The capital of North Carolina offers a variety of cuisines, from locally sourced vegan meals to whole-hog pit-smoked BBQ.
Raleigh has rapidly developed into a culinary mecca. The city is full of cutting-edge eateries, tried-and-true specialties, and cuisine from all over the world thanks to its many award-winning chefs and diverse population. This itinerary contains everything you need, from a substantial breakfast to a decadent meal before attending one of the many artistic events the city hosts to a hike through the gorgeous North Carolina backcountry.
To compile this list of the top restaurants in Raleigh, U.S. News editors looked through hundreds of review websites, including those for the eating, tourism, and restaurant industries. Check out the best restaurants in this area of North Carolina to find what every visitor needs: a delicious meal—or three.
(Note: The COVID-19 epidemic may have an impact on some of the following eateries. There may be new regulations in place, such as those requiring vaccination documentation, capacity limitations, reservation requirements, or mask requirements. Before going, look at the establishment’s website.)
Raleigh’s Top Restaurants:
• Barn, Angus
• Glenwood Restaurant
• The Dodd-Hinsdale House’s Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Large Ed’s
• Morgan Street Eatery
• Char-Grill
Kitchen Fiction
Bida Manda •
• St. Jacques French Food
Raleigh Neomonde Mediterranean
• Sitti
• Tacos Gonza y Tequila
• Winston’s Restaurant
• Irrespective Café
• The Cowfish Burger and Sushi Bar
This Pit
Café Barry’s
• Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar on 42nd St.
• Pie from Poole’side
A. G. Barn
Entree price range: $31 to $107
The 1960-built Angus Barn has a longstanding reputation in Raleigh as a “beef-eaters sanctuary.” It is easy to understand how this restaurant got its moniker as it serves close to 20,000 steaks each month. Customers at this upscale restaurant can pick from nine different steaks, each well grilled and served with traditional steakhouse sides. Angus Barn has been around for more than 60 years and has expanded to accommodate more of the Raleigh community by providing seafood meals and even some vegetarian alternatives. Recent visitors praise the excellently grilled steaks at Angus Barn, but they are even more impressed with the staff: Customers of all sizes, from lone diners to parties of 25 people, gush about the staff’s responsiveness, professionalism, and friendliness. Visitors are urged to wear at least business casual, but are encouraged to dress as nicely as they’d like. This place is highly recommended for special occasions and has a dress code to match.
Glenwood Kitchen
Entree prices range from $14 to $17 for lunch and $18 to $35 for dinner.
Visit Glenwood Grill for a sample of seafood dishes with a Southern flair. In this farm-to-table establishment, the food is sourced locally and regionally and is influenced by the American South and the coastal Carolinas. Recent visitors exclaim how wonderful the service is and how good the meal is. The extensive wine list at Glenwood Grill ensures the ideal combination with any of its delectable dishes. Customers praise this fine dining business as a terrific place for a special occasion supper or date night. While there aren’t many vegetarian options at Glenwood Grill, those who enjoy seafood and pork will have plenty of choices. Recent travelers were particularly fond of lamb dishes.
Restaurant and Tavern Second Empire at the Dodd-Hinsdale House
Entree price range: $26 to $43
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is housed in the famed Dodd-Hinsdale House, which is situated in the heart of Raleigh. The Second Empire Victorian-style house, which has been wonderfully restored, was initially constructed in 1871 for Mayor William H. Dodd and afterwards belonged to the Hinsdale family for more than 80 years. The mansion has been converted into one of the most distinctive fine dining establishments in the neighborhood today. The home’s original exterior, heart pine flooring, brick walls, doors, and windows are all still present. The interior of the house has been renovated into two large dining rooms while retaining much of its original charm. The Tavern and Atrium Room of the Dodd-Hinsdale House are also excellent options for those seeking to savor the outstanding cuisine in a more relaxed setting.
The chef-driven menu comprises gourmet dishes produced with local, fresh seasonal ingredients and changes seasonally. Recent customers gush about the creative menu items, from the appetizers to the desserts and all in between. The restaurant’s superb personnel and warm ambiance are also highly praised by patrons. All visitors are encouraged to make appointments at Second Empire Restaurant, although they are not necessary unless you want to sit at the exclusive Chef’s Table. A small group can dine in the kitchen with chef Daniel Schurr as part of this personalized experience, which also includes a specially created cuisine with wine pairings.
Large Ed’s
Entree price range: $10 to $15
Since 1989, Big Ed’s has been a mainstay of Raleigh City Market in downtown, and it’s easy to understand why. Big Ed’s country breakfasts, according to tourists, are comfort food at its finest with generous quantities and locally sourced ingredients. All three of this informal restaurant’s locations offer “country cookin’ classics,” but visit the City Market location to experience the restaurant’s original farm-to-table vibe. Big Ed’s doesn’t accept reservations, so there can be a line when you get there, according to recent guests. But there’s no need to panic; according to customers, despite the crowds, the line goes quickly and the service is excellent.
Morgan Street Eatery
Entree price range: $8 to $20
If you have a sizable group traveling to Raleigh and you can never decide where to dine, go to the Morgan Street Food Hall. This dining hall, which is located in downtown Raleigh, popularized cross-meal ordering, which is the practice of sharing meals from various eateries in a same location. Customers of the food hall express their admiration for the complex’s capacity to cater to a wide range of preferences and are especially delighted by the variety of cuisines offered. Visitors may purchase everything from popsicles to curry to burgers in the 22,000 square foot converted warehouse, which is home to 20 different vendors.
For Neapolitan-style pizza, visit Bella’s Wood Fired Pizza and Tapas, or go to Wicked Taco to try some flavorful, freshly prepared Tex-Mex food produced using ingredients that are locally sourced. Asian-inspired cuisine like Boba Brew, The Bowls, The Katsu, or Raleigh Rolls will transport you to another continent. Recent visitors agree that Morgan Street Food Hall does not disappoint, although they do caution that timing can be difficult because lines can vary in length at various vendors. As a result, several customers had trouble timing their orders with large parties. Due to the large number of outside seating options, Morgan Street Food Hall is a fantastic choice for tourists who are worried about COVID.
Char-Grill
Entree price range: $3 to $11
Char-Grill demonstrates why it’s sometimes preferable not to mess with a good thing in a city that is bursting with innovation. Since 1959, this quaint burger business has been filling customers’ bellies with inexpensive, delectable flame-grilled burgers. Visitors can find a Char-Grill in every area of Raleigh thanks to its ten sites. The original location is on Hillsborough Street, which is less than a block from Glenwood Ave, one of Raleigh’s main thoroughfares, in the Glenwood South area. Visitors to this brick-and-mortar restaurant that only accepts takeout may anticipate a short menu with tried-and-true choices. Since its start, according to locals, Char-Grill has been serving high-quality meals, and recent visitors gush over the steakburgers and milkshakes. The milkshakes, which come in chocolate or vanilla, are thick enough that you’ll need to use a spoon along with your straw, so beware. Visitors claim that Char-Grill will astound you despite how straightforward it is.
Kitchen in fiction
Entree price range: $13 to $20
Vegans and vegetarians will like Fiction Kitchen’s delectable selections. This renowned Raleigh restaurant is located downtown and serves only vegan food made in a vegan kitchen. Travelers laud the challenging-to-find vegan BBQ from North Carolina in Raleigh. With a large selection of gluten-free, nut-free, and soy-free dishes, Fiction Kitchen also accommodates a wide range of dietary concerns. Recent diners praise the food, from the appetizers to the main courses to the desserts, but warn that Fiction Kitchen may get busy, so reservations are probably in order. Make sure to drink one of the vegan drinks while you eat your vegan food.
Whena Manda
Entree prices range from $15 to $29 for lunch and $17 to $38 for dinner.
Although Raleigh’s gourmet scene is heavily influenced by Southern cuisine, this hidden gem of a restaurant will make you forget all about such delicacies by taking you to a different part of the globe. The cuisine of Laos is a fusion of Thai, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French cuisines, with some French influence as well. Bida Manda is a Laotian restaurant and bar that draws inspiration from this unique cuisine and culture. Recent customers laud the distinctive, tasty items and outstanding service at Bida Manda. The restaurant’s homemade drinks, which are prepared with fresh juices, herbs, and infused syrups, go perfectly with the delectable Laotian cuisine. Since Bida Manda is a well-liked dining location, making a reservation in advance will help you avoid long lines. Customers advise that reservations should normally be made several weeks in advance.
French cuisine Saint Jacques
Entree price range: $30 to $48
Saint Jacques is an unobtrusive restaurant that is simple to miss from the exterior and is located in a retail complex. Diners claim that the charming and welcoming ambiance will surprise you once you enter, demonstrating why Saint Jacques is a preferred Raleigh location for special events. The upscale eatery serves traditional French cuisine crafted using ingredients from North Carolina. Despite having a number of local partners, the restaurant’s menu will transport you to France because many of the dishes have titles that are uniquely French. Recent customers laud the excellent service and genuine goods. Although the prices are on the higher side, many customers think they are reasonable considering the freshly prepared food and attentive wait staff.
Mediterranean Neomonde Raleigh
Entree price range: $9 to $13
When you visit Neomonde Mediterranean today, you might be surprised to learn of its modest beginnings as a wholesale bread business. The family-run business, which was started by the Saleh brothers in 1977, has expanded over the past four decades and now has restaurants in a number of places where customers can experience genuine cuisine from the hilly region of northern Lebanon. Neomonde, which stands for “new world” to symbolize the Saleh family’s new beginning in America, offers a relaxed deli setting with ample portions and a small Mediterranean supermarket where patrons may purchase basic ingredients for Middle Eastern cooking. To sample a variety of the restaurant’s delicious dishes, patrons of the Raleigh location advise ordering one of its platter options. The homemade pita, baklava, and fresh hummus are recent visitors’ favorites.
Sitti
Entree prices range from $13 to $16 for lunch and $16 to $45 for dinner.
Neomonde’s genuine Lebanese roots are brought to downtown Raleigh by Sitti. The Saleh family and Raleigh restaurateur and businessman Greg Hatem formed a partnership to open the restaurant, which Hatem named in honor of Lebanese grandmothers (called “sittis”). While there are some parallels between Sitti’s offerings and those at Neomonde, Sitti has a more distinctive restaurant atmosphere and menu. Customers like the restaurant’s busy atmosphere, which is family-friendly, and the enormous communal table in the middle of the space. The vast menu and generous quantities are also praised by recent visitors. Visitors especially enjoy the sitti rice, which can be ordered as an appetizer or side dish. This restaurant can meet dietary constraints because the menu also has vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
Tacos and tequila by Gonza
Entree price range: $12 to $17
Gonza Tacos y Tequila continuously demonstrates its mastery of tacos and tequila with a long number of awards. Gonza offers a relaxed setting with decor inspired by the Day of the Dead and roomy seating both inside and outside. The restaurant’s comprehensive drink menu features a wide selection of tequilas and spirits in addition to a dinner menu bursting with Colombian-Mexican fare. Gonza is a favorite among residents because so many tourists mention returning time and time again. The tasty, generously portioned meals are a major hit with tourists, who also praise the vegetarian alternatives as being particularly exceptional when compared to establishments serving similar fare. And to top it all off, recent visitors are gushing about the outstanding service. In both north and downtown Raleigh, savor Gonza’s delectable offerings.
Inn at Winston
Entree price range: $19 to $45
Winston’s Grille is the best spot to go if you want to experience Raleigh’s Southern hospitality. This locally owned and run restaurant offers cheap fine dining in a welcoming and attractive setting. Recent visitors have described it as upmarket casual with a down-home feel. The menu offers a wide variety of mouthwatering options that are freshly cooked using seasonal products from a number of local merchants. On its menu, Winston’s also has a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free alternatives. Recent customers at Winston’s have nothing but positive things to say about everything from the service to the appetizers and dessert. If you’re thinking about coming, you might think about making a reservation: Although reservations are not necessary, patrons report that on busy nights it might be challenging to acquire a table at this popular location.
Independent Café
Entree price range: $15 to $30
Raleigh’s first vegetarian eatery, Irregardless Café, has been a mainstay of the city’s dining scene for more than 45 years. This restaurant serves farm-to-table brunch, lunch, and supper using ingredients from regional farms in the Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill area of North Carolina, which is noted for being close to three important research universities. The menu offers an outstanding seasonal range of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes. Recent guests praised the vegan food created from scratch and the live music from North Carolina. Every day of the week, live music is offered, which is appropriate entertainment given the Irregardless tagline, “Real food. Real music. Real good.”
The Burger and Cowfish Sushi Bar
Entree price range: $15 to $23
Although Raleigh, North Carolina, is a haven for foodies with a variety of inventive eateries and fresh takes on time-honored dishes, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar stands out as being particularly special. Marcus Hall and Alan Springate, the establishment’s owners, take delight in this strange place. The Cowfish provides diners a fun and inventive eating experience with a menu that can please a staggering range of eaters, complete with technicolor walls, massive aquariums, and the “Burgushi,” a sushi roll made from burger ingredients. Customers gush about the menu’s variety and freshness, calling it a go-to place for large parties of picky eaters, especially given that vegans may order sushi and burgers alongside meat lovers. The drinks menu at The Cowfish is the ideal fusion of a sushi restaurant and a burger joint, just like the restaurant’s food. Hand-spun milkshakes and a range of craft beers from nearby brewers are available to visitors seeking the burger experience; premium sakes, wines, and cocktails are available for sushi-loving visitors. Due to its popularity, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar sometimes has lengthy waits, however customers praise the waitlist service and advise people to make the time to visit this restaurant.
The Hole
Entree prices range from $11 to $22 for lunch and $11 to $42 for dinner.
Authentic whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue can be difficult to obtain in Raleigh, but The Pit provides guests with just that. The Pit, one of the two remaining park squares mandated by the original city plan, is situated in a magnificently renovated 1930s meatpacking warehouse in downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District. Visitors advise diners to provide extra time for parking because it might be challenging in this location. The Pit’s extensive menu features a wide variety of conventional barbecue dishes and Southern sides, but it also offers barbecue tofu, a unique twist on North Carolina barbecue that vegetarians shouldn’t miss. If you enjoy meat, try the pulled pork to experience the flavorful pit-cooked barbecue made only from North Carolina free-range hogs. If you enjoy Carolina-style vinegar barbecue, The Pit is the spot for you, according to recent patrons.
The Barry’s Cafe
Entree price range: $7 to $17
Family-friendly Barry’s Cafe has a diner vibe and lots of firefighter-themed decor. This restaurant has been providing the Raleigh-Cary neighborhood with food and a commitment to helping first responders since 1994. Owner Barry Doyle even started a charitable organization called Feed the Firefighters that offers food and drinks to first responders and firefighters. Diners can choose from traditional American breakfast and lunch selections all day long from a menu that is almost totally gluten-free friendly. Recent visitors laud Barry’s Cafe’s friendly staff and cozy atmosphere.
Seafood grill and oyster bar at 42nd Street
Entree price range: $15 to $45
42nd St. Oyster Bar & Seafood Grill is the only option for lovers of oysters. When this historic restaurant originally opened its doors in Raleigh in the 1930s, it was a grocery store that sold oysters and draft beer. Although that particular 42nd St. was a neighborhood favorite for many years, the restaurant didn’t change into what it is today until 1987. Recent diners at 42nd St., one of Raleigh’s top seafood establishments, have praised its menu selections and delectably fresh oysters. The freshly shucked oysters and the specifically crafted drink menu, which offers wine pairings to go with them, are enjoyed by diners. Don’t rule out this alternative if you don’t like oysters: Additionally, the restaurant offers a gluten-free cuisine as well as shellfish, seafood, and steaks. To minimize long delays at restaurants, travelers advise making a reservation.
Pies from Poole
Entree price range: $13 to $35
One of the must-visit places for tourists in Raleigh is Fayetteville Street. This area, which is well-known for its artistic and distinctive enterprises, is home to numerous award-winning eateries. Poole’side Pies is the ideal synthesis of the two. This restaurant serving pizza with a Neapolitan flair is run by chef Ashley Christensen and has a popular fanciful swimming pool concept. Diners can choose from a selection of southern Italian-inspired dishes, including house-made pastas, or they can indulge in the thin-crust pizzas made with local flour, homemade mozzarella, and organic Bianco DiNapoli tomatoes. Recent customers gush about the flawlessly baked crust, wonderful desserts, and light drinks.