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. So it's no surprise that recent accolades and media nods have sounded a bit like this:

One of America’s hottest food cities; one of the most underrated food cities on the East Coast; one of five surprising Southern food towns; and the South's newest foodie city. 

It helps, of course, to have one of America’s best chefs.

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 went on to open a beloved chicken and waffle spot and an acclaimed wood-fired contemporary restaurant, all the while earning praise for her work both inside and out of the kitchen.

In 2019 she was awarded the title of Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation—the highest individual honor for a chef—making her the only North Carolinian to ever win the award.

^{Poole's Diner; photo by Forrest Mason}

Christensen's success has paved the path for others to build upon a burgeoning food scene.

Scott Crawford, now a six-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.

More recently he opened both Brodeto—a gorgeous eatery inspired by his family travels to the Adriatic coast—and Crawford Brothers Steakhouse—a high-end spot that's designed to impress—both in 2024. 

And while we can do fine dining—Herons at The Umstead Hotel and Spa has repeatedly been named among the best restaurants in America—we can also do barbecue. 

Fourth-generation pitmaster Sam Jones has kept his family's whole-hog tradition alive and well in downtown Raleigh, where 180-pound hogs are cooked over wood for 16 hours before being chopped and paired with slaw for sensational sandwiches. His namesake restaurant, Sam Jones BBQ, opened in 2021. 

And just east of Raleigh in Knightdale, champion pitmaster Christopher Prieto's Prime Barbecue blends Texas and North Carolina philosophies: source the best quality meats, cook it the right way and sell out every day. You'll find pulled pork, yes, but also brisket, house-made sausages, smoked turkey, beef ribs (Fridays) and even whole-hog lechon (Saturdays, an ode to the pitmaster's Puerto Rican heritage).

^{Prime Barbecue; photo by ©AzulPhotography}

A few newcomers you should know about?

Tamasha—which can translate to "a great performance" in Hindi—provides high-energy ambiance with the food to match (modern Indian cuisine with contemporary presentation that includes a dash of gastronomic illusion). Chef Bhavin Chhatwani has been recognized among the best young chefs in America by multiple outlets. 

Ajja—a playful Mediterranean restaurant from rock star chef Cheetie Kumar—and Figulina—a handmade pasta shop from chef David Ellis—were both named among the best new restaurants in the U.S. upon opening in 2024. 

^{Tamasha; photo by Harsha Sipani}

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. In fact, 14 Raleigh-area restaurants were just selected as part of the first-ever MICHELIN Guide American South!