From James Beard nods to listings on Bon Appétit’s Hot 10, the food scene in Raleigh is racking up the accolades. By popular demand, we brought back our top story from last January: asking local chefs and bartenders (aka, the people who know their stuff) where we should eat and drink as we head into the new decade. These literal tastemakers passed along their list of the best restaurants in Raleigh and the Triangle, including a mix of upscale favorites, old-school stalwarts and hidden gems—and even shared what they make at home. Here’s where they told us to eat in 2020.
By Catherine Currin
Angela Salamanca
La jefa, Centro Mexican Restaurant and Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria
Go-to dive: Tacos Estilo Hidalgo #2 y Pupuseria in Cary, always order their pupusas de chicharrón!
Old-School Raleigh: Oakwood Cafe—comfort food all the way.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a Celebration: Stanbury—fried oysters, steak and potatoes.
Hidden Gem: The Redneck BBQ Lab in Benson. Love their burnt ends!!
Madison Tessener
Chef de Cuisine, Jolie
Old-School Raleigh: The Roast Grill. Ask for ketchup on your hotdog, I dare you.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Hidden Gem: Taza Grill
Restaurant Outside of Raleigh: Mateo in Durham
Cook at Home: Cakes, or anything with sugar for my nieces.
Van Alston, Slim’s Downtown Distillery, Cheerwine Shot
Eric Montagne
Executive Chef, Locals Oyster Bar
Old-School Raleigh: Slim’s. You have to get a mind eraser.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a Celebration: Stanbury. Bone Marrow with Montenegro.
Hidden Gem: Don Betos Tacos
Chef to Watch: Angela Salamanca and Marshall Davis
Cook at Home: Mole braised chicken thighs and good white rice.
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The Locavore Salad at the Fiction Kitchen in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Jun. 4, 2019.
Jake Wolf
chef-owner, Capital Club 16
Go-to Dive: Slim’s, order the Coors Banquet.
Old-School Raleigh: The Player’s Retreat. App sampler.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Snoopy’s
Restaurant for a Celebration: Fiction Kitchen—order anything
Hidden Gem: Not totally hidden anymore but… Pho Far East.
Restaurant Outside of Raleigh: Crook’s Corner
Cook at Home: Matzo ball soup with my son
Anthony Guerra
Dad, Oakwood Pizza Box
Go-to Dive: The Goat. Not the mystery beer, ever.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a Celebration: Lantern, the pork and chive dumplings
Hidden Gem: Caffe Driade
Chef to Watch: Sam Ratto. What a gem.
Cook at Home: Pancakes with Vivian Guerra
Drew Maykuth
chef-owner, Stanbury
Go-to Dive: Frank’s Pizza
Old-School Raleigh: 42nd Street Oyster Bar. I normally keep it pretty simple, but I’m definitely starting off with at least a dozen oysters.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Hidden Gem: El Rey del Taco. Hands-down best tacos in the area.
Cook at Home: I like a good ribeye, but what I get most excited about is spatchcocking a good chicken, roasting it on top of fingerlings in a cast iron, with butter and thyme.
Thirsty? Check out bartender recommendations for Where to Drink in 2020.
Mac and cheese at Poole’s Diner in Raleigh. / Juli Leonard
Sunny Gerhart
chef-owner, St. Roch Fine Oysters & Bar
Go-to Dive: MoJoe’s. Those wings tho.
Old-School Raleigh: Clyde Cooper’s BBQ. BBQ Sandwich
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a Celebration: Poole’s. Mac & Cheese, duh.
Hidden Gem: Carroll’s Kitchen
Restaurant Outside of Raleigh: Lucky’s Deli
Chef to Watch: Matt Kelly & Ashley Christensen—OG’s still killin’ it!
Latke Benedict at Littler in Durham. / Juli Leonard
Adam Cunningham and Marc Russell
Co-Owners, Longleaf Swine BBQ
Go-to Dive: Slim’s—Coors and shot of Evan Williams
Old-School Raleigh: Player’s Retreat—order the Pete Burger and onion rings.
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a Celebration: Stanbury—everything
Hidden Gem: El Toro Taqueria
Restaurant Outside of Raleigh: Littler in Durham
Pine State Coffee / Taylor McDonald
Mike Freeman
Kitchen Manager, State of Beer
Go-to Dive: Ruckus—one slice of pepperoni and a PBR.
Old-School Raleigh: Big Ed’s—Fried Cajun Chicken with Eggs
Char-Grill or Snoopy’s: Char-Grill
Restaurant for a celebration: MoJoe’s—Double Patty burger with chili and cheese
Hidden Gem: Pine State Coffee
Restaurant Outside of Raleigh: Kokyu Na’Mean in Durham
Still hungry? Find even more chef recommendations in our Where to Eat in 2019 guide.
