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Let’s Go to Dinner in Raleigh/Durham, NC

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Where to go to dinner in Raleigh and Durham, NC

Finally, the best meal, DINNER. Here are my dinner picks for Raleigh & Durham, North Carolina. A good dinner really helps to turn a bad day around and makes a good day better. P and I are huge fans of going to at least one nice dinner in the middle of the week. Just a little something to look forward to. I hate to pick favorites of anything, but I’m going to say that if you can only go to one, make it Mateo, a close second is Stanbury! I’ve also included a few pre-dinner cocktail choices on the Janutful guides, in case you want to make it a real date night 😉

Here are my other recommendations for Raleigh/Durham:

Brunch Picks for Raleigh-Durham via Food, Booze, & Baggage
Where to get lunch in Raleigh and Durham, NC
Craft beer in Raleigh and Durham, NC

Raleigh


Raleigh~Dinner

Stanbury

Stanbury in Raleigh, NC

It’s a tough choice but I’m going to have to say this is my top pick for dinner in Raleigh. We always order the small plates, that way we get to try more dishes! The dessert is really good, so save room. The cocktails are not to be missed either. Reservations are a must here, even getting a seat at the bar is tough at 5:30. My favorite dishes are the steak tartare, and bone marrow. I really like the fried oysters, but the last time I had them they were under-seasoned. This is one of the “hot” new restaurants in Raleigh, and has been featured in several magazines.

Poole’s Diner

Poole’s is Ashley Christensen’s original restaurant in Raleigh; she just won the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southeast in 2014. Ashley Christensen is quite the powerhouse restaurateur in Raleigh, owning Chuck’s, Beasley’s and Joule, with three other places in the works. I’ve always enjoyed Poole’s however it is not exactly a quiet evening. The menu is only on the chalkboard so you have to get up to read them and the atmosphere tends to be loud because the space is small. The food is always great, and the menu changes regularly utilizing local ingredients. No reservations are accepted, so get there early or expect a wait. I prefer to sit at the counter as opposed to a table.

Garland

Garland in Raleigh, NC

While the online description says Indian, it is not your typical Indian fare, check out the menu. We have loved every meal we have tried and the cocktails are spectacular. Try the Modern President, I don’t even like rum and I love this one. Nothing about the description of the Modern President makes it a drink for me, but it works.  The Pork Rice Bowl is a must try, it is one of dishes that is hard not to order, over and over again. You have to order the chocolate covered honeycomb for dessert.

Bida Manda

It is Elton John approved (he ate there while playing in Raleigh) 🙂 Again great food and great cocktails. I love all the dishes but the Ginger Glazed Ribs are truly amazing and one of my favorites. This place gets busy fast, I suggest reservations. P and I actually like to grab a seat at the bar when we can.

J.Betski’s

J.Betski’s is also on my lunch list, but I recommend it for dinner too. They have much more than just sausages and pierogies. Their duck is awesome, and the sides/preparation changes on a regular basis. Make sure to ask about their specials, which are usually very enticing. A great date night choice!

Durham


Dinner in Durham

Mateo

This is my top restaurant of the Triangle. Sadly, I don’t have pictures of our wonderful dinners. 🙁 They do tapas style small plates and I have loved all the ones we have tried. The clams are one of my favorites, the broth is just amazing.  I also love the charcuterie board (shocker I know). You do need a reservation and Friday and Saturday night can book up a few weeks ahead.

Piedmont

Very seasonal menu, but always great. Not a great place for picky eaters as the menu is on the limited side. They also keep a seasonal cocktail menu, crafted with lots of house-made ingredients.

Rue Cler

Great french fare in a fairly casual atmosphere. I love the asparagus with poached egg dish, and the chicken is really good (I rarely order chicken as my entrée but this is an exception).

I thought I would have a few more Durham recommendations, but it is SO hard to turn Mateo down as an option.

Nice dinner in the middle of the week, yay or nay? Am I really the only one that needs a good meal to make it through? 

Let’s Grab a Beer in Raleigh/Durham, NC

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Craft beer in Raleigh and Durham, NC

The craft beer scene has exploded in North Carolina in the past 5 years. If you plan a trip to North Carolina just for the beer, I would recommend Asheville. However, the Triangle would be a close second for concentration of breweries. Below are some of the breweries, beer bars, and craft stores that P and I frequented the most. I’ve included a few extras on the Jauntful guide too. A number of breweries in the area are not included on my list, mainly due to location. Quite a few are a bit of a drive from the main city.

Other posts on Raleigh and Durham:

Brunch Picks for Raleigh-Durham via Food, Booze, & Baggage 

Where to get lunch in Raleigh and Durham, NC

Craft Beer in Raleigh


Craft Beer in Raleigh

Trophy

Trophy was our go to neighborhood beer spot. It’s a small nano brewery that serves amazing pizza. You won’t find their beer served anywhere else around town. Trophy puts out high quality, creative brews. Every once in a while they will rush a beer to production but general their quality seems consistent. This is definitely a stay for a bite place. They use high quality ingredients on their pizzas; make sure to check out their feature pizzas that change daily.

Crank Arm Brewing

Has solid American style beers, that are refined in flavor. They boast a great selection, with standard brews and a good mix of rotating brews. This is a great hangout spot, very relaxed. They offer board games and dogs are welcomed. Sam loves Crank Arm. No food, but if you get hungry I recommend going across the street to The Pit for some bbq or fried chicken. If you aren’t ready to leave The Pit also does take out.

Raleigh Brewing Company

I find Raleigh Brewing a hit or miss. They are definitely coming up with some great recipes, but their consistency is off and they rush a lot of their beers. Unfortunately quite a few we’ve had could have used a bit more time to develop. Raleigh Brewing usually hosts a food truck for dinner, so grab a pint and stay awhile.

Raleigh Times

Raleigh Times will always hold a special place in our hearts, as the place of our first date. Good selection of American and Belgian style beers on draft, plus an extensive bottle menu. This was a favorite after work drink spot for me and P. The bartenders are always friendly and knowledgable. The food is pretty good, though we usually go over to Chuck’s or Beasley’s for a casual dinner.

Busy Bee

Great list of rotating taps in the upstairs and downstairs bars. The downstairs has a larger selection but tends to get busy. The food is hit or miss, sometimes it is really good and sometimes only so so. The several beer dinners we have attended at Busy Bee have always had exceptional food, I highly recommend you keep an eye out for those.

Tasty Beverage Company

A wonderful craft beer store, with a good selection of domestic and import beers and a few unique beers on draft too. They now sale growlers of their draft beers, so you can even take some home! Grab a pint of beer and browse the aisles or sit outside.

Craft Beer in Durham


Craft Beer in Durham

Fullsteam

One of my favorite spots to grab a beer on a Saturday afternoon. Very laid back atmosphere and great beers. During the winter look for the Igor and the First Frost, some of my favorites! They usually have at least one food truck out front, and plenty of games inside to keep you entertained.

Bull City Burger and Brewery

This was on my Durham lunch list too. They keep a great rotation of beers, all brewed on premise.

Bar Lusconi

A nighttime bar, with very knowledge staff. They serve wine and beer only. More bottled beer than drafts; with a few interesting European varieties you rarely see around the triangle.

Sam’s Quik Shop

Looks like a gas station but inside holds the best craft beer selection in the Triangle. They also sale beer on draft, so you can grab a pint and go beer hunting. Seriously, take my word on it and stop by! They also sale almost all their bottle six- pack beers as singles, so you don’t have to commit to a full six-pack. I love that!

Do you have a go-to bar or brewery where you live? 

Where to Lunch in Raleigh/Durham, NC

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Where to get lunch in Raleigh and Durham, NC

I’m continuing the Raleigh/Durham series with my top lunch picks. Included is a fairly wide range of lunch spots, from sit-down/business lunch appropriate to order at the counter type places. I don’t have quite as many lunch recommendations for Durham, as we mostly only made it there on the weekends (and that usually means brunch). Make sure to check out my Jauntful guides below for additional recommendations.

Other posts in this series:

Brunch

Brunch Picks for Raleigh-Durham via Food, Booze, & Baggage

 

Where to Lunch in Raleigh


Raleigh~Where to Lunch

J. Betski’s

One of our all time, go-to, lunch places. I love to get the pierogi and sausage platter, two half sausages and an order of pierogies, it is delicious. All the sausages are made in-house and are SO good. When I’m not in the mood for sausage, I really enjoy their caesar salad, it is the real deal with anchovies, a salty/lemony dressing, and pumpernickel croutons (made in-house). The pork schnitzel sandwich is also a favorite, and you shouldn’t pass up the fries. The potato salad should be tried, at least once. Basically, I just love all the food there 🙂 They also keep four rotating drafts of german beers to pair with your sausages, so having lunch here is almost like a mini-vacation 🙂 If it’s a work day, they have some of the best iced tea in town (comes unsweetened with a side of simple syrup).

Bella Monica

Bella Monica in Raleigh, NC

Great Italian spot for lunch or dinner. Their flatbreads are amazing, and their soup and salad is a close second. This is popular for lunch or dinner, so I suggest reservations. We have always had good service and food here. If you visiting the Art Museum, this is a great choice for lunch.

Joule

Joule Raleigh, NC

I know, I recommended Joule for brunch too, but good is good. They offer a nice variety of sandwiches and salads. Make sure to ask what the soup of the day is, the several times I had the soup, it was always excellent. P and I went to lunch here at least once a month. If you are in the mood for a sweet treat, their desserts are excellent and make a work-week lunch feel extra special. No time for dessert, they also have cookies (though not listed on the menu); I might have ordered them a time or two to take back for an afternoon pick-me up 🙂

Quality Grocery

Quality Grocery in Raleigh, NC

This is a fun find, tucked away in the Oakwood neighborhood. Oakwood is a beautiful neighborhood adjacent to downtown, full of  historic houses. I highly recommend a stroll around and then settle in for lunch. Quality Grocery is an order at the counter deli, with tables inside and outside for you to enjoy your meal at. My pick is the rib sandwich, but the chicken salad is also quite good.

Chuck’s

This is my burger joint pick. There are many debates, on who has the best burger in the Triangle, the top contenders are usually Bull City, Only Burger, Chuck’s, and Fat Daddy’s. For me the winner is Chuck’s. I like how they cook the burger, the toppings are excellent, and I’m a big fan of their belgian fries. Plus they have malt vinegar aioli and well nothing beats that 🙂 If you order the fries, get the malt vinegar aioli, just trust me. My two favorite burgers on the menu are the Big House and Bradley Time, but make sure to ask if they are running a special burger too (it’s usually quite creative). To complete your meal, order the Salted Peanut Butter Banana Shake…then plan a nap afterwards 🙂 Chuck’s is open for dinner and lunch, with the same menu for both.

The Roast Grill

Roast Grill in Raleigh, NC

Is a hot dog institution in Raleigh, and you should go at least once. It is CASH ONLY and has very limited seating. Their hot dogs are good, I like mine all-the- way: mustard, chili, slaw, and onions. These four toppings are the extent of what you will find as topping options, don’t ask for ketchup (or anything else). This place is an experience and was also featured on Man vs Food. Also, it’s the only place that ordering a Miller High Life seems right.


Where to Lunch in Durham


Durham, NC~Where to Lunch
 

Mateo

I already wrote about our lunch experience in a prior post…my advice order the grilled ham and cheese…just do it!! Mateo only serves lunch Tuesday through Friday. If you can make it there for lunch, it is a great way to sample some of their dinner options for a less expensive price. Their food is amazing and they are on my dinner list too 🙂

Bull City Burger and Brewery

Bull City Burger and Brewery

Fun fact, P had one of his beers on tap there. He won their very first homebrew competition and had his black IPA recipe brewed on their system and he got to name it (PBIPA). It was pretty awesome! Their burgers are good, and they focus on sustainable and local ingredients. They always have a great selection of beers, brewed on premises…you really can’t go wrong. I highly recommend finding a seat at the bar. If you sit at the bar you can order your food right from the bartender, instead of standing in line.

Old Havana Sandwich Shop

Old Havana Sandwich Shop, Durham, NC

A very popular and authentic cuban sandwich shop. All the ingredients used are high quality and the sandwiches are crafted with care (ie no fatty meat pieces). Bring your appetite as the portions are very filling. They also offer house-made sodas, which I love.

What is your go-to lunch spot?

Where to Brunch in Raleigh/Durham, NC

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Brunch Picks for Raleigh-Durham via Food, Booze, & Baggage

This is my first, in a series of posts focusing on the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina. While we lived in Raleigh, we would often travel to Durham to eat (about 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh), so that is why I’m including both. Even though, I’m no longer in NC, I want to document some of our favorites spots. I think one of the most common questions I get asked from friends is to recommend a good brunch spot. There is something so relaxing with starting your Sunday off with brunch. Just keep in mind if you want a nice Bloody Mary or Mimosa to start your brunch, you will have to wait until the clock strikes noon on Sunday (NC alcohol laws).

Where to Brunch in Raleigh


Raleigh Brunch Picks

Joule

I love Joule for both lunch and brunch. Their biscuits and gravy is particularly good, but you can’t really go wrong with anything on the menu. The upside of brunch at Joule, is you not only get a great breakfast, but also a great cup of coffee. Try the pour-over – it is the best cup of coffee in Raleigh. The one drawback to Joule is they do not offer reservations and it can get busy, but they do serve brunch Saturday and Sunday.

Mandolin

I find Mandolin very hit or miss. They have a lot of creative dishes, just sometimes it is better than other times. The plus side is that they do take reservations and it provides a nice relaxing atmosphere to enjoy some good Sunday morning gossip with the girls.

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey

Gets crazy busy fast, but the food hits the spot. I like their signature honey, chicken, and waffles, it is a go try at least once spot. I prefer Joule over Beasley’s, so if the line is out the door at Beasley’s, you may want to walk up to Joule to see if you can squeeze in there.

Capital Club 16

Good food and they take reservations!! I’m always tempted by the french toast, biscuits and gravy, or their skillet…make sure to check their specials as well.

Humble Pie

Great outdoor space! Go here for a lazy Sunday brunch and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. The shrimp and grits is my go to dish. If you get there around opening, there is usually not a wait but after 12 they generally fill up quickly.

 

Where to Brunch in Durham


Durham~Brunch
Piedmont

Yum! Creative seasonal menu, that is executed wonderfully. Amazing Bloody Mary’s, but if you are too early for a cocktail try one of their speciality juices (I love the grapefruit rosemary).

Watt’s Grocery

Focuses on Southern fare and provides a very filling and tasty start to your Sunday. Their biscuits and gravy with fried chicken is one of my favorites, the fried chicken is surprisingly light and juicy.

Scratch

Amazing food but seating is VERY limited. I only go here with a back-up restaurant in mind. They also serve one of the best London Fogs I’ve ever had…yum!

Sorry for the lack of pictures, given how much I like to snap shots of my food, I expected to have more. I must be too hungry at brunch to be concerned with pictures 🙂 Also, apparently I really like biscuits and gravy for breakfast. The Jauntful guides have more than what I mentioned above, I wanted to provide plenty of options.