrove Road | A family-owned farm store selling their own produce plus local meats, baked goods, and goods from area artisans. Visit in spring for U-pick strawberries, in fall for the pumpkin patch, or check their calendar for other seasonal events.

Hammer & Stain – Yadkin Valley & Triad | 705-K S. Main Street | A social DIY studio with guided workshops where you’ll create personalized wood décor and crafts. They also host murder mystery nights and kids’ parties.

Horne Creek Historical Farm | 308 Horne Creek Farm Road, Pinnacle | Experience NC farm life circa 1900 with a tour of the historic farmhouse and a walk around the barns and heritage apple orchard. They also host seasonal events and hands-on demonstrations.

Dan River Company | 1110 Flinchum Road, Danbury | Paddle the scenic Dan River by canoe or kayak. You’ll pass through the Hammer-Stern Wilderness Preserve and a spectacular one-mile stretch beneath the Dan River Bluffs at Hanging Rock State Park.

Local Parks in King

Recreation Acres & Everyone’s Playground | 107 White Road | Everyone’s Playground is one of the Triad’s best inclusive playgrounds with a wheelchair swing, sensory stations, and an accessible merry-go-round. The large wooden play structure has plenty of elements all kids will enjoy. The park also has sports fields, a skate park, a dog park, and a 9-hole disc golf course.

Hanging Rock State Park | 1790 Hanging Rock Park Road, Danbury | Just 25 minutes north of King, Hanging Rock State Park features more than 20 miles of hiking trails, five waterfalls, a swimming lake, and some of the Piedmont’s best mountain views.

Central Park | 302 Kirby Road | Walking trail, fishing pond, amphitheater, picnic shelter, and an 18th-century log cabin in a 25+ acre wooded setting.

Coffee, Bakery and Treats in King

Wisteria Coffee | 537 S. Main Street | King’s only specialty coffee shop and roaster! Two cozy levels of seating, outdoor tables, and a drive-thru for busy mornings.

Cup of Joe | 310 Pulliam Street | Italian coffee, doughnuts, pastries, and sandwiches from the same family behind Little Italy.

Hailey Bakery | 121 E. Dalton Road | A charming downtown bakery specializing in pastries, cinnamon rolls, cheesecakes, and custom cakes for every occasion. They have gluten-free options, too!

Bars & Breweries in King

StoCo Provision | 206-B S. Main Street | Coffee shop by day and taproom by night, serving locally roasted coffee, NC craft beer, wine, and cocktails. Family- and dog-friendly, with the coffee bar staying open into the evening.

The Black Rabbit | 110 E. Dalton Road | A 1930s Victorian-inspired cocktail bar with a cozy interior and private outdoor patio. King’s first upscale bar features handcrafted cocktails, 150+ bourbons & whiskeys, craft beer, and wine.

Seasonal Events in King

King Fest | King throws a great annual festival with live music, food vendors, local artisans, and family activities like bounce houses and a mini-train! Usually held the first Saturday in October at Central Park.

King Christmas Parade | King’s annual Christmas parade is one of the town’s biggest traditions. Typically held on the first Saturday in December, the parade travels down East School Street to Main Street and then left onto S. Main Street.

Christmas Tree Lighting & Holiday Celebration | The annual Christmas tree lighting event includes music, visits with Santa, and other family activities. It’s typically held the first Friday in December.

King Farmers Market | Seasonal market featuring local produce, baked goods, flowers, and artisan vendors on Wednesdays from 11 AM to 1 PM, May–October at the Stokes County YMCA.

Stokes Stomp | Dating back more than 50 years, this beloved festival celebrates the music, art, and history of the area. Held in Danbury each September, it features local vendors, artists, food, live music, and more.

Stokes County Agricultural Fair | Stokes County’s annual fair happens every September and features classic carnival rides, livestock exhibits, local entertainment, competitions, and plenty of delectable fair food.