4 Places You Must Eat in Fayetteville, North Carolina

Have you visited Fayetteville, North Carolina? In case you didn’t know, it is home to US Army Post Fort Bragg, the world’s largest fort. Besides being a historical attraction on the scenic Cape Fear River, Fayetteville is quite a player in the foodie scene.

Let me share with you four very tasty places you must eat in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Though I was only there for a quick visit, I really loved the flavors of Fayetteville.

#1 Mash House Restaurant and Brewery

Mash House is a tastefully decorated restaurant with a cute bar, too. It has attractive decor with blue tablecloths and white overlays. The menu at Mash House features house-made modern American favorites, including gluten-free options, along with pub classics, and comfort dishes.

Best item on the menu? The Crab Dip. Not just any crab dip, but a rich and creamy dip with the best dippers that I have ever tasted. The warm flatbread tastes like it was brushed with butter or oil, topped with Parmesan cheese and herbs, and had a crispy texture to them. Delicious! And let me tell you about the Potato Skins. Appetizer perfection. Choose your loaded skins with either BBQ Pulled Pork or Chicken Verde. Mash House has a spectacular choice of local and craft beers. Sample a flight of them or opt for the official Mash House growler.

Entrées at Mash House are all quite exceptional. I ordered Jambalaya “Our Way”, with shrimp, chicken, tasso ham, and andouille sausage. Wow, super filling and flavorful. The combination of the spicy creole sauce over the cheesy grits was sensational!

#2 Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Bar

The curb appeal of Luigi’s is impressive, especially with the stone center front and the navy colored awnings. Inside, an award-winning wine list and homemade Italian favorites await you. The smell of garlic wafting through the air is almost unbearable as you thumb through your menu eager to order. The romantic fireplace is an exceptional feature. Aside from the 250+ wines, Luigi’s also serves quite a large amount of coffee, espresso, and smoothies.

For starters, the Crab Dip is delightful. It is paired with olive oil and Romano cheese toast, crispy and light. Luigi’s Fettuccine Alfredo is no joke; it is amazingly rich and creamy. Taste authentic Italian masterpieces like the Pasta Purses stuffed with six cheese in a pesto-cream sauce, my favorite thing on the menu. Another tasty option is the Penne Pasta with Vodka Sauce (Penne alla Vodka). Luigi’s allows the option to add grilled shrimp, chicken, meatballs, and other proteins to your meal for an upcharge. The high-quality of ingredients and attention to details sets Luigi’s Italian Restaurant and Bar apart from the competition.

#3 Sherefé               **this restaurant permanently closed Sept 2018

Sherefé (Cheers! in Turkish) is an authentic Mediterranean Restaurant and a feast for the senses! The restaurant is sectioned into three separate areas, with private rooms also available, each bright and cheery with amazing artwork.

Order the Mediterranean Delight (appetizer platter) to share with the table. It boasts a nice selection of feta cheese, quinoa tabouli, dolma, hummus and pita, falafel, olives, and seared tuna. We definitely had a good sampling of all of the tasty Mediterranean favorites on this one plate. The Burrata plate is another must-have item. Fresh burrata (creamy white cheese) with sliced tomatoes, peppers and onions goes great with the housemade bread. Nom! The Gyro Platter is a suggested entree choice. Flavorful strips of lamb with pickled onions, rice, and tzatziki make a beautiful and filling dinner option.

For dinner at Sherefé, I ate the best Moussaka of my life…and I have even been to its native country. The blend of bechamel sauce, eggplant, cheese, and the seasoned beef was perfectly delivered. Sherefé has incredible risotto, so if that is your passion, make sure to give it a try. This is not a restaurant to pass on dessert. The Black and White Crème Brûlée and Greek Yogurt Cheesecake are both order and Instagram worthy. Come to see the belly dancers during special events.

#4 Scrub Oaks

North Fayetteville has a contemporary American Bar and Pub, Scrub Oaks, that serves exceptional Southern standard sandwiches, salads, and a great list of side items. I was privy to try a wide array of scrumptious appetizers such as the Fried Zucchini Spears with horseradish dip, Chicken Tenders, Potato Skins, and Loaded Potato Skins. Amazing!

Scrub Oaks’ Fried Zucchini is cut into blocks, which gave much more bite than how they traditionally come. They were dusted with something a bit sweet, that made it taste most interesting. This homey spot dishes up housemade dressings for the fresh salads and decadent soup choices which gets a thumbs up from me.

Have a Black & Bleu Burger, Chicken Salad or Crab Cake Sandwich, or classic Philly Cheese Steak as your main course, or opt for a fun and filling trio of Filet Tip Sliders with Jack Daniels mayo and grilled onions. I ate the Chicken Salad which I enjoyed a lot. The Fish & Chips was incredible, too, with a creamy coleslaw and housemade tartar sauce. I paired my sandwich with a side of fried summer squash, but sautéed vegetables, sweet potato fries, and smashed garlic potatoes were also available.

Not only is Scrub Oaks popular for delicious eats, but also for special events such as wine dinners, trivia Tuesdays, live music, Super Bowl parties, and more. This is one restaurant you will want to order a signature or top-shelf cocktail from the enticing martini and drink menu.

Fayetteville is Fit for Foodies

Fayetteville is one town you will want to sink your teeth into. There are currently 450 restaurants in town to choose from, and all four that I ate at were spectacular. I cannot wait to try more on my next visit! 

If you have any suggestions on restaurants that I missed, I would love to hear from you.

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Check out our other foodie posts:

5 Places for Appetizing Food in Charlotte, NC

5 Truly Good Eats in Nashville, TN

Amazed by the Outer Banks Food Scene

Thanks to the Fayetteville CVB for hosting my visit and comping my meals. As always, opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.