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160 Chandler Springs Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
MLS#: 10103293
Best Restaurants in Holly Springs, NC
Are you moving to Holly Springs, NC, and looking for a great place to eat? Check out these 15 highly-rated restaurants in Holly Springs!
Holly Springs is a great place to call home, and if you are moving to the area, you are in for a culinary treat. This vibrant community south of downtown Raleigh has transformed over the years into a sought-after Raleigh suburb with a dining scene that rivals much larger cities.
Experiencing remarkable growth over the past decade, Holly Springs has welcomed many new residential developments and restaurants catering to every taste and budget. Offering a small-town feel and plenty of southern charm, Holly Springs is ideal for residents who enjoy being a part of their community.
Holly Springs is a safe place to live, and its location near Research Triangle Park allows for countless job and growth opportunities. Food is only one thing you think of when planning a move, but Holly Springs has several exceptional restaurants and many places to eat.
From authentic Thai cuisine to traditional Italian bistros, downtown Holly Springs reflects southern traditions and international flavors. Whether you are planning your first visit or have lived here for years, this guide will help you discover your next favorite place to eat.
Here are the best restaurants in Holly Springs, NC
1. Mamma Mia Italian Bistro
Location: 300 S Main St, Suite 200, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Italian
Mamma Mia Italian Bistro serves authentic Italian food and exceptional cuisine, providing a memorable experience. With 45 years of restaurant experience, the meals are phenomenal, and the atmosphere is cozy.
Dine at Mamma Mias for a nice dinner or special occasion during the week. Menu items include pasta your way, baked entrees, soups and salads, sandwiches, and pizza.
2. Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi
Location: 242 S Main St, Suite 100, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Thai
Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi is a modern, family-friendly restaurant that serves authentic Thai cuisine, fresh seafood and sushi, and a wide array of crafted cocktails, beers, and wines.
They offer takeout and curbside pickup, as well as indoor and outdoor dining. Osha Thai Kitchen and Sushi's priority is serving delicious meals made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. Must-tries on their menu are the Basil Fried Rice and the Pad Thai.
3. Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant and Bar
Location: 300 S Main St, Suite 312, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Southern Cocktail Bar
Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant and Bar is perched above the Village District of Holly Springs. This dining room and cocktail bar features Southern-inspired offerings and a heated year-round patio that overlooks downtown Holly Springs.
Offering panoramic views of downtown Holly Springs while you dine, the heated patio lets you enjoy the rooftop experience year-round, making it perfect for date nights or special celebrations.
4. Lovegrass Kitchen and Coffee
Location: 300 S Main St, Suite 108, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Cafe
Lovegrass Kitchen is a unique gluten-free café serving authentic crêpes, Belgian Liège waffles, and specialty coffee in downtown Holly Springs. The Lemon Blueberry Crêpes and Berry Delight waffles are local favorites, and the space is perfect for grabbing a coffee while working.
Founded by Meron Afework Kassa, who was born in Ethiopia, where Teff has been a staple food for over 4,000 years, the restaurant specializes in whole and nutritious food inspired by the ancient grain Teff.
Teff is the world's tiniest super grain. It is naturally gluten-free and high in protein, calcium, iron, and magnesium. At Lovegrass Kitchen, the cafe offers hot food, acai bowls, granolas, and baking mixes.
5. Vieni Ristobar
Location: 242 S Main St, Suite 112, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Italian
Vieni Ristobar is one of the best restaurants in Holly Springs for its delicious pasta dishes and authentic Italian flavors. Everything on the menu is made in-house using the freshest ingredients, including the pasta, bread, and sauce.
Vieni Ristobar takes pride in ensuring customers are satisfied after a high-quality meal and experience. Featuring a lunch and dinner menu, this is the perfect spot for romantic dinners, family celebrations, or anyone in the mood for Italian flavors.
6. My Way Tavern
Location: 301 Center St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: American
My Way Tavern is a casual hangout and an excellent restaurant choice if you are looking for great food and an extensive beer selection. On Wednesday nights, they also provide entertainment, such as music bingo.
Their menu is filled with fantastic options, including sandwiches and burgers, but the macaroni and cheese is one of the menu highlights. The atmosphere is incredible, with flags, beer cans on the walls, and TVs at every angle.
7. The Blind Pelican Seafood House
Location: 120 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Seafood
The Blind Pelican is famous throughout the Triangle for their over-the-top Bloody Marys loaded with shrimp, bacon, grilled cheese, lobster tail, and a full pound of crab legs; the Blind Pelican offers much more than Instagram-worthy drinks.
This seafood-focused restaurant provides fresh catches and coastal classics in a relaxed atmosphere. While their signature Bloody Marys are pricey, they're essentially a meal in themselves and have become a must-try experience for visitors and locals alike.
8. Hickory Tavern
Location: 401 Village Walk Dr. Unit A, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: American
Hickory Tavern is a traditional American restaurant that is very popular among residents. The food is excellent, but the atmosphere and customer service bring customers in and make it one of the best.
They have many widescreen TVs for games and entertainment, a full bar, and all your favorite typical bar foods. They serve everything from quesadillas and nachos to steaks and burgers. Their wings are also one of the most popular menu items.
9. Bass Lake Draft House
Location: 124 Bass Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: American
A common theme for restaurants in Holly Springs is excellent sports bars and pubs. Bass Lake Draft House's menu consists of traditional sports bar/pub food, over 30 beers on tap, wine, and weekday specials.
Best known for its comfort food, fantastic service, and convenient location, this is a great place to eat any day of the week. Fan favorites include French dip, Smoky Mountain chicken, and chicken bites. It is a must-try if you're stopping for a drink after a long day or grabbing a quick bite to eat.
10. Pimiento Tea Room
Location: 200 N Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Southern
Pimiento Tea Room is a charming establishment that offers traditional Southern cuisine in an elegant tea room setting. It's become a Holly Springs local favorite. Specializing in Southern classic dishes, formal afternoon tea service, and special occasion dining, this tea room offers a unique experience in the area.
Great for lunch with friends or a birthday celebration, their homemade pimiento cheese (the restaurant's namesake) has developed a devoted local following. Offering a rotating seasonal menu of food, teas, and cocktails, there is always something new to try when dining here.
11. Bep Vietnamese Kitchen
Location: 300 S Main St, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Pho
Bep Vietnamese Kitchen brings authentic Vietnamese flavors to Holly Springs with traditional preparations of pho, banh mi, and other Vietnamese classics. The restaurant offers Southeast Asian cuisine previously unavailable in the area.
This casual eatery is located on Main Street in downtown Holly Springs and is a must-visit for authentic Vietnamese dishes and boba drinks. Their pho bowls are particularly popular during cooler months, while their fresh spring rolls provide lighter options for warmer weather.
12. Manhattan Pizza
Location: 305 Matthews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Pizza
Are you craving a slice of pizza? Look no further than Manhattan Pizza in Holly Springs, which features a menu of inventive pies and build-your-own options.
The dream of Manhattan Pizza didn't happen overnight. Owners and brothers Jack and Essa wanted to create a fun environment for customers with delicious pizza that everyone could enjoy.
The dream was born from the deli and pizzeria stores in Brooklyn, Queens, and Long Island. Living there, they saw that everyone was welcome to drop in and grab a slice of pizza, which they brought to the Triangle area.
Manhattan Pizza has award-winning customer service that keeps the customers happy. The menu includes pizzas, pasta, subs and burgers, salads, and desserts.
13. Aye! Toro Tacos & Tequila
Location: 303 Matthews Dr, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Mexican
Aye! Toro Tacos and Tequila is a family-friendly Mexican restaurant in Holly Springs that offers authentic flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. Its extensive menu goes well beyond typical Tex-Mex dishes.
Featuring fajitas, specialty tacos like Tacos Al Pastor, and their signature Toro Tacos, Aye! Toro offers both traditional Mexican dishes and creative fusion options.
The restaurant also features elote loco (street corn) and maintains gluten-free options for those with dietary restrictions. With multiple locations throughout the Triangle, the Holly Springs location has quickly become a local favorite.
14. Smashed - Burgers and Cocktails
Location: 242 S Main St, Suite 118, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: American
Located in the heart of downtown Holly Springs at Town Hall Commons, Smashed Burgers and Cocktails is a local family-owned restaurant that specializes in fresh, juicy, and delicious burgers. It uses the popular "smashed" cooking technique, which creates perfectly crispy edges and juicy centers.
Their menu features creative burger combinations and craft cocktails that set them apart from other burger joints. Open for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, this is the perfect spot for quick meals with the family and evening drinks with friends.
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15. Cristo's Bistro
Location: 5217 Sunset Lake Rd, Holly Springs, NC 27540
Cuisine: Italian
Cristo's Bistro serves some of the best pasta and hand-tossed pizza in Holly Springs. This beloved Italian restaurant in Sunset Lake Commons offers both dine-in and takeout options and is a must-visit for delicious food and friendly service.
Established in 2017, Cristo's is a highly rated neighborhood dinner restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating options. The Grandma Pizza is a popular menu item.
Methodology
Factors such as local experience, cuisine type, menu items, awards, reviews, and ratings were considered when determining the best places to eat in Holly Springs, NC.
FAQs
Does Holly Springs, NC have a downtown?
Yes, Holly Springs has a thriving and lively downtown area that is full of locally owned restaurants, boutiques, yoga studios, ice cream shops, and wine bars.
What is the median household income in Holly Springs, NC?
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income in Holly Springs, NC, is $132,425.
Is it expensive to live in Holly Springs, NC?
Holly Springs has a cost of living that is 4% higher than the national average and housing costs in particular are 7% higher.
Planning Your Holly Springs Food Adventure
Whether you are a long time resident or considering making Holly Springs your new home, the diverse restaurant scene offers something new for everyone. From quick casual meals to special occasion dining, these 15 top-rated restaurants represent the best of what this growing community has to offer.
Main Street is always buzzing with activity and the walkable downtown area makes it easy to explore multiple dining options. Several popular restaurants are located within a few blocks of each other. This concentration of dining options makes Holly Springs an excellent choice for food lovers looking for small-town charm with big-city dining variety.
If you are ready to enjoy all these incredible dining options, contact the experts at Raleigh Realty today to explore available properties in this thriving community. Our experienced agents know the area well and can help you find your perfect home.
