Scattered across Raleigh are local restaurants with unique spirit and great food. Here are just a handful of businesses you shouldn’t miss out on experiencing!
7705 Lead Mine Rd.
Whether you’re a coffee drinker or not, Sola Coffee Cafe is the perfect start, middle, or end to your day. A family-owned coffee shop, Sola offers Counter Culture coffee, tea, and espresso drinks as well as a wide selection of carefully crafted foods, tasty wines, and craft beers. The cozy environment and friendly community atmosphere paired with frequent live music makes it ideal for kicking back, enjoying a drink, and hanging out. Each month, Sola also features a pop-up market featuring locally handmade items on a couple of Saturday mornings. Make sure to stop in soon and get some of their amazing mini donuts because they will be undergoing renovations in the near future to add more seating!
6309 Hillsborough St.
If you’re looking for some of the best North Carolina barbecue you’ve ever tasted at great prices, Ole Time Barbecue is the place to go. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Ole Time
Barbecue is a family-owned restaurant that has been open since 1993 and is steeped in southern tradition. Barbecue pork and chicken, fried chicken, and ribs are all on the menu, so you can have whatever your heart desires (and a variety of southern sides to go with them)! They also provide tailgate specials and catering so the whole family can enjoy the experience.
2444 Wycliff Rd.
10511 Shadowlawn Dr.
Chubby’s Tacos has been a favorite in the Triangle for many years now. With a focus on fresh ingredients, Chubby’s Mexican food is simply excellent. Great taste is partnered with great prices and a wide range of selections featured on the menu. Chubby’s even has an extensive salsa bar to make your choice even more flavorful! Vegetarian? No problem! They offer quite a few dishes without meat. If you can’t make it to either of the Raleigh locations, there are also Durham and Cary locations.
901 Oberlin Rd
If you’re looking for the classic takeout deli experience, Community Deli is the place to go. Community Deli is best known for their sandwiches and homemade soups. They were even featured on WRAL’s Out and About! Breakfast is served all day, and lunch provides you with a host of traditional deli classics to choose from: burgers, sandwiches, soups, and even homemade desserts. The prices are great (as is the food), but you’ll have to be very vigilant in looking for it if you’re headed that way — it’s so little that it’s easy to drive by if you get distracted! The staff is friendly, so stop in, say hi and grab some lunch.
7 S. West St.
The Roast Grill has been a Raleigh must since the 1940s
. Featured on the Travel channel’s “ Man v. Food,” The Roast has one specialty: hot dogs served with Coke in a glass bottle.
Toppings are simplified, as the only acceptable (and offered) toppings are chili, mustard, and onions — you won’t need anything else, though. The Roast Grill also has a handful of delicious Greek desserts to top off your meal. Make sure to bring some cash with you because this joint does not accept cards.