Poole's
American restaurant · Depot Historic District
428 South McDowell St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Highlights
Retro-chic 1940s diner meets upscale Southern comfort with a cult-fave mac & cheese and seasonal cocktails.
Retro-chic 1940s diner meets upscale Southern comfort with a cult-fave mac & cheese and seasonal cocktails.
"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
"Picture a jazz lounge mixed with a dimly-lit retro diner, complete with red leather banquettes and a handwritten chalkboard menu. That’s Poole’s Diner, and it’s one of the best and most famous restaurants in Raleigh. Grab one of those booths for a double date or to impress the in-laws, and always order the gooey macaroni au gratin. The entrees really set Poole’s apart, including dishes like a roasted flounder with summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and a basil-loaded cold pistou sauce." - eric ginsburg
"The restaurant sits next door to Christensen’s famed Poole’s Diner, which opened in 2007 and is still one of the more difficult reservations to get in Raleigh." - Erin Perkins
"Picture a jazz lounge mixed with a dimly-lit retro diner, complete with red leather banquettes and a handwritten chalkboard menu. That’s Poole’s Diner, and it’s one of the best and most famous restaurants in Raleigh. Grab one of those booths for a double date or to impress the in-laws, and always order the gooey macaroni au gratin. The entrees really set Poole’s apart, including dishes like a roasted flounder with summer squash, cherry tomatoes, and a basil-driven cold pistou sauce. " - Eric Ginsburg
