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Best Food Trucks Near Raleigh
Are you looking for the best food trucks near Raleigh, NC? Here are ten great food trucks serving various cuisines in Raleigh!
Food trucks are found all over the country and are mostly located on city streets. These mobile restaurants on wheels are typically operated from a trailer or a large motorized vehicle. They are a great way for people to try new cuisine and support local businesses.
With 291 food trucks scattered throughout the Raleigh-Durham area, you will find these mobile kitchens parked outside breweries, parks, museums, office buildings, and at the city's famous Food Truck Rodeos that shut down entire streets four times a year.
Whether you are looking for a quick lunch between house showings or planning a weekend culinary adventure in your new neighborhood, Raleigh's food truck culture offers authentic flavors from around the world without the commitment of a sit-down restaurant.
Similar to brick-and-mortar restaurants, food trucks typically offer smaller menus and are a great option if you want to get food fast and on the go. If you live in the Raleigh area, you have probably already seen a few food trucks here and there or have been a customer.
While some food trucks are new and are just getting started, others have been serving the area for quite some time and have made a name for themselves among the locals.
Here are ten exceptional food trucks that showcase why Raleigh has become such a foodie destination.
Check out these top ten popular food trucks near Raleigh
1. Buoy Bowls
Address: 1600 Olive Chapel Road #608, Apex, NC 27502
Hours: 11 AM to 3 PM daily
Food Served: Acai bowls, pitaya bowls, and smoothies
Buoy Bowls is the first acai bowl food truck in the Raleigh area that is based out of Apex. Buoy Bowls has won Best Food Truck in the Triangle eleven times, making it a must-visit for health-conscious homeowners and active families.
Owner Derek Sharpe's passion for açaí bowls began during a 2005 trip to San Diego, and after years of searching for similar options in North Carolina, he decided to bring the West Coast staple to the Triangle himself.
They serve freshly made-to-order acai bowls crafted with their exclusive line of premium, organic, Grade A açaí, along with organic raw pitaya bowls and smoothies ranging from Mango to UBE.
Food is frequently served in front of local gyms, hospitals, shopping centers, and small businesses; check the schedule on the Buoy Bowls website for more information about where to find a truck during the week.
The company has expanded significantly, now operating four trucks in the Raleigh-Durham area and a location at Morgan Street Food Hall downtown. Renowned for its customer service, Buoy Bowls has become a Triangle institution for anyone seeking nutritious, delicious meals on the go.
2. Cousins Maine Lobster
Food Served: Maine lobster
Nationally known and locally owned, Cousins Maine Lobster brings Maine lobster to your neighborhood by way of their food trucks and brick-and-mortar locations. What sets them apart is their commitment to authenticity.
Each Cousins Maine Lobster family member travels to Maine, meets their lobstermen, boards their boats, baits and hauls traps, and measures lobsters to learn about the industry.
The menu features both cold and warm lobster rolls on traditional New England-style buns, along with lobster tacos, quesadillas, and their famous lobster tots. With thirteen trucks now roaming the country, Cousins Maine Lobster is one of the most successful food truck franchises today.
For transplants from New England or anyone craving authentic coastal cuisine, this truck brings a taste of Maine's coastline to North Carolina. The Raleigh food truck is known to appear at local breweries, parks, and neighborhoods. Check the schedule online.
3. Curry in a Hurry
Address: 411 W Morgan Street, Raleigh, NC 27603
Food Served: Authentic Indian cuisine
Curry in a Hurry is a popular food truck in Raleigh. It has a storefront in Downtown Raleigh's Morgan Street Food Hall and at Terminal Two at the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Best known for serving delicious and authentic Indian cuisine, Curry in a Hurry is owned by award-winning chef Alaksha Surti.
The Curry in a Hurry food truck has won the Entrepreneurial Award at the 2024 Garner Chamber of Commerce Summit & People's Choice Awards Gala, and Chef Alaksha has appeared on Food Network programs.
Everything is made fresh with authentic ingredients, meaning every bite delivers the complex flavors that have kept customers coming back for years. Ordering from this truck is perfect for spice enthusiasts, vegetarians seeking flavorful options, and anyone craving authentic Indian cuisine.
With a menu full of classic dishes, including Butter Chicken, Curry, and, of course, Naan, make sure to check the updated location schedule for your chance to enjoy these Indian dishes for yourself in the Raleigh area.
4. Arepa Culture
Address: 6274 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612
Food Served: Venezuelan cuisine
Every authentic Venezuelan arepa at Arepa Culture is a gluten-free, grilled cornmeal "bread" stuffed with bold, fresh flavors, handcrafted daily. This family-owned operation has earned numerous accolades, being voted a Fan Fave Food Truck in North Carolina three years in a row and receiving the 2023 Midtown Magazine Diamond Award for Best Food Truck in Raleigh.
The menu is 100% gluten-free with vegetarian and vegan options, making it exceptionally allergy-friendly. Popular choices include La Tica (sautéed chicken with caramelized onions and peppers) and La Domino (organic black beans with cheese).
Established in 2014, this food truck has since expanded to include a restaurant location on Glenwood Avenue. For families with dietary restrictions or anyone seeking something uniquely different, Arepa Culture delivers both flavor and inclusivity.
5. Belgian Waffle Crafters
Address: Fuquay-Varina, NC
Food Served: Belgian waffles with sweet and savory toppings
Do you love all things Belgian waffles? Look no further than Belgian Waffle Crafters, a food truck based out of Fuquay-Varina. This unique food truck is the first of its kind in the Triangle and is among the only breakfast food trucks in the area.
Belgian waffles are a waffle variety that has a lighter batter and larger squares. With a price range from $5 to $10, the menu features sweet and savory toppings and a make-your-own waffle option.
The menu features both sweet options (Nutella, fresh fruit, whipped cream) and savory choices (eggs, cheese, bacon), all made from scratch. Unlike American-style Belgian waffles, Liege waffles contain pearl sugar that caramelizes during cooking, creating pockets of sweet crunch throughout.
Belgian Waffle Crafters is also available for catering and private events. Contact Belgian Waffle Crafters for more information.
6. Hollywood Taco Shop
Food Served: Tacos
Based in Cary, Hollywood Taco Shop is a popular food truck that can be found at various events, breweries, wineries, and local businesses. What makes Hollywood Taco Shop stand out is its authentic West Coast approach to Mexican cuisine.
Tacos are one of the best-selling food truck menu items, and Hollywood Taco Shop does them just right. The Cali-burrito style, which is stuffed with carne asada, French fries, cheese, and pico de gallo, is a San Diego staple that's hard to find on the East Coast.
Customers praise the flavorful and authentic taste as well as the friendly customer service. The menu includes mulitas, surf and turf burritos, and loaded Cali fries. This taco truck is known to appear at events, breweries, wineries, and in front of local businesses.
The Hollywood Taco Shop location schedule can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and Street Food Finder.
7. Baltic Bites
Food Served: Lithuanian cuisine
Baltic Bites is a Raleigh food truck serving fresh and healthy Lithuanian food. Family-owned and operated, Baltic Bites is the first Lithuanian food truck in the country and has been making customers happy since its opening in 2018.
The menu focuses on fresh, healthy ingredients prepared with traditional European techniques. This is ultimate comfort food with a unique cultural twist, proving that Raleigh's food scene truly has something for everyone.
Baltic Bites has partnerships with many businesses throughout the Triangle, including Cotton House Brewery, Fortnight Brewery, Vicious Fishes Brewery, and Bond Brothers Brewing Company.
If you want to try Lithuanian cuisine, this food truck is a great place to start. Check the schedule online or book the truck for a private event to cater for a wedding or corporate party.
8. Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine
Address: 3280 Ten-Ten Rd, Cary, NC 27518
Food Served: Authentic Cuban cuisine
Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine is a local food truck in Cary that specializes in authentic Cuban food. Owned and made by Cubans, the head cook, Ramon, makes everything on the menu with love and care.
Founded in 2023, Havana Spin Cuban Cuisine is located on Ten-Ten Road near Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. Havana Spin offers a permanent location with picnic tables under a canopy for outdoor dining.
The menu features traditional Cuban specialties, including croquetas (crispy outside with creamy centers), Cuban sandwiches, papas rellenas (stuffed potato balls), tamales, and generous plates of rice with black beans and roasted pork.
This is a great place to stop for lunch. If you are short on time, you can place orders ahead of time online. Outdoor seating is available in front of the food truck.
9. Mr. A's Beignets
Address: 250 N Salem Street, Apex, NC 27502
Food Served: New Orleans-style beignets
Do you love coffee and donuts? Mr. A's Beignets is a bakery on the go and food truck serving chicory coffee and New Orleans-style Beignets, which are French-style donuts.
Located out of Apex, this food truck is the best place in town to get beignets, which are traditionally eaten for breakfast or as a dessert. Established in December 2015, Mr. A's Beignets is a popular food truck in the Triangle and features a menu of traditional and specialty beignets, hot beverages, and cold beverages.
Each order is made fresh, generously dusted with powdered sugar, and served hot. Mr. A and his family create a welcoming atmosphere where customers are greeted by name. No need to travel to the Big Easy when you can get genuine New Orleans flavor right here in the Triangle.
10. Dampf Good BBQ
Address: 6800 Good Hope Church Road, Cary, NC 27519
Food Served: Texas barbecue
Dampf Good BBQ is a Cary food truck best known for its Texas craft barbecue and classic sides. It serves a variety of meats, including brisket and pulled pork, which can be made into sandwiches or served in a 1/2-pound order.
Owned and operated by two brothers, Nick and Bryce Dampf, they started their barbecue journey in Nick's backyard about five years ago. What sets Dampf Good BBQ apart is its commitment to Texas-style craft barbecue in a region known for Carolina-style pork.
They use 100% wood live fires in their large offset smokers to cook all meats for up to sixteen hours fresh for every event. The operation has been recognized in the new Michelin Guide to the American South, a remarkable achievement for a business that began at a Raleigh flea market.
Their specialty is brisket, which is tender, flavorful, and comparable to what you'd find in Texas. The menu includes beef ribs, pulled pork, and turkey breast, plus sides like smoked mac and cheese and butcher block beans.
Methodology
We used data and information from local Raleigh food trucks, Roaming Hunger, and Street Food Finder to determine the best food trucks near Raleigh, NC.
FAQs
How many food trucks are in Raleigh, NC?
There are 291 food trucks and carts serving various cuisines in the Raleigh-Durham area. They can be found outside museums, coffee shops, breweries, parks, public pools, and local events.
What are the most popular food truck foods?
The most popular foods sold at food trucks include burgers, pizza, tacos, grilled cheese sandwiches, burritos, and loaded fries.
How much do food trucks pay for locations?
Typically, food trucks pay for locations to provide services, and these fees vary widely depending on where they park and set up shop.
Depending on the city, monthly food truck parking rates range between $500 and $1,000. Attending an event could cost just as much.
Best Food Trucks Near Raleigh, NC - Final Thoughts
As you settle into Raleigh or explore your options in the real estate market, these ten food trucks represent just a fraction of what makes the Triangle's culinary scene so vibrant.
Most trucks maintain active social media accounts where they post weekly schedules, and websites like Street Food Finder help you track down your favorites. From New Orleans-style beignets to authentic Indian cuisine, many food trucks near Raleigh are known for their friendly service and delicious menu items.
If you are a vegetarian or have a food allergy, most food trucks are accommodating and feature freshly made food that everyone will enjoy. Whether you have just moved to Raleigh or grown up in the area, food trucks are a great option and can be found at different locations daily.
Whether you need a quick lunch or are exploring the neighborhood and looking for your next great meal, these ten food trucks should be on your radar. Contact the experts at Raleigh Realty if you are ready to find your dream home in Raleigh and are excited to explore the many food trucks found throughout the city.
