Out and About

Where to eat during IBMA World of Bluegrass

Chances are, at some point during this week's IBMA World of Bluegrass event, you'll be hungry. Here are some ideas on where to eat during the festival.

Posted Updated
Jimmy V's Raleigh
RALEIGH, N.C.IBMA's World of Bluegrassl is happening all week in downtown Raleigh. It includes a business conference, nightly shows, awards show and a huge street festival.

Chances are, at some point during the week, you'll be downtown and hungry. Here's a guide to the places you need to check out:

Below are some suggestions. Remember to download the Out & About app to find restaurants nearby, along with information like hours, reviews and more.

Somewhere quick

These restaurants offer quick, tasty meals so you can get back to the music.

  • Calavela, 444 S Blount St.: Grab a couple empanadas and you're good to go!
  • Garland, 14 W Martin St.: Located right outside Kings and Neptune's, they have a take-out window serving Indian-inspired cuisine.
  • Morning Times, 8 E Hargett St.: Serving breakfast and lunch through 6 p.m., then switching to cocktails
  • Tasty 8's, 121 Fayetteville St.: Gourmet hot dogs, milkshakes, fries and beer are all on the menu here. And there is a walk-up window.
  • Linus and Peppers, 126 S. Salisbury St.: Some of the best sandwiches in town.

Need a break from the crowds and noise?

  • Vic's, 331 Blake St.: Tucked away in historic City Market, this traditional Italian restaurant is a friendly, delicious choice.
  • Five Star, 511 W Hargett St.: In the Warehouse District, away from most of the crowds, you'll find good Chinese food. Gotta try the heat seeker shrimp!
  • Joule, 223 S. Wilmington St.: Enjoy some coffee or a cocktail here. There serve breakfast and dinner, but definitely check out their brunch.
  • lucettegrace, 235 S. Salisbury St.: This contemporary patisserie specializes in sweet and savory options. Definitely try their macaroons and order one of their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches.
  • Parkside, 301 W. Martin St.: Fast-casual restaurant offering burgers, sandwiches, salads, shareable plates and beer. Try the fried chicken waffle sandwich.
  • Busy Bee Cafe, 225 S Wilmington St.: Enjoy some of their delicious tater tots.

Somewhere local

No chain restaurants here – if you're from out of town, check out these Raleigh favorites.

  • Raleigh Times, 14 E Hargett St.: Great bar food, from snacks to meals, and a huge beer menu in a 100-year-old building.
  • Poole's Downtown Diner, 426 S McDowell St.: This place is great and it shows with a perpetual crowd out the door.
  • Bida Manda, 222 S Blount St.: Owned by a brother-sister duo, this Laotian restaurant serves amazing, fresh food. Get the spring rolls for an appetizer!
  • Caffé Luna, 136 E. Hargett St.: Some of the best Tuscan-inspired Italian food you'll ever eat.
  • Carroll's Kitchen, 19 E. Martin St.: This new restaurant creates opportunities for homeless women. So enjoy their delicious food and know you are helping others.

Southern cuisine

Craving some comfort food? Try these places:

  • Beasley's Chicken and Honey, S. Wilmington and E. Martin St.: Chicken and waffles. Do we really need to say more?
  • Mecca, 13 E. Martin St.: This old-timey, family-owned mainstay serving southern comfort food and drinks will make you feel like you stepped into the 1930s.
  • Rye Southern Kitchen, 500 Fayetteville St.: Located inside the Marriott in City Plaza, this restaurant serves up Southern comfort food like smoked pork loin, mac and cheese and barbecue ribs.

Somewhere for drinks and food

These restaurants pair up great food with great beer.

  • Raleigh Times, 14 E Hargett St. (see "somewhere local")
  • Centro, 106 S Wilmington St.: Fresh, upscale Mexican cuisine with a huge drink list, from margaritas and top shelf tequila to local drafts and imported bottles.
  • Jimmy V's Osteria and Bar 420 Fayetteville St.: Great pizzas and sandwiches and they have a great view of city plaza from their patio. Get the homemade limoncello at the bar.
  • Level-Up Kitchen and Barcadium, 126 S. Salisbury St.: Play some classic arcade games while you enjoy handmade cocktails and craft beer. The menu is pretty good here too. The fried chicken sliders are a must-try.
  • Whiskey Kitchen, 201 W. Martin St.: This new restaurant features made-from-scratch meals that pair perfectly with dozens of quality whiskeys and cocktails. Try the peach ice cream sandwich!
  • Bare Bones, 301 Fayetteville St.: This new barbecue joint has 24 beers on tap and a great selection of craft cocktails.

Somewhere vegetarian

Get your vegetarian or vegan fare here.

  • The Fiction Kitchen. 428 S Dawson St.: No meat here; even the chicken & waffles are vegan.
  • Sitti, 137 S Wilmington St.: Authentic Lebanese cuisine in large or small plates.
  • The Remedy Diner, 137 E Hargett St.: A cozy corner where just about every dish has a meatless option.
  • Five Star, 511 W Hargett St.: Mentioned already in "somewhere quiet," they can substitute tofu or tempeh in many dishes.
  • Irregardless, 901 W. Morgan St.: Chef Arthur Gordon and his crew offer some of the best vegetarian cuisine around.
  • Happy and Hale in City Plaza: Great salads and fresh pressed juices.
  • Living Kitchen, 555 Fayetteville St.: Beautiful food that is actually healthy for you. Dishes contain no refined sugars, preservatives, eggs, dairy or animal products. Their smoothies and juices are pretty tasty too.
  • b. good, 555 Fayetteville St.(next to Living Kitchen): Offering kale and grain bowls, smoothies and salads, this is a great option. They also offer burgers, sandwiches and beer and wine.
  • Raleigh Raw, 7 W. Hargett St.,: Fresh pressed juices, smoothies and poke bowls. A great option if you want to eat healthy.
Don't forget to use the Out and About app on your smartphone to find restaurants nearby!

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.