Fast-Casual Dine Listings – Raleigh Magazine


How we pick our listings:Here, Raleigh Magazine’s highly curated list of locally owned fast-casual eateries. Think of a restaurant we missed? Click here.

KEY: Average dinner entrée price: $: 8-15; $$: 16-24; $$$: 25-34; $$$$: 35-44

CAPITAL DISTRICT

Libations 317

Local restaurateur Greg Hamm (of Sanford’s Libations 139 and Cafe 121 fame) delivers a chef-inspired bistro-style menu at Libations 317, along with libations (naturally) such as seasonal craft cocktails, local beer and boutique wines. 317 W. Morgan St., Ste. 117, 919.774.1888, chefhamm.com $

The Roast Grill

“Good friends, good dogs, good times” are on order at this famed hole-in-the-wall 13-seat Raleigh staple “burnin’ ’em for you” since 1940. 7 S. West St., 919.832, facebook.com/theroastgrillhotweiners $

State of Beer

Beer is a state of mind at this DTR bottle and sandwich shop that plays home to “good, rad and funky” craft beer and chef-crafted sandwiches—with delish salads to boot. 401 Hillsborough St., 919.546.9116, stateof.beer $

SMOKY HOLLOW

The Cardinal Bar

“Spirits & everybody” is the name of the game at Jason Howard’s (think The Atlantic Lounge, Pink Boot) West Street drinking den and hot dog haven. The Cardinal’s infused liquor makes for some of the best—and cheapest—shots in town. Chase them with one of the lowkey bar’s famous beer-braised hot dogs, which are also available as veggie dogs. 713 N. West St., facebook.com/thecardinalbar $

Dose Elixir Bar 

Whether you just namaste’d a Dose class or you’re passing through the Hollow, grab your daily “dose” at Dose Yoga’s in-house smoothie bar concept and walk-up window to elevate your mood and stay balanced. Pick your potion, from adaptogenic and plant-based protein smoothies, smoothie bowls and wellness lattes—positive side effects, guaranteed. 415 N. Harrington St., 919.917.7032, doseyogaraleigh.com $

Layered Croissanterie

Ooh, la, la! Whether for breakfast or just a mid-afternoon pick-me-up, Layered’s “blankets of buttery goodness” are always a good idea. Pro tip: Peep the website for rotating monthly flavors! 911 N. West St., Ste. 107, 984.200.1200, layeredcroissanterie.com $

Pink Boot
Raleigh’s first mini modern honky-tonk and self-dubbed “smallest weirdest” bar in Raleigh slings domestic beer and lunch lady pizza that’ll take you back against a backdrop of Raleigh relics and familiar country tunes, plus hot sake (strange but true) and kickass cocktails—the kind of place where Yoo-hoo, vanilla Stoli and Godiva come together in just one of the many “trailer trash” cocktails. 911 N. West St., Ste. 103, @pinkbootraleigh $

SEABOARD + PERSON STREET DISTRICT

Oakwood Pizza Box

Owner Anthony Guerra channels the pizza he grew up eating on Long Island in this intimate family atmosphere—meaning, no matter the base (red or white sauce), the Neapolitan-style pizza is creative and delish. 610 N. Person St., 919.594.1605, oakwoodpizzabox.com $

(Ish) Delicatessen 

Not quite Jewish, a little Italian and maybe Southern, this sandwich shop boasts “weird sandwiches from weird people” for breakfast and lunch. 702 N. Person St., 984.200.8189, ishdelicatessen.com $

Seaboard Café

With wall-to-wall windows, natural light and pops of color from hanging plants and vegetation, this bright lunch-only eatery offers new specials Mon.–Sat., with everything from homemade muffins to fresh salads to sandwiches. 707 Semart Drive, 919.821.7553, seaboardcafe.com $

MOORE SQUARE DISTRICT

Transfer Co. Food Hall

Located in the historic Carolina Coach Garage and Shop, this hip food hall houses local seafood, burritos, bagels, housemade meats and pastas, burgers, Asian fare, and more—plus a bar. 500 E. Davie St., 984.232.8122, transfercofoodhall.com $$

FAYETTEVILLE STREET DISTRICT

Happy + Hale

Fuel happiness and your body at this go-to healthy sup spot offering colorful salads and bowls, smoothies, and an all-day brekkie menu that you don’t even have to wake up early for. Oh hale yeah! 443 Fayetteville St., 919.307.4148, happyandhale.com $

lucettegrace

Start your day at this contemporary patisserie with croissants and coffee; escape midday with the box lunch (your choice of sandwich, salad or soup, and a treat) or reward yourself post-work with those legendary macarons. 235 S. Salisbury St., 919.307.4950, lucettegrace.com $

Manhattan Cafe

Grilled cheese is for grown-ups! … And lunch is a vibe at this super-fresh local cafe by three brothers serving brekkie and lunch since 2009. 320 S. Wilmington St., 919.833.6015, manhattancafenc.com $

Union Special

A rotating menu of sweet and savory pastries, breads and cookies is enough to make you wanna stop by this full-service bakeshop and cafe on the daily, but don’t skip out on the delectable breakfast, brunch and lunch fare either. 401 Fayetteville St., Ste. 103, 984.200.3094, unionspecialbread.com $

WAREHOUSE DISTRICT 

Morgan Street Food Hall

An oasis for some of Raleigh’s best food and drink ops, this new-age food hall serves up everything from wood-fired pizza, tacos and burgers to lobster rolls, ice cream and more—not to mention cocktails at its indoor/outdoor bar. 411 W. Morgan St., 919.307.4481, morganfoodhall.com $

A Place at the Table

Having quickly gained local love and national acclaim, Raleigh’s first pay-what-you can cafe offers breakfast ops like quiche and waffles, and such lunch classics as salads, sandwiches and paninis. 300 W. Hargett St., 919.307.8914, tableraleigh.org $

Sam Jones BBQ

Prominent NC pitmaster Sam Jones brings his family’s signature Eastern North Carolina chopped whole-hog Q to Raleigh at Sam Jones BBQ, where trays and sandos are best served with the Skylight Inn-style cornbread. 502 W. Lenoir St., 984.206.2555, samjonesbbq.com $

HILLSBOROUGH STREET CORRIDOR

Bul Box

BYO Asian eating experience via Bul Box’s customizable boxes (choose your own base, protein, toppings and garnishes/sauces). Think an elevated bento box with a worldly flair. 2526 Hillsborough St., Ste. 100, 984.200.8359, bul-box.com $

Cha House

​​Ni hao! At this Asian-inspired tea house, milk tea, fruit tea or plain tea is an absolute must—and best served with Taiwanese street dishes like popcorn chicken, Thai chili chicken or green scallion pancakes. 3001 Hillsborough St., Ste. 108, 919.594.1980, chahouseusa.com $

Meat & Bite

Whether you’re craving wings, quesadillas, sandwiches, wraps or pretty much anything in between (the menu also boasts burgers, salads, kofta kabobs and more), there’s surely something on the menu you can take a bite out of when hunger strikes. 2908 Hillsborough St., 919.803.0025, meatnbite.com $

Tacos El Patron 323

Taco ’bout a great selection. Tacos El Patron 323 offers an array of tacos, natch, including breakfast tacos and Tijuana-style birria tacos (the birria ramen is also a hit!); quesadillas; mulitas (like a taco but in quesadilla form); and more. 2873 Hillsborough St., 919.896.6661, elpatron323.com $

VILLAGE DISTRICT

Carolina Cafe and Bakery

A “warm welcome” is served in the form of fresh and delicious breakfast items, grilled paninis, flatbreads, soups, salads and pastries (save room for a cupcake!) at this Village District mainstay. 401 Daniels St., 919.821.7117, cafecarolina.com $

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 530 Daniels St., 984.200.6966, risebiscuitschicken.com $

Village Deli & Grill

You could eat every meal of the day at Village Deli, starting with breakfast selects like omelets, hash plates and wraps. For lunch, you can’t go wrong with any of the grilled or deli sandwiches, paninis or subs; and the dinner plates are just what you need to seal the deal. ​​​​500 Daniels St., 919.828.1428, villagedeli.net $

GLENWOOD SOUTH

Armadillo Grill

Whether for late-night eats or a casz meal, “Dillo” is a Raleigh staple, making authentic Tex Mex for over a quarter-century—with a full bar to boot. Fun fact: They make their own tortillas, which you can watch them press for each order. 439 Glenwood Ave., 919.546.0555, armadillogrill.com $

DeMo’s Pizzeria & Deli

Um, you’re def on a knead-to-know basis when it comes to this local pizzeria and deli dishing homemade eats with fresh local ingredients that’ll steal another lil slice of your heart with every, well, slice (or salad, or sub…). Insider tip: Don’t sleep on the delivery service. 222 Glenwood Ave., 919.754.050, demospizzeriadeli.com $

FIVE POINTS

Lilly’s Pizza

In 1993, four musicians started this slice of heaven in a former biker bar, and the popular pizza place with its palatable pies is still going strong today. 1813 Glenwood Ave., 919.833.0226, lillyspizza.com $

Wilson’s Eatery

This hip open indoor-outdoor warehouse space at Dock 1053 is famed for its locally sourced scratch-made fare with Southern flair—not to mention the beer garden shared with sister company Lynnwood Brewing Concern. 1053 E. Whitaker Mill Road, 919.977.5442, wilsonseatery.com $

WEST RALEIGH

Gym Tacos

We’re all about fitness. Fitness taco into our mouths! Get your daily workout—er lunch/dinner!—via Gym Tacos, which offers tacos, natch… plus loaded burritos, quesadillas and tortas. 3701 Hillsborough St., gym-tacos.com $

Earth To Us

Your fave comfort foods (think nachos, wings, burgers, etc.) get a vegan and Latin twist at this family-owned and -operated eatery. 2893 Jones Franklin Road, 919.809.8622, shopearthtous.com $

Neomonde

A Raleigh market and restaurant staple since 1977, this cafe dishes a wide range of Lebanese and Mediterranean fare and groceries, including kabob platters, shawarma sandwiches, and fresh-made pita bread and hummus. 3817 Beryl Road, 919.828.1628, neomonde.com $

NORTHWEST RALEIGH

Arepa Culture

Arepa Culture’s first brick-and-mortar location serves the same handcrafted Venezulean arepas their food truck made famous, along with additional Latin American fare. 6274 Glenwood Ave., Ste. 100, arepaculturenc.com $

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 8301 Brier Creek Parkway, Ste. 101, 984.244.7218, risebiscuitschicken.com $

Village Deli & Grill

Come for the breakfast sandwiches, omelets, wraps and more, and stay for the lunch paninis, deli sandwiches and dinner plates at this all-day restaurant. 2500 Wycliff Road, 919.803.1245, villagedeli.net $

NORTH RALEIGH

Bongiorno & Son 

Say bongiorno to elevated sammies (feat. high-quality hard-to-find Italian meats and cheeses) and prepared foods inspired by the owners’ passed-down family recipes and visits to Italy and around the world. 8450 Honeycutt Road, Ste. 106, 919.594.1544, bongiornoandson.com $

Cheeni Indian Food Emporium

Preeti Waas’ Indian Food Emporium is called an emporium for a reason—it offers nuanced Indian cuisine for lunch and dinner, tiffin (aka snacks), teas and coffee, prepared dinners to-go, and so much more. 1141 Falls River Ave., Ste. 124, 919.438.1468, cheeniraleigh.com $

Heyday Brewing

From the teams behind Louisiana-born Tin Roof Beer and Carrboro’s Acme comes this resto and brewery with equal parts Louisiana and North Carolina flair. Bring on the beer, wings, pizza, ice cream and more! 5301 Tin Roof Way, 919.351.6668, heydaybrewing.com $

Pure Vegan Cafe

Time to veg out! You don’t need to be a vegan to enjoy Pure Vegan Cafe’s clean and healthy—and colorful!—eats, from breakfast sandwiches and toasts to burgers and “chick’n” sandwiches to salad bowls. Don’t sleep on the cold-pressed juices. Nom nom. 8369 Creedmoor Road, 919.917.7369, purevegancafe.com $

Rise Biscuits Chicken

Move over Bojangles. Rise, well, rises to the occasion with best-in-class “biscuits above & beyond” for a truly scrumptious Southern experience that smacks for breakfast and lunch. 6325 Falls of Neuse Road, Ste. 33, 984.200.5751, risebiscuitschicken.com $

Sassool Mediterranean Cafe

Born as a family bakery in 1977, this Mediterranean concept has since been rebranded as a resto specializing in delish authentic Lebanese & Mediterranean cuisine crafted from high-quality ingredients and authentic recipes. 9650 Strickland Road, 919.847.2700, sassool.com

Zanyu Asian Noodles

Slurp up flavors of Malaysia, Thailand and Japan via oodles of noodle dishes and other authentic Asian fare. 8450 Honeycutt Road, Ste. 112, 919.803.1340, zanyunoodles.com $

Zest Cafe

Locally grown produce and products collide in this contemporary cafe-meets-art boutique brimming with innovative fare (check out that Don’t Stop Be-Leafing Brunch), whimsical gifts, furnishings and more—with a patio worth perching on to boot. 8831 Six Forks Road, 919.848.4792, zestcafehomeart.com $

MIDTOWN

Bul Box

BYO Asian eating experience via Bul Box’s customizable boxes (choose your own base, protein, toppings and garnishes/sauces). Think an elevated bento box with a worldly flair. 4421 Six Forks Road, Ste. 116A, 984.200.3654, bul-box.com $

CowBar Burger

Steer clear of boring burgers and head to CowBar’s second Raleigh outpost for loaded burgs (vegan options available) and dogs, and almost-famous handcut fries. 201 Park at North Hills St., Ste. 100, 919.917.7302, cowbarburger.com $

Happy + Hale

Fuel happiness and your body at this go-to healthy sup spot offering colorful salads and bowls, smoothies, and an all-day brekkie menu that you don’t even have to wake up early for. Oh hale yeah! 200 Park at North Hills St., Ste. 101, 984.200.3802, happyandhale.com $

MIDTOWN EAST

BB’s Crispy Chicken

This isn’t your basic fast food restaurant-quality chicken sandwich. AC’s signature “shatteringly” crispy chicken sandos and plethora of housemade sauces deliver on both flavor and crunch. 2920 Sherman Oak Place, Ste. 140, 984.272.3300, bbscrispychicken.com $

Chido Taco

What doesn’t tequila makes you stronger. Sip back and relax with solid margs and damn good tacos at this mercado-style taqueria that’ll have you hooked with one bite. McNeill Pointe, 2330 Bale St., 919.594.1930, chidotaco.com $

Torchy’s Tacos

Get a taste of Austin’s spec-taco-lar taco scene via “damn good” elevated tacos (breakfast tacos included!), chips and queso, sides, scratchmade churros, and more. 1110 Mercantile Drive, Ste. 120, 919.439.1177, torchystacos.com $

Union Special

A rotating menu of sweet and savory pastries, breads and cookies is enough to make you wanna stop by this full-service bakeshop and cafe on the daily, but don’t skip out on the delectable breakfast, brunch and lunch fare either. 2409 Crabtree Blvd., Ste. 102, 984.200.3094, unionspecialbread.com $

Venture Pizza

Get a slice of this family-run, female-owned eatery specializing in customizable pizzas, salads and pastas. McNeil Pointe, 2320 Bale St., 919.803.3015, venturepizza.com $





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About the Author

Angela Brown
Angela Brown is the author of our Business & Economy section.