WALTER’s annual list of recommendations from local hospitality pros for the best restaurants, bars, coffee spots and more in the Triangle.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre | photography by Forest Mason

Is it just us, or is the food scene really buzzing? Over the past year, we’ve seen loads of bar and restaurant projects come to fruition, from fine- dining concepts to burger spots to rooftop bars, cocktail lounges, salad spots and more. “As our community has gotten more diverse, so have our bars and restaurants,” says Kim Hammer, a Raleigh native who’s the owner of downtown bars Bittersweet and Johnson Street Yacht Club. “I could go out every night and go somewhere different.”

With so many spots to choose from, we think the best way to figure out where to go for dinner or a drink is to ask someone with great, er, taste. That’s why we tap local hospitality folks to share their favorite spots, the places they prioritize in their few off-hours based on their years of experience. Among their choices are tried-and-true Raleigh stalwarts, buzzy new places and under-the-radar locales you might never visit if you don’t live nearby. “I travel a lot, and I have to say — we have it really good in Raleigh,” Hammer says.

Read on for recommendations for great culinary experiences in our area from 10 food folks — and click through for even more ideas for what to order!

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Cuong Le has nearly seven years of experience in the industry, with four of those years spent in the Triangle area. While his professional background primarily focuses on Asian cuisine, he also has a deep appreciation for classic European cuisine. Le has been the executive chef at O-Ku since 2021. 

These are Le’s picks for….
Special Occasion: Stanbury.
Go-to: Cardinal Bar. 
Casual: Taipei 101 in Cary. Get the Dan Dan noodles, eggplant with garlic sauce and salt and pepper pork ribs!
Lunch: Pho Thien Phat in Cary. I stop by for a hearty bowl of pho alongside a refreshing Vietnamese iced coffee.

Find more of Le’s recommendations here!

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Born and raised in New England, Tanisha DePina has worked in kitchens from Boston to San Francisco. Before moving to Raleigh to help open Il Falò at The Westin Raleigh-Durham Airport in 2023, DePina worked as a pastry chef at The Gasparilla Inn, a resort off Florida’s Gulf Coast.

This is where DePina goes for…
Special Occasion: Barcelona Wine Bar. I order the patatas bravas, roasted chickpea cazuela and roasted carrots. 
Go-to: Chido Taco. They have great birria tacos and delicious cocktails. They also play great music!
Coffee: Jubala Coffee.
New-ish: Bazil Indian Cuisine. My favorites are the crab masala and lamb biryani (spicy but so delicious).

Find more of DePina’s recommendations here!

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Kim Hammer is a pastry chef and owner of Bittersweet, a cocktail, coffee and dessert bar that was nominated for a James Beard for Outstanding Bar in 2024, as well as Johnson Street Yacht Club. Prior to Bittersweet, Hammer ran catering company Bittycakes for over 10 years. 

This is where Hammer goes for…
Special Occasion: Oak Steakhouse. I love a perfect crispy medium-rare ribeye, killer fries and a dirty martini. 
Go-to: Centro. The ignacio and any of the mezcal drinks.  
Casual: SmokeStacks Cafe. 
New-ish: Gussie’s.

Find more of Hammer’s recommnedations here.

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Roger and Briana Kornegay run Raleigh FoodTrap, an award-winning media outlet showcasing the culinary scene in our area. They also own The Yard Milkshake Bar in Seaboard Station and run social media for various hospitality businesses.

This is where Roger and Briana go for…
Go-to: Vittles at the Park in Durham.
Casual: IRONBOX Breakfast. It’s a food truck located next to a junkyard in Youngsville. 
Lunch: Frito’s Burgers and Tacos. When we eat lunch out and about, we like to spend cheap! On Tuesdays, tacos are $1!
Drink: The Willard. We love their mocktails, especially the pineapple ginger mule. 

Find more of the Kornegay’s recommendations here!

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Sara Abernethy is the co-founder of Wye Hill Hospitality, which she operates with her husband, Chris Borreson. A Raleigh native, Abernethy launched Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewery in 2017 and expanded the restaurant group with Glasshouse Kitchen in 2022 and Twisted Ladder in 2023. 

This is where Abernethy goes for…
Go-to: Oakwood Pizza Box or Stanbury.
Casual: (ish) delicatessen.
To go: DICED.
Coffee: Cup A Joe: I have a long-standing Saturday tradition where I meet my dad there. I get a double short skinny latte.

Find more of Abernethy’s recommendations here.

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Originally from Bangladesh, Saif Rahman moved to New York City and then to North Carolina. The longtime executive chef of Vidrio has been named a North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association Chef of the Year. His new restaurant, Peregrine, will open early this year. 

This where Rahman goes for…
Go-to: La Cabana Taqueria, on Capital Boulevard. It’s inside a BP gas station and there are no signs for it.
Drink: William & Company on Person Street. I get whatever nonalcoholic drink the bartender makes me.
Coffee: Videri Chocolate Factory. I love the smell of roasting coffee beans and cacao there. 
New-ish: Mac’s Speed Shop on Glenwood Avenue. 

Find more of Rahman’s recommendations here.

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Aaron Salita was chef de partie at French Laundry, sous chef at Bouchon Bistro and the opening chef for Regiis Ova Caviar & Champagne Lounge. He joined Crawford & Son as chef de cuisine in 2022 and in 2024 was promoted to lead Jolie as well.

This is where Salita goes for…
Special Occasion: Heron’s. Chef Green is pushing culinary boundaries on a nightly basis there at The Umstead. 
Go-to: O’Malley’s Pub & Restaurant. 
Casual: Yatai Market. Mag’s got cool Asian/Latin fusion.
Lunch: M Sushi in Durham. Their omakase is my go-to!
Worth the drive: Olivero in Wilmington. I try to visit every time I go down to the beach.

Find more of Salita’s recommendations here.

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Nguyen is a Chapel Hill-based portrait photographer and food content creator behind Girl Eats World. She moved to North Carolina seven years ago from Austin, Texas. She’s especially passionate about noodles, matcha and international cuisine. 

Here are Nguyen’s picks for…
Special Occasion: M Sushi in Durham or East End Bistrot.
Casual: Garnachas Rivera. It’s a truck with no signage off of Jones Ferry Road, and they have amazing tacos! 
To go: Taquería el Bajío. It’s in the back of a Mexican convenience store, adjacent to a gas station. Try the gorditas! 
Excited to try: Aaktun Coffee & Bar in Durham

Find more of Nguyen’s recommendations here.

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Born in Puerto Rico, Ruiz grew up in the Triangle and started cooking at age 15 at Amante in Carborro. After leaving high school and backpacking through Europe, he worked at a slate of Raleigh restaurants, including Raleigh Raw, Cortez and Mofu. He took over as executive chef at ORO about three years ago.

This is where Ruiz goes for…
Special Occasion: Stanbury. It’s old-school, new-school Raleigh. Get the bone marrow, with a shot to do a luge. 
Go-to: The Piper’s Tavern and Restaurant. My dad always took me there growing up, so that’s become my go-to. 
Casual: Yatai Market in Transfer Co. Food Hall. I love the birria ramen; their sushi rolls and hand rolls are awesome. 
Lunch: Sosta Cafe. I get the Leah: it’s a turkey sandwich with roasted bell peppers.

Find more of Ruiz’s recommendations here.

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After more than a decade as a competitive athlete, Michelle Woodward was inspired to create a restaurant offering high-quality, healthy fast food. In 2015, she opened DICED on Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. There are now four locations in Raleigh and Cary and a fifth on the way in Holly Springs.

This is where Woodward goes for…
Special Occasion: East End Bistrot.
Go-to: Tazza Kitchen in the Village District.
Lunch: DICED! The Spicy Thai with shrimp and avocado added — sometimes mango — and carrot ginger dressing.
Worth the drive: Akami Sushi Bar in Apex.

Find more of Woodward’s recommendations here.

This article originally appeared in the January 2025 issue of WALTER magazine.