Where we’re dining for Eat the World Week in Raleigh

Let your taste buds travel through downtown Raleigh’s global fare with the Downtown Raleigh Alliance’s Eat the World Week.

Bright sushi from City Market Sushi.

City Market Sushi offers creative rolls, bento boxes, and Japanese fare.

Photo by RALtoday

Table of Contents

The Downtown Raleigh Alliance is encouraging locals to explore downtown Raleigh’s global food scene with Eat the World Week, happening Monday, May 1-Friday, May 5.

During the initiative, post a photo of yourself eating international food from a downtown spot and tag @downtownraleighalliance on Instagram to be entered to win prizes.

Here are some suggestions from your City Editors:

City Editor Cat’s picks

Some of my go-to spots for downtown international fare are Cortez for Mexican-American small plates like smoked and loaded NC papas, City Market Sushi for specialty rolls, and Opa! Raleigh — located in Morgan Street Food Hall — for Greek kebabs.

City Editor Anne’s picks

It’s so hard to choose, but if I had to pick some downtown favorites, I’d go with Centro Mexican Restaurant, Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar (they’re reopening Tuesday, May 2), and O-Ku. Oh, and for dessert, I’d pick up some treats from Mon Macaron.

Pro tip: Use this downtown dining page to sort restaurants by categories like Mexican + Latin American, Indian, and more.

More from RALtoday
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Needlepoint is one of the biggest “analog hobby” trends. Here’s where to learn and meet other stitchers.
In case you hadn’t noticed, Raleigh’s growing in a big way, and some mixed-use developments are set to transform downtown + Midtown in 2026 and beyond. Here’s what you need to know about three major developments.
Discover the top Raleigh business podcasts, voices, and local resources our readers are tuning into — from must-listen interviews to expert insights.
Visit The Magic of the Fourth Ward: A Journey Through Time and Culture at the Martin Marietta Center to learn more about this vibrant neighborhood destroyed by urban renewal.
Microsoft, the world’s No. 4 most valuable company, will bring a data center to a large parcel in Person County.
Explore all 308 acres of Dorothea Dix Park and its top landmarks, history, and more.
The long-awaited Texas burger chain will make its debut next month in Wake Forest, and Raleigh’s location will open two weeks later.
The Canes sent five players to Milan for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and five of them are coming home as medalists, including one gold medalist.
From curling to ice hockey, you can train just like the world’s top athletes without leaving the 919.