5 Local Gem Restaurants in Cary, North Carolina that Serve the Best Food Ever

Many people mistakenly assume Cary is just a suburban sea of chain restaurants. They are completely wrong. Cary boasts an incredible, highly diverse food scene that easily rivals downtown Raleigh. You just have to know where to look.

H Mart Food Court

This might be the best-kept dining secret in the entire Triangle. Located inside the massive H Mart Korean grocery store on High House Road, this bustling food court features multiple authentic vendors. You can get flawless Taiwanese Bao, Korean corn dogs from Mat Jib, and incredible Thai specialties from Thai Koon Nine. There is zero pretense, the prices are incredibly low, and the flavors are completely authentic.

Bosphorus Restaurant

Tucked quietly into a completely standard strip mall on North Harrison Avenue, Bosphorus serves some of the absolute best Turkish and Mediterranean food in North Carolina. The moment you walk in, the smell of roasting meats and fresh bread hits you. The mezze platters and the Adana kebab are flawless, and you absolutely must take home an order of their house-made baklava.

Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodle

A highly authentic noodle shop celebrating the legendary “Crossing the Bridge” noodle tradition. Located on High House Road, Ten Seconds serves massive bowls of rich, slow-simmered bone broth with custom toppings and a fun, table-side ritual. It is steaming, deeply comforting food that perfectly bridges the gap between quick takeout and an incredibly warm dine-in experience.

Pro’s Epicurean

A casual, highly eclectic restaurant with a deep European vibe hiding on East Chatham Street. Pro’s Epicurean serves exceptional, authentic Italian and French fare using massive attention to detail and proper cooking techniques. The service is incredibly tenured and attentive. The owners pride themselves on making first-time guests feel like friends, and regulars feel like family.

Nakato Express

This adorable husband-and-wife-run shop on NW Maynard Road is a massive hidden gem for Japanese cuisine. While the menu is highly focused, the quality is completely off the charts. The hibachi steak is cooked perfectly to order, the vegetables are incredibly fresh and crunchy, and the portions are massive enough to guarantee leftovers. It is fast, affordable, and consistently flawless.