Drinks & Nightlife
The nachos are the best and less than $10! We like the veggie best because of the guacamole but any choice is a good choice. The drinks are delicious as well, though a bit pricey. If you're going on a weekend night, be sure to make a reservation if you would like a table.
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Calavera Empanadas and Tequila
615 W Morgan StThe nachos are the best and less than $10! We like the veggie best because of the guacamole but any choice is a good choice. The drinks are delicious as well, though a bit pricey. If you're going on a weekend night, be sure to make a reservation if you would like a table.
Really cool place with a Middle Eastern vibe. No cover. On Friday and Saturday nights you can catch really good jazz music. There's a grand piano so almost all of the music is piano based (i.e, piano and upright bass, piano and percussion, etc.). Ensembles are generally no bigger than trios. Also there are cocktails named after composers!
Empress Room
407 Glenwood AveReally cool place with a Middle Eastern vibe. No cover. On Friday and Saturday nights you can catch really good jazz music. There's a grand piano so almost all of the music is piano based (i.e, piano and upright bass, piano and percussion, etc.). Ensembles are generally no bigger than trios. Also there are cocktails named after composers!
Underneath Empress Room is a bar with music Tuesday-Saturday. You need a membership to get in but it's only $1 for a lifetime membership. There's a $5 cover Friday and Saturday nights. Drinks are great, the jazz music is great and is usually well-populated on weekends (may be standing room only but have space to breathe). The artists that play are usually a trio or more.
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C. Grace
407 Glenwood AveUnderneath Empress Room is a bar with music Tuesday-Saturday. You need a membership to get in but it's only $1 for a lifetime membership. There's a $5 cover Friday and Saturday nights. Drinks are great, the jazz music is great and is usually well-populated on weekends (may be standing room only but have space to breathe). The artists that play are usually a trio or more.
A beer shop plus bar with beer from all over the world. Parking is free though can be limited.
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Tasty Beverage Company
327 W Davie StA beer shop plus bar with beer from all over the world. Parking is free though can be limited.
Food Scene
Chicken and Waffles! They have other southern comfort food as well (we recommend the mac and cheese) but their signature dish can't be beat. They also offer a couple different kinds of hot sauces in addition to real maple syrup.
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Beasley's Chicken + Honey
237 S Wilmington StChicken and Waffles! They have other southern comfort food as well (we recommend the mac and cheese) but their signature dish can't be beat. They also offer a couple different kinds of hot sauces in addition to real maple syrup.
David's Dumpling & Noodle Bar
1900 Hillsborough StThe best dumplings in Raleigh!
Burgers are amazing, milkshakes are amazing (I recommend the chocolate cake milkshake).
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Chuck's Burgers
237 S Wilmington StBurgers are amazing, milkshakes are amazing (I recommend the chocolate cake milkshake).
Great lunch or dinner place and service is fast. The food is filling and one plate of meatballs with a side can serve two. Their whiskey selection is respectable as well.
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Oak City Meatball Shoppe
180 East Davie StreetGreat lunch or dinner place and service is fast. The food is filling and one plate of meatballs with a side can serve two. Their whiskey selection is respectable as well.
Independently owned serving tacos with tortilla chips on the side. Though there's a drive-thru, I recommend ordering inside so you get to pick from all of the salsas available. Also Cheerwine on tap!
Wicked Taco
117 S West StIndependently owned serving tacos with tortilla chips on the side. Though there's a drive-thru, I recommend ordering inside so you get to pick from all of the salsas available. Also Cheerwine on tap!
Essentials
Target
8210 Renaissance PkwyGood wine and beer selection, has a Starbucks, on Mondays made to order pizza is only $8 until 7pm.
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Harris Teeter
885 Walnut StGood wine and beer selection, has a Starbucks, on Mondays made to order pizza is only $8 until 7pm.
Parks & Nature
Has 5.4 miles of paved and dirt trails. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent. You can also fish. There's also a concession stand and benches and picnic area.
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Lake Johnson Park
4601 Avent Ferry RdHas 5.4 miles of paved and dirt trails. Kayaks and canoes are available to rent. You can also fish. There's also a concession stand and benches and picnic area.
Arts & Culture
Free excluding the traveling exhibitions. They host concerts and movie screenings during the summer. The park surrounding the museum is relaxing to walk through and they just re-did it! It also connects to the greenways in Raleigh if you're a long distance cyclist or runner.
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North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge RdFree excluding the traveling exhibitions. They host concerts and movie screenings during the summer. The park surrounding the museum is relaxing to walk through and they just re-did it! It also connects to the greenways in Raleigh if you're a long distance cyclist or runner.
Interesting exhibits and they seem to always have artist talks going on. An interesting place to check out if you're already downtown.
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CAM Raleigh
409 W Martin StInteresting exhibits and they seem to always have artist talks going on. An interesting place to check out if you're already downtown.