Don’t miss Fish Fry Friday at Maxie’s Grill & Tap Room. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
For 16 years, Russell Bauer has embraced the caddie life. From his home in Moore County, he knows the nooks and crannies of Pinehurst Resort’s golf courses like the back of his hand. Bauer is happy to dole out advice — and clubs — as needed. “I like being outside and meeting new people,” he says. “It’s just fun. I found out pretty quickly I wasn’t an office person. I’ll never knock the 9-to-5, but it’s never been for me.”
When you’re a caddie at Pinehurst, living life to its fullest comes with the territory. Far from hedonistic, the “eat, drink, and be merry” mantra is just part of the job. Bauer is well poised to offer advice in that department, too. “I just picked up lunch from Maxie’s, a grill and tap room where a handful of caddies usually go for drinks and food after work,” he says. “They do a really good fish fry on Fridays, and you’re not going to go wrong with the wings and burgers.”
When folks come here for a weekend, whether on or off the course, their game plan should include some of the state’s best cuisine. Luckily, Moore County is known for its culinary prowess. From hole-in-the-wall diners to white-tablecloth establishments, there’s an experience and menu to satisfy every craving. Here’s where we recommend you go.
The Sandhills of North Carolina is a foodie’s favorite! Our dining options are as numerous as there are golf holes to play in the Pinehurst area. From upscale to family-friendly eateries, you can always get your fill in Moore County!
Rise and shine with the opulent spread of goodies from the Carolina Dining Room’s breakfast buffet. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Dubbed the “Best Breakfast in Golf” by the Golf Channel, Carolina Dining Room’s spread is a leader in the world of buffet breakfasts. From its home in the grand Pinehurst Resort, the restaurant invites its guests to start their day with a hearty plate of Southern classics.
In addition to a made-to-order omelet station, options include homemade sausage gravy, fluffy biscuits, and corned beef hash. The ambience here may be elevated — stainless-steel serving stations, a pianist softly serenading your experience — but comfort is encouraged, as many guests arrive in golf shirts and shorts.
The blueberry pancakes at Pinehurst Track Restaurant are a locals’ favorite start to the day. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
Dating back to the Village of Pinehurst’s early days as a health retreat, the Harness Track was originally built to entertain guests who spent the season luxuriating in the fresh air and mild temperatures found in the Sandhills. Training and racing horses proved to be a time-consuming affair, and sustenance was required.
Enter the Pinehurst Track Restaurant, which Real “Coco” and Tracy Hartman Cormier put on the map in 1996. Not only were the Cormiers harness racers, but they were also entrepreneurs — and skilled in the art of blueberry pancake flipping. Housed in a modest, white-painted cinderblock building with green trim, the restaurant is your quintessential breakfast diner, with staples like scrambled eggs, grits, and home fries. Ask anybody in Moore County, and they’ll tell you the Track Restaurant’s blueberry pancakes are the best thing going. At six dollars a plate, they also happen to be the best deal going. Insider tip: Bring cash.
At Betsy’s Crepes, the parfait crepe is topped with yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
When Betsy Markey opened Betsy’s Crepes in 2011, breakfast was certainly on the table in Moore County — but nobody was serving crepes. Markey changed all that with her downtown Southern Pines restaurant that almost always has a line. Sip a freshly muddled cocktail while you wait for your fluffy, yet delicate, sweet or savory crepe. If you can’t decide, follow the crowds who convinced Betsy to add her once-seasonal banana pudding crepe to the permanent menu. Order a plate of pommes frites to share.
Grab a seat at the counter at Kenny’s and be sure to save room for dessert! Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
About a 15-minute drive south of the Village of Pinehurst, the community of Pinebluff is home to Kenny’s, open from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Well into your first visit, Kenny will know your name — and the second time you walk through the door, you’ll be greeted as a regular. Everything on the menu shines, but the cheeseburger maintains its reputation as the best burger in Moore County. Grab a slice of coconut cream or French silk pie to go.
World War II veteran and golf writer Bob Drum wielded his quill to “turn stories into legends,” writes Bob’s son, Kevin, who wanted to honor his father’s passions and talents when he named the Drum & Quill tavern.
Taking inspiration from a traditional Irish public house, Drum & Quill feels cozy and historic. Entrées include classic and elevated pub fare, like Guinness stew, Chesapeake Bay crab cakes, and brown-sugar teriyaki salmon. Its coveted Village of Pinehurst location served as a magistrate judge’s chamber 130 years ago, and patrons can grab a seat inside or out — the perfect people-watching perch.
As you take after Bob and weave a tale of your own, sip a cocktail made from one of the pub’s 150-plus spirits.
Try The Sammie at Mason’s — a brioche bun layered with a fried green tomato, bacon, Swiss cheese, a fried egg, and arugula. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
You could spend an entire day meandering around the downtown streets of Aberdeen, and if you do, plan to break for lunch at Mason’s. A locals’ favorite, this restaurant boasts a robust menu with salads to get excited about (the Sycamore has pecans, smoked bacon, and avocado), a BLT that surprises and delights (there’s a swipe of pimento cheese within that grilled brioche bun), and daily soups made with fresh, local ingredients.
Sample beautiful presentations of fresh, seasonal fare at Ashten’s Restaurant & Bar. Photography courtesy of Pinehurst, Southern Pines, Aberdeen Area CVB
In 1997, sisters Ashley and Quinten Van Camp melded their first names to get “Ashten’s,” the Southern Pines restaurant offered the dining experience of an old English manor. Now, with Ashley at the helm, the seasonal menu features flavors from around the world prepared with locally grown ingredients. Their concept, “global cuisine from a Southern perspective,” has garnered rewards and recognitions, plus support from local farmers who provide the ingredients.
And oenophiles, take note: Limited seating is available for their monthly wine dinners; if you’re in town, be sure to make a reservation.
With a French bistro-reminiscent ambience, Chef Warren’s open kitchen gives you a true window into the cooking process, plus a look at the seasonal produce that adds fresh flavors to every dish. This Southern Pines restaurant is a haven for meat-and-potatoes diners — the menu features an entire “Meat, Poultry, & Game” subsection. The selection changes, but expect entrees like roasted chicken breast stuffed with prosciutto and taleggio.
At this Southern Pines mainstay, aromas of garlic, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and black pepper create a depth of flavor locals have associated with Jaya’s Indian Cuisine since its takeout location first opened in 2018.
Today, diners settle in at their Broad Street restaurant and tuck into authentic Indian cuisine ranging from butter lamb with rice to chicken kofta curry and goat tikka masala. Cleanse your palate with a scoop of shahi kulfi — ice cream that comes in flavors like mango, strawberry, pistachio, and almond.
Sample BHAWK’s premium bourbon and rye whiskeys at the distillery. Photography courtesy of BHAWK
Opened in March 2024, BHAWK quickly became a fixture in Southern Pines with its patio and bar area. Photography courtesy of BHAWK
BHAWK’s campus in Southern Pines is much more than a distillery: The space fosters community, celebrates good food and drink, and uses carefully crafted spirits as a conduit to honor those who serve and have served in the U.S. military. Opened in the spring of 2024 by Brad and Jess Halling, both retired from the U.S. Army, BHAWK’s signature bourbon and rye whiskeys reflect the enduring bond shared among those who serve. Plus, it’s worth mentioning their Sergeant’s Valor Select Rye was named “Best Rye Whiskey of the Year” during USA Spirits’ annual competition.
You can sample BHAWK’s spirits and learn more about the inspiration behind each during a guided tasting and tour through the distillery, offered daily Wednesday through Sunday. And mark your calendar for BHAWK’s other special events throughout the year, including highly technical deep dives into the whiskey-production process and tours and tastings led by the Hallings themselves.
If you’re just dropping in, grab a seat at the bar or on the dog-friendly patio. Not only can you get a cocktail made with one of BHAWK’s spirits, but you can also order a bite to eat (and locals would recommend you do so). Don’t miss the crispy chicken sandwich, topped with tangy lemon-parsley mayo and served on a brioche bun. If you’re craving something sweet, go for the sundae, baptized with a pour of BHAWK’s own Madam Colonel Pistachio Bourbon for a distinctly distillery twist. Be sure to swing by the on-site shop for wearable swag and a bottle of your favorite spirit before heading out.
Hungry to dive into Moore County’s vibrant dining scene? Click here to learn more and start planning every meal, every drink, and every snack during your visit.
Mark our words: Whether they nod to North Carolina or were penned by its residents, these notable, quotable passages remind us of the power of speech inspired by our state.
When one stream flows into another, the two chart a new course for the future — together.
When the weather outside is frightful, one chef serves loved ones dishes so delightful.
A historic Rose Bowl pitted Duke University against Oregon State in Durham. Then, in the dark days of World War II, those same football players — and a legendary coach — joined forces to fight for freedom.
