WALTER magazine’s guide to the best bars, coffee shops, restaurants and more in the Triangle, according to the pros.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre | photography by Forrest Mason
If 2025 brought us anything, hospitality-wise, it’s street cred. We celebrated our first appearance in the MICHELIN Guide for the American South, with 14 restaurants in the Raleigh area earning placements on the Bib Gourmand and Recommended lists. Their selections include many beloved spots that celebrate both North Carolina traditions (hello, barbecue!) and cuisines with international roots. We also saw more than a dozen new spots open in town, including unique collaborations between established chefs, bartenders and restaurateurs that speak to the friendly nature of our local hospitality community.
So we have a good problem: With so many great spots to choose from, where do you go to get something to eat or drink? We think the best way to decide is to get a recommendation from a person who knows their stuff. That’s why each year we tap local foodies and hospitality folks to share their favorite spots based on their years of experience and excellent palates. Their selections include a broad range of tastes — from fine-dining experiences to quick-serve comfort food — that consistently deliver.
Read on for more than 100 ideas for great culinary experiences in our area.
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Brigid Washington
Food Writer
Originally from Trinidad, Washington has written for Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Harper’s Bazaar and The New York Times; she’s also authored three books. She serves as the vice chair of the journalism committee for the James Beard Foundation and graduated from the Culinary Institute of America.
These are Washington’s picks for…
Special Night: Stanbury or Herons, I know that’s where I’ll find that intersection between consistency and creativity.
Go-to Spot: Mr. Henry. I always order a French 75.
Hidden Gem Ajisai, I get the bento box special. They always bring it out quickly, and it’s consistently good.
Lunch: I really like Coquette. I also like going to Boxyard RTP because it’s near my husband’s work. We kind of wander through and see what appeals that day.
Take Away: Five Star or Longleaf Swine BBQ.
Beverage: That’s still Mr. Henry! They do get crowded now, but the wait is justified.
New Fave: Crawford Brothers Steakhouse. It’s pricey but worth it. They can take all my money.
Can’t Wait for: St. Pierre Wine Shop. I haven’t tried it!
Find more of Washington’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Zack Thomas
Beverage Director, Peregrine
A Raleigh native who’s worked at Foundation, The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, Fox Liquor Bar and Nightingale, Thomas has completed New York’s BAR 5-day program for master mixologists. He guides cocktail design for Peregrine, Capulet Cocktail Club and Rosebud (coming soon!).
This are Thomas’s picks for…
Special Night: Coletta in Cary. When we get out, we make it count with that 18-layer lasagna.
Go-to Spot: Gussie’s! I’m a little biased because my wife is the bar manager there, but they’re doing something right.
Hidden Gem: Amedeo’s on Western Boulevard. I grew up going there to watch NC State basketball games.
Lunch: MoJoe’s Burger Joint
Take Away: Cloos’ Coney Island.
Beverage: Foundation. I’m seven years sober, and this is one of the few places where I know they’re not going to just hand me a lemonade.
Coffee: Cup A Joe. I get their Valentine’s Day Latte year-round and a cookie as big as my head.
Sweets: Sunni Sky’s, a cash-only ice cream spot in Angier.
Find more of Thomas’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Chun Shi
Executive Chef, Brewery Bhavana
Shi moved here from China in her 30s to work in computer science. At 40, she went to the culinary program at Johnson & Wales in Charlotte. She worked at An in Cary for nine years before becoming the opening dim sum chef at Brewery Bhavana, then executive chef in 2023.
These are Shi’s pics for…
Special Night If my mom is with us: Chengdu 7 or Szechuan Mansion Hotpot in Cary. If not, Herons. I used to work with Steven Green at An, he’s so talented.
Go-to Spot Ajja. I like chef Cheetie Kumar and that Mediterranean-style food; it’s healthy and tastes good, and I like how their menu changes.
Hidden Gem: Oakwood Pizza Box.
Take Away: Mami Nora’s. We get the half chicken combo. It’s simple with good flavor.
Coffee: I don’t drink coffee, but my coworkers go to 42 & Lawrence around the corner.
Sweets: I’ll go to lucettegrace to pick up something for dessert or a birthday.
New Fave: Mala Pata.
Find more of Shi’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Josh Hernandez
Hospitality Advocate
Hernandez has dined in more than 450 MICHELIN-starred restaurants worldwide and is deeply involved with the James Beard Foundation. He recently brought together more than 200 award-winning culinary professionals in Washington, D.C., to share ideas, celebrate creativity and build community.
These are Hernandez’s pick for…
Special Night: Herons. That’s where we’ve celebrated everything from new jobs to anniversaries to birthdays.
Go-To Spot: Crawford and Son. When we go there it’s basically dealer’s choice, but their cheddar biscuits are a mainstay so we always order them for the table and also to go.
Lunch: Ricky Moore’s Saltbox Seafood Joint.
Take Away: KoKyu in Durham.
Beverage: Sous Terre. I love the Last Word cocktail.
Coffee: I travel a lot, so Black & White Coffee Roasters in the RDU Airport. I do a quad espresso.
Sweets: Tamasha. Chef Bhavin does some high-technique-driven desserts that are super flavorful and stunning.
New Fave: Peregrine. The Bengali chicken is fantastic.
Can’t Wait For: Christopher Prieto’s Prime STQ.
Find more of Hernandez’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Craig Heffley,
Owner, Wine Authorities
Heffley has been a wine professional since 1991, working in fine dining, retail, importing, distribution and wine education. He opened Wine Authorities in 2007 with the philosophy of carrying exclusively high-value, small-production, family-owned estate wines.
These are Heffley’s picks for…
Hidden Gem: El Toro Supermarket. It’s always bustling with people in there, but I don’t see it get much buzz. I love the tacos they do there, especially the cabeza tacos. I also go to Pho Far East pretty regularly.
Lunch: (ish) delicatessen, Sam Jones BBQ, Benchwarmers Bagels or Toast in Durham — their soups are world-class!
Take Away: Oakwood Pizza Box. With pizza that good, the purist in me wants a margarita or cheese pizza.
Beverage: Natural Science.
Coffee: Black & White Coffee Roasters.
Sweets: I love Guglhupf in Durham. Everything’s freshly baked, day-made, and it really is like a fine patisserie you’d expect someplace like Austria, Germany or France.
New Fave: TaTaco in Durham.
Find more of Heffley’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Danielle Centeno
Co-owner, Escazū Chocolates
Centeno moved here from Venezuela for the culinary program at Wake Technical Community College, then attended the Culinary Institute of America. She worked in kitchens in New York City, Dallas and Aspen and sold wine before getting into artisanal chocolate making 18 years ago.
Here are Centeno’s picks for…
Special Night: Stanbury, without a doubt!
Go-to Spot: Gussie’s. I usually get the chili burger and fries. It truly feels like a neighborhood restaurant.
Hidden Gem: Heirloom’s dinner menu.
Lunch: Taipei 101 in Cary.
Take Away: Pana’s Flavor food truck. I order tequeños, cachapas and empanada de pabellón.
Beverage: Feature Flora for tea.
Sweets: Escazū is truly where I get most of my sweets. Now that we scoop ice cream, it’s hard not to eat it every day. I also like Sugar Koi in Cary.
New Fave: Mala Pata. It’s as close to traditional as you get.
Can’t Wait For: Stanbury’s new concept at our old spot on Blount Street.
Find more of Centeno’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Bhavin Chhatwani
Chef, Tamasha Modern Indian
A 2025 James Beard Foundation Emerging Chef nominee originally from India, Chhatwani attended the country’s most elite chef-training program, then worked at luxury Taj-owned restaurants, including the two-MICHELIN-starred Taj Campton Place in San Francisco.
Here are Chhatwani’s picks for…
Special Night: Herons.
Go-to Spot: I love Neomonde for its freshness. I like Sushi Mon and O-Ku for their sushi.
Hidden Gem: Noodle Blvd. Their Curry Ramen is my go-to — with extra pickles, spice level 3.
Lunch: I enjoy Press. My go-to order is the Salmon Hashbrown Waffle, paired with a sesame coffee with oat milk.
Take Away: Shish Kabob on Fayetteville Street.
Beverage: Sous Terre. I rarely drink, but I enjoy the Sbagliato Bianco and the Spicy Melon Margarita.
Coffee: I love 42 & Lawrence — the owner, Christina Kwak, is incredibly down-to-earth and always present.
Can’t Wait For: Chai Pani chef Meherwan Irani’s Botiwalla opening at Iron Works.
Find more of Chhatwani’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Sarah Shepherd
Co-owner, Heights House Hotel
Shepherd has called Raleigh home for 15 years and opened Heights House Hotel in 2021. It operates as a boutique hotel, event space and bar. They also host afternoon tea and Sunday Sauce nights with rotating local chefs serving up fresh pasta dishes, plus other collaborations.
These are Shepherd’s picks for…
Special Night: Stanbury. I love the classics like the fried oysters, bone marrow, curds, ribeye — it never disappoints.
Go-to Spot: Standard. It’s great with the kids. We always get the smash burger, truffle fries and cobb salad.
Hidden Gem: Akami Sushi Bar in a gas station in Apex. The sushi is so fresh! I also love Heirloom for dinner. I get the chicken rice porridge and the crab claws.
Lunch: Omakase by Kai, Sushi Mon or lucettegrace.
Take Away: Mustang House or the Lao-Lao Food Truck.
Coffee: Iris Coffee Lab.
Sweets: Holl & Stone Farm. New Zealand-style soft serve!
New Fave: Toyo Sake Shop & Tasting Bar in Cary and St. Pierre Wine Shop & Bar. Both have such a great variety within their niches.
Find more of Shepherd’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Caroline Morrison
Chef and owner, Fiction Kitchen
This North Carolina native opened The Fiction Kitchen with her partner and wife, Siobhan Southern, in 2013. She has a culinary degree from Wake Technical Community College. A recognized entrepreneur, she was a 2019 James Beard Women’s Entrepreneurial Fellow.
These are Morrison’s picks for…
Go-To Spot: Poole’s Diner. It’s one of the first places I bring people — they have some slammin’ veggie options.
Hidden Gem: Chuan Cafe. They’re not afraid of flavor and heat. I’m semi-obsessed with their eggplant and cabbage.
Lunch: I’ve been drooling over the tofu banh mi at Midtown Pho. I add extra jalapeños and extra cilantro.
Take Away: MoJoe’s Burger Joint.
Beverage: Lynnwood Brewing Concern. I love their Mosaic Pale Ale. It’s low ABV, but hoppier than most ales.
Coffee: Cup A Joe. I worked there for years during college and made some great friends. I like an iced coffee with light ice, light hazelnut and oat milk.
Sweets: Little Blue Bakehouse.
Can’t Wait For: I haven’t been to Bitter Social yet!
Find more of Morrison’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
Masatoshi Tsujimura
Founder, Waraji Japanese Restaurant
Born in Japan, Tsujimura started his sushi career in America in 1982 and moved to North Carolina in 1984 to open the sushi bar at Kanki Japanese House of Steaks. In 1997, he opened Waraji Japanese Restaurant, which he sold in 2021. He now consults and trains sushi chefs.
Here are Tsujimura’s picks for…
Special Night: Seoul Garden and Pho Far East. We like Korean or Thai restaurants. They tend to be very flavorful and refreshing, but not expensive.
Go-to Spot: I pretty much cook at home, but when I go out, I like Ashten’s in Southern Pines. You can tell they use very good ingredients and the service is great.
Lunch: Soo Cafe, they have the best Korean fried chicken.
Coffee: I drink coffee at home, brewed in a French press. I do like to have coffee while I drive, so if I’m on the road, I’ll go to Sheetz. They make it fresh, so it’s pretty good.
Sweets: Tepuy Donuts. Their donuts are almost like cake, and you can buy a half dozen and eat them for days.
Can’t Wait For: I’m fond of chef William D’Auvray and still need to try East End Bistrot.
Masatoshi Tsujimura’s Favorite Places to Eat and Drink
Find more of Tsujimura’s recommendations for great food and drink here!
This article originally appeared in the January 2026 issue of WALTER magazine.
