Raleigh: Bites
One of the many things that I love about Raleigh is the amazing food scene. I have definitely eaten my way around the city for the past 9 years of living here, but my list to check off is always growing. Below are my recommendations for dining in the City of Oaks.
Click on the photo below of the cuisine that you are craving or just keep on scrolling for the full list :)
American
RH Rooftop at Restoration Hardware Raleigh
Why I love it: Scott Crawford-owned restaurant, modern menu, located in Historic Oakwood
$$$
Why I love it: French-inspired American restaurant, the dirty martinis and cheeseburgers are everything
$$
RH Rooftop at Restoration Hardware Raleigh
Why I love it: Gorgeous aesthetic, indoor/outdoor rooftop dining, indoor bar
$$$
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern
(fine dining!)
Why I love it: Located in a gorgeous historic, circa-1879 empire-styled house, a special occasion spot
$$$$
Brewpub
(rooftop!)
Why I love it: Downtown rooftop, casual, live music, historic building, not your average bar food
$$
Why I love it: The Standard SMASHBURGERS, delicious cocktails, outside patio, easy for a large group gathering, indoor/outdoor, pet friendly, baby friendly
$$
Why I love it: The outdoor patio is a vibe w/a view of downtown, the dill pickle pimento cheese, the deviled eggs, the seasonal featured cocktails, located on the edge of Historic Boylan Heights
$
Café
Hayes Barton Café & Dessertery
Why I love it: Vintage 40s-inspired diner, cakes are out of this world, shared space with the original Hayes Barton Pharmacy, a local neighborhood spot in historic Five Points
$$
Why I love it: Hidden gem, yummy deli sandwiches & soups, local neighborhood spot in Historic Oakwood
$$
Why I love it: Casual indoor/outdoor dining, the chicken caesar wrap, the daily soup menu
$$
Small Plates
Why I love it: Modern-day speakeasy, swanky, fun cocktails in beautiful glasses, the blistered shishito peppers & the gnocchi
$$
(rooftop!)
Why I love it: Downtown rooftop, swanky, fireplaces & couches give it a lounge feel
$$
(rooftop!)
Why I love it: Downtown rooftop, the boozy popsicles
$$
Steakhouse
Why I love it: Magically decorated at Christmastime, large menu, special occasion place, great for a big group
$$$$
Southern Kitchen
Why I love it: Ashley Christensen-owned restaurant, family recipes incorporated into the menu
$$
Why I love it: Southern bistro, farm-fresh local menu, brunch & dinner are equally as fire, the shrimp & grits (pictured above)
$$$
Why I love it: Originally a Piggly Wiggly supermarket, casual, gift shop & eatery
$$
Why I love it: Ashley Christensen-owned restaurant & crowd favorite, a restored classic diner, delicious brunch menu
$$
Asian
David’s Dumplings & Noodle Bar
Why I love it: Vietnamese, Chinese & Malaysian special soups, small plates, various dumpling options
$$
Why I love it: 2 locations - Raleigh & Durham, pretty cocktails, Asian classic dishes
$$$
(small plates!)
Why I love it: Walk-ins welcome, the seared tuna & the pad thai are unreal, espresso martinis come in a fabulous stainless steel glass, Asian/American menu, cozy, date night vibes
$$
Pan-Asian
Why I love it: Woman-owned (ladies behind Pho-Nominal Dumpling Truck), “authentically untraditional”, the garage doors go up when weather permits!
$$
Chinese
Why I love it: The orange & general chicken are absolute fire, the best deal in town
$
Greek
Why I love it: It has a little bit of everything: a bakery, coffee and cocktail bar, prepared foods, everyday and gourmet goods, and retail wine. The outdoor seating on the patio is incredible.
$$
Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen & Bar
Why I love it: Downtown rooftop garden, authentic Greek cuisine, perfect for brunch with the girls
$$
French
📸: @_chefleigh
(rooftop!)
Why I love it: Scott Crawford-owned restaurant, French bistro, rooftop garden, lively, perfect for date night or dinner & drinks with the girls, Historic Oakwood
$$$
Neuse River Brewing & Brasserie
Why I love it: European bistro, fun cocktails, local neighborhood spot in Five Points, indoor/outdoor patio
$$
Why I love it: French bistro, beautiful European-style atmosphere, perfect for brunch with the girls
$$
Italian
Why I love it: My favorite Italian restaurant in Raleigh, located in a historic building, at the heart of Downtown
$$
Why I love it: Swanky, sister restaurant to Cucciolo Osteria
$$$
Why I love it: European feel, outdoor patio w/pool
$$
Pizza
Why I love it: Swanky Italian pizzeria in North Hills, a Giorgio Bakatsias restaurant, the Burrata, the Fritto Mistro, the Margherita + Tre Pepperoni pizza
$$$
Why I love it: Gourmet pizza, takeout only
$$
Why I love it: The Nonna, casual spot, located in Historic Five Points
$$
Why I love it: Square pizza, located in Historic Oakwood
$$
Sushi
Why I love it: Located in City Market on a historic cobblestone-lined street, amazing menu, moody atmosphere
$$
Why I love it: Roll specials - 3 for $35, 5 for $55, free edamame if you dine in, hands down favorite sushi in Raleigh
$$
Why I love it: It’s chic, delicious, and owned by KAI Sushi
$$$
Ramen
Why I love it: Made-from-scratch authentic ramen & small plates from Izakaya bar, trendy atmosphere
$$
Laotian
Why I love it: Sister to Brewery Bhavana, moody atmosphere, great cocktails, perfect for any occasion
$$
Why I love it: Sister to Bida Manda, the aesthetic is such a vibe - the white marble bar is stunning, the tall curtains & lighting fixtures are gorgeous. It is a library, book store, brewery, flower shop & restaurant in one; the dim sum (especially bao buns…chef’s kiss!) Literally perfect for any occasion
$$
Mediterranean
📸: @amieself
Why I love it: The aesthetic, the “Tomato Plate” , the outdoor patio, the overall vibes
$$
Why I love it: The artwork, the aesthetic, the “Charred Octopus”, the gorgeous bar
$$$
Why I love it: The outdoor European inspired patio, the cozy, moody vibe inside, the modern furniture & chic decor
$$
Mexican
Why I love it: Eclectic atmosphere, mezcal bar (Gallo Pelon) located upstairs
$$
Why I love it: The casual atmosphere, the guac, the cilantro lime rice, the signature sauces, the ACP, literally everything
$$
Why I love it: The “Goat Cheese Guac”, the “Pineapple-Habanero Guac”, the “Pineapple-Jalapeño Margarita”
$$
Why I love it: The Merchant (a speakeasy) is next door, fun specialty cocktails - especially the ones they make spicy :) dim lighting & lively music
$$
New American
Why I love it: Hip, eclectic space & menu, special occasion place
$$$
(fine dining!)
Why I love it: Swanky, Ashley Christiansen-owned restaurant, special occasion spot, wood-fire dishes
$$$
Why I love it: New-Orleans inspired kitchen, the Smoked Deviled Eggs & Ricotta Gnocchi, the cozy atmosphere
$$
Why I love it: modern European feel - Rosewater views its restaurant as the interpretation of the never-ending, always evolving garden party (which is fabulous), brunch & dinner both are amazing, no matter where you sit it’s beautiful
$$
Why I love it: the craft cocktails are made with w/artisanal ice by an Ice Chef, great for large groups, indoor/outdoor patio dining, live music
$$
Seafood
Why I love it: Tropical vibes, seafood w/Mexican flare, fun cocktails, ceviche, new sister cocktail bar & musician garden located upstairs - Cuya
$$
Why I love it: New Orleans-inspired menu & atmosphere, frequent Topsail Island oysters (my heart!)
$$
Spanish
Tapas
Why I love it: Cozy but lively environment, Downtown
$$
New! Haven’t dined at yet, but it’s on my list :)
A Little Bit of Everything
Why I love it: Great group setting spot, outdoor patio, something for everyone, Warehouse District
$$
Why I love it: Great group setting spot, outdoor patio, spaces to work upstairs, something for everyone
$$
(market & eatery)
Why I love it: homemade sandwiches & sides, full-service bar, market, gift shop, frozen gourmet meals - especially the enchiladas
