Guidebook for Raleigh
Essentials
This is basically a Walgreens, or generic pharmacy convenience store, without the pharmacy.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
DGX
149 E Davie StThis is basically a Walgreens, or generic pharmacy convenience store, without the pharmacy.
Food Scene
Sitti
137 S Wilmington StBest Lebanese restaurant around
Great vegetarian and vegan options -- but also some great meaty sandwich options, too!
20 abantu bendawo batusa
The Remedy Diner
927 W Morgan StGreat vegetarian and vegan options -- but also some great meaty sandwich options, too!
You're in North Carolina, and this is North Carolina food without a doubt. I come here for breakfast or to get my Southern food fix and it's just 2 blocks from the apt!
51 abantu bendawo batusa
Big Ed’s City Market Restaurant
220 Wolfe StreetYou're in North Carolina, and this is North Carolina food without a doubt. I come here for breakfast or to get my Southern food fix and it's just 2 blocks from the apt!
This is a great local burger place -- you can even get your burger rare if you want. I also particularly enjoy the spiked milkshakes :)
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Chuck's Burgers
237 S Wilmington StThis is a great local burger place -- you can even get your burger rare if you want. I also particularly enjoy the spiked milkshakes :)
New juice bar & cafe with a small coffee shop feel, but serves a little bit of everything raw: coffee, tea, kombucha, juice, pokè bowls & raw breakfast foods.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
222 Fusion Bistro & Bar
222 Glenwood AveNew juice bar & cafe with a small coffee shop feel, but serves a little bit of everything raw: coffee, tea, kombucha, juice, pokè bowls & raw breakfast foods.
This is the coffee shop STAPLE in downtown Raleigh & the place to come if you want to work from a coffee shop with outlets & wifi. I can't even count the number of times I've com here to met up for coffee meetings or to hunker down and knock out some work.
45 abantu bendawo batusa
Morning Times
10 E Hargett StThis is the coffee shop STAPLE in downtown Raleigh & the place to come if you want to work from a coffee shop with outlets & wifi. I can't even count the number of times I've com here to met up for coffee meetings or to hunker down and knock out some work.
This is iconic Raleigh right here. Where all the locals come on the weekends to get some casual eat + drink. Raleigh Times is huge: it takes up about half a city block and includes a 2nd floor and rooftop bar. It's lively, with a great selection of beers. This place has a soft spot in my heart as it's where I came to celebrate with friends after I eloped with my husband :)
105 abantu bendawo batusa
The Raleigh Times
14 E Hargett StThis is iconic Raleigh right here. Where all the locals come on the weekends to get some casual eat + drink. Raleigh Times is huge: it takes up about half a city block and includes a 2nd floor and rooftop bar. It's lively, with a great selection of beers. This place has a soft spot in my heart as it's where I came to celebrate with friends after I eloped with my husband :)
An amazing Ashley Christensen restaurant -- a must try for foodies, although you may have to wait for a table since her cookbook "Poole’s: Recipes and Stories from a Modern Diner" just came out in Sept 2016.
102 abantu bendawo batusa
Poole's
426 S McDowell StAn amazing Ashley Christensen restaurant -- a must try for foodies, although you may have to wait for a table since her cookbook "Poole’s: Recipes and Stories from a Modern Diner" just came out in Sept 2016.
Beasley's Chicken + Honey
237 S Wilmington StGet the chicken and waffles, duh.
Cheap Mexican food, but definitely my go-to when I'm craving fajitas!
10 abantu bendawo batusa
El Rodeo Mexican Restaurant
329 S Blount StCheap Mexican food, but definitely my go-to when I'm craving fajitas!
Hole-in-the-wall authentic Italian pizza + pasta place. It's been here FOR-ever. It's inexpensive, delicious, and really close!
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Vic's Ristorante Italiano
331 Blake StHole-in-the-wall authentic Italian pizza + pasta place. It's been here FOR-ever. It's inexpensive, delicious, and really close!
You'll need reservations at least a day in advance, but if you're craving Laotian (similar to Thai), it's worth it.
126 abantu bendawo batusa
Bida Manda
222 S Blount StYou'll need reservations at least a day in advance, but if you're craving Laotian (similar to Thai), it's worth it.
Clyde Cooper's Barbeque
327 S Wilmington StCasual North Carolina style BBQ
Need to take someone out to an expensive dinner and impress them? Look no further. Known for steaks and fine dining, this cozy upscale restaurant is perfect for engagements, business dinners, anniversary celebrations, etc.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
330 Hillsborough StNeed to take someone out to an expensive dinner and impress them? Look no further. Known for steaks and fine dining, this cozy upscale restaurant is perfect for engagements, business dinners, anniversary celebrations, etc.
Drinks & Nightlife
Absolute favorite new place. This is not just a bar--it's only closed 5 hours a day and serves coffee, bakery items, amazing desserts, and an extensive cocktail menu (featuring gin). Check it out.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Bittersweet
16 E Martin StAbsolute favorite new place. This is not just a bar--it's only closed 5 hours a day and serves coffee, bakery items, amazing desserts, and an extensive cocktail menu (featuring gin). Check it out.
Fox Liquor Bar
East Martin StreetUnderground cocktail bar
Small dive bar with live music just about every night. It's tiny -- so be prepared to get close with those you're with!
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Slims Raleigh
227 S Wilmington StSmall dive bar with live music just about every night. It's tiny -- so be prepared to get close with those you're with!
If you go upstairs, there's a bar/nightclub feel on the weekends. If you're looking for something a little more intimate, there's a secret bar behind the library doors (you'll have to ask someone to go), where you can sit down to have some cocktails.
11 abantu bendawo batusa
The Architect Bar & Social House
108 1/2 E Hargett StIf you go upstairs, there's a bar/nightclub feel on the weekends. If you're looking for something a little more intimate, there's a secret bar behind the library doors (you'll have to ask someone to go), where you can sit down to have some cocktails.
Check to see what's playing -- something always is!
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Pour House Music Hall
224 S Blount StCheck to see what's playing -- something always is!
Music venue that brings in some more popular bands/musicians -- most likely you'll need to get tickets in advance or at the door.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Lincoln Theater
126 E Cabarrus StMusic venue that brings in some more popular bands/musicians -- most likely you'll need to get tickets in advance or at the door.
Large outdoor amphitheater in downtown Raleigh with shows like: Ben Folds, The XX, Third Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls, etc. It's really nice in the summer :)
98 abantu bendawo batusa
Amphitheater ye-Red Hat
500 S McDowell StLarge outdoor amphitheater in downtown Raleigh with shows like: Ben Folds, The XX, Third Eye Blind, Goo Goo Dolls, etc. It's really nice in the summer :)
Shopping
Locally handmade bags/purses -- they're just lovely (I have one myself). This is the place to pick up something truly "Raleigh" for your friends or family back home (yes, men's and children's items too!)
Holly Aiken Bags / Stitch
7232 Wrightsville AvenueLocally handmade bags/purses -- they're just lovely (I have one myself). This is the place to pick up something truly "Raleigh" for your friends or family back home (yes, men's and children's items too!)
Raleigh Denim, as the name suggests, is a denim jeans brand handmade here in Raleigh. You can go just to check out where they make the jeans -- if you like them, buy a pair to bring home! (My husband loves them so much they're the only jeans he wears).
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Raleigh Denim Workshop + Curatory
319 W Martin StRaleigh Denim, as the name suggests, is a denim jeans brand handmade here in Raleigh. You can go just to check out where they make the jeans -- if you like them, buy a pair to bring home! (My husband loves them so much they're the only jeans he wears).
Entertainment & Activities
The only true IMAX theatre in Raleigh -- it's definitely an experience!
72 abantu bendawo batusa
Marbles IMAX
201 E Hargett StThe only true IMAX theatre in Raleigh -- it's definitely an experience!
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
621 Foster StArcade!
Getting Around
This is the closest bus stop/station where you can pick up the downtown R-line circulator bus (it's free!)
Martin St at Blake St (R17)
This is the closest bus stop/station where you can pick up the downtown R-line circulator bus (it's free!)
The Amtrak station is conveniently located downtown. You can get to Charlotte, Washington DC and everywhere in between for relatively cheap (it's my personal favorite way to travel, especially now that there's outlets in every seat and free wifi)!
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Raleigh Union Station
510 W Martin StThe Amtrak station is conveniently located downtown. You can get to Charlotte, Washington DC and everywhere in between for relatively cheap (it's my personal favorite way to travel, especially now that there's outlets in every seat and free wifi)!