Primary Restaurant & Bar

What a surprise Primary Restaurant and Bar was! We were passing through Highlands, NC, and decided to stop in for a bite for lunch before going back to the lowlands. The decor and atmosphere are fabulous and what a great bar area! The lounges off each side of the bar are perfect for drinks with friends. We had the fried chicken sandwich and wagyu burger, and both were great. Good seasoning and cooked perfectly. And funny enough, we both voted the house made potato chips THE BEST ON THE PLANET! (And we've had a lot.) Our server, Ross, was very friendly and did a great job also. Highly recommended all the way around!

We visited Primary for dinner last night, and it was fabulous! Every dish we had was incredible. I had the Center Cut Filet, and it was cooked to medium-rare perfection and melted in my mouth. I wish we had taken photos, but we were focused on just relaxing and enjoying the experience. Our server, Marty, was fantastic! Marty was happy to make recommendations, answer any questions, and was kind and friendly! For all you port lovers, you must try the Ferreira Vintage Port. It's like velvet. Highly recommend! Overall, just a relaxing, enjoyable dining experience! We will not hesitate to recommend Primary!

Stopped in for dinner on our short weekend trip. We split the Iceberg wedge salad to start - really yummy. I ordered the Painkiller for my drink (14), great flavor. Can’t go wrong here. I could have drank four of them.... For our mains, I chose the Wagyu burger and my husband picked the NY Strip Sandwich. We both really enjoyed our meals. Finished with the carrot cake....Which did not disappoint! Good sized portions. Also, gorgeous interiors, which can make all the difference to an experience! Will come back if ever in the area again.

Having eaten everywhere in Highlands, multiple times, I was expecting more of the same...good food, ok service and a forgettable meal. Luckily I was wrong about Primary. Our accented server was on the ball, and the guy serving water never let us get low. The bean and ham soup with cornbread was like something my grandmother would have made, and the smoked bacon was yummy. To top it off, the wagyu ribeyes were darn good and only...wait for it...48. Great place, attentive staff and a very involved owner that checked in with all the diners. 5 star.

We enjoyed a lunch on a busy day. For us, it was taking a break to have a drink and share a small bit while shopping a few hours before dinner. Drinks were great. Service and atmosphere were great sitting at the bar. Tuna tartare presentation and actual dish one of my all time favs. Fresh tuna and avocado, crab, black fish eggs, a mayo type mild chipotle aioli and a soy type smear dressing with wonton crisps. That is my all time favorite type presentation for tuna tartare. Wonton crisps with the pairings included in this dish is totally amazing.

We thoroughly enjoyed our meal here on a Saturday night in December. Restaurant has a cool atmosphere. Apparently you can sit at a communal table or sit at a regular dining table. We chose the dining table option. We had a lot of questions and our server, along with the chef, were very helpful. We started with the primary salad. It is a good size salad, and we split it with both of us feeling we got plenty of it. I got the steak Frites. The truffle fries were delicious, and my steak was one of the best I’ve had. It was very tender and seasoned wonderfully. My husband got the salmon which he enjoyed greatly. We splurged and got the decadent chocolate cake, which is huge! Definitely shareable with probably three or four people. It was delicious, also. I would definitely recommend trying this place out when visiting Highlands!

This place was so good. We ordered the knife and fork ceaser salad and the primary burger. And let me tell you, that was the best burger we've had in a long time, and so was the salad. The place was beautiful on the inside and the staff was awesome! We will definitely be back.

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Primary Restaurant in Highlands, and it was an experience that exceeded all my expectations. From the moment I walked in, I was greeted by a warm and inviting atmosphere, which set the tone for a delightful evening. One of the standout features of T Primary is their commitment to quality ingredients. I was particularly impressed to learn that they do not use seed oils in their cooking. Instead, they utilize beef tallow, which not only enhances the flavor of the dishes but also aligns with healthier cooking practices. This attention to detail in ingredient selection reflects the restaurant’s dedication to providing high-quality meals. The service at Primary was exceptional, and I must give a special shoutout to Megan, our server. She was awesome—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. Megan took the time to explain the various dishes and made thoughtful recommendations based on my preferences. It was clear that she takes pride in delivering a memorable dining experience. As for the food, everything I tried was delicious. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The use of beef tallow gave the meals a rich, savory profile that was simply irresistible. Overall, Primary Restaurant in Highlands is a must-visit for anyone who appreciates great service and high-quality, thoughtfully prepared food. I left feeling satisfied and eager to return for another meal. Highly recommended!