24 Days of Gems Round-Up

By: Morgan Moser

We all know that 2020 has been a year of trials, tribulations, but also a year of unity. Communities have come together in support of local businesses during times of need. While some took a hard hit to business, others flourished and found ways to thrive in the midst of a pandemic. To wrap up 2020, we decided to do a countdown of our favorite RDU Gems of the year. These restaurants worked hard and made a great effort to continue serving locals in safe and innovative ways. 

Here are our 24 Gems!

24. Benchwarmers Bagels- Part of The Transfer Co. Food hall and has the BEST bagels in town. My favorite is the #4 (with lox, deviled egg spread, shaved onion!)

23. Conniption Gin- Produced at the Durham Distillery and it makes the perfect hostess gift!

22. Irregardless Cafe- One of my FAVES if you’re looking for a plant-based meal

21: Mama Crows- One Word: Burgers.

20: O-Ku- Asian Cuisine with a Southern Approach… it’s just the best

19: Layered Croissanterie- Layers and Layers of flakey, buttery, bready goodness

18. Burneys-One of our favorite spots for stuffed croissants and all sorts of other treats

17. Alimentrari at Left Bank- Fresh noodles + the best hand-rolled tortellini

16. Neuse River Brewing Company- My favorite Neighborhood brewery with the best Croque Madames

15. Neomonde Mediterranean- Sooo many tasty options like their baba ghanoush and Pistachio Baklava

14. Pooles Diner- Classic southern food (You MUST get the Mac ‘n Cheese)

13. Cha House- The best boba around the food is also ah-mazing

12. Juice Keys- One of my absolute favorites for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ordering a power bowl is basically the equivalent to ordering an ice cream sundae in my opinion.

11. Barcelona Wine Bar- A tapas restaurant with a gorgeous atmosphere. The Patatas Bravas are a must order!

10. Nancy’s Pizzaria- Cheesy Goodness. The Deep Dish Pie is massive but I am pretty sure I could eat it all in one sitting if I had the chance…

9. Sullivan’s Steakhouse- A Classic. No bells or whistles with this one, just some of the best steak and sides that you can find in Raleigh.

8. Taverna Agora- I love dining here in the spring or summer when I can meet friends on the outdoor patio. It gives off major Mama Mia vibes and is so tasty!

7. Tupelo Honey Cafe- Another perfect spot for Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner. The southern cuisine is unmatched and I’ve heard that the French Toast is the best eva!

6. Mandolin- They have gotten so creative by incorporating the family farm into all of their dishes. They also have a dining room that you can reserve for private dining events!

5. Coquette- A french brasserie that transports you right to the streets of Paris. This North Hills gem is perfect for a meet-up with friends… Oh! and be sure to order a cup of the French Onion Soup!

4. Saint Jacques- Another French Cuisine Gem, Saint Jacques is our #1 recommendation for date night. The white table cloths and melt-in-your-mouth dishes are sure to leave you with a memorable dining experience.

3. Perry’s Steakhouse- A new addition to the RDU area, Perry’s is sworn upon by so many locals. Even though it’s new, it’s sure to be a favorite Gem of ours for a long long time.

2. Death and Taxes- Of course, we have to highlight Ashely Christensen’s restaurant that we are SO lucky to have in Raleigh. They are temporarily closed due to COVID, but I will be the first one in the door when they open back up!

1. Vidrio- Last, but certainly not least, is our all-time favorite, Vidrio! The atmosphere is the best in the area and every dish is absolutely amazing. They are very deserving of our number #1 Gem for the countdown. We have NEVER been disappointed there and have celebrated lots of accomplishments and holidays in their dining room. If you take one piece of advice out of our countdown, it is to book a reservation at Vidrio and order as many dishes as you can handle! (PS it’s all family style and they have plenty to-go boxes if you need them!

There aren’t enough days in December to recognize all of the deserving restaurants and businesses in the triangle. Compiling a list of our top 24 favorites was difficult, but that goes to show how many fabulous Gems we have in the Triangle Area. While 2020 was a trying year for many, these restaurants have shown that with perseverance, optimism, and local support, getting through a global pandemic is possible.