Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week: Time to dine

As the sweltering summer heat continues to linger, finding the motivation to venture out unless it involves an exciting vacation or event isn’t necessarily easy. If life has you tied to the day to day routine in Raleigh with no vacation in sight, then perhaps downtown’s second annual summer restaurant week beginning Monday, August 23 through Sunday, August 29 will add a little spice to your agenda. 

More than 25 of downtown’s most popular restaurants are cultivating creative three-course prix fixe menus priced at $20 and $30 (excluding beverages, taxes, and tip) for the special seven-day food fest.

Satisfy your appetite with Spanish cuisine one evening at Tasca Brava, make it Italian the next night at 518 West or La Volta, head over to Jibarra for some Mexican flair, and eat like a Cajun king at The Big Easy later in the week.  The choice is yours, and there are many more worldly flavors from which to sample.

Downtown Lebanese favorite, Sitti ($20 & $30 prix fixe) is involved, as is global street food-inspired Buku ($30 prix fixe).  Asian cuisine is also on the list from Five Star ($20 prix fixe), The Duck and Dumpling ($20 & $30 prix fixe) and Sono.  American Continental fare from stalwart downtown spots 18 Seaboard ($20 prix fixe) and Poole's Diner ($30 prix fixe) are also in the mix.  

Glenwood South, Wilmington Street, Fayetteville Street and surrounding thoroughfares will be peppered with flags outside of each establishment denoting each one’s participation. For a full list of restaurants and their prix fixe menus, go to www.dinedowntownraleigh.com.  Based on the popularity of the restaurant week last year, reservations are highly encouraged. 

Whether you are new to the downtown dining scene or a regular chow hound at a number of the dining hot spots, make this your opportunity to script your personal culinary summer tour in your very own city.

HelloRaleigh Tip:  Look into other events going on in downtown Raleigh during the restaurant week. Make it a full night out on the town and take in a live performance of an area production or live music at one of the nearby venues following your meal.

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