15 Essential Eats

By Laura Lee

Like any good Southerner, we believe the way to your heart is through your stomach.

Whether you’re looking for an old-timey breakfast, a quaint spot for lunch, an upscale dinner or a family-friendly meal, we’ve got you covered.

1. Burger at Drum & Quill

The gourmet burgers at this Irish Public House – inspired pub in the Village of Pinehurst are famously never frozen and made from Certified Angus Beef. Keep it classic with the house special, or shake things up with the Black & Blue, featuring blue cheese, smoked remoulade, and arugula.

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2. Fried Seafood at House of Fish

This rustic restaurant in Aberdeen is a go-to for fresh, made-to-order seafood, especially its fried platters of shrimp, flounder and oysters, served with hushpuppies and coleslaw.

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3. Marie Antoinette at Betsey's Crepes

Choose from more than a dozen crepes in downtown Southern Pines. The Marie Antoinette with Nutella and strawberries is a sweet start, while the savory Popeye features eggs, bacon, and spinach.

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4. Blueberry Pancakes at Pinehurst Track Restaurant

Thanks to coverage by the Golf Channel, this unassuming mom-and-pop is now known nationwide for its blueberry pancakes and the perfect perch for watching the horses outside.

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5. Barbecue at Pik-N-Pig

For three generations, this Carthage family has maintained their reputation for serving the best slow-cooked barbecue, smoked for 10 hours over sweet hickory coals.

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6. Biscuits at Mason's Restaurant & Grocery

This charming spot makes the best biscuits – from regular buttermilk to the Train Wreck, loaded with fried chicken, bacon, egg, cheese, and sausage gravy.

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7. Soup at the Soup Company

This husband-and-wife duo makes everyone feel at home in their Carthage diner. Daily specials feature chicken tortilla, roasted red pepper, loaded potato with bacon, lobster bisque and more.

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8. Wood-Fired Pizza at Pizzeria Grazia

Savor Neapolitan-style pies in downtown Aberdeen. Kids gravitate toward the Margherita and pepperoni while adventurous eaters might try the Funghi with mushrooms, caramelized onions and rosemary.

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9. Breakfast at Kenny's Country Restaurant

Nobody leaves hungry at this Pinebluff favorite, open six days a week at 6 a.m. Try a custom omelet with grits, the biscuits and gravy or a stack of pancakes. Cash or check only. (910) 281-4029.

10. Mac & Cheese at Workshop Tavern

This quaint Main Street bar in Aberdeen may be best known for its 150-plus bourbon choices, but here’s a local secret: The mac ‘n’ cheese bowls (topped with favorites like pulled pork, pickles and house made honey barbeque sauce) can’t be beat.

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11. Cheeseburgers at Cagle's Diner

Get a blast from the past at this family-owned diner in Seagrove where you can still get a great homemade cheeseburger for under $5. (910) 464-3863.

12. Banana Split at the Ice Cream Parlor Restaurant

This Southern Pines corner diner has been hitting the sweet spot since 1976 with old-fashioned floats, sundaes, malts, and the classic banana split.

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13. Cake at the Bakehouse

Don’t leave town without a slice of cake baked by a sixth-generation baker. Favorites include the Black Forest cherry, coconut pineapple, fresh strawberry, hazelnut and pear amaretto.

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14. Chicken Salad at The Villager Deli

From the heart of the Village of Pinehurst, their motto, “nothing fancy, just fantastic”, is how we’d describe the homemade chicken salad plate, too, served with a hard boiled egg, pineapple, and cottage cheese.

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15. Pasta at Lisi Italian

Named for the owner’s grandmother, Lisi is known for authentic Italian dishes in the Village of pInehurst. Topped with broccoli rabe and spicy sausage, the orecchiette is molto bene!

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There is always Good Eats in the Sandhills! Plan your trip and stay a while when visiting the Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen area of North Carolina!