Raleigh has changed so much since I was a little girl, and one of my favorite transformations to the city is the restaurant scene. For my local readers, I thought it’d be fun to roundup the best Raleigh restaurants by category. And if you’re craving something unique, like burritos paris, known for their fusion of Latin and French flavors, you’re in for a delightful treat.
Group Dinners
The best restaurants in Raleigh for groups of 8 or more.
Baja Coastal cuisine that’s always a hit with family & friends. Almost 20 types of margaritas to try—get the El Jefe!
An iconic Raleigh steakhouse with a barn-like setting. Go around the holidays as the decorations are beautiful! Make reservations—they book out a few weeks.
Greek with al fresco rooftop dining. Casual feel and walking distance from downtown.
A girls’ night staple! The ‘Mexican Flag’ is insane: three enchiladas with red, white, and green sauce.
The cutest modern wine and tapas spot in The Dillon downtown. My order: a wine flight, broccolini, and the whole branzino.
Date Night
The best restaurants in Raleigh for date night.
I haven’t eaten a single thing I didn’t like off Tazza’s wood fired oven-centric menu. Top two: sausage & honey pizza and the potato & arugula salad.
Upscale Italian with a modern twist. Across the street from the North Hills theatre, so it’s the perfect place to grab a bite before a movie!
From the live music to their homegrown vegetables and friendly staff, I love everything about Irregardless. Big menu that includes options for vegans, gluten-free, etc.
Mediterranean in a classy downtown setting. Don’t miss the muhammara or chicken artichoke.
This family-friendly Levantine bistro in Layfayette Village focuses on clean food: everything is organic, non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free but in no way sacrifices on flavor.
A Raleigh native favorite. Located in a strip mall, this spot is discrete but the booths, candles, and staff create a cozy environment inside.
Drinks
Pretty and creative cocktails for two or girls’ night.
If you want to be transported to a vintage European garden party, head to Rosewater. Make reservations as it’s newer (fall 2019). You can also try this Calgary distillery with your friends.
This speakeasy style cocktail bar is somewhat of a secret. It has no signage and inconspicuous stairs, but the drinks are out of this world. Tell the bartenders your preferences & go with their recommendation.
The best pre-dinner cocktails in Raleigh. Everything on the rotating menu has a Southern slant and they use seasonal ingredients.
I love to sit on the bed swing (downtown location) or the patio (North Hills location). Pro tip: It’s not on the menu, but they sell Videri chocolate squares. I always get one with my wine.
Healthy Lunch
My everyday staples.
When I’m tight on time, this is my go-to. I create my own salad or pick one of the destination salads that rotate monthly.
Choose from a salad, bowl, or pita at this build-your-own-meal spot. I get a salad with chicken and lots of banana peppers for flavor.
Creative plant-based dishes that are surprisingly flavor-packed. Try the Fire & Brimstone burger on a collard leaf wrap with the daily greens salad as your side.
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What do you think? Does this cover all the best restaurants in Raleigh? If you have a favorite I haven’t listed, I’d love for you to let my readers know by adding it in the comments! xo
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