Restaurants in Fayetteville, NC: Best Places to Eat (2026)
The best restaurants in Fayetteville, NC span downtown farm-to-table Southern at Circa 1800, upscale Italian at Antonella's and Luigi's Italian Chophouse, and international Vietnamese and Korean cuisine along Yadkin Road near Fort Bragg. Top local dining clusters include Historic Downtown, McPherson Church Road, and Raeford Road, while major regional closures include Huske Hardware and The Mash House.
Fayetteville, NC restaurants cluster in a few clear areas: historic downtown along Hay and Person streets, the Haymount hill just west of it, the Skibo Road and McPherson Church Road corridor by Cross Creek Mall, Raeford Road, and the Yadkin Road and Bragg Boulevard side toward Fort Bragg. This guide picks currently operating restaurants in each area, each checked against its own website or recent local reporting in October 2026.
Quick Picks: Fayetteville NC Restaurants by Area
| Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Best for | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Circa 1800 | Downtown (Person St) | New Southern | Date night, weekend brunch | thecirca1800.com |
| Antonella's Italian Ristorante | Downtown (Hay St) | Italian | Pasta dinner before a show | CityView |
| Gaston Brewing Company | Downtown (Hay St) | Brewpub | Craft beer with food | gastonbrewing.com |
| Vibe Gastropub | Downtown (Hay St) | Plant-based | Vegan lunch or dinner | Vibe Gastropub |
| Haymount Truck Stop | Haymount | Rotating food trucks | Groups, families, dogs | haymounttruckstop.com |
| Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar | McPherson Church Rd | Italian, steaks | Celebrations, private dining | luigischophouse.com |
| Chris's Steak & Seafood House | Raeford Rd | Steaks, seafood | Classic steakhouse dinner | fayettevillesteakhouse.com |
| Gusto Napoletano | Raeford Rd | Neapolitan pizza | Wood-fired pizza | gustonapoletano.com |
| Pharaoh's Village | Hope Mills Rd | Mediterranean, Middle Eastern | Shawarma, falafel, halal meats | shawarmafayetteville.com |
| Grilled Ginger | Yadkin Rd | Vietnamese | Pho and noodle soups | grilledginger.com |
| Anchor Allie's | Bragg Blvd | American, all-day breakfast | Breakfast at any hour | anchorallies.com |
Downtown Fayetteville Restaurants on Hay and Person Streets
Downtown is the most walkable dining district in Fayetteville, with restaurants in historic storefronts around the Market House. If you are planning a whole evening, our Fayetteville breakfast and brunch guide covers the morning side of the same blocks.
Circa 1800: New Southern Cooking on Person Street
Circa 1800 sits at 108 Person Street in downtown Fayetteville, not in Haymount as some older guides claim. The restaurant describes its food as "elevated Southern fare" built on seasonal ingredients. Its site lists lunch Wednesday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and brunch on Saturday (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and Sunday (10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.). It is closed Monday and Tuesday, so plan around that.
Antonella's Italian Ristorante: Italian Dinners on Hay Street
Antonella's is at 300 Hay Street and bills itself as an authentic Italian restaurant. Its official site does not post hours, so call ahead before a weekend visit.
Gaston Brewing Company: Downtown Craft Beer With a Full Kitchen
Gaston Brewing Company has poured beer at 124 Hay Street since 2017. It is veteran-owned and runs as a family-friendly brewpub with a full restaurant. With Huske Hardware House closed (see below), Gaston is the downtown pick for house-brewed beer alongside dinner.
Vibe Gastropub: Plant-Based Plates at 131 Hay Street
Vibe Gastropub opened in 2022 at 131 Hay Street, Suite 101, and cooks an entirely plant-based menu. It is open Monday through Saturday from noon to 8 p.m. and closed Sunday, which makes it a reliable lunch stop on a downtown weekday.
Huske Hardware House and The Mash House Have Closed
Many lists still rank Huske Hardware House and The Mash House among the best restaurants in Fayetteville, NC, but neither is operating. Huske, at 405 Hay Street, opened in summer 1997 and closed in April 2024 after the building's owners, the Baggett family, decided to seek a new operator. In June 2025 co-owner Joe Baggett said two parties were interested in leasing it as a restaurant and brewery; we found no confirmed reopening as of October 2026. The Mash House closed on April 10, 2025 after a 24-year run that began in 2001. Sherefe, the Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant on Gillespie Street, has also closed.
Haymount Dining Just West of Downtown
Haymount is the historic neighborhood at the western end of Hay Street. It has only a handful of restaurants, so most visitors pair a Haymount stop with dinner downtown.
Haymount Truck Stop: Fayetteville's First Food Truck Court
Haymount Truck Stop at 100 Broadfoot Avenue combines rotating local food trucks with a bar pouring cocktails and craft beer, plus arcade games and outdoor patios. It is family- and pet-friendly. Posted hours run 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. The Greater Fayetteville Chamber named it Best New Business 2025, and the owners have announced a second location in Hoke County for 2027.
Latitude 35 on Upper Hay Street
Latitude 35 is a bar and grill at 1217 Hay Street in the 28305 Haymount ZIP code. Its old website no longer resolves, so we could not confirm hours or brunch times from the restaurant itself; call (910) 485-4777 before you go.
Skibo Road and McPherson Church Road Near Cross Creek Mall
This west-side corridor surrounds Cross Creek Mall and mixes national chains with one of the city's oldest family restaurants.
Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar: Family-Run Since the 1950s
Luigi's was founded in the early 1950s in downtown Fayetteville by Peter Parrous, a Greek immigrant and World War II veteran, and reopened at 528 North McPherson Church Road in 1982. The family is now in its third generation of ownership. The menu centers on pasta made with the founder's mother's meat sauce recipe, hand-cut Black Angus steaks and chops, and fresh fish, backed by a wine list of more than 300 selections. Private dining and catered events are available.
Metro Diner on Skibo Road
Metro Diner at 2132 Skibo Road is a chain, but it is useful because its North Carolina locations serve breakfast all day and close at 8 p.m. It fills the gap when a group wants pancakes at 4 p.m.
Raeford Road Restaurants
Raeford Road pairs a steakhouse that dates back more than 50 years with newer independents such as a Neapolitan pizzeria that opened in 2019.
Chris's Steak & Seafood House
Chris's Steak & Seafood House at 2620 Raeford Road says it was established more than 50 years ago. It opens for dinner only: 5 to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, with Monday closures that it describes as seasonal.
Gusto Napoletano: Wood-Fired Pizza From a Naples Native
Chef Nadia Minniti, a native of Naples, runs Gusto Napoletano at 2711 Raeford Road, Suite 112, cooking wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and Italian dishes. Hours are split and short: dinner Tuesday and Wednesday, lunch and dinner Thursday and Friday, and Saturday service from noon. It is closed Sunday and Monday.
Pharaoh's Village and Superior Bakery on Hope Mills Road
Two long-running businesses share a stretch of Hope Mills Road in south Fayetteville. Pharaoh's Village at 2425 Hope Mills Road has operated since 2006 and makes shawarma, gyros, falafel, kabobs, halal meats, baklava and Turkish coffee to order. It opens at 10 a.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. At 2433 Hope Mills Road, Superior Bakery has baked since 1956; see the breakfast guide for its hours.
The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop
The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop opened on Cumberland Road in 2008 and moved to a larger store on Bingham Drive in 2015. It now runs one location at 2318 Paintersmill Drive, open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The signature Turkey Day Sandwich stacks fried turkey and stuffing on buttered Texas toast with gravy and cranberry on the side.
Yadkin Road and Bragg Boulevard Toward Fort Bragg
Yadkin Road and Bragg Boulevard both run toward Fort Bragg, so these are the handiest picks if you are staying near post. Our Asian restaurants guide goes deeper on this side of town.
Grilled Ginger: Vietnamese on Yadkin Road
Grilled Ginger cooks Vietnamese dishes including pho, bun bo Hue, shaken beef and vermicelli bowls, and has a vegetarian section and bubble tea. Its online ordering page lists the restaurant at 5052 Yadkin Road.
E Tae Won Express for Korean Comfort Food
E Tae Won Express is a long-running Korean restaurant on the west side of town. We could not find an official website confirming its hours, so call before driving over.
Anchor Allie's: All-Day Breakfast on Bragg Boulevard
Anchor Allie's at 1204 Bragg Boulevard serves an all-day breakfast menu alongside lunch and dinner. It opens at 8 a.m. every day and closes at 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday and 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
Sources
- Circa 1800 official site
- Antonella's Italian Ristorante official site
- CityView: Fayetteville dining guide (July 2025)
- CityView: Downtown Fayetteville businesses and Huske Hardware House (June 2025)
- Greater Fayetteville Business Journal: Mash House closes
- Our State: Sherefe (editor's note on closure)
- Gaston Brewing Company: About
- Vibe Gastropub official site
- Haymount Truck Stop official site
- Greater Fayetteville Business Journal: Haymount Truck Stop Hoke County location
- Latitude 35 on Toast
- Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar: About
- Metro Diner North Carolina locations
- Chris's Steak & Seafood House: Contact
- Gusto Napoletano official site
- Pharaoh's Village official site
- The Fried Turkey Sandwich Shop and Our Story
- Grilled Ginger official site and online ordering
- Anchor Allie's official site
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best restaurant in downtown Fayetteville, NC?
- For a sit-down dinner downtown, Circa 1800 on Person Street (new Southern) and Antonella's Italian Ristorante on Hay Street are the two strongest picks in this guide. Gaston Brewing Company on Hay Street is the choice if you want house-brewed craft beer with your meal.
- Is Huske Hardware House still open?
- No. Huske Hardware House at 405 Hay Street closed in April 2024 after the building owners sought a new operator. As of October 2026 no reopening had been confirmed.
- Is The Mash House in Fayetteville closed?
- Yes. The Mash House closed on April 10, 2025, after 24 years in business.
- Is Circa 1800 in Haymount?
- No. Circa 1800 is at 108 Person Street in downtown Fayetteville. It serves lunch Wednesday through Friday, dinner Wednesday through Saturday, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
- Where can I eat near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville?
- Yadkin Road and Bragg Boulevard both lead toward post. Grilled Ginger on Yadkin Road serves Vietnamese food, and Anchor Allie's on Bragg Boulevard serves breakfast all day.
- What is the oldest restaurant on this list?
- Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar traces its roots to the early 1950s in downtown Fayetteville and has been at 528 North McPherson Church Road since 1982. Chris's Steak & Seafood House on Raeford Road says it was established more than 50 years ago.
Additional Resources
- Circa 1800
Hours, menus and brunch times for the Person Street restaurant.
- Luigi's Italian Chophouse & Bar
History and private dining details for the McPherson Church Road restaurant.
- CityView Fayetteville dining guide
Local magazine roundup of Fayetteville restaurants by area (July 2025).
Related Guides
Hope Mills, NC Restaurants & Things to Do (2026)
Hope Mills, NC restaurants cluster on North Main Street, Hope Mills Road and Corporation Drive. Sammio's Italian Restaurant is the go-to family dinner, La Patrona and Mister Taco cover Mexican, and Island Tease serves Jamaican food. Dirtbag Ales and Dirty Whiskey anchor nightlife. For things to do, visit Hope Mills Lake Park and Heritage Park, or catch a film at Millstone 14.
Spring Lake, NC Restaurants & Things to Do (2026)
Spring Lake, NC restaurants line North Bragg Boulevard and Main Street. Brooklyn Pizzeria makes New York-style pies, La Vista covers Italian, El Tucan and Guacaholic serve Mexican, and Nak Won and Mai's Thai Express handle Korean and Thai. For things to do, Carvers Creek State Park's Long Valley Farm is minutes away, and the town splash pad on Ruth Street runs all summer.
Breakfast & Brunch in Fayetteville, NC (2026)
Where to get breakfast and brunch in Fayetteville, NC: weekend New Southern brunch at Circa 1800 on Person Street downtown, 6 a.m. donuts and fried croissants at Superior Bakery on Hope Mills Road, all-day breakfast at Anchor Allie’s and Metro Diner, scratch-made biscuits at Biscuit Belly, and coffee and pastries at Rude Awakening on Hay Street.
Asian Restaurants in Fayetteville, NC: Sushi, Thai & Korean
For sushi in Fayetteville, NC, Neo Sushi Express at Cross Creek Mall runs an all-you-can-eat sushi belt and Nona Sushi on Morganton Road pairs sushi with hibachi. Thai Lanna on Bragg Boulevard and 2 Rim Khong on Yadkin Road cover Thai and Lao food. Gangnam and KPOT serve all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ, and Grilled Ginger on Yadkin Road is the pick for pho.
Fayetteville NC Breweries: 2026 List, Taprooms and Route
Five breweries pour in and around Fayetteville, NC in 2026: Gaston Brewing at 124 Hay St and North South at 304 Williams St downtown, Heckler on Ramsey Street, Dirtbag Ales off I-95 in Hope Mills and Little Heathen's in Spring Lake. The Mash House, Bright Light, Huske Hardware and The Traveler have closed.