Poole's
American restaurant · Depot Historic District ·
Seasonal comfort food, cocktails & house desserts in retro-chic setting
Seasonal comfort food, cocktails & house desserts in retro-chic setting
"Sample inventive Southern cooking that matches the city’s creative energy, a satisfying way to cap a crisp evening." - Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman Lauren Dana Ellman is a New York-based writer and editor who specializes in travel, lifestyle, food, and shopping content. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"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