Fast-Casual Dine Listings

In 2022, Dine Listings by Raleigh MagazineLeave a Comment

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How we pick our listings: Here, Raleigh Magazine’s highly curated list of locally owned fast-casual eateries. Think of a restaurant we missed? Click here.


CAPITAL DISTRICT

Libations 317

Local restaurateur Greg Hamm (of Sanford’s Libations 139 and Cafe 121 fame) delivers a chef-inspired bistro-style menu at Libations 317, along with libations (naturally) such as seasonal craft cocktails, local beer and boutique wines. 317 W. Morgan St., Ste. 117, 919.774.1888, chefhamm.com

The Roast Grill

“Good friends, good dogs, good times” are on order at this famed hole-in-the-wall 13-seat Raleigh staple “burnin’ ’em for you” since 1940. 7 S. West St., 919.832, facebook.com/theroastgrillhotweiners

State of Beer

Beer is a state of mind at this DTR bottle and sandwich shop that plays home to “good, rad and funky” craft beer and chef-crafted sandwiches—with delish salads to boot. 401 Hillsborough St., 919.546.9116, stateof.beer

SMOKY HOLLOW

The Cardinal Bar

“Spirits & everybody” is the name of the game at Jason Howard’s (think The Atlantic Lounge, Pink Boot) West Street drinking den and hot dog haven. The Cardinal’s infused liquor makes for some of the best—and cheapest—shots in town. Chase them with one of the lowkey bar’s famous beer-braised hot dogs, which are also available as veggie dogs. 713 N. West St., facebook.com/thecardinalbar

Dose Elixir Bar 

Whether you just namaste’d a Dose class or you’re passing through the Hollow, grab your daily “dose” at Dose Yoga’s in-house smoothie bar concept and walk-up window to elevate your mood and stay balanced. Pick your potion, from adaptogenic and plant-based protein smoothies, smoothie bowls and wellness lattes—positive side effects, guaranteed. 415 N. Harrington St., 919.917.7032, doseyogaraleigh.com

Layered Croissanterie

Ooh, la, la! Whether for breakfast or just a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, Layered’s “blankets of buttery goodness” are always a good idea. Pro tip: Peep the website for rotating monthly flavors! 911 N. West St., Ste. 107, 984.200.1200, layeredcroissanterie.com

SEABOARD + PERSON STREET DISTRICT

(Ish) Delicatessen 

Not quite Jewish, a little Italian and maybe Southern, this sandwich shop boasts “weird sandwiches from weird people” for breakfast and lunch. 702 N. Person St., 984.200.8189, ishdelicatessen.com

Longleaf Swine

Go hog wild at Marc Russel and Adam Cunningham’s long-awaited Q joint, which serves up ​​​​Texas-meets-Carolina-style ’cue that’s also influenced by Russel’s Puerto Rican background. Get your meat by the pound or on a sando, then load up on sides. 300 E. Edenton St., 984.200.9649, longleafswine.com

Oakwood Pizza Box

Owner Anthony Guerra channels the pizza he grew up eating on Long Island in this intimate family atmosphere—meaning, no matter the base (red or white sauce), the Neapolitan-style pizza is creative and delish. 610 N. Person St., 919.594.1605, oakwoodpizzabox.com

Seaboard Café

With wall-to-wall windows, natural light and pops of color from hanging plants and vegetation, this bright lunch-only eatery offers new specials Mon.–Sat., with everything from homemade muffins to fresh salads to sandwiches. 707 Semart Drive, 919.821.7553, seaboardcafe.com

Standard Beer + Food

There’s nothing standard about this fab fam-friendly sip and sup spot with prime patio seating for throwing back brews and bites with your besties, SO—or even solo. 205 E. Franklin St., 919.322.1499, standardbeerandfood.com

Tacos El Patron 323

Taco ’bout a great selection. Tacos El Patron 323 offers an array of tacos, natch, including breakfast tacos and Tijuana-style birria tacos (the birria ramen is also a hit!); quesadillas; mulitas (like a taco but in quesadilla form); and more. 122 Seaboard Ave., 919.896.7075, elpatron323.com 

MOORE SQUARE DISTRICT

Transfer Co. Food Hall

Located in the historic Carolina Coach Garage and Shop, this hip food hall houses local seafood, burritos, bagels, housemade meats and pastas, burgers, Asian fare, and more—plus a bar. 500 E. Davie St., 984.232.8122, transfercofoodhall.com

FAYETTEVILLE STREET DISTRICT

Happy + Hale

Fuel happiness and your body at this go-to healthy sup spot offering colorful salads and bowls, smoothies, and an all-day brekkie menu that you don’t even have to wake up early for. Oh hale yeah! 443 Fayetteville St., 919.307.4148, happyandhale.com

lucettegrace

Start your day at this contemporary patisserie with croissants and coffee; escape midday with the box lunch (your choice of sandwich, salad or soup, and a treat) or reward yourself post-work with those legendary macarons. 235 S. Salisbury St., 919.307.4950, lucettegrace.com

Manhattan Cafe

Grilled cheese is for grown-ups! … And lunch is a vibe at this super-fresh local cafe by three brothers serving brekkie and lunch since 2009. 320 S. Wilmington St., 919.833.6015, manhattancafenc.com

Union Special

A rotating menu of sweet and savory pastries, breads and cookies is enough to make you wanna stop by this full-service bakeshop and cafe on the daily, but don’t skip out on the delectable breakfast, brunch and lunch fare either. 401 Fayetteville St., Ste. 103, 984.200.3094, unionspecialbread.com

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT 

Morgan Street Food Hall

An oasis for some of Raleigh’s best food and drink ops, this new-age food hall serves up everything from wood-fired pizza, tacos and burgers to lobster rolls, ice cream and more—not to mention cocktails at its indoor/outdoor bar. 411 W. Morgan St., 919.307.4481, morganfoodhall.com

A Place at the Table

Having quickly gained local love and national acclaim, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you can cafe offers breakfast ops like quiche and waffles, and such lunch classics as salads, sandwiches and paninis. 300 W. Hargett St., 919.307.8914, tableraleigh.org

Sam Jones BBQ

Prominent NC pitmaster Sam Jones brings his family’s signature Eastern North Carolina chopped whole-hog Q to Raleigh at Sam Jones BBQ, where trays and sandos are best served with the Skylight Inn-style cornbread. 502 W. Lenoir St., 984.206.2555, samjonesbbq.com

HILLSBOROUGH STREET CORRIDOR

Bul Box

BYO Asian eating experience via Bul Box’s customizable boxes (choose your own base, protein, toppings and garnishes/sauces). Think an elevated bento box with a worldly flair. 2526 Hillsborough St., Ste. 100, 984.200.8359, bul-box.com

Meat & Bite

Whether you’re craving wings, quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps or pretty much anything in between (the menu also boasts burgers, salads, kofta kabobs and more), there’s surely something on the menu you can take a bite out of when hunger strikes. 2908 Hillsborough St., 919.803.0025, meatnbite.com

Tacos El Patron 323

Taco ’bout a great selection. Tacos El Patron 323 offers an array of tacos, natch, including breakfast tacos and Tijuana-style birria tacos (the birria ramen is also a hit!); quesadillas; mulitas (like a taco but in quesadilla form); and more. 2873 Hillsborough St., 919.896.6661, elpatron323.com

VILLAGE DISTRICT

Cafe Carolina and Bakery

A “warm welcome” is served in the form of fresh and delicious breakfast items, grilled paninis, flatbreads, soups, salads and pastries (save room for a cupcake!) at this Village District mainstay. 2130 Clark Ave., 919.821.7117, cafecarolina.com

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 530 Daniels St., 984.200.6966, risebiscuitschicken.com

Village Deli & Grill

You could eat every meal of the day at Village Deli, starting with breakfast selects like omelets, hash plates and wraps. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with any of the grilled or deli sandwiches, paninis or subs; and the dinner plates are just what you need to seal the deal. ​​​​500 Daniels St., 919.828.1428, villagedeli.net

GLENWOOD SOUTH

Armadillo Grill

Whether for late-night eats or a casz meal, “Dillo” is a Raleigh staple, making authentic Tex Mex for over a quarter-century—with a full bar to boot. Fun fact: They make their own tortillas, which you can watch them press for each order. 439 Glenwood Ave., 919.546.0555, armadillogrill.com

DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli

Um, you’re def on a knead-to-know basis when it comes to this local pizzeria and deli dishing homemade eats with fresh local ingredients that’ll steal another lil slice of your heart with every, well, slice (or salad, or sub…). Insider tip: Don’t sleep on the delivery service. 222 Glenwood Ave., 919.754.050, demospizzeriadeli.com

FIVE POINTS

Lilly’s Pizza

In 1993, four musicians started this slice of heaven in a former biker bar, and the popular pizza place with its palatable pies is still going strong today. 1813 Glenwood Ave., 919.833.0226, lillyspizza.com

IRON DISTRICT

Wilson’s Eatery

This hip open indoor-outdoor warehouse space at Dock 1053 is famed for its locally sourced scratch-made fare with Southern flair—not to mention the beer garden shared with sister company Lynnwood Brewing Concern. 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road, 919.977.5442, wilsonseatery.com

WEST RALEIGH

Gym Tacos

We’re all about fitness. Fitness taco into our mouths! Get your daily workout—er lunch/dinner!—via Gym Tacos, which offers tacos, natch… plus loaded burritos, quesadillas and tortas. 3701 Hillsborough St., gym-tacos.com

Earth To Us

Your fave comfort foods (think nachos, wings, burgers, etc.) get a vegan and Latin twist at this family-owned and -operated eatery. 2893 Jones Franklin Road, 919.809.8622, shopearthtous.com

Neomonde

A Raleigh market and restaurant staple since 1977, this cafe dishes a wide range of Lebanese and Mediterranean fare and groceries, including kabob platters, shawarma sandwiches, and fresh-made pita bread and hummus. 3817 Beryl Road, 919.828.1628, neomonde.com

NORTHWEST RALEIGH

Arepa Culture

Arepa Culture’s first brick-and-mortar location serves the same handcrafted Venezulean arepas their food truck made famous, along with additional Latin American fare. 6274 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 100, arepaculturenc.com

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 8301 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste. 101, 984.244.7218, risebiscuitschicken.com

Village Deli & Grill

Come for the breakfast sandwiches, omelets, wraps and more, and stay for the lunch paninis, deli sandwiches and dinner plates at this all-day restaurant. 2500 Wycliff Road, 919.803.1245, villagedeli.net

NORTH RALEIGH

Bongiorno & Son 

Say bongiorno to elevated sammies (feat. high-quality hard-to-find Italian meats and cheeses) and prepared foods inspired by the owners’ passed-down family recipes and visits to Italy and around the world. 8450 Honeycutt Road, Ste. 106, 919.594.1544, bongiornoandson.com

Cheeni Indian Food Emporium

You won’t find any tikka masala on the menu at Cheeni, but what you will find is delish tiffin (aka small snacks like veg puffs, street-style toast and masala fries), small plates and larger dishes for dinner. Make sure to hit up the bazaar on your way out! 1141 Falls River Ave., Ste. 124, 919.438.1468, cheeniraleigh.com

Heyday Brewing

From the teams behind Louisiana-born Tin Roof Beer and Carrboro’s Acme comes this resto and brewery with equal parts Louisiana and North Carolina flair. Bring on the beer, wings, pizza, ice cream and more! 5301 Tin Roof Way, 919.351.6668, heydaybrewing.com

Lechon Latin BBQ

In NC, there’s Eastern-style barbecue and then there’s Lexington-style barbecue—now, meet Lechon Latin BBQ, serving up Puerto Rican-style lechon with cuero (roasted suckling pig with crispy skin). And don’t sleep on the empanadas, sandwiches, tacos and more either! 5959 Triangle Town Blvd., 919.793.9913, lechonlatinbbq.com

Poppyseed Market Cafe & Wine Bar

By day, the gourmet deli dishes made-to-order sammies and fresh counter-service offerings. By night, the upscale cafe serves elevated comfort dishes and vino—plus a handtossed pizza program, best enjoyed with microbrews. 8801 Lead Mine Road, Ste. 107, 919.870.4997, poppyseedmkt.com

Pure Vegan Cafe

Time to veg out! You don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy Pure Vegan Cafe’s clean and healthy—and colorful!—eats, from breakfast sandwiches and toasts to burgers and “chick’n” sandwiches to salad bowls. Don’t sleep on the cold-pressed juices. Nom nom. 8369 Creedmoor Road, 919.917.7369, purevegancafe.com

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 6325 Falls of Neuse Road, Ste. 33, 984.200.5751, risebiscuitschicken.com

Sassool Mediterranean Cafe

Born as a family bakery in 1977, this Mediterranean concept has since been rebranded as a resto specializing in delish authentic Lebanese & Mediterranean cuisine crafted from high-quality ingredients and authentic recipes. 9650 Strickland Road, 919.847.2700, sassool.com  

Southern Craft Sandwiches

Are you bready for it? Bringing small shop vibes and delish sandwiches together, find this delish sup spot stacking up hot and cold sammies, melts, salads, and more. Meat us in the club? southern-craft-butchers.square.site

Zanyu Asian Noodles

Slurp up flavors of Malaysia, Thailand and Japan via oodles of noodle dishes and other authentic Asian fare. 8450 Honeycutt Road, Ste. 112, 919.803.1340, zanyunoodles.com

Zest Cafe

Locally grown produce and products collide in this contemporary cafe-meets-art boutique brimming with innovative fare (check out that Don’t Stop Be-Leafing Brunch), whimsical gifts, furnishings and more—with a patio worth perching on to boot. 8831 Six Forks Road, 919.848.4792, zestcafehomeart.com

MIDTOWN

The BBQ Lab

This highly regarded ’cue spot dropped “redneck” from its name for its Raleigh debut location, but the same smokin’ BBQ made famous in its Jo Co flagship remains—which, yes, includes those bangin’ burnt ends. 4321 Lassiter at North Hills St., theredneckbbqlab.com

Bul Box

BYO Asian eating experience via Bul Box’s customizable boxes (choose your own base, protein, toppings and garnishes/sauces). Think an elevated bento box with a worldly flair. 4421 Six Forks Road, Ste. 116A, 984.200.3654, bul-box.com

Happy + Hale

Fuel happiness and your body at this go-to healthy sup spot offering colorful salads and bowls, smoothies, and an all-day brekkie menu that you don’t even have to wake up early for. Oh hale yeah! 200 Park at North Hills St., Ste. 101, 984.200.3802, happyandhale.com

MIDTOWN EAST

BB’s Crispy Chicken

This isn’t your basic fast food restaurant-quality chicken sandwich. AC’s signature “shatteringly” crispy chicken sandos and plethora of housemade sauces deliver on both flavor and crunch. 2920 Sherman Oak Place, Ste. 140, 984.272.3300, bbscrispychicken.com

Chido Taco

What doesn’t tequila makes you stronger. Sip back and relax with solid margs and damn good tacos at this mercado-style taqueria that’ll have you hooked with one bite. McNeill Pointe, 2330 Bale St., 919.594.1930, chidotaco.com

Torchy’s Tacos

Get a taste of Austin’s spec-taco-lar taco scene via “damn good” elevated tacos (breakfast tacos included!), chips and queso, sides, scratchmade churros, and more. 1110 Mercantile Drive, Ste. 120, 919.439.1177, torchystacos.com

Union Special

A rotating menu of sweet and savory pastries, breads and cookies is enough to make you wanna stop by this full-service bakeshop and cafe on the daily, but don’t skip out on the delectable breakfast, brunch and lunch fare either. 2409 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 102, 984.200.3094, unionspecialbread.com

Venture Pizza

Get a slice of this family-run, female-owned eatery specializing in customizable pizzas, salads and pastas. McNeil Pointe, 2320 Bale St., 919.803.3015, venturepizza.com

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