Local Love: The Tabletop Team's Favorite Bars & Restaurants
At Tabletop Media Group, we specialize in digital marketing for food, beverage, and hospitality brands—so it’s no surprise that our team loves discovering amazing restaurants, bars, and cafes. Whether we’re grabbing a quick lunch between meetings, celebrating a big client win, or scouting the best cocktail spots, we know just where to go in the Triangle! Read on for some of our team’s favorite local spots.
NuvoTaco
Allie - PR & Social Media Manager
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Sassool Cafe
Why We Love It: Sasool's Pick-4 platter is a must because I can never pick just one thing - everything there is so amazingly flavorful and fresh! I love how they list every ingredient, making it super easy to find something delicious that fits any dietary need.
🌮 Best Spot for Taco Tuesday: Nuvo Taco
Why We Love It: I am a long-time Nuvo Taco fan and so excited that they're a new client! I always go for the tacos and get a little bit of everything since you can pick three different meats.
🍷 Best Wine Bar for a Cozy Evening: Delafia Bar
Why We Love It: I recently discovered this Durham hidden gem and can't get enough! From their obscure location to moody lighting they're the ultimate cozy hide out for a night downtown. Their wine selection is high end with a funky edge - my go-to is ordering the rotating 'Weird Shit' by the glass, then browsing their bottle selection.
🍸 Best Cocktail Bar for a Night Out: Corpse Reviver
Why We Love It: One of the best dirty martinis I've ever had was from Corpse Reviver. Their American Dry Gin is my favorite, and I also love how fresh their Cucumber Vodka tastes. It's a great spot for a girls night out with unique and beautifully presented cocktails!
🍻 Best Brewery or Taproom for a Laid-Back Hangout: State of Beer
Why We Love It: I know it says "beer" in the name, but State of Beer secretly has an amazing wine section! My husband and I always make a stop when we're in Raleigh so he can grab his favorite beers and I can sip on a glass of wine. I need to check out their new location at Bend Bar soon too!
Whiskey Kitchen
Quinn - Vice President
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Sassool!
Why We Love It: So many delicious and fresh options, you can try something different every single time. Plus, they are locally owned by the Saleh family.
🌮 Best Spot for Taco Tuesday: Little Rey
Why We Love It: This just opened and my family tried it last weekend. It was so tasty! Definitely get the Queso Primo when you go, too.
🍷 Best Wine Bar for a Cozy Evening: Whiskey Kitchen
Why We Love It: Their aesthetic is so cozy and inviting. Go on a spring datenight and sit under the twinkly lights on the patio.
🍰 Best Dessert Spot for a Sweet Fix: Asali, of course! Or Howling Cow
Why We Love It: Asali's desserts are one of a kind. You must go and try their Red Velvet Latte while they have it. Also, Howling Cow is the most kid-friendly ice cream spot in the Triangle. After enjoying your ice cream, kiddos can run around their lawn + look at cows.
Asali Dessert & Cafe
Lewis - Creative Director
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Bull City Solera & Taproom
Why We Love It: A laid-back, kid-friendly spot with good vibes, arcade games, a shady patio, and really tasty homemade tortilla chips.
🌮 Best Spot for Taco Tuesday: Henderson Mexican Restaurant
Why We Love It: If you ever find yourself in that neck of the woods, go! A no-frills, authentic spot with amazing food. The sopes are my favorite.
🥂 Best Brunch Spot for a Weekend Toast: Asali Desserts & Cafe
Why We Love It: Asali isn't just a no-brainer for all things sweet. Owner Hanadi also has the magic touch when it comes to delicious savory brunch dishes, and you don't have to wait for the weekend! They serve brunch daily from 9am - 3pm.
🍻 Best Brewery or Taproom for a Laid-Back Hangout: Bragging Rooster Beer & Mead
Why We Love It: A great spot on Main Street here in Warrenton with something for everyone! I personally love that it's spacious with cozy seating, a well-stocked bookshelf, and there's always a good sour on the menu.
STIR
Anna - Social Media Manager
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Miso Ramen
Why We Love It: Miso Ramen checks all of the boxes for me. Some of the most delicious ramen you'll find in Raleigh, an incredibly friendly staff, free parking, & a cozy atmosphere. I recommend the Tonkotsu Ramen & Pork Belly Buns.
🍷 Best Wine Bar for a Cozy Evening: Foxcroft Wine Co.
Why We Love It: As a Charlotte transplant, I was so excited to see Foxcroft open it's first Raleigh location in the North Hill's Lassiter District. They have a great wine selection, knowledgeable staff, and delicious food to pair with your bottle of choice!
🍸 Best Cocktail Bar for a Night Out: STIR
Why We Love It: STIR takes their craft cocktails very seriously and it shows. From the seven different artisanal ice shapes to the housemade syrups & bitters, they always deliver. My personal favorites are the Gin & Tonic, Austin Mule, or Wild Moon Child. Highly recommend sitting at their outside bar in the warmer months or ordering a Sip & Stroll cocktail to-go and walking around North Hills for the perfect night out!
🍻 Best Brewery or Taproom for a Laid-Back Hangout: Raleigh Brewing Company
Why We Love It: There's nowhere like RBC on a Thursday night in the summer drinking an IPA and playing trivia with your friends. I recommend the Not Another or Standing Ovation if you're like me & like something hazy!
Postino WineCafe
Joe - Business Developer
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Bella Monica
Why We Love It: Bella is family run Italian restaurant that has been around for over 20 years. Awesome food and a great wine list.
🌮 Best Spot for Taco Tuesday: El Salsa
Why We Love It: Classic Mexican fare executed right. They have all the standard tacos, fajitas and burritos, but the puerco carnitas are a personal fav.
🍷 Best Wine Bar for a Cozy Evening: Postino
Why We Love It: This spot in the Village District has a great wine list, small plates for sharing and a laid back atmosphere.
🥂 Best Brunch Spot for a Weekend Toast: Wye Hill
Why We Love It: Wye Hill offers a great selection of brunch dishes. Their breakfast sandwich and a spicy bloody mary is the perfect start to any Saturday or Sunday
Sassool Cafe
Kristen - CEO & Founder
🍽 Best Spot for a Casual Weeknight Dinner: Sassool
Why We Love It: I could literally eat Sassool every single day! What's NOT to love? My husband and I enjoy a casual weeknight dinner at Sassool all the time. I love the veggie lasagna, the Friday night salmon special and my favorite sides include the tabbouli with quinoa, baba ganoush and jalapeno hummus. Don't skip out on the fresh baked pita bread!
🌮 Best Spot for Taco Tuesday: Chido Taco
Why We Love It: I'm absolutely obsessed with the fish tacos at Chido Taco! It's a fun, casual atmosphere where the tacos are super fresh and the margs are on-point.
🍷 Best Wine Bar for a Cozy Evening: Vita Vite in downtown Raleigh
Why We Love It: Vita Vite is my go-to spot for a cozy wine night! I love the downtown Raleigh location because it feels like you're lounging in your living room with a glass of wine + cheese board while surrounded by beautiful, local artwork.
🥂 Best Brunch Spot for a Weekend Toast: STIR Raleigh
Why We Love It: STIR Raleigh has such a great brunch atmosphere! I personally love the brunch bar and the giant Mimosa Mason Jars to split with my friends.
🍸 Best Cocktail Bar for a Night Out: Foundation
Why We Love It: The discovered Foundation years and years ago and since then, it's always been a favorite! The cocktails are stellar and I love walking down the stairs to the dimly lit basement, it's such a speakeasy type of vibe.
🍻 Best Brewery or Taproom for a Laid-Back Hangout: Blackbird Brewery
Why We Love It: Blackbird Brewery is a personal favorite of mine in the Wake Forest area. It's always buzzing with people and I enjoy the unique beers they offer. They are always on-trend with fun beers, like a Barbie beer when the movie came out. It's great to BYO food from a local restaurant to enjoy as well while having a beer.
🍰 Best Dessert Spot for a Sweet Fix: Asali Desserts & Cafe
Why We Love It: Asali Desserts & Cafe is my obvious go-to for all things sweets! I opt for a delicious seasonal latte every time I go in to accompany either a piece of delicious cake or one of the Mediterranean sweets like baklava. And of course, you have to grab a box of macarons to enjoy later - pro tip: the macarons also make the most perfect hostess gift for parties.