WithersRavenel got its start in Cary in 1983. In the 30+ years since, we’ve seen the Triangle grow in a lot of big and exciting ways, including welcoming our Raleigh office in 2015.
All these years later, we’re still so grateful to call this place home. To celebrate everything that makes area code 919 great, we’re dedicating September 19 to our Raleigh and Cary communities. We’ve asked our teams to share their favorite places to eat, drink, and be merry, and they delivered!
Raleigh Area
Jessica Legget, Funding Project Manager:
Some of my favorite restaurants that are close to the Raleigh Office include:
- Raleigh Times – Must try the BBQ Nachos!
- Gringo a Go Go – Great authentic Mexican food and formerly a service station
- The Station at Person Street – Great burgers and outdoor dining
- Angus Barn – My favorite spot for a fancy dinner or celebration! The decorations during the Holiday season are beautiful! The Wild Turkey Lounge upstairs is a little less formal and great for date night!
- NC Art Museum – Has a fun trail for biking and walking. A great spot for picnics and family activity. There is a restaurant on site (Iris) that has a great brunch!
Rob Caudle, PE, Utilities Project Engineer:
- Favorite Brewery: Lynnwood Brewing Concern
- Favorite Dog Walking trail: Lake Johnson and the NC Museum of Art (a portion of this trail is “Adopted” by the Raleigh office)
- Favorite Place to Kayak/Tube: Neuse River
Other Notable Favorites:
- Favorite Bar: The Player’s Retreat
- Favorite Restaurant: Neomande’s
- Favorite Places to have lunch downtown while in the Raleigh Office: Bennie’s, Happy & Hale
- Favorite School: NC State
Ken Orie, PE, Funding and Asset Management:
My favorite place in Raleigh is the Raleigh Times Bar across street from our Downtown office.
Jenn Moore, Marketing Associate:
I love the NC Museum of Art (NCMA) greenways and trails, Lake Johnston Nature Park, Gringo a Go Go downtown for margaritas and tacos, Lincoln Theatre and Pour House for live music, and Brewery Bhavana for thai and beer.
Gary Warner, PLA, ASLA, AICP, Senior Director of Design+Planning:
My favorite place? Falls Lake State Recreation Area! Any place that gets us into the wilderness and on the water.
Dan Greenberg, PLA, Landscape Architect:
I have several spots that I like to recommend!
- State Farmer’s Market for its fresh produce, great plants, and fun atmosphere
- Raulston Arboretum is a great place to see more plants!
- Dorothea Dix Park has a fascinating history as a mental health hospital, and is now making history as one of the largest urban parks in the country
- Umstead Park offers forest hiking in the City
- NC Museum of Art has great sculpture garden on the grounds, green infrastructure, native plantings, and is lots of fun
- Benny’s Pizza slices are astounding and you can fill up for $5
- Amorino Gelato and Sir Walter Coffee both deliver goodies with an artist’s touch
- Basketball at the Dean E. Smith Center at UNC, AKA Blue Heaven
Brendie Vega, AICP, Director of Planning:
My favorite place is the NC Farmer’s Market!
Brandon Miller, PE, Stormwater Engineer:
- Bars
- Flying Saucer
- The Cardinal
- Woody’s at City Market
- Pantana Bob’s Pool Hall
- Bottle Shops
- State of Beer
- Paddy O’s
- Restaurants
- Sushi 9
- Sushi O’s
- City Market Sushi (bougie)
- MoJoe’s
- Mecca (arguably best hamburger in town)
- Sightseeing
- Dorothea Dix
- Walnut Creek GW, Neuse GW, Falls Lake Dam (kayaking, game lands hiking)
- Jordan Lake camping
- Raleigh Rose Garden
Honorable Mention: Father and Sons (antiques and vintage, records)
Cary Area
Clark Maness, PE, Utilities Project Manager:
My favorite place? Raleigh Brewing Company. Many a WR happy hour spent there.
Lee Anna McMillan, HR Specialist:
I love Tazza, the Cardinal, Fletcher Park, Dorothea Dix, NC Art Museum, City Market Sushi, and Rosewater, which is fairly new but has a great vibe!
Ken Orie, PE, Funding and Asset Management:
You can’t beat a day on Jordan Lake!
Parker Colbath, Utilities Engineering Associate:
A very enjoyable and lesser known hiking spot is Swift Creek Bluffs Nature Preserve, about 10 minutes from our Cary office. According to Todd St. John (senior project manager with WithersRavenel and ecologist on the side) the location hosts a number of unusual ecosystems and plant species for the area. The “Stairway to Heaven” trail offers a surprising view for Cary, if you are willing to brave the climb.
One of our favorite new places to grab lunch or dinner is the Taste of Jerusalem Cafe, located on E. Chatham St. The owner, Zena, is originally from the Middle East, and moved to the U.S. after living in Spain for several years. She has a heart of gold, and the way she fuses Mediterranean and Spanish flavors is delicious and authentic. Go with the chicken platter, you can’t go wrong.
Gary Warner, PLA, ASLA, AICP, Senior Director of Design+Planning:
Chinese Lantern Festival!
Apex Area
Justin Richardson, GIS Technician:
I’m coming at this from an Apex standpoint just because that’s where I live. But of course all of these are close to the Cary office too!
- Scratch Kitchen & Taproom has great food & atmosphere and is my favorite local restaurant
- Wake Zone Coffee is a charming local coffee shop that has great drinks
- Southern Peak Brewery is my personal local favorite brewery that is a literal neighborhood brewery
Live or Travel Outside the 919?
Check out our guides from 828 Day for the Asheville area and 910 Day for the Wilmington and Southern Pines area!