Raleigh’s Best Bites

Best meals we ate this year 

Ahead of our annual must-consume Best Restaurants Issue, we asked our contributors to chew the fat on the best meal they ate in Raleigh this year. With no shortage of star-studded menus, we dug deep to dish up our true standouts. From established staples to newbies setting the foodie scene on fire, these picks promise to have you reaching for your Resy app. And while you wait for the issue to drop, follow us on social, subscribe for doorstep delivery—and get on the list for hot takes and fresh picks between issues. Because trust us: you won’t want to miss a bite.

Tuna tartare, La Terrazza
—Gina Stephens, Publisher, @ginasdawgs

Brunch = Mimosaritas, “trash” biscuits + Turkish eggs, Madre; dinner = bbq cauliflower, St. Roch
—Melissa Howsam, Editor-in-Chief, @mahowsam

Seared scallops, Margaux’s
—Karen White, Account Executive

Chicken tikka masala, Jalwa Indian Bistro
—Lauren Kruchten, Associate Editor, @laurenn_nicol

Spaetzle, J. Betski’s
—Heidi Reid, Assistant Editor, @heidi.laurel

Gnocchi, Brodeto
—Elyse Waters, Editorial Intern, @susanholtphoto

Brewery Bhavana, Fenton
—Laura Brummett, contributing writer, @laura_brummett

Steamed mussels, Hummingbird
—Peyton Masilun, contributing writer, @peypeymaz

Purple sweet potato, crunchy kale + shiso chaat, Tamasha
—Abigail Mason, contributing writer

Gnocchi, Mulino
—Katy Shero, contributing writer

BBQ’d short rib, Ajja
—Jennifer Zelek, contributing writer

Beet stroganoff, Hank’s Downtown Dive & Textbook Burger, LaGana
—Felicia Trujillo, Food Seen, contributing photographer, @foodseennc

Butter chicken and four cheese truffle kulcha, Tamasha
—Susan Holt Photography, Contributing Photographer, @susanholtphoto