Highlanders Grill And Tavern — Restaurant in Seven Devils

Sat at the bar at about 4:30 on a Tuesday afternoon. Maybe 3 other patrons at the bar and one in the dining room. The service was very bad. I had to get her attention and ask for every single thing I needed. It was never how is everything can I get you anything else.... I got a small Caesar and fish and chips. The salad was over dressed but somehow still very bland, the dressing is so very one note and soggy. I had to flag her down and ask for a couple of lemons to try to liven it up. Since it was already soggy lettuce I figured what's a little more juice. It was massively disappointing. My fish and chips came out 4 minutes after I received the salad. I had specifically made clear that I wanted the salad as an appetizer and to give me some time between salad and entree. This did not happen . 4 minutes is not enough time. I had just gotten the lemons to try to "fix" the bland wilted lettuce when the fish hit the bar. This meal was so very lackluster. With a minute or 2 longer cook it could have been delightful. I understand no one wants to overcook fish but this was barely cooked leaving the batter slimy and uncooked on the inside. The batter on the outside was crispy but it hadn't been in the fryer long enough to cook through. The fish was fine as fish does cook fast, but it really could have used another 2-3 minutes in the fryer. The fries were soggy and not cooked through. Visibly soggy and not cooked through. Coleslaw which I normally love was inedible . I think maybe it had gone off and was still being served. I had one bite and knew not to mess with it any further. Giving someone food poisoning through old or warm mayonnaise is super easy. I mentioned the coleslaw to the bartender and she just didn't respond. So I knew after sampling the fries and the fish that she also would not care to remedy the situation . Furthermore i got the impression that the kitchen did not care and I probably wouldn't fare well the second time if I sent the dish back. All in all I think this is maybe a dive bar now and I was expecting too much by hoping for and edible meal. It's priced how you would expect something in the banner elk area to be priced but it's not worth even a fraction of it. I cannot testify to the quality of the drink. I ordered "a water for now" when I first sat down to look at the menu with the full intention of ordering a drink once I decided on food. But with the difficulty I was having getting anything from the bartender I gave up on the idea of a drink . This is not the first time I've been to this restaurant but the first time in a number of years, it has significantly declined in the years in between and become something else altogether. Inedible and...

Waited for 45 minutes to have any wait staff to even acknowledge us, was almost 30 minutes after that before we got our drinks. Waitress had passed to serve the table next to us no less than 4x before I had the manager come over for the 2nd time. Their excuse was " we're just too busy and understaffed right now to serve you ". I had expressed my displeasure with her reply and she said she'll get someone over to help us. Once we actually placed our drink order, the waitress came back 20 minutes later to tell me the bartender can't find the ingredients to make my drink. I'm utterly disgusted by their unprofessional service from their waitstaff to their management. I would absolutely NOT RECOMMEND ever coming here. This visit was on a Saturday afternoon, there were people inside, but knowing that it was a weekend they should have absolutely had more than 3 waitresses on. Really wish I would have read the reviews before we came in, feel as if we would have had better quality food and better service at the McDonald's across the street... Update so the food finally managed to show up, food was wrong and food that was supposed to be hot was cold, when I brought the wrong food to the attention of the waitress, it seemed as though she could not have possibly cared any less. At the end of the meal the bartender/manager comes over to see how everything went and ran through my list of issues and the same apathetic attitude was expressed by her, but she assured me that she would forward my concerns on to the general manager. We're not from the area and if we do come back to visit this area again I'm confident that we will not be wasting any more of...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Amazing Food, Exceptional Service! Highlanders Grill and Tavern is hands down one of the best spots in town! Whether you’re stopping in for a meal with family, a night out with friends, or just looking for a great place to relax, this place delivers every time.

Unbeatable Food – Everything on the menu is top-notch! The burgers are cooked to perfection, the Philly cheesesteak is packed with flavor, and the fish and chips are always crispy and fresh. Their wings are some of the best around—perfectly crispy and tossed in delicious sauces. And if you’re looking for a great appetizer, the giant pretzel with beer cheese is a must-try!

Service That Feels Like Home – The staff here goes above and beyond to make sure you have the best experience. They’re always friendly, attentive, and quick to make sure your drink is full and your food is just right. Even when it’s busy, they never miss a beat.

What really sets Highlanders apart is the people behind it. The owners are fantastic—they genuinely care about their guests and the community. They make you feel welcome from the moment you walk in, and their passion for great food and great service shows in everything they do.

A Laid-Back, Fun Atmosphere – Whether you're coming in for a casual dinner, meeting up with friends, or catching a game, Highlanders has the perfect balance of energy and comfort. Plenty of TVs for sports, but it never feels too loud or overwhelming—just a great place to kick back and enjoy a meal.

If you’re looking for incredible food, amazing service, and a place run by people who truly care, Highlanders Grill and Tavern is the place to be....