Diners love these award-winning restaurants near Raleigh & Charlotte. Have you tried them?
North Carolina’s dining landscape is flourishing with a diverse array of must-try restaurants across the state.
Barbecue culture thrives with legends like Lexington Barbecue and newer entrants like Mac’s Speed Shop, while festivals like Gettin’ Piggy With It showcase elite pitmasters. Renowned restaurants like Poole’s Diner maintain their charm, and emerging spots reflect the dynamic food scene.
How many of these spots have you visited?
No. 1: This barbecue joint ranks as North Carolina’s best — again. What makes it so special?
Where’s the best barbecue in North Carolina? Southern Living said this joint known for pork with tomato ketchup sauce is the state’s No. 1 favorite. | Read more
Cheetie Kumar talks with guests during a soft opening Thursday June 15, 2023 at Ajja, a new restaurant from Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler on Bickett Blvd. in Raleigh. Ajja focuses on Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Southwest Asian flavors. Travis Long tlong@newsobserver.com
No. 2: Here are the 14 best restaurants in Raleigh, says Southern Living
On their list, you’ll find new joints nestled in with Raleigh’s familiar favorites.
The old and new dining spots range from Ajja and Crawford & Son to Mandolin, Poole’s Diner and Beasleys Chicken & Honey. | Read more
Haywood Smokehouse is one of four North Carolina restaurants to rank on a national list. Screengrab from Haywood Smokehouse - Dillsboro on Facebook
No. 3: These four NC restaurants rank among the nation’s best. Why fans love eating there
Four North Carolina restaurants rank among “Top 100 Places to Eat in the US 2024.”
Fans love cafe, pub, barbecue joint, Mediterranean food. | Read more
Steve and Gerri Grady have run Grady’s Barbecue since 1986 in Dudley, NC. While Steve handles the barbecue, Gerri takes care of the side dishes that are often adapted from family recipes. Juli Leonard File photo
No. 4: North Carolina has a new BBQ Hall of Fame. These are the first inductees
A North Carolina barbecue hall of fame throws out the east versus west debate.
New North Carolina Barbecue Hall of Fame announces new inductees: founders of Skylight Inn, Lexington Barbecue, Stamey’s, Sam Jones. | Read more
Herons in Cary was named one of the nation’s best places to eat brunch. Juli Leonard 2009 News & Observer file photo
No. 5: These 7 North Carolina brunch spots rank among the nation’s best. Why they stand out
Charlotte, Raleigh, Wilmington, Greensboro, North Carolina mountain area restaurants make OpenTable list of best, favorite U.S. brunch spots.
Here’s what to know about the fan-favorite restaurants. | Read more
Herons Restaurant was one of six restaurants in North Carolina to earn recognition. This file photo was taken in 2009. jleonard@newsobserver.com JULI LEONARD
No. 6: Six North Carolina restaurants among ‘most outstanding’ in world, new rankings show
Charlotte, Triangle, mountain restaurants in North Carolina won Star Awards after Forbes Travel Guide studied best, top places diners eat.
“Exceptional service” was one of the major criteria considered. | Read more
A restaurant in the North Carolina mountains was named one of the nation’s top new places to eat. Screengrab from @reginaswestside on Instagram
No. 7: This NC restaurant ranks among the nation’s can’t-miss new dining spots. Here’s why
USA Today’s 10Best ranks this North Carolina restaurant in the mountain tourist spot of Asheville No. 2 in the country.
Here’s what’s on the menu at Regina’s. | Read more
The team behind Reid’s Fine Foods opened Salted Melon Market, serving breakfast, lunch, dinner along with healthy, gourmet foods. The Plaid Penguin/LunahZon Photography
No. 8: Southern Living says this fast-casual market is best new restaurant in North Carolina
Southern Living revealed the best new restaurants in every state. Salted Melon in Charlotte made the top of the list for North Carolina.
Here’s what caught Southern Living’s attention. | Read more
A crispy cheese top forms on the legendary macaroni au gratin at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com
No. 9: This Triangle restaurant is the best diner in NC, says Southern Living
Southern Living Magazine says Ashley Christensen’s Poole’s Diner is the best diner in NC, naming its modern atmosphere and comfort food.
“You won’t find anyone in old-school waitress uniforms. Instead, tattooed servers shuffle around under dim lighting to a Phoebe Bridgers soundtrack.” | Read more
Al’s Diner in Pittsboro, North Carolina, includes an indoor dining room and a drive-thru. Al's Diner
No. 10: This decades-old Triangle restaurant was named the best retro diner in NC. Here’s why
A restaurant in Chatham County was named the best retro diner in the state of North Carolina. Here’s what makes the place stand out.
The diner was recognized for its menu, which features daily-changing specials. | Read more
Six North Carolina barbecue joints — including Prime Barbecue in Knightdale — ranked among the best in the United States. Juli Leonard jleonard@newsobserver.com
No. 11: These barbecue joints in NC rank among the nation’s best. What makes them special?
Where’s the best barbecue? Six North Carolina barbecue joints made Yelp study’s list.
The state’s favorite, top dining spot, was Haywood Smokehouse in Waynesville. | Read more
Executive chef Bhavin Chhatwani prepares a “North Meets South” dessert at Tamasha Modern Indian on Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Raleigh, N.C. Kaitlin McKeown kmckeown@newsobserver.com
No. 12: This Raleigh restaurant was named one of America’s most beautiful. Here’s why
This modern Indian restaurant in North Hills is Open Table’s N.C. pick for the 50 most beautiful restaurants list.
Meet the owners and chef and see photos and the menu. | Read more
This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which aggregated and summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.
This story was originally published August 28, 2024 at 9:55 PM.