Where to eat in Wake Forest

Nine places worth planning a meal around, in and just outside town: a tapas room on White Street, two breakfast institutions, the nicest dinner inside town limits, and the best barbecue in the area ten minutes up US-1. Hours change and restaurants turn over, so confirm before you build your day around any single stop.

Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum (110 S White St)

This is the one locals call a hidden gem, and for once the label fits. It's a small Spanish-leaning tapas room right on White Street with a serious wine list and a rum program you don't expect in a town this size. The vibe is warm and dim, intimate without feeling cramped, and the kind of place where the owner has been known to come out from the back to help you pick a bottle when the first two you wanted were out of stock. Food-wise, people rave about the burrata dishes and the salmon, and the smart move is ordering in waves: start with two plates each, see how you feel, order more. Budget-wise it runs a bit high for the area, and it's only open Wednesday through Sunday, evenings only. The free lot next door fills up fast on weekends, especially during White Street events.

Over the Falls (419 Brooks St)

Seven-plus years of regulars can't be wrong. This is the town's default answer to "where should we eat," with a menu that sprawls across wings, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, big entree salads, plus 12 craft drafts and a long bourbon list. The wings and the salads get the most love, and the crispy fries have a following of their own. Adults can order off the kids menu, which is a quietly great feature if you want a small plate. Now the downside, and it's a real one: no reservations, no bar, no indoor waiting area. You check in with the hostess and then wait outside or in your car until they text you. On a Saturday people line up before the doors open at 11. Closed Sundays for dinner crowd purposes, and closes at 8 on Mondays.

Farm Table (960 Gateway Commons Cir)

The nicest sit-down dinner inside town limits. It's a pretty room, dinner only, Tuesday through Sunday, and the portions are oversized. The fisherman's stew comes out in a big Staub loaded with white fish, shrimp, mussels, and scallops, and one order can feed two people. The pork schnitzel over pesto pasta is another monster plate. The baked brie and the focaccia appetizers both get consistent praise, and they do good mocktails if someone at the table isn't drinking. Fair warnings: it gets loud when full, the back room runs drafty in winter, and a couple of reviewers found the fish mains inconsistent. Stick with the stew, the pork dishes, or the lamb and you'll do well. Make a reservation, because walk-in waits can hit two hours on weekends.

BRUMA Brunch & Social Taco (1898 S Franklin St)

Upscale Mexican that pulls double duty: proper brunch in the morning, cocktails and dinner at night, open seven days. The brunch side is the draw for most people. The tres leches pancakes are the signature order, and the abuelita mocha comes with a little churro on the side, which is a nice touch. At dinner the skirt steak and the enchiladas suizas are the standouts. One reviewer called the skirt steak one of the best steaks they'd ever had, which is a strange thing to say about a taco place but there it is. Service reviews are mostly glowing with a few misses on busy days, so if your order matters to you, keep it simple. Pretty space inside and out, and it stays open later than almost anything else in town, until 11 on Fridays and Saturdays.

Brigs at the Forest (12338 Wake Union Church Rd)

The old-school breakfast institution, open 7 to 2:30 every single day. Huge menu, fast kitchen, strong coffee that isn't watery, and seasonal specials worth chasing (the pumpkin pancakes in October have fans). The Chesapeake Benedict with grits is a reliable order. It's a tradition spot for a lot of families, which means 20-minute waits are normal on weekend mornings even with a buzzer system. A few people find it a touch overpriced for what it is, but the service is consistently friendly and they handle big groups well.

Flying Biscuit Cafe (12646 Capital Blvd)

The other breakfast heavyweight, open until 3 on weekdays and 4 on weekends. The biscuits are the whole point, and the shrimp and grits gets called out by name in review after review. Cheap for what you get, kid-friendly to the point of playing cartoons for the little ones, and the servers get name-checked constantly, which tells you something about the staff. The catch is Sunday. Everyone in Wake Forest has the same idea, and 45-minute waits are standard. Go on a weekday and walk right in.

White Story Cafe (113 S White St)

The newest of the bunch and the most charming. It's a little Thai-inflected cafe in an old building downtown, right next to the burger spot, doing breakfast and lunch daily plus dinner Tuesday through Saturday. The Thai tea and Thai coffee are what people come back for. The owner has handed out free samples to walk-ins deciding what to order, and the staff warmth comes up in nearly every review. The waffle manages crispy and soft at once, the teriyaki chicken croissant is a sleeper hit, and prices are low. Great spot if you're wandering downtown and want something that isn't eggs and bacon for the fourth time.

Warehouse BBQ (1150 US-1, Youngsville)

Ten minutes up the road and worth every one of them. This is the best barbecue in the area, full stop, with a 4.8 rating across 1,200-plus reviews and Texans on record saying it holds up. Brisket, pulled pork, burnt ends, smoked mac and cheese, collards that reviewers describe in near-religious terms, and a peach cobbler to finish. The counter staff will actually steer you toward the better deal, like pointing out the brisket plate beats the sandwich plus a side. Two things to know: there's basically no indoor seating, so plan on takeout, and it's only open Wednesday through Sunday starting at noon. The smoked mac sells out, so go early if that's your target.

Wildcard: Lil Hombre Smoked Taco Joint (S White St)

One more I'd mention as a wildcard: Lil Hombre Smoked Taco Joint on S White St downtown does smoked-meat tacos with a simple three-proteins, three-styles menu and stays open late, until 1 AM on weekends. Reviews are more split than the others on this list, and they don't take Amex, but if you want tacos at midnight it's the only game in town.