We named the defining ‘essential’ restaurants of the Triangle. Now it’s your turn.
For the past two weeks, I have named what I consider “essential restaurants” in Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill.
These are the local landmarks where I’d recommend you eat, whether you’re a newcomer, from out-of-town or have lived here for years. They’re known not just for their good food, but because they reveal the region’s culinary history.
They’re not all older restaurants. This list features relative newcomers that are leading the way in the Triangle’s dining evolution, including James Beard Award winners and nominees.
As always with such lists, readers told me I left off some places they would have put in such a category.
So, now it’s your turn. What would you include on such a list? If you were giving a restaurant recommendation, where would you guide them?
Email me at ggcox55@gmail.com to let me know your favorite and why.
Know that I understand these are unusual times, and while we might not be dining out as much as normal, we all hope to eventually visit these special spots again and again.
Here is a recap of my list (in alphabetical order):
RALEIGH
▪ 42nd St. Oyster Bar: 508 W. Jones St., Raleigh. 919-831-2811 or 42ndstoysterbar.com
▪ Angus Barn: 9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh. 919-781-2444 or angusbarn.com
▪ Big Ed’s: 220 Wolfe St., Raleigh. 919-836-9909 or bigedsnc.com (Two other locations in North Raleigh and Garner, but the original downtown location is the go-to spot here).
▪ Brewery Bhavana: 218 S. Blount St., Raleigh. 919-829-9998 or brewerybhavana.com
▪ Crawford and Son: 618 N. Person St., Raleigh. 919-307-4647 or crawfordandsonrestaurant.com
▪ Garland: 14 W. Martin St., Raleigh. 919-833-6886 or garlandraleigh.
▪ Jose & Sons: 327 W. Davie St., Suite 102, Raleigh. 919-755-0556 or joseandsons.com
▪ The Mecca: 13 E. Martin St., Raleigh. 919-832-5714 or mecca-restaurant.com
▪ Poole’s Diner: 426 S. McDowell St., Raleigh. 919-832-4477 or ac-restaurants.com/pooles
▪ The Roast Grill: 7 S. West St., Raleigh. 919-832-8292 or roastgrill.com
DURHAM
▪ M Tempura: 111 Orange St., Durham. 919-748-3874 or m-restaurants.com/m-tempura
▪ Picnic: 1647 Cole Mill Road, Durham. 919-908-9128 or picnicdurham.com
▪ Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings & Sweets: 121 N. Gregson St., Durham or 919-797-2233 or rosesdurham.com
▪ Saltbox Seafood Joint: Two locations in Durham: 608 N. Mangum St. (walkup only), 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. saltboxseafoodjoint.com
▪ Yamazushi: 4711 Hope Valley Road, Suite 6-A, Durham. 919-493-7748 or yamazushirestaurant.com
CHAPEL HILL AND CARRBORO
▪ Crook’s Corner: 610 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-929-7643 or crookscorner.com
▪ Lantern: 423 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. 919-969-8846 or lanternrestaurant.com
▪ Mama Dip’s Kitchen: 408 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill. 919-942-5837 or mamadips.com
▪ Merritt’s Store & Grill: 1009 S. Columbia St., Chapel Hill. 919-942-4897 or facebook.com/merrittsstoreandgrill
▪ Pizzeria Mercato: 408 Weaver St., Carrboro. 919-967-2277 or pizzeriamercatonc.com