Most of the time when we go out to eat, I like to choose things that are not what we usually eat at home. I mean, a fancy steak is great, don’t get me wrong. But Chris can make steak and potatoes at home, so we usually go for something a little outside his usual wheelhouse. I love a good salad too, so any place that has a good grain-free and gluten-free salad gets my attention.
People sometimes ask me about my favorite places to eat (especially if you have food restrictions). I love recommending my favorites to friends and family, so I thought I’d compile a list for you all. If you’re ever in Raleigh or the surrounding areas, I hope you try one of these places for your next meal!
Oro, Raleigh
This is a tapas place in downtown Raleigh that Chris and I went to recently and I can’t wait to go back. We ordered six small plates and kept saying, “Are you kidding me?” Everything was so good that we immediately decided to go back and order the exact same things. Brussel sprouts fried in a wok. Confit potatoes. Jerk chicken. Don’t get me started on the hard cap. It was such a fun night.
Seol Grille, Cary
This is amazing Korean BBQ and our girls love the robot that guides you to your table. You can order a bunch of things, and you can cook them on this grill right in front of you. We love bringing people to it, and Chris named it one of his three favorites. Many meats are marinated in soy sauce (and contain gluten), but there are also plenty of great options that aren’t!
a’Verde, Cary
Interesting fact: this restaurant is run by top chef, alum Katsuji Tanabe. It’s a fresh take on Mexican food with a bit of fusion. Their menu changes seasonally and while it was sad to see some of our favorites go, they are always replaced with new favorites! One thing that is constant is that we always get chips and a trio of salsas. The menu is marked for food restrictions, which I appreciate. I often get their chopped salad, and it is gigantic.
Szechuan Mansion, Cary
This hot pot place was so good that we ate there again soon after our first visit. You order meat and vegetables and noodles of all kinds, which you cook in a huge bowl of bone broth at the table. Plus, you can create your own dipping sauces, so you can avoid soy sauce or specific allergens like that. Their tallow beef broth is so tasty, but definitely spicy, so opt for the house bone broth if that’s not your thing. We’ll go here for dinner, come out so full thinking we’ll never eat food again, and Chris wakes up the next morning craving it. Szechuan Mansion is our favorite place and a great social experience.
Azitra, Raleigh
We love Indian food, so we found this place shortly after coming to Raleigh. We loved it so much that we actually had our own CLJ holiday party two years ago. The great thing about Indian food is that almost all of it is gluten-free, and there are plenty of dairy-free options. I usually order something with lamb, which is really tasty.
Another Empire, Raleigh
This one is great for a fancy night out. It’s a converted historic house from the 1800s in Raleigh, and it just has so much charm. The scene is covered with white tablecloths and the service is top-notch. Great for a special occasion.
MC Modern Asian Cuisine, Cary
The MC is simply amazing. It is located in a small historic house in the center of Kerry and is run by Chef Michael Chuong. Chris and I went there last year and ordered seven things – we just shared a bunch of plates. Every bite was the best bite I’ve ever had. I’m still thinking about the noodles in the elegant glass. Afterwards, it’s so much fun to walk around Downtown Cary Park, which has just been completely remodeled with beautifully landscaped paths and architectural features.
Lucky 32, Cary
We go to Lucky 32 a lot. I love going there because they have something for our whole family. They even have gourmet macaroni and cheese for the kids! My pet will go to a restaurant and order mac & cheese for my kids and get a Kraft. My blood boils. This is not it. I know I’ll order their PB&J which is great, and I can get the best fried chicken or salmon I’ve ever had.
M Test Kitchen, Cary
This restaurant is located in Fenton, a new premium outdoor shopping destination in Kerry. M Test Kitchen is a newer concept from the brainchild of Chef Michael Lee who has several very renowned restaurants in Durham. They have a sushi restaurant side, but we went to the test kitchen side. It’s Asian cuisine with a contemporary twist, and all the bites are smaller. We ordered a few things, which you might have guessed is one of our favorite ways to eat out.
Regardless, Raleigh
I love Regardless. I don’t think it’s just for people who are vegan or vegetarian, but they really do. I got a shepherd’s pie without milk and grains (which never happens). Chris goes there too and likes to try something different every time. It’s a great place — plus, I can order dessert because they have options for food restrictions. Swoon.
Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi, Holly Springs
Osha is so good!! I’ll tell you exactly what I get every time — I don’t want the meal to ever end. It’s pad woon sen: it has glass noodles, egg, cabbage, tomato, and I usually add chicken or shrimp to it. There are so many flavors. I usually get 2 on the spice level, and that’s just the right amount. Chris always gets the grilled pork sausage appetizer and shakes his head as he mutters “That’s so good” every time.
G.58 Cuisine, Morrisville
Another day, another Asian food restaurant! I can’t help it – I just love all the different cuisines. G.58 is more of a high-end Chinese food restaurant. The Jiangnan Chinese salad is a must for starters. We are so obsessed with this salad. Everything is chopped up really finely, and it’s an explosion of flavor — it’s my favorite salad in the world. So much so that Chris cheated this salad for Chris Cooks. As a main, if you haven’t made Peking duck before, you should. (They call you the day before the reservation to ask if you want it, because it’s so legal and requires a lot of preparation). I got their lamb, their pork ribs — you really can’t go wrong with any of them.
St. Roch, Raleigh
I’m not a fan of oysters, but they are my sister Victoria’s favorite food. We went to St. Roch, she could fill up, but they have very good other menu options as well. After eating there with her for her birthday, I told Chris we had to go back there for the beet and squash salad I had. It was so good. Like the salad above, it had a charred citrus element that made it super interesting. They also have really good BBQ cauliflower. Definitely worth going even if you’re not an oyster fan.
We hope this list of the best restaurants in Raleigh helps you find your new favorite place to try something new!