Every dog has its day—but not every dog gets to day hang at the bar. Sure, metal water bowls, leash posts and the occasional milk bone dot the city, but there’s a big difference between “dogs allowed” and truly “dog-friendly.”
In Raleigh, some watering holes—and even restos—go all in, making it their mission for little Bark Twain to be just as much a patron as their person. Others—not so much. And then some can be confusing.
Case in point: North Hills’ new “pet-friendly” perch Barking Dog—built on pups as their purpose—doesn’t allow pets indoors, though the outdoor garden is certainly a perch your pooch can get down with. And while breweries are auto-assumed to be a safe bet, not all suds spots roll out the welcome mat equally.
From sprawling adult playgrounds like Tap Yard to newbies like Crooked Hammock, these are the Raleigh spots built for you—and your four-legged bestie.
Chew on the latest food & bev news in Raleigh and beyond.
Patio season was in full swing this summer with the openings of Peregrine’s and Tamasha’s outdoor oases, each with their own new slew of ops to sip and snack on in the sun.
Skip the backyard grill sesh for newly debuted Inka Grill, a VA-based Peruvian restaurant now open in the former Capital Club 16 space on West Martin Street. Menu faves include lomo saltado, ceviche, Peruvian-style paella and other authentic eats.
That’s a wrap—literally. After 15 years slinging noodles and folding fan-fave dumplings, David’s Dumpling & Noodle Barserved its last slurp July 13.
Oh, how sweet it is! Escazu moved from its longtime North Blount Street digs to a larger space in Gateway Plaza, still dishing out confections, ice cream, hot chocolate and other bevs. And the former spot is in good hands—Stanbury’s cooking up something new.
Pour one out for Cornerstone Tavern, which closed its doors after 13 years in late July. Shortly after, two new concepts—The Row and Arcadia—opened in its place.
West Coast meets East Coast via coastal-inspired K38 Baja Mexican Grill, bringing its popular tacos, fajitas, burritos, enchiladas and more to Seaboard Station this fall.
Just in time for NC’s unpredictable seasonal mood swings, La Terrazza dropped retractable glass walls around its iconic rooftop patio—blocking the weather drama but locking in all the good vibes, tantalizing ’tails and bangin’ bites.
Drop anchor on your boring midday meals and post up at Boatman Spirits Co., now serving up weekend lunch. Expect your same faves from the dinner menu—plus a few new bites coming soon.
Boatman Spirits Co. | Photo by Forrest Mason
Slice, slice, baby! Oakwood Pizza Box’s highly anticipated takeout-only Capital Pizza Box location is now slinging pies on Wake Forest Road. Look out for a special event space coming soon to boot.
Asheville fave Botiwalla by Chai Pani is coming to Raleigh Iron Works next spring. A love letter to late-night Irani cafes, the restaurant features charcoal-cooked kababs, rice bowls, chaat and okra fries—plus boozy slushies, chai and lassi.
Gotta risk it for the biscuit. All-day breakfast, brunch and lunch concept Flying Biscuit Cafe is set to drop its fifth Triangle location at Wake Forest Crossing on Capital Boulevard soon.
An offer you can’t refuse: Beloved Omaha, Nebraska-based franchise Godfather’s Pizza is making its return to Raleigh with a new slice of real estate on Glenwood Ave. this fall.
Alexa, play “Good Graces” by Sabrina Carpenter—and brace yourself for good eats and drinks at highly anticipated market, bar and eatery dubbed, ahem, Good Graces, now open at NHID with a menu of fresh, healthy eats, plus coffee and cocktails.
Get your tickets to Flavortown. … Guy’s Pizza Joint is officially slicing it up at RDU Airport, slinging signature pies like The Guy-talian and OG Hamburger Pizza—plus freshly made to-go sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast items and the like.
Tea time, anyone? In not-so-little news, DTR coffee shop Little Native expanded with hidden “speakTEAsy” Littlest Tea Roomand maker space/retail outpost Littlest Shoppe.
Midday vibes, Napa style. Napa Bistro & Wine Bar recently rolled out lunch and brunch, serving up classic weekend faves like quiche, chicken and waffles, and Benedict.
Meet Hub RTP’s latest G.O.A.T. James Beard Award-nominated Preeti Waas’ boutique bodega Nanny Goat is the first concept to bow at Horseshoe, dishing chef-prepared meals, local artisan goods, fresh produce, baked items, coffee, beer and wine, gifts, and specialty imported goods.
Nanny Goat | Photo courtesy of The Plaid Penguin
Cowabunga! Lawrence Barbecue closed its Boxyard RTP chapter with a bang, delivering one last superior service in early August before its move to upcoming digs in downtown Cary.
Chef Michael Lee is on a roll, switching up his M Test Kitchen at Fenton to M Izakaya, featuring an updated menu, interior renovations and a new sushi menu coming soon.
Taste the rainbow of vibrant Mexican flavors at Cary’s new Meche Cocina Mexicana, serving up classics and twists like tuna tlacoyos, quesabirria tacos, ceviche and chilaquiles nachos—plus margs and other ’tails to match.
Rewriting your morning routine: Narrative Coffee just opened its first permanent location in downtown Durham, pouring tasty lattes, matcha, chai and other morning bevs to jump-start your day.
We’ll always have Paris… and, by late this year, Fenton will have Sweet Paris Crêperie, specializing in crêpes (natch) and other sweet and savory French-inspired dishes.
Sweet Paris Crêperie | Photo courtesy of Fenton
Let’s ~taco~ ’bout “Better Mex” on deck. Del Taco opened its first-ever Triangle eatery earlier this summer in Durham—begging locals to flock for burritos, tacos, quesadillas and more.
Lunch on this: Magnolia Grill alum Amanda Orser is bringing serious sandwich game to Durham with LRB Provisions, set to open later this summer. The neighborhood shop will spotlight local farms and purveyors, plus housemade meats and other from-scratch staples.
Slurp on this: Locally loved Peri Brothers Pizza bowed modern Peri Brothers Italian next door, plating homemade pasta and comforting apps + mains, paired with curated wines and craft cocktails in a natural light-flooded space that strikes the perf balance between classy and moody—ideal for fam dinners, date nights and everything in between.
New taco fusion concept serving unexpected flavors
A new bombshell has entered the villa—er, Raleigh. Enter Virginia-based Wong’s Tacos’ first NC location, officially open at the burgeoning GlenLake development in West Raleigh (and soon to be joined by Crooked Hammock!).
Shaking up the city’s F&B scene, the full-service “Mexiense” spot specializes in bold, playful and offbeat tacos pulling influence from both Mexican and Chinese cuisines. The result? A best-of-both-worlds combo unlike any other outpost in the city, situated in a colorful lively space—complete with expansive patio to boot.
“Our team and our culture have always been at the heart of everything we do,” says founder Chris Tsui. “This concept really grew out of those roots… and the joy of blending cultures in an authentic and creative way. Raleigh has felt right from the start, and we’ve been looking for the right opportunity to grow here for a long time.”
Photo by Ren Mefford, courtesy of Wong’s TacosPhoto by Ren Mefford, courtesy of Wong’s Tacos
Those flavorful fusion selects include the likes of crispy Kung Pao chicken, Char Siu pork belly and Wong John Silver tacos for lunch and dinner, each enhanced with a slew of fresh toppings—from Asian slaw and chile-lime peanuts to spicy kimchi sauce. And keep an eye out for monthly special features that remix global inspo.
In addition to those inventive handhelds, the new hot spot serves up fajitas, bowls, burritos and quesadillas, plus such starters as tempura chicken wings and loaded nachos. And it wouldn’t be a Mexican affair without a margarita—or signature cocktail, brew or wine.
“We’re not trying to be another taco place,” maintains Tsui. “We poke fun at ourselves, we keep it light and, most importantly, we say yes—to great ideas, great people and great food.” The makings of an ideal Taco Tuesday—or every day—indeed. wongstacos.com
Sipping and snacking while lounging in the sun? Don’t mind if we do. Whether you are craving a Greek cuisine spread or wine with a side of tapas, Raleigh is serving up major flavor with spacious and sunny patios on lock—and there is no better way to welcome warm weather than enjoying a bite or bevvy outside. Here, our extensive list of Raleigh’s primo patios for perching.
“Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth.” … Cue the applause because Raleigh was just named the No. 7 happiest city in the country by SmartAsset (!) thanks to our relatively high household earnings and life expectancy and low poverty and overcrowding rates—among other factors—as compared to the largest U.S. cities. Leaning into Raleigh as our happy place, shoutout to a handful of local ops that have us walking on sunshine this month. BRB, putting “Happy” by Pharrell Williams on repeat.
Scoop, there it is! You can’t not be chipper when slurping shakes and scoops from newly bowed The Yard.
Warm weather 🤝 patio beers. If you need us, we’ll be sippin’ and smilin’ away at one of our many local breweries.
Basking in the sun while taking in all the incredible art pieces at NCMA’s Museum Park is a top-tier activity for peak contentment.
North Carolina barbecue and spring/summer—name a better duo, we’ll wait. Eat your way to happiness—and, remember, a saucy smile will never go out of style.
Flower power! Stopping to smell the roses at the Rose Garden is always a good idea—and almost always guarantees joy.
