Hear us out: Gas station sushi slaps. (Don’t knock it till you try it!) Rules were meant to be broken, and the Han-Dee Hugo’s-housed unorthodox seafood joint feat. fresh fare is breaking all the normalities on a massive scale—in the best way. With seasoned chef Wanchalerm Owattragool at the helm producing infinite flavor combos, the unassuming spot is poised to roll out your horizons via the likes of such unique ingredients as Cajun-pepper salmon, coconut shrimp, Japanese pickles, Maine lobster and VooDoo sauce. Essentially, the sushi’s totally gas (!). @akami.sushibar
Time flies when you’re having fun—read: drinking beer with your buds. Belly up to this just-bowed brother/sister-owned biz brewing up community and atomically slurpworthy sips (hey, handcrafted beer, craveable cocktails and boutique wine selects!). Flaunting a full-service kitchen and taproom, the Warehouse District-based outpost also showcases an elevated menu created by chef David Lopez. Pro tip: Try the Brooklyn chopped cheese sammy or the chef’s grandmother’s beef and cheese empanadas—aka *chef’s kiss.* Consider all our boxes ticked! @atomicclockbrewing
Love is in the air, and—spoiler alert—it smells like coffee. Combining family and business, this globally infused hot spot blends Colombian and French/Algerian cultures together to create a raw concept consistently brewing up good vibes. Java drinkers, grab your fave latte or branch out with a fruity or flowery homemade syrup; then fill your belly to the brim with fresh salads, morning bowls and scratchmade focaccia sandwiches promising an Instaworthy bite. Beyond the sips and sups, browse bundles of blooms and gifts (think punny mugs and incense holders)—all positioning this quaint cafe to be quite the pit stop. Mugs and kisses! @milos_europeancafe
Sultry Prohibition vibes found via Sean Umstead and Michelle Vanderwalker’s moody eccentric basement hideout. Take it back to the 1920s with live smooth jazz on Tuesdays (ya like jazz?!) and artful “ground-to-glass” libations incorporating perhaps unfamiliar ingredients like maitake mushrooms, parsnips, brown butter and toasted coconut tea, to name just a few. And if you’re coming for the unconventional yet gorge bevs, you might as well stay for the delish chef-inspired snacks—think deviled dip, chicharrones and charcuterie from sister resto Queeny’s. Consider us o-fish-ially impressed. @kingfisherdurham
Choo, choo! The flavor train has reached the (Thai) station—and we’re totally on board. Bangin’ out all the classics with a twist, this inclusive international locale posted up in an old boxcar is giving quintessential adventure eating. On the next-level Far East menu, you’ll find authentic Thai cuisine (think multiple curries, stir-fried dishes, salads and noodle soups), plus all the Thai fare you know and love (pad thai, fried rice and papaya salad—NTM a classic coconut ice cream feat. sticky rice). No confusion on these fusions. Aroi maak! @thaistation_carrboro_nc
“Far East funk” stars in the form of vibrant dishes—with a funky twist, natch—inspired by prolific Triangle restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias’ trips to Taiwan, Thailand and Hong Kong. Continuing to expand his restaurant “empire” with Krill, the Asian concept near Ponysaurus promises to satisfy with the likes of fried whole fish with green papaya salad, duck soup dumplings with foie gras, peanut-crusted calamari, and noodle dishes—plus sake, wine and Asian-inspired cocktails to wash everything down. Inside the space, colorful murals only add to the Southeast Asian nostalgia—and there’s also a patio for alfresco dining. “Play that funky music…” krillrestaurant.com
Husband-and-wife team Todd and Jodi Stevens built their Holly Springs clothing and gift boutique on—what else—blessings. *Cue Drake song.* Originally started as a hobby tinkering with an embroidery machine, then an Etsy shop, Bless Your Heart Boutique now offers clothing, jewelry, local items, plus all things personalized for children, adults, brides, sororities, grandmas, fathers and so much more. The duo also surveys customers about their likes and dislikes regarding fashion, and caters to their wants and needs. So whether you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe with some local ’fits or need a gift for a friend/loved one, this Southern shop has got it all. Aw, bless your heart, indeed! blessyourheartnc.com
Roll out! Sushi night gets an upgrade at SUYU, which blends traditional Japanese cuisine with Korean-inspired flare—and boasts a head chef with over 20 years of experience and a Certified Sake Professional on hand to boot. Choose from specialty rolls like the Hotel California (made with avocado, crab and cucumber, and topped with spicy tuna, masago, mozzarella and sweet soy), nigiri and sashimi, small plates like dumplings and Korean fried chicken, and more. So, yeah, we like the way they roll. sushisuyu.com
“Jeni’s makes it better.” And the award-winning scoop shop certainly made the Triangle’s summer better when it opened its Brightleaf District location in Durham—aka Jeni’s second NC outpost (the first bowed in Charlotte). Jeni’s prides itself in not using any stabilizers, emulsifiers, synthetic flavorings, dyes or off-the-shelf mixes, meaning each smooth and creamy scoop is built on real ingredients (!). Melt over bestsellers like brown butter almond brittle, gooey butter cake, and brambleberry crisp, or take home a pint to enjoy on the couch in your jammies—rom-com encouraged. (Then scoop Jeni’s in Raleigh once it opens in Village District.)jenis.com
“We need to remember what’s important in life: friends, waffles, work. Or waffles, friends, work. Doesn’t matter—but work is always third.” Parks and Rec’s Leslie Knope obv has her priorities straight, and we’re sure she’d be a fan of the Waffee Station, a beloved breakfast spot churning out authentic Liege waffles using pearl Liege sugar imported from Belgium (!) and cooked on—what else?—a Belgium waffle iron. Made fresh to order and topped with anything from cinnamon sugar and whipped cream to peanut butter, bacon and bananas, you’re sure to love these sweet creations a waffle lot. waffeewagon.com
