When most people go out in Raleigh on the weekend to bar-hop or hang out, they usually end up on Fayetteville Street or S. Glenwood.  But more often than not, lots of locals now visit the Warehouse District for their fun.  Loosely bound by Morgan Street to the north, Cabarrus to the south and Boylan-S. Dawson on either side.  Within this neighborhood you’ll find a good mix of dining, bars, retail, and  the arts.  Moreover, it’s an area that’s LGBT-friendly which means you’ll be amongst a diverse and eclectic crowd for those looking for some flavor!  But if you’re looking for food and restaurant flavor, here’s where you might want to check out when visiting the Warehouse District!

Raleigh Warehouse District Places

Out on Hargett Street lies the hidden but cool Five Star restaurant. Known for it’s popular Chinese-American fare, Five Star puts a twist on it by serving it in a sultry and dim space full of brick and artwork. An upper lounge area provides music on the weekends and a quiet place to grab a drink. Don’t miss their heatseeker shrimp or dumplings. While I’m not a fan of over-Americanized Chinese fare, Five Star is striking a nice balance between more authentic and fusion Asian eats. And you usually get pretty solid service here, great for a date.

Move down to S. Davie and you’ll run into several Raleigh favorites for dining and eats: the Pit, Jose and Sons along with Humble Pie.  It’s hard to go wrong with any of these three restaurants and they all nicely cover a cuisine that’s super-popular for most diners.  The Pit is the big-hitter here, a nationally renown barbeque and smoked meats joint that serves up good Carolina que, ribs, brisket and more at reasonable prices.  The large dining room is usually crowded so try to grab a seat at the bar if you’re in a hurry.  While I don’t think the Pit is as good as it used to be, it’s still a solid dining choice, especially during off-peak dining periods.

Around the corner from the Pit on Harrington is the ever-popular Humble Pie.  Focused on small, mixed plates you will get everything from shrimp n grits, to short-rib tostada and more here.  Love the urban feel the place and the open dining space.  Also Humble Pie sports one of the best patios in Raleigh, perfect for brunch.  So if you’re looking for something more sophisticated, Humble Pie should fit the bill.

Now across from the Pit in the historic Raleigh Train Depot you’ll find Jose and Sons, Mexican with a southern twist.  Jose and Sons might be your best dining choice in the block because usually it’s not too busy, they’ve got plenty of space, excellent food and at a decent price.  My fave dish here is the chicarrones as an appetizer or with waffles.  They also do a nice job with their ceviche in a mason jar.  Jose and Sons has a very colorful and rustic interior and it all pulls together for a fantastic dining experience.

So there you go, a quick dining tour through the Warehouse District!  And the fact is that in addition to good food, you’ll also find cool spots like Visual Art Exchange (VAE), the Contemporary Art Museum (CAM), Videri Chocolate Factory along with Deep South, Legends, Crank Arm Brewery and the Flying Saucer if you want to get your drink or dance on!  it’s a cool neighborhood and one that should grow even more with the upcoming Raleigh Transit Center gets built and services all the passenger train traffic in the area!  And it’s within walking distance of the Red Hat Amphitheater.   Rock on Warehouse District, cause you may have been about warehouses at one point and time but now you’ve grown into so much more…

Great Restaurants and Dining in Raleigh’s Warehouse District!

Five Star (Chinese-American)- Hargett Street

The Pit (Barbeque, Southern)- Davie Street

Humble Pie (Seasonal plates)- Harrington Street

Jose and Sons (Mexican, Southern)- Davie Street

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