This column first appeared in CityView magazine’s October 2026 edition.
If there’s one thing everyone in Fayetteville agrees on, it’s a love of food and drink. Our dining issue reflects that.
The ongoing inside joke in our family—whenever we’ve had a long day or can’t generate the energy to cook at home—is the proclamation: “Let’s eat something delicious.”
That’s code for, “Tonight, let’s explore some of our city’s diverse and ideally unhealthy restaurant options.”
And Fayetteville always delivers. With more than 400 dining establishments in the area, you could dine for an entire year without repeating an order.
In this issue, we focus on the plethora of international establishments here. Undoubtedly driven by our community’s ever-traveling military population and other factors that make us a melting pot, it’s possible to eat authentic ethnic dishes from around the globe.
For those who prefer to sip rather than sup, Fayetteville’s coffee culture continues to thrive. Not only can you find expertly prepared java at a handful of intimate downtown shops, coffee purveyors offer many themed hangouts. These include places to play board games, fantastic garden views, and an opportunity to hang out with furry friends.
Readers who prefer meals on wheels should check out the growing food truck scene in the area. In addition to one popular hot spot expanding to a new county, mobile kitchen parking areas are popping up around the community. It’s proof some of the most delectable dishes are created in the smallest spaces.
For those who love a home-cooked meal, the future is bright. Douglas Byrd High School’s culinary arts program teaches the next generation of chefs. Not only do they learn about food prep, safety, and kitchen equipment, they create menu items from produce grown at a greenhouse on campus.
We also feature Cape Fear Valley Health System’s clinical trial program, which directly and indirectly saves the lives of those facing serious illness.
Our columnists this month share their experiences with food and the importance of gathering around the table together. One columnist shares her favorite books about chow, while another discusses confronting her greatest fear.
Speaking of spooky, our To-Do List provides a host of fun October events, many of them with a Halloween flare.
You’ll also enjoy photos from the Cumberland County Fair in this month’s Seen @ the Scene section.
Bon Appetit!
