Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Asheville / Western North Carolina
  4. Boone / Banner Elk
  5. Boone
The Gamekeeper, Boone, NC

The Gamekeeper

4.9
4.9
3426 Reviews
$50 and over
American

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 10 times today
  • Charming
  • Good for special occasions
  • Romantic
You haven't fully experienced the Blowing Rock, NC region until you've dined at The Gamekeeper. It's a true gourmet restaurant with an engaging blend of upscale elegance and mountain charm.


Famous for an evolving menu that blends the traditional with the exotic, The Gamekeeper features a selection of perfectly prepared game plus a range of continental and American entrees.

Acclaimed chef and owner Ken Gordon brings tremendous warmth and skill to the table treating you more as friends than guests. You'll experience a meal to remember that includes fine wines, decadent desserts, and a generous serving of personal attention. You'll leave happy and impressed with a desire to return soon!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Wild Game, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (828) 963-7400
  • Website
    http://www.gamekeeper-nc.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Tyler Smith
  • Private party facilities
    We have a private dining room that very comfortably seats 25 guests.
  • Location
    3005 Shull's Mill Road, Boone, NC 28607
  • Neighborhood
    Boone
  • Cross street
    100 yards up Shulls Mill Rd from the entrance to Yonahlossee
  • Parking details
    Valet
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Starters

  • Mixed Game Grill$35.00

    Featuring chef's choice of grilled game* & sausages with dipping sauces*, fries

    • Korean Meatballs$18.00

      barbecue glazed antelope meatballs, korean style slaw, toasted sesame seeds, scallion

      First Course

      • Bleu Salad$11.00

        Bibb lettuce, apple vinaigrette, buttermilk bleu cheese, red onion confit, spiced pecans, dried cranberries

        • Potato Soup$10.00

          Cream of new potato soup with bacon & chive oil

          Main Course

          • Emu Fan Filet$60.00

            grilled emu fan filet*, mushroom, spinach, and garlic risotto, sun-dried tomato jus, seasonal vegetables

            • Elk Rack Chop$62.00

              grilled elk* rack chop, shiitake mushroom jus, broccolini, baby carrots, bleu cheese mac n' cheese

              • Beef Hanging Tenderloin$61.00

                grilled prime beef* hanging tenderloin, garlic mashed potatoes, horseradish demi-glace, seasonal vegetables

                • Fresh Catch$47.00

                  ponzu glazed NC red snapper, creole cream sauce, roasted fingerling potatoes, green peas, dehydrated lemon

                  Last updated: January 13, 2025

                  What 3,426 people are saying

                  Overall ratings and reviews

                  Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

                  4.9
                  4.9 based on recent ratings
                  • 4.9Food
                  • 4.9Service
                  • 4.9Ambience
                  • 4.6Value

                  Noise • Moderate

                  Loved For

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Best Overall

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Best Food

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Best Service

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Best Ambiance

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Great for fine wines

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Romantic

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    Good for special occasions

                  • Asheville / Western North Carolina

                    American

                  Review summary

                  AI-generated from verified diner reviews
                  The Gamekeeper offers a "wonderful dining experience" with a "fantastic atmosphere" and "incredible service." Guests rave about the "perfectly cooked elk" and the "delicious seasonal menu." The cozy ambiance, often enhanced by a fireplace, makes it a "romantic and quaint" spot, ideal for special occasions.

                  3,426 Reviews

                  1. Josie

                    Charlotte

                    2 reviews

                    5.0

                    2 reviews

                    Dined today

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    The food was fantastic and Shay our server was even better. He gave the best recommendation and was a perfect addition to the wonderful meal we had. Highly recommend anything on the menu!

                    Is this helpful?

                  2. Nicolette

                    VIP

                    Miami

                    2 reviews

                    5.0

                    2 reviews

                    Dined 4 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Food: 10/10 - the food was so tasty, rich & cooked to perfection! Ambiance: 10/10 - the restaurant is so cozy, clean, but also upscale for a romantic or family night out. Service: 10/10 - our server, Atticus, was incredible! He was so kind, attentive to detail, professional & knowledgeable. Also, when we walked out, the valet had already pulled up our car to warm our seats up!

                    Is this helpful?

                  3. julia

                    Charlotte

                    24 reviews

                    5.0

                    24 reviews

                    Dined 5 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Excellent anniversary dinner, highly recommended!

                    Is this helpful?

                  4. Shawn

                    Western NC

                    1 review

                    5.0

                    1 review

                    Dined 6 days ago

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    We came here for an engagement and I was very happy to secure a reservation. This is the best restaurant I have ever been to. The service was incredible from the friendly valets, to the quick seating by the hostess (who sat us at an incredible table for the occasion), the waiter was very friendly and brought us champagne and even came around to clean our table of crumbs throughout the night. The food was was insanely good. The tomato bisque was 10/10, the short rib was so tender and the tenderloin had the best char I’ve ever tasted. Even if you’re 100% full the bread pudding is well worth it- I’ll be craving that forever now. Thanks for the great dinner.

                    Is this helpful?

                  5. David

                    Raleigh

                    53 reviews

                    4.0

                    53 reviews

                    Dined 7 days ago

                    1. Overall 4
                    2. Food 4
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 4
                    If you are visiting the Boone / Banner Elk / Blowing Rock area for the first time, this place is kind of a must-visit just because it's so on-brand. Shulls Mill Rd (the winding mountain road you drive to get there) is not for everyone, but for those of us who live here it's "just another road." Just don't have too much to drink, or you'll regret it on the drive home. The menu is suitably mountain-like, with offerings like emu, elk, bison, trout, etc. and quite honestly I'd give the place much higher reviews if they just didn't price the entrees so high. This is a lovely place to go for dinner, but it's not *actually* worth ballpark $133 per person including tax, tip, one cocktail and one glass of wine per guest. At $90, I'd feel like they've nailed it. The food is well prepared, if not five-star. But this is also the middle of High Country, and we're here not for ultra-high-end gourmet, and so this is a "fancy mountain" place if there even is such a thing. If you want true high cuisine, stick with Gideon Ridge or Artisinal.

                    Is this helpful?

                  6. Chris

                    Charlotte

                    2 reviews

                    5.0

                    2 reviews

                    Dined on January 18, 2025

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 4
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    You folks did a wonderful job Friday night. If there is one criticism, there was a bit too much salt on the fries. The service was fantastic and thank you for putting us in front of the Fireplace!! We will be bak.

                    Is this helpful?

                  7. Kim

                    VIP

                    San Francisco

                    21 reviews

                    5.0

                    21 reviews

                    Dined on January 17, 2025

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    So glad we came! What a cool place. The ambiance makes the place. Food was so good. Ordered the exotic meat appetizer, Venison Osso Bucco, the salmon and the Elk chop. Yummy!

                    Is this helpful?

                  8. Cindy

                    VIP

                    Coastal Georgia

                    10 reviews

                    5.0

                    10 reviews

                    Dined on January 5, 2025

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Truly my favorite restaurant in the Boone/Blowing Rock area! Love the seasonal menu, the incredible service and fantastic atmosphere of the Gamekeeper. Everyone from valet to hostess to server to chef to management is consistently kind,professional and care that you have a great experience. Highly recommend! (The turkey pot pie was delicious!!)

                    Is this helpful?

                  9. Mary

                    VIP

                    Western NC

                    4 reviews

                    5.0

                    4 reviews

                    Dined on January 2, 2025

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Gamekeeper was fabulous as always! Tanner, our server artfully directed us through our choices of food and libations. A cozy table by the fire and no pressure to leave until we were ready after s scrumptious dessert and coffee. A wonderful welcome memory to 2025!!

                    Is this helpful?

                  10. Ashley

                    VIP

                    Chicago

                    11 reviews

                    5.0

                    11 reviews

                    Dined on December 29, 2024

                    1. Overall 5
                    2. Food 5
                    3. Service 5
                    4. Ambience 5
                    Absolutely delightful every single time. We love The Gamekeeper, and the service is wonderful.

                    Is this helpful?

                  FAQs

                  The Gamekeeper is rated 4.9 stars by 3426 OpenTable diners.

                  Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

                  Make a reservation

                  2 people
                  7:00 PM
                  Booked 10 times today
                  Google Map for The Gamekeeper

                  3005 Shull's Mill Road, Boone, NC 28607

                  Additional information

                  • Cross street
                    100 yards up Shulls Mill Rd from the entrance to Yonahlossee
                  • Neighborhood
                    Boone
                  • Hours of operation
                    Dinner Wed–Sun 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
                  • Price
                    $50 and over
                  • Cuisines
                    American, Wild Game, Contemporary American
                  • Dining style
                    Fine Dining
                  • Dress code
                    Business Casual
                  • Parking details
                    Valet
                  • Payment options
                    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                  • Executive chef
                    Tyler Smith
                  • Additional
                    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
                  • Website
                    http://www.gamekeeper-nc.com/
                  • Phone number
                    (828) 963-7400
                  • Private party facilities
                    We have a private dining room that very comfortably seats 25 guests.
                  Discover
                  OpenTable
                  • About Us
                  • Blog
                  • Careers
                  • Press
                  More
                  Our sites
                  Businesses
                  • Delight more diners
                  Join us on
                  • Privacy Policy
                  • Terms of Use
                  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
                  • Cookie Preferences
                  Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
                  OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
                  Booking Logo
                  Priceline Logo
                  KAYAK Logo
                  Agoda Logo
                  OpenTable Logo