There is a particular kind of magic that happens when a restaurant earns its reputation not on novelty, but on the quiet confidence of doing everything exceptionally well. Bookmarks Restaurant & Bar, tucked inside the elegant Graduate Winston-Salem hotel on West Fifth Street in the heart of downtown, is exactly that kind of place — and if you have been sleeping on it because you assumed hotel dining meant overpriced mediocrity, it is time to reconsider everything.
Walking through the doors feels like stepping into a room that genuinely wants you there. The design draws on the city’s storied literary and creative heritage — warm wood tones, curated bookshelves lining the walls, soft lighting that flatters both your table companions and whatever you happen to be drinking. It manages to feel sophisticated without being stiff, the kind of space where you could linger over a long dinner on a Friday night or duck in for a solo lunch with a good novel and feel equally at home in either scenario.
The menu is Southern-rooted and seasonally minded, which in Winston-Salem means it carries real intention behind it. Start with something from the small plates section — the pimento cheese fritters have a crunch and a kick that will make you want to order a second round before you have finished the first. The charcuterie board is generously assembled and arrives looking like something you would photograph before eating, which you absolutely will. For mains, the braised short rib is the kind of dish that reminds you why slow cooking exists: deeply savory, falling-apart tender, finished with a richness that pairs beautifully with a glass from their thoughtful wine list.
Speaking of drinks — the bar program here deserves its own paragraph. The cocktail list moves between the classic and the creative with an easy confidence. The bartenders know what they are doing and they seem to genuinely enjoy doing it, which makes all the difference when you are deciding between something familiar and something you have never tried before. Let them guide you. You will not regret it.
What makes Bookmarks stand out in a city that is increasingly proud of its dining scene is that it serves the community as much as it serves hotel guests. On any given evening you will find locals celebrating anniversaries, colleagues wrapping up a long week, and out-of-towners who stumbled in and ended up staying far longer than planned. That mix of people gives the room an energy that feels genuinely alive rather than curated for effect.
Downtown Winston-Salem has been having a moment for several years now, and restaurants like Bookmarks are a significant reason why. It sits within easy walking distance of the arts district, the LJVM Coliseum area, and several of the city’s best live music spots — making it a natural anchor for an evening that starts with dinner and keeps going.
Reserve a table, dress up just enough to feel good about it, and give yourself permission to take your time. Bookmarks earns a long evening.
