20+ Mouthwatering Restaurants in Fayetteville, NC (2024)

There is a very diverse lineup of restaurants in Fayetteville and Cumberland County, thanks to a diverse population. Here, you’ll find classic Southern, Egyptian, Vietnamese, Korean, and melt-in-your-mouth barbecue among the best places to eat.

This is just the beginning of our list because we keep finding new delicious joints to add upon each visit! But for now, here’s where we like digging in the Fayetteville area.

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Downtown Restaurants in Fayetteville

Our guide to restaurants in Fayetteville is alphabetically organized, with addresses provided for each eatery.

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Circa 1800

108 Person St

Local is the name of the game at Circa 1800, a truly upscale downtown Fayetteville eatery. This Fayetteville restaurant supports North Carolina growers and producers using as many local ingredients and products as possible. It makes food that tastes fresh and is the best place for brunch in Fayetteville.

They’re even committed to serving only North Carolina beer on tap, especially some of our favorites. Circa is a great place to catch up with friends over a delicious meal.

Come for brunch and jump on their impressive Make Your Own Bloody Mary Bar! And if you come and don’t get the Southern Eggrolls, we can’t be friends. These tastes are wrap house-made pimento cheese, pepper jelly, and slowly braised bacon collards in a delicious wonton.

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Gaston Brewing Company

124 Hay St

Gaston Brewing Company is all about transporting you to a lazy day on the water, not just through the chilled-out decor you’ll find inside. With good crisp beer and delicious pub food, it’s easy to kick back, relax, and make memories with friends here.

Brewing their own beer is just one of the things that Gaston Brewing does really well. Their menu is stocked with finger-licking burgers, fried cheese curds, and brats.

So what are you waiting for? Order a pint and chow down!

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Pan

105 Hay Street

Coming from the same geniuses that brought Napkins to Dirtbag Ales is Pan– a foodie favorite lunch spot. This Fayetteville restaurant features fantastic salads beyond your just boring iceberg and ranch.

Dive into the Rowan with starts with fresh mixed greens, roasted artichokes, chickpeas, roasted red peppers, and goat cheese. All of the dressings are made in-house and the lemon-pistachio vinaigrette is chef’s kiss delicious!

But if you are looking for something a little heartier to get you through the rest of the work day, Pan is known for its great sandwiches and paninis too. Get it on a fluffy Superior Bakery roll, a tomato basil wrap, or gluten-free bread.

Make sure to check for daily specials and grab a meal at this delicious Fayetteville restaurant.

The Sweet Palette

101 Person St

The rustic brick walls and sweet smells aren’t the only special thing happening at 101 Person Street! Offering fresh-made baked goods like cupcakes, cake balls, and cookies, The Sweet Palette also utilizes natural, local ingredients.

While enjoying your sweet treat, take some time to browse the walls decorated with local artwork.

More Delicious Fayetteville Restaurants

The Friend’s Table

253 Westwood Shopping Center

The Friend’s Table is the newest and hottest restaurant in Fayetteville, serving southern brunch classics in a lively environment. Portia Grady and Mahalia Robinson opened The Friend’s Table after several years of owning a successful catering business.

You’ll find delicious chicken and waffles with gourmet waffle options, including Oreo, fruity pebbles, red velvet, and cornbread, alongside some of the best fried deviled eggs on the planet.

Make sure to order one of the signature flights- beyond the boozy mimosa flights, including cappuccino and a Southern Flare drink board! The Friend’s Table is located in the Westwood Shopping Center and can get packed on weekends! Enjoy and come back and tell us what you ordered!

E Tae Won Express

594 S Reilly Road

Named for the popular district in Seoul right outside the military base, E Tae Won Express is where you’ll find authentic and delicious Korean fare. With an affordable lunch buffet and extensive dinner menu, this is where you want to go for Korean food in Fayetteville! We spent 5 years living in South Korea and can personally vouch for the deliciousness!

The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop

2318 Paintersmill Dr

I mean, where else can you get a turkey sandwich with gravy in Fayetteville!? With three locations in Fayetteville, there are plenty of ways to quench that sandwich craving at The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop.

Family-owned, hungry lunch-goers can expect all-breast meat and fried in-house. Do not skip the Turkey Day Sandwich and enjoy the deliciousness of Thanksgiving all year round!

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Fred Chason’s Grandsons

5339 Marracco Dr, Hope Mills

Along with Napkins, Fred Chason’s Grandsons is a unique and locally-owned spot right off I-95. You can’t go wrong with all-you-can-eat Southern home cooking and seafood, right?

And just like the name says, this buffet is actually run by Fred Chason’s grandson, Todd Warga. He and his wife, Sheryl, met while working at Chason’s Barbecue.

And as a tribute to Todd’s grandfather, the two opened up this family tribute in Hope Mills, with additional locations in Fayetteville, Smithfield, Rocky Mount, and Garner.

Scoop up some of the gooey mac-n-cheese and definitely don’t miss their fried chicken! Remember that it’s all you can eat, so you can fill up as long as you leave room for dessert!

Gohan Bistro

524 S. Reilly Road

Tucked away in a strip mall on Reilly Road is some of the best ramen in Fayetteville! Gohan Bistro is a small family-owned Fayetteville restaurant that serves ramen, poke, and sushi! And if you love boba, Gohan Bisto has that too! Enjoy fresh seafood and savory broths when dining at Gohan Bistro.

Grilled Ginger

5052 Yadkin Rd

The last time I had Vietnamese food as real and delicious as Grilled Ginger, I was sitting on a plastic stool in an alleyway in Hanoi. While you’ll find a much more relaxing and comfortable dining space than my experiences in Vietnam, the flavor is just as good here.

Owners Han Nguyen and Thanh Vo brought their restaurant experience from Vietnam to Fayetteville and our bellies couldn’t be happier!

From your standard pho dishes to others rarely found outside of Asia, we recommend jumping out of your comfort zone at Grilled Ginger. Bun Thit Nuoung and Ga Xao Sa Ot are our favorites, but we’re always on the prowl for something new.

Guatemala Centro America Restaurant

2805 Raeford Rd

There aren’t many places in North Carolina, if any, where you can get Guatemalan, El Salvadorian, and Honduras cuisine all in one place. Guatemala Centro America Restaurant is another reason this guide to Fayetteville restaurants is special.

This family-run business is authentic, and everything is fresh and made to order. Everything on the menu, from the homemade tortillas to the pupusas, is fantastic.

If you aren’t familiar with this cuisine, the staff is more than happy to help you navigate the menu- but we recommend trying it all!

Luigi’s Italian Chophouse and Bar

528 N McPherson Church Rd, Fayetteville

Despite existing in the always-turbulent food business, Luigi’s has long remained one of the busiest and best restaurants in Fayetteville. Upscale and offering an extensive wine list of over 300 varieties, this is a fantastic place for a date night.

Luigi’s started as a spaghetti house in 1950 and, after various evolutions over the years, includes more dishes to go along with the original family recipe sauces. From dry-aged steaks to their signature spaghetti, eating at Luigi’s is an experience you shouldn’t miss.

Mash House

4150 Sycamore Dairy Rd

Craft-brewed beer, incredible burgers, and quality steaks are what you’ll encounter at the Mash House. It’s known by many as a favorite place to dine in Fayetteville, and for good reason.

Not only does the Mash House use local ingredients whenever possible, but they also butcher in-house, which is rare for restaurants these days.

Their microbrewery also follows the same virtues and does not use preservatives in their award-winning beers. Personally, I think you should go big and get their Mondo Mash flight so you can try all nine of their draft beers!

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Napkins

5435 Corporation Dr, Suite 2, Hope Mills

You won’t find typical brewery food at Napkins, located just outside the Dirtbag Ales taproom. Chef/owner Brian Graybill knocks it out of the park with this locally-sourced restaurant. He keeps even the most loyal customers interested, thanks to daily menu changes.

More recommendations a la me include their Tostados when on the board and, of course, a basket of tots.

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Noble Meats & Eatery

2469 Lillington Hwy, Spring Lake

One of Fayetteville’s most delicious hidden gems is between the two access points for Carvers Creek State Park. Noble Meats in Spring Lake is a butcher and restaurant serving Cumberland County since 1987.

The dining room and menu are simple, but the quality and flavor are top-of-the-line! Grab a pulled pork sandwich, some burnt ends, and don’t sleep on that mac and cheese!

Pharaohs Village

2425 Hope Mills Rd

The family-owned Egyptian restaurant Pharaohs Village serves tasty food for everyone, from newbs to tabbouleh fanatics.

Everything is made in-house from scratch with recipes passed down for generations.

Dishes are prepared to order, and the portions are huge, which is great! Get a Mixed Kofta Kebab Platter and their fresh-made tabbouleh salad, and take yourself to a distant, spice-filled land!

Taqueria Las Delicias

524 S Reilly Rd

Truly a hidden gem in Fayetteville, Taqueria Las Delicias might look simple from the outside, but it is bursting with flavor inside! This taqueria has the best tacos in Fayetteville, from the spicy salsa bar to the moist and tender meats, this taqueria has the best tacos in Fayetteville!

While the standard order of tacos is six, we recommend saving room for dessert! Their fresh-made cakes are absolutely incredible. We chose their chocolate flan, and 10/10 would recommend it!

Uptown’s Chicken and Waffles

7105 Brag Blvd & 1707 Owen Drive

Southern to the core, Uptown Chicken and Waffles is (and I’m not making this up) the BEST fried chicken I’ve ever had. Owned by a military veteran and local celebrity, Chef Judy is a master at every dish on the menu.

They also make amazing Shrimp & Grits, accompanied by plenty of tasty peppers and andouille sausage. And if you’d prefer it fried, try their Fish and Grits.

Vicky’s Biscuits and Chicken

128 Grove St

The Original biscuit in the Ville, Vicky’s is a must-eat restaurant in Fayetteville! The lines will the long, but the wait will be worth it! Out of that tiny kitchen on Grove St comes some of the largest buttery biscuits you’ll ever have.

The biscuits are so good that even other restaurants in Fayetteville use Vicky’s. And while they are huge, save room for one of their incredible cinnamon rolls. They are gooey, buttery, sweet, and also crunchy!

Ready to Dig Into These Restaurants in Fayetteville?

With a variety of flavors to choose from at these awesome Fayetteville restaurants, there’s something for everyone! Whether you’re feeling elevated in pub food, the best brunch in North Carolina, or amazing international eats, Fayetteville has an impressive food scene.

Putting this guide together has made me hungry for more, and we’re excited to head back down and try some more. If you know the area, do you have any must-eat restaurants that deserve a mention along with these?

We’d love to know about them. Let us know in the comments!

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