Despite the city’s abundance of talented, James Beard award-recognized chefs, Raleigh’s food scene is only just beginning to receive the national attention it deserves, slowly but surely gaining the kind of prominence usually saved for other Southern cities like Nashville, Atlanta and Charleston.
In the last decade, an influx of transplants and locals alike have embraced the city’s urban-rural duality, imbuing the dining industry with tastes seamlessly merging their own culinary backgrounds and traditional Southern flavors. Much of the work by the local chefs and restaurateurs has also ended up revitalizing and reshaping historic buildings downtown to fit their needs, crafting buzzworthy eateries in captivating, visually intriguing locales. So, when considering what to do in Raleigh, where to eat should top your list. To help you out, we present to you our well-curated list of 10 best restaurants in Raleigh.
1. Crawford & Son
What is it: Chef Scott Crawford honed his chops working at the beloved Herons Restaurant at the Umstead Hotel & Spa and, more recently, Standard Foods. In late 2016, he opened his own eatery in the Person St. neighborhood of Raleigh, just around the corner from Standard Foods.
Why go: Chef Crawford has time and time again proven himself worthy of the praise he’s received, and Crawford & Son is no different: there’s just nothing else like it around. The food is just as good as his previous ventures, but instead of feeling like a stuffy, formal affair, it’s comfortable—cozy, even. It is precisely the “casual neighborhood restaurant” Crawford looked for to create when he struck out on his claim. The yellowtail crudo, now a staple on the seasonal menu, is essential, but don’t sleep on the simple but perfect warm malted wheat rolls with that hickory butter. (And get more than one order, you’ll thank us later.)
Price: Blowout
2. Poole’s
What is it: A contemporary diner with hip, of-the-moment comfort food, Poole’s is helmed by multiple James Beard award-nominee (and winner, for Best Chef: Southeast) Ashley Christensen, the mother of the modern Raleigh restaurant scene.
Why go: If you were to ask us how many types of cheese it would take to reach nirvana, we would tell you resolutely, without hesitation: three. Three decadent, delicious, expertly combined cheeses, plus some pasta, a little cream and a pinch of salt. (Grana Padano, Jarlsberg and sharp cheddar, if you're wondering.) There’s a reason the most requested dish on the menu at Poole’s is also one of the few consistently available. While the dishes at Poole’s are seasonal, showcasing Christensen’s impeccable ability to marry fresh, local ingredients with unique, Southern-inspired classics, the macaroni au gratin is the standard-bearer of side orders. It’s truly worth every creamy, crunchy, cheesy bite—extravagance be damned. Grab a seat at one of the two horseshoe-shaped counters for an intimate diner-esque experience—and the best unobstructed view of the rotating chalkboard menus.
Price: Pricey
3. Brewery Bhavana
What is it: Brewery, dim sum, book and flower shop: Brewery Bhavana is a modern-day urban bazaar in the heart of Raleigh.
Why go: Dim sum—and then some. Brewery Bhavana excels at dim sum—the seafood dumplings, peking duck and Xiao Long Bao soup dumplings are absolutely can’t-miss—but where this unique and highly lauded Raleigh newcomer shines is in its multi-faceted concept. With a bookstore, flower shop, restaurant and brewery all under one beautiful, airy roof, the project is as ambitious as it is exceptional. Marvel at the white granite tap wall, featuring an impressive 40 house and local brews, and relax under the skylight in the garden area with a good book from the in-house library. (Bida Manda, the next door sister Laotian restaurant, is also worth a visit.)
Price: Pricey
4. Garland
What is it: The menu at Garland focuses on the spice-driven flavors of Indian and Asian cuisines, crafting unique dishes that bridge the divide between traditional Asian food and Southern flair.
Why go: Owner and head cook Cheetie Kumar is a rock star. Yes, she’s a James Beard award-nominated, rock star chef—but she’s also an actual rock star, touring and recording with her band, Birds of Avalon. Her menu at Garland shows off both these sensibilities alongside her multinational background, doling out Indian and Asian foods bursting with Southern touches. Everything about Garland is charming, from the exciting mix of foods to the eclectic furnishings and even its location, sandwiched between local favorites Kings, a funky bar and music venue, and Neptune’s Parlour, an old-school underground bar decked out with classic video game consoles.
Price: Pricey
5. Cortez
What is it: Delicious seafood that takes inspiration from Mexican and American cooking.
Why go: With fresh catches delivered directly from the Carolina coast, this is as close to seaside eating as you can get in this landlocked city. The oysters are a good place to start, especially if you're there between 5pm and 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday as they're only a buck each. Try them baked or slurp ’em down as is. Cortez's ceviche varieties are worth a dabble, as are the selection of small plates, which are perfect for sharing when you just can't make up your mind.
Price: Pricey
6. Oakwood Pizza Box
What is it: Local pizzeria with stacks of charm and unbeatable pizzas by the slice.
Why go: The pies are 18 inches wide with crusts robust enough to stretch the distance and carry the toppings without getting soggy. The homemade sauce, which toes the line deliciously between sweet and savory, is the secret to Oakwood's success. That and the variety of toppings you can add to the slices: meatballs, sausage, bacon, olives, cremini mushrooms, peppers…
Price: Average
7. MOFU Shoppe
What is it: In the last five years, the Triangle’s food truck scene has exploded and few have received as much praise or attention as Pho Nomenal Dumpling Truck, winner of the 2015 Food Network Great Food Truck Race. The truck, slinging dumplings, drool-worthy cheerwine bulgogi sloppy Joes, bubble tea and more, has become a fixture at regional food truck rodeos and the like, and the owners have since expanded their efforts to a brick-and-mortar shop in downtown Raleigh’s City Market. Founded on the Pho Nomenal team’s Food Network winnings, MOFU Shoppe’s menu draws from diverse, creative sources, including the stellar team assembled to get the effort off the ground.
Why go: The Vietnamese coffee mousse dessert is reason enough to check out MOFU Shoppe, but the ambiance is a nice added bonus. The updated car dealership retains its charming garage doors, making it the supreme spot to enjoy a summer dinner. The dumplings are, of course, worthy of an order or two, but don’t skimp on the honey Sriracha Brussels sprouts with pork belly, either.
Price: Pricey
8. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
What is it: Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern, housed in a late 19th century home in downtown Raleigh, is the quintessential fine dining establishment. Its menu is largely contemporary American, inspired by French cuisine with a decidedly Southern twist.
Why go: If you’re celebrating an extra-special occasion or trying to impress a more traditional palate, you can’t go wrong with Second Empire. The space, inside the historic and fully restored Victorian Dodd-Hinsdale House, is impeccably polished, as is the menu. The food is elegant and the venue unique, making your meal feel like an intimate, lavish dinner party at one of Raleigh’s nicest classic homes.
Price: Blowout
9. Fiction Kitchen
What is it: A wholly vegetarian menu full of Southern goodness.
Why go: Much of the menu at Fiction Kitchen is vegan – and where it isn't, it's vegetarian – so if you're the kind of person who has meat in every meal, maybe this isn't the place for you. However, if you're either of the veggie persuasion or adventurous, then embark on a culinary journey at this joint. The filling meals, which are all locally sourced, are packed with flavor, and there are even meat equivalents, such as the crispy fried "chicken" and waffles, for a true Southern take on vegging out.
Price: Average
10. St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar
What is it: Oysters and Southern gems come together at St Roch.
Why go: Considering Raleigh's distance from the ocean, there are a wealth of restaurants in which to get oysters, but St. Roch is one of the best. New Orleans native Sunny Gerhart, who runs the place, sets this deliciously slippery, salty mollusc centre stage, adding simply a few complimentary accompaniments. Get them for a buck each during the midweek happy hours. Alternatively, explore the Southern options on the menu, which include bowls of beignets, hushpuppiesand beets.
Price: Pricey
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