Breakfast Joints of the Sandhills

Set just beyond the fence of the Pinehurst Harness Track, The Track Restaurant is an unassuming eatery. Once parked alongside the horse track facility itself, head toward the cinderblock building where a small open sign will beckon you through the door. Order at the counter before sitting at any of the empty tables. The best table in the house is right by the window. Here, you might get lucky and see daily warm-ups from horses and riders. The menu is simple yet satiating. You’ll find eggs prepared any way, sausage, bacon, and home fries. However, the real star of the show is the enormous blueberry pancakes served piping hot. Enjoy your meal before paying at the register. Heads-up: it’s cash only, so plan accordingly!

With two locations in the Sandhills area, Pine Scone offers not one but two menus full of sweet and savory scones. Rae Anne Kinney began selling her scones in 2009, and by 2016 the demand outgrew her home kitchen. She opened her first retail shop in Pinehurst followed by a second, larger cafe in neighboring Southern Pines. Flavors range from cranberry almond orange to savory jalapeno cheddar and just about everything in between. Kinney also offers take-and-bake options that are ideal for entertaining or having a scone whenever your heart desires.

Early risers rejoice! Pine Crest Inn is the perfect place to start your before-sunrise day. Breakfast is served beginning at 6:30 AM, Monday through Saturday and starts at 7:00 AM on Sundays. As such, the inn has become a go-to choice for those with early tee times and business meetings. The inn has a storied history, especially because it was once owned by Donald Ross, who is considered to be the father of modern-day golf course architecture. While weekday breakfast is reliable, the most well-known meal at Pine Crest Inn is its Sunday brunch buffet. Served until 12:30 PM, guests are treated to an omelet station, biscuits and gravy, pastries and cereals, and much more.

One part coffee house, one part handmade market, Swank Coffee Shop in Southern Pines offers a variety of coffees, espressos, baked goods, and more. The store has a seasonal menu that keeps regulars and newcomers excited to sip. In addition to their robust roasts, Swank stocks a collection of locally made goods.

This restaurant is a local hotspot. Opened in 1982, The Villager Deli sits in the heart of Pinehurst Village. A majority of ingredients are locally sourced, which makes for a regionally inspired menu. Typical breakfast favorites are available, or you can select from a few more decadent items such as eggs benedict, avocado toast, or croissant French toast. Choose a seat on the restaurant’s expansive porch, which is ideal for cool breezes and people watching too.