(This post is currently being updated with 2019 information) When September rolls around in the Triangle, it signals a lot of things. The end of summer, the return of students to all the local universities AND a wealth of music and arts in downtown Raleigh. From Hopscotch (indy music festival, 9/5 to 9/7) to SPARKcon (creative arts, 9/13 to 9/14) and the IBMA World of Bluegrass 2019 (9/24 to 9/28). Pretty much all of these fun and creative events typically center around the Raleigh downtown core at Fayetteville Street and are hosted at multiple venues. And of course, all that running around will burn off some calories so where to go to grab a bite and re-fuel?
Well I’ve picked some of my favorites in downtown Raleigh, these restaurants and bars are cool and casual, offering a great value in my opinion. Choose from fried chicken to Mexican, meatballs, Asian-fusion, barcades and more within walking distance of all the Hopscotch and SPARKcon activities…
Hopscotch venues in red   SPARKcon venues in yellow Dual-event venues in orange
 Best restaurants and dining in green
Apero– Hip bar and lounge specializing in apertifs and liquers
Beasley’s Chicken + Honey– Southern fried chicken and sides in a hipster environment
Bida Manda– A classic Laotian restaurant serving up wonderfully tasty eats in a beautiful dining room
Boxcar Bar + Arcade– Beers and games, a good stop before the music starts
Budacai Boba Bar- Funky and bright Asian eatery offering bubble tea, bao and more
Capital Club 16– American and German fare done with European style and taste
Clyde Coopers BBQ– A classic barbeque joint with hush-puppies, ribs and more
Crank Arm Brewing Company– A fun spot and patio for beers, very cool space
Fiction Kitchen– Vegetarians rejoice at this great spot for the health-conscious
Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria– Romantic and cozy bar focused on mezcal liquer and Latin American plates
Garland– Asian and Indian fusion in an awesome, eclectic space
The Haymaker– New cocktail and punch lounge for downtown
Jose and Sons– Mexican twisted with Southern ingredients, delicious and tasty eats
Linus & Peppers– Gourmet sandwiches in a casual space
lucettegrace– A fantastic French patisseries for sweets and sandwiches
Mecca Restaurant– Classic Raleigh diner for burgers, spaghetti and a beer
Oak City Meatball Shoppe– The name says it all, perfect for bourbon lovers
Oakwood Cafe– A classic Argentinian and Cuban eatery that’s family run
Parkside Raleigh– Refreshed diner classics in a modern space
Pizza La Stella– Specializing in Neapolitan-style pizza and Italian eats, large dining room
Raleigh Times Bar– Old-school bar and pub eats in a large and boisterous space
Sitti– Delicious Lebanese that works well for vegetarians
Sono– Japanese and sushi conveniently located right on Fayetteville Street
Square Burger-A new and casual grill serving up burgers, fries and more in Moore Square
St. Roch Oyster Bar– A hip seafood restaurant with some New Orleans flair
Tonbo Ramen – Ramen house on the 1st floor, Izakaya and Japanese small plates on the 2nd floor
Virgil’s Original Taqueria– Casual Mexican eats focused on tacos and cocktails
Whiskey Kitchen– A beautiful new bar, restaurant and patio serving up gourmet Southern
2019 Hopscotch Venues
Red Hat Amphitheater
City Plaza
Slims
Lincoln Theater
Neptunes
Kings
Pourhouse
Nash Hall
Imurj
Fletcher
Wicked Witch
SparkCon Venues
First Take: Nothing Bundt Cakes, a Sweet Escape…