Raleigh, NC

Looking for a good place for lunch. Already saw the Roast House, may check it out. Lots of BBQ places nearby, but I don't like mustard-based sauces. Any suggestions?

For which part of Raleigh are you looking?  Downtown?
 
Roast Grill dogs are pretty good, and worth the stop.
 
The Pit makes some good BBQ, and they serve a vinegar-based sauce.

My mother (65) and sister (30) are coming to Raleigh mid-November, and are trying to think of things to do.   They both like nature walks  (4 to 9 miles)  and want to visit a zoo  (especially hippos)  or a petting zoo  (cows).    Anything like that around there?   Only thing I saw online was the NC zoo, but that's another hour or two west  (coming from Delaware).   
 
Mom's also into flowers/plants, Sister is into chocolates, etc.
 
They already plan to visit The Pit.   Any good breakfast places?
 
Thanks!

bwave


My mother (65) and sister (30) are coming to Raleigh mid-November, and are trying to think of things to do.   They both like nature walks  (4 to 9 miles)  and want to visit a zoo  (especially hippos)  or a petting zoo  (cows).    Anything like that around there?   Only thing I saw online was the NC zoo, but that's another hour or two west  (coming from Delaware).   

Mom's also into flowers/plants, Sister is into chocolates, etc.

They already plan to visit The Pit.   Any good breakfast places?

Thanks!

Only zoo I know of is the one in Asheboro.
 
The Greenway in Raleigh has a few nice walks:

 
Big Ed's is great for breakfast.

There's a state farmers' market in Raleigh that's real nice browsing for anyone but especially if you're into flowers and plants.  I once would have wholeheartedly recommended the restaurant there but I hear there have been some changes not for the good.   Personally I'm real fond of the Char-Grill downtown, and I think Dale (wanderingjew) covered it in a trip report maybe last year.

There's a great outdoor walk at the NC Art Museum (on Blue Ridge Road, not far from the fairgrounds & vet school), not to mention the museum itself.
Or you could take them to Lake Johnson, at the far end of Avent Ferry Road. It's got a lovely paved loop through the woods, though you can hear the trucks on the Beltline.
No zoo in Raleigh, but there is an arboretum at NCSU (Beryl Road, also not far from the state fairgrounds.) And by then, the state flea market should be back in full swing on Saturdays and Sundays.
I'm not aware of any petting zoos in town, but you could probably reach over the fence and pet a cow at the vet school.
 

And I almost forgot, you should stop by Escazu Chocolates (they have a website.) They're on Blount St. or the next street over...Person St, maybe? They have great handmade truffles, chocolate bars (they make all of the chocolate from cacao beans right on site), chocolate drinks and coffee. And, if you ask to use the restroom, you get to walk through the production area and see their 1920s era roaster and concher from Spain (they're quite impressive.)
 
As far as breakfast, I'd go to Humble Pie downtown for the Sunday brunch, or if they're really into roadfood, I'd take them to Finch's on Peace St. (open every morning for breakfast, if I recall correctly.)

Wow, thanks you all for the ideas!

Joshua,
I've never been to Raleigh, but I believe where I'll be is East Raleigh. Ran across a Jamaican restaurant that looks good - any suggestions for that area?

Nancy, we ate at the Farmer's Market Restaurant on 10/2, and breakfast was as good as ever. I believe that the operation is now run by the owner of Gypsy's Shiny Diner. We've only ever eaten breakfast there, but it's always been great - for us!

What I've been disappointed by the restaurant at the State Farmer's Market since the Gypsy's people have taken over is, the food is from Sysco systems. The menu is not as varied as it once was, either.

I was not aware that there were any "mustard-based" sauces in the area. What BBQ joints are you referring to ?

Most, if not all sauce in that region is vinegar based. Search this thread, there is an excellent BBQ trip report from off of I-95 recently. Walk the campus of University of North Carolina (in durham), it's gorgeous.

Char-grill on Hillsboro st near downtown, Snoopy's Hot dogs also on Hillssboro...
The Big Easy on Fayetteville st in downtown is great cajun food

UNC is in Chapel Hill. It is Duke that is in Durham. The fabulous restaurant 411 on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill has great, fresh Italian food with heavenly dill/rosemary rolls.

Big Ed's is my recommendation for breakfast. Fantastic food and he uses fresh ingredients from the nearby farmers market.