Mannings Restaurant

About Us

Manning's Restaurant has earned its reputation the old-fashioned way: one plate at a time. Sitting right on East Main Street in downtown Clayton, NC, this is the kind of place where the food does the talking. Over 2,300 reviews and a 4.5-star rating don't happen by accident. They happen because the kitchen takes American comfort food seriously, and the staff treats every table like it matters.

The menu leans into the classics with a twist. The Clayton Classic burger is a local legend for good reason, and the sweet potato fries alongside it are the kind of side dish that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about fries. The bar program keeps pace with the kitchen, whether you're settling in for a weeknight dinner or celebrating something worth celebrating.

Weekends fill up fast, so reservations are your best friend here. The dining room has that Main Street energy: lively, communal, and genuinely local. This isn't a chain dressed up to look like a neighborhood spot. It's the real thing, right in the middle of Clayton.

What We Offer

Manning's on Main runs a full-service American restaurant and bar six days a week, closed Tuesdays. Lunch service kicks off at 11:30 AM Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday, with the kitchen staying open until 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday nights stretch to 10:00 PM for those who like to linger, and Sunday hours run noon to 9:00 PM.

The menu covers the full range of American dining: handcrafted burgers, hearty entrees, shareable starters, and a bar stocked for cocktails, beer, and wine. Sweet potato fries, fried egg add-ons, and thoughtful daily specials keep regulars coming back to try something new. The bar is a destination on its own for a pre-dinner drink or a post-work wind-down.

Reservations are strongly recommended, especially Friday and Saturday evenings when the dining room fills quickly. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows, and the street parking along Main Street is straightforward for a downtown location.

Gallery

Take a look at our space and what we have to offer

What Our Customers Say

Don't just take our word for it - hear from our satisfied customers

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

7 months ago

"Amazing restaurant to eat at.Be sure to make sure to book for reservations. It does get a little packed on the weekends or near a special occasion you might have. As you can see I finished off everything they served. Gumbo was good, but the chicken wasn’t shredded or chopped properly. Ribs were excellent seasoned fries were great. My wife had boneless ribs. They were fantastic. She finished those off, I also had a grilled salmon with bacon. It was amazing. My Caesar salad was fantastic. Crabcakes were great. Our waitress was amazing. We wanted to change seats. She had no problem with it changed our seats. We were very pleased, so far one of the best restaurants we ate at this year in Clayton."

— Flash D

⭐

5 months ago

"Ordered the Clayton Classic with a fried egg and sweet potato fries. Order was above 80 dollars total. Never again! I’m writing because the they won’t pick up the phone. I got a patty that was obviously cooked frozen. It tasted horrible. Fried egg was just that and probably the only thing that came out ok. The sweet potato fries were just normal fries and not from a sweet potato and probably have a bunch of ingredients other than potato in them. I couldn’t even eat the burger but I had to eat the fries because I was hungry. Tried to call the restaurant but their automated system just keeps you on hold. The other orders were consistent with being messed up as well. I would give negative stars for the food if I could. I hope they have better service for dine in customers and that may keep the restaurant floating."

— Anthony Delikat

⭐⭐⭐

a year ago

"I was really hoping for something more. Talking to others in my party who had been before, they said it used to be a better quality place. Parking was good street side, we had a 1hr wait for our table. Server was somewhat attentive but got our drinks and disappeared for a while. The food looked ok, but chicken was chewy and not great quality. Steak appetizer was good. Sweet potato fries were so so. It was cold and the front door was left open for the whole evening, I was freezing! Don't think I'd come again."

— Tina Dodds

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

11 months ago

"If I could give 10 stars I would. Our server Drew was PHENOMENAL!!! He was attentive and very knowledgeable of the menu. He made amazing recommendations, and they were all spot on. When you grow up in a seafood town, especially one that doesn't play around when it comes to anything crab related, that can make you a little hesitant on selecting a crab dish in other states. The crab dip paired with the Old Bay pita chips was a seafood lover's dream. The crab cake was delightful as well. Served with the fried green tomato and corn relish the flavors were just right. We had eaten over half of it by the time I took the picture. The waffle with the chicken and waffles served with moist chicken fried to perfection and the pork belly was incredible. The ribeye eggrolls were the best I've ever had. I found out about this place because I was given a gift card as a birthday gift. Needless to say, I will indeed be back. The service and the food were superior, and I can't wait to come back for more. Thank you Drew for a great experience!"

— Deatrice Snuggs-McCloud

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

4 months ago

"It’s Valentine’s Day and this is the first time we’ve eaten from this restaurant, we got it to go. We ordered the half pound hamburger with onion rings, and The drunken chicken sandwich, both were fantastic! And we really felt like reasonably priced for the size of the sandwiches and the quality! The burger was so big that I had to split it with my daughter! I added blue cheese and bacon to it. It was perfectly cooked. My husband loved the chicken sandwich and really enjoyed the Parmesan for fries. We will definitely be back!!"

— Jenni Ackerman

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Manning's Restaurant take reservations?

Yes, and they're highly recommended. The dining room fills up quickly on weekends and around holidays. Booking ahead is the easiest way to guarantee your table, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

What are Manning's hours?

Manning's is open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM. Friday and Saturday hours extend to 10:00 PM, with Friday opening at 11:30 AM and Saturday at noon. Sunday hours are noon to 9:00 PM. The restaurant is closed every Tuesday.

What kind of food does Manning's serve?

Manning's serves American comfort food with a scratch-made approach. Signature items include the Clayton Classic burger (available with a fried egg) and sweet potato fries, alongside a rotating menu of entrees, starters, and daily specials.

Does Manning's have a bar?

Yes. Manning's operates a full bar serving cocktails, beer, and wine. It's a popular spot for pre-dinner drinks and after-work gatherings, and the bar menu pairs well with the food menu.

Where is Manning's located and is parking available?

Manning's is at 406 E Main Street in downtown Clayton, NC 27520. Street parking is available directly along Main Street and has been noted by guests as convenient and easy to find.

How busy does Manning's get on weekends?

Quite busy. Friday and Saturday evenings regularly see wait times for walk-ins. Making a reservation ahead of time is the best way to avoid a wait, particularly for groups or special occasions.

Is Manning's good for group dining or special occasions?

Absolutely. The restaurant is a popular choice for birthdays, anniversaries, and celebratory dinners in the Clayton area. Call ahead or book a reservation to ensure the team can accommodate your group comfortably.

Hours of Operation

Monday 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Tuesday Closed

Wednesday 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Thursday 11:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Friday 11:30 AM – 10:00 PM

Saturday Today 12:00 – 10:00 PM

Sunday 12:00 – 9:00 PM

Clayton's Favorite Table on Main Street

About Us

What We Offer

Gallery

What Our Customers Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

Get In Touch

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Clayton's Favorite Table on Main Street

About Us

What We Offer

Gallery

What Our Customers Say

Frequently Asked Questions

Hours of Operation

Get In Touch

More from the neighborhood

Jones Cafe

Boulevard West

Deep River Brewing Company

City Barbeque

Low and Slow Smokehouse

More places nearby