Food & Drink

Raleigh’s best restaurants, bars & coffee shops, voted by Nextdoor neighbors

The Gonza Tacos y Tequila kitchens go through 750 pounds of avocados a week at the four Triangle locations of Gonza Tacos y Tequila restaurants.
The Gonza Tacos y Tequila kitchens go through 750 pounds of avocados a week at the four Triangle locations of Gonza Tacos y Tequila restaurants. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com

The Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves Awards for 2023 have been announced, and we have the restaurant, bar, coffee shop and dessert spot results for Raleigh.

Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves winners are selected by popular vote by users of the social media site who voted throughout the month of June. Winning businesses receive $500 in cash or Nextdoor Ads credit.

Winning categories include food & drink (with sections for bars, coffee shops, go-to restaurants and more), shopping (with sections for grocery store, books, hardware store and more), wellness (with sections for gym and personal care) and services (with sections for gardening, pet services and more).

Find all food & drink winners in Raleigh below. To read the full list of 2023 Nextdoor Neighborhood Faves winners, visit nextdoor.com/city/raleigh--nc/favorites.

Nextdoor’s best restaurants in Raleigh, NC

Asian

  • Imperial Garden Chinese Restaurant (7713 Lead Mine Rd #15)

  • Ni Asian Kitchen (8817 Six Forks Rd)

Mediterranean

  • Sassool (9650 Strickland Rd)

Bar

  • Piper’s Tavern (8304 Falls of Neuse Rd)

  • Manchester’s Grill (9101 Leesville Rd # 153)

  • Sawmill Tap Mill (7701 Lead Mine Rd) (Note: This location has closed but owners vow to reopen in a new spot.)

North Raleigh neighborhood bar Sawmill Tap Room will close in May after 23 years in business.
North Raleigh neighborhood bar Sawmill Tap Room will close in May after 23 years in business. bcain@newsobserver.com Brooke Cain

Breakfast & Brunch Spot

  • Brigs Great Beginnings Restaurant (8111 Creedmoor Rd Suite 169)

  • First Watch (6109 Glenwood Ave, 6320 Capital Blvd Suite 130, 4233 Corners Pkwy Suite 230)

  • Big Ed’s North (5009 Falls of Neuse Rd)

Coffee Shop

  • NoRa Cafe (12333 Strickland Rd)

  • Sola Coffee And Cafe (7705 Lead Mine Rd)

Steam rises from a mug at Sola Coffee Cafe in Raleigh as barista Jennifer Hall makes tea on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Sola Coffee Cafe is a member of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Alliance and its Shop Local Raleigh campaign, which promotes and supports locally-owned, independent businesses.
Steam rises from a mug at Sola Coffee Cafe in Raleigh as barista Jennifer Hall makes tea on Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Sola Coffee Cafe is a member of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Alliance and its Shop Local Raleigh campaign, which promotes and supports locally-owned, independent businesses. Staff photo

Dessert Shop

  • Goodberry’s Frozen Custard (13260 Strickland Rd)

  • Fresh Local Ice Cream (6033 Glenwood Ave)

  • Goodberry’s Frozen Custard (6033 Glenwood Avenue)

Go-to Restaurant

  • Sassool (9650 Strickland Rd)

  • Gonza Tacos Y Tequila (7713 Lead Mine Rd #39, 2100 Hillsborough St Unit 110)

  • Relish Cafe & Bar (5625 Creedmoor Rd)

Italian

  • Milton’s Pizza & Pasta (8853 Six Forks Rd, 14520 Falls of Neuse Rd)

  • Casa Carbone Ristorante Italiano (6019 Glenwood Ave A)

  • Bella Monica (3121 Edwards Mill Rd)

The Gonza Tacos y Tequila kitchens go through 750 pounds of avocados a week at the four Triangle locations of Gonza Tacos y Tequila restaurants.
The Gonza Tacos y Tequila kitchens go through 750 pounds of avocados a week at the four Triangle locations of Gonza Tacos y Tequila restaurants. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com

Mexican

  • Gonza Tacos Y Tequila (7713 Lead Mine Rd #39, 2100 Hillsborough St Unit 110)

  • Dos Taquitos (6101 Glenwood Ave)

  • Salt & Lime Cabo Grill (6006 Falls of Neuse Rd)

Triangle Asked & Answered: What do you want to know?

Have a question about something in our community? The News & Observer’s Service Journalism team wants your questions for our Triangle Asked & Answered series. Reach out to us by filling out this form or by sending an email to ask@newsobserver.com.

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This story was originally published July 25, 2023 at 2:13 PM.

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