Celebrities who have dined at Fayetteville restaurants over the years

Famous musicians, athletes, actors, comedians and politicians have found their way to Fayetteville over the years.

But where do celebrities eat in the All-American City?

Several high-profile people have been spotted at local restaurants in the last two decades. While some eateries have closed their doors, others are still in business.

From a longtime barbecue spot to a short-lived sports bar, here’s a look at where celebrities and other well-known people have eaten in Fayetteville.

The MacPherson House

Actor Will Ferrell stayed at The MacPherson House in October 2022. During his stay, the comedian ate breakfast at the bed and breakfast on Hay Street.

Actor Jake McDorman stayed and ate breakfast at The MacPherson House in September 2023.

Third Base Restaurant and Bar

In 2018, comedian Bill Murray ordered a Cheerwine soda, two orders of onion rings, fries and a hamburger with bacon and a fried egg at Third Base Restaurant and Bar downtown, which is now closed. He had stopped in Fayetteville to check out the construction of Segra Stadium.

The Sweet Palette

HGTV’s “My Lottery Dream Home” host David Bromstad ate macarons at The Sweet Palette in March 2022. The show filmed a scene for an episode featuring a Fayetteville lottery winner at the downtown bakery.

Vick's Drive-In

In a 2021 interview, rapper J. Cole shouted out the former Vick’s Drive-In, which closed in 2014. The Fayetteville native has been spotted around the city several times over the years.

Big Apple Restaurant & Sports Pub

In a September 2005 episode of E! reality series “The Girls Next Door,” Hugh Hefner’s girlfriend Bridget Marquardt visited her brother Eddie, who was stationed at Fort Liberty at the time, at Big Apple restaurant on Yadkin Road.

Army dining facilities

This one isn’t a restaurant: Then-president George W. Bush ate at an 82nd Airborne dining facility in July 2006.

Cape Fear Bar-B-Que & Chicken

In 2008, then-presidential candidate Barack Obama stopped by Cape Fear Bar-B-Que & Chicken. He ordered a fried chicken breast plate with collard greens, beans and chicken wings to-go before his rally at the Crown Coliseum. The Grove Street restaurant closed last year.

Robertson's Sandwich Shop

Robertson's Sandwich Shop on Bragg Boulevard has served well-known guests like Pauly Shore, a comedian who ordered a club sandwich after performing at former Fayetteville comedy club ITZ; Chelsea Scott Cooley Altman, a North Carolina native who held the Miss USA 2005 title; NFL player William David "Dee" Hardison; and Detroit Lions player and E.E. Smith graduate Larry Tearry, owner Frank Fernandez told The Fayetteville Observer last year.

Food, dining and culture reporter Taylor Shook can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook. Want weekly food news delivered to your inbox? Sign up for the Fayetteville Foodies newsletter.