The Triangle is the perfect place to experience the world through international cuisine — no airplane required. We’ve compiled a list of local restaurants and food vendors representing 10 global regions so you can try your first Nepalese dish or pick up ingredients for that Ethiopian recipe you’ve been planning.
South and Central America and Caribbean
El Mandado Supermarket | 2950 E. Millbrook Rd. | Mexican, Central American, South American, Caribbean, and African market | This market houses an inventory of foods, snacks, and sauces from Latin America.
Guasaca | Five Triangle locations | South American grill | Next time you visit, grab one of the signature arepas, like the new fajita chicken arepa.
Centro Mexican Restaurant | 106 S. Wilmington St. | Mexican restaurant | Try this: Enchiladas de la Familia, a trio of enchiladas filled with chicken, bean, and steak, topped with tomatillo, crema, and chipotle salsa.
Golden Krust | 4412 Fayetteville Rd. | Caribbean restaurant | Prepare to do your happy dance. City Editor Danyale suggests the brown stewed chicken with double rice + peas.
Makus Empanadas | 411 W. Morgan St., Raleigh and 1125 W. NC 54, Ste. 304, Durham | Argentinian empanadas | Get your empanada fix with various filling choices and gluten-free options.
Europe
Capri Flavors | 867 Bass Pro Ln., Cary | Italian market | Enjoy Italian flavors at this deli and market where pasta and sweet baked treats dominate.
Mariakakis Food and Wine | 1322 Fordham Blvd., Chapel Hill | European and Mediterranean market | Find a fine wine and grab a cheese to pair with it while you’re there.
Try the shepherd’s pie at Hibernian Pub.
British Isles
Hibernian Irish Pub | 311 Glenwood Ave. and 8021 Falls of Neuse Rd. | Irish pub | Stop by for brunch, lunch, or dinner any day of the week.
The London Bridge Pub | 110 E. Hargett St. | English pub | Pro tip: Always check the website specials on food + beverages Tuesday through Sunday.
Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub | 427 W. Main St., Durham | Irish pub | Try this: The McCabe’s Pub Wings — plus, they’re gluten-free.
Western Europe
Coquette | 4351 The Circle At North Hills St. | French bistro | Enjoy a meal of French fine dining and other dishes like seared New Bedford scallops.
Annelore’s German Bakery | 308 W. Chatham St., Cary | German bakery | Bask in the taste of baked delights, including bread, desserts, and gluten-free items.
La Farm Bakery | Multiple Triangle locations | French bakery | Treat yourself to an almond croissant or a cinnamon pull-apart bread.
Rue Cler | 401 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham | Parisian | Indulge in a Parisian prix-fixe meal like the Jarret d’Agneau with braised lamb shank, toasted orzo salad, olives, cherry tomato, artichoke, and feta.
Vin Rouge | 2010 Hillsborough Rd., Durham | French bistro | Go rogue at brunch or dinner at this Bull City eatery.
Guglhupf | 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham and 1800 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill | German bakery | Visit this staple that’s been around for nearly 30 years.
Southern Europe
Picolla Italia | 423 Woodburn Rd. | Italian restaurant | This family-owned spot has been around since 1982 serving up NY-style pizza.
Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar | 309 N. Dawson St. | Italian restaurant | Try this: A family-style dinner with two starters, two mains, and the chef’s choice dessert.
Barcelona Wine Bar | 430 W. Martin St. | Mediterranean, Spanish, and South American-inspired tapas | Grab a charcuterie board or tapas paired with one of 30+ wines.
Mateo Bar de Tapas | 109 W. Chapel Hill St., Durham | Spanish tapas | Try this: Costillas De Puerco or the pollo frito.
East Central Europe
J. Betski’s | 1916 Bernard St. | Casual East and Central European fare | Dine in or stop by its new grab-and-go market.
Baltic Bites | Food truck finder | America’s first Lithuanian food truck | Have a flavorful and healthy bite in the form of the cepelinai, a national Lithuanian dish dumpling made from grated potatoes and stuffed with ground meat.
Stop in to Neomonde for flaky baklava.
Mediterranean and Turkey
Neomonde | Multiple Triangle locations | Mediterranean restaurant | Whether you’re in the mood for a quick dinner or need an event catered, get your needs met.
Taverna Agora | 326 Hillsborough St. | Mediterranean rooftop bar and restaurant | Celebrate 20 years of this eatery with brunch, lunch, or dinner.
Jasmin & Olivz | Seven Triangle locations | Mediterranean fast-casual, healthy restaurant | Try this: A Jasmin chicken-filled pita pocket with house salad, feta, and tzatziki.
Taza Grill | 6325 Falls of Neuse Rd. | Mediterranean restaurant | Chow down on grilled meats or a vegetarian-friendly hummus platter.
Bosphorus | 329-A N. Harrison Ave., Cary | Turkish and Mediterranean restaurant | Grab a Turkish bite in the form of a pizza.
Africa
Carolina International Mart | 3540 Maitland Dr. | African and Caribbean market | Shop various specialized foods and food brands at this stocked market.
Agori International African Market | 4701 Atlantic Ave., Ste. 111 | African grocery store | Stop by and shop dozens of products sourced directly from Africa and the Caribbean.
Nafkot Ethiopian Restaurant | 2109 Avent Ferry Rd., Ste. 146 | Ethiopian restaurant | Enjoy a taste of Ethiopian cuisine in the form of kitfo, a chopped prime beef seasoned with spice butter and mimita.
Zweli’s | 4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Ste. 26, Durham | Zimbabwe eats | Grab a bite from the Triangle’s only restaurant serving Zimbabwe dishes.
Awazé Ethiopian Cuisine | 904 NE Maynard Rd., Cary | Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurant | Try this: Doro Wot, a drumstick cooked with sautéed in onions, paprika sauce.
Nora’s African Groceries | 4837 NC 55 Hwy., Durham | African grocery store | Shop for a variety of needs at this Bull City African market.
Middle East
Golden Hex | 1200 NW. Maynard Rd., Cary | European and Mediterranean grocery and deli | Stock up on meats, sweet treats, and bakery items from countries like Russia and Ukraine.
Jerusalem Bakery & Grocery | 2233 Avent Ferry Rd., Ste. 105 | Mediterranean grocery | Cure your sweet tooth and stop by for a baked good or shop the shelves.
Sitti | 137 S. Wilmington St. | Lebanese restaurant | Try this: Warak Anab, a mixture of rice and vegetables mixed with pomegranate molasses, wrapped in grape leaves.
Sassool | 9650 Strickland Rd., Raleigh and 1347 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary | Mediterranean cafe | City Editor Danyale here. If you want a bang for your buck, try the Mediterranean Meal Deal.
Al Baraka Market | 3815 Hillsborough St. | Mediterranean market and grill | This one stop shop includes a market, grill, and bakery.
City Market Sushi specializes in creative sushi rolls.
Asia
Cheeni | 202 Corcoran St. Ste. 100, Durham | Indian restaurant | This eatery is headed by two-time James Beard Award semifinalist chef Preeti Waas and serves homestyle Indian meals.
Grand Asia Market | 1253 Buck Jones Rd. | Asian grocery store | This store offers a market, bakery, and restaurant. Plus, it’s open every day of the year, including holidays.
Ajisai | 427 Woodburn Rd. | Japanese fusion restaurant | This fusion eatery offers kitchen specials like Thai basil chicken or beef and sushi rolls including the Dynamite roll featuring tuna and salmon.
Mofu Shoppe | 321 S. Blount St. | Asian fusion tapas | Feast yourself for reimagined and renditions dishes like the butter milk flounder bao and the braised cumin lamb.
City Market Sushi | 315 Blake St. | Japanese restaurant | Delight in various specialty sushi rolls and polish the meal with a green tea crème brûlée.
Anise Pho | 222 Glenwood Ave. | Vietnamese restaurant | Grab lunch for $12 or less. Plus, City Editor Danyale recommends the com rice platters.
Waraji | 5910-147 Duraleigh Rd. | Japanese restaurant | Indulge in a wide menu including a gluten-free section.
Lemongrass Thai Restaurant | 8320 Litchford Rd. | Thai restaurant | Try this: Basil fried rice with spicy chili-garlic, chicken, egg, and julienne carrots.
Hmart | 1961 High House Rd., Cary | Asian supermarket | Shop anything from ingredients to specialty snacks — and grab a bite from the marketplace.
Himalayan Nepali Cuisine | 746 East Chatham St., Ste. A, Cary | Himalayan restaurant | Taste you way through the Nepali menu and enjoy dishes like fried chili vegetable momo.
Himalayan Grill Restaurant and Bar | 1207 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary | Nepalese grill and bar | Make this a weekend stop and enjoy a variety of Nepali and Indian cuisine at the buffet.
NaanStop | 2812 Erwin Rd., Ste. 103, Durham | Indian restaurant | Try this: Punjab fish masala, a dish featuring fish cooked in gravy with a blend of spices.
Viceroy | 335 W. Main St., Durham | Indian fusion restaurant | This Durham staple offers a range of curries like Mykanwala and chana masala.
Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know.