DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE FINE DINING
Make your dinner plans a part of your First Night journey.

1) 518 West Italian Café
518 W. Jones St.
(Glenwood South)
919/829-2518
www.518west.com

Come experience the essence of Italy and the Mediterranean in the heart of Glenwood South! Lunch & Dinner menus offer fresh seasonal pasta, seafood, beef, wood burning pizza oven, cappuccino bar & much more. Full bar, wine list, and children’s menu available. Lunch Monday-Saturday. Dinner Nightly.


2) Acro Café
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
919/733-7450
www.naturalsciences.org

Located on the fourth floor of the Museum, the Café offers a fresh and delicious menu, with a choice of soups, sandwiches, salads, and light fare. There will be some special First Night additions to the regular menu.


3) Café Carolina and Bakery
First Union Building
(100 block of Fayetteville Street Mall)
919/834-9117

Enjoy fresh baked Artisan Bread and wraps, gourmet sandwiches and desserts, all natural soups, fresh tossed salads, muffins and pastries baked fresh every day. Café coffees include Espresso, Cappuccino, Lattés and mocha.


4) Caffé Luna
136 E. Hargett St.
(West Side of Moore Square Park)
919/832-6090
www.cafeluna.com

Authentic Italian cuisine in a romantic setting of beautiful arched doors, Tuscan walls, outdoor dining and a gallery of original artwork. Located at the corner of Hargett and Blount Streets, across from Exploris, a short walk to the center of First Night Raleigh.


5) Hard Times Café
410 Glenwood Ave. – Old Pine State Creamery
(Glenwood South)
919/835-1600
www.hardtimes.com/raleigh.htm

Raleigh’s only authentic chili parlor. Four award winning chili’s to choose from. Homemade corn bread, mouth-watering burgers, ribs, chicken & salads. Family friendly with kids menu. Casual, upbeat fun for the entire family. Plenty of parking.


6) Port City Java
234 Fayetteville Street Mall
919/232-5282
www.portcityjava.com

Serving the finest premium coffees, fruit and specialty beverages, baked goods, wraps and sandwiches, all served in a friendly comfortable atmosphere.


7) Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
330 Hillsborough St.
919/829-3663
www.second-empire.com

Uptown in Downtown Raleigh! Enjoy the ultimate dining experience in an elegant but relaxed atmosphere! Winner of Spectator’s Awards of Excellence! Inviting Tavern with separate casual menu and year-round patio dining with live music


8) Tir na nÓg
218 S. Blount St.
(West Side of Moore Square Park)
919/833-7795
www.tnnpub.com

Raleigh's original Irish Pub offers an atmosphere perfect for meeting people or just to sit down and have a quiet meal. The full menu offers an assortment of traditional Irish dishes and some of the finest beers on tap, all served at their perfect temperature. New Year’s Eve package for $20 per person includes Party Favors, Champagne Toast and a Party featuring Mighty Lester and the Blues Kings, a jump jivin’, houserockin’, hipshakin’, soul-drenched good time. Room packages are available at either the Sheraton Capital Center or Clarion Hotels, and include a Continental Breakfast.

Street vendors are located on Fayetteville Street Mall and the Bicentennial Plaza, selling street fare: Kettle Korn, Gyros and Heroes, Hot Dogs and Hamburgers, Polish Sausages, Chicken Tenders, Corn Dogs, Pretzels, Nachos, Sno Cones, Onion Rings, French Fries and more.

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