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 say they rarely or never try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, according to a 2024 survey of more than 1,500 diners from TouchBistro.

But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—67% of Gen Zers and 40% 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 social media or online restaurant reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google. The TouchBistro survey found that 52% of Gen Zers have opted to try a new restaurant due to positive feedback on social media, and 67% of millennials have gone to a new dining spot solely because of favorable reviews online.

New restaurants in particular tend to garner a lot of online attention. About 50,000 new restaurants open each year in the U.S., and that number continues to rise. An analysis by Yelp published in June 2024 found that new restaurant openings were up 6% from May 2023 to April 2024. But some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established eateries that customers have been visiting for decades.

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 2025. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews and a 3.0 rating were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.

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1 / 30

#30. Tony's Pizza

- Rating: 4.0/5 (87 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1832 Catawba Valley Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Salad
- Read more on Yelp

2 / 30

#29. Ku-Ru Sushi & Grill

- Rating: 4.1/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1322 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp

3 / 30

#28. Harbor Inn Seafood

- Rating: 4.1/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2555 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

4 / 30

#27. Thai Lotus Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2601 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai
- Read more on Yelp

5 / 30

#26. Duck N Good Food Place

- Rating: 4.2/5 (84 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 3005 1st Ave. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Chinese, Laotian
- Read more on Yelp

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6 / 30

#25. Golden Eggroll

- Rating: 4.2/5 (22 reviews)
- Address: 1820 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Chinese, Pan Asian
- Read more on Yelp

7 / 30

#24. 13TWENTY Hickory Pub

- Rating: 4.2/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 1320 16th St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Pubs, American, Wraps
- Read more on Yelp

8 / 30

#23. Hart & Soul Cafe

- Rating: 4.2/5 (75 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 25 4th St. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp

9 / 30

#22. Taste Full Beans

- Rating: 4.3/5 (137 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 29 2nd St. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Tea Rooms, Cafes
- Read more on Yelp

10 / 30

#21. Fourk

- Rating: 4.3/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1410 4th St. Drive Northwest Ste 103 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp

11 / 30

#20. Vintage House Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 271 3rd Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
- Read more on Yelp

12 / 30

#19. Taj Indian Cuisine

- Rating: 4.3/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 958 2nd St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Indian, Seafood, Soup
- Read more on Yelp

13 / 30

#18. Crescent Moon Cafe

- Rating: 4.3/5 (134 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 256 1st Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Vegan, Gastropubs
- Read more on Yelp

14 / 30

#17. Bubblys

- Rating: 4.3/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1854 Catawba Valley Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Bubble Tea
- Read more on Yelp

15 / 30

#16. The Peanut House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2352 Springs Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Laotian
- Read more on Yelp

16 / 30

#15. Sub Station II

- Rating: 4.4/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 422 Hwy 64/70 West Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

17 / 30

#14. Boca

- Rating: 4.4/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 74 8th St. Southeast Ste 108 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Moroccan, Spanish, Tapas Bars
- Read more on Yelp

18 / 30

#13. Charlie Graingers

- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2450 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue
- Read more on Yelp

19 / 30

#12. Notions

- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 206 Union Square Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Cocktail Bars
- Read more on Yelp

20 / 30

#11. Standard Oyster Company

- Rating: 4.5/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2147 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

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21 / 30

#10. Authentic Mexican Restaurant Las Isabelas

- Rating: 4.5/5 (74 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 305 1st Ave. Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp

22 / 30

#9. Durty Thumbs

- Rating: 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 802 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Caribbean, Caterers, Party & Event Planning
- Read more on Yelp

23 / 30

#8. 92Chicken

- Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 310 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Korean, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

24 / 30

#7. Angus Steak House

- Rating: 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3795 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Steakhouses, American
- Read more on Yelp

25 / 30

#6. Hugh's Q

- Rating: 4.7/5 (39 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2117 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Barbecue, Salad, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

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26 / 30

#5. Bombin' Ramen

- Rating: 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 2535 US Hwy 70 Southeast Ste 102 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Ramen
- Read more on Yelp

27 / 30

#4. Hatch Sandwich Bar

- Rating: 4.7/5 (326 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 268 1st Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: American, Vegetarian, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp

28 / 30

#3. Umi

- Rating: 4.8/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 40 Cloninger Mill Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Seafood
- Read more on Yelp

29 / 30

#2. El Vallartazo

- Rating: 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 1095 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Empanadas
- Read more on Yelp

30 / 30

#1. Plant Based Boss

- Rating: 5.0/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 221 1st Ave. Northwest Ste 110 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Vegan, Wraps, Juice Bars & Smoothies
- Read more on Yelp

This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 318 metros.