The Triangle's 30 best restaurants, right now

Driving the news: With excellent options already swirling and countless new spots always popping up, our mission is to help you keep up with our ever-evolving restaurant scene and help you find great new places to eat.

• We dined across the Triangle, consulted industry leaders and got feedback from hundreds of readers to bring you a guide that, we hope, does just that.

How it works: In addition to considering quality of food, we factored in service, vibe, beverage offerings and how long an establishment has been open.

• We pay our own way and do our best to dine at restaurants across the region undetected so we're as neutral as possible in our assessments.
• You may notice that some restaurants have fallen or risen in the rankings since last year. Those changes mainly stem from the readers' shifting demographics and tastes, rather than a change in the quality of these restaurants. Plus, we've added some newer restaurants to this list.

No. 30: Mala Pata Molino & Cocina

The newest Triangle restaurant on this list, Mala Pata earned its place in the top 30 in part because it feels like it made up for something our region's diners didn't know they were missing — until now.

• Born from the creative minds behind spots like Centro, Gallo Pelón, Ex-Voto and Locals Seafood, the restaurant centers on fresh masa, a dough made daily from Oaxacan corn and used to make tortillas, tamales and other items.
• The fresh masa focus — plus its authentic, bold Latin American flavors, paired with colorful cocktails in a creative space — makes for an experience unlike any other in the triangle.
• Pro tip: The Colombian buñelos, fried cassava-corn fritters made with cotija and chilli oil and smothered with agave butter, are — and we don't say this lightly — life-changing.

Location: 2431 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 102, Raleigh

Hours: 5-10pm, Wednesday through Saturday

No. 29: Viceroy

The vibes of this hip British pub-feeling Indian restaurant are just about as spicy as the rich flavors in each curry and masala dish. Viceroy is known for its classic curries and craft cocktails, plus British staples, like a curried sausage roll.

Location: 335 W. Main St., Durham

Hours: 5-10pm Wednesday through Thursday and Sunday through Monday

• 5-10:30pm Friday-Saturday
• Closed Tuesday

No. 28: Vin Rouge

Vin Rouge is where star chef Matt Kelly made his name, and the restaurant that is one part of his brilliant Durham empire continues to serve outstanding takes on French classics.

• The intimate bistro-style dining room has been the backdrop for some of Durham's most memorable meals for years, and it seems set to continue that tradition for years to come.

Location: 2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham

Hours: 5-9pm, Tuesday through Saturday

• 10:30am–2pm and 5–9pm, Sunday
• Closed Monday

No. 27: Mandolin

A fixture in Raleigh's Five Points, where southern charm meets locally sourced seasonal dishes.

• Mandolin is an upscale, white tablecloth spot with a homey, intimate feel that seems like it will forever remain a Raleigh favorite.

Location: ​​2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh

Hours: 5:30-8:30pm Monday through Thursday

• 10:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30–9pm Saturday
• 10:30am to 2:30pm and 5:30–8:30pm Sunday

No. 26: G.58

It's best to bring a crowd with you to the upscale Chinese restaurant G.58.

• Then you can give the restaurant's delicious homestyle meals and starters a run for their money.
• A favorite of the RTP crowd, G.58's menu offers dishes from across China's many regions, from soup buns and glass noodle clay pots to Szechuan pan-seared steak and the star of the show, a Peking duck roasted for 90 minutes.

Location: 10958 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville

Hours: 11am-2:30pm and 5-9:30pm, Tuesday through Sunday

• Closed Monday

No. 25: Tamasha

Tamasha arrived in North Hills last year and immediately added one of the glitziest dining rooms in all of the Triangle.

• But the drama of the restaurant's design is met by rich flavors designed by executive chef Bhavin Chhatwani, a nominee for emerging chef by the James Beard Foundation this year.
• Tamasha's menu ranges from classic Indian dishes like Hyderabadi dum biryani, butter chicken, dahi kebabs and tandoori paneer tikka to modern takes, like the Oyster 65, a southern Indian dish that typically uses fried chicken but has been replaced with fried oysters.

Location: 4200 Six Forks Road, Suite #130, Raleigh

Hours: 5-9:30pm, Tuesday through Friday

• 4-10pm, Saturday and Sunday
• Closed Monday

No. 24: Gringo A Go Go

A reliable, delicious Raleigh staple with top-tier service, even better margaritas and plenty of (actually good) vegan and vegetarian options.

Location: 100 N. Person St., Raleigh

Hours: 11am-9pm, Monday through Thursday

• 11am-10pm, Friday and Saturday
• 11am-8pm Sunday

No. 23: East End Bistrot

A French-inspired fine-dining experience brought to Raleigh by Giorgios Hospitality Group, East End's menu is as beautiful as it is delicious. Its menu features upscale staples like pommes frites, oysters and a prime angus burger, along with dishes you won't find anywhere else, like the roasted pheasant and a dover sole served tableside.

Location: 2020 Progress Ct., Suite 110, Raleigh

Hours: 5-8pm Monday

• 5-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday
• Closed Sunday

No. 22: Seraphine

A love letter to Louisiana from Brad and Graham Weddington (the brothers behind Nanasteak), Serpahine is at the center of a culinary rejuvenation of the American Tobacco Campus in Durham.

• The restaurant takes on the classics of New Orleans eating, from oysters and crawfish to gumbo and beignets, in expert fashion without ever falling into caricature.

Location: 324 Blackwell St., Suite 4, Durham

Hours: 5-9pm, Tuesday through Thursday

• 5-10pm, Friday and Saturday
• 4-9pm, Sunday

No. 21: Oakwood Pizza Box

Anthony Guerra, the owner behind the beloved Oakwood Pizza Box, has had a busy year, opening a new pizza spot in Charleston and planning a wine shop and another Oakwood location in Raleigh.

• It's the kind of growth that happens when you attract hordes of regulars with expertly crafted pizzas. Getting a seat at Oakwood's small shop on Person Street remains one of the hardest tasks in the city.

Location: 610 N. Person St., Raleigh

Hours: 5-9pm, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

• 12-9pm, Friday-Sunday

No. 20: Crawford & Son

An institution and a crowd favorite in Raleigh for any occasion.

• Crawford's ever-changing menu of creative dishes, artisan cocktails and award-winning hospitality makes for an unforgettable dining experience.

Location: 618 N. Person St., Raleigh

Hours: 5-9pm, Tuesday-Saturday

No. 19: Death & Taxes

It's been a decade since chef Ashley Christensen's Death & Taxes opened in downtown Raleigh, a period that feels long enough to call it a certified staple of the Raleigh fine-dining scene.

• Built around the power of a wood-fired cooking, Death & Taxes has one of the most intimate dining rooms in the city, and the perfectly roasted meats and veggies continue to make it a go-to for special occasions or just a Tuesday night out.

Location: 105 W. Hargett St., Raleigh

Hours: 5-9pm, Monday through Thursday

• 5-10pm, Friday and Saturday

No. 18: Brewery Bhavana

One of downtown Raleigh's go-to dinner spots, Brewery Bhavana's popularity prompted it to open a second location in Cary's Fenton development this year.

• Pro tip: Try the rice congee, which is one of the best comfort foods in the city.

No. 17: Pizzeria Mercato

Opened in 2016 by Gabe Barker, son of the James Beard-award winning former owners of the Durham gem Magnolia Grill, Mercato specializes in Neapolitan-style pizzas made from fresh ingredients from the nearby Carrboro Farmers Market, the restaurant's namesake.

• Popular classics include the decadent funghi and Margherita, but don't sleep on the pimiento arancini, which comes with a rich lemon aioli.
• You know it's good if Frank Bruni, the former New York Times restaurant critic, calls this his favorite restaurant in the Triangle.

Location: 408 W. Weaver St., Carrboro

Hours: Lunch: 11am-2pm Thursday through Sunday

• Dinner: 5-8:30pm Thursday through Sunday
• Closed Monday-Wednesday

No. 16: St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar

New Orleans cuisine meets North Carolina seafood, St. Roch is an irresistible pick for weeknight dinners, elevated date nights and hangover-curing weekend brunches.

Location: 223 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh

• 5-9pm, Sunday through Thursday
• 5-10pm, Friday and Saturday
• Brunch 11am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday

No. 15: Mothers & Sons

Flavorful pastas and the warmth of a wood-fired grill define the meals of chef Josh DeCarolis' excellent Italian trattoria in downtown Durham.

• There's a lot of competition in the world of pasta, but Mothers & Son's squid-ink tonnarelli, tagliatelle and lasagna have given it one of the most loyal followings in the Triangle.
• Up next for DeCarolis: a new Italian restaurant in downtown Hillsborough.

Location: 107 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham

Hours: 5-9:30pm, Monday through Saturday

• Closed Sunday

No. 14: Tesoro

This intimate, 26-seat restaurant is an aptly named treasure in the heart of Carrboro, serving fresh pasta and seasonal dishes with Italian, French and Croatian influences, a nod to chef David Peretin's family heritage.

• The menu rotates, but expect classics like fresh focaccia with whipped butter, plus pastas like rigatoni and cavatelli.
• Pro tip: Sit at the bar to get a close-up view of how each dish is prepared.

Location: 100 E Weaver St., Carrboro

Hours: 5-9pm, Monday through Saturday

No. 13: Figulina

The debut restaurant from chef David Ellis, Figulina breathed new life into the former Humble Pie space in Raleigh's Warehouse District just over a year ago and has already received accolades.

• The pasta-centric spot was nominated as a James Beard semifinalist for Best New Restaurant earlier this year, a major moment for Ellis, whose life's dream has been to open a restaurant.
• Every detail feels thoughtful, from the illustrations on the menu to the locally sourced ingredients.

Location: 317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh

Hours: 5-10pm, Tuesday through Saturday

• Sunday brunch: 11 am to 3 pm
• Aperitivo hour: 5-6:30 pm, Tuesday through Thursday
• Closed Monday

No. 12: Saltbox Seafood Joint

James Beard award-winning chef Ricky Moore's kitchen has had fans that reach far beyond the triangle since it opened in a roadside shack in Durham in 2012.

• The fish takes center stage, of course, and never disappoints. The seasoning is either magic or addictive — or both —  and the hush-honey hushpuppies are something you'll dream about.

Location: 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham

Hours: 11am-8pm, Tuesday through Saturday

• Closed Sunday-Monday

No. 11: Bombolo

Every dinner at Bombolo is an adventure with chef Garret Fleming and pastry chef Eleanor Lacy, the brother-and-sister duo whose eclectic menu earned the Chapel Hill hotspot a "North Carolina Restaurant of the Year" nod by Eater in 2023. The menu draws inspiration from all over the world, from the halibut khao soi to the rich lobster agnolotti.

• Bonus: Bombolo launched a sandwich takeout service called Plump Rabbit, featuring playful creations such as a gyro stuffed with lamb pate and veggies on a duck fat flatbread.

Location: 764 MLK Jr. Blvd., Chapel Hill

Hours: 5-8:30pm Thursday, Sunday and Monday

• 5-9pm Friday and Saturday
• Closed Tuesday-Wednesday

No. 10: Ideal's Sandwich and Grocery

The first time you step into the inevitably long line that forms in front of Ideal's in East Durham, you wonder if all of this is worth it for a sandwich.

• After the first bite, however, you'll already be plotting your return.
• Opened in 2021, Ideal's Northeastern-style deli sandwiches, which include a mouthwatering pork cutlet, delicious fried eggplant and in-house made bread, deservedly sell out every day.

Location: 2108 Angier Ave., Durham

Hours: 12-3pm, Monday and Thursday through Sunday

• Closed Tuesday-Wednesday

No. 9: Herons

12:30pm on Friday. That's when the waiter told us our oysters had been harvested off Harkers Island and evidence of how much detail goes into the menu at Herons.

• Herons is one of the most ambitious restaurants in the state, and chef Steven Devereaux Greene's staff's expert touch can be felt on every single plate, from the tomatoes pulled from its nearby farm to a perfectly seared scallop.
• New this year: Herons now offers an a la carte menu rather than just a tasting menu, making the pricey restaurant a bit more accessible.

Location: Inside the Umstead Hotel, 100 Woodland Pond Dr., Cary

Hours: 7-10am, 11:30am-2pm, Monday

• 7-10am, 11:30am-2pm and 5-9pm, Tuesday through Friday
• 7am-1pm, 5-9pm, Saturday
• 7am-1pm, Sunday

No. 8: Standard Beer + Food

One of the best ways to spend a weeknight or kick off your weekend with friends, family, the kids and the dogs is Standard Beer and Food, tucked between Person and Blount Streets near Raleigh's Mordecai neighborhood.

• Standard's outdoor space next to Raleigh City Farm is spacious enough for large parties and kids in need of a place to safely roam while their parents enjoy adult beverages.
• The truffle tots, smashburger, fried fish sandwich and in-house brewed Standard light lager — try one with a salted rim, please — will make it hard to want to spend a summer — or spring, or fall, or winter — night any other way.

Location: 205 E. Franklin St., Raleigh

Hours: 4-10pm, Monday through Thursday (kitchen closes at 9:30pm)

• 11:30am-11pm, Friday (kitchen closes at 10pm)
• 11am-11pm, Saturday (kitchen 10pm)
• 11am-9pm, Sunday (brunch runs until 3pm, dinner service from 3:30-8:30pm)

No. 7: Little Bull

Chef Oscar Diaz, one of the region's many James Beard-nominated chefs, has been on a hot streak. Seemingly every few months, a new project of his, like the new arrivals Aaktun or Tataco, opens its doors in Durham. (Expect another one soon.)

• But it's at Little Bull where his creative mind melds most compellingly on the menu. There, he combines the flavors and ingredients of his Mexican-American youth with the rest of the world to great effect.
• Standouts include: birria dumplings, tuna bulgogi, and a chicken that combines spicy Mexican sauces and halal cart white sauce.

Location: 810 N. Mangum St., Durham

Hours: 5-10pm, Monday through Friday

• 11am-3pm and 5-10pm, Saturday and Sunday
• Closed Tuesday

No. 6: Hawthorne & Wood

Consistency reigns at Brandon Sharp's Hawthorne & Wood, whether it's the gracious service, the expertly crafted cocktails or the juicy stacked cheeseburger, which is one of the best burgers in the Triangle.

• Sharp earned Michelin stars out in California before returning to North Carolina to open Hawthorne & Wood in 2019 — then later Bluebird and Próximo.

Location: 3140 Environ Way, Chapel Hill

Hours: 5-9pm daily

No. 5: Nanas

A Durham institution that reopened in 2023 under chefs Nate Garyantes and Matt Kelly after having closed during the pandemic, Nanas is an inviting, modest, white-tablecloth restaurant — an elegant experience fitting for any celebration.

• Several dishes are inspired by the original menu, including the chicken liver mousse and the North Carolina shrimp risotto.

Location: 2514 University Dr., Durham

Hours: 5-10pm Tuesday through Saturday

• Closed Sunday-Monday

No. 4: M Sushi

If you ask someone in the Triangle where they should get sushi, they'll likely point you in the direction of chef Michael Lee's flagship restaurant, M Sushi.

• It's for good reason. Not only does M Sushi fly in some of the best cuts of fish from Japan and Korea weekly, creating one of the best omakase experiences in the area, but its non-sushi menu also remains excellent.
• When you go, sit at the bar and get a front row seat to see the sushi being prepared.

Location: 311 Holland St., Durham.

• 4 Fenton Main St., #120, Cary

Durham hours: Open for lunch 11:30am-2pm Tuesday through Friday

• 5-9:30pm, Tuesday through Thursday
• 5-10pm, Friday and Saturday
• Closed Sunday-Monday

Cary hours: Open for lunch 11:30am-2pm Monday through Saturday

• 5-9:30 pm, Monday through Thursday
• 5-10pm, Friday and Saturday
• 12-9:30pm, Sunday

No. 3: Brodeto

A restaurant that's as adventurous as it is approachable, Brodeto has rapidly ascended in popularity.

• Bathed in natural light, the dining space remains packed most nights, full of folks sipping curated wines and refreshing cocktails, sharing housemade breads and savoring unforgettable coastal Croatian and Italian-inspired dishes — from whipped ricotta appetizers to its flagship seafood stew.

Location: 2201 Iron Works Dr., Ste. 137, Raleigh

Hours: 5-10pm daily

No. 2: Ajja

In just two short years, Ajja, chef Cheetie Kumar's colorful ode to the Mediterranean and near East, has made itself one of Raleigh's most popular and adventurous dining destinations.

• Possessing a menu that bends and transforms with the season, Ajja and its cozy patio lets you feel the elements, from juicy tomatoes and whipped dips that highlight the summer to the grilled lamb that warms up the winter.
• All of that flavor, though, is boosted by one of the most welcoming waitstaffs and environments in the entire state.

Location: 209 Bickett Blvd., Raleigh

Hours: 5-9:30pm Wednesday through Saturday; 4-8:30pm Sunday

• Closed Monday-Tuesday

No. 1: Stanbury

A neighborhood haunt with a magical ability to make every dining experience feel special, whether you're just grabbing oysters and wine on the patio or settling in for a two-hour meal.

• Ask anyone who's been to Stanbury — whether they're Republicans or Democrats, GenZers or boomers, picky eaters or adventurous ones, foodies or the more eat-to-live types — and they'll all agree that it's a top contender for their favorite restaurant.
• Stanbury serves our community by pouring intention and care into every element — drinks, decorations and dishes and beyond — in a way that's approachable and unpretentious.

Location: 938 N. Blount St., Raleigh

Hours: 5-10pm, Tuesday-Thursday

• 5-11pm, Friday and Saturday

Flashback: Check out our best restaurants from 2024 and 2023.