Vinos Finos is a departure from run-of-the-mill drinking and dining experiences. Located inside European-themed Lafayette Village, the wine bar is designed to sample tapas-style dishes and world-class wines. The staff here is more than happy to help with wine selection and pairings. Dark woods, leather furniture, and warm colors make the interiors feel like an old-world wine shop. Vinos Finos encourages patrons to converse, and the intimate, colorful setting is doubly suited for first dates or casual business meetings.
The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium is a popular house of beer and UFOs in downtown Raleigh, where flying saucers adorn the walls and ceiling. The bar offers hundreds of beers to choose from and a generous menu of classic pub fare. Visitors can aspire to join the ranks of the “Ring of Honor,” a glory given to card-carrying U.F.O Club members once they consume 200 hundred different beers. Watch out for weekend fire sales, the Draught Emporium’s day-long version of happy hour.
Located beneath King’s Royal Barcade, Neptune's Parlour is a hip underground bar that offers DJs, pinball, ping pong and arcade games. It also boasts a menu of local craft beers from mostly small North Carolina Brewers, seasonal cocktails and the very popular shot of the week. On weekends the bar is packed with dancers, and on some nights live acts play in front of the brick-walled stage. Neptune’s adds subterranean character to downtown Raleigh’s bar scene, off–or under–the beaten path.
Alley Twenty Six is sophisticated cocktail and wine bar serving charcuterie and small plates in stylish surroundings. Locals come to the bar for the relaxing, dimly-lit atmosphere, classic cocktails, and nicely curated wine list. Attention to detail and flavor sets Ally Twenty Six apart from other contemporary cocktail bars. The team here creates one of a kind homemade syrups and tonics: think zesty cinchona bark and lemongrass syrup. The bar, which faces East Chapel Street, has a little outdoor seating on 26 Alley, from which it takes its name.
Capital Club 16 pays homage to the old and new. The restaurant serves American food with European influences and is housed inside a registered historic building in downtown Raleigh. Interiors here are a salvage house of reclaimed wood and tile taken from New York restaurants, Neuse River docks, and North Carolina mills. Classic dishes with the foresight of seasonal and locally-grown ingredients fill the menu. Capital Club 16 is a fine choice for a relaxed but refined dinner, and also has a full-service bar and serves lunch and brunch.
Foundation is a subterranean bar reachable from a stairway on Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh. The bar, which makes good use of its underground location with exposed pipe work, brick walls, and reclaimed wood panels, is known for serving some of the best cocktails in Raleigh. The menu also features local beers and seasonal cocktails made with the best of diverse locally-sourced ingredients. Though Foundation is underground, on sunny days the bar opens street level seating perfect for enjoying a beer in the sunshine.
Sharp Nine Gallery is the right place to go to if you are interested in jazz. Located in Durham, NC, the venue organizes various music programs and classes and aims to educate the crowd on jazz culture. They are also available for concerts and other music events.
Situated in Durham's City Center, Littler serves modern American cuisine in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. The dining hall is sandwiched between a series of rustic exposed brick walls and features an arrangement of well-spaced tables, wall-mounted artwork and a constellation of interconnected lightbulbs that illuminate the entire space. The menu is compact and includes specialties like the NC Flounder, Braised Pork Shank, and the Grilled Octopus. Don't forget to savor the signature Black Forest Cake Roulade for dessert.
In a spacious and elegant taproom, R&D Brewing boasts a flavorful variety of beers prepared in small batches to ensure the best taste and fine quality to the guests. These local craft beers invite guests and locals to experience a great time tasting flavorful brews with a great vibe. Grab a chair, drink a beer, and watch a game while enjoying conversation with your friends. Not serving a food menu, the brewery however hosts food trucks on certain days for those with a good appetite.
Celebrate traditional tapas style dining at Humble Pie. It consists of shareable bite sized servings of hummus, tostadas, BBQ shrimp, sea scallops and calamari that are spiced in authentic Spanish condiments. The house-made sangria is a pleasant accompaniment to the meal as one converses with friends. Jazz music fills the dining space adding to the fun mood and the helpful staff make the experience all the more special. Chef Andy Cordova has succeeded in creating a place for himself in the dining circles of Raleigh with this gem of a place.
Inspired by chef-owner, Sunny Gerhart's New Orleans roots, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar is a haven for those who love the crust bivalve. From raw to roasted, they are served with superb accompaniments that take them a notch higher than any other oyster bar in the area. They also have clams and regional seafood in their menu. Louisiana influenced dishes such as the gumbo and hushpuppies served with Louisiana crawfish tails are some of the other features in the menu. Happy hours add to the popularity of this place. If you don't have a reservation, then make a beeline before the peak hours to a taste of their food.