Experiencing new cultures and enjoying healthy dining options

While I love a nourishing home cooked meal, there is something special about heading out on a date night to experience a new restaurant or try a cuisine with a group of friends.

Especially when traveling, eating at local restaurants immerses you in the culture and allows you to experience something new. I’ll often do a lot of research prior to visiting a new place, seeking restaurants that offer a balance of nourishing and delicious foods. Plus, it’s important to me that the restaurants offer something for all dietary restrictions. Whether you’re vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or nut-free, you too should get to experience the flavors of a city without stress.

Whether you’re a Raleigh local looking for a new restaurant to try or a traveler and foodie who is excited to immerse yourself in the culture of the city, this Raleigh Healthy Foodie Guide is for you. I'm biased, but these are some of my favorite healthy restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina. Enjoy some of the best meals in Raleigh, while supporting your health goals and catering to a range of dietary preferences.

5 healthy breakfast spots in Raleigh, NC we love

1) PRESS Coffee Crepes Cocktails

Enjoy this European-style cafe right in the heart of downtown. I love to grab a table on the open-air patio before enjoying a delicious gluten-free buckwheat crepe made with freshly roasted vegetables and turkey bacon. I adore the mid-century modern style of the coffee bar inside, always filled with many groups gathering to dine on a delicious brunch.

2) Raleigh Raw

Another downtown spot offering the freshest food with added benefits, this market-light lit cafe offers coffees, juices, and my favorite - poke bowls! Loaded with fresh produce and nutrient-rich toppings, Raleigh Raw is a great stop after a yoga or pilates class.

3) Morning Times

A top spot for locally roasted coffee, this restaurant is inspired by the love for the community. Walking up to this shop with the large glass windows and patio furniture dotting the front, it feels like I’m walking the streets of NYC. Happily accommodating dietary preferences, they offer gluten-free bread to pair with hormone-free eggs and other breakfast plates.

4) The Flying Biscuit Cafe

Serving Raleigh for over 30 years, this colorful and quirky cafe is located in the Village District. With a mix of gluten-friendly and vegan options, they have an expansive breakfast and brunch menu. I personally love to get the Garden Fresh Veggie Scramble with a side of “moon dusted” potatoes.

5) Palm Berries

For a fruity and refreshing option, I love an acai bowl from Palm Berries. Located in the Seaboard district, they offer a variety of bowls and smoothies packed with antioxidants. I personally enjoy the build your own option, adding protein to the base and topping with blueberries, cacao nibs, sliced almonds, and peanut butter.

5 healthy lunch restaurants in Raleigh, NC

1) Transfer Co. Food Hall

A great gathering place for a group, this food hall has a variety of restaurants to offer. My personal favorites include Bul Box which is a grab-and-go Asian-fusion restaurant. With live music regularly offered and an expansive patio, grab your friends and visit this food hall in the heart of downtown Raleigh.

2) Neomonde Mediterranean

If hummus, salads, and kebabs are your thing, Neomonde just might be the lunch spot for you. Order from the deli counter to build your own Mediterranean plate or pick up non-perishable ingredients from the store, this is an authentic and flavorful restaurant you don’t want to miss, located on Hillsborough Street. I absolutely love the chicken kebabs, cabbage salad, and freshly made hummus.

3) Little Rey

A newer addition to Raleigh, situated in Iron Works, this unique take on Tex-mex is a casual lunch or dinner spot. My favorite menu item is the Esqueleto salad add chicken, with quinoa, plantains, avocado, cucumber, pickled onions, toasted cashews, and a Catalina dressing. If you’re with a hungry crowd, consider ordering the Pollo Al Carbon which comes with a whole bird and all the sides.

4) Tazza Kitchen

Don’t miss this refreshing restaurant with everything from fresh salads and bowls to wood-fired pizza. When my family comes to town, we always plan a trip to Tazza in the Village District! The Crunchy Potato & Arugula salad with chicken is my favorite, with toasted almonds and a warming maple vinaigrette.

5) Cantina 18

Also located in the Village District, Cantina 18 pulls in seasonal ingredients to make the dishes available. From Mexican style salads to tacos and quesadillas, this is an elevated lunch with options for everyone.

7 healthy dinner restaurants we love

1) Brewery Bhavana

If you only have time for one restaurant in Raleigh, you must go to Brewery Bhavana. This Asian-inspired restaurant offers ambience like no other, with a flower shop in the center of the restaurant, an expansive library in the back and a mix of whites & woods which make for an enjoyable atmosphere. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, but I especially love the Gluten-free Sesame Chicken, the Cabbage Rolls, and the Gai Lan. Go hungry and go with friends, there are so many delicious dishes to share!

2) Whiskey Kitchen

From Rainbow Trout to Lamb Burgers and Harvest Bowls, Whiskey Kitchen is located in the heart of downtown Raleigh. Offering carefully curated seasonal dishes and an open-restaurant ambience, enjoy this elevated dining experience.

3) Wye Hill

Seeking the best views of Raleigh? Book a table at Wye Hill, situated just near Boiling Bridge and offering plenty of space on the patio (available year round and heated when it’s extra chilly). The Everything Brussels are a local favorite that my husband always rave about. I prefer the Pan-Seared Salmon with wild rice, red pumpkin curry and crunchy pepitas.

4) Bidda Manda

A sibling of Brewery Bhavana and right down the street, this Laotian-styled restaurant offers flavors you may have never tried before. I highly recommend the Crispy Rice Lettuce Wraps (gluten-free/vegan) as a starter. From curries and stir-fry to fish and salads, they offer a variety of locally sources and flavorful dishes.

5) Taverna Agora

For another immaculate view of Raleigh, experience Greek cuisine overlooking downtown. I love to grab a table on the roof top, dining on hummus, fresh Greek salad, and grilled chicken kebabs. Sharing is the way to go at this restaurant, with many dishes served family style.

6) Giorgio’s Epicurean Market

Cultivating a space that combines food, culture, and connection, Giorgio’s is located near Iron Works. Offering an expansive coffee list along with European flavors and a small shop for bakery and grocery items, this market has lots to offer. I greatly enjoyed the GEM Salad, while my husband loves the Greek Quiche and the GEM Breakfast Sandwich.

7) Sushi Nine

Situated near NC State’s campus, this sushi spot has a variety of rolls, hibachi, and poke bowls. Be sure to get there early because the line quickly goes out the door. I love to make my own poke bowl with a mix of salmon & tuna, and pair it with a simple Miso soup.

A healthy sweet treat spot we love

Two Rooster’s

Arguably the top dessert spot in Raleigh, this ice cream shop offers gluten-free and dairy-free options that actually taste incredible! This Raleigh ice cream is packed with mix-ins, which is just the way I like it. The non-dairy cookies & cream is my favorite, made with coconut milk and gluten-free Oreo cookies. Plus, check out their Instagram to see the rotating flavors they offer. Each month, they release a new series sometimes seasonal and other times in collaboration with other Raleigh-local businesses, available on their Instagram!

If you enjoyed this guide, considering following along for more healthy foodie guides to help you navigate nourishing and delicious meals wherever you find yourself.

All the best,