Highlands Smokehouse is the only BBQ restaurant in the cozy mountain town of Highlands, N.C. This roadside staple serves up smoked pork, beef, and poultry for hungry locals and tourist. Lore has it that the pit out back is the largest underground pit in the country.
Restaurateur Bryan Lewis purchased Highlands Smokehouse in 2020. He tapped Studio Carnley with the objective to turn the restaurant into an immersive experience. Highlands is known as a quaint tourist town with some of the best hiking, fly-fishing, and trails in North Carolina. We looked to National Park ephemera and vintage travel decals for inspiration. Those visuals have such a distinct way of transporting you to the outdoors.
“The hero of the project might be the sign outside the restaurant with its great combo of typefaces and fun wood plank contour. This identity feels so right for this place…”
– Brand New
“It's always a pleasure to work with Studio Carnley. We set out to create a unique experience for our guests and we were able to achieve that not only through the food, but also the branding. Even though the smokehouse is only a few years old, it feels as if we've been here forever.”
– Bryan Lewis, Owner Highlands Smokehouse
