Poole's
American restaurant · Depot Historic District
428 South McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Highlights
Seasonal comfort food, cocktails & house desserts in a retro-chic setting
Seasonal comfort food, cocktails & house desserts in a retro-chic setting
"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
"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. photo credit: Forrest Mason photo credit: Forrest Mason photo credit: Forrest Mason photo credit: Forrest Mason Pause Unmute" - Eric Ginsburg
"A Raleigh restaurant where Chef Chris McLaurin served as chef de cuisine prior to its closure in 2023; his tenure there preceded and informed his decision to start the pop-up bakeshop." - Erin Perkins
"Ashley Christensen’s downtown Raleigh footprint may be large, but Poole’s Diner was her first restaurant and remains the heart and soul of her mini-empire. Think superbly executed comfort foods like roast chicken or cider-braised pork shank, along with sides like beluga lentils with melted leeks or herb-scented potato puree. The macaroni au gratin, Christensen’s take on mac and cheese, has earned a cult following." - Matt Lardie
"What’s there to say about Poole’s Diner that already hasn’t been said a million times over? Perhaps that chef Ashley Christensen’s beloved restaurant takes its commitment to equality as seriously as its commitment to serving expertly-prepared, locally-sourced Southern food. A mural on the side of the building reads “All are welcome in Raleigh,” with the word Raleigh in rainbow colors, and Christensen along with her wife Kaitlyn Goalen have regularly spoken up in support of LGBTQ+ policies and raised funds for local organizations such as the LGBTQ Center of Raleigh." - Matt Lardie
