Ditch Netflix: 9 date-worthy restaurants in Fayetteville

There are restaurant lists with rankings, and restaurant lists with a purpose. This list is the latter, because there is no single best place for a dinner date in Fayetteville. There’s only the best for your situation.

It’s helpful to know the vibe, the price point, and the menu before making a reservation. That’s why we put together a list of dinner date spots around Fayetteville to check out based on the kind of experience you want.

From laid-back to upscale, Italian food to sushi, here’s a look at nine recommendations for where to eat and drink for every date night vibe.

Pizza, martinis and dancing: Sky Lounge at Pierro’s Italian Bistro

Pierro’s Italian Bistro on Hay Street serves pizza, pasta, antipasti and dessert. The downtown restaurant has a patio and full bar, and borders on fancy — patrons can wear jeans or dress up. Entrees start at $10.50.

After dinner, guests can drink and dance upstairs at the Sky Lounge, a martini and wine bar only open late Friday and Saturday.

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Sicilian pasta in a cozy atmosphere: Little Italy Pizzeria & Restaurant

Little Italy Pizzeria & Restaurant on Walter Reed Road specializes in steak, pizza, and pasta, including Sicilian-style spaghetti prepared with black olives, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, anchovies, and olive oil. There’s a full bar and a large wine selection. Owner Giuseppe Scibilia immigrated from Sicily at age 17 and opened the family-style restaurant in 2007. Entrees start at $10.

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Old-school steakhouse experience: Chris’s Steakhouse

Chris’s Steakhouse on Raeford Road has served fine cuts of meat cooked over an open charcoal hearth since 1963. Menu items include ribeye, filet mignon, prime rib, salmon, and lobster. The full bar has daily drink specials. Exposed brick and the wood bar add to the old-school vibe. Entrees start at $19.

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Classy night out and great wine: Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar

Luigi’s Italian Chophouse & Bar on North McPherson Church Road is a chic but comfortable joint that has served hand-cut steaks and chops, seafood, and from-scratch pasta since the 1950s. The cocktail menu features a dozen martinis and the wine list is 1500 strong. Entrees start at $12.

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Instagrammable desserts: Caruso Confections & Bistro

Caruso Confections & Bistro on Person Street has served Northern Italian food and confections since 2019 in a quaint but lively setting. The dinner menu has pasta, risotto and pork chops. Customers can indulge in Instagram-worthy pastries, cakes and cocktails inside or on the patio. Entrees start at $21.

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Upscale Southern food, mocktails and cocktails: Circa 1800

Circa 1800 on Person Street serves new American Southern cuisine like shrimp and grits, filet tips and green tomatoes. The family-run restaurant sources ingredients locally, including North Carolina wine and beer. The bar serves non-alcoholic whiskey sours, old-fashioneds, and Tom Collinses, plus barrel-aged cocktails. Entrees start at $23.

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Unpretentious fresh fish and raw oysters: 316 Oyster Bar

316 Oyster Bar on Owen Drive specializes in fried seafood and has a full oyster bar and cocktail bar. The restaurant, which has seating for about 250, typically has five to seven different fish on the menu, which are trucked in daily from the North Carolina coast. Checkered floors, vinyl booths and a lighted bar give it an eclectic vibe. Entrees start at $16.

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Vegan and vegetarian in a hip setting: Blue Moon Cafe

Blue Moon Cafe on Hay Street downtown offers craft tapas, sandwiches and greens in a trendy environment, including a patio. Vegan selections include a heart of palm “crabcake” and a jackfruit barbecue sandwich. Entrees start at $10.

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Sushi, Thai and Vietnamese: Nona Sushi

Nona Sushi Asia on Ramsey Street serves Japanese sushi and Thai and Vietnamese specialties. The menu includes sushi sashimi, nigiri sashimi, maki rolls, vegetable rolls, specialty rolls and the house signature rolls. The restaurant, which also serves beer and wine, opened in 2018. Neutral tones, plants and dim lighting complete the relaxing ambiance. Entrees start at $10.

Food, dining and business reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com. 

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Ditch Netflix: Nine date-worthy restaurants in Fayetteville