Locals Guide on Things to Do in Downtown Cary (Eat, Drink, Play)

Once a sleepy railroad stop, the town of Cary has seen a modern revitalization in recent years, especially its lively downtown district, which sees brick-lined sidewalks and historic storefronts and murals bursting with color, breweries humming with laughter, and cafés buzzing with creative energy.

Downtown Cary doesn’t try too hard to impress — it just is, in that effortless way a well-worn denim jacket always fits just right. It’s a place where you can sip a roasted latte while shopping in boutiques in the morning, stroll around a sculpture garden by noon, and toast craft cocktails under twinkling lights come evening.

Although it has a small-town, suburban feel to it, there are so many things to do in downtown Cary, that you could easily make it a day trip or even weekend trip from Raleigh. From Cary to Raleigh’s downtown, it’s only a 15-miute drive, and Cary to Charlotte is an easy 2.5 hours’ drive! (and there’s a train station in Cary connecting the two!)

If you have overlooked downtown Cary in the past and are wondering what to do, where to go, and where to eat, then this guide is for you. We’ve also recorded a podcast episode about Downtown Cary. You can listen to it at the bottom of the post. To help you plan your visit, here is a map of the below suggested top attractions, restaurants, bars and breweries:

Things to do in Downtown Cary

Relax in Downtown Cary Park

Downtown Cary Park has completely transformed the town. Taking up seven acres, this sprawling park offers a “great lawn”, feature water fountain, and a pavilion with performance spaces and market spaces. You can find entertainment and performances most evenings, from live music to theater, as well as art exhibitions, fitness classes, and even book clubs and outdoor movies taking place in the park. I regularly enjoy the park’s free yoga classes on a Saturday morning hosted by local Pura Vida Yoga Studio and they are fantastic!

The original “Town Square” portion of the park still exists, with a lighted fountain, plenty of open green space, a bocce ball court, checker and chess tables, foosball, table tennis, picnic shelters, and more. Much loved by the community is The Bark Bar (it’s a sip n stroll district), the Bark Yard (dog park), and communal firepits. There are also several walking trails through the park, and some modern and chic bars and restaurants surrounding the outside. Find a quiet corner of the park to lounge on the grass and read a book or take part in the ongoing events – you choose!

I think all explorations of the downtown Cary area now should start at this fantastic community park. It’s where we take all our visitors from out of town Read our full guide on things to do in Downtown Cary Park.

Park your car and explore

Downtown Cary is very walkable. It is basically two main streets (S Academy Street and East & West Chatham Street). Simply park your car, grab a coffee at BREW, and maybe a bagel at Big Dom’s (mentioned down below), and simply wander around.

Shopping in Downtown Cary

Shopping in Downtown Cary has really leveled up, especially considering there was a time when retail options here were pretty limited. While we don’t shop a ton, there are a few spots we genuinely love and always recommend to visiting friends. Gentleman’s Corner is a standout — we’ve visited their Pinehurst location before and loved the quality of the clothing and the story behind this North Carolina–based business, making it great to now have them in Cary.

Gather Goods is a charming stop for gifts, clothing, books, and thoughtful little finds, with a strong local Cary and NC focus — perfect for souvenir shopping or hostess gifts. And for vinyl lovers, Hunky Dory is a favorite of ours, where you can browse records while enjoying a beer, making it as much an experience as it is a shop.

Antique shopping in Ashworth Village

With a hot coffee in hand, why not peruse the local boutiques, art galleries, consignment shops, and eateries in Ashworth Village. Shop for antiques at Vintage Vogue, visit a live art studio at Cary Gallery of Artists, or treat yourself at the Blue Moon Bakery & Cafe (they have some vegan and gluten-free options). 

Cary Arts Center

Cary Arts Center is another great place to go when you’re looking for something creative to do. It began back in the 1870s as a space for education programs in the arts by Town of Cary founder Allison Frances Page, and today offers classes in performing, visual and ceramic arts. Our daughter has previously taken acting classes here and loved it. And it also has gallery exhibitions, a theater, performances, and more!

Watch a movie at The Cary Theater

• Address: 122 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: TheCaryTheater.com

Located in the heart of downtown, the Cary Theater was once home to the town’s first indoor movie theater, also named The Cary, which hosted live performances as well as films. It was also used as a clothing store, Cary Clothiers, an auto parts store, and a recording studio. Today it’s a 175-seat art house and theater. They offer independent films, classic cinema, locally produced film festivals, live music, and comedy.

Check out Cary Downtown Farmers Market

• Address: 160 E. Park St, Cary
• Website: caryfarmersmarket.com

It’s the perfect place to pick up fresh, local produce from local farms within 100 miles of Cary. Every Saturday, the Cary Downtown Farmers Market is the place to go to acquire all your local produce needs. It’s only a small market with a handful of booths, but still enjoyable to check out. I also love Botanist Bean, the small mobile coffee cart that brews a delicious flat white! You can also find artisan vendors selling gift and craft items, as well as pick up fresh flowers and plants.

Admire Guess-White-Ogle House

When you visit Cary and walk along South Academy Street, you’ll walk past the beautiful Guess-White-Ogle House. This is the finest, most intact, and best-preserved example of Queen Anne-style architecture in the Downtown Cary National Register Historic District. It’s also an example of a dwelling that was expanded over time to reflect the prevailing architectural tastes of the day. The Guess-White-Ogle House represents several different architectural styles and was built in stages beginning in the 1830s, and has had several owners throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.

Step back in time at Page-Walker Arts and History Center

• Address: 119 Ambassador Loop, Cary
• Website: carync.gov

The Page-Walker Arts and History Center is an art gallery and event space in Cary that’s nestled inside the converted, old Page-Walker Hotel. It has two floors of gallery space, featuring pieces of fine art from regional artists, and you can also find workshops and classes related to language arts, music, wellness, and history!

Where to eat & drink in Downtown Cary

There are many locally renowned restaurants in downtown Cary, you’ll never run out of dining options. Whether you want cafes, eateries, breweries, fine dining, or bars, there’s something for everyone. This is not an exhaustive list. Here are some of our personal favorites we have so far experienced.

BREW Coffee Bar

• Address: 122 E. Chatham St Cary
• Website: BrewCoffeeBar.co

I have some fantastic eating and drinking places to share with you down below, but first…coffee! BREW Coffee Bar opened in Cary in 2016 and does exactly what their name says – brews good quality coffee, in real black ceramic mugs! Whenever we explore downtown Cary, we always start off at this innovative coffee shop that not only offers all the standard coffee bar items like Espresso, Lattes, Cappuccinos, Americanos, Cold Brew, and Drip, but also teas, kombucha, and craft beer!

I’m mostly a latte drinker, and their latte is on point, and our kids always enjoy their big muffins and cookies! The location is very central in the downtown Cary neighborhood if you want to grab and go, but we enjoy the cozy indoor seating and trendy and modern vibe, or the outdoor patio in the warmer months, which is good for those with furry friends! This is also a bit of a local hangout coffee bar for regulars and online entrepreneurs to sit and work online – like we have several times. 

Geluna Gelato

• Address: 111 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: www.gelunagelato.com

PRO TIP: the best coffee in downtown Cary is inside a Gelato Shop. And guess who owns the gelato shop? Yep. An Aussie. And as you know, us Aussies are very fussy with our coffees, we have a great cafe scene down under, and we know a great cup when we sip on one! Geluna Gelato has a top of the range espresso machine. Go for some great gelato (the owners spent a lot of time in Italy to perfect the craft) and order an excellent coffee. Tell Warrick (the Aussie owner) that ThisIsRaleigh sent you!

Coffee Studio

• Address: 370 S Walker St, Cary
• Website

Coffee Studio is located on the edge of Downtown Cary Park. They make excellent coffee – their flat white is outstanding and consistent. I don’t like the space so much for sitting, it feels a little small and bland, but still my top cafe to go to. As it’s right on the park, you can take your coffee for a stroll around the park. They also make hand poured teas and cold brews and can help fill your stomach with light bites like fresh pastries and smashed avo toast.

Drink coffee for a great cause at Esteamed Coffee

• Address: 114 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: EsteamedCoffee.com

Alternate coffee recommendation on nearby S Academy Street is Esteamed Coffee, which exists to connect employees with various disabilities and our community at large, in such a way that the lives of all are enriched through their fellowship in a warm, welcoming environment. They’re a community on a mission to lower the 70+% unemployment rate for people with disabilities by creating meaningful job opportunities for people with intellectual, developmental, communication and/or visual impairments in a warm, supportive environment. It’s a lovely space, a newly renovated 1940 cottage.

Big Dom’s Bagel Shop

• Address: 203 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: BigDomsBagelShop.com

Big Dom’s is a grab-and-go bagel shop in downtown featuring hand rolled bagels, biscuits, and baked donuts. Their bagels are made fresh every day with malted dough boiled in brown sugar water, then cooked until crisp. I’m no bagel expert, but apparently these are Montreal-style bagels, which are smaller and denser than New York bagels and have a slightly sweet taste. They have some great creations, and the donuts are said to be amazing as well, but they sell out quickly.

Taste award-winning beers at Bond Brothers

• Address: 202 E Cedar St, Cary
• Website: BondBrothersBeer.com

If you love craft beer, then don’t miss sipping on a few pints at this brewery, taproom, and beer garden in downtown. Bond Brothers Beer Company was named best new brewery in America by USA Today in 2017, and after personally taste-testing many craft beers in top beer drinking destinations like Portland, San Diego, Northern California, Washington State, and Asheville, I can vouch for Bond Brothers 100%. They brew over a dozen on tap to choose from – IPA’s, Amber Ales, Cream Ales, Berliner Weiss’, Stouts. Plus, there’s ciders, seltzers, and white and red wine for the non-beer drinkers.

Lawrence Barbecue

• Address: 150 East Cedar Street, Cary
• Website

Lawrence Barbecue has long been one of our favorite BBQ joints in Wake County, and it’s exciting to see them step into a much larger space right in Downtown Cary. The brisket is a must-order (it’s always been one of my go-tos), but what truly surprised me on a recent visit with friends visiting from Australia was the pulled pork. It’s not usually high on my BBQ order list, but here it absolutely deserves the spotlight — tender, flavorful, and done right. There’s also a small patio if you want to sit outside and soak up the Downtown Cary vibe while you eat.

SAAP Cary

• Address: 370 S Walker St, Cary
• Website

SAAP is a fantastic Laotian restaurant for anyone who loves bold, Southeast Asian flavors. The restaurant comes from the former chef of our longtime favorite Laotian restaurant in Raleigh, Bida Manda, and it absolutely delivers. The Khao Poon Gai is a standout — rich, aromatic, and deeply comforting — and the mango sticky rice instantly transported me back to Thailand. It’s exactly how I remember eating it there, which is always the ultimate test. SAAP adds a whole new layer of culinary diversity to Downtown Cary, and we couldn’t be happier to see it here.

Lloyd’s Full Service

• Address: 107 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: lloydsfullservice.com

This is a unique and cool spot to eat in downtown Cary. Lloyd’s is a restored 1950s garage turned Full Service and modern restaurant, but the original retro vibe is inviting you to park the car and fuel up. Indoor & outdoor seating. There’s a parking deck next door (Cedar Street Parking Deck).

For mains, consider the fantastic pork schnitzel, the salt and pepper fish fry (and it’s gluten-free), and the lemon-garlic roasted chicken thighs, and the grilled sirloin cap steak with chimichurri. Dessert, we loved the Tres leches cake (Savannah loved this), blueberry pie, and an ice cream sundae – I loved the cherry swirled through this. Definitely put Lloyd’s on your Cary restaurant list.

Serendipity

• Address: 118 S Academy St, Cary

Serendipity is a popular and casual gourmet deli serving up delicious sandwiches and salads that’s perfect for a lunch stop. We’ve taken our visiitng parents from Australia here several times who love their sandwiches. Inddor our outdoor seating on their patio. My favorite sandwich: the classic Reuben.

Bosphorus Restaurant

• Address: 329 N Harrison Ave, Cary
• Website: Bosphorus-nc.com

At Bosphorus you can expect traditional Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine. Although popular, we still feel it’s one of Cary’s best kept secrets and located in an unassuming strip-mall and just a 5-minute walk from downtown Cary. They cook with fresh spices and herbs and almost everything is made from scratch. You can choose from Mezze (a selection of small dishes) to grilled meats including lamb, beef and chicken as kebabs, plates or gyros, a wide range of vegetarian dishes, Turkish pizzas and wraps, plus popular homemade desserts like baklava, krem carame, rice pudding, and so much more!

CrossTown Pub & Grill

• Address: 140 East Chatham St, Cary
• Website: CrosstownDowntown.com

Crosstown Pub is a family-owned and operated Irish-style pub in the heart of downtown. There’s a good selection of fine wines, craft beers, and spirits, plus above-average bar food at reasonable prices making it one of the best places to eat in Cary for families. They have seating inside and out, the service is friendly and attentive, and each time we’ve visited it has been a comfortable and friendly atmosphere. Check out their weekly food and drink specials. We love their birria tacos, fish and chips, and the burger!

RBF Authentic Champagne Bar

• Address: 210 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: rbf.wine

If you’re looking for a touch of effervescence elegance in your wine bar, head straight to the RBF Champagne Bar. While its focus is on Champagne and sparkling wine, you’ll find PLENTY of red, white, and rose wine offerings to suit your taste. What you’ll love most is its mission is centered around empowering women. You will never be criticized as to how your face looks in this establishment, nor told to smile because “you look so much prettier when you do”. Your best RBF (Resting B*tch Face) is not only welcome but encouraged. RBF also has live music, fun events and parties. This is one of the best wine bars in the Raleigh area and one you’ll want to visit with your girlfriends (and men friends who just get it).

Albatross Golf Pub

• Address: 140 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: TheAlbatrossNC.com

If you’re a golf fan, you’ll love going to the Albatross Bar in Downtown Cary to swing a golf club in their simulated golf bays. They’re designed for golfers at all stages and feature 300 courses from around the world or arcade-style games. I personally go for the best old fashioned I’ve had in Wake County – made with cherries, cacao, orange and bitters – and the friendly bar tenders and patrons sitting around the bar. They also have a yummy, curated menu of gourmet hot dogs and smash burgers.

Peck & Plume

• Address: 301 S Academy St, Cary
• Website: www.peckandplume.com

Brunch in downtown Cary doesn’t get any better than at Peck & Plume inside The Mayton Inn. Sunday brunch was on the itinerary for my visiting parents from Australia, and the vibes were on full display from the cozy interior dining room, complete with cardinal featured wallpaper, and kicked off with brunch drink classics such as a Mimosa and Garden Spritz. Peck & Plume is located right next door to the fantastic downtown Cary Park.

Kababish Cafe

• Address: 201 W Chatham St #103, Cary
• Website: KababishCafe.com 

Kababish create dishes that are authentic Pakistani and Indian with western adaptation serving up generous portion sizes so your table can share dishes if you are new to this type of food.. Locals in Cary recommended this to us as one of the best Indian Restaurants in the Triangle area. They offer a richly-varied menu of fresh, natural ingredients, wholesome sauces and flavorful spices and are well known for their range of Vegan options!

Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

• Address: 160 E Cedar St, Cary
• Website: scratchkitchenandtaproom.com

One of the most popular downtown Cary restaurants. As the name suggests, dishes are made from scratch with a focus on providing a place to enjoy a great meal with family and friends with a side dish of good old Southern hospitality. On the menu are creative dishes with an Asian twist, such as their Smoked Pimento Cheese Wontons, Spicy Tuna Sushi Round, and Buddha Bowl. Plus, classics like Lobster Mac & Cheese, Southern Fried Chicken salad, burgers, steaks, sandwiches, and hand-cut fries.

Pharmacy Bottle Shop

• Address: 120 E. Chatham Street, Cary 
• Website:PharmacyBottleBeverage.com

I love this neighborhood bottle shop/bar located in the former Mitchell’s Pharmacy building. Good selection of over 12 beers on tap in rotation, plus a quality selection of beer cans and bottles to go. They have a great range of seltzers in the fridge, or if you like other non-beer options, plenty of ciders and wine at the bar. This is a prime spot in downtown to grab a beer with friends, either inside and watch a game on the large TV, sit outside on the sidewalk and watch the world go by, or in their small back patio area. 

Pizzeria Faulisi

• Address: 215 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: PizzaeriaFaulisi.com

Thin crust wood fired pizza lovers are in luck. At this popular neighborhood pizza joint they take the best of both worlds to create their pizzas – freshly milled flour from Boulted Bread in Raleigh along with Caputo flour from Italy and combine them to make their unique dough. Choice of sauce, red pizza or white pizza (no tomato), and the menu is simple yet fresh. All pizzas are 12” with chewy dough and crispy crust. Beer, wine, and fortified wine is also available. And you can’t beat the location right next to Bond Brothers!

FRESH. Local Ice Cream

• Address: 138 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: FreshLocalIceCream.com

Local Ice Cream shop with a huge variety of 15+ signature flavors. Put your flavor of choice in a cup, homemade waffle cone, or cake cone. Plus, they have monthly specialty flavors to keep you coming back for more!  They also have ice cream soda floats, milkshakes, and make party cakes FRESH each week! 

La Farm Bakery

• Address: 220 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: LaFarmBakery.com

La Farm is a modern-day bakery and cafe by master baker Lionel Vatinet and produces 15 different styles of bread (plus seasonal breads throughout the year) from a European-style hearth oven. Their downtown Cary location is one of three locations and has all the signature offerings from their breads to pastries, croissants, cookies, tarts and cakes, and they sell Counter Culture coffee from Durham! Stop in, grab a loaf to take home or pick up a pastry as you enjoy walking around.

Chatham Street Wine Market 

• Address: 111 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: ChathamStreetWine.com

It’s not all beer and coffee in downtown Cary; the wine lovers are taken care of too. Chatham Street Wine Market is a small, neighborhood wine shop with a focus on unique, small production wines from around the world with many of their selections from family-owned estates and organically grown. The staff is highly knowledgeable and helpful with suggestions, and serves wine by the glass to enjoy inside or outside on their shaded patio, plus they used to have tasting nights. 

Annelore’s German Bakery

• Address: 308 W Chatham St, Cary
• Website: AnneloresBakery.com

Annelore’s is a German Bakery inspired by traditional Munich and Viennese coffee houses and konditoreien (pastry shops) on the edge of downtown Cary. They serve up freshly baked and timeless bread and pastries based on old-world family recipes. Choose from over 6 different styles of Artisanal bread, traditional German Pastries, and they have gluten-free macarons, almond orange cake, and Meringues.

Taipei 101

• Address: 121 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: carytaipei101nc.com

Another of the most popular restaurants in Cary, especially for Chinese. They are specializing in cooking from the Sichuan and Taiwanese regions, plus a dim sum menu. Clean but not fancy, the food is delivered fast and warm and the portions large – expect leftovers for lunch, especially if you order my favorite dish, the beef hot pot.

SideBar

• Address: 215 E Chatham St, Cary
• Website: sidebarnc.com

We’ve enjoyed a few late-night drinks at Sidebar, an upscale neighborhood cocktail bar with a stylish, vintage vibe that offers classic and unique house-specialty cocktails. Expect a cozy vibe and professional and knowledgeable bartenders who know how to make quality drinks using top shelf liquor and fresh ingredients. Pop in on your way to dinner, or for a late-night after-dinner drink.

Festivals to enjoy in Downtown Cary

Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival

Typically held annually on the last weekend in August, the Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival dates back to 1977 and welcomes guests from not just downtown Cary, but from all over. Nearly 300 artists from across the USA showcase their products and services in the Cary Town Hall area, including interactive art activities, a kid’s world area, and professional artist demonstrations.

Pimento Cheese Festival

The Pimento Cheese Festival is one of those events that shows just how much Downtown Cary has come into its own. We’ve honestly never seen Downtown Cary Park so busy — in the best possible way. The entire area was buzzing with people enjoying live music, local vendors, market stalls, and, of course, all things pimento cheese.

Downtown Cary tree Lighting Festival

There’s something genuinely magical about Downtown Cary during the holidays, and the annual Downtown Cary Tree Lighting Festival is the perfect kickoff. The event brings the community together to celebrate the season with festive energy, family-friendly activities, and that special moment when the tree lights up and the crowd collectively cheers. Even after the festival ends, the magic lingers — holiday lights sparkle throughout the streets of Downtown Cary, making it a joy to stroll, shop, dine, and linger a little longer.

Where to stay in Cary

The Mayton Inn

If you want to make it a real weekend getaway to Cary, NC, why not stay overnight in this boutique hotel situated in the heart of South Academy Street! This refined boutique hotel has on-site restaurant – Verandah restaurant – and considered one of the best breakfast spots in all of downtown Cary

There are 44 uniquely designed rooms or suites. Their two Bedroom and three Bedroom suites offer connecting room types to accommodate up to 6-10 guests – perfect for families! Enjoy a coffee or cocktail in The Study, relax on the Terrace, or take a walk to the local breweries, shopping and restaurants. Check prices and reviews.

Charming 3-bedroom home in downtown

If you prefer a home away from home environment, this cozy three-bedroom home sleeps six guests and has everything you need for a comfortable stay, and it’s right in downtown so it’s close to everything we’ve mentioned on this list. And for a fee, you can bring your pooch along with you. See prices and availability here.

Final thoughts

The Town of Cary has grown into one of the fastest-growing areas in the South, and one of the best places to live in Raleigh. It measures about 60 square miles and is home to about 168,000 people, so even though it feels bustling, it’s still small. The small historic downtown is the heart of Cary and our favorite place. We hope this guide to the historic center of Cary has given you some ideas for what to do, where to eat, and where to stay.

One of the best things about the downtown Cary area is just walk around and see what you stumble across. You can park your car for the day and not have to move it. In the meantime, follow us on Instagram and join our free weekly email newsletter (form below) as we continue to bring you the best things to do in Raleigh and surrounds!

More inspiration for visiting Cary

Looking for more things to do near Cary, here are some other helpful guides:

• Fenton, Cary – why it’s worth visiting
• Don’t miss the 2 mile Bond Lake trail
• Cool trails at Hemlock Bluffs in Cary
• A Guide to WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary