Five Outside

Where to sip, sup, shop and more outside Raleigh this month

1. Accordion Club
DURHAM
Accordion Club’s quirkiness is what makes it so quintessentially Durham—and why this “top-notch dive bar” (oxymoron? Sure—but you’ll get it when you go…) is a fave among both Durham residents and visitors alike. Plus, the drinks are cheap, and when you get hungry there’s a retro hot dog heater (hot diggity dog!). Hang out on the patio or belly up to the moody bar for a little liquid therapy. And, giving us life, on Sundays, you can get a little “sunshine in your belly” through Hatch Breakfast Burritos. Yup! That’s a wrap! @accordionclub

2. La Muñeca Ice Cream
HILLSBOROUGH
Did you hear the scoop? There’s a new ice cream shop in town that everyone’s screaming for.  Local family-owned La Muñeca is bringing a taste of Mexico to NC via sweet treats and authentic Mexican snacks like paletas (think popsicles that can be dipped in chocolate and rolled in cereal or other toppings), elotes and esquites (Mexican street corn) and dorilocos (a popular snack made with Doritos, veggies, peanuts, lime juice, chili powder and more—don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!). So whether you’re looking for something sweet or savory, snack time is covered.
la-muneca-ice-cream.business.site

3. Incendiary Brewing Company
LEWISVILLE
If you don’t mind a bit of a longer drive, Incendiary Brewing Company’s new Lewisville outpost is def worth a daytrip (or an overnight!). A split-parcel of the former Westbend Vineyard and Brewery site, the location consists of a 30-barrel brew house, an expanding barreling program and the 14.5-plus acres of former vineyard. And while right now they’re just focusing on beer, a wine program could spring up in the future (!). Rotating taps feature the brewery’s uber-popular IPAs and stouts, plus other hoppy selects—which you should sip on while you kick back and catch local musicians—and fuel the fun with on-site food trucks. Just brew it. incendiarybrewing.com

4. Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill
CHAPEL HILL
For a Mex-cellent meal, head to this festive taco haven that’s got us all in our fillings and’ll leave you in the best possible food coma. But try not to fill up on the chips and queso fundido (with grilled, marinated Mexican sausage). Key word: try—cuz you’re gonna wanna save room for the entrees (from street tacos to loaded burritos to sizzling fajitas and so many more mouthwatering options). And no matter what you order foodwise, wash everything down with one (or three) of Kahlovera’s signature colorful drinks (faves include the Mermaid Colada, Marganoa beer-rita and Frida’s “Cucurrucucu Paloma” Mexicana)—and a shot if you’re feeling frisky (!). kahloveratacos.com

5. Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery
DURHAM
“Fresh baked bread, some fillings and a few condiments are all it takes to transform a bad day into a great one…” For the ideal lunch, look no further than this Northeastern-style deli, born of two friends’ (who hail from the Northeast and met at the Culinary Institute of America in New York) love for the classic deli sandwich they grew up eating in their respective hometowns. Bread baked in-house is the star for each one of Ideal’s yummy sandos—which include Philly roast pork with broccoli rabe, sharp provolone and roasted garlic mayonnaise; fried eggplant and ricotta; and prosciutto and mozzarella. Lunch never looked (or tasted) so good… idealsdeli.com

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