Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Raleigh/Durham

The Fiction Kitchen is a brightly-colored vegetarian restaurant with an innovative, seasonal menu. The restaurant began as a pop-up restaurant project and has evolved into a thriving culinary institution with a permanent location in Raleigh’s depot and warehouse district. Fiction is a temple to fresh, creative vegetarian cuisine: think succotash farro risotto or nori rolls with sashimi tofu. Absolutely everything served at the Kitchen is vegetarian and regionally-sourced, and most items are vegan. Fiction serves brunch on Sundays.

Gonza is a colorful Mexican restaurant that specializes in tacos and tequila. The interior is eclectic: mannequins greet diners at the door, and Mexican artifacts are mounted on the dining room walls. The menu is a burst of flavor, combining classic Mexican dishes alongside some surprises. Start with a pitcher of strawberry margarita and move on to tacos prepared with chicken tinga poblana, or a scallop and pork belly combination. Patrons can order food online for pickup.

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.

The Pit offers some of the best barbecue in Raleigh. Set in a restored early 20th Century meatpacking warehouse, the restaurant carries on the North Carolina barbecue tradition by serving full-hog, pit-cooked pork, and other barbecue essentials. But The Pit is more than a generic barbecue restaurant: it combines the generous portions of classic meat-loving joints with some surprises. The pork is free-range, and guests can enjoy barbecued tofu, wines, cocktails, and a comprehensive list of bourbons.

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.

A family-friendly Italian restaurant, Bella Monica is great for those who want to enjoy a hearty Italian meal in casual environs. The artwork adorned walls, peppy music and fine Italian wines sets the mood for a pleasant dining experience. The simple, homestyle food follows traditional recipes and is a delight to the taste buds. Shrimp Napoli, Pomodoro Bruschetta and Portobello & Sundried Tomato Lasagne are just some of the decadent delicacies on offer. Besides the array of Italian delicacies,flatbread and pizzas, the restaurant also serves up great gluten-free fare. While you are eating the great food, don’t forget to save room for one of the desserts. The Cannoli and Affogato are particularly delicious. A separate kid’s menu and smaller portions for children are also provided. If you are craving good ol’ Italian food, a meal at Bella Monica won’t disappoint.