Katie & Dan's Raleigh Favorites
Food scene
We love oysters! The deep-fried saltines with the fish spread are a household fave too.
14 locals recommend
St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar
223 S Wilmington StWe love oysters! The deep-fried saltines with the fish spread are a household fave too.
The Pit Authentic Barbecue
328 W Davie StNC BBQ done best. Get the sampler.
O-Ku Sushi
411 W Hargett StFancy sushi, fun drinks.
One of our favorite ambiances in the city, this beautiful seafood place has the food to match. If it's nice out, try to sit on the patio. Great cocktails.
16 locals recommend
Cortez Seafood and Cocktail
413 Glenwood AveOne of our favorite ambiances in the city, this beautiful seafood place has the food to match. If it's nice out, try to sit on the patio. Great cocktails.
One of our all-time favorites, Bida Manda does call-ahead pickup if you're too tired to go out but want to experience some of Raleigh's best food. If you do decide to dine in, we love eating at the bar. Hot tip: the pork soup accounts for 1/3 of the restaurant's total revenue for a reason.
126 locals recommend
Bida Manda
222 S Blount StOne of our all-time favorites, Bida Manda does call-ahead pickup if you're too tired to go out but want to experience some of Raleigh's best food. If you do decide to dine in, we love eating at the bar. Hot tip: the pork soup accounts for 1/3 of the restaurant's total revenue for a reason.
The closest brewery to the loft, we are often found at LBC. Great beer and a good patio.
44 locals recommend
Lynnwood Brewing Concern
1053 E Whitaker Mill RdThe closest brewery to the loft, we are often found at LBC. Great beer and a good patio.
We used to live in DC, and this was one of our favorite grab-and-go fast casual takeout spots. We were thrilled when it came to Raleigh.
6 locals recommend
CAVA
403 Daniels StWe used to live in DC, and this was one of our favorite grab-and-go fast casual takeout spots. We were thrilled when it came to Raleigh.
If you're downtown at the Convention Center, nearby bakery favorite Lucettegrace does an amazing to-go lunchbox where you choose a sandwich, side and sweet treat for $12ish. Katie does this more often than she'd like to admit...
41 locals recommend
lucettegrace
235 S Salisbury StIf you're downtown at the Convention Center, nearby bakery favorite Lucettegrace does an amazing to-go lunchbox where you choose a sandwich, side and sweet treat for $12ish. Katie does this more often than she'd like to admit...
The BEST croissants we've EVER had (even in Europe) - the specials are amazing, highly, highly recommend. There's small picnic tables in the parking lot if you prefer outdoor eating.
8 locals recommend
Layered Croissanterie
911 N West StThe BEST croissants we've EVER had (even in Europe) - the specials are amazing, highly, highly recommend. There's small picnic tables in the parking lot if you prefer outdoor eating.
A super casual blue-plate special breakfast kinda place. You can see every type of person all enjoying the local breakfast place. They hand-knead biscuits every morning and you'll want to ask for them grilled.
6 locals recommend
Big Ed's City Market Restaurant
220 Wolfe StreetA super casual blue-plate special breakfast kinda place. You can see every type of person all enjoying the local breakfast place. They hand-knead biscuits every morning and you'll want to ask for them grilled.
Brewery Bhavana
218 S Blount StA fun spot for dim sum and beers brewed on site.
Hands down the best bakery on earth. The morning bun, quiches and literally everything they make is phenomenal.
52 locals recommend
Boulted Bread
328 W South StHands down the best bakery on earth. The morning bun, quiches and literally everything they make is phenomenal.
If beer isn't your thing, try Whiskey instead. Huge patio, fun brunch, great small plates and something for everyone.
60 locals recommend
Whiskey Kitchen
201 W Martin StIf beer isn't your thing, try Whiskey instead. Huge patio, fun brunch, great small plates and something for everyone.
Our favorite food hall. Benchwarmers got its own shout out for a reason, but we love Transfer for Bulgogi, oysters, empanadas and more. You can get pretty much anything here. Big patio.
84 locals recommend
Transfer Co Food Hall
500 E Davie StOur favorite food hall. Benchwarmers got its own shout out for a reason, but we love Transfer for Bulgogi, oysters, empanadas and more. You can get pretty much anything here. Big patio.
NOFO @ the Pig
2014 Fairview RdGreat brunch and famous lunch, with a cute shop on the top level.
The best bagels in the city - woodfired oven and amazing spreads.
13 locals recommend
Benchwarmers Bagels
500 E Davie StThe best bagels in the city - woodfired oven and amazing spreads.
A great brewery (belgian-style) with a surprisingly sophisticated food menu. Good for brunch and dinner, they recently won an award the best burger in Raleigh from our local paper.
28 locals recommend
Neuse River Brewing Company
518 Pershing RdA great brewery (belgian-style) with a surprisingly sophisticated food menu. Good for brunch and dinner, they recently won an award the best burger in Raleigh from our local paper.
An adorable doughnut shop with perfectly delicious doughnuts and coffee. Try the chocolate with sprinkles - crispy and not too sweet, exactly how a doughnut should be.
Bright Spot Donuts
1501 Sunrise AvenueAn adorable doughnut shop with perfectly delicious doughnuts and coffee. Try the chocolate with sprinkles - crispy and not too sweet, exactly how a doughnut should be.
Shopping
Fun local Raleigh favorite store. Katie can spend at least a half hour in here browsing for local goods.
43 locals recommend
Deco Raleigh
207 S Salisbury StFun local Raleigh favorite store. Katie can spend at least a half hour in here browsing for local goods.
Note: This is now at 307 West Martin Street. Women's clothes, gifts and jewelry - all with a larger purpose. Every brand that is carried in the shop does good in the world somehow. Great style and reasonable to medium prices.
The Flourish Market
1101 W Martin StNote: This is now at 307 West Martin Street. Women's clothes, gifts and jewelry - all with a larger purpose. Every brand that is carried in the shop does good in the world somehow. Great style and reasonable to medium prices.
There's something for everyone here - clothes, books, gifts for all ages.
27 locals recommend
Edge of Urge
215 E Franklin StThere's something for everyone here - clothes, books, gifts for all ages.