Nestled in the heart of Raleigh, North Carolina, Side Street Restaurant stands as a testament to the charm and culinary spirit of the local community. Located at 225 N Bloodworth St #427, this establishment has become a familiar landmark for those who appreciate a relaxed dining atmosphere combined with a genuine commitment to quality. Whether you are a long-time resident of the city or a visitor exploring the vibrant streets of Raleigh, the restaurant offers a welcoming space that feels like a natural extension of the neighborhood itself.
The philosophy behind Side Street Restaurant is rooted in the idea that dining should be an approachable, comfortable experience. By focusing on consistent preparation and a hospitable environment, the team behind the scenes ensures that every guest feels valued from the moment they step through the door. It is the kind of place where the pace of life seems to slow down, allowing patrons to focus on the simple pleasure of a well-prepared meal in good company.
What Makes Side Street Restaurant Unique
A Prime Location in the Historic District: Situated in a character-filled area of Raleigh, the restaurant benefits from its proximity to the city's historic charm. The setting provides a perfect backdrop for a casual lunch, a relaxed dinner, or a brief respite during a busy day of exploring the local architecture and tree-lined streets.
Commitment to a Welcoming Atmosphere: The interior design and service style are curated to foster a sense of belonging. By maintaining a balance between professional service and a laid-back vibe, the restaurant creates an environment where both solo diners and large groups feel equally at home.
Focus on Quality and Consistency: Rather than chasing fleeting trends, the kitchen prioritizes the fundamentals of good cooking. This dedication to consistency ensures that guests know exactly what to expect, making it a reliable choice for those who value quality ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
Community-Centric Philosophy: Being part of the Bloodworth Street community means more than just serving food; it means participating in the local culture. The restaurant prides itself on being a staple for the people who live and work nearby, contributing to the unique identity of the downtown Raleigh area.
The Culinary Experience
The culinary approach at Side Street Restaurant is defined by its dedication to classic flavors and reliable techniques. By focusing on dishes that resonate with the local palate, the menu serves as a reflection of what people truly enjoy eating in a comfortable setting. The kitchen team works diligently to ensure that every plate that leaves the pass meets a high standard of quality, emphasizing the importance of fresh ingredients and careful execution. It is this attention to detail that elevates the dining experience, transforming a simple meal into a memorable part of your day.
Beyond the food, the beverage selection is designed to complement the menu, offering a variety of options that cater to different tastes and preferences. Whether you are looking for a refreshing drink to accompany your meal or a quiet place to unwind, the restaurant provides the necessary elements to make your visit enjoyable. The staff is knowledgeable and always ready to offer recommendations, ensuring that your experience is tailored to your specific needs.
A Neighborhood Staple
In a city that is constantly evolving, Side Street Restaurant remains a steady presence. It serves as a reminder that the best dining experiences are often found in the most unassuming places—the ones that prioritize their guests and their community above all else. The restaurant does not rely on gimmicks or complex presentations; instead, it relies on the strength of its character and the loyalty of its patrons. For those who value authenticity and a sense of place, it is a destination that warrants a visit.
As you plan your next outing in Raleigh, consider stopping by 225 N Bloodworth St. Whether you are looking for a quiet corner to reflect or a friendly spot to gather with friends, you will find that the doors are open and the atmosphere is inviting. Side Street Restaurant continues to uphold its reputation as a cornerstone of the local dining scene, inviting everyone to pull up a chair and enjoy the simple, honest hospitality that defines this unique Raleigh establishment.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Assistive hearing loop
Menus
Photos
Reviews Side Street Restaurant
Kenneth Coley
13-06-2026
Ingrid was our server. She was excellent. The other staff was helpful as well. We had the clubhouse (added jalapeño bacon) and Lane Street BLT. Pasta side salad Both were excellent! Prices a reasonable for these days and times. $13 for entree. I will be back to work my way through the menu. More
Andrea Martin
06-06-2026
This is a small spot with an old school feel. The white table cloths help make the place. Sandwiches were good and came out quick there is no fried food and offer pies for dessert. The corn and bean salad that came as a side option was a very odd flavor and texture mix. The service was a bit slow and seemed unorganized.
Jennifer R
04-06-2026
This was such a unique find. It looks like a hole in the wall from the outside but the food is delicious. The staff wasn't super friendly although they were really busy. The location was in rough shape but that didn't stop the amazing food from flowing out of the kitchen. Highly recommended stopping in for a bite to eat.
Eric Helminiak
30-05-2026
My wife and I enjoyed a very nice lunch with my uncle and his friend, Leslie. We recommend the reuben, jalapeño blt, quiche, salad with some sort of vinegarette, which he said was the best he's had, and a yummy vegetable pita. Awesome service and food ladies! 🙌🙌 … More
Macon David
24-05-2026
Best restaurant in the neighborhood😁, finally convinced my parents to come with me after me and a friend have been going for years. Always get the same thing and it's always great! I personally like the paint problems because it adds to the great feeling here along with the many paintings and photos. Love this place and hope it will always be around!! 😁👍
W H
05-05-2026
My wife and I have been coming to gem of a restaurant for years. The whole vibe of this place feels like you’re visiting a relative’s house for lunch, it just puts you at ease. The interior is tastefully decorated with a wide variety of … More
Elizabeth Burns
20-04-2026
MaryLou and the team were so great to work with for a co-worker's bridal shower. The catering package made setup incredibly easy (it included everything we needed down to ice and paper products). The food was delicious and packaged in such a pretty way. Do not miss out on the lemon bars - best I've ever had! Thanks guys!
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wait time
No wait
Recommendation for vegetarians
Highly recommend
Leslie Lyon
19-04-2026
Recently, my 8th grade teacher, Delores Stallings and I had a reunion from 65 years ago! I decided to take her to Side Street Cafe ... a beloved pace to meet for many teachers over the years on teacher work days.
I do not understand how Side Street offers the same dishes over all these years and the flavor stays the same !
This past weekend, I brought friends here from Pittsburgh, PA. They raved about their food for 2 days afterwards!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Jim Rutherford
18-04-2026
This restaurant is truly down a side street but well worth finding. Elsie served us and was fantastic. She was extremely helpful and constantly smiling while checking on us. The owner came by and chatted with the same attitude. We … More
Tahe Zalal
10-04-2026
I emailed the restaurant's email address but never heard back about my experience which was most unpleasant. First of all, PLEASE fix the prices on your website(Yes, your ACTUAL website- not the menu google won't take down) and please train the staff to be gracious and understanding when being informed of the huge price difference, instead of taking a condescending tone and not listening but making endless excuses. Not only did she tell me I was wrong about the prices on the website and told me I was looking elsewhere, when I pointed it out she double downed and pretty much tried to gaslight me. Inexcusable. She made a scene with other staff members and customers within earshot. Is that how you want your staff to treat your customers? We didn't even ask for a price adjustment. Just wanted to point out the very large discrepancy.
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 3
Group size
Not sure
Wait time
No wait
Susan Flenniken
02-04-2026
This little hidden gem in the historic district is an obvious favorite by all the locals as there were plenty of people coming and going as well as picking up to go orders while I was there. I had the chicken sandwich on pumpernickel with … More
Bennett Cotten
20-03-2026
Had not been to Side Street in years, and it is still excellent. In every way. Table of 6 and we all loved our food, the service, and the relaxed atmosphere. More
Jordan Harris
16-02-2026
Small town vibe, in downtown Raleigh! Very cute and quaint restaurant nestled in downtown Raleigh’s historic Oakwood neighborhood. The salads are a very nice sized portion (almost enough for two people!) the food was delicious! I recommend any of the desserts, the chocolate pie was amazing! More
Robert Trawick
16-02-2026
Absolutely a must stop in the Raleigh area. The pimento cheese sandwich will excite your taste buds if you can fit it in your mouth! Be sure to add bacon for a little extra pop of flavor. Save room for dessert that you can’t miss. The homemade apple pie took me back to my grandma’s house on Sunday afternoon. If you want the best homemade food that will make you feel young again, be sure to come in and stay a while. You will want to savor every bite.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Dinner
Price per person
USD 10–20
Charles Royal
15-02-2026
We were referred to this restaurant by a friend, and wow! This 40+ restaurant is nestled in a walkable neighborhood not too far from downtown Raleigh. They served the neighborhood regulars and new folks like us with the same friendly and informative energy. They have a broad menu and a story behind each item like their magical basil and tomato soup made by unicorns. The Rueben sandwich was exceptional as was the quiche. It was so good with lots more to try. They had an extensive offering of pies as well as a peach cobbler warmed with ice cream and a bread pudding swimming in lemon butter. We tried the bread pudding, which was excellent. We’ll be back.
Order type
Dine in
Meal type
Lunch
Price per person
USD 10–20
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Kyle West
12-02-2026
A very cool historic-looking building that happens to house an amazing restaurant. Full of charm, good service and great food! More
Denzell Smith
11-02-2026
It’s been a while, but that didn’t change a thing!!!!
I haven’t come into this establishment in some time, but it was just as I … More
renate epton
24-01-2026
I recently visited this cozy restaurant and was truly impressed by its Southern architecture and vintage charm—it’s simply amazing! I started with the tomato soup, which was delicious, and followed it up with the chicken salad sandwich, … More
Leslie Rodriguez
10-01-2026
Omg this place is fantastic It deserves 10 stars the waiter Robbie was so awesome his sister has owned it for like 40 years from what I understand. We all loved our food and dessert we each got a different dessert so we could try each … More
Ron Weyersberg
15-12-2025
The staff was very cold and not exactly welcoming. The food was decent…. No real complaints…. Took awhile for just about empty restaurant/Deli. The special chicken salad tasted like suspiciously like Costco chicken salad…. So that was humorous and gave us all a good chuckle.
Interior could use some sanitation upgrades… lead paint pealing from ceiling, broken fans that were missing blades…. They don’t look like they’ve ever been cleaned..
The sweet was coming out of a bucket…. One would question the sanitary nature of this.
But all in all….. worth a stop
Sara Dawalt
31-10-2025
One of my favorite restaurants since attending Meredith College 1995-1999. Just as delicious today as it was back then. So many sandwich choices! My favorite is the cheddar square. Don't forget to try a homemade dessert! The warm seven layer bar is devine. More
Keith Garfinkel
10-09-2025
First time here and the atmosphere is old time southern vibes. The outside is a totally different sight from the inside(in a good way) our waiter Davion was super helpful, prompt and mad cool. Food was great. Slam dunk. More
Sue Montana
16-08-2025
I had the quiche with a side salad. It was well prepared and cooked to the correct amount of time. The mix of Asparagus, mushrooms and cheese was done well. The staff was super nice.
Paula McGinley
08-08-2025
This little gem stands proudly on a quiet side street in the historic district. I loved the ambience 🥰 The staff is quite friendly and knowledgeable about the food, as well as the history of the area. The sandwiches we ordered were delicious and so filling we had no room for dessert! Great choice for lunch😀 … More
Mark Hohmeister
27-06-2025
A local gem we were directed to when we moved to downtown Raleigh in 2019. A relative from Switzerland walked in, saw the white tablecloths, and exclaimed, "This is it!" ... Super-affordable, simple (don't looked for drizzled balsamic reduction on your watercress or other artsy stuff), and delicious.
Food: 4
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Rick Hackett
20-06-2025
Wife and I stopped for lunch. She had quiche and tomato soup. She raved about them both. I had the Reuben and Mac and cheese. Both were really good. We shared the bread pudding 🍮 for dessert. It was perfect. Quaint place with cloth table cloths but laid back with great service. Quite the eclectic decor that keeps you busy looking for the next thing. Great stop when in the downtown Raleigh area.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
David Schwager (Dave)
04-06-2025
Very traditional Raleigh NC restaurant. I would highly recommend it for lunch. Very good sandwich offerings. More
Jim Watts
29-05-2025
Had supper with my brother and his wife. They love it and now so do we. Homey atmosphere with white linen tablecloths. Food was delicious and the service was great. More
Danny Ryu
20-05-2025
Great place for a lunch! Pasta salad was good! Took only few mins to get my to go ready. This will be my one of favorite lunch place from now on!
Lisa Bellamy
02-05-2025
The food here was very good! Came for the Raving David's Reuben sandwich but also got the Holey Hen chicken salad which came with delicious sides. We chose the pea corn and bean salad and slaw. Both fresh and flavorful. For dessert, highly … More
Reviews Side Street Restaurant