Meghan's Guide to Raleigh
Walkable Attractions
Places you can walk to during your stay!
Coffee shop less than a half-mile away with a walk-up counter to order.
14 locals recommend
The Optimist Raleigh
1000 Brookside DrCoffee shop less than a half-mile away with a walk-up counter to order.
Person Street Bar
805 N Person StCocktail bar
The name is actually Standard Beer + Food. Casual spot for local beers and tacos. Can get busy on good weather weekend days.
28 locals recommend
Standard Foods
205 E Franklin StThe name is actually Standard Beer + Food. Casual spot for local beers and tacos. Can get busy on good weather weekend days.
French bistro. Highly recommend getting a reservation in advance.
23 locals recommend
Jolie Restaurant
620 N Person StFrench bistro. Highly recommend getting a reservation in advance.
Nice restaurant serving American food, highly recommend getting a reservation in advance.
54 locals recommend
Crawford and Son
618 N Person StNice restaurant serving American food, highly recommend getting a reservation in advance.
Oakwood Pizza Box
610 N Person St Casual pizza place to eat-in or take out.
William & Company
616 N Person StCocktail bar
Nice restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients. Note: Does not take reservations!
75 locals recommend
Stanbury
938 N Blount StNice restaurant focused on seasonal ingredients. Note: Does not take reservations!
Yellow Dog Bread Company
219 E Franklin StCoffee shop and bakery
Two Roosters Ice Cream
215 E Franklin StIce cream shop
Casual restaurant and bar that is mostly outdoors with fire pits and TVs to watch games.
39 locals recommend
The Station at Person Street
701 N Person StCasual restaurant and bar that is mostly outdoors with fire pits and TVs to watch games.
Next to The Optimist, this is a casual spot for lunch or grab a drink/food from the full bar. (This place also has a small market for any items you need to pick up.)
Brookside Bodega
Next to The Optimist, this is a casual spot for lunch or grab a drink/food from the full bar. (This place also has a small market for any items you need to pick up.)
Bottle shop where you can pick up wine or beer, or stay and enjoy a drink! Dog friendly inside.
24 locals recommend
Pelagic Beer and Wine
300 Pace StBottle shop where you can pick up wine or beer, or stay and enjoy a drink! Dog friendly inside.
Dog Services
Places your dog may want to visit while in town.
Great spot to bathe your dog - they provide shampoo and conditioner.
Wash Your Dog Self-Service Station
1520 Brookside DrGreat spot to bathe your dog - they provide shampoo and conditioner.
Dog park located within walking distance (or feel free to drive -there is parking). This is a convenient place to take your dog to enjoy the big or small dog park.
Oakwood Dog Park
910 Brookside DrDog park located within walking distance (or feel free to drive -there is parking). This is a convenient place to take your dog to enjoy the big or small dog park.
Raleigh Beer Garden
614 Glenwood AvenueRestaurant/Bar with a menu just for dogs!
Phydeaux
400 S Elliott RdDog store nearby for anything your pup may need!
Lake Lynn
2.6 mile trail walk
Rose Garden
301 Pogue StDog walk option - best to see the roses in May
William B Umstead State Park Road
William B Umstead State Park RoadPark for trail runs/walks or dog walks!
Large park for dog walks. Also a great spot to see the "Night of Lights" over the holidays.
91 locals recommend
Dorothea Dix Park
1985 Umstead DrLarge park for dog walks. Also a great spot to see the "Night of Lights" over the holidays.
If you don't mind the drive, it is a beautiful campus to view while walking the dog.
153 locals recommend
Duke University
If you don't mind the drive, it is a beautiful campus to view while walking the dog.
A great dog bar where you can get a drink and your dog can enjoy play-time with other dogs! Make sure to download the app and provide vaccination records prior to visiting. (Age 21+ for the off-leash dog park area.)
West Street Dog
A great dog bar where you can get a drink and your dog can enjoy play-time with other dogs! Make sure to download the app and provide vaccination records prior to visiting. (Age 21+ for the off-leash dog park area.)
Hause of Dogs
Dog ice cream bar and bakery
Breweries
All breweries listed have outdoor seating if you want to bring your pup!
Great spot for a beer and pizza (NY-style slices) or to watch a game.
7 locals recommend
Bowstring Pizza and Brewyard
1930 Wake Forest RdGreat spot for a beer and pizza (NY-style slices) or to watch a game.
Can order food from the sister restaurant next door (Wilson's Eatery) while enjoying your beer
44 locals recommend
Lynnwood Brewing Concern
1053 E Whitaker Mill RdCan order food from the sister restaurant next door (Wilson's Eatery) while enjoying your beer
Don't skip the pizza here either! (They also deliver a great personal-sized pizza for solo travelers!)
85 locals recommend
Trophy Brewing
827 W Morgan StDon't skip the pizza here either! (They also deliver a great personal-sized pizza for solo travelers!)
Clouds Brewing
905 W Main StAsk the bartender for some board games to enjoy with your beers.
48 locals recommend
Crank Arm Brewing Company
319 W Davie StAsk the bartender for some board games to enjoy with your beers.
Nickelpoint Brewing Co
506 Pershing RdLonerider at Five Points
1626 Glenwood AvenueNeuse River Brewing Company
518 Pershing RdIf you prefer cider over beer, check this place out! Great outdoor space that is dog friendly. Feel free to bring food.
East Bower Cider Company
If you prefer cider over beer, check this place out! Great outdoor space that is dog friendly. Feel free to bring food.
Casual Restaurants
Most casual Ashley Christensen restaurant on the list - a must-visit if you want fried chicken
107 locals recommend
Beasley's Chicken + Honey
237 S Wilmington StMost casual Ashley Christensen restaurant on the list - a must-visit if you want fried chicken
Some of my favorite vendors there:
Alimentori - Butcher shop... definitely try getting the bacon to cook at home!
Benchwarmers Bagels - Try ordering ahead for breakfast pickup
Che Empanadas - definitely recommend trying one of these empanadas.
Locals Oyster Bar & seafood market
Mama Crow's - great burgers.
84 locals recommend
Transfer Co Food Hall
500 E Davie StSome of my favorite vendors there:
Alimentori - Butcher shop... definitely try getting the bacon to cook at home!
Benchwarmers Bagels - Try ordering ahead for breakfast pickup
Che Empanadas - definitely recommend trying one of these empanadas.
Locals Oyster Bar & seafood market
Mama Crow's - great burgers.
My recommended vendors:
CowBar for a burger
Curry in a Hurry
Aunt Betty's speakeasy for a cocktail
98 locals recommend
Morgan Street Food Hall
411 W Morgan StMy recommended vendors:
CowBar for a burger
Curry in a Hurry
Aunt Betty's speakeasy for a cocktail
Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing
201 S Boylan AveWhiskey Kitchen
201 W Martin StRecommended for a breakfast sandwich or lunch sandwich. Can order ahead for pick-up.
16 locals recommend
Union Special
2409 Crabtree BlvdRecommended for a breakfast sandwich or lunch sandwich. Can order ahead for pick-up.
The Raleigh Times
14 E Hargett StVery casual bar serving only hot dogs - but they are good hot dogs!
7 locals recommend
The Cardinal Bar
713 N West StVery casual bar serving only hot dogs - but they are good hot dogs!
Longleaf Swine
Really great barbeque with plenty of outdoor seating
Nicer Restaurants
Highly recommend getting a reservation in advance.
St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar
223 S Wilmington StGreat seafood restaurant downtown
Rosewater Kitchen & Bar
110 Park at N Hills StHummingbird
1053 E Whitaker Mill RdCozy spot for lunch or dinner! Small inside, more outdoor seating.
Cortez Seafood and Cocktail
413 Glenwood AveSitti
137 S Wilmington StMOFU Shoppe
321 S Blount StMandolin
2519 Fairview RdDinner is good here, but I highly recommend brunch!
Vivace
4209 Lassiter Mill RdA good stop after shopping around North Hills.
Brewery Bhavana
218 S Blount StBida Manda
222 S Blount StLaotian food - highly recommend!
Coquette
4351 The Cir At N Hills StFrench bistro - another option after North Hills shopping
Ajja
Cute new restaurant with a lot of outdoor (covered) seating, a fire pit and views of downtown
Madre
Trendy new tapas restaurant
Nicest Restaurants
Poole's
426 S McDowell StAshley Christensen restaurant - one of the best restaurants in Raleigh!
Another Ashley Christensen restaurant - can't go wrong with any of her spots!
37 locals recommend
Death and Taxes
105 W Hargett StAnother Ashley Christensen restaurant - can't go wrong with any of her spots!
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
330 Hillsborough StFine dining in a historic home
Sullivan's Steakhouse
410 Glenwood AveClassic steakhouse
Fantastic French restaurant if you don't mind driving outside the beltline a bit.
6 locals recommend
Saint Jacques
6112 Falls of Neuse RdFantastic French restaurant if you don't mind driving outside the beltline a bit.
What to do & Where to go!
Boxcar Bar + Arcade
621 Foster StSelf explanatory - bar and arcade!
PNC Arena
1400 Edwards Mill RdCheck if there is a game or concert during your visit
William B Umstead State Park Road
William B Umstead State Park RoadFor a run or trail walk
JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University
4415 Beryl RdArt museum. There are also trails/paths on the grounds for a walk (dogs allowed for the trail paths).
437 locals recommend
North Carolina Museum of Art
2110 Blue Ridge RdArt museum. There are also trails/paths on the grounds for a walk (dogs allowed for the trail paths).
Dorothea Dix Park
1985 Umstead DrOpen park for walks/runs.
Red Hat Amphitheater
500 S McDowell StCheck if there will be a show when you are in town.
Bit of a drive to Cary - but the spa is fantastic! Look for a reservation in advance.
17 locals recommend
The Umstead Hotel and Spa
100 Woodland Pond DrBit of a drive to Cary - but the spa is fantastic! Look for a reservation in advance.
Similar to Top Golf - driving range with games you can play as well as food and drinks! You can reserve a bay 1 week in advance.
33 locals recommend
Drive Shack
6901 Play Golf WySimilar to Top Golf - driving range with games you can play as well as food and drinks! You can reserve a bay 1 week in advance.
Goodnights Comedy Club
401 W Morgan St