The most important meal of the day 🥓

45+ top brunch restaurants to try in Raleigh
RAL_BirdiesBrunch_JULY2025
You can now get Birdie’s brunch every day of the week. | Photo provided by Birdie’s Barroom and Kitchen
In this town, brunchin’ ain’t easy but it’s necessary. Whether you’re on the hunt for fluffy eggs, fried chicken and waffles, or mind-blowing bloody marys, the options can get as overwhelming as the lines at times.

Luckily, you have us to scout things out. We listed a whole bunch of brunch options (45 total), along with menu recs, pro tips, and an interactive map to track ‘em. Plan your weekend and pour those mimosas.

Note: All times listed are brunch-only. 🍳

Weekend musts

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, 237 S. Wilmington St. | Saturday-Sunday, 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. | Southern | $ | What we’re ordering: Hot Chicken Eggs Benedict — poached eggs with bearnaise sauce and buttermilk biscuits.

Relish, 5625 Creedmoor Rd. | Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Southern | $ | Pro tip: Don’t skip Mama’s Chicken Biscuit (the pepper jelly is delicious).

For the fam

State Farmers’ Market Restaurant, 1240 Farmers Market Dr. | Monday-Saturday, 6 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. | American | $ | Pro tip: Start your morning with biscuits before shopping for local produce at the market.

The Shiny Diner, 1550 Buck Jones Rd. | Monday-Sunday, times vary | Diner | $ | Pro tip: Bring quarters for the mini jukeboxes at each table.

Inside the Shiny Diner

The Shiny Diner serves breakfast all day. |

Photo by RALtoday

Great outdoors

Taverna Agora, 326 Hillsborough St. | Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Greek | $ | What we’re ordering: Baklava Sticky Buns.

Whiskey Kitchen, 201 W. Martin St. | Saturday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | $ | American | Try this: Shrimp and Grits and Monkey Bread.

For a special occasion

Coquette Brasserie, 4351 The Circle At North Hills St. | Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | French | $$ | What we’re ordering: Seafood Crepe and mimosas.

Mandolin, 2519 Fairview Rd. | Sunday, 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Upscale farm-to-table | $$ | Pro tip: Fresh-squeezed orange juice mimosas are available by the bottle.
35+ more brunch spots
Raleigh brunch beverage survey

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Today
  • Wellness Wednesdays | Wed., Sept. 28 | 6-7 p.m. | Coastal Credit Union Midtown Park, North Hills | $5 | YoBa Studio will lead a class for all fitness levels.
    Thursday
    • Jazz in the Square | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6 p.m. | Moore Square, 201 S. Blount St. | Free | The Second Line Stompers will perform smooth jazz sounds. 🎺
    • Trivia Night | Thurs., Sept. 29 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Vault Craft Beer, 518 W. South St. | Free | Hammered Trivia is hosting this friendly competition + Friendly Tacos is serving yummy eats.
    Friday
    • COIN | Fri., Sept. 30 | 7 p.m. | The Ritz, 2820 Industrial Dr. | $30+ | See this pop-rock band perform on the Uncanny Valley Tour.
    Saturday
    • Honey Fair | Sat., Oct. 1 | 2-6 p.m. | Beeloved Community Garden, 2506 Vanderbilt Ave. | Free | Enjoy sweet fun at this second annual event featuring honeys from NC beekeepers. 🐝
    Sunday
    • Bangladeshi Pop-Up Dinner | Sun., Oct. 2 | 5-7 p.m. | Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, 1141 Falls River Ave. | $100 | Vidrio’s chef Saif Rahman will cook a family-style meal. 🍴
    • Panic! At The Disco | Sun., Oct. 2 | 5 p.m. | PNC Arena | $26+ | See this pop-rock band perform live on the Viva Las Vengeance Tour.
    Plan Ahead
    • RN to BSN On-Campus Information Session | Wed., Oct. 26 | 3-7 p.m. | William Peace University, 15 East Peace St. | Free | Prospective students can attend this session led by the Nursing Admissions Coordinator and Program Director to learn about William Peace University’s nursing program, including the application process, start dates, course info + more.*
    We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

    For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*
    100+ MORE EVENTS

    Weather
    • 72º | Partly cloudy | 0% chance of rain ⛅
    • Raleigh could experience high winds and heavy rainfall later this week due to Hurricane Ian. Check out the City’s emergency preparedness guide for tips and best practices.
    Concert
    • All IBMA Bluegrass Live! concerts and activities have been moved indoors. The performances planned for Red Hat Amphitheater will be in Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts + the shows slated for the Fayetteville Street stages will move to the Raleigh Convention Center.
    Open
    • Dram & Draught is now open in Cary’s Fenton. Today-Sunday, this elevated bar’s hours are from 3-10 p.m. Stop by for a carefully crafted cocktail on its rooftop patio. 🥃
    Civic
    • Learn about three bonds on the upcoming elections ballot today from 7-8 p.m. at the Chavis Park Community Center (505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). The Raleigh Parks Bond, Wake County Public Schools Bond, and Wake Tech Community College Bond will be discussed.
    Community
    • Oakwood Cemetery recently installed a “wind phone” for visitors to symbolically communicate with the dead. The wooden telephone booth is located just beyond the stone bridge, partially hidden by trees. 🍃 (The News & Observer)
    Pets
    • The Wake County Animal Center is hosting a low-cost rabies clinic today from 4-6 p.m. Bring your dog or cat to the Wake County Commons Building parking lot (4011 Carya Dr.) for a $5 one-year or three-year rabies vaccine. Cash only. 🐈
    Network
    • Explore the theme of “Depth” during CreativeMornings Raleigh’s next meetup this Fri., Sept. 30 at the NCMA. Local creator Liz Kelly will speak on her approach to her work as a studio potter. Register.
    Drink
    • Brewgaloo — NC’s largest craft beer festival — has once again been nominated for USA Today’s Best Beer Festival Readers’ Choice award. Vote for our local nominee by Mon., Oct. 24 at 12 p.m. (you can vote once per day). 🍻
    Watch
    • Adrian Zhang and Justine Tiu, the founders of Durham-based crochet startup The Woobles, will appear on “Shark Tank” this Fri., Sept. 30. The couple turned $200 into a $5 million enterprise that caught the attention of the show. Tune in to ABC at 8 p.m. to watch. 🦈 (Triangle Business Journal)
    Active
    • Walktober, a campaign by Commute Smart Raleigh to encourage more Raleighites to use foot power, begins next week. All month, there will be a variety of walking events, such as the Chocolates and Trains Walking Tour on Sat., Oct. 22. 🚶
    Number
    • 46,327. That’s how many newsletter subscribers (like you) we reach every day through RALtoday. Have a local, regional, or national business and want to expand your audience? Learn how to advertise with us.
    Eat
    • Skip the meal hassle with Sunbasket, a meal kit delivery service that makes healthy eating beyond easy. Sunbasket offers 10 different meal plans that work for those with dietary preferences and specific restrictions (think: paleo, gluten-free, veg, diabetes-friendly + more). Bonus: Sign up for $100 off your first four deliveries. 🥕 *
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    Music, dance, and photography 📸

    October festivals in Raleigh, NC
    RAL_IBMABluegrassLive_SEP2022
    The IBMA 2022 Bluegrass Live! festival is Fri., Sept. 30-Sat., Oct. 1. | Photo by PineCone
    If you couldn’t make it to Hopscotch or Farm Aid this September, we’ve got you covered. There are still plenty of festivals in and around Raleigh to look forward to in October. Here are three we’re eyeing:

    IBMA Bluegrass Live! | Fri., Sept. 30-Sat., Oct. 1 | Raleigh Convention Center + Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts | IBMA and Grammy Award-winning musicians, emerging acts, and collaborations will perform during this huge international bluegrass festival.

    Click! Photography Festival | Sat., Oct. 1-Mon., Oct. 31 | Multiple Triangle locations | This month-long festival is hosting photography exhibitions, special events, and keynotes at places like the NCMA + CAM to celebrate the medium of photography and its cultural influence.

    Shakori Hills Grassroots Festival of Music & Dance | Thurs., Oct. 6-Sun., Oct. 9 | Shakori Hills Community Arts Center, 1439 Henderson Tanyard Rd., Pittsboro | See acts like Donna the Buffalo and Hiss Golden Messenger perform during this family-friendly celebration of music, dance, art, and education.

    The ulti-mutt pet shopping list 🛍️
    All_MKTs_Pet_SHOP_Section_Green.png
    1. A “Meowbucks” apron pet Halloween costume for coffee-loving kitties* | $12.32+
    2. Chef’s whites to whip up the perfect pet Halloween look* | $16.90+
    3. Nourishing bone broth treats from The Honest Kitchen* | $9.99
    4. A dog sling carrier for toting your pup around* | $21.99+
    5. An interactive treats toy to challenge your dog’s mind* | $19.99+
    6. An ultra-quiet cat water fountain with filters* | $34.39+
    7. A cozy crate cover made from tweed + cotton* | $195.18+
    8. Hogwarts-themed toys from BarkBox’s monthly toys + treat box* | $23+
      THE WRAP
      Today’s issue was written by Anne.

      Editor’s pick: This weekend will be a rainy one, but it doesn’t have to be boring. Check out these 20 indoor activities to ride out the storm. Before you head out, double check weather conditions to make sure it’s safe to drive. ☂️

      Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We’ve picked six apple orchards and cideries to visit around the Triangle.
      Read More
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