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.
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