If cooking isn’t your thing, there are some great local, non-chain, restaurants in our area of western Harnett County in NC. Five miles from our lakefront home, the neighborhood favorite local restaurant is The Copper Cricket Irish Pub, pet friendly on the patio, and just a quick drive from our gate (take a left once you leave the gate and it’s down on the right).  Since opening in March of 2017, the Copper Cricket Irish Pub has been our favorite local place for dinner and drinks. Owners Tom & Andy Cole have done a terrific job of creating a welcoming and authentic pub atmosphere. The outside patio is perfect for social distancing and pet friendly!

The Twisted Grape, just down the road on Hwy 87, is another local favorite, owned by Carolina Lakes residents. El Burrito (Buffalo Lake Road) is great for Mexican fare. Miss Lacy’s Magnolia House tea room in Sanford proper has great food and is a fun experience for Southern tea in a 100+ year old Victorian home. If you like browsing antique stores, check out the town of Cameron and have lunch at the Dewberry Deli (old fashioned soda fountain and amazing desserts — call first to check the hours).

There are great options in Fayetteville (Circa 1800, Antonella’s and Luigi’s are all great), Sanford (La Dolce Vita for lunch or dinner, Kathy’s Java Express for breakfast, Karma for coffee, The Flame for an old-school steakhouse) and Southern Pines/Pinehurst (195, Sly Fox, Ironwood Café, Ashten’s, Elliott’s on Linden, Dugan’s, Curt’s Cucina and so many more!). 

Our favorite coffee shop (with great muffins and lunch, and now ice cream!) is Jitterbugz, located on Buffalo Lake Rd. (take a left once you leave the gate and it’s down on the right) or Coffee Scene (coffee, food and gelato!) a bit further south on Hwy 87. 

And you’ll find all of your favorite chain restaurants nearby also. Numerous pizza places deliver to our neighborhood (Marco’s, Papa John’s, Dominos, Dino’s).