ICYMI: September 2021 - eating local, gluten-free restaurants + a ghost kitchen

Screen Shot 2021-09-28 at 2.04.34 PM

Downtown Raleigh | Photo by Eric Alter via @ericalterphotography

Table of Contents

Before we begin October, we wanted to look back at all of the best content from the past month. Pro tip: Bookmark this list for solid icebreaker topics in case you’re assigned a passing-out-candy shift at a Halloween party with a stranger.

🏆 Top stories:

Raleigh’s fall bucket list

It’s finally fall — and to help you take full advantage of the festive season, we compiled our Raleigh fall bucket list, complete with 20+ events and activities we are just falling for, including the NC State Fair and visiting Page Farm. 🍂

We asked readers what they are looking forward to most this fall — 70% of readers voted “not sweating profusely.”

How many chain restaurants are in Raleigh?

We took a look at the Restaurant Chaniness Map (made by a lab in Georgia Tech’s Center for Spatial Analysis and Visualization) to see how many restaurants in Raleigh were considered chains.

We asked readers if they want to see more independent restaurants in Raleigh — 98.1% said “yes, I love supporting local.”

Answered: Gluten-free restaurants in Raleigh, NC

When it comes to food, Raleigh is the name of the game — and folks with diet restrictions aren’t left on the bench. We asked our audience in a previous newsletter + on Instagram to share their local gluten-free recommendations.

Best Overall Restaurants came in the top spot with 456 clicks. We can’t blame y’all for loving to eat local.

Day and Night opening came second with 356 clicks. The exotic cereal bar will open Tues., Oct. 5.

🏆 Top Instagram comments:

On ‘RDU ghost kitchen’

“I will try on Thursday” — @raleigh_engineer

On ‘POV: It’s morning in Raleigh’

“@benchwarmersbagels at the Transfer Food Hall!” — @annarose_95

More from RALtoday
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.
If you’re looking for plans to bring in the new year, Raleigh is bustling with events. Explore each event and plan where you’ll bring in 2025.
Sponsored
Raleigh restaurants, cafes, and diners serving up all the eggs, pancakes, mimosas, and other brunch favorites you want to eat.
For the first time since 1990, you can back the Pack in the NCAA men’s soccer finals — and it’s all happening in Cary.
If you’re a fan of real trees over artificial, this list is for you. We’re highlighting 10 local spots to pick up Christmas trees in Raleigh, including home delivery options, pre-flocked trees, and NC-famous Fraser firs.
Our readers have spoken — here are the best local spots our city has to offer, from the best coffee shop to the best apartment complex to the best dentist.
Hi Raleighite. It’s that time of year again — Spotify Wrapped is out, and so is ours. Ready to see how our year stacked up?
A grassroots effort is helping central NC properties become part of a nationwide habitat network.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.