Eat + Play at These Five Spots Outside Raleigh

Game on and eat up at these hot spots a short jaunt outside city lines.

Tap It Social House
WENDELL

Tap into fun at this “pour, roll, play” entertainment destination offering a plethora of ways to get social. Gather your crew for a round or two of duckpin bowling, or take a trip down memory lane via 40+ arcade games with ticket winnings for lucky ducks to trade in for sweet prizes. Naturally, bevvys are only a tap away thanks to the self-pour wall (NTM housemade cocktails at the bar), and when hunger strikes, hit up the self-serve candy station or cotton candy robot (!)—or snack on the likes of burgers, paninis, flatbreads, shareable snacks and locally sourced ice cream. Ready to duck and roll out tapitsocialhouse.com

Sweet Talk Cafe
APEX

Oh how sweet it is, indeed! This locally owned coffee + dessert shop turns on the charm via traditional espresso bevs, teas and specialty drinks like the Sugar Crunch Latte sprinkled with Korean-style golden toffee, or the iced Vietnamese-style Cafe Sua Da topped with sea salt cream (it’s giving pandemic flashbacks). Upping the sweet factor even more are Belgian-inspired croffles in flavors like strawberry, churro and matcha; and Bingsoo, aka milk-based shaved ice—the Choco Dream made with brownies, Oreos, chocolate sauce and vanilla ice cream is, well, a dream for those with a major sweet tooth. sweettalkcafenc.com

El Tesoro
CHAPEL HILL

Mexican food for breakfast, lunch and dinner? Say less. The newly bowed Mexican grill prides itself on diverse comfort recipes made by the owners’ mothers, from authentic takes on pozole, enchiladas, quesabirria tacos and tacos al pastor to classics like ACP, quesadillas and burritos. Breakfast is available all day, so you don’t have to worry about setting an alarm (#Bless). Choose from hearty ops like huevos con chorizo, jalapeno relleno tacos, chilaquiles, and a loaded breakfast burrito that doesn’t stand a chance against a serious hunger strike—or a grueling hangover. Um, two, please. eltesoromex.com

State of Golf
DURHAM

Tee up a good time sans weather stress via this modern indoor golf and sports simulator bar and lounge boasting top-notch tech—read: Full Swing multisport simulators feat. realistic countrywide golf courses, not to mention baseball, basketball, football, hockey, soccer and more. Less sports ball, more spirited fans can post up in the lounge seating and dunk into the fully stocked bar for craft cocktails, beer and the like—making for an ideal outing of sippin’ and swingin’ (or batting, balling, shooting and scoring…). Go sports-tainment! stateofgolfnc.com

The Can Opener
DURHAM

Bull City’s first food truck park is already on a roll. The aptly named hot spot located next to the Can Opener Bridge is a mecca for casual food and bevs, with on-site Chick-N-Que, Bulkogi, Gussy’s, Queen Eggxpress and Andia’s Ice Cream churning out chicken sandos, wings and tenders; Korean BBQ; Greek street food; Seattle-style breakfast selects; and cold sweet treats, respectively. Not to mention ample indoor and outdoor seating just waiting for you to while the day away, plus a bar serving coffee, wine and 30 brews on tap. Think of it like an all-day choose-your-own-adventure definitely worth truckin’ out to Durham for. @thecanopenerdurham