The 20 Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC for Food and Drink ~ An Insider’s Guide
Looking for the best restaurants and food in Raleigh? We’ve got you covered for the twenty, best restaurants in the rapidly growing City of Oaks! These options are primarily focused Inside the Beltline and near downtown Raleigh. My 20 best Raleigh restaurants run the gamut from simple to fancy and across all price ranges! Because I don’t believe you should have to spend a lot of money to get great food.
Click on the restaurant name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map. (Updated on 9/10/2022)
Find more food and restaurant information on Raleigh, NC below!
1. Barcelona Wine Bar – A fun and lively spot for delicious, Spanish small plates and a fun, covered patio! Don’t miss their croquetas, Spanish tortilla, or steak offerings. Enjoy the bar scene, side dining room, or patio with a glass of cava the dining space at Barcelona offers a lot of options.
2. Beasley’s Chicken and Honey – A great hip and casual eatery for classic Southern with a twist from Ashley Christensen. Enjoy crisp and tender Southern fried chicken, french fries, collards, and cocktails. A great spot for dinner or brunch in downtown Raleigh in a light and open space, you may sometimes hit a line out front during the weekend.
3. Brewery Bhavana – Brought to you by the folks from Bida Manda, this modern take on fresh beer and fancy Chinese dim sum (small plates) offers a great experience along with excellent, fresh beer. A bit pricey for what you get but a unique space with a flower shop and library, conveniently located on Moore Square.
4. The Cortez – Enjoy fresh and creatively prepared seafood in a hip dining room with a clean Mediterranean feel. A high-end option for seafood conveniently located in Glenwood South. Order a half-dozen oysters on the half-shell on their secluded patio, great for a date or smaller party.
5. CowBar Burger & Fries – A fun burger joint with a nice covered patio offering gourmet flavors and ingredients between two buns! Don’t miss their truffle burger or fries Italiano paired with a craft beer. Grab a bunch of napkins for your meal, no diets are allowed at Cowbar!
☎ 919.307.4647
6. Crawford and Son – A modern take on Southern gourmet fare serving up crudo, rabbit pot pie, and more from Chef Scott Crawford. A small, stylish dining room with a lovely bar and great service. Good for smaller groups and couples, reservations are highly recommended.
☎ 919.747.7887
7. Cucciolo Terrazza – An upscale spot for elevated Italian in the newer section of North Hills. The large, open, and modern dining room is a beautiful space to dine in. Enjoy seafood agnolotti, butter chicken, and much more in luxe surroundings with chic decor.
☎ 919.856.8551
8. Hayes Barton Cafe – The epitome of comfort food and amazing cake, get the stretchy pants ready. The chicken pot pie, crab dip, and meatloaf are legendary, size-wise. And then comes the cake which can feed three people per slice! Diets are NOT allowed at the classic Hayes Barton Cafe.
☎ 919.829.9222
9. Humble Pie – Small, Southern plates in a super-hip, urban environment. Great covered patio for brunch or dinner and conveniently located in the Warehouse District. A fun and tasty spot for larger groups and parties, conveniently located in Raleigh’s Warehouse District.
☎ 919.803.7221
10. Jolie – A modern French bistro offering all the classics along with a great rooftop patio! Offering classic French dishes like cassoulet, coq au vin, and bouillibaise. This small eatery is very popular and will likely require reservations given Chef Scott Crawford’s reputation and track record.
☎ 984.
200.1200
11. Layered Croissanterie – A bright and hip bakery focused on croissants and pastries layered with butter and deliciousness! Great for sweets and savory tastes for breakfast and lunch, don’t miss out on their Popeye croissant with bechamel and spinach. Order online and grab your pastries to go or dine in their light and bright cafe area.
☎
919.307.4950
12. lucettegrace – A exquisite French bakery and sweets shop offering amazing pastries, ice cream sandwiches, coffee, and much more! A welcome spot for a relaxing break with a treat and coffee. Conveniently located in downtown Raleigh on Salisbury Street, watch the crowd roll by on the sidewalk.
☎ 919.594.1605
13. Oakwood Pizza Box – Fantastic NY thin-slice pizza made with high-quality ingredients. Dine at a table or get a slice at the counter, I recommend getting a whole pie to make sure your pizza is fresh out of the oven. Oakwood Pizza Box offers a small selection of beers, wine, and cocktails with your meal.
☎ 919.828.0018
14. Plates Neighborhood Kitchen – A cute and quaint restaurant dishing out delicious seasonal fare, don’t miss out on their large and lovely patio. Enjoy hand-made pasta, the popular sticky toffee cake, and much more. Their global menu covers a variety of cuisines around the world and you can enjoy the action in Glenwood South after your meal.
☎ 919.832.4477
15. Poole’s Diner – The quintessential Southern eatery with uplifted favorites like mac n cheese, shrimp and grits, and much more. Crowded seating and a bit noisy but good energy. One of the most popular eateries in town, there’s usually a wait during busier periods and no online menu so you’ll have to trust Chef Ashley.
☎ 984.206.2555
16. Sam Jones BBQ – Fantastic Eastern NC vinegar-based barbeque, ribs, and classic sides for comfort food. A fun spot with great beer choices for family, friends, and much more. Great outdoor patio and family space under the lights next to the smokehouse, convenient to Red Hat Amphitheater.
☎ 919.977.4321
17. The Stanbury – A stylish and raucous eatery focused on farm-to-table eats in a quiet neighborhood of Raleigh. Eclectic seasonal menu with a focus on fresh seafood and seared meats prepared just right. This secluded spot sits right next to Escazu chocolates which is a great option for dessert.
☎ 919.803.1000
18. Sushi Mon – A stylish, little sushi joint known for its fresh fish and creative take on Japanese cuisine from Chef Chris. Small but well-designed space with a mod sushi bar. Great for dates and small groups, conveniently located on Glenwood Avenue near I-440 in the new Glenwood Place.
☎ 919.835.9463
19. Tazza Kitchen – This slick restaurant focuses on pizzas and plates out of its wood-fired oven. Delicious, simple, and well-priced in the Village District don’t miss out on their cocktail list or the action at the bar. Perfect for a date or small group of friends, a fun and sexy dining choice!
