Guidebook for Raleigh
Food Scene
Starbucks
609 W Peace StClosest coffee shop.
MoJoe's Burger Joint
620 Glenwood AveNeighborhood burger joint and $2 burgers after 10pm.
They use "spring water dough" and they've "been baked on the stone" since the 1970s. Their philosopher's pie is delicious.
23 locals recommend
Mellow Mushroom Raleigh
601 W Peace StThey use "spring water dough" and they've "been baked on the stone" since the 1970s. Their philosopher's pie is delicious.
Their miele is a honey latte and one of my favorite coffee drinks. The kitchen closes at 4pm. Good place for hip people watching.
Cafe Helios
413 Glenwood AveTheir miele is a honey latte and one of my favorite coffee drinks. The kitchen closes at 4pm. Good place for hip people watching.
Sushi Blues Cafe
301 Glenwood AveOutdoor seating and has a 50% off special--can't beat the value.
Char Grill
618 Hillsborough StSmoky burgers and Raleighwood classic.
Quintessential hole-in-the-wall joint! It's on Trip Advisor, started in 1940, Frieda runs the counter with her son hot dog George. Check out the wall of fame for yours truly. No ketchup allowed.
12 locals recommend
The Roast Grill
7 S West StQuintessential hole-in-the-wall joint! It's on Trip Advisor, started in 1940, Frieda runs the counter with her son hot dog George. Check out the wall of fame for yours truly. No ketchup allowed.
Pricier than many of my recommendations but it's always delicious and always hopping. It's next to the amphitheater and a pre-concert drink is a beautiful thing.
102 locals recommend
Poole's
426 S McDowell StPricier than many of my recommendations but it's always delicious and always hopping. It's next to the amphitheater and a pre-concert drink is a beautiful thing.
Gourmet coffee with a hip look. Delicious food (salad with blue cheese and pork shoulder). Also owned by Ashley Christiansen (owner/chef at Poole's Diner). Quality.
9 locals recommend
Joule Coffee
223 S Wilmington StGourmet coffee with a hip look. Delicious food (salad with blue cheese and pork shoulder). Also owned by Ashley Christiansen (owner/chef at Poole's Diner). Quality.
Gourmet burgers. Thick cut, soft fries. Milkshakes you can spike--if they have coffee as the rotating milkshake get it. Also owned by Ashley Christiansen (owner/chef at Poole's Diner). Quality.
25 locals recommend
Chuck's Burgers
237 S Wilmington StGourmet burgers. Thick cut, soft fries. Milkshakes you can spike--if they have coffee as the rotating milkshake get it. Also owned by Ashley Christiansen (owner/chef at Poole's Diner). Quality.
Finer dining on par with Poole's Diner so it's delicious. Cool cabin ambiance.
75 locals recommend
Stanbury
938 N Blount StFiner dining on par with Poole's Diner so it's delicious. Cool cabin ambiance.
Cozy place for a vegan latte in the Five Points neighborhood that's rich and artsy. Good veggie options with decent prices in this cafe.
19 locals recommend
The Third Place Coffee Shop
1811 Glenwood AveCozy place for a vegan latte in the Five Points neighborhood that's rich and artsy. Good veggie options with decent prices in this cafe.
Artsy/hippie vibe, somewhat price and popular. I thought it was a little salty.
41 locals recommend
Lilly's Pizza
1813 Glenwood AveArtsy/hippie vibe, somewhat price and popular. I thought it was a little salty.
Indian cuisine with a cool mirrored mosaic entrance. I haven't tried it myself, so please let me know how it is if you go!
27 locals recommend
Garland
14 W Martin StIndian cuisine with a cool mirrored mosaic entrance. I haven't tried it myself, so please let me know how it is if you go!
An open, humble, and neighborly coffee shop that's bike friendly. On Tuesdays a group bike ride loops around the city and ends with $2 Belgian beers at the cafe and a raffle for bike goodies.
14 locals recommend
Benelux Coffee
402 Oberlin RdAn open, humble, and neighborly coffee shop that's bike friendly. On Tuesdays a group bike ride loops around the city and ends with $2 Belgian beers at the cafe and a raffle for bike goodies.
Shopping
Peace Street Market
804 W Peace StOur neighborhood beer store.
The Raleigh Wine Shop
317 Glenwood AveThey do wine tastings and I hear good things.
Their cupcakes are all sugar--if you like that then you'll like their stuff. For more finesse in cupcakes and other edibles I HIGHLY recommend Daisy Cakes in downtown Durham.
9 locals recommend
The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery
104 Glenwood AveTheir cupcakes are all sugar--if you like that then you'll like their stuff. For more finesse in cupcakes and other edibles I HIGHLY recommend Daisy Cakes in downtown Durham.
Drinks & Nightlife
Underground bar that makes all the sodas for their craft cocktails (literally underground and easy to miss). If Kari or Laura are working, say hi for me. :)
54 locals recommend
FOUNDATION
213 Fayetteville StUnderground bar that makes all the sodas for their craft cocktails (literally underground and easy to miss). If Kari or Laura are working, say hi for me. :)
Best place for Raleigh sunsets, complete with train tracks to infinity and the pretty Raleigh skyline. Good view-but terrible service and mediocre food/drink at the Brewpub itself.
26 locals recommend
Boylan Bridge Brewpub
201 South Boylan AvenueBest place for Raleigh sunsets, complete with train tracks to infinity and the pretty Raleigh skyline. Good view-but terrible service and mediocre food/drink at the Brewpub itself.
Trophy Brewing
827 W Morgan StGood beer and pizza. Very popular new favorite among locals.
Empanadas galore. For the desert empanadas, I recommend the King of Kong.
13 locals recommend
Calavera Empanadas and Tequila
615 W Morgan StEmpanadas galore. For the desert empanadas, I recommend the King of Kong.
Delish Laotian food, crafted cocktails, and intentional interior design. The siblings who run this restaurant are good people--if you see the owner say hi from MK. :) *order lettuce wraps and the duck
126 locals recommend
Bida Manda
222 S Blount StDelish Laotian food, crafted cocktails, and intentional interior design. The siblings who run this restaurant are good people--if you see the owner say hi from MK. :) *order lettuce wraps and the duck
Everything Else
PieBird
618 N Person StBananas in pajamas desert pie is tasty.
Yellow Dog Bread Company
219 E Franklin StPopular new bakery.
Beatiful garden for your own moment of zen. Adjacent to Raleigh outdoor theater.
26 locals recommend
Rose Garden
301 Pogue StBeatiful garden for your own moment of zen. Adjacent to Raleigh outdoor theater.
James B. Hunt Jr. Library
1070 Partners WayOne of the top libraries in the world.
Best bakery I've frequented in a long time. Gluten-free and savory options.
7 locals recommend
DaisyCakes
401 Foster StBest bakery I've frequented in a long time. Gluten-free and savory options.
Rent or buy bikes or gear from this local shop. Say hi to Zell, Ken, and Jared for me--they're the owners and they're quality people.
15 locals recommend
Oak City Cycling
707 N Person StRent or buy bikes or gear from this local shop. Say hi to Zell, Ken, and Jared for me--they're the owners and they're quality people.
Tennis courts, swing sets, grass fields, basketball court, and wetland with a path that you can follow for a convenient walk in the park.
24 locals recommend
Fred Fletcher Park
820 Clay StTennis courts, swing sets, grass fields, basketball court, and wetland with a path that you can follow for a convenient walk in the park.
The Fresh Market
400 Woodburn RdGrocery store similar to Whole Foods.
Harris Teeter
500 Oberlin RdGrocery store - larger than Fresh Market.
The only dedicated tea shop in downtown Raleigh. This place has a great selection for sale. Feel free to brew your purchases at the Attic.
Tin Roof Teas
432 Daniels StThe only dedicated tea shop in downtown Raleigh. This place has a great selection for sale. Feel free to brew your purchases at the Attic.
Find local produce, meat, sweets, plants, and more at this massive farmers market that's open 7 days a week year round.
114 locals recommend
North Carolina State Farmers Public Market
1201 Agriculture StFind local produce, meat, sweets, plants, and more at this massive farmers market that's open 7 days a week year round.
Delicious German/American inspired cuisine at surprisingly low prices. The space was beautifully restored, preserving the past in the present.
34 locals recommend
Capital Club 16
16 W Martin StDelicious German/American inspired cuisine at surprisingly low prices. The space was beautifully restored, preserving the past in the present.