Central North Carolina Restaurants

We’ve compiled the best of the best in Central North Carolina - browse our top choices for Restaurants during your stay.

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  • 1. Krankies Coffee

    $ | Downtown

    Winston's hippest coffee joint is known for its biscuits and burgers as much as its espresso. A warehouselike interior offers plenty of room to spread out, and ample outdoor tables fill with locals relaxing or working on sunny days.

    211 E. 3rd St., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27101, USA
    336-722--3016

    Known For

    • A chicken biscuit marinated in honey and Texas Pete
    • Miel iced coffee lattes, flavored with spices and honey
    • Full bar to get your midday drink on

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 2. Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen

    $$$ | Friendly

    Gourmet meets fried catfish at this staple of Greensboro fine dining for three decades. A remodel in 2020 brought the chic dining room up to par with the elevated, Delta-inspired cuisine. Cocktails like the peach-honeysuckle margarita are as grand as the hearty jambalaya, a rich amalgam of andouille sausage, pulled chicken, and Carolina shrimp.

    1421 Westover Terr., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27408, USA
    336-370--0707

    Known For

    • Silky sweet she-crab soup
    • Short ribs braised in sweet tea
    • Skilled, friendly service

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 3. Mothers & Sons Trattoria

    $$$ | Downtown

    Order a table of small plates to share, or dive into an entrée from the open kitchen's wood-fired grill at this Italian-themed café (no pizza though) that's known for making its own pasta.

    107 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
    919-294--8247

    Known For

    • Bruschetta menu
    • Spaghetti with pork and beef meatballs, done right
    • Laid-back but elegant dining scene

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 4. Stamey's

    $ | Coliseum

    This Greensboro staple (for nearly a century) is a pilgrimage spot for barbecue lovers from across the state. The chopped, Eastern-style pork is mostly shoulder meat already sauced in the kitchen, though there's also plenty of vinegary Stamey's Secret Sauce at your table. If you're looking for something other than straight pulled pork, try the Brunswick stew, a traditional Southeastern, thick, tomato-based stew. There's a second location on Battleground Avenue north of town.

    2206 W. Gate City Blvd., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27403, USA
    336-299–9888

    Known For

    • Wood-smoked vinegar-based barbecue
    • Traditional Brunswick stew
    • Homemade peach cobbler

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 5. Transfer Co. Food Hall

    $ | Oakwood Historic District

    The city's best food hall has a soaring ceiling with giant skylights, filling the room and its many stalls with natural light. Grab a hearty burrito, an empanada, or a sandwich from Benchwarmers Bagels, where heirloom grains and a wood-fired oven result in one of the Southeast's best.

    500 E. Davis St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, USA
    984-232--8122

    Known For

    • Outpost for Asheville's Burial Beer Co.
    • An A-plus bagel shop
    • A fun raw oyster bar
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  • 6. Angus Barn

    $$$$ | North Raleigh

    Dinner at this huge, rustic barn (a Raleigh legend) is a real event and certainly worth the sizable prices. With its big portions, kitschy surroundings, and 89-page wine and beer list, this steak house is both traditional and fun. Under the supervision of Iron Chef Walter Royal, the steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, baby back ribs, and homemade desserts are all delicious.

    9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27617, USA
    919-787–2444

    Known For

    • Classic steaks and baby back ribs
    • Huge wine and beer list
    • Special-occasion dining

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Credit cards accepted, Reservations essential
  • 7. Beasley's Chicken + Honey

    $ | Downtown

    James Beard Award--winning chef Ashley Christensen (also behind Poole's Diner) opened this hip fried chicken spot, which serves the namesake dish as well as modern takes on Southern classics. Sit at the bar and wash down the restaurant's hearty cuisine with a craft cocktail or glass of champagne. Brunch is also a hit on the weekends.

    237 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27601, USA
    919-322–0127

    Known For

    • Elevated Southern classics
    • Fried chicken and honey, duh
    • Hip atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
  • 8. Blue Water Grille

    $$$$

    The menu at this intimate seafood spot includes Lowcountry favorites, often presented with an Asian flair and a bit of French influence. The standout ahi tuna varies by season in its preparation. With black leather chairs and soft lighting, this is a classy pick for a date night. This white-washed brick restaurant is tucked away behind commerical buildings off of the highway, and is easy to miss after dark.

    126 E. State Ave., High Point, North Carolina, 27272, USA
    336-886–1010

    Known For

    • Creative seafood preparations
    • Shared plates
    • Classy night-on-the-town environment

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch
  • 9. Brandwein's Bagels

    $ | Downtown

    North Carolina--grown and --milled flour, boiled and baked in the New York style, make these perfect bagels both local and authentic. Toasted and smothered with pimento cheese, bacon, and avocado, they're perfection.

    505 W. Rosemary St., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, USA
    919-240--7071

    Known For

    • House-made sweet and savory bagel spreads, including vegan options
    • Hefty bagel lunch sandwiches like the Hot Honey Turkey
    • Gluten-free bagel options
  • 10. Bullock's BBQ

    $ | West Metro

    Durham's oldest restaurant sticks to the finely chopped vinegar barbecue that made it an institution. Pair a sandwich or platter with a bowl of beans or mac and cheese and you'll be in hog heaven. It's cash only, so head to an ATM before you arrive.

    3330 Quebec Dr., Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA
    919-383--3211

    Known For

    • A tradition since 1952
    • Hearty Brunswick stew
    • Photos of former presidents and celebrities dining here line the walls

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 11. Cheesecakes by Alex

    $ | Downtown

    Swing by this local favorite for a café au lait and a chocolate croissant in the morning, and then visit again after dark for the decadent desserts.

    315 S. Elm St., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27401, USA
    336-273--0970

    Known For

    • Two dozen cheesecake flavors, from sweet potato to chocolate chip mint
    • Coffee and pastries in the morning
    • Rich cupcakes and muffins
  • 12. Crawford and Son

    $$$$ | Oakwood Historic District

    Five-time James Beard Award semifinalist Scott Crawford founded this comfy but sophisticated restaurant in the historic Oakwood neighborhood to showcase his unique approach to cooking and the seasonal bounty of his adopted hometown. The ever-changing menu is focused on seasonal, local produce that truly belongs to its community. Look for entrées like beef cheek ragout, pork schnitzel with smashed roots, and swordfish with ancient grains. Save room for dessert because pastry chef Krystle Swenson’s creations are out of this world. Craft cocktails and a solid wine list round out the experience. If you can't get enough of Crawford's cooking (or the reservation time you're seeking), his French restaurant, Jolie, is next door and is equally terrific.

    618 N. Person St., Raleigh, North Carolina, 27604, USA
    919-307--4647

    Known For

    • Award-winning chef and his take on seasonal, local ingredients
    • Intimate, cozy dining experience (reservations a must)
    • Outstanding desserts and bar program

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and Mon.
  • 13. Durham Food Hall

    $ | Five Points

    This repurposed warehouse includes 10 counter-serve restaurants, offering pizza, raw oysters, and gourmet coffee. The soaring ceilings and industrial-mod decor make it a pleasant place to explore and dine.

    530 Foster St., Durham, North Carolina, 27701, USA
    919-908--9339

    Known For

    • Bowerbird Flowers & Apothecary brightens the room with scores of flowers
    • Single-origin coffee from Liturgy
    • Tempting desserts from Afters
  • 14. Grecian Corner

    $ | Downtown

    In an austere building underneath the highway, this out-of-the-way eatery has dished up gyros and souvlaki since 1970. Patrons, including workers at the nearby hospital and local families, enjoy the friendly service and ample portions of moussaka, spanakopita, and salads, plus more familiar fare like hamburgers and pizza. The wine list includes Greek reds and whites.

    101 Eden Terr., Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27103, USA
    336-722–6937

    Known For

    • Classic Greek dishes and wines
    • Family-friendly service
    • The best gyro in the city

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun., No credit cards
  • 15. Guglhupf

    $$ | Duke University

    Locals have flocked to this upscale German bakery, café, and biergarten for more than 20 years, drawn by the delicious pastries, lively brunch, and expansive dining patio. While the restaurant doesn't skimp on the classic sausage-and-schnitzel fare, the menu is enlivened by frequently rotating seasonal entrées that showcase central North Carolina's farm bounty; vegans and vegetarians will be pleasantly surprised by the range of elegant and inventive plant-based dishes.

    2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham, North Carolina, 27707, USA
    919-401--2600

    Known For

    • European pastries (especially the namesake guglhupf cake)
    • Vegetarian and vegan takes on German classics
    • Hearty brunch

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
  • 16. Herons

    $$$$ | American

    At this elegant hotel restaurant, the menu shifts with the seasons and is always filled with new twists on traditional Southern dishes and international fare. Truly farm to fork, the restaurant uses produce from its own sustainable farm, which is less than a mile away.

    Umstead Hotel & Spa, 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary, North Carolina, 27513, USA
    919-447–4200

    Known For

    • Sustainability-driven Southern entrées
    • Always-changing menu with local ingredients
    • In-house pastry chef

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: No dinner Sun.
  • 17. Hops Burger Bar

    $ | North Metro

    This Greensboro mainstay (now with two locations in town, plus a third in Winston-Salem) was early to the gourmet burger bandwagon. They keep up their sterling reputation with a commitment to well-sourced ingredients and inviting offerings like the North Carolinian (bacon, fried green tomato, pimento cheese, and a fried egg). There's a quality selection of local beers to wash down the caloric overload.

    2138 Lawndale Dr., Greensboro, North Carolina, 27408, USA
    336-663--0537

    Known For

    • The "wall of fries," including a hearty mound of poutine fries
    • Fried goat cheese balls with fig jelly
    • Packed house on weekends
  • 18. Lantern

    $$$$ | Downtown

    James Beard Award--winning chef Andrea Reusing’s flagship restaurant brings together Asian flavors and North Carolina ingredients sourced mostly from local farms and purveyors. The menu changes seasonally, but the legendary tea-smoked roast chicken and chive-and-pork dumplings are staples. The small, intimate dining room is accented by hanging light fixtures of various shapes and sizes. Tucked away in the back of the restaurant, the red-hued bar area is a nice place to linger with a cocktail.

    423 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27516, USA
    919-969--8846

    Known For

    • Award-winning chef and dishes
    • Melding of Asian cuisine with local ingredients
    • Intimate dining space and bar

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 19. Lexington Barbecue

    $

    The town of Lexington is the base for Carolina's sweet, red-sauce style of barbecue. At this mainstay where locals line up daily for takeout, meat is pulled from smoked pork shoulders and served up as a sandwich in a soft bun topped with red slaw. Finish with a traditional fruit cobbler.

    100 Smokehouse La., Lexington, North Carolina, 27295, USA
    336-249–9814

    Known For

    • Pulled pork smoked over hickory wood
    • Fruit cobblers for dessert
    • Old-school barbecue-joint atmosphere

    Restaurant Details

    Rate Includes: Closed Sun.
  • 20. Monuts

    $ | West Metro

    Whether you opt for a hearty avocado-stuffed breakfast burrito, go healthy with a granola bowl, or just stop in for a drip coffee, you'd be remiss to leave without one of the signature house doughnuts. Don't even try to fool yourself into just eating half.

    1002 Ninth St., Durham, North Carolina, 27705, USA
    919-286--2642

    Known For

    • Sea salt dark chocolate glazed doughnuts
    • Seasonal coffee like iced mint lattes
    • Build-your-own biscuit sandwiches

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