The 12 Best Restaurants In Raleigh, North Carolina - Raleigh - The Infatuation

"Arguably no restaurant has done more to transform Raleigh’s dining scene than Poole’s, a historic diner that reopened in 2007. It catapulted an often overlooked city into a premier destination with an unpretentious-yet-refined take on Southern food, with help from its accompanying cookbook and menu staple macaroni au gratin. Poole’s recently expanded into the neighboring storefront, making it easier to find a seat. It’s a mandatory stop on any capital city bucket list, with draws like fennel roasted pork loin and cornmeal-fried North Carolina shrimp with charred summer squash. Stop in for dinner before a concert next door at Red Hat Amphitheatre or bring out-of-town visitors to show them what Raleigh is all about." - eric ginsburg