Where to Eat in 2019

30+ spots for any kind of dining, picked by the pros

The Triangle’s food scene has been stepping up its game in the Southeast and beyond. In 2018, Raleigh chefs brought home three James Beard nominations, and USA Today praised the City of Oaks’ culinary community: “From cocktail bars to coffee shops to breweries, there’s a huge sense of people coming together in the city to make business successful.” We believe coming together is the key: Triangle foodies aren’t just in it for themselves, they support each other, too. That’s why when we asked local chefs, restaurateurs, and others to share their recommendations—from dives to fine dining—for where to eat other than their own spots, they were happy to oblige (even though the Char-Grill versus Snoopy’s debate rages on). Read on for your 2019 culinary bucket list. —Catherine Currin

The News & Observer/ Juli Leonard (BURGER); courtesy Beth Littlejohn

A burger from The Player’s Retreat on Oberlin Road

BETH LITTLEJOHN EXECUTIVE CHEF, THE PLAYER’S RETREAT

GO-TO DIVE: Taqueria El Toro OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: The PR! HIDDEN GEM: Soo Cafe CHEF TO WATCH: Cheetie Kumar CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Char-Grill

“My hidden gem in Raleigh is Soo Cafe. Order the original tenders and wings.”

–Chef Beth LittleJohn

OSCAR DIAZ CHEF-OWNER, JOSE & SONS, CORTEZ

GO-TO DIVE: Landmark OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: Watkins Grill FAVORITE BAR: C Grace HIDDEN GEM: Saigon Pho CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S:

Char-Grill

MAGGIE KANE FOUNDER, A PLACE AT THE TABLE

GO-TO DIVE: Mitch’s Tavern OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: The Player’s Retreat FAVORITE BAR: Junction West PLACE TO CELEBRATE: so•ca CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S:

Snoopy’s

“I love to celebrate at Stanbury. Great people. Great food. That dang pork chop!”

– Chef Coleen Speaks

COLEEN SPEAKS CHEF-OWNER, HUMMINGBIRD

OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: Cloos’ Coney Island FAVORITE BARTENDER: Matt Holmes, Capital Club 16 PLACE TO CELEBRATE: Stanbury CHEF TO WATCH: Krystle Swenson, Crawford and Son CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Char-Grill

JASON HOWARD OWNER, THE CARDINAL

GO-TO DIVE: The Outpost OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: Parkway Restaurant FAVORITE BAR: Sidebar CHEF TO WATCH: Cheetie Kumar CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Char-Grill

Above: Bone marrow and Boulted Bread from Stanbury; A Bruleed Greyhound from Sidebar in downtown Cary.

MELANIE DUNIA EXECUTIVE CHEF, EMPIRE EATS

OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: The Mecca OUT-OF-TOWN PICK: Zeera,

Fuquay-Varina HIDDEN GEM: Lucettegrace CHEF TO WATCH: Konget Elias, The Mecca CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Snoopy’s

“Konget Elias is doing amazing things with the food. She’s working her magic keeping up with Mecca’s 1930 roots but still trying new dishes and tastes. Definitely one to watch.”

– Chef Melanie Dunia

Opposite page: The Mecca restaurant on Martin Street; macarons at Lucettegrace. This page: Shaved Kholrabi with fermented garlic, sesame, and Thai Basil from Crawford and Son

left page: courtesy Melanie Dunia; Geoff Wood (MECCA); Keith Isaacs (MACARONS) right page: Jessica Crawford (KHOLRABI); courtesy Steve Mangano “I love to celebrate at Crawford and Son— anything the team makes, but particulary vegetables. Scott is the Vegetable Whisperer!”

–Steve Mangano

STEVE MANGANO FOUNDER/CEO, CUREAT

OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: Roast Grill FAVORITE BAR: Foundation PLACE TO CELEBRATE: Crawford and Son CHEFS TO WATCH: Eric Montagne at Locals Seafood & Jake Wood at 18 Seaboard CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Char-Grill

“The best place to celebrate is Brewery Bhavana. Order the peking duck.” –Chef Scott Crawford

From above: Vansana Nolintha at Brewery Bhavana; Hot dogs, Schlitz, and Voodoo chips from The Cardinal on West Street

SCOTT CRAWFORD CHEF-OWNER, CRAWFORD AND SON, JOLIE

GO-TO DIVE: The Cardinal OLD-SCHOOL RALEIGH: Big Ed’s PLACE TO CELEBRATE: Brewery Bhavana HIDDEN GEM: Mami Nora’s CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S:

Char-Grill

SEAN FOWLER CHEF-OWNER, MANDOLIN

GO-TO DIVE: Pho Far East OLD SCHOOL RALEIGH: Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery HIDDEN GEM: El Rey Del Taco OUT-OF-TOWN PICK: The Durham CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Snoopy’s

From above: Tamales from The Durham; Key Lime Pie from Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery

The News & Observer/ Juli Leonard (TAPAS); courtesy Cheetie Kumar; Keith Isaacs (GERHART)

CHEETIE KUMAR CHEF AND CO-OWNER, GARLAND

OLD SCHOOL RALEIGH: The Player’s Retreat PLACE TO CELEBRATE: Mateo HIDDEN GEM: Abyssinia’s Ethiopian CHEF TO WATCH: Sunny Gerhart CHAR-GRILL OR SNOOPY’S: Char-Grill

“My favorite place to celebrate is Mateo in Durham—you should order everything on the board.”

–Chef Cheetie Kumar

Above: Tapas from Mateo in Durham; at right: Sunny Gerhart, chef and owner of St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar