Restaurants near the PNC Arena in Raleigh
You want something to eat and it’s before or after a big game or concert at the PNC Arena or Carter-Finley Stadium? Here are some choices of where to eat if you’re in the area and want to stay pretty local.
If you want tv’s and bar food:
Backyard Bistro – Huge, comfortable for sports fans and has lots of bar food and appetizers. Some of the food is pretty good, some is not. It’s the closest to the arena so can get extremely crowded.
Buffalo Brothers is a decent chain with indoor and outdoor seating near Rex Hospital featuring pizza and wings.
Spirits Pub & Grub is in nearby Cary but has better food than the bars that are closer.
Rudino’s has pretty bad food, including the pizza. The grinders and wings are tolerable, and they have drink specials.
Edwards Mill Bar & Grill also has substandard food but has drink specials.
If you’re looking for something more upscale where there won’t be tv’s:

taste bar has a “morsel menuâ€, cocktails and wine and craft beers
Bella Monica has good modern Italian food, with many gluten-free options. (my 2007Â review here)
Maximillian’s in Cary is a little drive down NC 54, and you can make reservations online.
If you want something fast and casual:

Neomonde has excellent Mediterranean food with a huge deli case of fresh, healthy sides that you can choose from. Stand in line to order and then they will bring the food to your table.

Chubby’s tacos is Mexican fast casual with a salsa bar that serves margaritas and beer too
Tenko is standard but filling Japanese hibachi in a very small space