In North Carolina’s capital city, you can find old school barbecue with a modern twist, tacos trucks with a dozen diners in line and fine dining with miles of southern charm.
Recently, The New & Observer named the Top 50 restaurants in the Triangle. Of those, 19 are in Raleigh.
FULL STORY: The N&O’s Top 50 Restaurants of 2026: The Triangle’s best places to eat
Ajja
At Ajja, you’ll perfect your dipping, swiping and dabbing as your table passes and shares whipped feta dressed with apple chutney, or the brightest yogurt dip, colored with beets, each devoured in pinches of housemade bread. The fried anchovies get a crunch from pickled fennel and crushed potato chips, and bitter coffee and sweet dried cherries set off the roasted carrots. An aromatic lamb tagine offers rich meat cut with fruity tartness. Ajja mirrors the rhythms of the best dinner parties, where the meal unfolds as you and your dining companions push platters around, sharing a journey with a skyline backdrop. James Beard-nominee Cheetie Kumar leads the kitchen at this endlessly dazzling Raleigh gem…