Whilst I spent 24 hours in Raleigh, North Carolina over Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend which I shared more about over on my Instagram (let’s be friends @_thepinkchickadee)! Although cut short due to impending snow storms in the Washington, DC area, my trip to the Raleigh area was truly a blessing as I got to see some friends that I hadn’t seen for almost a year and some over a year. While there, I got to try some new-to-me delicious eats in the nearby Raleigh suburb of Cary, North Carolina. Cary, North Carolina dining experiences are definitely ones for the book, too! Last time I went to Raleigh and truly dined out there was in December 2023 (here). I feel SO lucky to have been able to try some delicious Cary eats. The Raleigh/Cary area has changed a bit since I graduated from college in 2021 (Raleigh is my college town!) and I LOVED getting to experience some new-to-me eats!!
***Please note that this blog post was written in January 2025 and will be periodically updated and recirculated to reflect recent updates.***
4 Restaurants I Tried in Cary, North Carolina
La Farm Bakery (4248 Northwest Cary Parkway)
Truly, I was *in awe* as soon as I walked through the doors of La Farm Bakery! While there are currently four La Farm Bakery locations across the Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area, the location on Northwest Cary Parkway is their original home. La Farm Bakery is a North Carolina-based French style bakery that sells breakfast/lunch items alongside a cafe full of drinks to dine in (and most recently wine glasses!!) or take to-go alongside a French-style market selling all-things from wine bottles to pastries (cakes, macaroons, cookies galore!) to sandwiches to salad dressings to breads and unique La Farm-branded merchandise. My college best friend Claire and I visited La Farm Bakery on a rainy Saturday morning and had a lovely time together. Claire has grown up dining at La Farm Bakery and even worked there a some years ago and gave me the crash course on all-things La Farm Bakery, which was truly a gift if you ask me! My time at La Farm Bakery transported me to what it must feel like to be in a Mom & Pop French market! I ended up taking home some locally sourced North Carolina peanuts and some freshly baked scones to enjoy. Needless to say, I will be back to La Farm Bakery next time I am in Cary!!
The Refectory Cafe (2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard, Durham)
While technically not in Cary, The Refectory Cafe was one of the delicious restaurants that I enjoyed on my January 2025 dining expedition. Located in Durham, The Refectory Cafe offers a variety of delicious brunch and lunch delights. The Refectory Cafe has continuously been ranked the Number 1 Restaurant in Durham (as of November 2024) by TripAdvisor. This well-renowned Durham restaurant also offers special wine dinners and other delicious dining experiences on occasion. I had their North Carolina caught fish & chips alongside an Aperol Spritz. And, well, I cannot wait to have it again!
Sports & Social Cary (301 Fenton Gateway Drive)
A local sports bar at Cary’s Fenton shopping centre, Sports & Social is an ultra-fun location! Alanna and I stopped in here after some shopping at Fenton for some drinks and a snack. The interiors of Sports & Social is definitely an elevated sports bar. The vibes were impeccable and I’d definitely come back to watch a Commanders game, as it’s truly the perfect spot to watch any sports game!
Colletta (1 Fenton Main Street Suite 170)
Colletta came highly recommended to me by my best friend Shivani. Also located in Fenton shopping centre alongside Sports & Social, Colletta is an upscale Italian restaurant that offers unique lunch and dinner menus. Alanna and I started off with a charcuterie board and cocktails before enjoying a rigatoni Bolognese as an entree. I am STILL craving that Bolognese!!! Alongside the delicious eats at Colletta, the staff is ultra-kind. Our server Michelle was a literal angel and a true testament alongside her coworkers to the kindness that they offer to all diners there. One of the biggest things that I admire about my favorite restaurants, hotels, etc. is the people that make it amazing and admirable. Colletta is a true testament to that admiration of mine for this restaurant!
Wrap-Up:
One of my consistent highlights of visiting Raleigh, North Carolina and its surrounding area is ALL of the delicious food that I have on my itinerary. Raleigh and Cary have a wonderful variety of dining experiences that are sure to leave you coming back for more!
XOXO – Katie <3
Published by