Raleigh, N.C., Food Scene
Raleigh’s food scene? It’s booming. Thriving. Better than ever, thanks to tasty endeavors from a community that’s passionate about good eats and drinks.
The recent accolades: One of America’s hottest food cities (Zagat); one of the most underrated food cities on the East Coast (USA TODAY); one of five surprising Southern food towns (Garden & Gun); one of the world's top 10 beer destinations for 2019 (VinePair); and one of 12 global destinations to travel to thanks to our culinary prowess (Forbes).
It helps, of course, to have America’s best chef.
To say chef Ashley Christensen has earned her own acclaim would be an understatement. Since opening her flagship restaurant Poole's Diner in 2007, Christensen—a fierce philanthropist—has helped transform downtown Raleigh. She opened a burger joint, a chicken and waffle spot, an underground liquor bar and a wood-fired contemporary restaurant, all the while earning praise for her work both inside and out of the kitchen. Things culminated in 2019 when the James Beard Foundation awarded Christensen the title of Outstanding Chef—the highest individual honor for a chef—making her the only North Carolinian to ever win the award. Christensen's newest venture, Poole'side Pies—a Neapolitan-style pizza shop—is open as of summer 2019.
Christensen's success has paved the path for others to build upon a burgeoning food scene. Scott Crawford, a five-time James Beard Foundation semifinalist himself, opened his second restaurant in 2019 (Jolie, an intimate French bistro). Crawford and Son, his original downtown Raleigh eatery, opened in the fall of 2016—it's since been named "restaurant of the year" by both Raleigh's The News & Observer and Indy Week publications.
At Herons at the Umstead Hotel and Spa (named one of America's 30 best restaurants) in Cary, chef Steven Devereaux Greene—one of the country’s youngest executive chefs to helm the kitchen of a AAA Five Diamond establishment—has created The Art Tour, an eight-course special chef's tasting menu inspired by The Umstead Hotel's art collection. It's been described as "the meal of a lifetime."
For big venues with big options, America's food hall trend is alive and well in Raleigh. Both Morgan Street Food Hall and Transfer Co. Food Hall—offering bagels, burritos, burgers, beer and more—sit just a few blocks from the North Carolina State Capitol on opposite sides of downtown.
The restaurant scene is constantly evolving, too, redefining and re-imagining both Southern cooking and global flavors. From food trucks to sushi spots, craft breweries and chocolate shops, there is so much waiting to be discovered on your next visit!
Recent Articles
Dining & Drinks
The Raleigh area's agricultural background and vibrant artistic culture are together helping local chefs create unique spins on everyone's favorite summertime treat. With fresh and local ingredients such as milk from local grass-fed cows to ripe peaches and strawberries from the local farmers,
Dining & Drinks
It's a great time to be a foodie in Raleigh. Three highly anticipated dining spots—with incredible food, views and décor—have opened their doors in recent months (and the...
Dining & Drinks
Weekends are meant to be brunched on! Time spent with family and friends over stacks of blueberry pancakes or the perfect eggs Benedict should be cherished—in the Raleigh area, it is. We get...
Beer
Passionate local chefs, brewers and creative types have teamed up to guide the Raleigh area through a foodie resurgence in recent years, bringing you delicious, unique and approachable culinary...
Things to Do
Roll call! Who's up for beer festivals, outdoor concerts, food truck rodeos, special arts exhibits and more? We've got big plans this spring—join us for good weather and good times in...
Dining & Drinks
Raleigh’s food scene? It’s thriving. Evolving. More diverse than ever, thanks to tasty endeavors from a community that’s passionate about good eats and drinks. Just some of the recent accolades: One of America’s hottest food cities (Zagat);...