The Triangle, made up of Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, has become one of the most exciting food regions in the South. Raleigh's downtown dining scene has transformed over the past decade. Durham's restaurant row on Main Street is now one of the most talked about eating streets in NC. Chapel Hill's Franklin Street has always had good food. Together, the three cities give you a range of dining that few metro areas this size can match.
Raleigh Food Scene
The Food Halls
Raleigh has two major food halls and both are worth visiting. Morgan Street Food Hall near the warehouse district packs in vendors from Korean BBQ to wood fired pizza to craft cocktails under one roof. Transfer Co. Food Hall on East Davie Street is larger and more polished. It has become the go to for visitors who want to sample the Raleigh dining scene in one stop. Both do weekend brunches that draw crowds.
Stir Raleigh
Stir is one of the best cocktail bars in Raleigh. Located in North Hills, the bar program is serious. Expect craft cocktails with seasonal ingredients and a room that has genuine energy. It is the kind of bar that makes a city feel more grown up. Good for a pre dinner drink or a late evening if you want somewhere that knows what it is doing behind the stick.
Stir, Raleigh NC
Vivace
Vivace has been a Raleigh dining institution for years. It is an Italian restaurant that maintains its standard without coasting on its reputation. The pasta is made in house, the wine list is Italian focused and well curated, and the service is the kind of attentive that you used to take for granted at Italian restaurants. Book ahead for weekends.
Vivace, Raleigh NC
St. Roch Fine Oysters and Bar
St. Roch is a French Quarter inspired oyster bar in downtown Raleigh on South Wilmington Street. Raw oysters, Gulf seafood, and Louisiana influenced cooking in a space that feels like it was transplanted from New Orleans. The oyster selection rotates and the staff knows the menu. Great for happy hour and a strong choice for dinner with a group.
Downtown Raleigh Dining
Bida Manda is a Laotian restaurant at Moore Square in downtown Raleigh that has been earning national recognition for years. The pork belly fried rice, the larb, and the boat noodles are all essential. Beasley's Chicken and Honey nearby does Southern fried chicken in a way that earns the line. Centro Raleigh handles Mexican street food and does it well. The downtown Raleigh corridor between Fayetteville Street and Glenwood South has enough quality options to fill a weekend.
Durham Food Scene
Bright Leaf Square and Main Street
Durham's Main Street and the Bright Leaf Square area have become the center of the city's dining scene. The Durham Hotel rooftop bar gives you the best view in the city and a solid food and cocktail menu. Counting House at the 21c Museum Hotel on North Corcoran Street is excellent for dinner, with a thoughtful menu in a beautiful room.
Bull City Brunch Circuit
Durham takes brunch seriously. Rue Cler on East Chapel Hill Street in downtown Durham is a French bistro that does a weekend brunch worth planning around. Dame's Chicken and Waffles, now in East Durham on South Driver Street, is the local institution. The combinations are creative and the portions are generous. The Pinhook and Motorco Music Hall both do late morning brunch that bleeds into afternoon and usually have live music.
Durham Craft Beer
Fullsteam Brewery has been the anchor of the Durham craft beer scene for years, known for beers brewed with distinctly Southern ingredients like sweet potato, persimmon, and pawpaw. They are currently relocating to American Tobacco Campus, check their site for current hours. Hi Wire Brewing's Durham location at Golden Belt is open and consistently worth a visit.
Chapel Hill Food Scene
Franklin Street Dining
Franklin Street is the main dining corridor in Chapel Hill and it runs from the edge of UNC's campus down to the town's commercial center. Lantern has been one of the most celebrated restaurants in the region for years. It serves Asian influenced, farm driven cooking from chef Andrea Reusing. It is the place to go for a serious dinner in Chapel Hill.
Carrboro
Just west of Chapel Hill, Carrboro has its own strong food identity. Weaver Street Market is a longtime co op that anchors the town square and has excellent prepared food, cheese, and local products. Pizzeria Mercato does Neapolitan pizza that is worth the trip from Chapel Hill. Glasshalffull is a wine bar that also does charcuterie and cheese well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food city in the Triangle?
Durham has arguably the most exciting restaurant scene right now, with a concentrated stretch of quality dining on and around Main Street. Raleigh has the most variety, including the two food halls. Chapel Hill has Lantern, one of the best restaurants in the state.
What are the best restaurants in Raleigh NC?
St. Roch, Vivace, Bida Manda, and the Transfer Co. Food Hall are all consistently excellent. Stir is the best cocktail bar in the city.
Is Durham or Raleigh better for food?
They are different. Durham has a tighter, more chef driven dining scene with more independent spots. Raleigh has more variety and better infrastructure for a range of budgets and cuisines. Both are worth a dedicated food trip.
The Triangle rewards the eater who is willing to move between the three cities. Do not just stick to Raleigh. Some of the best meals in the region are in Durham's compact restaurant district and in Chapel Hill's underrated dining scene. Make a weekend of it and eat your way across all three.
