The Harlem Globetrotters are bringing their world-famous basketball magic to the Lenovo Center on Sunday, April 6, at 3 p.m.! This action-packed show is filled with dazzling trick shots, jaw-dropping dunks, and plenty of fun for the whole family. Doors open at 2 p.m., so arrive early to grab your seats and enjoy the excitement. Grab your tickets now!
Let’s Lunch! Five Great Spots for a Midday Meal in (and Around) Raleigh
Whether you’re squeezing in a quick bite between meetings or lingering over a leisurely meal with friends, these five spots deliver lunch done right.
But first, today’s your last chance to enter to win our March contest: an Advance Family Package (a $40 value) to one lucky winner—including five event tickets—to experience this unforgettable day of hands-on fun at Junior League of Raleigh’s fan-fave Touch-A-Truck event on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The family-friendly event allows kids (and kids at heart) to get up close and personal with all kinds of cool vehicles—think construction equipment, emergency response vehicles, buses, and more! Plus, there will be food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, music, and live entertainment to keep the fun going all day long.
Enter before Friday, March 28, 2025, for your chance to win FREE tickets!
Campus Convenience: Burgers, Brews, and Midday Wins at Players Retreat
A Raleigh staple since 1951, PR’s burgers, wings, and laid-back vibe make it a lunchtime classic. This is an especially good call during March Madness where every seat in the house has a good view of the constant rotation of college hoops. They’re even hosting a $100 giveaway to celebrate the season, so get your entry in by Monday night!
Bonus: speedy service means you’re back on track in no time but they’re also newly offering reservations, to boot.
Bloomsbury Bistro: Lunch, Elevated in Five Points
A Five Points classic, Bloomsbury Bistro is better known for dinner, but their new entrance to the lunch lineup is worth celebrating. Offering a wide variety of small plates, salad, sandwiches, and entrees, all appetites will be satisfied here. And a real surprise? Monday lunch hours! (PS: Those of you who miss power lunches in DTR at 18 Seaboard will be beyond pleased to see a familiar face, Brandy, now serving as GM of this neighborhood spot.👋) Grab a resy!
Farm Fresh, Fork Ready at ITB’s Mandolin
May 12, 2025 Update: In an email to guests, Mandolin has decided to suspend their lunch service to focus on dinner and brunch. 🙁 With its locally sourced ingredients and refined menu, Mandolin’s lunch offerings are both elegant and approachable. Ideal for a relaxed yet efficient meal, reservations are available, ensuring you’ll be in and out for a reasonable working lunch or meeting that impresses your invited dining mates.
Lucky 32: Southern Comfort on Your Schedule (Ok, a Quick Trip to Cary)
Lucky 32’s efficient lunch service paired with scratch-made Southern classics makes it perfect for a quick break or a longer afternoon unwind, especially if you opt to dine at their spacious bar (my go-to seating preference) or patio. This Greensboro-based concept took a while to return to offering lunch hours post-COVID but I’m so glad this is back in their regular rotation so when I find myself in Cary or near 64/US-1 on the way back to work in Raleigh, this is where I’m heading. (And, they’re on OpenTable!)
Flatbreads, Friends, and Fast Service at Bella Monica (West Raleigh)
Known for their comforting Italian fare, Bella Monica’s generous pasta portions and signature flatbreads make for a satisfying midday indulgence. For those looking for lighter bites, I have featured their salads as some of my favorites in town in the past. 🥗 And, of course, you know I love an OpenTable reservation to walk in with confidence that a table is waiting for me during the busy lunch hour.
Friday Five: Spring Is in the Air! 💐🌞
Spring has officially sprung! Yesterday marked the first day of the season—and I don’t know about you, but I could not be happier. Though I am a bit worried about the pollen outlook this year, I know I will be taking every opportunity to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather during these upcoming warm days. Good riddance, winter! Here are some excuses to get you out of the house this weekend.