Find some of the tastiest eats in the Triangle to try. These are the dishes that you dream about afterward! I’ve chosen the best and most memorable items that I’ve chowed down while exploring restaurants in Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, and beyond. No diets allowed, here!
Sukiyaki linguine at Shinmai Kumo in Cary (December 14, 2025 – $19.00)
Japanese-Italian cuisine is a bit of a rarity in the Triangle but you can get it now at Shinmai Kumo! This sukiyaki linguine was familiar but different, featuring thin slices of soy-soaked beef with parmesan, mushroom and egg for amazing umami on top of toothsome noodles. A simple and heart-warming dish!
Spicy tonkotsu ramen at Matsumoto Craft Ramen in Cary (November 22, 2025)
Matsumoto Craft Ramen pairs its fresh-made noodles with a spicy broth, cha shu, soy egg, corn and sliced mushrooms for an amazing bowl of ramen! This new counter-serve Japanese eatery at Waverly Place is helmed by a Japanese chef and the menu shows it. Their attention to detail is awesome, I’ve enjoyed everything off their short menu in my two visits.
Peanut butter, banana, marshmallow bagel at Benchwarmer’s Bagels in Raleigh (November 7, 2025 – $8.25)
Some people may call it the Elvis bagel but when you slap peanut butter, banana, and marshmallow fluff on a plump bagel, I just call it delicious! Not sure if we’re talking about lunch or dessert but this #8 bagel sandwich from Benchwarmer’s is simple but fantastic. Salty, sweet, soft and chewy for a flavor sensation.
Textbook burger at La Gana in Raleigh (August 18, 2025 – $16.00)
Are we looking at the best burger in the Triangle? You might be if you’re dining at La Gana in Raleigh! This small burger bar with a very small menu (10 items?) is serving some amazing Wagyu burgers that are not huge but deliver huge flavor and wonderful textures. Pair this bad boy up with some yucca fries and you’ll be in beefy heaven!
Chicken parm platter at Dino’s Pizza in Durham (July 25, 2025 – $18.00)
I’ve been on an Italian food kick and this monstrous chicken parm with rigatoni alla vodka was top-notch! Strong simmered red, lots of mozz and parmesan cheese sprinkled on top finishes the dish. And the rigatoni was cooked perfectly, a must-do if you’re a chicken parm fan!
Thin-crust pepperoni pizza at Fullsteam RTP in Durham (July 12, 2025 – $16.50)
Loved finding this thin-crust, tavern-style pizza at Fullsteam RTP! Super snappy, crisp crust with a lot of rich cheese and perfectly seared pepperoni. Different but a very tasty find, not too many other options like this in the Triangle.
Durham Dynamite roll at Kinoko Sushi in Morrisville (May 25, 2024 – $15)
A fun and humble sushi joint out in the suburbs serving up some great fish! Their Durham roll features tuna, eel, asparagus, special sauce and is lightly deep-fried to create a delectable morsel.
Amatraciana pizza at Frasketta Pizza Romana, Raleigh (January 25, 2024 – $15)
A fantastic food truck offering Roman-style pizza, this Amatriciana pie featured guanciale (cured pork), pecorino romano and red pepper flakes for a spicy bite. The crust is stellar here, thick, light and crunchy, find this food truck!
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PEI Mussels at the Mill, Raleigh (January 16, 2024 – $14)
Love my mussels and these may have been the best I’ve ever had! Eschewing the typical white wine and butter sauce, the Mill drenches their plump bivalves in a cream, green curry sauce. Served up with some thick, grilled dipping bread, you’ll enjoy every bite of this starter.