NC · Raleigh · $
Southern Craft Sandwiches Builds a Loyal Raleigh Following
Strong bread, bold sauces and well-liked classics make this Raleigh sandwich shop a compelling pick, though waits and order accuracy can vary.
Adaeze Guzman
North Carolina state editor
Adaeze Guzman is the North Carolina editor for TryRestaurantsNear.Me. Every write-up is synthesized from public ratings, recent diner reviews, menus, and listing data to pick the next best place to try in North Carolina.
Every write-up is researched from publicly available ratings, reviews, menus and photos.
NC · Carrboro · $
Neal's Deli Makes Pastrami the Main Event in Carrboro
Strong ratings, house-made pastrami and notably warm service make this budget-friendly deli a compelling Carrboro stop.
NC · Cary · $$
Pastrami Tom’s Brings Deli Favorites to Cary
Strong public feedback points to generous, freshly made sandwiches, well-seasoned sides and notably friendly service at this mid-range Cary deli.
NC · Smithfield · $
Gotham’s Deli brings New York-style sandwiches to Smithfield
Large sandwiches, quick service and a lively New York sports theme make this downtown Smithfield deli a strong casual stop.
NC · Durham · $
Ideal's Sandwich and Grocery Sets a High Bar in Durham
Big focaccia sandwiches, crisp chicken cutlets and emphatic diner praise make Ideal's a compelling Durham takeout stop.
NC · Wilmington · $
The Half Downtown Makes a Strong Case for the Sandwich
Big flavors, flexible service and a back patio make this budget-friendly Wilmington sandwich shop an appealing local stop.
NC · Jacksonville · $
Don Cangrejo pairs generous Mexican plates with warm service
Strong public feedback points to fresh salsa, quick service, ample portions and a welcoming atmosphere at this budget-friendly Jacksonville restaurant.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Lobera Tacos & Tequila Brings Big Flavor With Caveats
Strong food, drinks and service earn praise, though recent reviews describe a smaller menu and tighter rules on taco orders and sides.
NC · Durham
La Buena Vida Brings a Party-Ready Mexican Menu to Durham
Strong service, live music and a festive dining room make La Buena Vida a compelling Durham choice for birthdays, groups and lively dinners.
NC · Raleigh
La Buena Vida brings a Cancun-style party to Raleigh
Strong ratings, festive cocktails and well-seasoned Mexican food make La Buena Vida a lively pick for birthdays and group dinners.
NC · Cary
La Buena Vida brings high-energy Mexican dining to Cary
Strong public feedback points to vibrant food, ambitious cocktails, attentive service and a lively setting suited to dates and celebrations.
NC · Cary · $
Meche Cocina Mexicana brings fresh Mexican cooking to Cary
Strong public feedback points to thoughtful Mexican dishes, attentive service and a relaxed setting that works well for families.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Salt & Lime Cabo Grill brings range to Raleigh tacos
Strong taco feedback, varied seafood and Mexican options, and a lively setting make this mid-range Raleigh restaurant a promising group pick.
NC · Durham · $$
Mezcalito Durham Brings Big Plates and a Party Mood
Strong public ratings point to a lively Mexican-American grill with seasoned chips, substantial entrées, colorful drinks and an often-busy patio.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Mezcalito Raleigh Brings Energy, Drinks and Polished Style
Strong service, a striking dining room and memorable drinks make this mid-range Mexican restaurant a lively Raleigh pick.
NC · Charlotte · $$
La Capital MX Pairs Mexican Classics With Standout Drinks
Strong public feedback points to flavorful Mexican cooking, polished margaritas and notably attentive service in a lively setting.
NC · Charlotte · $$$$
McNinch House Makes an Occasion of Dinner
Formal service, tasting menus and a historic setting make this expensive Charlotte restaurant a strong candidate for milestone celebrations.
NC · Charlotte
Coquette Brings a Polished French Feel to Uptown Charlotte
Coquette pairs an elegant setting with well-reviewed French cooking, though diners should allow extra time for seating and service.
NC · Banner Elk · $$$$
Artisanal brings destination dining to Banner Elk
A creekside setting, polished service and a three-course prix fixe menu make Artisanal a strong choice for milestone dinners in the High Country.
NC · Raleigh · $$$$
Death and Taxes Brings Wood-Fired Drama to Raleigh
Public reviews point to an expensive special-occasion restaurant where smoke, char and attentive service shape the experience.
NC · $$
Glasshouse Kitchen pairs polished service with bright style
Strong cocktails, attentive service and a light-filled setting make Glasshouse Kitchen a polished choice for lunch or celebrations.
NC · Cary · $$$$
Herons Brings Polished Special-Occasion Dining to Cary
Inside The Umstead Hotel, Herons pairs an elegant wooded outlook with attentive service, tasting-menu ambition and a notably calm dining room.
NC · Raleigh
The Capital Grille brings polished steakhouse dining to Raleigh
Strong steaks, attentive service and a substantial wine program make this North Hills dining room a reliable choice for celebrations.
NC · Charlotte · $$$$
The Fig Tree pairs polished dining with a peaceful setting
Creative specials, attentive service and well-executed duck make this expensive Charlotte restaurant a strong choice for milestone dinners.
NC · Boone · $$$$
Gamekeeper Brings Wild Game and Polished Service to Boone
Strong reviews for elk, seafood, cocktails and attentive service make Gamekeeper an expensive but compelling Boone celebration pick.
NC · Hayesville · $$$
The Copper Door Delivers a Polished Steakhouse Dinner
Strong service, a quiet setting and repeatedly praised ribeye make this expensive Hayesville restaurant a compelling celebration pick.
NC · Marion · $$
Thai Bliss brings fresh, polished Thai cooking to Marion
Strong public ratings, broad menu praise and attentive service make Thai Bliss a compelling mid-range choice in Marion.
NC · Cary · $$
SAAP pairs bold flavors with generous portions in Cary
Public feedback points to flavorful curries, ample servings and a warm staff, though reservations and complete-party seating deserve attention.
NC · Durham · $$
Thaiangle Brings Big Portions and Bold Heat to Durham
Strong public feedback points to generous servings, assertive spice and an attractive dining room, with a few consistency concerns.
NC · Asheville · $$
Khao Thai Cuisine brings generous portions to Asheville
Strong noodle dishes, fragrant curries and warm service make this mid-range Thai restaurant a promising Asheville dinner choice.
NC · Sanford · $$
Saladang Thai Sushi Brings Thai Flavor and Sushi to Sanford
Strong Thai cooking, sushi options and a family-friendly dining room make Saladang a promising mid-range choice, especially outside peak hours.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Bowlba Cafe brings bold Thai flavors to Raleigh
Strong public feedback points to layered curries, fragrant rice dishes and serious spice, with buns, pho and ramen widening the appeal.
NC · Bermuda Run · $$
Thai Destiny Brings Thai and Vietnamese Variety to Bermuda Run
Strong public feedback points to fresh cooking, generous portions and attentive service across a broad Thai and Vietnamese selection.
NC · Asheville
Suwana’s Thai Orchid Brings Big Thai Flavors to Asheville
Strong curries, praised Pad Thai and mango sticky rice make this downtown Asheville Thai restaurant appealing, though service can slow sharply.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Bida Manda Brings a Lively Southeast Asian Mix to Raleigh
Strong public ratings, memorable starters and creative cocktails make Bida Manda a compelling choice for a downtown meal or celebration.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Asia Pot brings shareable Asian fusion to Raleigh
Generous portions, broad Asian fusion choices and attentive service make Asia Pot a strong mid-range option for groups.
NC · Durham · $$
Lula and Sadie’s pairs lively atmosphere with mixed service
Durham diners praise the warm setting, jazz nights and several Southern dishes, though group service appears less dependable.
NC · Charlotte · $$
The Wafflery Brings Hearty Breakfasts to Charlotte
Large portions, crisp chicken and a cozy setting make The Wafflery a promising mid-range stop for breakfast or brunch.
NC · Charlotte · $$$$
Supperland brings fire, cocktails and occasion dining
Charlotte’s Supperland pairs an elaborate setting and polished cocktails with shareable cooking, though reviews suggest some dishes can be uneven.
NC · Wilmington
Casa Encanto Brings a Party Atmosphere to Wilmington
Strong service, polished presentation and birthday celebrations make Casa Encanto a lively choice for Mexican and Latin American dining.
NC · Charlotte · $$
Haberdish brings polished Southern comfort to Charlotte
Warm design, crisp fried chicken and thoughtful vegetable dishes make Haberdish a strong mid-range pick for dates and shared dinners.
NC · Raleigh · $$$
Angus Barn pairs classic steaks with destination dining
Raleigh’s landmark steakhouse earns praise for generous portions, attentive service, distinctive décor and special-occasion experiences.
NC · Beulaville
Mike’s Farm Brings Sunday-Dinner Comfort to Beulaville
Plentiful table-served food, attentive staff, gift shops and farm animals make Mike’s Farm a full outing rather than a quick restaurant stop.
NC · Cary · $$
Ajumma brings focused Korean comfort food to Cary
A 4.9 Google rating from 605 reviews reflects strong praise for crisp textures, flavorful soups, fresh sides and warm service.
NC · Washington · $$
Blu Farm to Table pairs local ingredients with river views
Fresh cooking, attentive service and a rooftop setting make Blu appealing, though pricing and order handling draw some concern.
NC · Durham
Let's Eat Soul Food Draws Praise and Sharp Debate in Durham
Tender oxtails, hamburger steak and daily specials earn loyal fans, though inconsistent sides and unclear hours temper the enthusiasm.
NC · Charlotte · $$
South End Eats Offers Variety With Uneven Execution
This shared Charlotte food hub brings burgers, sushi, ramen and soul food together, though pickup service may be less consistent than the cooking.
NC · Winston-Salem · $$$
Sage & Salt pairs polished plates with attentive service
This expensive Winston-Salem restaurant draws praise for its ribeye, handsome presentation and particularly welcoming bar service.
NC · Raleigh · $$
uglyfish brings creative sushi and polished service to Raleigh
Public reviews point to a thoughtful Japanese and fusion restaurant where composed sushi, attentive guidance and an inviting bar lead the experience.
NC · Raleigh · $$
Cape Fear Seafood Company Brings Reliable Seafood to Raleigh
Strong marks for seafood cookery, attentive service and a comfortable atmosphere make this mid-range Raleigh restaurant a dependable choice.
NC · Wrightsville Beach · $$
Bluewater Waterfront Grill in Wrightsville Beach
What 4930 public reviews say about Bluewater Waterfront Grill, synthesized by Adaeze Guzman.
NC · Myrtle Beach · $$$
Hook & Barrel brings polished seafood to Myrtle Beach
Strong service, fresh seafood and a broad cocktail selection make this expensive restaurant a compelling alternative to Myrtle Beach buffets.
NC · Cornelius · $$$
Seaboy brings polished seafood dining to Cornelius
Strong public feedback points to fresh seafood, thoughtful drinks, relaxed fine dining and notably attentive service.
NC · Charlotte · $$$
Caroline’s Oyster Bar pairs polished seafood with warm service
Strong public feedback points to fresh oysters, a relaxed upscale setting and attentive service at this expensive Charlotte seafood restaurant.
NC · Durham · $$
Lulu Bang Bang pairs bold plates with polished atmosphere
This mid-range Durham restaurant draws praise for chicken bao, spicy noodles and cocktails, though uneven service and ambitious flavors divide diners.
NC · Cary · $$
Farmside Kitchen brings generous bowls to Waverly Place
Strong public feedback points to fresh ingredients, flexible bowl orders and notably welcoming service at this mid-range Cary restaurant.
NC · Charlotte · $$
Culinary Dropout pairs comfort food with live music
Charlotte diners praise the energetic setting, fried chicken and cocktails, though service and seating follow-through can be inconsistent.
NC · Walnut Cove · $$
Hillbilly Hide-A-Way Serves a Full Family-Style Feast
Strong ratings and consistent reviews point to generous country cooking, attentive service and a relaxed setting built for hungry groups.
NC · Charlotte · $$
Southern Pecan pairs Gulf Coast flavors with uneven pacing
Strong marks for friendly staff and several seafood and Southern dishes are tempered by repeated complaints about slow service.
NC · Myrtle Beach · $$
RipTydz pairs ocean views with a lively rooftop
Strong ratings, broad crowd appeal and an ocean-facing deck make RipTydz a popular Myrtle Beach stop, though pricing and consistency draw some criticism.