Log in to WRAL.com with one click using your favorite social network:
OR
Log in using your WRAL.com account:



Wrong email/password combination.

Forgot password?

Register with WRAL.com using your favorite social network:
OR
Register for a WRAL.com account using our web form.

Login Options

11:29 a.m. • 2-11-12

Weather Forecast for Raleigh

  • Today: Mostly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F
  • Sun: Clear.
    • Hi: 41° F
  • Mon: Mostly Cloudy.
    • Hi: 50° F

Other Locations

> 7 Day Forecast

Doppler Image

Marketplace Links

Social Links

Main Menu

Bill Leslie

Bill Leslie's Carolina Conversations

"People are always asking me where to take vacation. What’s a cool place? What’s the most scenic drive?" WRAL News Anchor Bill Leslie attempts to answer those questions and others in his Carolina Conversations blog.

RSS Feed
NC's Best Diner

North Carolina's Best Diner

What is North Carolina’s best diner? Ponder that culinary question as we continue our Best of Carolina series. Randy Cotten of Cary suggested this topic. Here’s what he had to say:

“I am drawn to the historic diners of the Northeast. Many of these great eating places are being featured in the current series on the Food Network, "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives". Unfortunately, N.C. is not a diner mecca. However, many great cafes do exist here. You know, the type where you can get breakfast 24/7, homemade desserts, great vegetables and wonderful, sincere service. Yes, I know the Triangle has places labeled as diners, but they have a menu that is very basic, almost fast-foodish and with no real love applied or selection that makes them stand out.   While I love cuisine from speciality restaurants, I can always count on the family atmosphere and comfort food awaiting in a "how are you today honey" diner. And, don't we all need a bit of that at times? So, where are they in N.C.?"

Great question, Randy. Thanks. What are the best diners in North Carolina?  What diners or cafes serve an outstanding and wide range of food with casual atmosphere, reasonable prices and extended hours?

We’ll take your nominations today and vote tomorrow.   By the way, pass the lemon pie, would ya.

Read More Posts from this Blog
e-mail print friendly

63 Comments


WRAL.com welcomes your comments on this story. All comments are moderated prior to publication based on our posting guidelines. Please review them prior to posting and if your message is not approved.

This story is closed for comments. Comments on WRAL.com news stories are accepted and moderated between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Monday through Friday.


page 1 | 2 | 3
<prev    next>
sort order: oldest first | newest first

The wife and I are transplants from the north. We live in Pine Level and after finding The Highway Diner in Rocky Mount travel the 40 miles for different meals, good prices, great people. Would have to give them a "FIVE STAR" rating.

The Highway Diner in Rocky Mount is great. The people there always make you feel at home. Their breakfast is fantastic!

Honey's of Durham..For one thing it is local family owned. It serves awesome breakfasts 24/7. Their meatloaf and chicken and dumplings will leave you humble at your own attempts at these. It has the look and feel of a diner. Pictures of Duke basketball cover the walls, while 50-60's beach music plays. And there's nothing as comforting as walking into a diner and seeing various coffee clutch groups there, that you just know show up every day rain or shine.

It's not a diner unless it serves breakfast all day and is open 24/7.

Joe's downtown!! YES!!! A couple of years ago he was going to close. It was unreal the amount of people that showed up. Great food, wonderful folks, decent price!! Love ya JOE!!

Barry's Cafe on Holly Springs Road (close to Cary at the intersection of Holly Springs Road and Tryon Road). Has been there for as long as I can remember; excelllent food; family atmosphere; and Barry would do just about anything to help the local fire department.

There is this fantastic Greek Diner in Queens, NY. So good you can close your eyes and taste the food long after you've been there. My Dad used to own a great resturant in Wilmington, NC. He had everything from great breakfast to home cooked dinners! YUM!

Ya'll Pizza in Goldsboro is great! Not exactly a diner, but really great food and atmosphere. They have pizza, pasta, foccacia sandwiches, subs, and desserts. Everything is homemade and you can really tell the difference. Some of the desserts....Buttermilk brownie, Honeybun Cake, Lemon Cake, Strawberry Cake, Banana Pudding, Tiramasu....So Good!

missparrothead......you are the only poster out of about 30, who seems to even understand what a northern, GREEK diner is all about. The other posters, just keep comparing one place or another, whose got good ribs, who serves a great breakfast. They don't seem to understand what a diner is. FREAT tasting food, GREAT variety,,GREAT portions, IN MOST CASES REASONABLE PRICES, most of them have wine & beer all of this is available 7-24

Just have to visit Skid's diner on Church Street in Burlington and/or their location in downtown Graham.

page 1 | 2 | 3
<prev    next>
sort order: oldest first | newest first

Featured Blogposts

  • scotty and mr wuf

    American Idol and Garner native Scotty McCreery performs at N.C. State's Hoops 4 Hope. The circus is in town. And Olympic-level table tennis stops in Cary. Here's what's happening this weekend.

  • Hoops 4 Hope on Feb. 15, 2009

    The Hillsborough Street Community Service Corporation is sponsoring Play 4Kay events on Hillsborough Street starting Feb. 8 to support Hoops 4 Hope and the Kay Yow Cancer Fund.

  • Heart

    Showering your loved ones with goodies is always fun to do on Valentine's Day, but not if it leaves you drowning in debt! With a little planning and creativity, you can show your loved ones you care and stay within your budget.

Other Recent Blogposts