Southern Pines and Pinehurst do not come up often in conversations about North Carolina food, but they should. The Sandhills region is centered around the golf mecca of Pinehurst and the charming downtown of Southern Pines. The dining scene here is punching well above its weight. Southern Pines in particular has a concentration of quality independent restaurants per block that rivals much larger NC cities. Here is where to eat.
Southern Pines Restaurants
The Broad Street Dining Scene
Downtown Southern Pines along Broad Street is the center of the dining action. The street is lined with independent restaurants, coffee shops, and wine bars that have built a loyal following among residents and visitors. The walkability is a genuine advantage. You can park once and walk to four or five good options in the same evening. The atmosphere is unpretentious and the service at most spots reflects the tight knit community feel of a small Southern city that cares about its restaurants.
Pinehurst and Southern Pines NC
The Wine Cellar at the Sunrise Theater
The Wine Cellar at the Sunrise Theater is one of the most distinctive dining spots in the Sandhills. Set in the basement of a restored 1930s theater on Broad Street, the space has character that newer restaurants spend years trying to manufacture. The menu is wine focused, with small plates, charcuterie, cheese, and food designed to pair with the thoughtfully curated wine list. One of the better date night spots in the region.
Caddyshack Bar and Grill
Caddyshack is the casual anchor of Southern Pines dining. It is a bar and grill that leans into the golf culture of the area without being a caricature of it. Solid burgers, good wings, local beer, and a crowd that ranges from resort guests to people who have been coming here for years. A good stop for a low key meal after a round.
Sweet Basil
Sweet Basil on Broad Street is a neighborhood Italian restaurant that has earned a loyal following. Housemade pastas, wood fired dishes, a comfortable room, and the kind of consistent quality that brings people back. For a proper sit down dinner in Southern Pines without driving to a resort, this is the first pick.
Pinehurst Dining
The Carolina Dining Room at the Carolina Hotel
The dining room at the historic Carolina Hotel is the most formal dining option in Pinehurst. The hotel has been hosting guests since 1901 and the dining room reflects the heritage of the place. It has high ceilings, attentive service, and a menu built around Southern ingredients with classic technique. Worth reserving for a special dinner during a golf trip.
Dugan's Pub
Dugan's Pub is the post round local favorite in Pinehurst. Irish pub atmosphere, solid bar food, cold beer, and a crowd that is reliably mixed between resort guests and locals who know the spot. Good wings, Irish stew, and a burger that is better than it needs to be. The most relaxed dining option in the Pinehurst village area.
Midland Country Club Grill
The Midland Road stretch between Pinehurst and Southern Pines has several country club grills that open to non members for lunch and casual dining. If you are playing golf in the area, ask your course about their dining situation. Many of the mid tier courses have decent food at accessible prices that visitors can use.
Coffee and Breakfast in Southern Pines
Old Orchard Coffee
Old Orchard Coffee on Broad Street is the best independent coffee shop in Southern Pines. The espresso is solid, the space is comfortable for working or lingering, and the pastries are made in house. A good starting point for a morning exploring the downtown before lunch.
The Sunrise Biscuit
For a proper Southern breakfast, the biscuit shops along Midland Road and in the surrounding communities do the morning better than most sit down spots. The biscuit with country ham or sausage gravy is the move. Ask a local where they go because the best spots rotate on reputation rather than Yelp reviews.
Why Visit Southern Pines for Food?
Southern Pines has developed its dining scene organically, driven by a community that actually cares about where it eats. The restaurants are independently owned, the chefs tend to have histories at bigger city kitchens before choosing the Sandhills quality of life, and the prices are lower than comparable quality in Charlotte or Raleigh. If you are visiting for golf, note that Pinehurst No. 2 is the most famous golf course in the United States. The food scene is a genuine bonus that most visitors do not fully take advantage of.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Southern Pines NC?
The Wine Cellar at the Sunrise Theater, Sweet Basil, and the Broad Street dining corridor are the top picks in Southern Pines. For a special dinner, the Carolina Dining Room in Pinehurst is the most formal option.
Is there good food in Pinehurst NC?
Yes. Pinehurst and Southern Pines together have a dining scene that is better than most visitors expect. The concentration of quality restaurants in downtown Southern Pines is particularly strong.
What is Southern Pines NC known for?
Southern Pines is known as the gateway to the Sandhills golf region and home of Pinehurst, the most famous golf destination in the US. The downtown has a strong independent restaurant and coffee scene that has grown alongside the golf tourism.
How far is Southern Pines from Charlotte?
Southern Pines is about 80 miles northeast of Charlotte. It is roughly an hour and fifteen minutes on US 74 East. It makes a reasonable day trip from Charlotte or a base for exploring the Sandhills golf courses.
Southern Pines is the kind of NC town that rewards the traveler who gets off the interstate and pokes around. The food is better than the town's reputation would suggest, and the combination of walkable downtown dining, golf, and the relaxed pace of the Sandhills makes for a genuinely good weekend.
