Famed Chef Praises Raleigh-Durham Food Scene as 'Ridiculously Underrated'

Andrew Zimmern highlights the diverse and collaborative culinary community in the Triangle region.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 9:09pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic Triangle food item repeated in a tight grid pattern, capturing the region's creative and experimental culinary spirit.Vibrant silkscreen art celebrates the diverse and innovative culinary scene that has earned Raleigh-Durham national recognition as an underrated dining destination.Today in Raleigh

Celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern recently singled out the Raleigh-Durham area as the East Coast's most underrated food city, praising the region's vibrant and diverse culinary scene. Local restaurateurs and food tour operators echoed Zimmern's sentiments, noting the area's welcoming environment for experimentation, strong relationships between chefs, and focus on fresh, innovative cuisine.

Why it matters

The Triangle region has long been known for its thriving food and beverage scene, but this high-profile endorsement from a renowned chef like Zimmern could help raise the national profile of Raleigh and Durham as premier dining destinations. This recognition could boost tourism, support local businesses, and further cement the area's reputation as a hub for culinary creativity and collaboration.

The details

According to the report, Zimmern singled out the Raleigh-Durham area when asked to name the East Coast's most underrated food city, calling it 'ridiculously underrated' and saying the region 'punches above its weight.' Local restaurateur Greg Hatem of the Empire Eats group attributed this to the area's spirit of authenticity and willingness to try new things, while food tour operator Lesley Stracks-Mullem noted the collaborative nature of the local food community and their support for local farms and producers. Hatem and Stracks-Mullem both expressed excitement about the region's continued growth and future potential.

  • Zimmern visited the Raleigh-Durham area last year.
  • Zimmern made the comments praising the region's food scene in a video posted on his social media channels.

The players

Andrew Zimmern

A celebrity chef who recently singled out the Raleigh-Durham area as the East Coast's most underrated food city.

Greg Hatem

The founder of the Empire Eats restaurant group, which owns several well-known downtown Raleigh restaurants.

Lesley Stracks-Mullem

The owner of Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours, who has seen a rise in out-of-town visitors to the region's food scene since 2014.

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What they’re saying

“I spent a weekend in Raleigh-Durham this last year, and when you have as much great food as is going on in Raleigh-Durham. North Carolina, I'm going to say Raleigh-Durham is the most underrated -- they punch above their weight -- and ridiculously underrated.”

— Andrew Zimmern, Celebrity Chef

“The motto of North Carolina is 'Esse Quam Videri,' which means 'To be rather than to seem,' which is authenticity. It's this extension of chefs and restaurateurs wanting to do something that's real and real to them. And it's finally being noticed.”

— Greg Hatem, Founder, Empire Eats Restaurant Group

“You can find hidden gems everywhere, and you know that it's all going to be delicious.”

— Lesley Stracks-Mullem, Owner, Taste Carolina Gourmet Food Tours

What’s next

As the Raleigh-Durham food scene continues to gain national attention, local restaurateurs and food tour operators are excited about the region's future potential and the opportunity to further showcase its diverse culinary offerings to a wider audience.

The takeaway

This high-profile endorsement from celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern underscores the growing reputation of the Raleigh-Durham area as a premier dining destination, thanks to its collaborative culinary community, innovative chefs, and focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. The region's welcoming spirit and willingness to experiment have created a vibrant food scene that is finally starting to get the national recognition it deserves.