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This MICHELIN Guide expansion into North Carolina spotlights the Triangle, where culinary creativity meets cultural depth across Raleigh, Durham and surrounding towns. From whole-hog barbecue to masa-driven street food and globally inspired fine dining, this region’s MICHELIN selections reflect a dynamic food scene rooted in bold flavors and local pride. To view the full guide, including an interactive map, explore The MICHELIN Guide to North Carolina.
With three Bib Gourmand designations plus 16 MICHELIN Recommended restaurants named in the brand-new MICHELIN Guide American South, a trip to the Triangle just got star-studded.
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MICHELIN Bib Gourmand: Mala Pata
This new stylish restaurant is a masa-fueled ode to Latin American street food with freshly nixtamalized heirloom corn from Oaxaca transformed into tortillas (diners specifically rave about these), tamales and tlayudas. Other menu highlights at this upbeat spot include the guacamole, Colombian Bunuelos, enchiladas and tres leches cake. Angela Salamanca serves as the culinary ambassador.
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand: Prime Barbecue
Prime Barbecue features pitmaster-owner Chris Prieto’s distinctive style, drawn from wood-smoke techniques and seasoning rooted in North Carolina, his native Texas and his Puerto Rican heritage. The brisket and cobbler are favorites. Pro tip: Preorder online and skip the line once you arrive, and know that they close once they run out of food.
MICHELIN Bib Gourmand: Sam Jones BBQ
Sam Jones BBQ is whole-hog barbecue done right. Sam comes from a long line of pitmasters, starting with his grandad Pete at Skylight Inn. Now, folks line up for tender pulled pork, creamy mac and cheese, and collards with a kick. Order at the counter, grab a picnic table outside and taste why this Eastern NC tradition is still turning heads. There’s also a sister location in Winterville.
MICHELIN Recommended: Brewery Bhavana
What is Brewery Bhavana? It's a Belgian-inspired brewery, dim sum restaurant and Chinese kitchen by chef Chun Shi — plus a bookstore and flower shop — all in one whimsical, light-filled space. Come for the soup dumplings and scallion pancakes, stay for the magic in every corner. There's also a sister location in nearby Cary called Bhavana Fenton.
MICHELIN Recommended: Brodeto
This is chef-owner Scott Crawford’s homage to the Adriatic featuring the culinary traditions of Southern Italy and Croatia with a sea-inspired, seafood-centric menu. Highlights include peka — a Croatian-style, slow-cooked dish — and the restaurant’s namesake brodeto, a rustic seafood stew. Don’t miss the thoughtfully curated wine list, featuring standout vintages from across Italy’s regions.
MICHELIN Recommended: Crawford & Sons
Another special from chef-owner Scott Crawford, this casual neighborhood restaurant combines familiar fare and the unexpected in historic Oakwood. Start with warm manchego herb biscuits (a house favorite), then move to standouts like smoked trout rillettes with grilled milk bread or seared duck breast with rainbow chard and grilled apricots.
MICHELIN Recommended: Dampf Good BBQ
Feast on Texas-style brisket (their specialty), ribs and smoked turkey breast from brothers Nick and Bryce Dampf, who sell the meaty goods out of their trailer at Phillips Farm. Plan your trip accordingly, and come hungry — Dampf Good BBQ is only open Thursday through Saturday, and the servings are generous.
MICHELIN Recommended: The Fearrington House Restaurant
Set in a two-story farmhouse at the heart of Fearrington Village — a onetime dairy farm turned storybook retreat — this Relais & Châteaux restaurant offers a thoughtful tasting menu and à la carte options built on local, seasonal ingredients. Chef Paul Gagne draws from classic French technique to craft a menu that’s elegant without being fussy. Highlights range from garden-forward starters to seared local meats and fish, often finished with herbs grown steps from the kitchen. And no meal is complete without the signature chocolate soufflé — a guest favorite for good reason.
MICHELIN Recommended: Herons
Located inside The Umstead Hotel and Spa, Herons blends fine dining with a connection to the land; much of the produce comes from the hotel’s nearby farm. Chef Steven Devereaux Greene brings thoughtful Southern influence to the menu, especially in dishes like shrimp and grits or seasonal desserts like blackberry panna cotta with poached blackberries and creme fraiche. Choose from a multicourse tasting menu or order a la carte, all paired with a globally curated wine list that includes selections developed in partnership with top vineyards.
MICHELIN Recommended: Jolie
Chef-owner Scott Crawford’s French bistro blends tradition with modern flair, inspired by family trips to Paris and named after his daughter. Dishes such as steak tartare, French onion soup and rum-soaked baba anchor the menu. Grab a glass from the champagne window or enjoy the rooftop seating with a view — the all-French wine list pairs perfectly with it all.
MICHELIN Recommended: Little Bull
At Little Bull, Chef Oscar Diaz blends his Mexican heritage with West Coast roots to create bold, shareable plates with fresh flavors and live-fire flair. Standouts include the al pastor skewer, tom kha ceviche and half chicken with pita. The space is laid-back and welcoming, with a cozy patio, a homey bar and drinks that go down easy — especially the house cocktails.
MICHELIN Recommended: Nanas
This legendary special-occasion restaurant has been reimagined by chef-owners Matt Kelly and Nate Garyantes with modern sophistication and timeless Southern flavors. The warm, retro-inspired space balances new dishes with nods to the original menu, such as NC shrimp remoulade. House-made pastas and wood-grilled mains shine, but the chocolate soufflé is reason enough to linger.
MICHELIN Recommended: Nikos
Set in a restored red-brick tobacco warehouse, Nikos brings the flavors of the Mediterranean to Durham's Brightleaf Square downtown. Prolific restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias draws on his Greek roots with shareable meze, spanakopita and octopus carpaccio. Gather with friends over the meze grand platter and a glass of Greek wine, then finish with baklava or honey semolina cake for a sweet finale. Douglas Rodriguez is the culinary development officer.
MICHELIN Recommended: The Pit Authentic Barbecue
Inside a converted warehouse, owner-pitmaster Greg Hatem serves whole-hog pork, smoky ribs and sides with just enough gourmet flair — think seasonal butter on fresh cornbread and housemade desserts like carrot cake. The menu honors North Carolina tradition with a few surprises, including catfish, shrimp and a US-focused wine list that plays well with it all.
MICHELIN Recommended: Poole’s Diner
A Raleigh staple since 1947, Poole’s Diner offers a fresh take on Southern comfort food from 2019 James Beard Outstanding Chef Ashley Christensen. Housed in a former pie shop, the space blends diner charm with modern warmth. Don’t miss the tomato pie, NC slow shrimp or the famed macaroni au gratin — served at restored horseshoe counters or in the expanded dining room next door.
MICHELIN Recommended: Seraphine
Tucked into a quiet corner of Durham’s American Tobacco Campus, Seraphine blends Louisiana flavors with Southern classics in a moody, elegant interior space and on a lovely outdoor terrace. Start with a cocktail at the marble bar, then dig into dishes like broiled oysters, fried catfish or gumbo. Come hungry — the beignets are worth saving room for.
MICHELIN Recommended: St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar
At this downtown oyster bar, Chef Sunny Gerhart brings New Orleans flavor to North Carolina seafood. Raw or fried oysters are the star, alongside Creole-influenced favorites such as barbecue shrimp and Calabash-style seafood. Housed in a former clothing store, the space is relaxed and lively — especially when the beignets hit the table for a traditional treat.
MICHELIN Recommended: Stanbury
Tucked into Raleigh’s Mordecai neighborhood, Stanbury thrives on surprise. The menu shifts often, but the energy stays the same: lively, unpretentious and packed with regulars. From bone marrow to NC oysters, everything’s made to share and meant to be remembered. They don’t take reservations, so come early or enjoy a drink on the deck while you wait.
MICHELIN Recommended: Tamasha
Tamasha lives up to its name — a “grand performance” of modern Indian cooking. Chef Bhavin Chhatwani blends bold Indian flavors with contemporary technique, transforming local ingredients into standout dishes like Kerala pork belly bao and yellowtail snapper in coconut curry. The menu bridges classic and creative, and desserts like ghewar biscuits with coconut cream add a personal touch.
Hungry for more? Check out The MICHELIN Guides to the American South in Asheville and the Charlotte area.