Restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina
On the north side of downtown Raleigh sits the Glenwood district, where Sherman's troops once camped and the city of Raleigh was surrendered. Things have changed considerably since those days, and generally, if not entirely, for the better. But the fact that the Dive Bar at the head of Glenwood Ave. is no longer a real dive is evidence that something's been lost in the process of these blocks going upscale.
The good news is that the revitalization of this area ("revitalization" if, that is, you consider Union troops camped in your backyard to be "vitalization") means that there's a whole lot more selection on where to eat and drink in greater downtown Raleigh. The new Dive Bar seems like a perfectly nice place to hang, though certainly nothing like its predecessor. As Exhibit A in describing the general nature of the new Glenwood, I quote from triangle.com's description of the nouveau Dive: "[The] sleek, new look is created with help from a stainless-steel bar countertop and light fixtures, track lighting, a bar backdrop of chipped-edge glass, sandblasted glass front, a rust-colored, acid-stained floor and a pair of L-shaped, black micro-suede couches."
But that's cool by me - and if this ain't your scene, Sadlack's is still open. You choose, and perhaps you'll choose both.
The Glenwood scene begins at the intersection of Glenwood Ave. and Hillsborough St. with a few art galleries and such. Just down the block and around the corner, at 518 W. Jones, is 518 West Italian Café, courtesy of the same folks who brought 411 to Chapel Hill.
Southend Brewery and Smokehouse is across the street. Ask the bartender there if his name is Nick, and if it isn't, ask if Nick is there, and if he's not, ask if he's gotten into law school. Because though Nick likes (or liked) it there at Southend, he really wants to be a lawyer and work with deviant youth. Southend makes a nice enough wheat beer - nice and clean, entirely serviceable - and the blonde's not so bad either (the beer, I mean; blonde ale), if a little perfumy when you belch.
Across the street from Southend is 42nd Street Oyster Bar, certifiably a Raleigh institution, where the city's movers and shakers are known to gather to get shit-faced drunk and eat copious quantities of shellfish.
(Speaking of getting drunk, just up the block here is the venerable Raleigh Greyhound Station, which is where I first saw a man project a dime out his left nostril onto a pinball machine by slapping the side of his head. That was back in '75, I believe. Stop into the station at Harrington and Jones, he may still be there.)
At the corner of N. West St. and N. Jones St. is Ri Ra Irish Pub. Back on Glenwood, at the 300 block, here's a curious one for you: Cody's Chinese Bistro & Pub. Check it out. Let us know. On the same block, you'll also find Sushi Blues Café and the Hibernian Restaurant and Pub.
On a chill January Sunday afternoon, the Hibernian is quite inviting. There's a fire going, all nice and comfy-cozy; professional football, albeit American, is on the tube. Among the traditional fare available is the Galway Races Hot Beef Roll, bangers and mash, shepherd's pie, fish and chips - and then on the not-so-trad side is the Hibernian Curry, and why not? A Guinness advert reminds you: "Always time for a Guinness Stout." And they do pour a pretty nice Guinness here, I must say.
Just down the block is Sunflower's Sandwich Shop, one of Raleigh's best, and healthiest, sandwich shops.
Across the street and still heading north is another favorite of mine, Hard Times Café, with its award winning chili, as well as some fine burgers (I'm told; I'm there strictly for the chili) and a fine selection of beers (okay; so I'm not there strictly for the chili).
A few words on Hard Times chili. Chili is what Hard Times is all about, and while I'm not saying this is the best damned chili in the world (I make a pretty mean pot myself; of particular renown is my chicken-four pepper variety), the fact is that there just aren't enough places in the world that are all about chili, so kudos to Hard Times on that point alone. And the chili is good; and so many options - Texas style, Cincinnati style, meatless (with a kick), over pasta, with beans, and on it goes.
In the same building as Hard Times, the historic Creamery Building, is Enoteca Vin, which has a great reputation around town and has been spoken of very favorably by Food & Wine magazine. They have an excellent wine selection, many of which are served by the glass, thanks to a 32-tap Cruvinet (classy, eh?). Next door is a place that's been getting very good reviews, April & George. It's got a cool atmosphere, with the work of local artists on the walls, good food, good wine, comfortable, hip. There's also a Sullivan's Steakhouse on this block, a chain steakhouse, but lots of folks seem to really like it. It's the old-school variety of steakhouse - you know, with big chunks of iceberg lettuce slathered in blue cheese dressing, big-ass knives and baked potatoes the size of a man's head.
On down the street, on the left, is a decidedly different dining experience: Armadillo Grill (also to be found over in Carrboro), which I mention because for about three bucks you can get yourself a couple of bean tacos on homemade fresh soft flour tortillas that will fill you right up, you're in and out in minutes, and ready to get on with your life. Next door is one of the anchors of the Glenwood scene, around since 1997, Havana Deluxe, a laidback place to have a quiet drink. Farther down, at Tucker Street, is Bogart's American Grill, a classy martini and live jazz joint that also gets high marks for Sunday brunch. Also down this way, the Mellow Mushroom makes a decent sub and not-bad pizza and pours some good draught beers. Two blocks from City Market, at the corner of Wilmington and Martin streets, is the Mecca Restaurant, another popular hangout for Raleigh politicians, featuring a hodge-podge of Mediterranean and Southern fare in a classic diner atmosphere.
On out Glenwood Avenue a couple miles (go to where Wade Avenue crosses under at the 1400 block, then go two more blocks) is the Five Points neighborhood, a pleasant little tree-lined residential area with a few restaurants as well as the Rialto Theater (an art house, where you can see those big city/indy/euro type films). Bloomsbury Bistro is very nice; good food, slightly upscale, but come as you are. Churchill's is a real guy's-guy kind of place. And The Point is a fairly new arrival on the scene, and seems like a pleasant enough place with a neighborhood feel.
Heading back into town - but not into the Glenwood district; we've done that already - a few other random downtown places worth mentioning include the following …
A couple of blocks south of Hillsborough St., at the corner of Morgan and Harrington streets, is the Flying
Saucer Draught Emporium, which claims to have the biggest beer selection in the Triangle. It's got plenty of
comfortable couches and free WI-FI. Lots of beer. Couches. Internet. What else you need? Every Monday is Pint Night. For live entertainment, check the Independent to see who's playing at the Lincoln Theater (126 E.
Cabarrus St.), which attracts many of the big-name bands that pass through the area.
In the heart of downtown is City Market, located between Martin and Davie streets, home to a number of eating establishments, including Angelo's, Di Bella Restaurante, Vic's Restaurante Italiano and Pizzeria, Woody's @ City Market (a sports bar: 25 HD TVs and 14 satellite feeds), City Market Produce and, most famous of all, another true Raleigh institution, Big Ed's City Market Restaurant, where an average country-style breakfast is ample enough to feed (if not nourish) your extended family for the balance of the week.
Other Related NC Sites: Raleigh, Things-to-do, Raleigh History, Historic Neighborhoods, NC State Fair, Museum of Art, Chapel Hill Restaurants, Durham Restaurants