The beverage director of Peregrine shares where he goes for quick bites, special nights, a well-made beverage and more.
by Ayn-Monique Klahre | photography by Forrest Mason
Here in Raleigh, we have a good problem: With so many great spots to choose from, how do you decide where to go for something to eat or drink? We think the best way to ask someone is to get a recommendation from a person who knows their stuff.
For our 2026 Guide to Where to Eat and Drink in Raleigh, we tapped 10 local foodies and hospitality folks to share their favorite spots based on 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.
One of them was Zack Thomas, the beverage director for the team behind Peregrine, Capulet Cocktail Club, and Rosebud in Raleigh. A bartender-turned-mentor with roots at Foundation, The Crunkleton in Chapel Hill, Fox Liquor Bar, and Nightingale, Thomas pairs careful craft with genuine warmth at the bar. He’s one of the few North Carolinians to complete New York’s prestigious BAR 5 Day program, and he leads with a simple belief: great hospitality is humble, precise, and human. Today he guides cocktail design, staff education, and service culture behind the bar across the group, sharing his “Bartender’s Path” philosophy so guests feel cared for, teams feel supported, and every drink tells a story.
Where do you go for a special-occasion meal?
We can finally afford to take Fridays and Saturdays off sometimes, and right now my wife, Kayla Thomas, is pregnant, so when we get out for dinner, we make it count with carbs and cheese. We love to go to Coletta in Cary for that 18 layer lasagna.
What’s your go-to restaurant?
Gussie’s! I’m a little biased because Kayla is the bar manager there, but they’re doing something really right. There’s good hospitality, it’s owned by industry vets who know what they’re doing. I order their burger a lot.
Amedeo’s
What’s your favorite spot that doesn’t get enough cred?
Amedeo’s on Western Boulevard. I grew up going there so it holds a special place in my heart, I’m a fiend for nostalgia. When I was a kid, we’d go there to watch NC State basketball games, that’s where we went to celebrate with our whole family after we got engaged. It’s always full, so it’s not a hidden gem
Where do you go to eat lunch?
MoJoe’s on Glenwood. I went to high school just around the corner so I’ve been going there forever. They have the best ranch in town — in might secretly be French onion dip — but they’re always solid and quick with their orders.
Cloos’ Coney Island
Where do you get a meal on the go?
Cloos’ Coney Island on Avent Ferry. They’re super quick and the vibe has not changed at all for 20 years.
Where do you like to get a beverage?
I used to work at Foundation downtown, so that’s where I take my bartender friends. They have good technical prowess and build their drinks well. 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. They have some great nonalcoholic options on the menu.
What’s your go-to coffee spot?
CupAJoe on Hillsborough. I know that’s following the stereotype of West Raleigh kids, but I’ve been going there since I was little. I get their Valentine’s Day Latte year-round — it’s a latte with strawberry, raspberry and chocolate — and a cookie as big as my head.
Where do you get a sweet treat?
I live in Fuquay now, and in Angier there’s an ice cream spot called Sunni Sky’s that we love. They only take cash, but you get so much ice cream for $4. I get the Oatmeal Cookie or the Pumpkin Cream Pie. There’s a flavor called the Exit Wound and they make you sign a waiver to eat it. You have to train for that.
What’s your favorite new-ish place?
Peregrine! Not to sound like an advertisement but it’s one of the most beautiful spaces in Raleigh. Patrick is in touch with a higher level of design. And with those giant windows, it truly transforms from daytime to nighttime. I’ve been a basement cocktail gremlin for the last 20 years, so it’s such a treat to feel the light shift and feel the seasons.
What are you excited about in the hospitality scene?
We’re opening the Capulet Cocktail Club soon, and I’m crazy excited about it. It’s centered around Italian liquors, and the design — if you like Peregrine, it’s on the same level. There will be a domed ceiling, a waterfall at the back bar… it’s going to be great.
This article was originally published on December 29, 2025 on waltermagazine.com
