Raleigh has a lot more to offer besides great schools and breathtaking scenery. As the capital city of North Carolina, Raleigh has a booming culinary scene. Visitors can try Poole’s Diner for an ever-evolving blackboard of comfort delights, Crawford & Son where food takes on the appearance of art, or Brewery Bhavana for delicious dim sum paired with unique beers. Head to Cheetie Kumar’s latest concept, Ajja, for global-inspired eats and a collective culinary experience. Or visit her other ventures, Kings for live music and a cocktail from Neptunes.
Raleigh has no shortage of beverage aficionados. Visit the pour over bar at Jubala Coffee or snag an espresso tonic. A staple in the downtown scene based in a historic Raleigh newspaper building, the Raleigh Times Bar offers an extensive beer list and coveted views of the downtown skyline from their rooftop patio.
Layered Croissanterie boasts impressively flakey laminated pastries with modern combinations, like cucumber za'atar danishes and coconut painsuisse. To build on your bread experience, head to Boulted Bread for hand-milled loaves, like seeded levain or Nordic rye. Steps from Boulted, find the historic Heights House Hotel, a Italiante-style mansion-turned-boutique-hotel nestled in the Boylan Heights neighborhood with some of the best local cocktails and charcuterie boards in their immaculate Parlor.
Experience modern sculptures and floral installations at the North Carolina Museum of Art or visit the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences for a day filled with dinosaur bones and deep sea submarines. Whether you’re pining for oysters from St. Roch or pursuing the North Carolina farmers market, there are abundant activities and unlimited local flavor when visiting Raleigh.
plan your trip to raleigh 
On the Road
Snapshot: Raleigh
North Carolina’s capital city is full of charm with a Southern food narrative exploring both its deep roots and intersections with other cultures.
Dining Out
Meet a Local: Cheetie Kumar dishes on Raleigh
Cheetie Kumar loves the warmth of the people and sense of community in Raleigh. At her restaurant, Garland, she serves the foods of her childhood, re-focused through a Southern lens.
In the Field
Our Picks in the North Carolina Triangle
The North Carolina Triangle might be anchored by three major universities but this corner offers much more than scholarly smarts.
Dining Out
Crawford Brothers Steakhouse
Scott Crawford's Crawford Brothers Steakhouse salutes the timeless American steakhouse, but with a hearty serving of swagger.
Dining Out
Peregrine
A deeply personal passport, Peregrine is stamped by the impact of place on cuisine and the routes that shape distinctive culinary perspective.
Dining Out
Tamasha Modern Indian
For a fine dining experience, head over to Tamasha Modern Indian in Raleigh, North Carolina where Indian cuisine meets Southern classics.
Dining Out
La Farm Bakery
La Farm Bakery, headed by Lionel Vatinet, is baking heirloom Southern grains into French legacies in Cary, North Carolina.
Dining Out
Brewery Bhavana
Brewery Bahavana in Raleigh is more than just a place for craft beer and dim sum, but an expansive dining experience and bookstore.
Dining Out
Poole’s Diner
Tucked in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Poole's Diner offers a family-friendly experience with historic Southern charm.
Getaway
Heights House
A 19th-century Italianate-style mansion, Heights House offers a destination stay in Raleigh’s Boylan Heights.
Getaway
Fearrington Village
The grounds of Fearrington Village, an iconic North Carolina property, are worth a day or two of your time.
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As 2025 closes, we’re still buzzing about the culinary trends that shaped this year and made their mark. Help predict 2026 trends here!
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Chapel Hill
From historic roots to cutting-edge restaurants, Chapel Hill is a quintessential southern destination.
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Durham
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Charlotte
Ingenuity paired with creativity is at the helm of the thriving restaurants and breweries expanding the Queen City’s culinary scene.
