Mt. Mitchell Cafe & Eatery near Burnsville reopens after extensive renovation
Nestled between the trees, near the top of the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River, sits Mount Mitchell Cafe & Eatery. After a $2.7 million renovation, the restaurant offers an updated menu and panoramic views near the top of the 6,684-foot peak.
Originally built in the 1950s, it remained open until 2019, when COVID-19 closed its doors. Renovation plans were approved, but soon the two-year project expanded to five years due to COVID complications. The five years of hard work are evident in each detail, including a fully refurbished kitchen, new flooring, and more.
But it’s not just the building’s aesthetics and location that make Mount Mitchell Cafe & Eatery unique. The owners of the restaurant, Melissa and Leigh Howell, are native to Burnsville, a town 30 miles from the mountain. With deep local ties, the Howells contacted local artists to promote the nearby community’s work. They also incorporated local people and places into the names of the gourmet sandwiches, soups, and salads. Through this, the owners are “paying homage to the park and people who came before us,” Melissa Howell said. Guests can enjoy an Elijah Pimento Melt, named for mountain namesake Elijah Mitchell, or Camp Alice Chili, named for a cook who once worked in the area at a logging camp.
With robust wifi, a family-friendly menu, and temperatures about 20 degrees cooler than at sea level, it’s the perfect pitstop on your next mountain day trip.
Mount Mitchell Cafe & Eatery is open seasonally, from May to October. For more information, visit mountmitchellcafeandeatery.com.
