Living in West End: A Winston-Salem Neighborhood Guide

NEIGHBORHOOD PROFILE

BOUNDARIES

West End is roughly bounded by W. End Blvd, Sixth, Broad, and Fourth Streets, I-40, Sunset Drive, and Peters Creek Parkway

NEARBY NEIGHBORHOODS

Downtown, Buena Vista, and Ardmore

WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Located just a few blocks West of downtown and a hop, skip, and a jump from Thruway shopping center, West End is a hilly and windy neighborhood with large historic homes and some of the area’s best restaurants and shopping. It’s one of the oldest neighborhoods in the area, but it’s going through quite a renaissance at the moment, with lots of shops and restaurants opening up that make it a cool place to be. Another tally on the plus side for the West End is that it’s very walkable and close to downtown, but it has hilly, windy roads that give it a cozy, private feel. There’s so much to love about this historical neighborhood unless you’re a runner trying to avoid hilly terrain.

THE VIBE

Picturesque: As a residential community designed according to naturalistic principles as a therapeutic respite from the city’s center, West End was one of the first “picturesque” suburbs designed for streetcars in North Carolina.

Historic: Established in 1887, West End is associated with Winston-Salem’s tobacco heyday between 1880 and 1920, when the city became the largest in the state. In 1986, West End landed on the National Register of Historic Places. It’s historic roots offer a unique connection to the past, and the architecture and preservation efforts contribute to a sense of pride in the neighborhood’s history.

Eclectic: The historic homes and tree-lined streets create a unique and picturesque atmosphere. The character and architectural beauty of West End make it a treasured Winston-Salem community.

Walkable: Streetcars no longer run through the hills of West End, but the streetcar design of the neighborhood makes it an ideal location for walking. Sidewalks allow access to local shops, parks, restaurants, and downtown. This promotes a pedestrian-friendly lifestyle and can be particularly appealing to those who enjoy walking and exploring the neighborhood on foot. That said, wear comfortable shoes as West End is very hilly!

THE LIFESTYLE

The West End neighborhood of Winston-Salem offers a diverse and vibrant social life that reflects its unique character and sense of community. Within the neighborhood are several

THE HOMES

As one of the oldest neighborhoods in Winston-Salem, many homes in West End are historic properties with unique architectural features. You can find various architectural styles, such as Colonial Revival, Queen Anne, and Craftsman. The homes come in various sizes, from large sing-family homes to small bungalows. Over the years, landlords and investors have turned many of the larger single-family homes into apartments and duplexes.

In West End, it’s common to see homes with welcoming front porches, which contribute to the community’s sense of neighborliness. Many homeowners take pride in their landscaping, resulting in well-kept yards and gardens.

THE LOCATION

West End borders downtown Winston-Salem, making it convenient for residents to access downtown’s amenities, dining, and cultural attractions. Living in West End allows you to easily enjoy the convenience of living near the heart of Winston-Salem. Streetcars no longer run through the hills of West End, but the streetcar design of the neighborhood makes it an ideal location for access to downtown, parks, and streetside mom-and-pop businesses.

SHOPS & RESTAURANTS

Many of the shops are in one section on a bend around Reynolda and West End Blvd. For a shopping stroll along the West End bend, start at Fiddle & Fig, a large and trendy home goods store. Check out Louie and Honey next door (highly recommend the Amish cinnamon rolls). If you like searching for treasures at consignment shops, you’ll love the shopping for antiques and furniture refurbs at Collage and Elizabeth’s. The kids will love Cafe Gelato.

Towards downtown, theres great food at Mozelle’s and Fourth Street Filling Station both have outdoor seating and are great spots for brunch or dinner. We also highly, HIGHLY recommend West End Cafe. They have great sandwiches for lunch and a seasonal dinner menu.

Check out these shops and eateries in West End:
Living in Winston-Salem favorites are highlighted with an orange background.That said, we only take the time to post about businesses that are worth a visit — you won’t go wrong with any of the stores, bars, and restaurants on this list.

Joyner’s Bar
854 W 4th St
This cool little bar sits on a corner between West End and downtown. It has a speakeasy atmosphere and they serve delicious mixed drinks. Check out the upstairs for a second bar and more intimate seating areas.

The Tap
473 W End Blvd
A West End watering hole with a porch overlooking Hanes Park.

Louie and Honey’s Kitchen
401 West End Blvd
A made-from-scratch bakery that sells coffee, teas, and baked goods, including Amish cinnamon rolls.

Fiddle & Fig
403 West End Blvd
A trendy home goods store.

Elizabeth’s at Hanes Park
851 Reynolda Road
Elizabeth’s is a unique consignment store with priceless treasures. They have a mix of contemporary and vintage items. The sell home decor store with an assortment of merchandise including furniture, books, artwork, kitchenware, and more. The left side is open with some of the shop’s finer pieces. The right side of the store has booths with different vendors. There’s a friendly dog, a golden retriever, I believe, that helps run the store and greet customers.

Collage
434 West End Blvd
A quirky consignment shop across the street from Louie and Honey. A fun place to go if you like fun vintage items and colorful home decor. It’s a treasure hunt. The lady who runs the store is very friendly. She repurposes some of the furniture items in the shop. Locals frequently go to her to refinish furniture items. Her daughter is in fashion and picks out the shop’s small selection of clothing. 

The Eclectible Shop
851 Reynolda Road
This shop is a little more removed from the other shops. A very unique place with used books and other trinkets. The owner, Frank, is very friendly. It’s worth a look if you enjoy quaint bookstores, vintage items, and consignment.

Sea Products Seafood Market
463 West End Blvd
A full-service retail seafood market with some of the finest and freshest seafood. They also sell homemade prepared foods, smoked fish, and wine.

West End Cafe
926 W Fourth St
A local favorite and on our list of Winston-Salem Hidden Gem Restaurants.

Bernadins Restaurant at the Zevely House
901 W 4th St
Upscale, contemporary restaurant featuring New American takes on seafood, lamb veal, and beef. The restaurant is in the Zevely House, a charming historic home. A great atmosphere for special occasions and date night. Walk-ins are welcome for lunch.

Yours Truly
835 Reynolda Rd
A clothing consignment store upstairs and a furniture consignment store downstairs. They have great deals on designer pieces.

Mozelle’s
878 W 4th St
Perhaps one of the best restaurants in Winston, Mozelle’s is a Southern bistro with outdoor seating that’s great for brunch and dinner. The inside is small with limited seating. If you sit inside at the bar, you can see the chefs work their craft. Order the fried pickles as an appetizer. The batter is light and the ranch is homemade. For an entree, the tomato pie, a traditional southern staple, is divine. The biggest menu surprise is their burger, which is DELICIOUS.

Fourth Street Filling Station
871 W 4th St
Trendy, upscale New American eatery and bar with a fireplace and covered outdoor terrace. Known for their award-winning shrimp and grits, a Southern tradition.

PARKS

Hanes Park
1404 W Northwest Blvd

Hanes Park in West End is a public park off of Northwest Blvd, across from the William G. White, Jr. Family YMCA. It sits across from RJ Reynolds High School and Wiley Magnet School. It offers 20 tennis courts, 3 baseball diamonds, a large playground, a 1/4 mile track, two open fields, and a walking track. 

Grace Court
930 4th St NW

West End’s Grace Court, also known as Grace Park, is a beautiful and quaint public park with a gazebo, some fountains, and mature trees standing amid lawns crossed by walking paths.