EAT Abyssinia Ethiopian 2109 Avent Ferry Road, #146 919-664-8151
At Raleigh’s only Ethiopian restaurant, authentic dishes and sauces are served in mounds on top of injera bread, creating a hands-on eating experience unlike anyplace else in the city.
Ajisai Japanese Fusion 427 Woodburn Road 919-831-9907, ajisai3.com
An expansive menu of sushi, Japanese noodle dishes, and a variety of specialty seafood plates have made Ajisai one of Cameron Village’s busiest restaurants. The lush interior, dotted with modern furnishings, complements a large outdoor seating area typically packed with young professionals.
Clockwise from left: Hillsborough Street; Jubala Coffee (photos by Jade Wilson).
Baja Burrito 2109 Avent Ferry Road, #108 919-834-3431, bajaburrito.net
Baja is a strip-center California-style burrito joint serving fully packed burritos with delicious filling options like shredded beef, mole chicken, and vegetarian options.
Beansprout Chinese Restaurant 3721 Hillsborough Street 919-755-0554, beansproutchinese.com
Toward the fairgrounds, an unassuming standalone building with neon signage hosts one of Raleigh’s most popular takeout Chinese restaurants.
Cantina 18 433 Daniels Street 919-835-9911, 18restaurantgroup.com/ cantina-18-raleigh
Chef Jason Smith has assembled Southwestern cuisine with a Southern drawl in this Cameron Village favorite. North Carolina ingredients go into making a variety of tacos, enchiladas, and burritos. The pineapple jalapeño margarita is best enjoyed on the second-floor outdoor patio.
Coco Bongo 2400 Hillsborough Street 984-242-0898, cocobongoraleigh.com
An affordable Mexican spot serving California-style burritos, street tacos, and fajitas.
David’s Dumpling and Noodle Bar 1900 Hillsborough Street 919-239-4536, ddandnb.com
Chef and culinary innovator David Mao has created a pan-Asian menu focused on—as the name suggests—noodle and dumpling dishes, from pad Thai to cha chiang mein to half-fried dumplings.
Gonza Tacos Y Tequila
Mitch’s Tavern
2100 Hillsborough Street, #110 919-268-8965, gonzatacosytequila.com
2426 Hillsborough Street 919-821-7771, mitchstavern.com
Located in the Aloft Hotel, the chainlet’s Hillsborough Street location does great tacos and great tequila in a great atmosphere.
Best known for its appearance in Bull Durham, Mitch’s has become a local institution. A cup of gumbo paired with a hero sandwich and draft beer while watching sports is the exact perfect way to experience this N.C. State favorite.
Goodberry’s 2042 Clark Avenue 919-833-9998, goodberrys.com
Fresh frozen custard is a rarity for Raleigh, and Goodberry’s has the market cornered. Grab a concrete with your desired toppings and watch as they swirl and flip it.
Hot Tomato Pizzeria 2906 Hillsborough Street 919-832-8889, hottomatopie.com
A family-run pizzeria that slings New Yorkstyle pies. Got a whole frat house to feed? Order a party-size pie.
Jasmin & Olivz Mediterranean 2430 Hillsborough Street 919-755-9991, jasminandolivz.com
A local chainlet focusing a quick, fresh Greek and Lebanese cuisine.
Kabob and Curry 2412 Hillsborough Street 919-703-0107, kababcurryraleigh.com
An all-you-can-eat Indian and Nepalese lunch buffet for under $10 that offers a variety of chaat, a long vegetarian menu, and kids tikka options? Yes, please.
Neomonde Mediterranean 3817 Beryl Road 919-828-1628, neomonde.com
A Mediterranean buffet where you can grab a veggie lasagna, a chicken kabob entrée, or a four-side platter with a mix of cilantro jalapeño hummus, couscous, mujadarah, and chicken salad—and then wrap them all up into a pita sandwich.
q The Players’ Retreat 105 Oberlin Road 919-755-9589, playersretreat.net
A Raleigh classic since 1951, this restaurant and bar is more than a local favorite, perhaps something more than an institution. It’s hard to imagine this pocket of Raleigh without it. Its burgers and wings are some of the best in the city, and the outdoor patio is a sea of red during Wolfpack games. Inside, there’s a pool table, a bar that spans the length of the building, and a massive single-malt scotch selection to get you screaming for the Pack.
INDY WEEK
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