Apex has lots of popular locally owned restaurants, cafes, and breweries around town, so if you’re looking for Apex restaurants that keep the Southern food scene alive, you’re in the right place!
Apex may be named for its peak position on the old Chatham Railroad line, but today it’s boarding on the culinary train.
Apex is where Southern charm simmers in cast-iron skillets and global flavors pirouette across polished plates. Apex is a small town with a big appetite.
We always enjoy dining in Apex, North Carolina, which is just a 25-minute drive from downtown Raleigh.
The main hub is Salem Street, which is lined with some of our favorite restaurants in Apex, but there are also some top places to eat outside of downtown.
Here are our favs…
1. Scratch Kitchen & Taproom
It’s not a hidden gem anymore. In fact, I think it’s safe to say Scratch Kitchen & Taproom is the most popular of the restaurants in downtown Apex.
Two restaurant families came together and created a local’s favorite restaurant (and place to drink).
Their indoor dining area and bar has character and a warm, inviting feeling, but the food is the real star here!
Dishes are made from scratch daily, hence the name, with a focus on providing a place to enjoy a delicious meal with family or friends with a side dish of good old Southern hospitality.
On the menu you’ll find creative dishes with an Asian twist, such as their Pimento Cheese Wontons, Spicy Tuna Sushi Round, Bao Buns, and Firecracker Shrimp.
Plus classics like Lobster Mac & Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken Salad, burgers, steaks, and hand-cut fries.
Don’t skimp on their desserts either, they are next level – our kids loved their Coco Seduction pictured above.
- Address: 225 N Salem St, Apex, NC
- Website: scratchkitchenandtaproom.com
2. Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse
Home of the famous GIANT fish sandwich, Skippers Seafood & Smokehouse is a family-owned business and casual spot for seafood, plus really good BBQ brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken & turkey breast.
All their food is homemade from their own special recipes. Seafood is cooked fresh once ordered. The BBQ is seasoned and smoked slowly. And from all reports the onion rings are fantastic! Portion sizes are generous. Good range of beers on tap. Indoor and outdoor seating.
- Address: 1001 E Williams St, Apex
- Website: skippersfish.com
3. Salem Street Pub
If you love a local neighborhood pub, then head to the Salem Street Pub (SSP).
The moment you step inside you can see, and feel, why this family owned and operated pub is a locals favorite hangout.
They’re popular for their tasty burgers and wings.
They used to serve gravy fries, which were a favorite of ours. Growing up in Australia gravy fries are a BIG deal but not so common here in the US.
And wash all of the above down with rotating taps of local brews, or their specialty moonshine cocktails!
Other popular dishes include the patty melt with grilled onions, Buffalo fries, and Buffalo cauliflower.
We also love the burger named “My Wife Said It Would Never Sell,” which is a beef burger topped with peanut butter honey, cheddar cheese and bacon – would you try it?
Bring the whole family for some of the best pub fare in the Raleigh area!
- Address: 113 N Salem St, Apex
- Website: salemstreetpub.com
4. Anna’s Pizzeria
Anna’s Pizzeria is another of our recommended downtown Apex restaurants.
They pride themselves on NY Style Pizza and homemade Italian food. If you love all things Italian, consider Anna’s one of your go to places to eat in Apex.
Established in 1986 in this charming corner lot building, they serve brick oven pizza and classic Italian dishes like Chicken Parmigiana, paninis and calzones.
Owner Yury Rojas’s aunt Anna was originally from Italy and helped Yury’s family move to America, and to honor her Yury named his restaurant “Anna’s Pizzeria”, a place where her legacy lives on with delicious food and warm hospitality.
Our daughter enjoyed her large slice of cheese pizza. Not the best pizza in the Raleigh area in our opinion, and could have had more cheese, but kids aren’t too fussy!
From our experience, service is not quite up to the standard of other restaurants in Apex, but was decent enough and I did enjoy the old decor and laid back vibe and my Veal Marsala was satisfactory.
They have a variety of wine and beer options including several seasonal beverages.
- Address: 100 N Salem St, Apex
- Website: annaspizzeria.com
5. La Rancherita
La Rancherita is a popular Mexican restaurant in downtown Apex. Serving classic Mexican fare in a cheerful cantina setting with salsas made in-house daily which is good, and the guacamole is said to be creamy and fresh.
Both our daughters eat here regularly with friends as they loves street tacos, and the ACP and the casual vibe here. It’s a fun place to hang out with friends, and with very reasonable prices.
They were seated right away on a Friday evening and enjoyed their order of chicken tacos and burritos, and the ACP is pretty good.
The server was polite and attentive, and the food served hot.
Apparently they make a nice Margarita, and strong. The restaurant is easy to find being in the heart of downtown, with ample parking in the surrounding streets, or if you’re lucky, on Salem Street out front.
La Rancherita Apex is one of three locations in Wake County.
- Address: 102 N Salem St, Apex
- Website: laranchnc.com
6. Daniel’s Restaurant & Catering
Daniel’s is a locals favorite Italian Restaurant in Apex and has been preparing freshly sautéed pasta dishes, hand-stretched pizzas, and scratch-made desserts since 1996.
On the menu you’ll find hearty Italian dinners and lunch specials. The pasta here is among the best in the area and generous portions. And the complimentary fresh bread with marinara they bring to the table is highly regarded.
The restaurant has a cozy neighborhood feel to it and a good choice for either a family meal, group gathering or date night. Reservations recommended.
- Address: 1430 W Williams St, Apex
- Website: danielsapex.com
7. J&S New York Pizza
When we asked our local friend Curt, who grew up in nearby downtown Cary, where to get the best pizza in Apex he sent us to J&S Pizza.
Just a 5-minute drive from downtown brings you to this casual Italian restaurant that specializes in NY-style pizzas, plus pasta dishes, calzones, subs, and traditional and boneless chicken wings.
Family owned since 1995, they have locations in Apex, Cary and Fuquay-Varina.
Owners Silvio and Josephine Cammarata, natives of Sicily, purchased their first pizzeria in 1980 in Brooklyn, New York, before relocating to Apex, North Carolina.
We like having local friends like Curt. And he was right, this is good New York style pizza, generous portions, attentive service, and a real Ma and Pa shop.
And, if you’re gluten intolerant they have gluten free and cauliflower crust pizza bases!
- Address: 804 Perry Rd, Apex
- Website: jandsnypizza.com
8. Doherty’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
For those looking for good Irish pub fare including favorites like Corned Beef & Cabbage, Bangers & Mash, and Fish & Chips, consider Doherty’s for your next hearty meal.
The French onion soup is said to be spectacular, and the Celtic chicken cordon bleu is a fan favorite.
Come here for a taste of an authentic Irish Pub. Plenty of beers to choose from and a solid whiskey menu.
And they have events throughout the week, such as live Irish Music on Tuesdays, Pub Trivia on Wednesdays, Music Bingo on Thursday, and Sunday Brunch
They also have Prime Rib Night is every Thursday starting at 5pm.
- Address: 5490 Apex Peakway, Apex
- Website: dohertysirishpubnc.com/apex
9. Mission Market
This cafe is our favorite coffee shop in downtown Apex. The coffees are great, especially the past year (really improved), it’s a place we like to sit for a while and chat or get some work down online. They also make great sandwiches, and my daughter loves their acai bowls.
Mission Market is by the founders of Apex Outfitters, a great outdoor apparel store across the street, and it was established with the intention for the love of community, small business, and social justice.
Part cafe and part gift shop, they sell everything from home-decor, apparel, health and beauty to baby products and jewelry.
A lovely store to stop in for a coffee and bite to eat whilst you peruse their offerings.
On the cafe side of things, you can choose from a good selection of Paninis, Avocado Toast, Acai Bowls, Smoothies, and Coffee and Tea – they use locally owned Counter Culture Coffee beans out of Durham!
- Address: 124 N Salem St, Apex
- Website: shopthemission.com
10. Tap Station
This location is cool. Tap Station is located in a converted garage with lots of great antique decor on both levels, ample patio seating and a kids play area adds a nice touch for families!
Popular for their burgers, hot dogs, tater tots and their BIG pretzel comes with various dipping sauces and is a crowd pleaser!
23 rotating beers on tap made onsite and at their other brewery, Mason Jar, and an impressive Bourbon selection.
A fun pub-like atmosphere with a good bar and live music. Short drive from downtown Apex.
- Address: 320 S Salem St, Apex
- Website: tapstationapex.com
11. FRESH. Local Ice Cream
This beloved ice cream joint is not hard to find. Just look for the line of people out the door, especially in the warmer months but popular all year round.
Our kids love going to the FRESH location in downtown. They have a huge variety of 15+ signature flavors, and you can choose to put your flavor of choice in a cup, homemade waffle cone, or cake cone.
They also have ice cream soda floats, milkshakes, and make party cakes FRESH each week. Plus, they have monthly specialty flavors to keep you coming back for more!
All of the flavors are made FRESH in-house using ingredients from local dairy farms, and they also offer a vegan selection.
The owners have lived in the NC Triangle community for over 25 years, which is about as local as it gets these days!
- Address: 109 N Salem St, Apex
- Website: freshlocalicecream.com
12. Sweet Talk Cafe
A modern cafe taking the area by storm is Sweet Talk Cafe, a locally owned coffee shop featuring Asian-inspired desserts such as their incredible Bingsoo (Korean style shaved ice).
As for coffee, they do an excellent latte here, the best we’ve had in Apex, plus other specialty beverages.
Their bingsoo is not your typical shaved ice texture – it melts in your mouth. We love the strawberry bingsoo; so refreshing and it is definitely shareable.
The interior decor is cute and clean with plants on display. And the atmosphere is calming. Not a lot of seating and this place does get busy!
- Address: 2008 Creekside Landing Dr, Apex
- Website: sweettalknc.com
13. The Provincial
The Provincial is a celebrated farm‑fresh restaurant with a casual yet elegant vibe. It serves dinner only (closed on Sunday and Monday) and is beloved by locals for its cozy and intimate vibe.
Every night, there is a thoughtful, rotating menu, which utilizes the freshest produce in the area that’s both seasonal and organic.
They share their menu on their Facebook page every day at 4pm.
They have a wide variety of small plates, a handful of big plates for hungry patrons, and a good selection of desserts.
It’s a small restaurant, so try to get a reservation to avoid disappointment. We’re still yet to eat here, but it is high on our list!
- Address: 119 N Salem St, Apex, NC 27502
- Website: theprovincialapex.com
Map of these Restaurants in Apex
To help you find the perfect spot to fine, here are all the locations of these best restaurants in Apex mapped out…
Video: Watch us explore the neighborhoods of Apex
Now it’s your turn. Are you planning on visiting any of these restaurants in Apex NC? Let us know what you’re excited for in the comments.
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Our Apex Restaurant List
• Scratch Kitchen
• Provincial
• Myra Cafe
•Salem Street Pub
• Akami Sushi Bar
• Apex Wings
• Daniels (especially the lunch special)
• Fratelli’s Deli
• Bakers Dozen Donuts (located in the spaces vacated by Bonafide)
• Doherty’s
• Cape Fear Seafood (although it is on the Cary side of Lake Pine Dr)
• Mezcalito Mexican on Green Level
• Mi Cancun in Sweetwater
this is awesome! Thanks for sharing your favorite restaurants in Apex, Jim! We appreciate it. I have a couple more to try now!