Looking for the best restaurants and eats in these vibrant and popular cities right next to Raleigh? Cary and Apex have got some great options besides the usual chain offerings that you usually find in the area! Ethnic eats like Indian, Korean, Italian, and Chinese along with other great dining options. Cary has come such a long way with its food scene over the last five years! These best restaurants span the price range from high to low and yes, Herons is probably the best restaurant in the state but not on this list given how pricey it is. (Updated on 6/23/2023)
Click on the restaurant name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map.
If you’re interested in Raleigh’s best restaurants, please check out my list of the 20 Best Restaurants in Raleigh!
The 12 best restaurants in Cary and Apex
1. A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library
🏬Â A’Verde Cocina and Tequila Library (Mexican)
🚗Â 329 N Harrison Ave, Cary, NC 27513
☎Â 984.200.3469
From Top Chef, Katsuji Tanabi, A’Verde Cocina offers up a modern and flavorful take on Mexican cuisine with some twists. Enjoy a flaming fajita plate, pork belly tacos, bubbling cocktails, and more in this chic and fun spot.
2. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
🏬Â Dame’s Chicken & Waffles (Southern)- Cary
🚗Â 823 Bass Pro Ln, Cary, NC 27513
☎Â 919.234.0824
A casual cafe specializing in the quirky but delicious fried chicken and waffles combo! Put on the stretchy pants if you’re dining at Dames, the fried chicken is stellar along with their creative schmears, waffle toppings, and Southern sides.
3. Daniel’s Restaurant
🏬Â Daniel’s Restaurant (Italian)- Apex
🚗Â 1430 W Williams St, Apex, NC 27523
☎Â Â 919.303.1006
Classic Italian-American cuisine in a slightly upscale setting with excellent service. Don’t miss their focaccia bread starter or penne alla vodka, the plates are huge and delicious here.
4. Di Fara Pizza Tavern
🏬Â Di Fara Pizza Tavern (NYC Pizza)
🚗Â 111 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
☎Â Â 919.678.5300
An NC take on the classic Brooklyn pizza joint, opened by the nephew of Domenic Di Fara! Wonderful NY pizza with high-quality ingredients, great pizza crust, and generous toppings. Quaff down a delicious craft beer with your classic Italian pie.
5. Doherty’s Irish Pub
🏬Â Doherty’s Irish Pub (English)
🚗Â 1979 High House Rd, Cary, NC 27519
☎Â Â 919.388.9930
A modern Irish pub with all the beer and trimmings along with very good pub fare. A fantastic spot for a whiskey or beer along with hearty bar eats, don’t miss their fish and chips, boxties, or Shepherd’s pie.
6. Himalayan Range Nepali
🏬Â Himalayan Range Nepali Restaurant (Nepali/Indian)
🚗Â 910 NE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27513
☎Â Â 919.378.9586
A hidden gem offering flavorful S. Asian eats in generous portions for not much money. Awesome Manchurian gobi (cauliflower), chili chicken, and naan bread in a comfortable and pleasant dining room.
7. Mookie’s NY Deli
🏬Â Mookie’s NY Deli (Sandwiches)
🚗Â 910 NE Maynard Rd, Cary, NC 27513
☎Â Â 919.900.7770
This casual Jewish deli serves up all the classics including over-stuffed sandwiches, corned beef, pastrami, turkey, and much more. Their bagels are imported from NYC!
8. M Test Kitchen
🏬Â M Test Kitchen (Asian-Fusion)
🚗Â 4 Fenton Main St Suite 120B, Cary, NC 27511
☎Â Â 919.729.5662
A sleek and hip restaurant offering up twists on Chinese-American classics like beef and broccoli, spare ribs, and shumai. Great dining option in the new Fenton development in Cary!
9. Pizzeria Faulisi
🏬Â Pizzeria Faulisi (Pizza)- Downtown Cary
🚗Â 215 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
☎Â Â 919.377.8244
Some of the best thin-crust Neapolitan pizza in the Triangle in a comfortable, casual setting. Do not miss their classic individual pies, Italian sides, and enjoy drinks at SideBar or Bond Brothers Beer afterward!
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10. Saffron Indian Cuisine
🏬Â Saffron Indian Cuisine (Indian)
🚗Â 2048 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary, NC 27518
☎Â Â 919.917.7473
Indian food lovers should put Saffron on their short list! An upscale but comfortable dining experience with a wide range of creative Indian cuisine hits the spot for me.
11. Super Wok
🏬Â Super Wok (Szechuan)- Cary
🚗Â 1401 SE Maynard Rd L, Cary, NC 27511
☎Â Â 919.388.8338
Spicy, flavorful, and ethnic Chinese fare that’s out of the ordinary. Great for take-out or dine-in, some of my favorite dishes include their dan-dan noodles, twice-cooked pork belly, or dry-fried string beans.
12. Superica
