When stuck on a college campus, people don’t seem to realize that there are better options than the generic meat, pasta or veggies offered in dining halls. Raleigh is host to an array of authentic and eclectic restaurants serving hearty, delicious eats that will leave tummies full with sustenance, spilling over a post-meal unbuttoned pair of pants.

So where can you go to find a meal as described above? Well there are certainly plenty of places to visit, but here are some restaurants that have caught the eyes of Raleigh locals.

Busy Bee Café

In the heart of downtown, close to Fayetteville Street, you’ll find a place that offers good food, good beer and good times. Known for its impressive selection of assorted craft beers and distinctive burgers, Busy Bee Café is, as co-founder Woody Lockwood puts it, “the neighborhood bar that your friends come to.”

“The intent of our food that we serve is meant to be casual dishes that compliment the beers we serve. Our menu is primarily based off of the beer,” Lockwood said.

From that approach came the inspiration for some of its most popular items, such as the succulent Tom & Jack burger from the assorted line of original handcrafted sandwiches, and the juicy Hatfield pork tenderloin served with seasoned brussel sprouts and cheese grits. 

Most of the chefs’ inspiration, though, went into their most famous dish, widely known amongst customers as the loaded tots. This dish is a combination of deep fried tater tots topped with cool sour cream, melted cheddar cheese, chives and savory bacon bits-perfect to gratify your taste buds during a stressful basketball game or a late-night craving just after hitting up the club.

Apart from its food and distinguished label as the connoisseur of beers, Busy Bee Café offers a welcoming and diverse environment. It’s a place where you can enjoy good times with a good meal and a great drink.

Caffé Luna

Olive Garden or Macaroni Grille may be good for a cheap, fast night out, but they are no match for one of downtown Raleigh’s authentic Italian restaurants- Caffé Luna can simply be described as a slice of Italy. Utilizing fresh and true ingredients alongside the culinary skills of an Italian chef, the restaurant creates dishes that you could only find and taste within the heart of Italy.

One of its most popular and original items on the menu is lasagna. An old Italian favorite, Caffé Luna’s lasagna is a filling dish staying true to its traditional roots. It is composed of fresh-layered pasta smothered in ragu bolognese and béchamel , a traditional tomato sauce. For the vegetarian and vegan crowd out there, a hot-selling dish is the portobello ripieno , consisting of portobello mushrooms stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and tomatoes. Alongside any of these items, a glass of wine is recommended to ensure a true Italian meal experience.

At Caffé Luna, the idea of sticking with the same menu and offering original specials each day is what “brings back the customers,” Parker Kennedy, owner, said. When visiting, customers will be dazzled by the original artwork hanging on the walls, the smell of authenticity and the experience an Italian kitchen. 

Lilly’s Pizza

For some seasoned pizza-lovers, Papa John’s and Domino’s are too main-stream. So, Raleigh’s got a place to please your hankering for a creative pizza experience. Located within the Five Points neighborhood is a little venue called Lilly’s Pizza. Don’t expect to find any pokey sticks here.

Whether customers prefer a simple, traditional cheese pizza or are a bit more daring, Lilly’s has a pie for everyone. For all the vegetarians, vegans and celiacs out there, don’t feel left out, because there are plenty of options to choose from.

Try the ever so popular Buddah , a specialty pie consisting of olive oil, spinach, roma tomatoes, zucchini, kalamata olives and a blend of cheeses. For the meat-eaters, the super duper offers a traditional take on cheese pizza with the addition of four hearty meats sure enough to make you die and go to heaven. Anyone who enjoys a nice kick in their meal should try Dante’s Inferno, a pie inspired by barbeque chicken, loaded with cheese, barbeque sauce and chicken, savory bacon, crisp red onions and bell peppers.

If customers feel that none of Lilly’s pies appeal to their desires, the menu allows them to get creative and construct their own. “We evolve within our own dynamic with simple goals of being fresh and whole-foods oriented and also to ensure a fun experience,” Jon Garrison, owner of Lilly’s Pizza, said. “Our customers appreciate this; the lines on weekends will attest.”

Even though its name and brand comes from the pizza, Lilly’s also serves a multitude of other Italian dishes in order to appeal to everyone’s likes and constitute a message that it is more than just a pizza joint. When looking at the menu, visitors will find an assortment of salads made from scratch, traditional Italian dishes and desserts. 

After this comprehensive guide to downtown Raleigh, anyone should be ready to ravish all that local dining has to offer.