Nestled within the piney landscape of Southern Pines, Highland Trails is a neighborhood that delights not just with its scenic trails and neighborly feel, but also with its surprisingly rich and varied food scene. Whether you’re a curious newcomer or a longtime resident looking to rediscover your own backyard, Highland Trails serves up memorable bites in welcoming settings — from buzzing breakfast nooks to bold, inventive eateries. Read on for a comprehensive guide to the best dining experiences, hidden gems, and can’t-miss food traditions Highland Trails has to offer.
Cafés & Breakfast Spots: The Perfect Morning Starts Here
Highland Trails boasts several breakfast treasures, each with its own devoted following. Try an early morning stop at Pinecone Café, the spot locals flock to for their fluffy buttermilk biscuits, hearty seasonal omelets, and artisan coffee. Tucked conveniently near the intersection of Pinehurst Avenue and Foxcroft Road, Pinecone Café’s cozy vibe and kid-friendly menu make it a top choice for families and solo caffeine seekers alike. Breakfast items run between $6 and $15.
Another strong contender is Sundial Roasters, a small-batch coffee house and bakery on Plantation Drive. Famous for their locally roasted beans and melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon rolls, Sundial is often abuzz with Highland Trails neighbors catching up. Try their specialty: a rosemary sea-salt latte and a slice of banana bread. Prices here range from $3 for pastries up to $12 for a full breakfast.
Midday Munchies: Lunch & Beyond
Once lunchtime rolls around, Highland Trails shines with a variety of approachable yet admirable eats. Trailside Deli & Grill on Broad Street draws consistent crowds for its New York-style sandwiches and innovative salads. Favorites include the Highland Turkey Club (turkey, avocado, and house-made chipotle mayo on sourdough) as well as the “South Pines Melt” packed with BBQ brisket and sharp cheddar. Most lunch entrees cost between $9 and $18.
For a lighter or quicker option, visit Garden Table, located near the Laurel Ridge park entrance. This bright, modern café is a salad-lover’s paradise, featuring fresh, rotating veggies and protein add-ons. Their Asian-inspired rice bowls and daily soup specials are hits as well. Menu prices have a healthy range, from $8 for a hearty soup to $14 for salad bowls.
Dinner Delights: Flavor Forward Favorites
Dinnertime in Highland Trails is full of character, with a variety of full-service restaurants offering everything from casual comfort food to upscale dining. Maple & Main Bistro, sitting pretty at the corner of Main Street and Spruce Lane, is a local darling. Here, chef-driven Southern classics — think shrimp and grits, blackened catfish, and bourbon bread pudding — earn rave reviews for both their presentation and flavor. Diners love the farm-to-table philosophy underpinning the menu, with most entrees falling between $18 and $32.
For an eclectic twist, La Vida Local Cantina brings a fusion of Tex-Mex and Southern Pines flair just two blocks down from Foxcroft Road. Their smoked chicken enchiladas and brisket tacos come highly recommended, as does their lively, margarita-fueled patio scene. Prices for mains are generally $14 to $22, with generous happy hour specials.
Sweet Treats & Bakeries: Sugar, Spice, and Everything Nice
No Highland Trails dining guide is complete without a nod to its stellar bakeries and dessert stops. Ginger Lane Bakehouse, set in a charming brick-front building on Highland Trail proper, is a must-visit for those craving nostalgia-inducing sweets. Owner and pastry chef Ellie May specializes in fruit-forward pies made with local produce, plus imaginative cupcakes and gluten-free treats. Sweets here run from $3 to $7.
For ice cream and more, check out Twisted Pines Creamery, a whimsical ice cream parlor on the corner of Spruce Lane and Laurel Ridge Drive. With rotating flavors like bourbon pecan and honey lavender, it’s a favorite for after-dinner walks and weekend family outings.
Food Trucks: Street Eats, Highland Trails Style
The Highland Trails community loves a good food truck rally, often held on Fridays near the neighborhood’s common green. Standouts include:
- Rolling Roots: A plant-based truck serving up jackfruit tacos, black bean burgers, and loaded veggie fries — all bursting with flavor, and prices ranging from $6 to $13.
- Highland Barbecue Co.: Their pulled pork sandwiches and smoked mac ‘n cheese routinely draw lines down the block. Plates average $9 to $15.
- Crepes on Wheels: Bringing European street food charm to Southern Pines, their sweet and savory crepes are perennial favorites, with combos like brie, apple, and honey or Nutella-banana.
Local Food Traditions: More Than a Meal
Highland Trails’ community spirit is on full display during its annual “Taste of the Trails” festival, where area chefs and home cooks alike come together for a day of tastings and friendly cook-offs, spanning everything from barbecue and chili to pies and jams. It’s a fantastic way to mingle and sample the full spectrum of Highland Trails’ culinary creativity.
Hidden Gems: Don’t Miss These Local Secrets
- Sabroso Sabor Latin Market & Deli: Small but mighty, this tucked-away spot on Laurel Ridge offers authentic Latin American snacks, house-made empanadas, and spicy salsas not found elsewhere in Southern Pines.
- The Porch Taproom & Eatery: While more known for craft beers, The Porch also excels at elevated pub fare — locals recommend their Korean fried chicken sandwich and homemade pickles.
- Prairie Pantry: Set inside a vintage home on Pinehurst Avenue, Prairie Pantry doubles as a specialty grocer and lunch counter, selling artisanal cheeses, local honey, gourmet sandwiches, and made-to-order charcuterie boards.
Where to Find the Action: Dining Clusters
For visitors and residents seeking a walkable feast, the intersection of Spruce Lane and Main Street is a hotbed of activity with Maple & Main Bistro, Twisted Pines Creamery, and The Porch Taproom & Eatery just steps apart. Foxcroft Road also offers a handful of casual café options and food trucks parked during lunch hours.
Why Highland Trails is a Food Scene Worth Exploring
Highland Trails may not have the big-city volume of restaurants, but its food scene is saturated with character, neighborly warmth, and the passionate handiwork of chefs, bakers, and food truckers who love to feed their community. Between the creative comfort food, inventive fusion cuisine, charming bakeries, and lively local traditions, this is one part of Southern Pines every foodie absolutely needs to put on their map.
No matter your tastes or budget, dining in Highland Trails guarantees a delicious adventure — and perhaps a few new friends along the way.