Sola stands apart for its absolute dedication to coffee and its stylish, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of European coffeehouses. The cafe offers a rotating list of espresso, French press, and pour over coffees. On mornings and weekends patrons line up for hot mini donuts. There is plenty of outdoor seating from where you can enjoy a nice menu of sandwiches, flat breads, and salads. If you’re short on time, all of the coffee and menu items are available through a call-ahead drive-through.
The Morning Times is a brick-walled coffeehouse that serves coffee, breakfast, and sandwiches for a hip and bohemian-leaning crowd. The coffee bar is downstairs, while a secluded upstairs gallery is perfect for catching up with friends over a group brunch. Outdoor seating spills onto the sidewalk on East Hargett Street. The Morning Times is quick, friendly, and right in the middle of downtown Raleigh. If you ask the baristas kindly, they might jazz your coffee with a shot of bourbon.
Mami Nora’s offers Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken in a fun and friendly atmosphere. The restaurant’s roasting method, using wood charcoal, house marinade, and Peruvian ovens, makes the place quite popular. It’s nice to know that the chickens are steroid and hormone free, and the produce used in the restaurant is usually brought from a local farmer’s market. Chickens are available in quarter, half, and whole sizes. They pair well with plantains and yucca fries. You can wash everything down with the purple corn chicha morada drink, and celebrate the finish with caramel flan.
Bean Traders is dedicated to the art of roasting and slinging coffee. Since being opened by an optimistic, coffee-loving couple in 2000, the coffeehouse has won nearly a dozen local magazine awards for its coffee and atmosphere. The interior here is inviting, a little chaotic, and funky—the way a loyal, quirky friend might be. Coffee slingers here serve bagels and cookies, and trade in the likes of specialty pour-overs, southern pecan iced coffees, and pumpkin lattes.
Glenwood Grill offers upscale, contemporary cuisine inspired by the American South and coastal Carolinas. The restaurant prides itself on farm-to-table policies and use of regionally sourced food. Menu highlights include fried green tomatoes, seafood and grits, and she crab soup. Choose wines from California, South America, and Europe, and finish your dinner with chocolate bread pudding. This sleek restaurant is a good choice for a romantic dinner. During the evening, the lights dim and the night becomes visible from floor to ceiling windows
Taqueria El Toro is a clean and friendly Mexican restaurant located just south of Raleigh proper. Tucked away next to a small plaza and market of the same name, El Toro has a large open dining space and a first-rate condiment and salsa bar known for miles around. Locals come here for the sope, gorditas, torta sandwiches, and tacos. Every item on the menu is fresh and well-prepared. Counter service is carried out in English and Spanish.
Boulted Bread is a local bakery situated in Raleigh. This cozy shop has their own flour mill and makes their own bread varieties which include, Ciabatta, Baguette, Seeded, Levain and Rye. For a quick and delicious morning snack of freshly baked croissants and coffee, this bakery is the perfect place to go. The seasonally changing menu includes Chocolate Croissants, Morning Buns, Apple & Cinnamon French Toast, Quiches, Scones and Savory Croissants as well.
The hand made ice creams served at this laid-back dessert shop are rich, creamy and second to none in quality making this place a must-visit. Local favorites include Vietnamese Coffee and Apple Pie Pint. However, the other ice creams are quite delightful too, so feel free to experiment. Don’t be surprised if you are left with the taste and memory of the ice creams you relished here for a long time to come. If you are still wondering about whether to try this place or not, there's a reason the lines are down the road come summer.
Sola stands apart for its absolute dedication to coffee and its stylish, friendly atmosphere reminiscent of European coffeehouses. The cafe offers a rotating list of espresso, French press, and pour over coffees. On mornings and weekends patrons line up for hot mini donuts. There is plenty of outdoor seating from where you can enjoy a nice menu of sandwiches, flat breads, and salads. If you’re short on time, all of the coffee and menu items are available through a call-ahead drive-through.
Savor the taste of delicious paninis, tramezinis and crostinis at Toast. This restaurant specializes in making the Italian style sandwiches. Committed to serve some of the best traditional Italian recipes, this store uses fresh and carefully sourced local ingredients in every dish. Its friendly staff is known for their efficient service and makes this place an ideal spot for grabbing a quick bite on a busy day.
Beasley's Chicken + Honey is acclaimed chef Ashley Christensen's offering to chicken lovers. The Southern cuisine with a creative spin has been wowing locals for some time now. Dishes such as the classic fried chicken, chicken biscuits, pot pies and waffles rule the roost. Though the menu isn't extensive, all the dishes are a labor of love which is reflected in the flavor of the food. Pair it up with a drink of your choice and get set for a memorable meal in Beasley's.
The Morning Times is a brick-walled coffeehouse that serves coffee, breakfast, and sandwiches for a hip and bohemian-leaning crowd. The coffee bar is downstairs, while a secluded upstairs gallery is perfect for catching up with friends over a group brunch. Outdoor seating spills onto the sidewalk on East Hargett Street. The Morning Times is quick, friendly, and right in the middle of downtown Raleigh. If you ask the baristas kindly, they might jazz your coffee with a shot of bourbon.