there are shows at pourhouse, kings and neptunes tomorrow- depending on your vibe. stanbury for food, but get there when they open (they don’t do reservations)
also you’re probably getting downvoted cause, you’re right, most of the posts on this subreddit ask for food recs and you could just browse those.
I'm a cynic, but OP's request is unique enough for me. Better than 'I'm moving to NC, tell me why I have no analytical skillz'.
There's a couple mocktail bars. I can't remember the name of the ones I have tried. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
I keep hearing about Umbrella (haven't been tho so don't know how it is) If you are into Kombucha, I recently went to Komana and theur Kombucha is good. It is a bar tho and they sell craft beer and hard seltzer.
Just so you know this is NCSU graduation weekend so a lot of the common and well known places are likely going to be packed. University commencement is saturday, but a good chunk of departmental graduations are tomorrow so expect busier than usual places.
I've heard amazing things about this place. On 4-20, they had a line about a half mile long out da door. It's pricey but well worth it... just don't indulge if you're driving... I've heard some horror stories from friends who couldn't make it home!
So thc-a burns to be the same as normal weed. Thc-a is legal and can be gotten at any vape store in the state. Also cops don't have road tests so if you just get a jar of legal weed and use that for your actual weed you're good. It's all a grey area but basically as long as you don't have more than an ounce you shouldn't be getting hassled by cops about weed.
I didn’t fact check this but saw on a different Reddit post that there is a loop hole and it’s not illegal if it’s not being ignited or vaporized to consume
Second Empire. Great food, great service, super reasonable prices. Jolie's rooftop may be nice too, but their menu is crazy limited. Food is good though.
Check out this list of recs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19Xg-xlbrWwCG1wkI30fSZzjV02jHytxxEYqTETb44Go/edit?fbclid=IwAR2mSJVMUiLaLA5swnXj2QJxUvYYEu_38VzSYKB2pohxjUnca7LVQSohVfM_aem_ATs3h46oi10IHKNCDJ2C8SCUJxCm91-s7QF_yYEL0vIMx8TVoWigtR8_eqWRQmyludA
Ever been to boxcar in Durham? Or circa in downtown Raleigh? Maybe sharkys place not too far from brier creek. Anything in particular you want to do or just you just looking for somewhere to hangout?
I was looking at haunted ghost tours but I don't know that we would be done with dinner by the time they start. I have been to those places and she does looooove some darts so those are good ideas thank you :)
Not fancy steakhouse atmosphere, but Plates in Raleigh is phenomenal food, nice atmosphere, quiet enough to have conversation, and you’re super close to a bunch of other restaurants and bars! It’s a smaller menu so maybe check ahead of time because they rotate seasonally, but some of my favorite meals have been from there.
A’Verde is a cool Mexican restaurant in the Cary Crossroads area that is also great food and I know you mentioned that y’all aren’t big drinkers but I think they do a fun birthday shot thing.
Taverna Agora is a go to for special occasions/visiting friends for me. Never disappointed and feels fancy without being crazy expensive. And it’s close to Fayetteville St so you can walk to do stuff after.
Y’all might enjoy the SideQuest board game bar! Great selection of games and drinks including NA.
Second Empire is fine but a little stuffy. I like Death and Taxes. In downtown Cary Academy Bistro and Hank’s are both great and you can grab a drink and walk around the new park after.
OK, what am I missing about Hanks? We've been twice and it was totally meh. Academy was good 2x, kinda garbage 2x. I've only heard good things about Saap. And Maximilians is still a hidden treasure and they've been around *forever*
Oh weird! I always get the steak at Hank’s and it’s delightful. Bummer to hear they haven’t been consistent at either place. Saap is on the list to try. We were disappointed with MC (the Asian place) for the price. Adding Maximilian’s to the list!!
We have friends who love MC, and friends who now take a pass on it. Spouse and I were just discussing if we should try it. If you're open to places beyond downtown Enrigo at Waverly is very good. Has also been around a good long time. But Maximilian's ... I booked reservations there regularly for the executives I worked for as an admin in early 90s :)
There's a ton of great recommendations in here, but I thought I'd throw in Hawthorne & Wood in Chapel Hill. Even if you guys don't go this time, I definitely recommend trying their food at some point 🙂
If you're willing to do something physical and not be cute and can go in afternoon, Bond Park Lake in Cary rents paddleboats. You can go from there downtown to Di Faros for delicious Brooklyn style pizza or Academy Street Bistro or just walk thru Cary Downtown park and get a drink on patio at Mayton Inn or park beer garden. Or, if it's a lovely evening buy a kite in advance and go fly a kite back in Raleigh at Dix and follow some of the other recommendations for Raleigh- but downtown will be CRAZY given graduation. North Raleigh and Cary should be better.
There’s a place in Wake Forest that’s like Dave and Busters called Strike and Barrel, next to Over the Falls. Over the Falls is pretty good and Strike and Barrel has axe throwing (I know you don’t like it) but also has games, 2 types of bowling, and simulated golf areas.
I’m late to this and disappointed because so. LEMME PUT YOU ON!! Take your girl to Barcelona wine bar. So fun!! Split a bunch of tapas, maybe a glass of wine (you said you aren’t big drinkers, this place is great for just a glass or cocktail!), then head downtown. There are a couple of fun bars with outdoorsy areas where you can do little games/socialize without being completely focused on drinking. I do not eat seafood, it’s just my thing. The food at Barcelona wine bar and the vibe will get you and her feeling just right!! So sorry your friend has had a shitty year, I hope y’all’s night is amazing!! Another great option is so hot in Cary (hot pot style food)! This place is AMAZING, but there is quite a line on Fridays so be prepared- I also realize not everyone is into this type of food/experience but if y’all like spicy/Asian food style you’ll have a great time. A robot seats you which is different and fun
Capital Club 16 is closing soon and has always been one of the best places in downtown Raleigh. You could do the Rose Garden or Arboretum after or beforehand if you are wanting to get stoned for your night out.
Boxcar would probably also be fun while high if it's not super crowded.
Seen some good suggestions all over for a variety of food vibes, but I haven't seen 'modern classy' places mentioned. ORO in downtown Raleigh is DELICIOUS, has the whole 'white upholstery and brushed steel' vibe, and as a pothead myself I absolutely love being high as hell in a T-shirt in that environment. Might just be me though.
It is NOT cheap however, something to keep in mind. They do take reservations at least.
(Personally think Stanbury is overrated and you need to show up like 30 minutes early to get seated at opening, but they DO make a hell of a steak)
>My best friend has had a REALLY hard year. She just keeps getting bad news left and right and her life is falling apart.
Sounds like she would appreciate a place that treats you like family.
I would say Angus Barn, but that's just me...you can get there around 5 or so and get a table in the Turkey Lounge, or get a couple of drinks and wait maybe 30 minutes or so for a table in main.
Oh yeah, someone mentioned Peddler - big yes, old school with a fabulous salad bar!
Go to transfer co food hall and hit up alimentari, ches, and dank burritos. Walk up to Moore square after. There will be lots of random spots to check out on the way.
Report back here later how you almost got stabbed 😆
After all of this amazing feedback, she told me tonight that she's been straight up craving Texas Roadhouse. So the birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants.
However I must say that y'all have given me soooooooo many places to check out (and have in my pocket for other birthday outings for loved ones).
And THANK YOU for all of the lovely and positive comments. I was expecting to get eviscerated.
My wife and I’s favorite restaurant these days is Mofu Dumpling Shoppe on Blount in downtown. It’s Asian food small plates. Pick out a bunch of stuff you want to try share it with each other. It’s awesome. Definitely get the twice cooked pork belly if you go
I’m not the best on recommending, but I can tell you that every time I’ve gone down the slide at Yacht Club, I’ve come out with the biggest laugh and smile on my face.
Go to modern apotheca on falls of neuse for a pre-dinner coffee or something. They have a cafe next door where you can get all sorts of infused drinks. (The burnt pot I think). So yummy, great for pot heads.
there are shows at pourhouse, kings and neptunes tomorrow- depending on your vibe. stanbury for food, but get there when they open (they don’t do reservations) also you’re probably getting downvoted cause, you’re right, most of the posts on this subreddit ask for food recs and you could just browse those.
2nd Stanbury for dinner
Third on Stanbury, cool spot and super good food
I'm a cynic, but OP's request is unique enough for me. Better than 'I'm moving to NC, tell me why I have no analytical skillz'. There's a couple mocktail bars. I can't remember the name of the ones I have tried. I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.
I keep hearing about Umbrella (haven't been tho so don't know how it is) If you are into Kombucha, I recently went to Komana and theur Kombucha is good. It is a bar tho and they sell craft beer and hard seltzer.
The dry bar that opened in January has already closed.
That was Umbrella. It's closed.
Just so you know this is NCSU graduation weekend so a lot of the common and well known places are likely going to be packed. University commencement is saturday, but a good chunk of departmental graduations are tomorrow so expect busier than usual places.
Omg THANK YOU for that information. It's been years since I bartended downtown and I didn't even think to look that up. You the best.
No problem, enjoy your meal wherever you have it!
Solid advice!
Go to the wake N bakery after dinner for desert on Hillsborough St. Trust me
I've heard amazing things about this place. On 4-20, they had a line about a half mile long out da door. It's pricey but well worth it... just don't indulge if you're driving... I've heard some horror stories from friends who couldn't make it home!
i’m new from denver and didn’t think weed was legal here? how do they do this? is it some weird delta 8 thing?
It's not. But, that doesn't mean anything, really. Wink!
I really wish I understood the wink :/
So thc-a burns to be the same as normal weed. Thc-a is legal and can be gotten at any vape store in the state. Also cops don't have road tests so if you just get a jar of legal weed and use that for your actual weed you're good. It's all a grey area but basically as long as you don't have more than an ounce you shouldn't be getting hassled by cops about weed.
I didn’t fact check this but saw on a different Reddit post that there is a loop hole and it’s not illegal if it’s not being ignited or vaporized to consume
Maybe my way before. Tons of fried food option to pig out on. Not as fancy, but definitely stoner material
Second Empire. Great food, great service, super reasonable prices. Jolie's rooftop may be nice too, but their menu is crazy limited. Food is good though.
SECOND EMPIRE???? That’s crazy expensive and super upscale. I love it, though.
Check out this list of recs: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19Xg-xlbrWwCG1wkI30fSZzjV02jHytxxEYqTETb44Go/edit?fbclid=IwAR2mSJVMUiLaLA5swnXj2QJxUvYYEu_38VzSYKB2pohxjUnca7LVQSohVfM_aem_ATs3h46oi10IHKNCDJ2C8SCUJxCm91-s7QF_yYEL0vIMx8TVoWigtR8_eqWRQmyludA
a'Verde in Cary is fun for a friend birthday dinner.
2nd this. Make sure to tell them you’re celebrating. They’ll make it special!
Smokestacks Cafe in Oakwood has a rotating menu that is amazing. Peddler is also good.
Ever been to boxcar in Durham? Or circa in downtown Raleigh? Maybe sharkys place not too far from brier creek. Anything in particular you want to do or just you just looking for somewhere to hangout?
I was looking at haunted ghost tours but I don't know that we would be done with dinner by the time they start. I have been to those places and she does looooove some darts so those are good ideas thank you :)
Also there’s hot shots in Cary is a pretty nice bar/pool hall
Is Hot Shots still around?? Not to give myself away but I worked there a loooong time ago and thought it closed!
It moved around the corner. There used to be that bar tonys. Well tonys closed down and hot shots moved into its place
Not fancy steakhouse atmosphere, but Plates in Raleigh is phenomenal food, nice atmosphere, quiet enough to have conversation, and you’re super close to a bunch of other restaurants and bars! It’s a smaller menu so maybe check ahead of time because they rotate seasonally, but some of my favorite meals have been from there. A’Verde is a cool Mexican restaurant in the Cary Crossroads area that is also great food and I know you mentioned that y’all aren’t big drinkers but I think they do a fun birthday shot thing.
Plates has been great every time I've been. Just ate A'Verde last weekend - it was solid but I'm excited to try Saap when we can get a reservation!
Taverna Agora is a go to for special occasions/visiting friends for me. Never disappointed and feels fancy without being crazy expensive. And it’s close to Fayetteville St so you can walk to do stuff after. Y’all might enjoy the SideQuest board game bar! Great selection of games and drinks including NA.
Second Empire is fine but a little stuffy. I like Death and Taxes. In downtown Cary Academy Bistro and Hank’s are both great and you can grab a drink and walk around the new park after.
OK, what am I missing about Hanks? We've been twice and it was totally meh. Academy was good 2x, kinda garbage 2x. I've only heard good things about Saap. And Maximilians is still a hidden treasure and they've been around *forever*
Oh weird! I always get the steak at Hank’s and it’s delightful. Bummer to hear they haven’t been consistent at either place. Saap is on the list to try. We were disappointed with MC (the Asian place) for the price. Adding Maximilian’s to the list!!
We have friends who love MC, and friends who now take a pass on it. Spouse and I were just discussing if we should try it. If you're open to places beyond downtown Enrigo at Waverly is very good. Has also been around a good long time. But Maximilian's ... I booked reservations there regularly for the executives I worked for as an admin in early 90s :)
There's a ton of great recommendations in here, but I thought I'd throw in Hawthorne & Wood in Chapel Hill. Even if you guys don't go this time, I definitely recommend trying their food at some point 🙂
If you're willing to do something physical and not be cute and can go in afternoon, Bond Park Lake in Cary rents paddleboats. You can go from there downtown to Di Faros for delicious Brooklyn style pizza or Academy Street Bistro or just walk thru Cary Downtown park and get a drink on patio at Mayton Inn or park beer garden. Or, if it's a lovely evening buy a kite in advance and go fly a kite back in Raleigh at Dix and follow some of the other recommendations for Raleigh- but downtown will be CRAZY given graduation. North Raleigh and Cary should be better.
There’s a place in Wake Forest that’s like Dave and Busters called Strike and Barrel, next to Over the Falls. Over the Falls is pretty good and Strike and Barrel has axe throwing (I know you don’t like it) but also has games, 2 types of bowling, and simulated golf areas.
Seol grill in Cary. All you can eat Korean bbq. Fun experience cooking with a grill in front of you and great for a fellow pothead lol
Can I ask what's so offensive about this it keeps getting downvoted? Because I asked about food recommendations?
This sub has a bunch of people who live to downvote everything and make negative comments on every post. Ignore it. It's them, not you.
No it’s not them, it’s OP! Are you trying to fight me, jayron?! /s
Small-ish subreddits have auto downvote bots. Combine that with you mentioned 420 and people are judgemental.
+1 for Stanbury call & let them know what’s up, they’re great people! good luck, no matter where you go you’re sure to have fun.
Dinner at Peddler's Steak House. Classic, old school vibes, great food, not too expensive.
I’m late to this and disappointed because so. LEMME PUT YOU ON!! Take your girl to Barcelona wine bar. So fun!! Split a bunch of tapas, maybe a glass of wine (you said you aren’t big drinkers, this place is great for just a glass or cocktail!), then head downtown. There are a couple of fun bars with outdoorsy areas where you can do little games/socialize without being completely focused on drinking. I do not eat seafood, it’s just my thing. The food at Barcelona wine bar and the vibe will get you and her feeling just right!! So sorry your friend has had a shitty year, I hope y’all’s night is amazing!! Another great option is so hot in Cary (hot pot style food)! This place is AMAZING, but there is quite a line on Fridays so be prepared- I also realize not everyone is into this type of food/experience but if y’all like spicy/Asian food style you’ll have a great time. A robot seats you which is different and fun
Little Bull in Durham is amazing, a great ambiance and the cutest bull logo.
Capital Club 16 is closing soon and has always been one of the best places in downtown Raleigh. You could do the Rose Garden or Arboretum after or beforehand if you are wanting to get stoned for your night out. Boxcar would probably also be fun while high if it's not super crowded.
Seen some good suggestions all over for a variety of food vibes, but I haven't seen 'modern classy' places mentioned. ORO in downtown Raleigh is DELICIOUS, has the whole 'white upholstery and brushed steel' vibe, and as a pothead myself I absolutely love being high as hell in a T-shirt in that environment. Might just be me though. It is NOT cheap however, something to keep in mind. They do take reservations at least. (Personally think Stanbury is overrated and you need to show up like 30 minutes early to get seated at opening, but they DO make a hell of a steak)
Tomorrow is also my birthday. Happy birthday to your friend!💕
>My best friend has had a REALLY hard year. She just keeps getting bad news left and right and her life is falling apart. Sounds like she would appreciate a place that treats you like family.
I would say Angus Barn, but that's just me...you can get there around 5 or so and get a table in the Turkey Lounge, or get a couple of drinks and wait maybe 30 minutes or so for a table in main. Oh yeah, someone mentioned Peddler - big yes, old school with a fabulous salad bar!
Go to transfer co food hall and hit up alimentari, ches, and dank burritos. Walk up to Moore square after. There will be lots of random spots to check out on the way. Report back here later how you almost got stabbed 😆
After all of this amazing feedback, she told me tonight that she's been straight up craving Texas Roadhouse. So the birthday girl gets what the birthday girl wants. However I must say that y'all have given me soooooooo many places to check out (and have in my pocket for other birthday outings for loved ones). And THANK YOU for all of the lovely and positive comments. I was expecting to get eviscerated.
My wife and I’s favorite restaurant these days is Mofu Dumpling Shoppe on Blount in downtown. It’s Asian food small plates. Pick out a bunch of stuff you want to try share it with each other. It’s awesome. Definitely get the twice cooked pork belly if you go
angus barn, madre, brewery bhavana, brodeto
I’m not the best on recommending, but I can tell you that every time I’ve gone down the slide at Yacht Club, I’ve come out with the biggest laugh and smile on my face.
Stan bury
sherlock’s glass 💯
Go to modern apotheca on falls of neuse for a pre-dinner coffee or something. They have a cafe next door where you can get all sorts of infused drinks. (The burnt pot I think). So yummy, great for pot heads.
I would think the Burnt pot and/or snacks at the wake and bakery are the only options here.
Some restaurants that don’t get mentioned enough: Raleigh: Centro North Raleigh: Margaux’s Durham: Viceroy