2013 Best Restaurant list

Below is best restaurant list according to publications around the Triangle area.

Please continue to support the publications that make these awards possible.






Best Appetizer
BBQ Pork Nachos at Raleigh Times

Best Bloody Mary
NOFO 

Best BBQ
The Pit

Best Burger
Chuck’s


Best Fried Chicken
Beasley's Chicken and Honey

Best French fries
Raleigh Times

Best Grilled Cheese
The Borough

Best Hog Dog
Roast Grill

Best Hushpuppies
Clyde’s Cooper’s BBQ

Best Ice cream
Fresh

Best Mac & Cheese
Poole’s Diner

Best Margarita
Jibarra Modern Mexican

Best Martini
Sullivan's Steakhouse

Best Milkshake
Cook-Out

Best Pizza
Lilly’s Pizza

Best Sandwich
ABC (apple-bacon-cheddar) From Rockford



Best Asian Restaurant
Five Star

Best Bakery
Neomonde

Best Beer Selection
Flying Saucer

Best Breakfast
Big Ed’s City Market

Best Brunch
Poole's Diner

Best Champion of Local Ingredients
Poole's Diner

Best Coffee Shop
Helios

Best Comfort/Southern Food
Clyde Cooper's BBQ

Best Dessert
Hayes Barton


News & Observer's Greg Cox:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/24/2627485/the-best-restaurants-for-2012.html

RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR:
Co-winners:
Oakleaf
480 Hillsborough St., Pittsboro
919-533-6303

Yamazushi
4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham
919-493-7748

GOLD MEDAL
Fearrington House
2000 Fearrington Village Center, Pittsboro
919-542-2121

Herons
100 Woodland Pond, in the Umstead Hotel & Spa, Cary
919-447-4200

Lantern
423 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-969-8846

Nana’s
2514 University Drive, Durham
919-493-8545

Poole’s Diner
426 S. McDowell St., Raleigh
919-832-4477

SILVER MEDAL
18 Seaboard
18 Seaboard Ave., Raleigh
919-861-4318

Angus Barn
9401 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
919-781-2444
Bloomsbury Bistro
509-101 West Whitaker Mill Road, at Five Points, Raleigh.
919-834-9011

Bruno
11211 Galleria Ave., in Wakefield Park, Raleigh
919-435-6640

Coquette
4351 The Circle at North Hills, Raleigh
919-789-0606

Elaine’s on Franklin
454 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill
919-960-2770

Fairview
3001 Cameron Blvd., in the Washington Duke Inn, Durham
919-490-0999

Flights
4100 Main at North Hills St., in the Renaissance Raleigh North Hills Hotel, Raleigh
919-278-1478

Four Square
2701 Chapel Hill Road, Durham
919-401-9877

Glenwood Grill
2603 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
919-782-3102

Il Palio
1505 E. Franklin St., in the Siena Hotel, Chapel Hill
919-929-4000

Kitchen
764 Martin Luther King Blvd., Chapel Hill
919-537-8167
kitchenchapelhill.com

Margaux’s
8111-111 Creedmoor Road, in Brennan Station, Raleigh
919-846-9846

Maximillians
8314 Chapel Hill Road, Cary
919-465-2455

Midtown Grille
4421-115 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
919-782-9463

One
100 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill
919-537-8207

Panciuto
110 S. Churton St., Hillsborough
919-732-6261

Saint Jacques
6112 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
919-862-2770

Revolution
107 W. Main St., Durham
919-956-9999

Second Empire
330 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
919-829-3663

Vivace
4209 Lassiter Mill Road, in The Alexan, Raleigh
919-787-7747

Watts Grocery
1116 Broad St., Durham
919-416-5040

BEST IN CLASS (BY CUISINE):
AFRICAN:
Queen of Sheba
1129-O Weaver Dairy Road, in Timberlyne Shopping Center, Chapel Hill
919-932-4986

BARBECUE:
Allen & Son
6203 Millhouse Road, Chapel Hill
919-942-7576

CARIBBEAN:
Old Havana Sandwich Shop
310 E. Main St., Durham
919-667-9525

CENTRAL/SOUTH AMERICAN:
Machu Picchu
4500-100 Falls of Neuse Road, Raleigh
919-526-7378

CHINESE:
Gourmet Kingdom
301 E. Main St., Carrboro
919-932-7222

Super Wok
1401-L SE Maynard Road, in Maynard Plaza, Cary
919-388-8338

FRENCH:
Vin Rouge
2010 Hillsborough Road, Durham
919-416-0466

GERMAN/CENTRAL EUROPEAN:

J. Betski’s
10-120 West Franklin St., Raleigh
919-833-7999

GREEK:
Taverna Agora
6101 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
919-881-8333

INDIAN (NORTHERN):
Mantra
116-100 N. West St., Raleigh
919-833-2823

INDIAN (SOUTHERN/VEGETARIAN):
Udupi Café
590 E. Chatham St., Cary
919-465-0898

ITALIAN:
Il Palio
1505 East Franklin Street, in the Siena Hotel, Chapel Hill
919-929-4000

JAPANESE:
Waraji
5910 Duraleigh Road, Raleigh
919-783-1883

Yamazushi
4711 Hope Valley Road, Durham
919-493-7748

KOREAN:
Seoul Garden
4701 Atlantic Ave., in Millbrook Collection, Raleigh
919-850-9984

MEXICAN (CONTEMPORARY):
Dos Perros
200 N. Mangum St., Durham
919-956-2750

MEXICAN (AUTHENTIC):
Los Comales
2103 N. Roxboro Road, Durham
919-220-1614

MIDDLE EASTERN:
Sitti
137 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh
919-239-4070

PIZZA:
Pizzeria Toro
105 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham
919-908-6936

SEAFOOD:
Blu Seafood & Bar
2002 Hillsborough Road, Durham
919-286-9777

SOUTHERN:
Big Ed’s City Market
220 Wolfe St., Raleigh
919-836-9909

STEAKHOUSE:
Bin 54
1201-M Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill
919-969-1155

TAPAS:
Mateo
109 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham
919-530-8700

TEX-MEX:
Jalisco
1600-107 Ronald Drive, Raleigh
919-790-1999

THAI:
Sawasdee
Two Raleigh locations: 6204 Glenwood Ave., 3601 Capital Blvd.
919-781-7599 (Glenwood); 919-878-0049 (Capital)

VEGETARIAN:
Sage Café
1129 Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill
919-968-9266

BEST NEW RESTAURANTS:
Battistella’s
200 E. Martin St., Raleigh
919-803-2501

Hayashi-Ya

8401 Brier Creek Parkway, in Brier Creek Commons, Raleigh
919-206-4333
hayashiyaraleigh.com

Little Hen
5160 Sunset Lake Road, Holly Springs
919-363-0000

Mandolin
2519 Fairview Road, Raleigh
919-322-0365

Mantra
116-100 N. West St., Raleigh
919-833-2823

Mateo
109 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham
919-530-8700

Venable Rotisserie Bistro
200 N. Greensboro St., in Carr Mill Mall, Carrboro
919-904-7160


Independent Weekly's Best Of The Triangle: 
http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/best-of-the-triangle-2012-readers-choice-poll-winners-and-finalists/


African
Queen of Sheba

Timberlyne Shopping Center, 1129 Weaver Dairy Rd, Chapel Hill
919-932-4986
queenofshebachapelhill.com

Appetizer 
Lantern

423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-969-8846
lanternrestaurant.com

Bagel
Bruegger's

Various locations
www.brueggers.com

Bang for your buck restaurant
Chubby's Tacos

Various locations
www.chubbystacos.com

Bar food
The Raleigh Times Bar

14 E Hargett St, Raleigh
919-833-0999
www.raleightimesbar.com

Barbecue
The Pit

328 W Davie St, Raleigh
919-890-4500
www.thepit-raleigh.com

Birthday cake
Mad Hatter Bakeshop & Café

1802 W Main St, Durham
919-286-1987
www.madhatterbakeshop.com

Breakfast
Elmo's Diner

776 Ninth St, Durham
919-416-3823
elmosdiner.com

Carr Mill Mall, 200 N Greensboro St, Carrboro
919-929-2909
elmosdinercarrboro.com

Burger in Durham County
Only Burger

3710 Shannon Rd, Suite 118, Durham
919-937-9377
onlyburger.com

Burger in Orange/Chatham County
BUNS

107 N Columbia St, Chapel Hill
919-240-4746
www.bunsofchapelhill.com

Burger in Wake County
Chuck's

237 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
919-322-0126
www.ac-restaurants.com

Burrito
Carrburritos

711 W Rosemary St, Carrboro
919-933-8226
www.carrburritos.com

Business lunch
Toast

345 W Main St, Durham
919-683-2183
toast-fivepoints.com

Cajun
Papa Mojo's Roadhouse

Greenwood Commons Shopping Center, 5410 NC Hwy 55, Suite Y, Durham
919-361-2222
www.papamojosroadhouse.com

Caribbean
Jamaica Jamaica

4857 NC Hwy 55, Durham
919-544-1532

Catering
Mediterranean Deli & Catering

410 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-967-2666
www.mediterraneandeli.com

Chef in Durham County
Amy Tornquist, Watts Grocery

1116 Broad St, Durham
919-416-5040
www.wattsgrocery.com

Chef in Orange/Chatham County
Andrea Reusing, Lantern

423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-969-8846
lanternrestaurant.com

Chef in Wake County
Ashley Christensen, Poole's

426 S McDowell St, Raleigh
919-832-4477
www.poolesdowntowndiner.com

Chinese
Gourmet Kingdom

301 E Main St, Carrboro
919-932-7222
www.thegourmetkingdom.com

Chocolate confection
Escazu Artisan Chocolates

936 N Blount St, Raleigh
919-832-3433
www.escazuchocolates.com

Comfort food
Mama Dip's

408 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill
919-942-5837
www.mamadips.com

Deli
Neal's Deli

100 E Main St, Carrboro
919-967-2185
www.nealsdeli.com

Desserts
Hayes Barton Café

2000 Fairview Rd, Raleigh
919-856-8551
www.hayesbartoncafe.com

Dumplings
Chirba Chirba

www.chirbachirba.com

Food truck
Only Burger

919-937-9377
onlyburger.com

French
Vin Rouge

2010 Hillsborough Rd, Durham
919-416-0466
www.vinrougerestaurant.com

Fries
Five Guys

Various locations
www.fiveguys.com

Frozen dessert
Locopops

2604 Hillsborough Rd, Suite A, Durham
919-286-3500
231 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill
919-286-3500
1908 Hillsborough St, Raleigh
919-286-3500
www.ilovelocopops.com

Greek
Mediterranean Deli & Catering

410 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-967-2666
www.mediterraneandeli.com

Guacamole
Dos Perros

200 N Magnum St, Durham
919-956-2750
dosperrosrestaurant.com

Hot dog
Snoopy's

Various locations
www.snoopys.com

Indian
Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe

431 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-929-3833
curryblossom.com

Innovative menu
buku

110 E Davie St, Raleigh
919-834-6963
bukuraleigh.com
Lantern
423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-969-8846
lanternrestaurant.com

Irish pub
Tir na nOg

218 S Blount St, Raleigh
919-833-7795
www.tnnirishpub.com

Italian
Bella Monica

3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Suite 103, Raleigh
919-881-9778
www.bellamonica.com

Japanese
Kanki

3504 Mt Moriah Rd, Durham
919-401-6908
Crabtree Valley Mall (Lower Level), 4325 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
919-782-9708
North Market Square, 4500 Old Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh
919-876-4157
www.kanki.com

Kids' menu at local restaurant
Elmo's Diner

776 Ninth St, Durham
919-416-3823
elmosdiner.com

Carr Mill Mall, 200 N Greensboro St, Carrboro
919-929-2909
elmosdinercarrboro.com

Late-night munchies
Cosmic Cantina

1920-1/2 Perry St, Durham
919-286-1875
128 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-960-3955

Local pizza
Lilly's Pizza

1813 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
919-833-0226
lillyspizza.com

Mexican/Latin American in Durham County
Dos Perros

200 N Magnum St, Durham
919-956-2750
dosperrosrestaurant.com

Mexican/Latin American in Orange/Chatham County
Fiesta Grill

3307 W NC Hwy 54, Chapel Hill
919-928-9002
www.fiestagrill.us

Mexican/Latin American in Wake County
Centro

106 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
919-835-3593
www.dostaquitoscentro.com

Middle Eastern
Mediterranean Deli & Catering

410 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-967-2666
www.mediterraneandeli.com

New restaurant in Durham County
Geer Street Garden

644 Foster St, Durham
919-688-2900
geerstreetgarden.com

New restaurant in Orange/Chatham County
The Standard

403 W Rosemary St, Chapel Hill
919-918-3932

New restaurant in Wake County
Beasley's Chicken + Honey

237 S Wilmington St, Raleigh
919-322-0127
www.ac-restaurants.com/beasleys

Outdoor dining in Durham County
Geer Street Garden

644 Foster St, Durham
919-688-2900
geerstreetgarden.com

Outdoor dining in Orange/Chatham County
Crook's Corner

610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-929-7643
www.crookscorner.com

Outdoor dining in Wake County
Boylan Bridge Brewpub

201 S Boylan Ave, Raleigh
919-803-8927
www.boylanbridge.com

Pasta
Pop's

605 W Main St, Durham
919-956-7677
pops-durham.com

Pie
PieBird

618 N Person St, Raleigh
919-508-7612
piebirdraleigh.com

Potato salad
Guglhupf

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Suite 1, Durham
919-401-2600
www.guglhupf.com

Restaurant with gluten-free options
Bella Monica

3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Suite 103, Raleigh
919-881-9778
www.bellamonica.com

Romantic restaurant
Lantern

423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-969-8846
lanternrestaurant.com

Salad
Whole Foods Market

Various locations
www.wholefoodsmarket.com

Sandwich
Toast

345 W Main St, Durham
919-683-2183
toast-fivepoints.com

Seafood
Blu Seafood and Bar

2002 Hillsborough Rd, Durham
919-286-9777
bluseafoodandbar.com

Soups
Toast

345 W Main St, Durham
919-683-2183
toast-fivepoints.com

Southern cuisine
Crook's Corner

610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-929-7643
www.crookscorner.com

Steak
Angus Barn

9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
919-781-2444
www.angusbarn.com

Steak & cheese
Jersey Mike's

Various locations
www.jerseymikes.com

Subs
Jersey Mike's

Various locations
www.jerseymikes.com

Sunday brunch in Durham County
Watts Grocery

1116 Broad St, Durham
919-416-5040
www.wattsgrocery.com

Sunday brunch in Orange/Chatham County
Acme

110 E Main St, Carrboro
919-929-2263
acmecarrboro.com

Sunday brunch in Wake County
Poole's Diner

426 S McDowell St, Raleigh
919-832-4477
www.poolesdowntowndiner.com

Sushi
Shiki Sushi

207 W NC Hwy 54, Durham
919-484-4108

Taquería
Chubby's Tacos

Various locations
www.chubbystacos.com
Thai
 
Thai Café
2501 University Dr, Durham
919-493-9794
3309 Rogers Rd, Wake Forest
919-453-1679
thaicafenc.com

Vegetarian friendly in Durham County
Toast

345 W Main St, Durham
919-683-2183
toast-fivepoints.com

Vegetarian friendly in Orange/Chatham County
Sage Café

1129 Weaver Dairy Rd, Chapel Hill
919-968-9266
www.sagevegcafe.com

Vegetarian friendly in Wake County 
The Remedy Diner

137 E Hargett St, Raleigh
919-835-3553
www.theremedydiner.com

Vietnamese
Lime & Basil

200 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-967-5055
limeandbasil.com

Wait staff in Durham County
Elmo's Diner

776 Ninth St, Durham
919-416-3823
elmosdiner.com

Wait staff in Orange/Chatham County
Lantern

423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill
919-969-8846
lanternrestaurant.com

Wait staff in Wake County
Angus Barn

9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
919-781-2444
www.angusbarn.com

Wine list
Angus Barn

9401 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh
919-781-2444
www.angusbarn.com

Wings
Ba-Da Wings

302 E Main St, Suite B, Carrboro
919-960-0656
2161 Avent Ferry Rd, Suite 100, Raleigh
919-832-3902
www.badawings.com
 
MetroBravo Awards:

Restaurant:
Standing Ovation
18 Seaboard, Raleigh

New Restaurant:
Standing Ovation
Chow, Raleigh



Romantic Restaurant:
Standing Ovation
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, Raleigh 



Restaurant for Take-Out
Standing Ovation
Red Dragon Chinese Restaurant, Raleigh

Restaurant for Power Lunch:
Standing Ovation
18 Seaboard, Raleigh

Restaurant for Special Occasions: 

Standing Ovation
The Angus Barn, Raleigh


Place to Take the Kids:
Standing Ovation
Frankie’s Fun Park, Raleigh

Place to go with a Crowd:
Standing Ovation
Kanki, Raleigh

Healthy Lunch:

Standing Ovation
The Irregardless Café, Raleigh


Breakfast:

Standing Ovation
Brigs Restaurant, Triangle-wide

Coastal Restaurant:
Standing Ovation
Jerry’s Food, Wine, & Spirits, Wilmington

Outdoor Dining:

Standing Ovation
Vivace, Raleigh

Deli:
Standing Ovation
Village Deli, Triangle-wide

Coffeehouse:
Standing Ovation
Starbucks, Triangle-wide

Sports Bar:
Standing Ovation
Carolina Ale House, Triangle-wide

Place with Best Cocktails Menu
Standing Ovation
Vinnie’s Steakhouse & Tavern, Raleigh

Caters
:

Standing Ovation
Ladyfingers Caterers, Raleigh

Chef:
Standing Ovation
Scott Howell, Nana’s, Durham

Wait Staff: 
Standing Ovation
Vinnie’s Steakhouse & Tavern, Raleigh

French Cuisine:

Standing Ovation
Saint-Jacques French Cuisine, Raleigh

Italian Cuisine:

Standing Ovation
Casa Carbone Ristorante, Raleigh

Mexican Cuisine:

Standing Ovation
Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant, Raleigh

Chinese Cuisine:
Standing Ovation
PF Chang’s China Bistro, Triangle-wide 

Sushi:

Standing Ovation
Mura Japanese Restaurant, Raleigh

Appetizers
:
Standing Ovation
The Red Room Tapas Lounge, Raleigh

BBQ/ Ribs:
Standing Ovation
The Pit, Raleigh

Hot Dogs:
Standing Ovation
Snoopy’s Hot Dogs, Raleigh

Hamburgers:
Standing Ovation
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, Triangle-wide

French Fries:
Standing Ovation
Five Guys Famous Burgers and Fries, Triangle-wide

Wings:
Standing Ovation
Buffalo Wild Wings, Knightdale and Garner

Pizza:
Standing Ovation
The Mellow Mushroom,
Triangle-wide

Steaks:
Standing Ovation
Vinnie’s Steakhouse & Tavern, Raleigh

Seafood:
Standing Ovation
42nd Street Oyster Bar, Raleigh

Oysters:
Standing Ovation
42nd Street Oyster Bar, Raleigh

Dessert:
Standing Ovation
Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern, Raleigh

Brunch:
Standing Ovation
Coquette Brasserie, Raleigh

Smoothies:
Standing Ovation
Tropical Smoothie Café, Raleigh

Eggs Benedict:
Standing Ovation
Brigs Restaurant, Triangle-wide

Fried Chicken:
Standing Ovation
Bojangles’ Famous Chicken ’n Biscuits, Triangle-wide

Margaritas:
Standing Ovation
Dos Taquitos Mexican Restaurant, Raleigh

Martinis:
Standing Ovation
Sullivan’s Steakhouse, Raleigh

Bloody Mary:
Standing Ovation
NOFO Café, Raleigh and Wilmington

Cosmopolitan:
Standing Ovation
The Crunkleton, Chapel Hill

Beer:

Standing Ovation
Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Raleigh

Wine:

Standing Ovation
The Angus Barn, Raleigh
 

2 comments:

Mary | Work in a Restaurant said...

Thanks for sharing this. It made me easier to find a restaurant :)

Cajun Food Greensboro said...

New Orleans Bar and Grill Cajun food is wonderful and so is the service.