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’s name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map. (Updated on 10/21/2023)
Find more food and restaurant information on Raleigh, NC below!
New restaurants and bars in Raleigh
Best bars and lounges in Raleigh list
Classic Raleigh restaurants for newcomers
The 20 Best Restaurants in Raleigh, NC
1. Ajja
🏬Â Ajja (Mediterranean)
🚗Â 209 Bickett Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27608
☎Â 919.213.1276
This new addition to the Five Points neighborhood is doing a lot of things right! Fun and eclectic decor, interesting kebabs and dips along with some very creative desserts. Note, the space is small and a good portion of the seating is under a covered patio, enjoy!
2. Barcelona Wine Bar
🏬Â Barcelona Wine Bar (Spanish Tapas)
🚗Â 430 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎Â 919.808.5400
A fun and lively spot for delicious, Spanish small plates and a lush, green covered patio! Don’t miss their croquetas, Spanish tortilla, torrija, 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 depending on the size of your party.
3. Beasley’s Chicken and Honey
🏬Â Beasley’s (Fried Chicken, Southern food)
🚗Â 237 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎Â 919.322.0127
A great hip and casual eatery for classic Southern with a twist from Ashley Christensen. Enjoy crisp and tender Southern fried chicken, mac n cheese, 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 so be patient.
4. Brewery Bhavana
🏬 Â Brewery Bhavana (Dim Sum, Chinese)
🚗Â 218 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎Â 919.829.9998
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.
5. The Cortez
🏬Â The Cortez (Seafood)Â
🚗Â 413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎Â 919.342.8227
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. And don’t miss Cuya, a beautiful bar and lounge above Cortez
6. CowBar Burger & Fries
🏬Â Cowbar Burger & Fries (American)Â
🚗Â 201 Park at N Hills St Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609
☎Â 919.917.7302
A fun and colorful 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!
7. Crawford and Son
🏬Â Crawford and Son (Southern, Upscale)Â
🚗Â 618 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎Â Â 919.307.4647
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.
8. Cucciolo Terrazza
🏬Â Cucciolo Terrazza (Italian)
🚗Â 4200 Six Forks Rd Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609
☎Â 919.747.7887
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. Nom on their seafood agnolotti, butter chicken, and much more in luxe surroundings with super chic decor.
9. Hayes Barton Cafe
🏬Â Hayes Barton Cafe (American, Comfort)
🚗Â 2000 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608
☎Â 919.856.8551
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, this restaurant has been a Raleigh favorite for 15 years.
10. Jolie
🏬Â Jolie (French)
🚗Â 620 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎Â Â 919.803.7221
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.
11. Layered Croissanterie
🏬Â Layered Croissanterie (Bakery)
🚗Â 911 N West St Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎Â 984.200.1200
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.
12. Longleaf Swine
 
🏬Â Longleaf Swine (Barbeque)
🚗Â Â 300 E Edenton St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎Â Â 984.200.9649
A new take on classic barbeque, brisket, ribs, smoked chicken and mac n cheese in downtown Raleigh! Enjoy great smoked meats with fresh Southern sides and a micro-brew beer underneath their lovely patio. Parking can be tough in this area, but it’s worth the short walk.
13. lucettegrace
🏬Â Â lucettegrace (Patisserie)
🚗Â 235 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601Â
☎Â 919.307.4950
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.
14. Madre
🏬Â Madre (Continental small plates)
🚗Â 518 N West St, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎Â 919.594.1871
A trendy and stylish dining option in the Smoky Hollow neighborhood offering small plates showcasing Spanish and European flavors. Great space with beautiful dining room, U-shaped bar, lounge area and patio makes for a great date night or GNO.
15. Oakwood Pizza Box
🏬Â Oakwood Pizza Box (Pizza)
🚗Â 610 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎Â 919.594.1605
Fantastic NY thin-slice pizza made with high-quality ingredients (flour, tomatoes, cheese). 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.
16. Poole’s Diner
🏬 Â Poole’s Diner (Southern)
🚗Â 426 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎Â 919.832.4477
The quintessential Southern eatery with uplifted favorites like mac n cheese, shrimp and grits, and much more. Crowded seating and a bit noisy for conversation but good, lively 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.
17. Sam Jones BBQ
🏬Â Sam Jones BBQ (Smoked meats, Southern)
🚗Â 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎Â 984.206.2555
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.
18. Stanbury
🏬Â Stanbury (Seasonal, American)
🚗Â 938 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎Â 919.977.4321
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.
19. Sushi Mon
🏬Â Sushi Mon (Japanese)
🚗 3700 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612
☎Â 919.803.1000
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.
20. Whiskey Kitchen
