Best Places to Eat in Downtown Raleigh 

Are you looking for the best restaurants in Downtown Raleigh? Let's discuss some of the best Downtown Raleigh restaurants so that you can find that perfect place to eat with friends and family when visiting or living in Raleigh, NC! 

Exploring downtown Raleigh is highly enjoyable for most people. There is so much to see, do, and eat! Raleigh is a fast-growing city; thousands of people are moving here monthly! This city has become highly desired by people of all ages, demographics, jobs, etc. Living in Raleigh gives everyone a sense of community, whether you are living downtown or in the suburbs. 

If you are out on the town in Raleigh, you may become overwhelmed with everything around you. There are many restaurants, some of the best bars, and a variety of family-friendly activities! This is why people love moving to Raleigh, NC. 

When it comes to picking the right place for you and your friends or family to enjoy, the choice can be difficult because of all the options. Downtown Raleigh is home to an abundance of food. Every place you see (or read about in this guide) is entirely different. These restaurants have different cultural backgrounds, menu items, and environments, making them unique and the best! 

Whether you are a foodie and love to try every place around town or if you're looking for a nice restaurant for date night or even a family-friendly restaurant, downtown Raleigh has it all! 

Here are the eleven best restaurants in downtown Raleigh!

Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen

Address: 326 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm

This Greek restaurant has the most insane interior. The vibe and atmosphere at Taverna Agora Greek Kitchen are truly one of a kind! They are also known to have the most stunning green rooftop patio that gives you insane views of downtown Raleigh. 

Their environment is inspired by the tastes, sounds, and sights of the small village one would encounter in Greece! 

Stanbury

Address: 938 N Blount Street, Raleigh, NC 28604
Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 5 pm - 10 pm; Friday & Saturday, 5 pm- 11 pm; Closed on Sundays & Mondays

Stanbury is the spot for you if you are looking for a hip, rustic establishment to enjoy seasonal New American cuisine! This restaurant has an atmosphere that is very rare to find. The main goal of this establishment is to provide a place for coming together and sharing to celebrate our community.

The dishes you will find at this location are inspired by "The day's offerings. Reflecting seasonal availability and the unique qualities and mood of each day." They also dedicate both to integrating and highlighting our region's local agriculture producers. 

Here you will find menu items like Mushroom Bisque, Arugula Salad, Short Rib Birria, Grilled Ribeye, NC Swordfish Crudo, Oysters, and so much more! Most things you will find on the menu at Stanbury, you won't see anywhere else! Add this one to your must-try list! 

Beasley's Chicken and Honey

Address: 237 S Wilmington Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Monday, 11:30 am - 8 pm; Thursday & Friday, 11:30 am - 9 pm; Saturday, 11 am - 9 pm; Sunday, 11 am - 8 pm; Tuesday & Wednesday, CLOSED

If you are looking for a delicious place to take your family or friends for brunch, lunch, or dinner, Beasley's Chicken + Honey is a great spot! The atmosphere and vibes of this establishment are so relaxed and welcoming. You will genuinely feel the Southern hospitality as soon as you walk through the doors.

Their menu consists of southern cuisines like Chicken Pot Pie, Meatloaf, Roasted Poblano Pimento Cheese with Sweet Potato Crackers, Cheesy Grit Fries, and so much more! Their most popular menu item by far is their Chicken and Waffles. Their waffles are soft and fluffy, and their chicken is crispy and juicy! Enjoy their delicious sides, like their mac and cheese, creamy mashed potatoes, and more.

They only serve brunch at Beasley's Chicken + Honey on Saturdays and Sundays, 11 am - 3 pm! Come around this time to enjoy their breakfast bowl, Hot Chicken Eggs Benedict, Biscuits and Gravy, and plenty more options!

Don't forget about their old-school soda pop bottles! You can get Cheerwine, Coca-Cola, Sprite, and more sodas all in their 12 oz classic bottles! 

The Big Easy NC

Address: 222 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 12 am; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 2 am

The Big Easy prides itself on feeling like a piece of New Orleans. Here you will find Southern and Cajun-inspired dishes that are delicious! This restaurant will allow you to feel true Southern hospitality as the staff and atmosphere are very welcoming. 

The menu at The Big Easy is full of various versions of Louisiana-inspired cuisine. This establishment's customer favorites are the Jambalaya, Etoufee, Gumbo, and Po'Boys. If those choices cater to something other than your palette, they also have fresh burgers, crisp salads, sandwiches, and famous wings! 

The Big Easy also hosts many events all year round! You can check out their nightlife on their website to see what they have coming up. They host parties like Mardi Gras and St. Patrick's Day party! This place is unique when it comes to a restaurant turning into a bar after hours. You can even host your own event!

Mojoe's Burger Joint

Address: 620 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Every day, 11 am - 10 pm

This burger spot has become a local favorite for those who live in Raleigh. Mojoe's Burger Joint prides itself on its hand patty of Premium Sterling Silver beef every single day. You will be receiving the freshest beef at this establishment and nothing less. You can choose between 6-ounce, 10-ounce, or the "Hall of Fame" one-pound patty.

Not only will you see the delicious burger options on the menu, but you will also notice that they have a ton of other options as well. Try the savory wings, classic sandwiches, or fresh salads! Mojoe's is known to have the BEST homemade ranch dressing if you are a ranch person!

Now onto the drinks. Mojoe's offers 12 different taps of your favorite craft, local beers, and popular liquors. This place is 100% a must-try if you love a good juicy burger with an abundance of toppings to choose from. 

Vic's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria

Address: 331 Blake Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm; Sunday, CLOSED

Who doesn't love an authentic Italian restaurant with homemade dishes and pizza?! If you're looking for a nice, informal spot to take your friends and family, Vic's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria is a must-try! 

A little about the beginning of this establishment: Vic's is owned by Mario Longo, who has been serving customers his family's recipes for nearly 30 years! The Longo family has been in the restaurant industry for more than that, running restaurants in both New York and North Carolina!

Their menu consists of various pasta, Fettuccine Alfredo, and Penne Primavera being some of the favorites! They also have a handful of salads and soups if you lean toward the lighter side. And, of course, they have plenty of options for their New York Style pizza, and you can even create your own. 

The Pit Authentic Barbecue

Address: 328 Davie Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 11 am - 10 pm; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm

If you have friends in town and want to show them true authentic southern barbecue, The Pit is an excellent spot for you to bring them! North Carolina is known for their legendary barbecue establishments, but The Pit is a favorite in downtown Raleigh. 

They serve everything barbecue from Seasonal Skillet Cornbread, Fried Mac and Cheese, Chicken Wings, and more for starters. Then you move into their plates! They have a variety of meat plates to choose from, like pork, brisket, turkey, fried chicken, ribs, and more! You can even get a combo and enjoy more than one type of BBQ meat!

They also have an abundance of sandwiches to choose from. You can enjoy a pork sandwich, a chicken sandwich, a burger, and more! If you know authentic barbecue, then you know the sides are essential! They have side options of baked beans, mashed potatoes and gravy, collards, Brussels sprouts, cole slaw, fried okra, and many more!

Truly one of the BEST barbecue spots in Raleigh!

Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing

Address: 201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11 am - 3 pm, 4 pm - 9:45 pm; Friday, 11 a - 10:45 pm; Saturday, 10 am - 2:45 pm, 4 pm - 10:45 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 2:45 pm, 4 pm - 8:45 pm

If you are looking for the perfect spot to be able to enjoy an outdoor patio with insane views of downtown Raleigh, Wye Hill Kitchen and Brewing is the perfect place! 

This restaurant serves brunch, lunch, and dinner! Their most popular times are around dinner time and late at night. They have dishes like Dill Pickle Pimento Cheese, Everything Brussels, Roasted Pear and Goat Cheese Salad, Brewer's Chicken Schnitzel, Turkey Burger, and more! They also have a kid's menu for those who want to bring their families to this location.

Wye Hill has a variety of personally brewed beers that you can get on tap or in a can. You can even buy a 4-pack of some beers at the establishment. This place is a must-see and must-try if you are in the Raleigh area!

Gringo A Go Go

Address: 100 N Person Street, Raleigh, NC 27601
Hours: Monday, CLOSED; Tuesday - Thursday, 11 am - 9 pm; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 10 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 2:30 pm

This lowkey Mexican cantina is known for its classic fare and vegan alternative options. As soon as you walk through the doors at Gringo A Go Go, you will be greeted with the most extraordinary atmosphere in Raleigh. The restaurant's unique design and art make dining at this establishment memorable! 

Their menu consists of items like Sikil, which is vegan roasted pumpkin seed dip, soups, chorizo, carnitas, tacos, tortas, enchiladas, and many more options! They are known for their variety of salsas. They serve ten different types of salsas, all of which have different heat levels!

And you can never forget their delicious margaritas! They have many choices, from a house margarita to a spicy margarita! If you are looking for a delightful Mexican restaurant catering to vegans and vegetarians, Gringo is the perfect spot! 

Irregardless Cafe

Address: 901 W Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Monday, CLOSED; Tuesday - Thursday, 4:30 pm - 9 pm; Friday & Saturday, 11 am - 2:30 pm, 4:30 pm - 10 pm; Sunday, 10 am - 2 pm, 4:30 pm - 9 pm

This cafe has been a local favorite in downtown Raleigh for many years now. It has even won Open Table's Top 50 Vegetarian Restaurants in the US and INDY Week's Best Salad in Wake County 2019. 

Irregardless Cafe has a relaxed atmosphere that is perfect for a date night, family brunch, or even a quick place to grab lunch. As soon as you walk through the doors of this restaurant, you will be greeted by friendly staff! You may also notice all the different art on the walls around the cafe. These pieces are all done by local artists and are changed out frequently to support different designs! 

They have menu items like Roasted Beet Napoleon, Vegan Calamari, Beet Salad, or Hummus to start your meal off. Their entrees include Butternut Squash Penne, Peanut Pad Thai, Grass Fed Ribeye, Lobster Manicotti, Spanakopita, and many more dinner options.

They serve dishes like Chicken and Waffles, Root Veggie Hash, Shrimp and Grits, Vegan Burritos, and more for brunch! Their lunch menu allows you to choose from some items featured on the dinner menu and other things like Curry Chickpea Wrap, Tempeh Philly, Lemon Ginger Salmon, and more!

Char-Grill

Address: 618 Hillsborough Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Hours: Monday, 10 am - 9 pm; Tuesday - Thursday, 10 am - 11 pm; Friday & Saturday, 10 am - 12 am; Sunday, 10:30 am - 9 pm

Char-Grill is a local fast-food chain that has been serving charcoal-grilled burgers since 1959. This walk-up style establishment allows you to order your food at the window and enjoy your meal at the outdoor seating or take it home.

They serve burgers, BBQ pork sandwiches, hot dogs, and fries. They also have specialty items like a BLT, grilled cheese, or a salad. You can't go to Char-Grill and NOT get their famous milkshake! You can choose a chocolate or vanilla shake with the perfect consistency a milkshake should have! 

This spot is perfect for those who like to grab a quick lunch or dinner on the go! 

Best Places to Dine in Downtown Raleigh - Our Last Words

No matter which place you choose to dine at in Downtown Raleigh, you won't be disappointed with what it has to offer. Raleigh is known for its abundance of food options. Downtown Raleigh is home to some of the best establishments, but there are even great options outside of downtown.

Check out our guide on the best bars in Raleigh if you are looking for fantastic spots to enjoy in your neighborhood late at night after a delicious dinner!

If you are considering relocating to the area and would like to get connected with a local Real Estate specialist who can walk you through the home buying process, contact us here.