Guidebook for Raleigh
Food Scene
Great long time local sandwich shop. Also has really good deserts and salads. CASH ONLY.
Side Street Restaurant
225 N Bloodworth StGreat long time local sandwich shop. Also has really good deserts and salads. CASH ONLY.
Great little bakery and coffee shop. We highly recommend the cinnamon rolls. In fact we've never gotten anything else except maybe a roll of bread for dinner.
63 locals recommend
Yellow Dog Bread Company
219 E Franklin StGreat little bakery and coffee shop. We highly recommend the cinnamon rolls. In fact we've never gotten anything else except maybe a roll of bread for dinner.
Pie, pie, and more pie. Sweet and savory. I highly recommend the moravian chicken. They also make a good manhattan.
PieBird
618 N Person StPie, pie, and more pie. Sweet and savory. I highly recommend the moravian chicken. They also make a good manhattan.
A little bit of a hike from the house but well worth it. One of the hottest restaurants in town. Make reservations well in advance.
75 locals recommend
Stanbury
938 N Blount StA little bit of a hike from the house but well worth it. One of the hottest restaurants in town. Make reservations well in advance.
Although a chain, they do have excellent burgers. And alcoholic milkshakes.
18 locals recommend
Tasty 8's
121 Fayetteville StAlthough a chain, they do have excellent burgers. And alcoholic milkshakes.
Finch's Restaurant
401 West Peace StreetJust your typical diner and all its glory. Highly recommend it.
Another good low key breakfast place. Expect a long wait on the weekend if you go at hang over hour aka 10:30am-11am
51 locals recommend
Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant
220 Wolfe StreetAnother good low key breakfast place. Expect a long wait on the weekend if you go at hang over hour aka 10:30am-11am
Best NC style BBQ in town, although they are not open for dinner. Eat here for lunch at half the price of the Pit. Cash only. Raleigh's original downtown bbq joint, unfortunately in a new location.
26 locals recommend
Clyde Cooper's Barbeque
327 S Wilmington StBest NC style BBQ in town, although they are not open for dinner. Eat here for lunch at half the price of the Pit. Cash only. Raleigh's original downtown bbq joint, unfortunately in a new location.
One of the best restaurants in Raleigh. This is Ashley Christiansen's original space. James Beard winner. Make reservations well in advance if you can.
102 locals recommend
Poole's
426 S McDowell StOne of the best restaurants in Raleigh. This is Ashley Christiansen's original space. James Beard winner. Make reservations well in advance if you can.
One of Greg Hatem's original spaces and probably at the forefront of the downtown raleigh renovation scene. It seems to add a new building every couple of years.
105 locals recommend
The Raleigh Times
14 E Hargett StOne of Greg Hatem's original spaces and probably at the forefront of the downtown raleigh renovation scene. It seems to add a new building every couple of years.
Excellent Loatian food. It's a small space so call to make a reservation.
126 locals recommend
Bida Manda
222 S Blount StExcellent Loatian food. It's a small space so call to make a reservation.
Self described as global street food. Just a wide variety of excellent food items. hard to describe but worth it.
17 locals recommend
bu•ku Global Street Food
Self described as global street food. Just a wide variety of excellent food items. hard to describe but worth it.
Just your typical irish bar. If you are in town on a thursday go check out local beer local band. They also have a decent sunday brunch buffet.
Tír na nÓg Irish Pub (Closed)
108 E Hargett StJust your typical irish bar. If you are in town on a thursday go check out local beer local band. They also have a decent sunday brunch buffet.
Busy Bee Cafe/Mash & Lauter
225 S Wilmington StA good bar with some good food. Usually pretty crowded on the weekends.
Sitti
137 S Wilmington StExcellent meditterranean food.
Sono Sushi
319 Fayetteville StOur go to for sushi.
Our absolute favorite italian place in downtown raleigh. They've been around forever and are very low key and authentic, and I do mean authentic.
12 locals recommend
Vic's Ristorante Italiano
331 Blake StOur absolute favorite italian place in downtown raleigh. They've been around forever and are very low key and authentic, and I do mean authentic.
Raleigh's original southern comfort food restaurant. Fried chicken and gravy, check. Salisbury steak, check. Now with a full bar and extended hours. Good for breakfast!
13 locals recommend
Mecca Restaurant
13 E Martin StRaleigh's original southern comfort food restaurant. Fried chicken and gravy, check. Salisbury steak, check. Now with a full bar and extended hours. Good for breakfast!
Some good alternative bar food with veggie options and a more alternative crowd. The go to place before the gay bars really get started on the weekends.
7 locals recommend
The Borough
317 W Morgan StSome good alternative bar food with veggie options and a more alternative crowd. The go to place before the gay bars really get started on the weekends.
One of two dedicated restaurants for the vegetarians. It's quite good. Mostly vegan.
63 locals recommend
The Fiction Kitchen
2409 S Dawson StOne of two dedicated restaurants for the vegetarians. It's quite good. Mostly vegan.
Downtown Raleigh's other vegetarian spot. We have mixed experiences here but others seem to absolutely loved it.
47 locals recommend
Irregardless Cafe & Catering
901 W Morgan StDowntown Raleigh's other vegetarian spot. We have mixed experiences here but others seem to absolutely loved it.
Best described as upscale polish and german food. Very good and a long time neighborhood staple.
13 locals recommend
J Betski's
1916 W Franklin StBest described as upscale polish and german food. Very good and a long time neighborhood staple.
They use lots of local NC ingredients and are more of an upscale southern cuisine. Definitely a good bet for that more romantic evening.
7 locals recommend
18 Seaboard
18 Seaboard AveThey use lots of local NC ingredients and are more of an upscale southern cuisine. Definitely a good bet for that more romantic evening.
Excellent fresh cali style mexican and margaritas. Nothing authentic about it but still really good.
28 locals recommend
Centro
106 S Wilmington StExcellent fresh cali style mexican and margaritas. Nothing authentic about it but still really good.
This is the typical tex-mex style mexican. Big plates, cheap, big margaritas.
10 locals recommend
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
329 S Blount StThis is the typical tex-mex style mexican. Big plates, cheap, big margaritas.
A little expensive for what it is but it is the most authentic tacos you'll find in a sit down restaurant and made by a gringo. You'll only find better at a real taco truck.
31 locals recommend
Gringo A Go Go
100 N Person StA little expensive for what it is but it is the most authentic tacos you'll find in a sit down restaurant and made by a gringo. You'll only find better at a real taco truck.
Excellent empenandas, mojitos, margaritas, and other cocktails. Usually very crowded. It's a very small space.
13 locals recommend
Calavera Empanadas and Tequila
615 W Morgan StExcellent empenandas, mojitos, margaritas, and other cocktails. Usually very crowded. It's a very small space.
Exotic drinks and asian inspired food. Very unique and gets rave reviews. You won't find any of your favorites here but you will find amazing food and drinks.
27 locals recommend
Garland
14 W Martin StExotic drinks and asian inspired food. Very unique and gets rave reviews. You won't find any of your favorites here but you will find amazing food and drinks.
Southern/California Tapas? Is that a thing? Can't really figure out how else to describe it. Good food and drinks though. Great patio and one of the originals in the revitalization of Raleigh.
24 locals recommend
Humble Pie
317 S Harrington StSouthern/California Tapas? Is that a thing? Can't really figure out how else to describe it. Good food and drinks though. Great patio and one of the originals in the revitalization of Raleigh.
Ashley Christiansen's Coffee Shop. She's the James Beard winner. A little pricey but all our coffee snob friends won't go elsewhere.
9 locals recommend
Joule Coffee
223 S Wilmington StAshley Christiansen's Coffee Shop. She's the James Beard winner. A little pricey but all our coffee snob friends won't go elsewhere.
Dessert & Coffee and the only place I've ever seen multiple choices of hot chocolate. Former pastry chef at Magnolias.
41 locals recommend
lucettegrace
235 S Salisbury StDessert & Coffee and the only place I've ever seen multiple choices of hot chocolate. Former pastry chef at Magnolias.
Authentic Cuban and Argentinian Food. Very good. It's a homely place and nothing fancy. Also very small. They do serve breakfast on the weekends.
12 locals recommend
Oakwood Cafe
300 E Edenton StAuthentic Cuban and Argentinian Food. Very good. It's a homely place and nothing fancy. Also very small. They do serve breakfast on the weekends.
THE NEW hot spot if you can get a reservation. Food is excellent. Also has a small grocery store attached. Farm to table.
28 locals recommend
Standard Foods
205 E Franklin StTHE NEW hot spot if you can get a reservation. Food is excellent. Also has a small grocery store attached. Farm to table.
Ashley Christian's newest restaurant. Good luck getting a reservation. Pricey but very good.
37 locals recommend
Death and Taxes
105 W Hargett StAshley Christian's newest restaurant. Good luck getting a reservation. Pricey but very good.
Excellent food just a couple of blocks away. They only do takeout and delivery though. Don't miss the desert. No liquor, beer, or wine.
6 locals recommend
Brewerks Cafe & Bakery
701 E Lane StExcellent food just a couple of blocks away. They only do takeout and delivery though. Don't miss the desert. No liquor, beer, or wine.
Drinks & Nightlife
Excellent patio for drinking at sunset or late into the hot summer night. We're not fans of their food. It's ok bar food. Although they use the original slate from our roof for some of their apps.
39 locals recommend
The Station at Person Street
701 N Person StExcellent patio for drinking at sunset or late into the hot summer night. We're not fans of their food. It's ok bar food. Although they use the original slate from our roof for some of their apps.
A more casual bar scene. You may see a few fixie bikes outside if you know what that means.
42 locals recommend
Person Street Bar
805 N Person StA more casual bar scene. You may see a few fixie bikes outside if you know what that means.
Just a short drive from the house and one of Raleigh's original breweries. Excellent local beer.
26 locals recommend
Big Boss Brewing Company
1249 Wicker DrJust a short drive from the house and one of Raleigh's original breweries. Excellent local beer.
Our friend Les is the brewer here and he makes some of the best beer in Raleigh. They also have some very good pizza's.
85 locals recommend
Trophy Brewing
827 W Morgan StOur friend Les is the brewer here and he makes some of the best beer in Raleigh. They also have some very good pizza's.
Not the best beer by any means but they easily have the best deck and view of downtown raleigh. Maybe stop here after biking around the city for a cool down.
26 locals recommend
Boylan Bridge Brewpub
201 South Boylan AvenueNot the best beer by any means but they easily have the best deck and view of downtown raleigh. Maybe stop here after biking around the city for a cool down.
Excellent cocktails. Some how all the really good cocktail bars are in the basement.
34 locals recommend
Fox Liquor Bar
East Martin StreetExcellent cocktails. Some how all the really good cocktail bars are in the basement.
Another excellent cocktail lounge with an emphasis on NC ingredients. Also in the basement but they do have some outside sitting on Fayetteville St for people watching.
54 locals recommend
FOUNDATION
213 Fayetteville StAnother excellent cocktail lounge with an emphasis on NC ingredients. Also in the basement but they do have some outside sitting on Fayetteville St for people watching.
One of our favorite local bars except when it gets a bit fratty on friday nights. Of course if that's your thing stick around.
24 locals recommend
Landmark Tavern
117 E Hargett StOne of our favorite local bars except when it gets a bit fratty on friday nights. Of course if that's your thing stick around.
Tyler's Restaurant & Taproom
102 E Main StLarge on tap beer selection and ok bar food.
Probably the largest selection of on tap beer anywhere in Raleigh. Also women in short plaid skirts. That could either bother you, excite you, or maybe you just don't have an opinion on it.
24 locals recommend
Flying Saucer
328 W Morgan StProbably the largest selection of on tap beer anywhere in Raleigh. Also women in short plaid skirts. That could either bother you, excite you, or maybe you just don't have an opinion on it.
A little ways away but definitely making some of the better beer in Raleigh. Right up there with trophy and big boss.
Neil Street
Neil StreetA little ways away but definitely making some of the better beer in Raleigh. Right up there with trophy and big boss.
Local Bar just a few blocks away. Small space with excellent mixed drinks. Fresh Tamales on Fri and Sat.
25 locals recommend
William & Company
616 N Person StLocal Bar just a few blocks away. Small space with excellent mixed drinks. Fresh Tamales on Fri and Sat.
Everything Else
Excellent wine shop. You can sit outside or inside sampling some of their wines and have a nice cheese plate as well. They do have some beer.
23 locals recommend
Wine Authorities Raleigh ~ Wine Shop
211 E Franklin StExcellent wine shop. You can sit outside or inside sampling some of their wines and have a nice cheese plate as well. They do have some beer.
Best beer selection in town if that's your thing. Just a short drive or a long walk away.
12 locals recommend
Peace Street Market
804 W Peace StBest beer selection in town if that's your thing. Just a short drive or a long walk away.
Oak City Cycling
707 N Person StGreat bike shop with rentals.
Just a short walk from the house. Lots of dinosaurs and such.
288 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
11 W Jones StJust a short walk from the house. Lots of dinosaurs and such.
North Carolina Museum of History
5 E Edenton StName says it all and just a short walk away.
Tucker House
418 North Person StreetWedding venue. 2 1/2 blocks away.
All Saints Chapel
110 South East StreetWedding Venue. 2 very short blocks away.
The Merrimon-Wynne House
500 N Blount StWedding Venue. 3 blocks away.
The Stockroom at 230
230 Fayetteville StreetWedding Venue Downtown. Anything downtown is 7-9 blocks away.
Shopping
Only NC's favorite doughnut, and perhaps a few other places as well. If the wind is right you can smell it at the house, but very rarely.
27 locals recommend
Krispy Kreme Raleigh
549 N Person StOnly NC's favorite doughnut, and perhaps a few other places as well. If the wind is right you can smell it at the house, but very rarely.
Another great wine shop if you need a bottle, or two, or three...
6 locals recommend
Seaboard Wine at HighPark Village
1914 Bernard StAnother great wine shop if you need a bottle, or two, or three...