First of all, you should know that the history-laden Moravian Culinary Trail is less like an actual Trail and more like a fattening romp through Southern food country. Guided largely by your taste buds, each journey along the "Trail" is self-directed, open ended, and deliciously unique. You can start anywhere, end anywhere. But rest assured, no matter how many restaurants, bakeries, historic sites, family-run businesses, breweries, taverns and farm markets you visit, you’re sure to find yourself in a foodie’s paradise.
So let’s begin in historic Old Salem. Visitors here can immerse themselves in Moravian culture, tour and taste the fruits of working medicinal gardens, sample freshly baked sweets from a steamy, 200-year old wood oven in Winkler Bakery, or savor their way through a traditional Moravian meal at the historic Tavern in Old Salem, located in the heart of the village.
From there, you’ll want to roll yourself over to one of Winston-Salem’s many, authentically Moravian bakeries. Among the delicacies you’ll find this time of year are Love Buns (who doesn’t like the sound of that?), Spice Cookies (so tender and delicate they don’t snap–they transform) and… Moravian. Sugar. Cake. It is, frankly, what happens to brown sugar, butter and cinnamon when they are being really, really naughty. One bite and you’ll demand to add this new favorite to your seasonal baking repertoire (recipe here).
If you’re sampling these delights on the go, it pays to pick up a few napkins. Better yet, stop in to any number of local restaurants, pubs, distilleries and shops found at www.visitwinstonsalem.com/moravianculinarytrail.
And, when long day’s journey leads to night, you’ll likely want a hotel as unique as your feast. Fortunately, there are a handful of authentically Winston-Salem options that keep that each offer their own Culinary Trail piece of the culinary pie. Choose from luxurious rooms at the Kimpton Cardinal, a National Landmark that was the actual prototype for New York’s Empire State Building. Or experience life on the elegant Graylyn Estate, the former home of Bowman Gray, former president of R.J. Reynolds Tobacco, and his wife Nathalie. Graylyn serves up the holidays featuring 18th and 19th century Christmas décor and formal butler service. Better still, keep it simple with a charming overnight package from the Historic Brookstown Inn, boasting local wines, cheese, homemade jam, even warm cookies and milk at bedtime.
Ready for your journey to begin? Learn more about Winston-Salem and its role in the historic Moravian Culinary Trail by clicking here.