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Embracing Fall in Downtown Raleigh: Shopping, Dining, & More


The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery

It’s fall y’all. The long, hot days of summer are officially behind us and now it’s time for crunchy leaves, foggy mornings, and the musky-sweet smell of autumn air.

As the oak trees that line our streets start turning shades of orange, you’re probably wondering how you can embrace the season of change when you’re spending time in Downtown Raleigh. So, we compiled this guide of things to eat, buy, and try that celebrate this enchanting time of year and support local businesses at the same time.

Now raise your PSLs, and let’s cheers to the end of triple-digit temperatures and the start of cozy nights, festive food & drinks, exciting events, artsy outings, and Halloween/Thanksgiving celebrations.

Halloween Events

Thanksgiving Specials & Takeout

Does your Downtown Raleigh business offer fall-exclusive specials, merchandise, or events? Email xennasmith@downtownraleigh.org to be included in this guide. 

Fall Finds

Explore more shopping in Downtown Raleigh

Casa Imperial Finery

Refresh your space with handcrafted home and garden furnishings celebrating the rich artistry of Mexican culture.

Crude Bitters & The Bittery

Add a bit of spice to your dinner parties with festive cocktails using earthy, seasonal bitters.

DECO

Pick up everything you need to give your space that snug, autumn ambiance such as candle or themed décor.

Edge of Urge

Spooky season is upon us and Edge of Urge is ready with all the kitschy Halloween gifts, accessories, and apparel you could dream of. 

Munjo Munjo

Find Halloween-themed art, comics, and cozy sweatshirts made by local artists all under one roof. 

The Museum Shop

Discover seasonal treasures at the NC History Museum Gift Shop’s temporary Glenwood Ave storefront, including glass-blown pumpkins by local artist Lisa Oakley. 

Noire Nail Bar

Treat yourself to a fresh set of autumnal nails.

Pallbearer Vintage

A leather jacket, boots, and vintage jeans are classic staples that can round-out your fall wardrobe.

Parcero Studio

Prepare for colder weather with hand-crocheted knit-wear, or pick up supplies to make scarves and sweaters of your own.

So & So Books

Admit it, there's nothing better than cozying up with a good read on a chilly day.

 

Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice

These coffee shops are brewing up spicetacular drink specials ranging from matcha to cold brew, but a pumpkin spice latte is always a classic choice.

321 Coffee

Turmeric Latte

42 & Lawrence

Pumpkin Spice Latte

The Bike Library

Spiced Mocha Latte

Birdie's Barroom & Kitchen

Pumpkin Affogato

Blackbird Books & Coffee

Bananas Foster Matcha

The Cupcake Shoppe Bakery

Apple Crumble Latte

The Morning Times Cafe

Brown Butter Pecan Cappuccino

Iris Coffee Lab

Cardamom Latte

Oma’s Café & Wine Bar

Apple Chai-der

Sir Walter Coffee

Pumpkin Cheesecake Cold Brew

 

Bites & Brews

Explore more dining and nightlife

10th & Terrace

Soak in those rooftop views and try 10th & Terrace's Cocktail of the Month: the Midnight Oracle.

Bittersweet 

Downtown's dessert and cocktail lounge is now serving their fall menu of smoky, spiced, herbal, and witchy libations. 

Boatman Spirits Co.

The mixology at Boatman Spirits Co. is on point with creative ingredient combinations and a seasonal selection of spirits distilled in-house.

Dram & Draught

Known for their inventive cocktails, Dram & Draught's seasonal menu is packed with warm, nutty, and chocolatey flavors that evoke autumn with each sip.  

Heirloom Brewshop

What a better way to start your day than with a warm, hearty bowl of Chicken Rice Porridge.

The Hippo Wine Bar

Have a Hallo-wine sampling with your friends at this downtown wine shop.

Krispy Kreme

Be the VIP of your next costume party by showing up with a dozen spooky, Halloween-themed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. 

Littlest Tea Room

Warm up with a hand-brewed, artisan teas in a hidden speakTEAsy tucked behind a bookshelf in downtown's smallest retail shop. 

The Longleaf Lounge

Savor fall cocktails like the Mile Chai Club tucked inside downtown's preserved mid-century modern hotel.

The Merchant

If you’re looking for a high-end, fall cocktail experience, The Merchant's new menu features creative concoctions like the Ghost-ini or Spiced Solstice. 

Pelagic Beer and Wine

Take your love for pumpkin spice lattes to the next level with pumpkin-flavored craft beers. 

Raleigh Raw Juice Bar and Cafe

Their limited-time fall soup menu will have you feeling toasty and nourished.

Simon Says Dip This

No matter the weather, it’s always the season for ice cream—especially with a pumpkin pie filling core. 

Sugar Euphoria

This neighborhood dessert shop is releasing new and seasonal cupcake flavors every week of October from Butter Beer to Pumpkin Biscoff. 

Tasty Beverage Co.

Grab a pack (or two) of craft, autumnal brews for football Sundays.

Yellow Dog Bread Company

Pumpkin scones and harvest veggie focaccia is back on the menu at this longstanding downtown bakery. 

Wonderland Kitchen & Cocktails

This downtown spot goes all out for Halloween with festive décor, food, and specialty cocktails to match.

Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing

Head over to Wye Hill for great skyline views and satisfying bites from their seasonal fall food and drink menu.

 

Fall Festivities

Find more things to do in Downtown Raleigh on our events calendar 

Fall Cookie Decorating | Joy Worthy Co.

Wednesday, October 22nd

Marbles Kooky Spooky Halloween Party | Marbles Kids Museum 

Friday, October 24th

Adult Nights: Zombie Prom | NC Museum of Natural Sciences

Friday, October 24th

Family Fun Concert: Halloween Spooktacular | NC Symphony

Saturday, October 25th

Day of the Dead 5k & Street Festival | Centro

Saturday, October 25th

Sip n' Stroll Raleigh Ghost Tour | Raleigh Walking Tours

Saturday, October 25th

Day of the Dead with Revista Latina 2025 | City Plaza

Sunday, October 26th

Brick or Treat! - FREE ENTRY | Bricks & Minifigs 

Monday, October 27th – Sunday, November 2nd

Fall Sip & Paint | Wonderland Kitchen & Cocktails

Tuesday, October 28th

Circo de Cuya | Cuya

Tuesday, October 28th – Saturday, November 1st

Moonlit Maker's Market Special Halloween Party | Burial Beer Co. The Exhibit

Thursday, October 30th

Halloween Tattoo Flash | The Davie

Friday, October 30th

Sinners on IMAX | Marbles IMAX Theater

Thursday, October 30th – Friday, October 31st

Boooogie Nights: Two Nights of Funk and Treats | Watts & Ward

Friday, October 31st –  Saturday, November 1st

Halloween at Person Street Bar | Person Street Bar

Friday, October 31st

Halloween Party | Boxcar Bar & Arcade

Friday, October 31st

Halloween Night | Amrut: Taste of India 

Friday, October 31st

Halloween Party & Costume Contest | Crank Arm Brewing

Friday, October 31st

Annual Halloween Party - live music with Astrocat | Circa 1888

Friday, October 31st

Halloween at Neptunes! | Neptunes Parlour

Friday, October 31st

1st Annual Halloween Party | Urban Oak

Friday, October 31st

Halloween at Le Dive! | Le Dive

Friday, October 31st

Monster's Ball | Killjoy

Friday, October 31st

High Rail Halloween Party | High Rail 

Friday, October 31st

Halloween Party | Boatman Spirits Co.

Friday, October 31st

HALLOWOLFE BASH | Wolfe & Porter

Friday, October 31st

THE GREAT BIRDIE'S PUMPKIN CARVE | Birdie's Barroom & Kitchen

Friday, October 31st

DAY of the DOGS | Crank Arm Brewing

Saturday, November 1st

Carolina Ballet presents: The Seven Deadly Sins | Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts

Thursday, October 16th – Sunday, November 2nd

Midnight Nomad | Nomad

Tuesday, October 7th – Sunday, November 2nd

Spice Apple Old Fashioned Class | Crude Bitters & The Bittery

Wednesday, November 5th

9th Annual Día de Los Muertos | City of Raleigh Museum

Friday, November 7th

Fall African American History Walking Tours | Pope House Museum

Saturdays through November 

 

Thanksgiving Menu Pre-Orders

Take the stress out of Thanksgiving dinner and let these Downtown Raleigh restaurants handle all the cooking with à la carte entrees or sides. 

Restaurants/bakeries can submit their specials to xennasmith@downtownraleigh.org.

Irregardless Cafe

Pre-order by Sunday, November 23rd | Dine-In or Take and Bake

  • Brined & roasted turkey
  • Sweet potato casserole 
  • Cornbread stuffing
  • Bourbon pecan pie 

Longleaf Swine

Pre-order by Thursday, November 20th | Take and Bake

  • Texas-style brisket 
  • Collard greens
  • Pimento mac-and-cheese
  • Pumpkin pie

Midwood Smokehouse

Pre-order while supplies last | Take and Bake

  • Spiral cut boneless ham
  • Pepper jack cornbread
  • Cranberry-apple compote
  • Banana pudding

The Pit

Pre-order by Friday, November 21st | Dine-In or Take and Bake

  • Chopped whole-hog barbecue
  • Cranberry chutney
  • Mashed potatoes and gravy
  • Kings Hawaiian Rolls 

Sam Jones BBQ

Pre-order by Saturday, November 22nd | Take and Bake

  • Whole smoked turkey breast  
  • Baked beans
  • Green bean casserole 
  • Pecan pie