A pocket guide to Winston-Salem: Coffee, food and things to do

McKenzie Rankin

feature photo Winston Salem — From left: Winston-Salem's R.J. Reynolds smokestack, a city mural in downtown by Christina Parrish Art and the Linville Team, the Young Cardinal cafe and drinks from Chad's Chai. Photos: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

Got a few hours and a podcast you've been meaning to start? Point your car toward Winston-Salem.

Why it matters: Located in central North Carolina, Winston-Salem is the state's fifth-largest city and about a 90-minute drive from Charlotte and Raleigh, making it an easy day trip, weekend getaway or road-trip detour.

The big picture: As long-haul travel gets more expensive, we're highlighting easy escapes within driving distance of Charlotte.

Context: I found myself in Winston-Salem with a few hours to spare over Memorial Day weekend. Rather than follow a strict itinerary, I parked downtown and wandered among coffee shops, restaurants, bookstores and local businesses.

.This isn't an exhaustive guide — just one way to spend an afternoon exploring Charlotte and Raleigh's midpoint.

Here's your four-hour Winston-Salem game plan.

Sip a signature coffee at Krankies

Split view of a brick-walled cafe: left with wooden floors, high tables and stools, patrons; right shows a plastic-cup iced coffee on a metal table, blurred diners in the background. — I was saving my appetite for brunch, but dang, do I regret not trying this buffalo chicken biscuit. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

When researching where I'd need to fuel up on caffeine before questing around town, Krankies kept coming up. I quickly learned why.

Catch up quick: This locally owned cafe specializes in craft coffee and over-the-top biscuit sandwiches (which I'll absolutely be trying next time).

Sip on this: Krankies roasts its own beans and makes its syrups in-house.

Summer signatures include an almond joy cold brew and mango espresso tonic. I ordered a smoked blueberry and vanilla nitro cold brew (chef's kiss).
There's also tea, matcha and plenty of cocktails.

Stop by: 211 3rd St E, Winston-Salem

Eat a pancake the size of your head at Young Cardinal Cafe

pancake Winston Salem — This was one of those times I wished I was dining with a group so I could sample the full menu. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

And if you really mean business, add a few other sides for a brunch that'll keep you full all day.

What to expect: This downtown spot feels like a classic neighborhood cafe, serving breakfast, brunch and lunch. There's a bar, indoor dining room and patio seating.

Best bites: This was one of those times I wished I was dining with a group so I could sample half the menu.

The menu, full of house specialties like huevos rancheros, steak and eggs, sammies, salads, pancakes and waffles, gave me major analysis paralysis.
So, I put together a little brunch sampler — a chocolate chip pancake, fruit, bacon and two fried eggs — with a crisp Diet Pepsi, of course.

Stop by: 424 4th St NW, Winston-Salem

Browse Just Be's seemingly infinite gifts and goods

just be shop — Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

I love a local gift shop, and the quirkier the inventory, the better. Which is exactly what I found at Just Be.

What to expect: This downtown boutique is packed with clothes, home goods, cheeky greeting cards and plenty of other eccentric finds.
I could've spent a whole afternoon roaming around in here.

Stop by: 131 W 4th St, Winston-Salem

Find your next read at Bookmarks

Interior of a bookstore: tall shelves of colorful books, round tables with blue and pink chairs, hanging pendant lights, and a chalkboard sign that reads "The magic of books begins here". — Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

A short walk away, you'll find Bookmarks, an independent bookstore and nonprofit with enough titles to keep your Goodreads profile busy for months.

I appreciated its unmistakable bookstore smell, coupled with the scent of strong coffee from the adjacent coffee shop, Footnote.

Fun fact: Bookmarks hosts the largest annual book festival in the Carolinas, according to its website. This year's will be Sept. 26.

Stop by: 634 W 4th St #110, Winston-Salem

Then, spend some time reading at Chad's Chai

Interior of a modern cafe with a curved wooden counter, glass pastry display, large hanging menus, and warm pendant lights; a tree sits to the right as customers work and chat. — I took this photo a couple of years back, and it remains one of my go-to Wintson-Salem spots. Photo: McKenzie Rankin/Axios

If you don't find yourself curled up in a chair at Bookmarks, take your new book over to Chad's Chai.

What to expect: This teahouse in the downtown arts district specializes in organic, loose-leaf tea (which is just as impressive as the interior).

You'll also find a selection of seasonal pastries made in-house.

Stop by: 617 N Liberty St, Winston-Salem

Bonus: Take a flower-picking detour at Dewberry Farm

If you're making a day of it, add Dewberry Farm to your itinerary. The seasonal u-pick farm sits about 15 minutes east of Winston-Salem in Kernersville.

Context: I visited during tulip season last spring and found the trip well worth the short drive. Check out my Reel for what to expect.

If you go: The farm's first lavender u-pick is June 19-20. Tickets are $40.

Summer flower season, including sunflowers, zinnias and dahlias, is expected to run July 3-15.
Tickets are required in advance.

Stop by: 2585 Dewberry Farm Lane, Kernersville

The bottom line: There's a lot more of Winston-Salem left for me to explore, but a single afternoon was enough to find good coffee, delicious food, unique local businesses and the feeling of discovering somewhere new — all on less than half a tank of gas.

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