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 from TouchBistro.

But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations鈥�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 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鈥攂oth new and long-standing鈥攖o try out, compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Hickory, according to 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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#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
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#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
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#28. Harbor Inn Seafood

- Rating: 4.1/5 (49 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2555 US Hwy 70 Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
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#27. Thai Lotus Restaurant

- Rating: 4.1/5 (50 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2601 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai
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#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
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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
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#24. 13TWENTY Hickory Pub

- Rating: 4.2/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 1320 16th St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Pubs, American, Wraps
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#23. Hart & Soul Cafe

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

- Rating: 4.3/5 (203 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1410 4th St. Drive Northwest Ste 103 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
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#20. Vintage House Restaurant

- Rating: 4.3/5 (94 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 271 3rd Ave. Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: New American
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#19. Taj Indian Cuisine

- Rating: 4.3/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 958 2nd St. Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Indian, Seafood, Soup
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#18. Crescent Moon Cafe

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

- Rating: 4.3/5 (273 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1854 Catawba Valley Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Asian Fusion, Bubble Tea
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#16. The Peanut House

- Rating: 4.3/5 (90 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2352 Springs Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Thai, Laotian
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#15. Sub Station II

- Rating: 4.4/5 (23 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 422 Hwy 64/70 West Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Sandwiches
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#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
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#13. Charlie Graingers

- Rating: 4.5/5 (85 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 2450 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Hot Dogs, Barbecue
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#12. Notions

- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Address: 206 Union Square Northwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Cocktail Bars
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#11. Standard Oyster Company

- Rating: 4.5/5 (143 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2147 North Center St. Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Seafood
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#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
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#9. Durty Thumbs

- Rating: 4.6/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 802 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Caribbean, Caterers, Party & Event Planning
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#8. 92Chicken

- Rating: 4.6/5 (31 reviews)
- Address: 310 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Chicken Wings, Korean, Seafood
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#7. Angus Steak House

- Rating: 4.6/5 (56 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3795 US Hwy 70 Southwest Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Steakhouses, American
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#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
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#5. Bombin' Ramen

- Rating: 4.7/5 (20 reviews)
- Address: 2535 US Hwy 70 Southeast Ste 102 Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Ramen
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#4. Hatch Sandwich Bar

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

- Rating: 4.8/5 (118 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 40 Cloninger Mill Road Northeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Japanese, Sushi Bars, Seafood
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#2. El Vallartazo

- Rating: 4.9/5 (24 reviews)
- Address: 1095 Lenoir Rhyne Blvd. Southeast Hickory, North Carolina
- Categories: Mexican, Seafood, Empanadas
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#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
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 318 metros.

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