14 Best Restaurants In Raleigh, North Carolina

Here’s where to eat the next time you’re in the City of Oaks.

Raleigh, like the entire state of North Carolina, is deeply passionate about food. Its rapidly evolving restaurant scene mirrors that same fervor with an impressive variety of flavors, entrees, and experiences. From farm-to-table meals and whole-hog barbecue to fine dining and international cuisine, Raleigh’s restaurant lineup has something for everyone.

New spots, like Chef Cheetie Kumar’s Ajja, have made their mark on the city in recent years. According to David Meeker, a partner in Trophy Brewing, Elm Partners, and Carpenter Development, well-known Raleigh names like James Beard winner Ashley Christensen and Scott Crawford are welcoming young chefs and encouraging them to “take the leap.”

This supportive, community-first atmosphere can also be found outside of the day-to-day food service. “There is a strong philanthropic culture that is centered around our chefs and dining establishments,” explains Marjorie Hodges, co-founder of ARTSUITE. Events such as the Triangle Food and Wine Experience, she says, “bring our city together for important causes and exceptional food and drink,” resulting in a “unique and creative dining scene that is defining Raleigh for residents and visitors alike.”

Whether you’re discovering Raleigh’s food scene for the first time or you want to see if your favorites made the list, read on to discover the best restaurants in Raleigh, in no particular order, according to locals.

Hummingbird

Hodges calls Hummingbird the “best brunch spot in Raleigh,” a title earned thanks to its New Orleans-inspired offerings from Chef Coleen Speaks and “sunny and joyful” atmosphere. The menu is a perfect size—small enough so it isn't overwhelming, but still filled with plenty of classics and seasonally rotating items to appeal to most diners. If you’re hungry, Hodges recommends the Peacemaker Po’boy, a sandwich “loaded with fried shrimp and oysters… and just the right balance of condiments.” Don’t forget to save room for dessert, though. “They make these delectable Ricotta Fritters that melt in your mouth,” she says.

hummingbirdraleigh.com, 1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd, Suite 111, Raleigh, NC 17604

Death & Taxes

Part of Ashley Christensen’s mini Raleigh restaurant empire, Death & Taxes has been a staple in the area ever since its opening in 2015. For dinner, Meeker recommends “every single appetizer,” but make sure you order something that complements what you’re drinking. “I go champagne and then cabs here because AC’s wine lists are always great,” he says.

ac-restaurants.com/death-taxes, 105 W. Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601

St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar

“Chef and owner Sunny Gerhart understood the assignment with this NOLA-themed seafood joint,” says Meeker. St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar—or, more simply, St. Roch—is located in downtown Raleigh, and it’s known for its oysters, which are great roasted, raw, or prepared any other way. “I order 1/2 dozen oysters, the winter Caesar salad (which some have said is the best salad in town), the ‘gator bolognese, and a Hurricane,” says Meeker. “It doesn’t feel like NOLA without a Hurricane.”

strochraleigh.com, 223 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27603

Stanbury

Chef Ricky Moore, the James Beard award-winning owner of Durham’s Saltbox Seafood Joint, puts Stanbury high on his list of Raleigh favorites. He describes it as a “good neighborhood eatery with super cool folks cooking and serving creative sure-handed seasonal food with no pretense.” And while they don’t take reservations, Hodges says it’s definitely “worth the wait as a walk-in.” Chef Moore prefers the beef tongue yakitori and crispy pig head to eat, but also notes that guests should “order one of their deliciously fun cocktails, eat from the small plate section, and bring some friends to share in the experience.”

stanburyraleigh.com, 938 N. Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604

Centro

If you’re craving Mexican, head to Centro, the brainchild of Angela Salamanca, whom Meeker describes as a “serial giver of her time and energy to nonprofits and Raleigh.” The restaurant’s menu features favorites like tacos and enchiladas as well as a few sweeter options for dessert. Meeker’s own order is simple: “queso, quac, grass-fed steak tacos, and an organic margarita.” If you’re dining later in the day, he suggests heading upstairs to Salamanca’s other spot, Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria, for pre-dinner cocktails.

centroraleigh.com, 106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601

Cucciolo Terrazza

When you’re in the mood for Italian, grab a table at Cucciolo Terrazza, the sibling restaurant to Cucciolo Osteria in Durham. Cousins Jimmy and Julian Kim balance a menu of unique takes on Italian dishes—braised octopus, elk bolognese, Italian sausage campanelle—with a casual but still elevated atmosphere.

cuccioloraleigh.com, 4200 Six Forks Rd. Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609

Hady's Restaurant International Cuisine

Chef Moore calls Hady’s Restaurant International Cuisine a “beautifully honest restaurant that celebrates dishes of the African diaspora.” He also says the downtown Raleigh spot “displays the care and concern for their food and guests,” whether you’re a regular or just discovering it for the first time. “I would recommend any of the stewy style dishes and Senegalese cous cous preparation,” he says, but also notes the yassa chicken, Atieke, and jollof rice are some of his favorites.

hadyinternational.com, 717 E Martin St Suite 199, Raleigh, NC 27601

Ajja

Everything at newcomer Ajja is “delicious and a feast for the eyes,” according to Hodges. Chef Cheetie Kumar and partner Paul Siler’s newest venture bills itself as a celebration of “diverse foodways and cultures, vibrant spices, and cooking techniques of the Mediterranean, the Middle East, and beyond.” The indoor-outdoor space is located in the Five Points neighborhood, bringing a fun, unique vibe with its bright decor, gluten-free friendly menu, signature cocktail list, and cozy fire pits. When browsing the menu, don’t miss the Toor Whip dip, a favorite of Hodges, or delicious king trumpet mushrooms.

ajjaeats.com, 209 Bickett Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27608

Crawford and Son

Both Meeker and Hodges reference two things from Chef Scott Crawford’s Crawford and Son kitchen: the vegetables and the biscuits. “I think Scott is the ‘vegetable whisperer.’ All vegetables on the menu are better than they should be,” says Hodges. For a side, Meeker suggests the Brussels spouts, and his main is usually the crispy skin sea trout. No matter what you choose to order, there’s a good chance it’ll go perfectly with the mouthwatering Manchego-herb biscuits.

crawfordandsonrestaurant.com, 618 N. Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604

Mandolin

Native to Raleigh, Chef Sean Fowler takes Southern food to the next level at his restaurant Mandolin. He and his team value “seasonality, sustainability, and buying local,” so the dishes—everything from housemade cavatelli and a bone-in grilled pork chop to an apple crumble topped with ice cream—arrive to the table extra fresh and delicious. The star of the menu, which does change seasonally, is the skillet cornbread served with sorghum butter.

mandolinraleigh.com, 2519 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608

Poole's Diner

It’s nearly impossible to talk about Raleigh restaurants without bringing up Poole’s Diner. Another masterpiece from AC Restaurants, the comfort food haven is known for a few things, including Chef Christensen’s pimento cheese, served on fried saltine crackers, and her macaroni au gratin, which Hodges says is “better than you can imagine.” If you happen to be in the neighborhood on a Sunday, though, there’s one thing you have to get. “On Sundays (and only on Sundays), Poole’s offers The Royale—which is a 10-ounce burger with cheese, served open-faced on grilled brioche with red wine shallot jus,” says Hodges. “It is heavenly.”

ac-restaurants.com/pooles, 426 S. McDowell St., Raleigh, NC 27601

Jolie

Chef Scott Crawford’s French bistro Jolie is located next to its sibling restaurant, Crawford and Son, but it has a completely different look, feel, and menu. The food selection is small but tasteful and features items like steak tartare, duck cassoulet, and rabbit rillettes. The beverage list has the same limited yet impactful structure, and guests are also able to order from a selection of non-alcoholic drinks. If you’re still feeling peckish toward the end of the meal, or just craving something sweet, try the pear tarte or the dark chocolate terrine.

restaurantjolie.com, 620 N. Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604

Flame Kabob

For Persian-Iranian home cooking that Chef Moore calls “authentic and delicious,” make your way to Flame Kabob. “The kebabs are cooked over an open flame (hence the name) along with other Persian specialties,” he explains. “I recommend any of the kebab dishes and the stew and rice sections on the menu,” he says, highlighting the Flame Sampler Combo with lentil rice and the Khoresht-e-Gormeh Sabzi, a spinach, kidney bean, and beef stew. At the end of your meal, you’re offered complimentary hot tea to round out the experience.

flamekabob.com, 7961 Skyland Ridge Pkwy, Suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27617

Beasley’s Chicken and Honey

If there’s anyone who knows how to make fried chicken, it’s Ashley Christensen. Her fried chicken and waffles is the classic Beasley’s Chicken and Honey order, but if you’re in town on the weekend, be sure to check out the brunch menu. The tempting Saturday and Sunday offerings include biscuits and gravy, a loaded breakfast bowl, and hot chicken eggs benedict—and you may need to prepare for a bit of a wait. If you love good Southern food, though, it’s worth it.

ac-restaurants.com/beasleys, 237 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27601

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