Rosewater Kitchen
Hi {{ first name | Raleigh Lover}}!
What a wild and wonderful week it’s been in Raleigh—filled with new discoveries, historical gems, and friendly faces! We’ve been on the move exploring everything from secret gardens in Historic Oakwood to shadowy spirits haunting downtown. (Yes, Raleigh has ghosts—and they apparently like to rattle the beds in the Governor’s Mansion!)
One of my favorite events this week was the Historic Oakwood Garden Tour. It’s hard not to fall in love with this neighborhood all over again as you stroll past blooming gardens, peek behind wrought-iron fences, and chat with welcoming homeowners. We met a former NC State professor who created a backyard sanctuary filled with totems honoring the Blackfoot tribes, and learned about a woman in the 1920s who developed nearly the entire street we stood on—talk about a boss!
From the past to the paranormal, we joined a ghost tour downtown and learned about spirits still lingering in Raleigh’s most historic buildings. We even discovered Haywood Hall—the oldest home in Raleigh still on its original foundation—and now possibly one of the prettiest.
And then there’s the Raleigh of now. We sipped cocktails at the brand new High Rail rooftop bar (those views, though!) and sampled the fresh Nosh menu at the stunning and storied Carolina Inn. While staring at century-old photos on the walls, it struck me—Raleigh’s always been alive with stories. The outfits and colors may change, but the spirit of curiosity, creativity, and community remains the same.
We do what we do to uncover this side of Raleigh for you—to prove that this city is far from boring. Sometimes it just takes a little digging, a curious heart, and someone to say, “Hey, did you know about this?” So let’s keep exploring together—there’s always more to see.
Happy Easter and have a wonderful long weekend!
Caroline
P.S. Fun Fact: In Australia most people get four days off for Easter: Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday - some may even get the Tuesday off. (If an important holiday falls on a Sunday, we get the Monday off to compensate! )So Easter in Australia has always felt like one of the biggest, most celebratory weekends of the year! It feels very quiet for me in the US.
💖 FAVORITE FINDS
Dinner at Rosewater Kitchen - I did not feel like I was in Raleigh with that gorgeous Meditterean sytle patio and exceptional food. Possibly my favorite Raleigh restaurant., and the whole branzino was definitely the best fish I’ve had here!
The Carolina Inn in Chapel Hill- ‘That Tequila Drink”, tuna ceviche, and almond passionfruit cake were a standout. Also loved the stunning hallway and gardens out front. See photos of the inn here.
Panang Curry from the Drunken Noodle food truck - the best Thai I’ve had in Raleigh
$5 Sunday pints at Fornight Brewery in Cary - they have gluten reduced beers!! So good.
The downtown Raleigh ghost tour - happen nightly. Our guide was a true local and the group highly engaged believers!
Sunset from the High Rail rooftop!
Almond passionfruit cake
Ghost Tour
Sunset from High Rail
Historic Oakwood garden totem
BREWGALOO GIVEAWAY
We’re giving away two tickets to Brewgaloo’s Friday night block party (April 25) featuring all you can drink samples of NC brews! Click here to enter.
⭐DID YOU HEAR?
The Nest at Downtown Cary Park was just officially named the #1 Public Playground in America by USATODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Here is our guide to the park.
Speaking of the park, I’ve never seen it so busy then at the Pimento Cheese Festival on the weekend. Our highlight was discovering Not Just a Fry Guy food truck - loaded fries that are 100% gluten free. It made our best fries in Raleigh list
Brewery Bhavana has finally opened their second location at Fenton. You can see more photos here.
JP Pastry’s - a 100% gluten free bakery from Benson is coming to Raleigh, just off Wake Forest Road near Costco Wholesale and Wegmans between late May and mid-June.
The $1 billon “Raleigh Sports and Entertainment District.” development was approved by the council to transform 80 acres around Lenovo Center into a mixed-use development
Bittersweet Social (a new cocktail from Bittersweet) will be opening in the Gallo Pelón space in August (that is bittersweet as I loved that mezcal bar. Now I rue not going there more often) Last day of service will be Cinco de Mayo!
The Carolina Hurricanes start their NHL Playoffs campaign at home this Sunday at 3pm against the New Jersey Devils! Go Canes!
🖋 ON THE BLOG
📆THIS WEEKEND
You may like…
Pit's Cuegrass Festival on Saturday. Celebrate BBQ and Bluegrass in Downtown Raleigh on Fayetteville St.
Bring your own pup to NC Courage’s Pups at the Pitch Night as they take on BAY FC..
All-day FREE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL in the Raleigh Rose Garden’s outdoor Amphitheatre on Sat with 30 minutes playlets of classics like Romeo & Juliet and MacBeth.
Goodguy’s 10th Griots Garage North Carolina Nationals at the showground today and tomorrow. Over 1500 of the southeast finest hot rods, trucks and classics plus live music!
🗣JOIN THE CONVERSATION
The social posts that have everyone talking (click image to join)
👍ON THE GRAM
If you find our newsletter helpful, please share it with people you know. We’ve created a referral program with a few rewards to say thank you! 👇