Mexican: Chapelboro has a wealth of great taco trucks that come out at night. Carrburrito (Carrboro) and Cosmic Cantina (Franklin St.) has some good burritos.
Chinese: starting points would be Gourmet Kingdom or Jade Palace; Sister Liu’s Kitchen makes really good dumplings on the way to Durham, Happy China (in Durham); Other recommendations: Asian Kitchen, Szechuan Village, Taipei 101
Vietnamese: Pho Far east, Pho Vietnam, and Bonjour Banh Mi (in the North Raleigh, Cary, and Morrisville area). Greensboro apparently has a huge Vietnamese community and some of the places we have tried there have been pretty awesome (e.g., Pho Hien Vuong).
Korean: Namu is on the way to Durham and also serves coffee and beer. Seoul Garden (Raleigh) and Vit Goal Tofu (Durham) are other starting points. Downtown Durham has a new and nice Korean chicken wings place which is suprisingly good called M Kokko. Finally if you are around Cary then Golden Pig is also wonderful for Korean food.
Thai: Thai Station in Carrboro has a beautiful and atmospheric dine-in area in an actual train cabin. Cham Thai, also in Carrboro, has great Thai tea and food. They both never disappoint.
South Indian: ton of wonderful South Indian buffets in Morrisvile like Tower and Dharani
North Indian: Sitar in Durham and Mint in CH; Also Vimala’s Curryblossom
BBQ: The Pig and Allen and Sons are great.
Southern: Crook’s corner has good catfish and shrimp and grits. Lula’s has good fried chicken. Rise is for biscuits and donuts.
Low key American: Al’s Burger shack gets rave review. Merritt’s makes a sandwich better than it has any right to. Sutton’s is an institution.
Mediterranean: Med Deli is a staple. Kipos Greek Taverna is more of a sit down place but excellent. Grk Yeero on Franklin St. is delicious and open until very late.
Dessert: Gugulhupf in Durham is fantastic for cakes/bread etc. Mithai is a wonderful Indian “sweets” store in Cary. Salt N Cocoa in Durham has amazing taiyaki.
Bubble Tea: Franklin St. has three boba shops. Tea Hill is a personal favorite, but the other two are closer to Hanes. Milklab in Durham is another great place with rolled ice-cream and many caffeine-free drink options.
