Proving you needn’t leave the suburbs for first-rate food, Holly Springs (located southeast of North Carolina’s capital Raleigh) is home to a small but diverse dining scene. Whether locally brewed beers teamed with farm-to-table fare or fiery Thai appeals to you, our Holly Springs dining guide has you covered.
Opened by owners Justin and Sarah Hummel in 2013, Sip Bistro is a relaxed, stylish joint offering European-style bistro ambience and American and Mediterranean-inspired eats. Justin, who heads up Sip Bistro’s kitchen, crafts varied menus that transition from hearty breakfasts (the Fireman’s breakfast of espresso-rubbed pork loin, eggs, bacon and hash browns is a guest favorite) to gourmet sandwiches at lunchtime and to tempting small plates and sharing platters in the evening. The owners are also sommeliers; therefore, guests can expect an impressive wine list featuring both Old and New World vineyards as well as a number of locally brewed crafts beers.
Perfect for beer lovers and sports fans alike, Bass Lake Draft House is a laid-back restaurant and bar specializing in American pub food and craft beer. Comfort food eats dominate the menu (think bacon meatloaf with stout gravy and garlic whipped potatoes or Calabash-style breaded shrimp with Asian slaw and cocktail sauce). The weekend brunch menu features dishes like pancakes, omelets and breakfast burritos. Amongst the 34 beers on tap, guests will find craft beers from across the US and a good few locally brewed selections from the likes of Lonerider Brewery in neighboring Raleigh.
A family-friendly eatery offering a wide selection of pizzas and other Italian and American eats, ACME Pizza Co is an ideal destination for a relaxed, casual meal. Choose from Chicago-style, thin hand-tossed and gluten-free pizzas or opt for one of ACME’s specialty pizzas like the Meat Head (pepperoni, sweet Italian sausage, sliced meatballs, crumbled bacon and mozzarella) or the BBQ (smoky BBQ-coated grilled chicken breast, mozzarella, red onion and house-made tomato sauce). Salads, pasta, sandwiches and burgers are also served alongside 12 beers on tap, including a number of locally brewed options.
With one of the widest selections of sushi in town, served up alongside Japanese-style steaks and seafood, Nara is perfect for diners looking for something a little out of the ordinary. Guests can choose from a range of nigiri, sashimi, cucumber-wrapped rolls and maki-style rolls or opt for one of Nara’s own signature rolls like the Heaven Special (soft shell crab, scallops and cucumber topped with smoked eel, boiled shrimp and avocado with a spicy eel sauce). For bigger plates, entrées include the likes of teriyaki-style steak and grilled sea bass with signature hibachi sauce. As for drinks, a cup of hot or cold sake makes the perfect accompaniment to Nara’s cuisine.
The Mason Jar Tavern is a hip, laid-back neighborhood pub located at Holly Springs Towne Center and is described by owners Jonathan and Maggie Pierce as offering ‘all the comforts of southern hospitality with a modern twist.’ Dishes like pan-seared sea scallops are updated with edamame succotash and parsnip purée, and North Carolina trout is given an Italian twist with parmesan risotto and sautéed shoestring veggies. An extensive craft beer list is also available, featuring plenty of locally brewed offerings perfect for washing down The Mason Jar Tavern’s comfort food eats.
For a taste of the exotic in Holly Springs, head to Thai Thai Cuisine, a small, family-run restaurant specializing in authentic, home-cooked Thai food. There’s plenty of small plates to whet the appetite from chicken satay to steamed shrimp and pork dumplings plus a number of soups and salads. Main course offerings include a range of noodle, fried rice and stir-fry dishes, while fans of spicy fare will love Thai Thai Cuisine’s fiery red and green curries, thankfully, authentic Thai bottled beer is on hand to soothe the burn. Chef specials are also featured, with dishes like roasted duck curry and deep-fried tilapia panang.
Born of its owners Regan and Dawn Stachler’s passion for sustainable, seasonal and artisanal cuisine, Little Hen is a farm-to-table restaurant serving New American fare crafted from North Carolina-grown produce. Its ethos extends to its decor too; a gorgeous dining room decorated in the style of a modern farmhouse welcomes guests to try creative dishes like saffron and semolina pasta with braised pork, peppers, onions, arugula and pecorino or pan-seared North Carolina snapper and crispy fried shrimp with a salad of green beans, toasted peanuts, scallions, carrot and cilantro. As for drinks, guests can expect world-class wines, craft cocktails and locally brewed beers.
SiHomegrown Pizza has earned itself a loyal following who regularly hail its pizzas as the best in town. The casual, family-owned and operated joint lets guests build their own pizzas from a variety of toppings or choose from a number of specialty pies like the Greek (roasted garlic spread, Portobello and button mushrooms, black olives, onions, tomato, green peppers, pepperoncini, feta and mozzarella). Beyond its popular pies, Homegrown Pizza also serves plenty of small bites, sandwiches, salads and burgers alongside entrées such as pasta with meatballs or North Carolina BBQ pork.
Owner Andrew Stafford calls My Way Tavern a ‘neighborhood retreat,’ and with its combination of craft beers and comfort food, it’s certainly one of the best local options for a fun, relaxed evening with friends. A menu packed with tasty all-American eats, from burgers and hot dogs to sandwiches and eight different types of mac ‘n’ cheese, will leave guests spoilt for choice. My Way Tavern’s signature dishes, including the slow-cooked, red zinfandel-braised short ribs, are worth a try too. Of its 14 draft beers, 11 are brewed in North Carolina, including offerings from the likes of Holly Spring’s own Carolina Brewing Company and Foothills Brewing in Winston-Salem.
Got a hankering for hearty Italian fare? Then look no further than Ricci’s Pizzeria, a casual, family-friendly joint located at the Sunset Lake Commons shopping center. As its name might suggest, the main event at Ricci’s are its pizzas, and beyond New York and Sicilian-style pies, guests can choose from 12 specialty pies including stuffed meat or chicken marsala. If pizza doesn’t take your fancy, appetizers like fried calamari and Ricci’s much-loved garlic knots and entrées such as chicken parmigiana topped with house-made marinara and melted mozzarella and penne alla vodka with plum tomatoes, onion and prosciutto are also available.
