The coronavirus (COVID-19) is impacting everything in the world right now, and restaurants have been chief among them. Most bartenders and servers have been unemployed for two months, since North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper shutdown dine-in services and bars on March 17.
While national companies and large chain restaurants are maintaining business, many local restaurants have had to shut their doors completely just to be able to brave the storm. Now as we've entered phase one of reopening, some restaurants are coming back.
Here are some of the best locally-owned restaurants in the Raleigh area that need your business! Please keep in mind, if you are ordering takeout or delivery from these restaurants to honor posted establishment rules (wearing a mask, ordering curbside), be patient, and tip!
1. Gym Tacos
Where: 220 E Six Forks Rd, Raleigh
Cuisine: Mexican
How to order: Takeout from the truck
Gym Tacos has risen to be one of the most popular taco trucks in the Raleigh area. They serve up authentic, delicious Mexican tacos, sopes, burritos, tortas, tostadas, and quesadillas. They are cash only!
2. Namu
Where: 5420 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham
Cuisine: Korean fusion
How to order: Online - curbside, UberEats, DoorDash
Namu was established by two food truck owners (Bo's Kitchen and Bulkogi). Their restaurant is absolutely gorgeous, with a large outdoor seating area in a bamboo garden. Their fresh menu features traditional Korean food, like kimchi, dumplings, and KBBQ, as well as fusion items like tacos.
3. Pizzeria Faulisi
Where: 215 E Chatham St Suite 101, Cary
Cuisine: Italian
How to order: Order online or call.
Pizzeria Faulisi has some of the best pizza in the area. Freshly milled flour from Boulted Bread in Raleigh along with Caputo flour from Italy are combined to make their unique dough for their woodfire cooked dishes. They have fantastic pizzas, gnocchi, and cheese plates.
4. Tonbo Ramen
Where: 211 S. Wilmington Street, Raleigh
Cuisine: Japanese
How to order: Order online for curbside, pickup, or delivery
Tonbo Ramen had to shut down for the entire month of April, but recently reopened with a limited menu and limited hours. They have ramen, bao buns, wings, salads, and rice bowls. It's the pinnacle of comfort food.
5. Zenfish
Where: 810 9th Street, Durham & 9924 Chapel Hill Road, Morrisville
Cuisine: Poké bowls
How to order: Online or call for pickup, DoorDash, Postmates, ChowNow, UberEats, GrubHub
Zenfish has always used fresh ingredients from local farms and responsibly harvested fish. It's healthy, filling, and delicious. They offer various bowls that you can build to your liking and have a vegan tofu/sweet potato option too.
6. Boba Baba Cafe
Where: 12102 Bradford Green Square, Cary
Cuisine: Boba teashop
How to order: Take-out
Boba Baba is a sweet little boba shop that temporarily closed in March. They recently announced they will be reopening their doors after two months of closure. They have premium boba teas and to-die-for mochi donuts and cream puffs that are baked in-house.
7. Juice Vibes
Where: 1369 Kildaire Farm Rd, Cary & 11692 U.S. 70 W, Clayton
Cuisine: Juice, smoothies, and health foods
How to order: Order online or call ahead for takeout/curbside
Juice Vibes has everything including: smoothies, fresh juices, salads, and even kombucha on tap. The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable and the owner is usually in the shop. They are also currently offering wellness boxes: full of juices, salad, housemade peanut butter, and Michael's English Muffins (another locally-owned treat!).
8. Chirba Chirba
Where: Varies
Cuisine: Dumplings
How to order: Order online or at the truck
Chirba Chirba has been a popular food truck for a long time, offering up fresh handmade dumplings. While we can't enjoy the Downtown Raleigh Food Truck Festival right now, you can still find the food truck around the Triangle. Come get a dozen dumplings and a tasty side.
9. Buoy Bowls
Where: Varies
Cuisine: Fruit smoothies and açaí bowls.
How to order: Order online or at the truck
As the weather is warming up, you need a nice treat to cool you down. Buoy Bowls has exactly that with their smoothies and smoothie bowls. Everything is made-to-order, the smoothies are thick, and the bowls are loaded with fresh fruit, nut butters, and other toppings of your choice.
10. Carolina Nutrition
Where: 4040 Ed Dr #109, Raleigh
Cuisine: Protein shakes and energy teas.
How to order: Call ahead and they bring it to you curbside - pay with Venmo, cash, or card.
Carolina Nutrition is a local favorite! They offer healthy protein shakes that come in divine flavors and energizing tea. Frequently, they offer daily specials, like the Crunch Berries protein shake (I'm waiting for that one to come back!!!).
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