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Best Places to Eat in Cary
Are you looking for the best restaurants in Cary, NC? Follow along as we explore the best places to eat in Cary!
Do you consider yourself a foodie and enjoy finding new restaurants in your area? Here at Raleigh Realty, we have set out on a mission to find you the best restaurants in Cary, North Carolina, and have compiled a detailed list for you to browse.
When searching for the perfect home in Cary, the surrounding amenities—especially restaurants—can significantly influence your decision. Cary, North Carolina, has evolved into a notable dining destination with an impressive variety of culinary experiences.
For prospective homebuyers considering this thriving Triangle suburb, we've curated a list of Cary's top 10 restaurants that showcase the area's diverse and sophisticated food scene.
Check out these top-rated restaurants in Cary, NC
1. Chef's Palette
Address: 3460 Ten-Ten Rd Suite #118, Cary, NC 27518
Cuisine Type: American
Chef's Palette offers a creative dining experience that lives up to its artistic name. Featuring seasonal menu items that highlight local North Carolina ingredients, the restaurant's warm, contemporary space features local artwork that changes often, mirroring their rotating menu philosophy.
Chef's Palette has also developed a reputation for its innovative craft cocktails that can be enjoyed at your table or at the relaxing bar. The weekend lunch menu has become particularly popular among Cary residents, drawing regular crowds from surrounding neighborhoods.
Featuring live music, comedy nights, holiday buffets, and other frequent events throughout the year, it is no wonder that Chef's Palette is one of the best restaurants in Cary.
2. Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen
Address: 7307 Tryon Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Cuisine Type: Southern
If you've been searching for a phenomenal southern-inspired restaurant, Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen is the perfect option. Whether you are from the south or visiting from out of state, Lucky 32 is a great spot to bring friends and family and fill up on exceptional cuisine.
A beloved institution in Cary since 2002, Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen celebrates the diverse traditions of Southern cooking. Their "Farm to Fork" philosophy supports local agriculture, with a dedicated garden providing seasonal produce for the kitchen.
The restaurant's warm brick exterior and comfortable dining room create an inviting atmosphere for both special occasions and casual meals. With a menu that changes with the seasons, the chefs source local seasonal ingredients to make delicious dishes.
3. Peck & Plume
Address: 301 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511
Cuisine Type: American
What's better than having options? Whether you're in the mood to share plates with friends while enjoying a delicious cocktail or host a special occasion dinner, Peck & Plume has dishes and meals that can fit any occasion.
Located in The Mayton and overlooking Downtown Cary Park, the name Peck & Plume is a homage to the restaurant's view of the park and its avian inhabitants. It's beautiful and polished yet offers a casual menu of modern American classics.
While visiting, you can choose to dine in the chill study, a vibrant bar, chatting dining room, breezy terrace, relaxing law, or private event space.
Not only do they have a fantastic menu to choose from, but they also offer premium cocktails, wines, and North Carolina craft beers.
Peck & Plume is open six days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Peck and Plume is the proud winner of the Maggie Award for Best Brunch in 2025.
4. Scratch Kitchen and Taproom
Address: 160 E Cedar St, Cary, NC 27511
Cuisine Type: Southern
Have you been looking for a restaurant with delicious food, a fantastic atmosphere, and southern hospitality? Look no further; Scratch Kitchen and Taproom offers all that and more.
From seafood to burgers to sandwiches and salads, Scratch has a wide array of menu items where even the pickiest eaters can find something that will keep them coming back for more.
Their weekend brunch draws crowds from across the Triangle, with their chicken and waffles consistently voted among the best in the region.
Scratch Kitchen and Taproom is the perfect place to bring family and friends and enjoy a good meal paired with a delicious cocktail.
You can sit inside or outside on the dog-friendly patio, and both choices offer a great atmosphere and service. People that have eaten here rave about the exceptional staff and service. Top hits on the menu include the chicken sandwich, crispy tuna, firecracker shrimp, and the BLT.
Scratch Kitchen and Taproom is an amazing traditional American restaurant in Cary to add to your favorites.
5. Enrigo Italian Bistro
Address: 575 New Waverly Pl #106, Cary, NC 27518
Cuisine Type: Italian
Authentic Italian cuisine meets Southern hospitality at Enrigo Italian Bistro. Serving traditional Italian dishes prepared with locally sourced ingredients, the intimate dining room creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
If you have an Italian side to your family, you 100% have had an excellent Italian full-course meal. Honestly, is there anything better than leftovers? Because nine times out of ten, Italian families make enough food for the entire neighborhood, even if it's just your family having dinner.
If you are looking for somewhere to eat and craving Italian, you know where you are going after reading this. House-made pastas are the highlight, and their wood-fired pizzas feature naturally leavened dough fermented for 72 hours.
The thoughtfully curated Italian wine list includes both familiar favorites and lesser-known regional varieties. Their location in the upscale Waverly Place shopping center makes it a convenient dinner option for residents of this highly sought-after neighborhood.
6. Bosphorous Restaurant
Address: 329 N Harrison Ave Suite A, Cary, NC 27513
Cuisine Type: Turkish
Bosphorus Restaurant brings authentic Turkish cuisine to Cary. The restaurant's elegant blue and white décor transports diners to the Mediterranean.
Using traditoional recipes and imported spices, Bosphorous is best known for its mouthwatering tradtional recipes and friendly service.
Their mezze platter offers an excellent introduction to Turkish flavors, featuring house-made hummus, ezme (spicy tomato dip), and dolma (stuffed grape leaves). Kebabs are cooked over an open flame for authentic char and smokiness, with the Adana kebab (spiced ground lamb) being a particular standout.
The Turkish tea service and baklava make for a perfect meal conclusion. The restaurants location near Downtown Cary, make it a perfect destination for families and working professionals.
7. Academy Street Bistro
Address: 200 S Academy St, Cary, NC 27511
Cuisine Type: Bistro
Situated in the heart of revitalized Downtown Cary, Academy Street Bistro offers sophisticated dining in a casual setting.
The restaurant's exposed brick walls, modern lighting fixtures, and outdoor patio seating contribute to its contemporary bistro atmosphere.
Offering the perfect dining experience for family, friends, or collegues, signature dishes include their duck confit with cherry reduction and the pan-roasted scallops with bacon jam.
Their fantastic menu offers delicious cocktails from some of the best international and local spirits, beer, and an excellent selection of white and red wines.
Their daily specials make it so that you always have the option to pair your meal nicely. If you can't find anything on their dessert menu to satisfy your craving, they offer post-dinner treats from local shops in Cary.
Academy Street Bistro's location near the Cary Arts Center and Downtown Cary Park makes it a an ideal dining option, adding to the cultural appeal of downtown Cary for homebuyers seeking an urban lifestyle in a suburban setting.
8. Lugano Ristorante
Address: 1060 Darrington Dr, Cary, NC 27513
Cuisine Type: Italian
Lugano Ristorante is locally owned and operated and is considered one of the best restaurants in Cary for a reason. Specializing in Italian cuisine, all dishes are authentic and accessible, emphasizing fresh ingredients and traditional techniques.
The restaurant's warm, sophisticated interior features a stone fireplace and wood accents. Offering soups, salads, pastas, pizzas, and other Italian entrees, there is always something new to choose from on the menu.
The comprehensive Italian wine list includes rare selections from small regional producers. Their tiramisu, made according to an old family recipe, provides the perfect conclusion to any meal.
Located near Prestonwood Country Club, a top-rated Cary neighborhood, this restaurant enhances the appeal of this prestigious golf course community.
Lugano Ristorante is the proud Maggie Award winner for Best Italian Restaurant in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
9. Taipei 101
Address: 121 E Chatham St, Cary, NC 27511
Cuisine Type: Taiwanese
Don't let the strip mall location fool you—Taipei 101 serves some of the most authentic Taiwanese cuisine in the Triangle. Family-owned and operated, this unpretentious restaurant focuses on traditional dishes rarely found elsewhere in the region.
The simple interior puts the focus squarely on the food, which has developed a devoted following among Cary's growing community. Known for its reasonable prices and comfortable atmosphere, all dishes are prepared with the freshest ingredients.
The restaurant's location in Downtown Cary places it near several family-friendly neighborhoods with excellent schools.
10. Rey's Restaurant
Address: 1130 Buck Jones Rd, Raleigh, NC 27606
Cuisine Type: Fine Dining
Date night? Or maybe you want a lovely evening with friends and family. Rey's Restaurant is the perfect place for both occasions. Rey's has an elegant atmosphere, and the lighting tones the mood just right.
Rey's brings a taste of New Orleans sophistication to Cary, combining traditional Creole flavors with prime steaks and fresh seafood. The restaurant's dark wood paneling, white tablecloths, and live piano music on weekends create an atmosphere of refined Southern hospitality.
One of Cary's Best restaurants, Rey's, raised the bar on what it takes to stand out amongst the others. Rey's offers a voodoo lounge if you're not hungry but just looking to grab a drink with friends.
Located near the Crossroads shopping district, Rey's proximity adds value to homes in this convenient, central area. Rey's Restaurant is the proud winner of the Maggie Award for Best Steakhouse in 2025.
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Methodology
Factors such as local experience, reviews and ratings, menu items, and awards were considered when determining the best restaurants in Cary, NC. Information about locally won awards was sourced from Maggie Party.
FAQs
What is Cary, NC, famous for?
Cary, North Carolina is best known for its safe neighborhoods, well-maintained parks and greenways, robust business and job opportunities, high quality of life, family-friendly atmosphere, top-rated amenities, and excellent restaurants.
Is Cary, NC, a wealthy area?
Yes, Cary, North Carolina is considered a wealthy area and was even ranked among the wealthiest in the nation. With a cost of living that is 8% higher than the national average, housing prices are 29% above average.
Final thoughts on the best restaurants in Cary, NC
Cary's impressive restaurant landscape reflects the town's growth into a sophisticated Raleigh suburb with amenities rivaling much larger cities.
As you consider which Cary neighborhood might be right for your next home purchase, the proximity to these dining destinations can be an important factor in your decision.
If you're considering moving to Cary, this is the guide you need. There are a number of new and amazing restaurants popping up across Cary, including the delicious restaurants in Cary's new complex, Fenton.
Ready to explore homes in Cary with easy access to these outstanding restaurants? Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty today to begin your home buying journey.
