Looking for the best restaurants and food in Raleigh? We’ve got you covered! I sorted through over 220 of my reviews to find you the twenty, best restaurants in the rapidly growing City of Oaks! These options are primarily focused Inside the Beltline (ITB, I-440) and near downtown Raleigh. My 20 best restaurants in Raleigh run the gamut of 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. (Updated on 4/1/2022)
Click on the restaurant name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map.
Also, see my Best Bars and Lounges in Raleigh list here. And if you’re a newcomer to Raleigh, please check out my list of classic Raleigh restaurants! These spots all have their unique charms and are a great way to get a feel for the city and meet locals in Raleigh.
🏬 Barcelona Wine Bar (Spanish Tapas)- Raleigh
🚗 430 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎ 919.808.5400
Best Restaurants in Raleigh, 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.
🏬 Beasley’s (Fried Chicken, Southern)
🚗 237 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 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, collards and cocktails. A great spot for dinner or brunch in downtown Raleigh in a light and open space,
🏬 Brewery Bhavana (Dim Sum, Chinese)
🚗 218 S Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 919.829.9998
Brought to you by the folks from Bida Manda, this modern take on fresh beer and 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. Convenient location on Moore Square.
🏬 The Cortez (Seafood)
🚗 413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎ 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.
🏬 Crawford and Son (Southern, Upscale)
🚗 618 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎ 919.307.4647
A modern take on Southern gourmet fare offering 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.
🏬 Cucciolo Terrazza (Italian)
🚗 4200 Six Forks Rd Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27609
☎ 919.747.7887
An upscale spot for elevated Italian in the new section of North Hills. The large, mod dining room is a beautiful space to dine in. Enjoy seafood agnolotti, butter chicken, and much more in luxe surroundings.
🏬 Garland (Indian, Asian)
🚗 14 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 919.833.6886
This hip eatery blends style, flavor, and service in a delicious combination for the daring diner. Think Asian-fusion with an emphasis on Indian flavors and preparation. And don’t miss their unique, penny-covered bathroom floor!
🏬 Hayes Barton Cafe (American, Comfort)
🚗 2000 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608
☎ 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! Diets are NOT allowed at the Hayes Barton Cafe.
🏬 Humble Pie (American, Tapas)
🚗 317 S Harrington St, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎ 919.829.9222
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.
🏬 Jolie (French)
🚗 620 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎ 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.
🏬 Layered Croissanterie (Bakery)
🚗 911 N West St Suite 107, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎ 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.
🏬 lucettegrace (Patisserie)
🚗 235 S Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 919.307.4950
An exquisite French bakery and sweets shop offering amazing pastries, ice cream sandwiches, 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.
🏬 Oakwood Pizza Box (Pizza)
🚗 610 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎ 919.594.1605
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.
🏬 Plates Neighborhood Kitchen (Southern, Farm)
🚗 301 Glenwood Ave #100, Raleigh, NC 27603
☎ 919.828.0018
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.
🏬 Poole’s Diner (Southern)
🚗 426 S McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 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 but good energy. One of the most popular eateries in town, there’s usually a wait during busier periods and no posted menu so you’ll have to trust Chef Ashley.
🏬 Sam Jones BBQ (Smoked meats, Southern)
🚗 502 W Lenoir St, Raleigh, NC 27601
☎ 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.
🏬 Stanbury (Seasonal, American)
🚗 938 N Blount St, Raleigh, NC 27604
☎ 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.
🏬 Sushi Mon (Japanese)
🚗 3700 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100, Raleigh, NC 27612
☎ 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.
🏬 Tazza Kitchen (American, Pizza)
🚗 432 Woodburn Rd, Raleigh, NC 27605
☎ 919.835.9463
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!
