10 Best Raleigh Restaurants

Raleigh is famous for North Carolina-Style Barbecue, Southern Fried Chicken, Biscuits, and Fried Green Tomatoes. Barbecue, one of the most famous foods in Raleigh NC, follows the Eastern North Carolina tradition, featuring whole-hog pork with a tangy vinegar-based sauce, served at spots like Clyde Cooper’s BBQ, The Pit Authentic BBQ, and Sam Jones BBQ. Southern Fried Chicken, known for crispy coating and juicy interior, is popular at Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, Mecca Restaurant, and Tupelo Honey. Biscuits are served with different fillings at Real Biscuits, Biscuitville, and Flying Biscuit. Fried Green Tomatoes, a staple southern comfort food and one of the best foods in Raleigh, is often paired with pimento cheese, and found at barbecue restaurants throughout the city.

The cost of a meal in Raleigh varies depending on the type of restaurant. Basic meals at inexpensive restaurants cost around $20, with a lunchtime menu in the business district priced at $21. Combo meals in fast food restaurants range from $9 to $11.50. The average daily cost for food is approximately $99 per person, with spending ranging from $43 to $194. Breakfast costs between $10 and $30, lunch from $15 to $40, and dinner from $30 to $69. Coffee is priced at $8, and fast food or street food costs around $15. Group meals at mid-range restaurants average $77.60 for two people. High-end restaurants charge between $75 and $100 for a three-course meal per person. 

Yes, Raleigh has several fine dining restaurants including The Capital Grille, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse, Sullivan's Steakhouse, Tamasha Modern Indian, and East End Bistrot. These establishments offer premium fine dining Raleigh NC experiences with exceptional service, fine wines, and high-quality dishes. Tamasha Modern Indian has earned a place among the "50 Most Beautiful Restaurants in America" by OpenTable and People Magazine. East End Bistrot combines French techniques with Asian-inspired flavors and showcases high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients. Other fine dining restaurants in Raleigh NC include Herons, Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, and The Angus Barn. Majority of the restaurants require reservations due to high demand such as Tamasha Modern Indian.

The most popular fast-food restaurants in Raleigh are listed below:

• Char-Grill: Known for classic burgers, fresh ingredients, and a nostalgic drive-in experience.
• Cook Out: Famous for milkshakes and large portioned meals with a Southern twist.
• Chick-fil-A: Renowned for chicken sandwiches, quality service, and signature sauces.
• Bojangles': Beloved for Southern fried chicken, biscuits, and flavorful sides.
• Back Yard Burgers: Known for premium burgers made with fresh, high-quality ingredients.
• Five Guys: Famous for gourmet burgers, hand-cut fries, and customizable toppings.
• Zaxby's: Known for chicken fingers, wings, and dipping sauces.
• McDonald's: Fast-food giant known for burgers, fries, and breakfast items.
• Wendy's: Famous for fresh, never frozen burgers and signature Frosty dessert.
• Subway: Offers made-to-order subs with an assortment of fresh ingredients and toppings.

The best new restaurants in Raleigh are listed below:

• Birdies Barroom & Kitchen: Modern American eatery offering upscale new American staples like crab dip, hot honey cauliflower, heritage pork ribs, and features a coffee bar, breakfast menu, and counter service for sandwiches and salads. Located at 150 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.
• Figulina: James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant 2024, and one of the new restaurants Raleigh NC specializes in handcrafted pasta with local ingredients and Southern cuisine. Dishes include nori bucatini with crab and chili, rigatoni with braised sweet potato, and cappelletti with short ribs. Cocktails influenced by Italian amari. Located at 317 South Harrington Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603.
• Daijobu: Known for hand roll-style sushi and ramen, offering a mix-and-match menu of small plates like scallop with yukari furikake and bowls of tonkotsu, spicy tan tan, and miso ramen. Located at 180 East Davie Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27601.
• Brodeto: Specializing in Adriatic cuisine, with seafood like squid ink risotto, Croatian lamb peka, sardine toast, coal-roasted mussels, and house-made gelato. Located at 2201 Iron Works Dr., Ste. 137, Raleigh.
• Flour and Barrel Kitchen + Bar: Italian-inspired restaurant serving artisan cocktails, fresh pasta, bread, and small plates. Notable dishes include the "big ass meatball," and the restaurant still brews beer in-house. Located at 400 W. North St., Raleigh.
• La Terrazza: Italian and Mediterranean restaurant on the rooftop terrace of The Dillon, offering dishes like lamb skewers, fresh pasta, grilled octopus, and pizzas. Located at 223 S West Street, 9th floor, Raleigh.
• Tamasha: Fine Indian dining with dishes like Hyderabadi dum biryani, butter chicken, dahi kebabs, tandoori paneer tikka, and the standout Oyster 65. Located at 4200 Six Forks Road, Suite 130, Raleigh.

Restaurants in Raleigh that are best for all-day dining are listed below:

• Flying Biscuit: Known for an all-day breakfast menu, favorites include the Flying Biscuit served with grits and Southern staples, perfect option for those looking for good places to eat in Raleigh. 
• Morning Times: Cozy ambiance with breakfast favorites like eggs benedict, omelets, and freshly baked pastries, paired with renowned coffee and espresso drinks.
• A Place at the Table: Community-focused cafe that serves classic breakfast options like avocado toast, French toast, and biscuits with gravy, with a pay-what-you-can model for meals.
• Bad Daddy's Burger Bar: Known for gourmet burgers, creative toppings, sweet potato fries, and onion rings available all day makes it the best lunch in Raleigh. 
• The Raleigh Times: One of the Raleigh lunch spots staple with a lunch menu featuring sandwiches like the classic Reuben, hearty burgers, and unique salads. 
• Taverna Agora: Serves Greek and Mediterranean dishes, and among the best lunch restaurants in Raleigh includes gyros, lamb skewers, and spanakopita, with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors. 

For those looking for the best dinner in Raleigh, NC, there is Sullivan's Steakhouse and Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern. These restaurants offer fine dining experience with premium dishes like filet mignon, lobster bisque, and desserts in a historic Victorian setting. Other top dinner places in Raleigh include the Wonderland Kitchen & Cocktails, which is known for creative cocktails and a dinner menu with seared tuna, steak frites, and small plates. 

Restaurants in Raleigh that serve vegan food include Element Gastropub, Fiction Kitchen, Marian Cocktails and Kitchen, and Pure Vegan Cafe. Element Gastropub serves dishes like vegan burgers, tofu scramble, and chickpea salad. Fiction Kitchen offers meals such as BBQ jackfruit, mushroom risotto, and seitan "chicken" & waffles. Marian Cocktails and Kitchen specializes in tapas like Impossible meatballs, and savory dishes like chunk wellington and goat cheese fondue. Pure Vegan Cafe features breakfast options like avocado toast, vegan burgers, and smoothies along with cold-pressed juices and salads.

Restaurants in Raleigh serving gluten-free food include Raleigh Raw Juice Bar & Cafe, Arepa Culture, The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar, and Winston's Grille. Raleigh Raw Juice Bar & Cafe offers gluten-free options like avocado toast, smoothies, and acai bowls. Arepa Culture serves gluten-free arepas, with every menu item free of gluten. The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar provides gluten-free bento boxes, burgers, sushi, and soy sauce. Winston's Grille features gluten-free dishes like fries, shrimp and grits, and tortilla chips.

Yes, many restaurants in Raleigh are healthy, according to Christine Byrne, MPH, RD, LDN, as published on the Ruby Oak Nutrition website. Notable spots include Raleigh Raw, Irregardless Café, The Daily Planet Café, A Place at the Table, and Fiction Kitchen. Raleigh Raw is known for smoothie bowls like the Khaleesi Acai and Green Lotus smoothie bowls, and poke bowls. Irregardless Café offers vegetable-heavy dishes like the goat cheese omelette and tofu scramble. The Daily Planet Café serves options like huevos rancheros grits bowl and avocado toast. A Place at the Table features the turkey bacon avocado club sandwich and superfood yogurt bowl. Fiction Kitchen, showcases plant-based dishes like the Eastern NC-style BBQ sandwich and peanut noodle bowl.

The famous cuisines in Raleigh include:

• Southern Cuisine: Fried chicken and shrimp and grits are featured at Irregardless Café and Beasley's Chicken + Honey.
• Caribbean Cuisine: Jerk chicken, curry goat, and fried plantains are offered at Caribbean Grill and The Island Caribbean Restaurant.
• Mexican Cuisine: Tacos, enchiladas, and tamales are served at La Santa and Tacos Las Tias.
• Italian Cuisine: Wood-fired pizzas, pasta, and osso buco are available at Gravy and Lupo Italian Kitchen.
• Farm-to-Table Cuisine: Seasonal dishes made from locally sourced ingredients are served at The Farmer's Market Restaurant and Panciuto.
• Asian Cuisine: Sushi, ramen, and stir-fried dishes are featured at Doh and Sushi O.
• Indian Cuisine: Butter chicken, samosas, and biryani are offered at CurryBlossom Café and Taj Mahal.
• Laotian Cuisine: Larb, sticky rice, and papaya salad are served at Sabaidee Lao and Lao Thai Kitchen.
• Irish Cuisine: Shepherd's pie, fish and chips, and stews are available at The Irish Pub and McNeill’s Pub.
• Adriatic Cuisine: Croatian dishes like cevapi and sarma are offered at Spero.

The best restaurants in Raleigh typically offer southern comfort food. Crawford and Son serves modern Southern gourmet fare, with dishes like crudo and rabbit pot pie, ideal for smaller groups or couples, with reservations recommended. Hayes Barton Cafe is known for comfort food in Raleigh, with legendary dishes like chicken pot pie, crab dip, and massive slices of cake that can feed multiple people. Longleaf Swine offers a fresh take on classic barbecue with smoked meats like brisket, ribs, and mac n cheese. Madre offers small plates with Spanish and European influences in a trendy setting. 

Yes, the best restaurants in Raleigh serve unique dishes such as exotic meats and innovative takes on classic dishes. Burger Village on Glenwood Ave offers exotic, grass-fed burgers with a menu dedicated to organic, non-GMO, and grass-fed meats. Exotic options include bison, elk, boar, and ostrich. These unique restaurants in Raleigh also cater to those with dietary needs, with vegetarian and vegan options available. Margaux's Restaurant serves exotic meats like Winter-Spiced Elk, which made the restaurant one of the unique places to eat in Raleigh.