Where to Eat in Southern Pines, Pinehurst, & Aberdeen

Wolcott’s — Wolcott’s serves what it calls neo-continental cuisine in a cozy downtown setting. Expect dishes like Peking duck, swordfish milanese, chicken Kiev, and lasagna paired with an extensive wine selection. Watch the calendar for special wine dinners throughout the year.

Vito’s Ristorante & Pizzeria — For an old-school Italian dinner, head to Vito’s on Broad Street. The menu covers Italian favorites like pizza, pasta, and lasagna, with indoor and outdoor seating and a full bar for a relaxed date night or dinner with friends.

Betsy’s Crepes — Betsy’s is a go-to breakfast and lunch spot on Broad Street, but crepes are only the beginning. The casual cafe also serves traditional breakfast plates, waffles, breakfast sandwiches, paninis, salads, and espresso drinks, along with both sweet and savory crepes.

Embers BBQ — Keep things casual at Embers BBQ, where all of the meats are smoked in-house daily. Choose from pulled pork, brisket, ribs, burgers, and barbecue served in less-traditional ways like quesadillas and nachos. Grab a table outside if you want to enjoy your meal along Broad Street.

BHAWK — Part distillery, part restaurant, and part entertainment venue, BHAWK is a place you can hang out for a while. The veteran-owned destination serves shareables and sandwiches alongside cocktails made with its Sergeant’s Valor and Madam Colonel spirits. Be sure to try the award-winning chicken sandwich. You can also take a distillery tour, relax on the dog-friendly patio, or catch live music, which is regularly scheduled on Thursdays and Sundays.

The Bell Tree Tavern — Bell Tree is a lively spot downtown where you can settle in for burgers, wings, quesadillas, sandwiches, and other American pub fare. The spacious outdoor patio and TVs make it popular for watching a game, and they have seasonal live music every Friday and Saturday.

Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream — With a long list of flavors ranging from classics like butter pecan and strawberry to Graham Central Station and key lime pie, choosing your scoop may be the hardest part. They serve it all the traditional ways, but also in a Hurricane, 4 scoop sampler, or Handel Pops. This is a grab-and-go spot with only a few benches for seating outside.

Bravory Bakehouse — Bravory Bakehouse specializes in thick, handcrafted cookies and also serves cinnamon rolls, dessert bars, and coffee. The military spouse- and veteran-founded bakery has a vintage Americana-inspired storefront, and its mission extends beyond dessert by creating opportunities for military spouses and supporting military families.

Cookies & Moore — Find Cookies & Moore at Red’s Corner, where you can pair fresh-baked cookies with hand-scooped Blue Bell ice cream. Build your own ice cream sandwich, order a cookie sundae or boat, or grab a few cookies before finding a spot outside to enjoy the large outdoor space.

Villaggio Ristorante — Inside the historic Magnolia Inn, Villaggio brings traditional Italian cooking to the heart of the Village of Pinehurst. House-made pasta and breads anchor a menu that also includes fresh fish, chicken, veal, steaks, and chops, and you can enjoy live music here on Fridays and Saturdays.

Lisi Italian — Lisi serves authentic Italian food in the historic Theatre Building with a casual, intimate atmosphere that works well for date night. They serve a wide variety of pasta dishes, pizza, and other items like zucchini parmigiana and chicken or veal milanese. Be sure to take a look at their wine list as they’ve won the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for four consecutive years.

Pine Crest Inn — Once owned by legendary golf course architect Donald Ross, the Pine Crest Inn serves breakfast and dinner daily, but much of the appeal is the neighborhood-bar atmosphere of Mr. B’s Pub and the chance to experience a longtime Pinehurst tradition alongside locals and visiting golfers. Make a reservation in their Main Dining Room for your next date night, or plan a visit for one of their special events.

Wiregrass — Wiregrass at Pinehurst Resort offers a fresh take on Southern dining inside the Pinehurst Country Club, with a menu inspired by locally sourced ingredients and the flavors of the region. Its relaxed yet refined setting makes it a welcoming spot for a date night or dinner, whether you’re coming off the course or simply enjoying a day in Pinehurst.

Station 21 at Pinehurst Sandmines — Station 21 serves Southwestern-inspired food at the Sandmines, home to Pinehurst No. 10 and the future No. 11. Expect tacos, shareable starters, fajitas, and cocktails in a modern setting with lots of outdoor seating.

The Deuce — Voted the “Best New Restaurant in Golf” by Golf Inc. Magazine, few spots offer a view like this. The Deuce sits on the veranda overlooking the 18th hole of famous Pinehurst No. 2, where you can watch golfers finish their rounds while enjoying salads and sandwiches for lunch or hearty southern entrees for dinner.

Villager Deli — Serving Pinehurst since 1982, Villager Deli is an easy choice for a casual breakfast or lunch while exploring the Village. Breakfast plates, pancakes, French toast, eggs Benedict, sandwiches, and other deli favorites make up the menu, and its covered outdoor seating is the perfect spot to enjoy a quick meal on a nice day.

The Workshop Tavern — With an industrial-chic design, The Workshop in downtown Aberdeen is a popular spot for both visitors and locals. The seasonal menu puts a creative spin on comfort food while the bar is known for crafted cocktails. Mac & cheese bowls are a fan favorite, but they also have sandwiches, salads, and a small selection of larger plates. Be sure to go around the corner to try Poplar Place, a speakeasy offering pre-Prohibition classic cocktails, craft beer, high-end wines, mocktails, and THC/CBD beverages.