I was first introduced to the American version of a food hall in a historic City Market Building in Roanoke, Virginia in 2012. It was my first time in one despite the fact that food halls have been in larger, metropolitan cities for years.
When someone from Hotel Roanoke suggested the food hall to my family, my mind wandered to an original mall food court for the concept and I was a little puzzled as to why they would suggest a food court as a place to dine in their city. But, as soon as I walked through the doors of this historic building, I knew this was different. This Virginia food hall felt hippier, trendier, more expensive than a mall food court, and of course, there was not one Chic-Fil-A sign in sight.
Raleigh, North Carolina now has its first food hall and it rivals some of the best European and U.S. Food Halls in the country. North Carolina has reached the big time when it comes to good, local food in one place. The Research Triangle Area is quickly becoming a foodie mecca, and it's an accolade I think residents are glad to embrace.
My Facebook is constantly buzzing with excitement about Morgan Street Food Hall, located in a long-abandoned industrial space that used to be a pool hall when I moved to Raleigh in 1999. A second food hall called Transfer Co. Food Hall will also open later in the year in a different part of downtown.
Blogger Tatiana Amador covered the media opening of the Morgan Street Food Hall for my OutaboutNC Instagram, She's sampled lots of local goodies and has the scoop on what you can find to eat and some important things to know before you go.
MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL LOCATION and PARKING: Morgan Street Food Hall is located at 411 West Morgan Street. It is adjacent to the new Raleigh Union Station. You can find street parking or you can park in the Dillon Parking Deck.
MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL HOURS: The food hall is open Sunday to Wednesday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m, and from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m from Thursday to Saturday. Keep in mind that not all food vendors open right at 7 a.m. though. The majority of the food vendors in the building keep 11 a.m to 10 p.m as its set operating hours daily. Cocktails and Drinks are available until closing hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT at MORGAN STREET FOOD HALL in Raleigh, N.C
By Tatiana Amador for OutaboutNC and HinesSightBlog
There are currently 19 food vendors and 15 specialty vendors, including a florist, barbecue sauces, and teas!
When you walk into Morgan Street Food Hall you won’t know where to go first. There are so many options to pick from, that makes it the perfect spot for that special person in your life that can never decide where to eat, or that picky eater, or for someone that just wants to try multiple styles of food! Here’s what you can expect:
Bella’s Wood Fired Pizza & Tapas: Small plate tapas and wood-fired pizzas made with fresh ingredients.
Boba Brew: Authentic Bubble Teas, non-GMO added smoothies, and monthly menu changes keep Boba Brew refreshing and unique.
Carroll’s Kitchen: A non-profit restaurant trying to end homelessness for women, Carroll’s offers up freshly baked sweets and comfort classics like chicken noodle soup.
Cocoa Forte: A two-year-old chocolate business with desserts from waffles on a stick to chocolate dipped cheesecake bars.
Cousins Maine Lobster: As seen on “Shark Tank,” this nationally known truck brings fresh Maine seafood to a brick and mortar location in the Triangle.
Cow Bar: Handcrafted patties with a unique spin on the “traditional” burger. *Kimchi burger is part of their secret menu (shhh)
Curry in a Hurry: (Tatiana's personal favorite) Alaksha, the owner, brings love and passion into her dishes. Explore the tastes of India at the Curry in a Hurry booth.
Iyla’s Southern Kitchen: Iyla’s is one of the only residents bringing Southern cuisine to the food hall and rises to the challenge with a unique twist on Southern classics like their barbeque sundae.
Makus Empanadas: Two brothers have been sharing their Argentinian roots with NC for the past couple of years. Now at the food hall with the same menu as their truck, its a must try!
Mama Bird’s Cookies + Cream: One of two ice cream shops in the food hall, Mama Bird’s stands out because of their distinct, frozen spin on classic desserts like tiramisu and cheesecake.
MKG Kitchen: Selecting fresh ingredients daily, MKG is looking to bring the highest quality to a menu featuring homemade Vietnamese recipes that focus on the less commonly known elements of the Southeast Asian country’s cuisine.
Morgan Street Java & Creperie: Rotating seasonal offerings will take advantage of local ingredients to provide a variety of made to order crepes and a diverse coffee menu.
Oak City Fish & Chips: Oak City Fish & Chips uses their two proprietary spice blends to give a unique spin on a classic dish and help their fish and chips, and other seafood dishes, stand out among the other fish in the sea.
Raleigh Raw: After enjoying a few of Morgan Street Food Hall’s less than healthy options, a trip to Raleigh Raw may be just what the doctor ordered with their focus on providing healthy, organic, bottled juices.
Raleigh Rolls: The employees of this Thai inspired ice cream joint make a show of preparing your order by pouring cream directly on to an ice grill before adding in a wide variety of toppings and rolling the flash frozen cream up like a tiny, edible sleeping bag.
Sassool: With locations already in Raleigh and Cary, Sassool offers Mediterranean and Lebanese favorites such as chicken and beef shawarma, and falafel.
The Bowls: Expect a tour of various East Asian cuisines at this vendor, which names each of the rice bowls on its menu after different East Asian cities.
The Broth: The Broth brings Japanese style comfort food and street food favorites to Raleigh with their carefully crafted bowls of ramen, steamed buns, and other dishes.
Wicked Taco: This well-known taco establishment brings its popular tacos and salsas to the patrons of Morgan Street Food Hall.
There are two full-service bars inside the building and one on the outside patio where Raleigh Raw is located. You can hang out inside in the shared space booths and tables or lounge in their sitting room with comfy couches. Morgan Street Food Hall is the place you can go into at any time of day and feel at ease. There is something for every foodie at Morgan Street Food Hall.
What vendor are you most wanting to try?
*Please note pictures show sample sizes received by media
*Please note pictures show sample sizes received by media
*All pictures were taken by @timewithtati for @outaboutnc
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