Raleigh Convention Center – Dining
First-time visitors to the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina, might be caught off guard when they find out that the convention center has no on-site dining options. It’s not as big of a deal as you might think, however. That’s because like most hustling and bustling, up-and-coming urban centers, Raleigh’s downtown is home to plenty of great places to eat.
One such place is the Raleigh Marriott City Center hotel located adjacent to the convention center. In addition to its 400 well-furnished rooms, 15,000 square feet of meeting space, and amenities like a heated indoor pool and massive parking garage, the Marriott also offers a number of different dining options. These include Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, a full-service restaurant putting a contemporary twist on traditional Southern comfort food, a Starbucks, and your typical hotel breakfast services.
For many visitors attending an event at the Raleigh Convention Center, the Marriott is the go-to spot for grabbing a bite to eat. The options are plentiful, the quality is good, and since it’s located right next door, you don’t have to worry about missing out on too much of the action back at the convention center. For quick and convenient dining near the Raleigh Convention Center, the Marriott is definitely your best bet.
Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen
No trip down South is complete without sampling some of the delicious soul food the region is known for. Luckily you don’t have to venture far from the Raleigh Convention Center to do just that. As it turns out, legit comfort food can be found less than a block away at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen.
Although Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen is located in a Marriott, don’t let that fool you. This restaurant is a complete cut above your typical hotel dining experience. They incorporate ingredients that are local, seasonal, and above all, flavorful to revamp regional specialties ranging from po’ boys to collard greens.
The breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus change with the season at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen, so it’s hard to say with certainty what you can expect to find. If you happen to be dining there in the fall however, prepare your palate for the autumnal flavors of dishes like beef pot pie made with fresh fall vegetables and ribeye steak served with a side of pimento cheese scalloped potatoes and seasonal charred mushrooms. For even more fall flavor, try the pumpkin bisque. This velvety soup is made with locally harvested pumpkins and topped with spiced pepitas.
As their name would suggest, Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen also features a bar where travelers can wet their whistle after a long day. They’ve got local drafts on tap and signature cocktails that also change with the season, such as a Cranberry Rosemary Crush and Spiced Apple Rum Punch Mule for fall. The drink menu at Rye Bar & Southern Kitchen also features domestic and imported beers, a variety of premium wines, and more. They’ve even got live music taking place in the bar every Friday and Saturday night from October to April!
Starbucks
A sit-down meal is nice, but sometimes you just don’t have the time. That’s especially true when you’re busy attending an event at the Raleigh Convention Center. So, if you want to get your food fix without the wait, stop by the Starbucks inside the Marriott.
Like other Starbucks locations, they serve baked goods, sandwiches, and more, along with a variety of hot and cold beverages. It’s the perfect pit stop before spending the day navigating the exhibit hall floor or exploring downtown Raleigh.
Breakfast
The Raleigh Marriott City Center also offers a variety of breakfast services. The cheapest option is the continental breakfast, which costs only $10. There’s also a full American breakfast available for $12.
If you need to fuel up for a big day, opt for the buffet breakfast. Although it costs $16.95, you can make sure you won’t be leaving hungry since you can pile your plate as high as you’d like with waffles, scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, and more.