to fried green tomatoes, pimento cheese balls, and fried mac’n’ cheese. Top it off with a nip or sip from the wide array of bourbon and tap beer.
PIZZA LA STELLA
219 FAYETTEVILLE STREET, 984-200-2441, PIZZALASTELLA.COM La Stella dishes out single-serving woodfired pizzas, wings, and salads on Raleigh’s main drag. You can go with the classic pepperoni or sausage, but you’ll be much happier adventuring out with the Ratatouille with Brussels sprouts, artichoke, and pistachio pesto.
PIZZA TIMES
210 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET, 919-832-4411, RALEIGHTIMESPIZZA.COM Pop in for a quick slice and salad on this small counter space that has been carved out to accommodate a short line of hungry downtowners looking for a quick bite between meetings.
POOLE’S DOWNTOWN DINER
426 SOUTH MCDOWELL STREET, 919-832-4477, AC-RESTAURANTS.COM/POOLES This revamped classic diner is home to one of the South’s finest restaurants. Ashley Christensen’s first restaurant is home to her famous mac and cheese (technically, macaroni au gratin), but much of the modern comfort food menu, written on a blackboard, changes daily. The diner has a fabulous selection of cocktails and its own cookbook, so you can try Christensen’s dishes in your own kitchen.
RALEIGH RAW
7 WEST HARGETT STREET, 919-400-0944, RALEIGHRAW.COM Raw juice. Raw salad ingredients. Raw vibe. Raleigh Raw wears its culture on its sleeve with upbeat music and a lively clientele.
RALEIGH TIMES
14 EAST HARGETT STREET, 919-833-0999, RALEIGHTIMESBAR.COM As downtown became an urban destination for young professionals, Raleigh Times was the center of the energy. Obama had a PBR there during his presidential campaign, and much of Raleigh has enjoyed its wide array of sandwiches, appetizers, and, of course, the N.C. BBQ Pork Nachos.
THE REMEDY DINER PHOTO BY BEN MCKEOWN
20 • SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION • 1.9.19
927 WEST MORGAN STREET, 919-835-3553, THEREMEDYDINER.COM Vegetarians, vegans, and carnivores intermingle, at this hip and quirky local
hangout. The vegan chocolate cake and soy buffalo chicken will make you want to go veg forever.
THE ROAST GRILL
7 SOUTH WEST STREET, 919-832-8292, ROASTGRILL.COM This hotdog-only joint, which boasts the “Greatest Tasting Hot-Weiner Chili Dogs on the Planet,” has been around since 1940, and owner “Hot Dog” George mans the small counter. A Raleigh institution, where there’s no ketchup allowed. Hear that? NO KETCHUP ALLOWED.
ROYALE
200 EAST MARTIN STREET, 919-977-3043, ROYALERALEIGH.COM This French-American bistro makes for a classy night out. Sit at the bar and order oysters on the half-shell along with irresistible fried Brussels sprouts and a perfectly topped endive salad. Or enjoy the best burger in Raleigh and handmade cocktails in the city-corner-lit dining room.
SECOND EMPIRE
330 HILLSBOROUGH STREET, 919-829-3663, SECOND-EMPIRE.COM An Old Raleigh institution, Second Empire is fine Southern dining in the Dodd-Hinsdale house, built in 1879. Grab a beer at the tavern and then enjoy seafood paella, duck breast, or veal chop with a glass of wine.
SITTI
137 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET, 919-239-4070, SITTI-RALEIGH.COM Empire Eats owner Greg Hatem and the Neomonde-owning Saleh family teamed up to bring this Lebanese restaurant to one of DTR’s busiest intersections. Start with the smoothest hummus in Raleigh, followed by red wine-braised lamb shank, kabobs, falafel, and lamb bacon dates.
SOSTA CAFE
130 EAST DAVIE STREET, 919-833-1006, SOSTACAFE.COM Sosta feels like a European café in all aspects. The foosball table, local art, and chess board all complement the delicious sandwiches, salads, and espressos. Come for the mains, but stay for the couscous and chick-pea salad.
ST. ROCH FINE OYSTERS + BAR
223 SOUTH WILMINGTON STREET, 919-332-0359, STROCHRALEIGH.COM Chef Sunny Gerhart has cooked in many of the best local kitchens, from Poole’s Diner to Watts Grocery. St. Roch brings