The Fiction Kitchen
428 S Dawson St, Raleigh, NC, 27601
The Fiction Kitchen Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Raleigh for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
428 S Dawson St
Raleigh, NC, 27601 - Phone (919) 831-4177
- Website https://www.thefictionkitchen.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Accepts Bitcoin : No
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Hipster
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
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Lisa M.
Hard to believe it's taken me a year to eat at the fiction kitchen since I have been a vegetarian since I was 11. Id heard fabulous reviews but that the lines are long so I dragged my super carnivorous better half there at 4:30 sat when they opened. By 4:50 there were no seats. In a word this place is da bomb for flavorful food that just happens to be vegetarian. Every plate is crafted to look and taste amazing and the bar scene raged from 5p on.
(4)A N.
This place is OK. I took a trip to Raleigh this summer and, as a vegan, I was really excited about visiting FK. But after trying it twice, I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. I ordered two dishes that are arguably their best: the BBQ Pulled Pork with Potatoes and Veggies and the Crispy Chicken and Waffles. The BBQ was good but it didn't pair well with my veggies, which were just steamed or sauteed. It left much to be desired. The crispy chicken was a nice attempt at creativity but it wasn't so satisfying. On the plus side, the staff is really friendly.
(3)Marley S.
I am a vegetarian, and when I heard of this place, I was so excited to try it. I have been there two times. The first time, I asked for the curry to be extra spicy, and my friend ordered the same exact dish and asked for it mild: no difference to both me or my friend. The curry was very good, no complaints, but it is annoying to request something the waitress specifically ASKS you about, only to have your request completely ignored. The second time I went, I had the pulled pork sandwich and the "pork" was STALE. I was so disgusted I had spent so much money on whatever the hell I was putting in my mouth and because the place was so packed (as it usually was) it made no sense to send the food back, as I probably would have watched my boyfriend finish his dinner and wait another 30 minutes after that before a new sandwich came out. So I tried to make the best of something that tasted like some crap you scrape out from the back of your freezer. If I go back a third time I am definitely sending the food back if it tastes so bad. I will never be shuttled into "taking" a hit of bad food especially with the price tag. My warning as an average consumer is this place is relatively overrated; I suspect the only reason why there is so much hype surrounding it is because it is literally one of the only restaurants in the area which serves local, in season food (now that Market Restaurant is gone), and certainly the only vegetarian-only restaurant. If a similar quality restaurant opened I daresay this one would lose half its business. But for now, it's suitable.
(3)Kristy T.
I have mixed feelings about Fiction Kitchen. I absolutely loved it the first time I went, so I was very excited to visit for my second time recently. First of all, I have to say I think the staff here are some of the friendliest. We have had the same waiter twice and both times he has been friendly, personable and knowledgeable about the menu. The first time I visited, I ordered the Farmer's Plate with grilled tofu. This is a dish that varies depending on what is in season. I can't remember all of the vegetables in the one that I tried, but I know it was delicious. I also had a pretty awesome vegan chocolate truffle pie with salted caramel too. On my second visit I tried the Tofu sashimi and nori sushi with vegan cream cheese and beets. The best part about this dish was the kale salad. The tofu was ok, not great. The nori sushi was tasteless and had a weird texture. I was pretty dissappointed, but I think I just ordered the wrong thing. I definitely want to go back and try some of the other dishes that I have heard good things about, especially the "chicken" and waffles :)
(4)P G.
the restaurant itself is really hip and perfect for a date night. The food...while it was good i thought it could have used some more flavor and lacked a kick. we tried the tinga tacos and chicken waffles both were good but needed more of the spices that were already included in it. if i were to go back i would ask for some spicy sauce on the side. the caramel sorbet was OK too. would not go back for the dessert.
(3)Angela B.
Went in for our second time tonight... Another perfect meal! Cornbread, soup, and cocktails were superb!
(5)C H.
I've been lucky enough to dine twice at Fiction Kitchen so far, and both experiences have been delightful! Although the no-reservations situation can be a bit daunting, it makes sense with such a small space and a new place to boot. Excellent food is worth waiting for, and this place does not disappoint! The BBQ pulled "pork" is a favorite entree, and I've also enjoyed tasting my friends' chicken'w'waffles and the curry bowl. App-wise, I loved the tasting plate (amazing chai cheese, what!), gazpacho, and some sort of amazing not-pate made out of i don't know what--seitan? Nuts? Who cares, it was alchemically delicious. Our server Campbell was attentive and very funny - although the large party next to us was causing a commotion, she was gracious and patient with our many requests. The host, Jen, did a great job managing the numerous parties who were waiting for tables on what apparently was one of their busiest nights so far. Congrats, FK, I'm glad we could be there! I would like to respond to the review below, which I feel casts unfair aspersions on the FK staff. I was in the restaurant when a member of a large party that had been waiting for a table for quite a while decided to confront a table that was finishing their meal. "You have to go," was what I heard, as well as numerous expletives not fit to print here. This disturbance attracted the attention of the entire restaurant, but to the credit of the other diners and the hostess/waitstaff, the matter was defused in a matter of minutes with professional aplomb and courtesy. Kudos to Jen for handling an upset patron with grace and calmness. The large party was then seated and seemed to me to enjoy all of their food, drinks, and dessert to the very end. It's a shame that after what appeared to me to be an enjoyable dinner for their party, one member still chose to post a vindictive review that disparages a fine establishment. I am also a former service industry worker, and I feel that this restaurant's staff is doing a great job in terms of service and food. Keep up the good work!
(5)Bruce R.
Wow! This was awesome! I am not a vegan or vegetarian, and I loved my dish. Had the mock chicken and waffles. Outstanding! Would have no idea I wasn't eating chicken. Would recommend to anyone. We will be coming back to the Fiction Kitchen.
(5)Melissa T.
When I'm in Raleigh, my veggie fallback is the Remedy Diner for the Tempeh Tantrum sandwich (which I had last night). But I'm so glad I discovered this place as another go-to! It's located right across the street from the amphitheater, so we got to listen to Widespread Panic perform as we waited for our table. The colorful walls and fun art work add to the experience. We shared the cornbread to start, which was not too sweet and had a molasses sauce on the side. I had the pulled "pork" and it was delicious! My friend had the sushi which was delicious, but had quite the kick to it. My other friend had the tacos, which were also a bit spicy. We finished the meal with the cheesecake with an Oreo crust and a delicious strawberry sauce. Almost everything on the menu is already vegan, and the couple of things that are not have vegan options. Most things are also gluten free. A great find!
(4)SM L.
I love, love, love this place! I became vegan almost a year ago. While I'm an excellent cook, i really loved dining out but once I became vegan, it was such a challenge particularly in this area. My bff and I decided to give it a shot. She's not vegan but liked everything we ate. Now I can put Fiction Kitchen at the top of my best places for vegan dining. A quaint but bustling little joint - no doubt by others like me. The chicken & waffles were scrumptious. Being a die-hard dessert lover, we had to try the chocolate pie and was not disappointed one bit. Kudos to the owner who also visited our table for feedback. I had only one tiny little concern about the somewhat salty taste to the palate on the Tempeh & Pesto Grits dish. Considering the balsamic base, if salt was also added, a little less salt would be better appreciated but it still tasted good. My bff had the vegetarian creme brulee and loved it for me since I stuck to my vegan regimen but that chocolate pie made was awesome -made my eyes close with complete satisfaction. Can't wait to go back! This time with my carnivore husband.
(4)Jessica B.
Delicious food and wonderful service. I can't wait until they're open for lunch!
(5)Jenny C.
Ok, so I went there on Saturday nite w/ my hubby and I was impressed! I am plant-based (vegan) and my hubby is not but we were both pleased. We ordered 2 orders of the spring rolls, the sweet potato sushi, root chips, homemade ginger ale and ganache pie. The spring rolls were ok but the peanut sauce was definitely OUT OF THIS WORLD!!! The root chips were delicious especially since some were real thin and others were a bit thicker. I ordered the edamame hummus which was very tasty although I would of loved it on a pita with some spinach and red wine vinegar LoL! The sweet potato, black bean sushi was the best thing! Apart from being presented beautifully, it was very tasty! The tofu was AMAZING!!! I could have probably eaten my weight in the tofu it was that good. The ganache pie was definitely not for me. I love chocolate but this was way to chocolatey for me. Our bill came in at $49 which was ok considering you are paying for location. I walked out satisfied but not necessarily full. I honestly hope in the future they have more veggie dishes instead of so many "fake meat" dishes. I can understand tofu because tofu is a "filler" and not necessarily a fake meat and the portion of tofu is minimal so that was ok. I will definitely be back though! I hope their menu gets a bit bigger or at least more specials.
(4)Joe M.
I wish I live in Raleigh as I'm missing this place. I visited Raleigh during Hopscotch Music festival and this restaurant was just off the hook in terms of food and service. Everyone on yelp is raving about the "chicken" and waffles! Well, I very highly recommend it! It's WAY better than real chicken! It was soooo excellent, I literally inhaled the whole meal. :) When we got there on a Saturday early evening, the place was very packed inside and outside!. Takeout is also available and I recommend that if you don't want to wait. I really wish I ate here more than once during my visit....regretting that now! Lucky Raleigh people!
(5)Casey S.
I have eaten at Fiction Kitchen twice now and been very happy with the food, service, and ambience each time! Trip #1 - met up with a friend for dinner. We split the lettuce wraps, which were delicious. Perfect balance of sweet and peanut tanginess. They were pretty messy to eat so keep your napkin close! I also tried the soup of the day which was a watermelon gazpacho. I was intrigued and looking forward to trying it. I must say, the soup was a little underwhelming. I did like the watermelon flavor on the front of the soup, but the seasoning or oil made the aftertaste seem muddled and overpowered. The farmers market plate was a sweet potato heirloom tomato curry puree with grilled mushrooms, eggplant, and squash. It tasted so fresh and the flavors melded together very well. It was a pretty hearty bowl and I wasn't able to finish it all, but it was delicious. Trip #2 - I must admit, I actually took some work friends here the next day because they are both vegetarian/ pescetarian. This time I tried the peanut noodle bowl and it was amazing! The noodles were light and it had just the right amount of peanut sauce so as to not overpower the seasonal vegetables. Our server was very accommodating and even arranged a 1 1/2 order of the lettuce wraps because there was three of us, but the portions are 2 per plate. Fiction Kitchen has an excellent selection of beer, wine and mixed drinks. I asked the server her favorite cocktail and she recommended the beets one. Again, I was intrigued. Vodka, fresh beet juice, and local syrups sounded like it was going to be awesome or horrible. Luckily it turned out to be awesome. Not too sweet, but great if you love beets, which I do. I will definitely recommend this place to friends traveling to Raleigh. Great gem in a city with pretty awesome food.
(5)Barbara M.
My son & his wife have gone to this place before & thought it was great. Being newly vegan we thought we'd check it out while I was there for a visit. This place is very welcoming with very friendly staff. Menu is quite extensive. We started with the squash cakes. They were tasty but too greasy. We had three other dishes. Vegan Caesar salad, pulled pork & the peanut noodle dish. Presentation was wonderful & lots of fresh ingredients. They looked wonderful. However, all dishes were extremely salty. It was very unfortunate. Didn't feel we could finish our food for this reason alone. Not sure if there was a different cook in the kitchen tonight as they didn't recall their previous visit as salty at all. Sure wish one could find healthy vegan choices without all the grease/oils & salt. Couple hours after our meal we are still drinking loads of water.
(3)Mary W.
Great vegetarian restaurant with TONS of vegan options - the majority of the menu is vegan. Went there for brunch today and was blown away by the grits bowl filled with lots of roasted veggies, tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, sautéed greens, and lots of other stuff. I ordered a side of biscuits that were great to dip in the bowl and to slather with housemade blackberry jam. My friend ordered the chicken biscuits with a side of gravy. The chicken seitan was perfect and the soy sausage gravy was peppery. We both ordered drinks - myself a Moscow mule made with housemade ginger ale and my friend a Bloody Mary. The drinks were great! We didn't have room for dessert but those looked good too. We arrived right at 11:30, but we still had to wait about 30 minutes for some seats at the bar. Definitely worth it, though!
(5)Gina M.
Such a unique place! I enjoyed all the plates. They do an amazing job transforming these meatless dishes to look, taste and have the texture of the real thing. In my opinion, they nailed the eastern NC style BBQ pulled pork. It would have fooled me for sure. I also tasted the chicken and waffles, about three times since I liked it so much. I got the mushroom risotto and it was very good but it was not what I originally wanted. I wanted to order the Nori Roll with Sashimi tofu but they were out which was disappointing. My takeaway from that is next time I will need to go earlier. We ordered an add-on of Bulgogi marinated seitan. It did not taste like traditional Korean Bulgogi but it had an Asian inspired flavor that was still quite tasty and I enjoyed eating it anyway. The wait for a table was about 45 minutes. We sat comfortably with a group of five, however, seating seems limited and targeted for smaller groups. In addition to the food, I enjoyed the atmosphere. The bright exterior color theme continues inside and it has a "hipster" ambience.
(4)Hope H.
Had the fried "chicken" and waffles for dinner. Food was excellent!! The "chicken" tastes like chicken. The saltiness of the "chicken" compliments the sweetness of the syrup on the waffles. The decor was very colorful. The service was generally great. But I felt rushed to finish my meal.
(4)Tom M.
Going on a Friday night means a wait. If you go on Sunday for brunch, get there at least a half hour before it opens to ensure you get seated. I hate to start off negative, but that's about it. The rest is glowing. I was undecided about Raleigh until I ate at Fiction Kitchen. Witnessing a vegetarian place thriving is so heartening. I don't like the waiting, but I like what it tells me about Raleigh. When ordering a salad, if you can add their smoked vegan cheese, do it. Do it now. so good. The cheese, the dressing, it was all delicious. The vegan chicken and waffles is what they're known for. It's good, but I feel like I've had vegan chicken and waffles a lot at this point. The tempeh and grits, however, won my everlasting love. When my wife and I returned for brunch we had vegan quiche. I hated quiche before going vegan. The vegan quiche was fantastic. Another dish improved by being veganized! We also had the vegan French Toast. It was fine but came drowned in syrup. What's up with that? The syrup should have been on the side. I'm so happy my wife found Fiction Kitchen. What a wonderful establishment!
(5)Donovan H.
I so wish we had this here in Charlotte. The Fiction Kitchen is one of the best vegetarian/vegan restaurants I have been to in a long time. So much good food. I ate there everyday while up in Raleigh. I highly recommend the chipotle tacos and kale fritters. Another thing that makes The Fiction Kitchen awesome is that it serves liquor. It seems most veg restaurants never have liquor. They feature some unique mixed drinks and also they have a good beer selection. There is not much seating inside and every time I was there the place was packed. I'm not sure if they do reservations but that would be the way to go unless you want to wait. They do have free WiFi which is nice when you are traveling and what not. They aren't open in the morning so it's only lunch-dinner, however they do have a brunch on Sundays. Next time I'm back in Raleigh I'll be stopping here for sure. Had a great time!
(5)Ron W.
You know what, I'm pretty much a meatatarian and love my chicken, pork and beef but I had to try out Fiction Kitchen due to all the great buzz and reviews. It took a huge effort on my part but I finally had a good excuse to visit Fiction Kitchen. Inside they've got a super funky interior primarily in orange, I grab a seat at the side bar. The crowd here is eclectic and pretty hipster but mixed up with just your usual veggie eaters. The menu is on the tight side, a mix of soy-proteins and pure veggies which is the route I go. As a meat-eater, I don't want to do the fake stuff, just want to see what you can do with veggies. We order up a spring roll and I do a curry for my main. And they're both really quite good, super fresh with good flavor. I enjoy them as much as I can but like I said at the start. I REALLY love meat. Overall I was happy with my meal but there's a lot that's different at Fiction Kitchen I believe due to their vegetarian/vegan nature of their menu. I have to believe they use different ingredients for their sauces (I'm assuming chicken broth is out) which means it's not just their veggies, but things tasted different in the surrounding parts of the meal. And while it's not bad, I could definitely pick up the differences. But the price is right here, the portions are good and the interior is cool so if I ever became a vegetarian (don't hold your breath), Fiction Kitchen would totally rock my world! Enjoy it, vegetarians of the Triangle, it's quite good even for this meatatarian...
(4)Linda K.
Fiction Kitchen was the bomb! Despite the 1 hour wait, I had a marvelous experience here. I ordered the tofu-sashimi and it really emulated the taste of sashimi. Not only was it healthy and tasty, the presentation of the dish was beautifully laid out. Would go back in a heart beat if I visit Raleigh again!
(4)Amanda P.
Absolutely spectacular. We came here to celebrate my dissertation defense, and this was definitely a meal befitting the accomplishment. As a vegetarian for the past 10 years, I've never had meat chicken and waffles, but the vegan chicken and waffles here were really good. I'm not sure that the sweet and savory combo is my favorite thing, but it was done well, and it made me look forward to trying the rest of the menu. My husband had the barbecue, which was also excellent, though I think my favorite thing was the potato cake that came with it. We parked in a nearby garage, which was a short walk away; there was no street parking when we were there. Even on a Tuesday, the restaurant was crowded, though we chose to sit at the bar and were seated immediately. Had we wanted a table, there would have been about a 30 minute wait, but that may have been due to a concert at the Red Hat Amphitheater nearby. Still, I don't think I'll be braving the weekend crowds.
(5)N K.
Dear fiction kitchen, you left me heartbroken when you took the mushroom risotto and fried kale off your menu. I was left with items which were not inspirational... Eg. The sushi roll was forgettable and sd be eliminated fr the menu. Please do justice and bring back the mushroom risotto. Btw, the oyster mushrooms were a nice new addition...but not as good as the fried kale.
(4)Rose L.
After another visit to Fiction Kitchen during First Friday, my tastebuds were once again tweaked and I knew a review was in order. Let me just start with the only thing that's frustrating about this restaurant, it's way DANG too delicious! Therefore it is next to impossible NOT to wait for a table. And they don't do reservations, so it's a first come first serve situation. The upside is it's definitely worth the wait (for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike). While you're lucky if you can find a seat at the bar, tables are a high commodity and the only time I've had instant gratification is when I've arrived at 10pm (they close at 11pm). So, if a late night dinner is what it takes to eat at Fiction Kitchen, I'll take it. The food is truly what stands out here, the service isn't bad, but I haven't been wowed by it either. My favorite thing on the menu by far are the chicken and waffles, and I'm not even a chicken and waffles type person. They're just so fluffy and sweet but salty and crunchy at the same time. If you're with a group (four people) I would recommend ordering the vegetable chips to split, they're tasty but not worth $8 between two (they ARE veggie chips, so take that with as much value as you see). The garlic pesto is a treat, but boy, do NOT eat it if you plan on making out with someone later--hopefully that will save some of you a first date awkward kiss situation...) I've also tried the fresh spring rolls as an appetizer and would skip next time, if it's possible to have too much vegetables, these do! Maybe it's just me, but spring rolls need the fresh shrimp, also these tasted a little bland (lacking of the mint/cilantro combo). I've also order the curry bowl, but the chicken and waffles knocked it out of the park. It wasn't bad, but you've for to be in the right mood. Also, their spice scare is on point! I LOVE spicy food and ordered on the high side expecting the flavor to be mild, it was spicy, and that's saying a lot for me. Fiction Kitchen is a great stop for tourists and locals alike. They're doing something different and everyone should have the opportunity to experience their menu. I would definitely put this on your "to do" list if visiting, and for you locals out there: you better stop by ASAP!
(4)John D.
This place has excellent fresh food, and friendly service. There is a small but diverse menu that should satisfy vegetarians and meat eaters alike. Recommendations: 1. Smoked pulled pork plate which was delicious. The pork is very smoky with a great tang from the vinegar. 2. NC braised Tempe with grits- loved the deep flavor of the gravy and the peppery grits. 3. Farro risotto - very flavorful with a nice texture and creamy risotto mouth feel. 4. Peanut butter cheesecake with pretzel crust is amazing.
(5)Kevin H.
The "chicken and waffles" is as good as it gets. One of my favorite dishes anywhere. This is one of the few totally vegetarian restaurants in Raleigh and we are lucky to have such a good one.
(5)Jennifer C.
Why in the world did I wait so long to try Fiction Kitchen? I've been wanting to go since they opened, have heard rave reviews from many people, and even have been following them on Instagram and drooling over their fabulous selections. Believe the hype people!! I have some nasty food allergies (beef, gluten) and recently had to give up dairy. The no dairy has been a particularly hard transition and I was feeling like I hadn't had a good meal in a long time. So on a recent Friday night in downtown Raleigh, I knew I could get that at Fiction Kitchen. I ordered vegan pimento cheese with gluten free cornbread as an appetizer. I could have cried after taking that first bite, as it was the first thing resembling dairy I'd had in almost two months. I'd challenge any hardcore cheese lover to try it and see if they can tell a difference, because I sure couldn't. My entree was tempeh, grits and veggies with a pan sauce. UN-BE-LIEV-A-BLE. It tasted like I was eating beef and gravy - which I haven't had in more than a year. The only criticism I can give is that my two friends and I sat at the bar, and the bartender that waited on us kept looking at us like we were going to steal something and wasn't particularly friendly. Not sure why - promise we're not people who steal! If you follow a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free diet - go to Fiction Kitchen RIGHT NOW. If you like delicious food in general - go to Fiction Kitchen RIGHT NOW. The next time I feel like I am in need of a great meal, I know where I'm going!
(4)Anila Y.
Best vegetarian food in the triangle hands down. Furthermore, best representation of "mock meat" that I have had, anywhere. Simple, honest menu items. Does not disappoint. Can't wait to be a regular here. Even though they are known for the Chicken and Waffles, YOU HAVE TO TRY THE TINGA TACOS. They are amazing. The black beans are perfect. Tip--we came at about 6:45 on a Saturday night and had to wait about 45 minutes. The place started clearing out significantly a little past 7pm though. OH and great prices for a downtown eatery!!!!
(5)Tanith T.
A truly impressive showing of all-vegetarian and vegan cooking by chef-owner Caroline Morrison and her partner Siobhan Summer, Fiction Kitchen turns out some amazing dishes with fresh, locally sourced ingredients and real talent. Their vegan rendition of 'chicken and waffles' is one of the best versions of this dish I have ever enjoyed, and I am a committed carnivore. The vegan 'pulled pork' barbecue and Tinga tacos are also superb. Not only did I not miss the meat at my meal, I found myself craving another vegetarian feast as soon as possible. Drinks at the bar are creative and tasty, and the vegan and vegetarian desserts are always delicious. Whether you're a vegetarian or just like good food, get yourself down here and enjoy some of this. The only downside to this tasty spot is that parking is notoriously difficult, and as they don't take reservations there can be a wait. It's worth the effort, so don't miss this foodie hot spot.
(5)Latef X.
This place is amazing. I'm from LA, SF, NYC (total foodie cities) and this place had the best veggie meat I've ever had. Reasonable pricing considering the portions. The pulled pork dish was juicy and tender and super flavorful. What set this dish apart though was that the sides were perfectly seasoned and made with really high quality veggies. If you have fresh produce, you really don't need much else other than some good old S&P. I also added a side of their famous fried chicken (only $3!), and it was sooooo crispy -- texture was amazing. Crunch crunch, nom nom. They have a great cocktail list mixed with specialty cocktails and classics. Also have a good beer and wine selection. Service is super prompt as you walk in and at the bar. They are on top of their game! Atmosphere is casual with quirky art work along the walls. Think chalkboards and colorful Indy pieces. Good for a casual friend get together or a fun, chill date.
(5)Lauryn C.
Why oh why have I waited so long to come here! I've been talking about this place forever, I've heard all the amazing things about it from friends, I've read all the amazing reviews just slap me across the face. This girl has been missing out on dare I say it......one of the best restaurants I've been to in Raleigh. In saying that this has nothing to do with the fact that they are a vegan/veggie restaurant. I'm neither vegan or vegetarian but this place rocks all around. The tinga tacos were absolutely amazing, get the cheese it's worth it! You can also ask for some vegan sour cream or salsa on the side. The black beans were out of this world too, you should just ask my waitress I came close to licking my plate there was nothing left. I even ordered a small house salad before my meal equally as yummy, the tahini miso dressing is a must. The salad was super fresh topped with some fresh sprouts and they dressed it just right. I really wished I saved room for dessert because they looked so good, a peanut butter cheesecake in a pretzel crust come on now people you are killing me. From the hostess to our awesome server I was really please with my visit. I'm putting Fiction Kitchen on the top of my list and I can't wait till my next visit. Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, or neither you will love this place. I dare you to try those chicken and waffles I had a bite from Sara B's and they were the bomb!
(5)Rebecca L.
Had a really good meal here (vegetable curry). Granted it's limited to vegetarian and vegan food, but you won't seem to miss it. The hostess was a bit strange upon entering, it wasn't clear she worked there, but our server was awesome. She cracked us up and had the best recommendations. The ambience is ok, it's a bit loud because it's so small, but nice enough. Gets crowded fast, so be aware of the limited seating.
(4)Ko N.
a great restaurant with a great vibe. We had a few meat eaters with us and they thoroughly enjoyed their fiction meals. I am looking forward to another visit.
(5)Mali C.
Good, fresh, healthy.. I did't feel like I was eating over salted, over buttered restaurant food. I could eat this food daily if it didn't hurt the wallet so much. Must go again till I've tried the whole menu and then some.
(5)Marie L.
Great meal in a thriving Raleigh location. We had a fruit salad, curry bowl, burrito and sweet potato fries. Each one was delicious. The aioli was to die for. The food was plated and presented nicely. The atmosphere is good and it is easy to go hear some music or stop by Videri chocolate factory for dessert after dinner. Our only complaint was that the service was a bit slow. They had said they would call us when our table was ready so we could walk around (great area in Raleigh with lots of new things happening). When we returned they had forgotten to make that call, but quickly sat us. We got our first course quickly, but waited so long for our entrees that we thought they had forgotten us. We enjoyed the night out, and the food was so good, so in spite of that, we highly recommend Fiction Kitchen.
(4)Lindsey P.
LOVE coming here for vegan brunch on Sundays. It's so rare to find vegan breakfast options and this place has it all! Chicken and waffles, tempeh and grits, pancakes, sausage, etc! My favorite is the tempeh and grits with greens. The sauce used in the grits is amazing! I also really like their drinks. I wish they had more seating though! The wait can be pretty long sometimes, especially for Sunday brunch!
(5)Esther B.
Whether you're vegetarian or not, this is some of the best food you'll ever eat. Creative and delicious!
(5)Elodie G.
The mock chicken and waffle were sensational and tasted like chicken! My boyfriend was very impressed even though he is a carnivore and was dubious at first. I had the sushis and found the rice a little disappointing. The flavor was pretty blend. The chocolate ganache with salted caramel was INTENSE. Definitely a place to keep going back to!
(4)Shawn J.
This is my all time favorite VEGAN place. This place is the only reason I visit NC. Well worth the money and time.
(5)Ashley W.
This is marvelous place to charm your date at--even if you are both meat-eaters. ;) My beau and I enjoyed a lovely brunch here a couple of months ago. My main suggestion is to get there EARLY for brunch--we were the last couple to score a table and all of the bar seating was already taken up. I ordered "The Farmer's Plate" and it was SO good. Gravy was smooth and rich with tender soysage crumbles and a delightful, spicy bite of cracked pepper. So good, I almost licked my plate... The biscuits are super fluffy--a Fiction Kitchen staple. To wash it down, I sipped on a Champagne Cocktail (with vodka and mint). Tasted awesome, but I finished it too soon. :( My beau ordered the Crispy Fried "Chicken" and Waffles. He was skeptical at first, but once he bit into it, he was in heaven. A marriage of spicy arugula and sweet agave is the perfect topping for this waffle ensemble. The "meat" is SO similar to the real thing--I'm truly amazed at the magical concoctions the kitchen staff whip up.
(5)Liesl D.
This is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. The food is incredible, and I've never heard a complaint even from the full-fledged carnivores I've brought here. The staff is great, full of character and recommendations. We've often sat at the bar instead of waiting for a table, and it's very comfortable there for a meal as well. I don't have a favorite dish, they're all incredibly good, but my husband adores the "chicken" and waffles (it's so good he forgets to give me a taste!). The staple meals are to die for, and the farmers plate is always a good choice. There's meals that will leave you so full you're rolling to the door, and also meals that leave you feeling smug in your "restraint" while still oh so satisfied. The desserts are to die for. They have great drinks, a flexible and knowledgeable bar staff, local beers, and a relaxed eclectic atmosphere. Make sure you know when they're open, I keep craving them on Mondays when they're closed, and my stomach rarely forgives me for that!
(5)William M.
Breakfast: tries to hard to do traditional southern breakfast but without the meat. Why imitate the institution you want to set your apart from instead of creating unique vegetarian and vegan dishes or modeling creations after traditional vegetarian dishes from other cultures - the American south is not know for traditional vegetarian cuisine. For those that aren't deterred by the posing cooks, the "chicken" and waffles were tasty but still terribly sinful - the American obesity trilogy in full flesh: fat, sugar and salt. Th arugula on top is a nice touch. The huevos rancheros were very good, with homemade black beans, tortilla chips, eggs and salsa. There was nothing special about the pancakes. No espresso so be content with strong drip coffee. The highlight of the breakfast was the vodka beet cocktail - go figure. The service wasn't bad but the servers had an anti-, discontent aire about them . One brought me warm milk for coffee but not without putting up a bit of a fight first. The space is drafty so don't go on a cold day. In summary, it was an ok experience but I don't feel the need to go back.
(3)Lindsey J.
Absolutely amazing. I loved their cocktails, entrees, starters, everything. I had the dirty beetz cocktail - fantastic. I was so excited to have tempeh and grits since I used to love shrimp and grits before I was vegan. It was delicious and creamy. Their cheese plate was also delicious, but keep in mind it's not hard cheeses. The staff are very friendly too.
(5)Nili P.
Love this place and I am not vegetarian. The tacos are my favorite dish but make sure to get the salsa on the side of you like a little extra spice. I also like their sushi roll but not the sweet potato version with pecans. My most favorite dessert is the salted caramel chocolate truffle cake/tart. It is so good! Also love their cocktails. My favorite is the Moscow mule. They actually make their own ginger beer in house! I also really enjoyed the root venerable chips that they make in house with the two different dips! They are addicting. I would suggest getting their early on a Friday night because the wait can definitely be an hour long during peak hours. They do not take reservations. Overall it is a smaller restaurant with table and bars eating. They have some funky but cool decor. Fun atmosphere.
(5)Blake M.
Oh my stars, Fiction Kitchen is a restaurant dream come true. I moved here from Tampa, a vegan brunch wasteland. So Fiction Kitchen, which has a brunch menu that is almost entirely vegan, makes me a very happy girl. The chicken biscuit with root vegetable hash was so good! Although, a friend I was dining with told me the hash usually has beets and mine just had potato and sweet potato; since beets are my all time favorite vegetable I was a bit disappointed. I've also been for dinner and the food is equally good. I would say I think their brunch menu is a better value as far as price-to-portion ratio compared to dinner, but it's not like the dinner menu is outrageously priced either. Come early for brunch, we barely snagged the last table and we arrived at least 10 minutes before they opened.
(4)Sophia K.
I have nothing bad to say about The Fiction Kitchen except that it's a little pricy. But get this: I love chicken, I order a vegan chicken and waffles dish, and it's better than a lot of actual fried chicken I've had. How do they do it? Some kind of poultry wizardry is going on in the back, because this dish was EXCELLENT. I loved the touch of arugula and apple slices on top - made it feel more fancy. You also have to order the root vegetable chips with both kind of dips. I'm not usually a chips person (sweet tooth over here) but these were great to share. Fun for a unique date night or a dinner out with your roommates, but I might not come here if I was starving and wanted a ton of food. That said, it's worth trying and I'll definitely be back.
(4)Joanne L.
You're telling me this is not chicken? Is this real life?! When my friend told me about this place, I was a bit skeptical. Not I've tried it, I am definitely a fan. A group of us stopped in on Friday for dinner. We called that evening and was able to reserve a table. Once we got to the restaurant, the table was already waiting for us. Throughout the entire dinner, the service was excellent. Our server was very informative and witty but not over attentive. Everything I tasted was excellent. The most memorable dish was definitely the fried chicken and waffle. I was so surprised on the resemblance of real fried chicken. The texture and taste were really close to real chicken. I enjoyed the peppery seasoning of the "chicken". My friend also said that the waffle is one of the best she ever had. I was too overwhelm with the chicken and couldn't think too much about the waffle. In addition, I think I make pretty darn good waffles. From the little memory that I had, the waffle was nice and fluffy. I ordered the daily special which was a panko crusted sweet potato croquette. It was really good as well along with the carrot and cabbage slaw that was nice and refreshing. Though the whole time I was eyeing my friend's chicken and waffle dish. We also shared root vegetable chips and spring rolls with spicy peanut sauce. We devoured both in no time. Everyone really enjoyed the kick from the spicy peanut sauce. The desserts were also amazing. We got creme brule and flourless chocolate cake. It was definitely a perfect way to end the night. They allow local artists to display their artwork on one of the walls in the restaurant. Every month (week?) they allow one artist use the wall for his/her creation, so it changes. We all thought that was really cool.
(4)Eleni B.
Have you not been to Fiction Kitchen yet? Drop what you're doing and head over: it's amazing and you'll finish your meal experience satiated. As a Seattle native, I'm a bit spoiled with having had access to over 20 vegan restaurants, most of them excellent. I have also traveled across the US on tours and never fail to find try the vegan cuisine in NYC and even Iowa. So I've sampled a lot of creative (and uninspired!) cuisine. Fiction Kitchen is not only on par with some of the finest vegan cuisine I've had in Seattle and across the country, in many ways it exceeds my past experiences by offering flavor and texture combinations that leave you feeling full and happy. Let me explain the "full and happy," because I think this is important: After a meal at FK I do not experience the kind of full where I am stuffed uncomfortably and feel like laying down. Neither is it the full that you feel will soon dissipate into hunger pangs as you feel after soup or a fancy meal with too few filling foods (as many veg places fail to offer adequate bulk). It's the perfect full. It will carry you through a show at King's or other evening activities. I highly recommend the Chicken & Waffles, as many others have attested - it's deliciously breaded and crispy, offset with a healthy bunch of fresh greens. Though I'm a bit attached to this dish, I also recommend the Farmer's Market plate, which changes to allow you to try new and fresh ideas that have not disappointed. You will also love their BBQ - I've heard from so many who aren't vegetarian that it's either better or comparable to BBQ they love. For an appetizer, you must try their vegan cheeses - they've perfected the smokey pimento cheese and I'm sure it was not only me whose eyes widen in disbelief at how tasty it is upon first bite. Even if you are now full, you must try one of their desserts, whether it be the NY cheesecake, the peanut butter cheesecake (excellent paired with the dark chocolate ganache, whose chocolate comes from a chocolate factory down the road!) or one of their other concoctions. In addition to the food, the staff are genuinely kind and helpful and the atmosphere is warm and inviting. The owners are personable, always interested in feedback, and very respected in the community. You'll want to order dessert and a cocktail just to stay a little longer.
(5)Michelle S.
Wow. Vegetarians traveling in the South missing out on local delicacies should definitely stop here for an amazing meal. The pulled "pork" was incredible. It fulfilled every craving I had for NC bbq while still remaining veg. We were super impressed. My boyfriend had the farmers plate which was a very good veggie dish (nothing supremely unique though) with a side of the fried "chicken" - which again, wow. Amazing fried chicken! So so good.
(5)Gooch S.
Been here twice. Vegan chicken and waffles... Oh. Muh. God. So fucking good, well worth a 2 hour drive. Wilmington MOSTLY sucks for food options.
(5)Ruben I.
I had the enviable pleasure to have found this most delightful eatery. I make it myself appointed duty to check Yelp for vegan or vegetarian places once i go to a city or town I've never been to in my travels. So far so good, I really loved the food. Score one for all of N.C.
(5)Adam S.
Fiction Kitchen is our go to restaurant when we have out-of-town guests visiting. I have easily treated two dozen people to this fantastic restaurant and maybe 4 of them are vegan/vegetarian, and all raved about the food and vibe. Our toddler loves it too. Although the reviews are mostly positive there are a few that bug the FK out of me, especially the shock and awe that the menu boasts 'fiction' meat. Ponder the name... a lot of thought went into this venture. In the South, the goal of a progressive chef might to open people's minds, challenge their habits, and attract people who would otherwise eat BBQ, to take a risk (it is easier to move mountains). Before you leave a bad review about FK please recognize the amazing feat that is creating a place for vegans or vegetarians to take their guests and friends that doesn't force them to eat eggplant or portobello or simply not eat, and that offers cheese alternatives made in-house. Before you leave a bad review stick your head in the kitchen and tell the owner/staff what you think. The staff has always been amazing to us, however the people I surround myself with are quite possibly the easiest people on earth to get along with, otherwise they wouldn't hang out with me in the first place, point being, notice the hard-work and harmony of the work being done back there, and the good vibes flowing all around you, before you rant negatively about your experience. I get something different every time I go, it is always bursting with flavor, it is always garnished with food I can stick in my not-yet-2-year-old's mouth, and the entire menu is local, organic or close enough to be a miracle in a town that pretty much has no other options for me. The experience is worth Every penny.
(5)Geoff And Jenni G.
Absolutely love it here... fabulous vegan/veggie food... even my carnivore colleague loved it :-) The curry, risotto and falafel this time around were all amazing... will definitely be back...
(5)Anna S.
Best place in Raleigh (whether you're vegetarian/vegan or not!).The food is impeccable, the drinks are strong & the service is always charming. I never feel guilty eating here because its very healthy (without lacking in taste), and the portion sizes are perfect. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait for a little bit - it is worth it! I also recommend going during the week as they're less busy, and you can usually be seated within 30 minutes.
(5)Hanna K.
What can I say that others have not? Not much. I was in town for 3 days and ate here twice. It was awesome, the chicken and waffles should not be missed. The curry bowl was good, but not as outstanding as the chicken and waffles. I'm a meat eater, and if I hadn't been told, I wouldn't have known it wasn't chicken. The other person in my party ordered a side of the "chicken" and a side of the "pork" and said the pork was even better than the chicken. I'm kicking myself for not getting the bbq. Service was a little less friendly than I'm used to, but whatevs, the food is so good, who cares.
(5)Tjark E.
I never understood why vegan restaurants are into imitating traditional dishes. This place is the perfect example: biscuits and gravy are as much on the menu as deep fried chicken with waffles - obviously with vegan replacements. Most importantly: if you are into good coffee this is not going to be your favorite brunch place: they just serve drip coffee with cold milk or "creamer" to go with. The waitress was not particularly excited when we ask for hot milk instead. The service is rustic and not very accommodating. The beet cocktail however was surprisingly good. I had the huevos rancheros easy over on a bed of tortilla chips and black beans. The pico de gallo was wonderful but the overall taste was average. The waffles and chicken did not surprise in flavor at all. There are better options in the triangle.
(2)Katharine D.
This place is great! I moved here recently and was given numerous recommendations as I thoroughly enjoy meatless and gluten free options. I was impressed! I also brought along a guest who is not familiar with those food preferences and had never had tempeh or tofu before. He really liked the "chicken" and waffles! So good. My faux pho was very flavorful and delicious. I enjoyed the funky wall colors and decorations too. They know what they are doing there! I highly recommend it.
(5)Brian T.
Amazing recipes and atmosphere. Very casual relaxed place. Very busy but got a seat at the bar. Blackbird cocktail and the tequila cocktail were just right. First time having a grilled salad- and they hit the mark, highly recommended. The chicken and waffles was great, they got the texture and even partial taste of the chicken very good. I would recommend trying this place out.
(5)P. C.
.. if you read my other posts you will notice that many times I am a bit slow in posting a review. Case in Point. Went on First Friday in April. Thought we needed to get there a little early in the evening.. good thinking. Line got a bit long while we were dining. I am not a vegan or a vegetarian. I truly enjoyed my meal and samples of my friends meals. The root vegetable chips were tasty plentiful and the cilantro pesto dipping sauce was great! I had the Mushroom Farro Risotto. Other than being a bit heavy on the salt with the mushrooms the Farro was creamy and very tasty (I did mention the salt issue .. the manager ? tasted them and agreed) Friend had Mock Chicken and Waffles and Mock Pulled pork.... amazing what you can do with alternative protein. Service was pleasant but some of the staff seemed a bit confused at times. I say don't knock it unless you try it. Have a glass of wine and relax ;)
(4)Manuel G.
I found their "Chicken" and Waffles better than actual Chicken and Waffles. The crispness, texture, the agave syrup, portion, etc. were fantastic. Service was nice too. Please move to Durham.
(5)Eldewins H.
You have the full range of vegetarian cuisine, from ova-lacto to vegetarian to vegan. The food tasted great, I didn't "miss the meat"
(4)Kristy A.
So...I'm not a vegan. Nor am I gluten free. And I will even admit that I generally find people on these sorts of special diets to be...well "special". The good news is that the Fiction Kitchen is a place where we can all coexist. I was definitely a little scared of this place when I planned to meet some friends here. I came ready. I picked out my meal online ahead of time and was determined to make the best of it. I got there a little early and had a glass of wine. And then I had some fritters (they seemed a safe choice). They were a tad on the greasy side (having been served really fresh from the fryer) and the "butter" was a little suspect, but it was a pleasing appetizer overall. And it was filling...something which combined with a second glass of wine and a walk-by sighting of some other patrons' entrees made me want to try something out of the box. So I changed my safe (meat substitute free) pre-planned meal and ordered the "chicken" and waffles. With mock chicken. I figured if I was going to try mock chicken, it ought to be deep fried...because deep frying makes everything better, right? Much to my surprise, it was delicious! Not exactly a chicken or anything, but it was really tasty. I finished the whole thing. What's more, my party of six ordered the curry, the pulled "pork", the corn cakes, the spring rolls, the tasting plate, and farmer's plate special. Clean plates all around and not a vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free person in the bunch. Overall, five stars.
(5)Mark K.
Fabulous concept & wonderful service, but our visit last Wed was disappointing - for 2 reasons: 1) they were out of my 1st beer selection & couldn't get the tap working on the 2nd. 2) the grits plate & daily farmers plate were what we wanted. The kitchen changed the grits plate from a tomato & corn combo to tempeh - which I ordered & was okay. The farmers plate (a pumpkin farro concoction) was sold out by 8pm, so my wife ordered the recommended rice noodle bowl - too watery & lacked flavor. We split a slice of Oreo cheesecake - which was AWESOME (for vegan), but small. If FK would rely less on tofu/tempeh and more on veggies, it could rock.
(2)Felecia L.
For vegetarians and vegans this place is as good as it gets. I was impressed from the start being greeted and welcomed by the host. He seemed genuinely happy that we were dining there. Our waitress was the same-very friendly and excited to be there with wonderful service from start to finish. The place is a bit of hodge podge but in a organic, you're going to get some good food here way. We snagged a both and enjoyed checking the place out and was so pleased to see the range of people and ages eating here. It feels like one big happy family. I had the NC grits and tempeh. It isn't on the website menu but on the printed menu which comes on a clipboard. It was served with a delicious gravy, three large portions of tempeh and microgreens. It was a very generous serving and lovingly created. You can tell they take great pride in the food they serve here. It was expertly spiced without relying on a lot of salt. The bar area is nice and quite big for a space of this size. They have a great selection of drinks there including a nice glass of Cava. My dining partner had the noodle bowl with tofu and enjoyed it well enough for someone who generally eats meat every day. I thought it was delicious. All in all a very hospitable place with food you can feel good about.
(5)Karen C.
Good vegetarian restaurant tucked between a dive bar and a tattoo shop, across from a police station. Our company has a Raleigh office. Our last night there on business, we were tired and hungry and didn't want anything too fancy or too generic (traveling on business leads to frequent repeats of the same type of meal). There was a long wait when we arrived, but we were on a mission: vegetarian chicken & waffles! My salad was fine. Nothing special. The real star of the evening was the chicken & waffles. Made with mock chicken, and topped with agave syrup and sliced apples, it was a delicious substitute for the real deal. If I'm ever in Raleigh again, I'll be back for a second helping.
(3)Lydia A.
Finally, great vegan food in Raleigh! Having been vegan for most of my life, I always tell people that I can find something to eat pretty much anywhere. Growing up with hippie parents has taught me not to make a big deal out of your dietary choices/limitations when you go out to eat and to choose from what's available. Of course, larger cities adopted meat-free and veggie alternatives earlier on, but for years this has resulted in a lot of dinners out consisting of naked salads and baked potatoes with olive oil and salt. :) Even though I'm vegan, I love food. I love the sensory experience of eating as well as the presentation of a well-executed meal. Raleigh has had Remedy and Irregardless (and don't get me wrong, each has their selling points), but we never had a real vegan restaurant with a truly inspired menu. Enter Fiction Kitchen! It's pretty busy around dinner "rush hour" (7-8p), but no worries! Put your name on the list, then grab a cocktail, glass of wine, or a beer and post up at the bar. The drinks are all reasonably priced and they have fun seasonal cocktails. The decor is retro-kitsch; I want the Our Lady of Bootylicious (ahem, Beyoncé) candles/vases in my house, and the mismatched chairs are charming and comfortable. FK uses tons of locally sourced ingredients, as noted on the menu and by the staff. I think I've tried pretty much every non-seasonal item on the menu, and if I had to pick a favorite I think it would be the BBQ pulled pork. Honorable mentions to the Tinga tacos, the farmer's market plate (it changes all the time and is always great!), and the curry. Last and finally, my favorite thing about FK is that my omnivorous friends actually love it! It's not like they submit to going to a veg place...the first thing everyone says on their virgin visit is some variation of: "this isn't just 'good for vegan food', this is really good food." So true! Oh, and for what it's worth, meat-eaters always seem really impressed with the chick'n & waffles, so if you're veg and bringing a meat-loving companion who is skeptical about the whole vegan thing, give them a try!
(5)Allison M.
The food here is superb. I love that I can eat until I'm full and still walk out the door feeling healthy, not like a heavy, greasy potato. I highly recommend the noodle bowl with the house-made tofu. To die for. My main complaint about this place is its size and ambiance. It's tiny and doesn't take reservations, and when the place is full (which is all the time), it's so lound that you have to yell to the person next to you. We were there once with a screaming baby (c'mon, people, shut the kid up if it's obviously disrupting the ENTIRE RESTAURANT, including the staff) and had to take our dinners to go because it was just too loud to stand.
(4)Nina B.
As Richie K. can I attest, almost every time we go out to eat, I order the wrong thing and then end up coveting his selection throughout our meal. Well, I'm happy to report that the opposite was true at Fiction Kitchen! I got the chicken and waffles and was NOT disappointed. The breading was like a Chicken McNugget, and I mean that in the BEST way possible. I only wish there had been more arugula on the plate (more like a salad and less like a garnish), because I needed something green. We sat at the bar, and while the bartenders were friendly, fast, and attentive, it was kind of an awkward place to be. People placing/picking up takeout orders or just getting drinks would hover behind me and reach over my head. They really need a designated place for that kind of hovering. But, I was pleasantly surprised that our wait was only about 5 minutes as opposed to the 20 the host estimated. Of course, it might have been 20 had we not sat at the bar. So, since I eat meat, I won't hurry back to The FK for the chicken and waffles, but I'd happily take a vegetarian friend there if they have a craving. And I'd get them, too.
(3)Christina G.
Who needs meat when there's Fiction Kitchen? Tempeh just got ten times more appealing to me, and it only took one marvelous meal. Due to its small interior and popularity, you may find yourself waiting outside on the stoop or squeezing onto the waiting area bench sandwiched between a four-top, a wall, and the corner of the bar. But it will all be worth it! From the cocktails, to the soup of the day, to the entrees, hubby and I were impressed. We shared a bowl of the butternut squash soup, which was thick and creamy, sweet and savory, all at the same time. The oft-raved about in reviews "chicken" and waffles were no disappointment either. Kudos to the kitchen for landing the elusive perfectly cooked waffle -- tender but with a slight 'bite' to the outer crust. Our waitress was great, and staff even chased us down the block to return forgotten baggage. All-around awesome experience.
(5)mary s.
Hands down the best vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Raleigh. Very hip atmosphere with friendly waiters. I went one time when the bartender seemed a little cranky, but overall the service is great! Wait times can be pretty long, this place is very popular. I've had multiple dishes, like the vegetable curry, which is good but nothing too out of the ordinary. Where they shine is their chicken and waffles. The chicken patty is really one of the best fake chicken mixtures I've ever tasted. It's savory and not mashed-up-veggies tasting at all. Texture is excellent as well. I do really like their root veggie chips as well - the dipping sauces are yummy, especially the damage hummus and the aioli.
(4)Michelle G.
I've "gone vegan" for the month of February, and I came to the Fiction Kitchen towards the beginning when I was having some serious animal-based meal withdrawals. I had a quiche and vegan bloody mary for brunch, and everything was truly awesome. I later had the butternut squash soup, which was divine. Go here, do it, your taste buds will thank you.
(5)Fairuz S.
Raleigh is so lucky to have the Fiction Kitchen. What an amazing restaurant for people with all sorts of diets. The owners are great people with an inspiring story. My husband and I arrived there a little after nine on a Saturday night. We only had to wait a few moments to be seated. We ordered the summer rolls as an appetizer. The spicy peanut sauce that it came with was to die for! As an entree my husband got the noodle bowl which he enjoyed, and I had the soup of the day and a side of root veggie chips. First of all the portion size of the bowl of soup is no joke! It was huge! The root veggie chips side was big as well and I was stuffed! I wish I could eat the root veggie chips everyday, they were THAT good. For dessert we had the dark chocolate salted caramel pie to share. That was a perfect way to end a delicious, flavorful and complex meal. AND it was all vegetarian and gluten free. I recommend this as a restaurant to take a date, or someone you are trying to impress. The food and atmosphere will blow them away. You won't leave hungry and the prices are very reasonable for the quality and amount of food that you receive.
(5)Matt T.
Literally one of the only fully vegan restaurants in the RTP area. Has a very lively (almost too loud) feel, probably because we went a bit late at night and there were people chatting at the bar. Definitely gives off a young hip vibe. Ordered edamame hummus with house made root vegetable chips (the hummus was amazing). Ordered marinated BBQ tempeh over grits. I think this was the best tempeh experience I've had yet, it was quite good, portions were sort of small, but expected of this type of restaurant in Raleigh. They have a full selection of vegan desserts available, we shared a raspberry cheesecake I believe, which was quite good. Would come again if it wasn't so far from Durham.
(4)Bob H.
Fiction Kitchen has unique and creative vegan and vegetarian options, and a good full bar. My vegan wife loves the food and compares it to Fern in Charlotte. I had a Thai salad with vegan "chicken" that was delicious. My wife got the vegan "BBQ", which I thought was too spicy, but she liked it. I want to try the waffles and "chicken" to see how it compares to Fern's version, which I like very much. I'm a meat eater, but wouldn't hesitate to return to Fiction Kitchen. I recommend it.
(4)Stephanie S.
The menu is all vegan, but they have goat cheese available to add to whatever you'd like. Slightly more expensive than I would have liked but all the food was tasty. Came in on a Tuesday night around 8 and it was packed. Service was great and our waitress was super helpful and knowledgeable. Get the root vegetable chips for an app, both the edamame hummus and pesto were incredible!
(4)Caitlin P.
Delicious food, fun atmosphere, friendly service and I thought the prices were totally reasonable for the quality of food you are getting. My non vegan boyfriend LOVES this place too !
(5)Becky B.
My daughter and I are not big meat eaters, so this place sounded like fun. It doesn't look to fancy, but servers are friendly and they refilled our water promptly, like 6 times. My 11 year old daughter ate (the entire) noodle bowl with all the veggies. She loved it. I had the tinga tacos, which I also enjoyed. We shared a piece of peanut butter cheesecake, which was good, but I am not sure if they could have cut it any smaller (don't think Cheesecake Factory here). Next time I think I will start with an appetizer and skip desert. Overall, the restaurant was, as the waiter said "a gem". Can't wait to go back.
(4)K V.
Nice staff, cool decor, simple menu. However, the food was pretty bland and definitely overpriced. I love the concept but the food is just not that good. I satisfied my curiosity but probably won't go here again.
(2)Shelley D.
Delicious! This funky little restaurant has sort of an "Asheville" feel to it. If you are going to eat vegetarian, you usually have limited choices in most restaurants. But going to a place that specializes in vegetarian dishes is the way to go. These people know what they are doing. I had the Tinga Tacos and they were full of flavor. My husband had the BBQ "pork" and it was also a hit. We will be back!
(5)Jess F.
I'm not a vegetarian or vegan by any means but this place is great! The BBQ is a sure bet and anything on the drink menu is great! The salted caramel ganache is amazing!
(4)Caroline B.
My new absolute favorite place to eat!!! I went with two of my friends and EVERYTHING we had was AMAZING! From our specialty cocktails to appetizer, entree, and desert, everything was hand-made perfectly from local produce and products. I'm not vegan, so I can say that all of their meat "substitutes" far surpassed my expectations. They also catered perfectly to my gluten issues from drink to dessert. If you are looking for an amazing, local place to eat- please check it out!!
(5)Karen L.
So good. So, so good. If I could do 4 1/2 I would. I could have rounded up to 5, but 5 says "as good as it gets" and there are a couple of SLIGHT improvements I would make. Let me start from the beginning. Staff was fantastic. Friendly, fun to be around, all around seemed to be good people. My friend and I started with the spring rolls. The spicy peanut sauce on the spring rolls is fabulous. The spring rolls themselves were good. The wrapping on the spring rolls was a little unappetizing...a little soggy. The taste was good, though. My friend ordered the tinga tacos and I ordered the "chicken" and waffles and we each ate half and switched plates so that we could try both. The chicken and waffles was honestly one of the best things I have had in a long time. I am not a vegetarian. I have also never had real chicken and waffles. But this? I could eat this multiple times a week. The "chicken" had a wonderful flavor to it, the waffles were cooked perfectly, and the agave tied everything together wonderfully. I wouldn't change a thing. The tinga tacos were fabulous as well. Decently spicy and very flavorful. My slight suggestion for these would be to add something creamy...sour cream or cheese would be great (vegan versions would be cool with me. I don't care). They really were delicious, though. We both ordered one of the dessert specials to go...I can't remember the exact name but it was some sort of salted caramel chocolate torte. I ate it as soon as I got home. The staff was super smart when putting the torte in the to go box...they put the salted caramel sauce in a little plastic ramekin on the side. The torte was an incredible finish to the meal. It was rich, the texture was perfect, and it was really the perfect size to top off the meal. After I took one bite of the torte by itself, I decided not to pour the salted caramel all over the slice. I thought I would just try one bite with the salted caramel and see if it improved the torte (if that was even possible). I was...not a fan of the salted caramel. It had a strange flavor, in my opinion, and I typically love salted caramel. Wasn't a problem for me, though...I just didn't put it on any more of my torte. Anyway...I will definitely become a regular at Fiction Kitchen, assuming I can convince my husband and/or non-vegetarian friends to branch out and try it. I will have to convince myself to try something other than the chicken and waffles...maybe. Just go there. They are a refreshing addition to Downtown Raleigh and I wish them a ton of success.
(4)Mitch M.
2nd time there. Thought I'd give it a another try. Had the braised tempeh and grits. Sorry to say it wasn't any better than the entree I got the first time. The market sampler appetizer was great tho.
(2)Emily S.
I am mostly vegan, hubby 80% vegetarian and we were both in love. I had a beet simple syrup martini to start and he had the Moscow mule based on out awesome waitresses recommendation. We split the "chicken" and waffles. Since we aren't from the south we were both quite skeptical but it was amazing. Perfect balance of sweet and savory
(5)Amy D.
I love the vibe of this place. It's small so it gets crowded so plan ahead. I'm not exclusive of anything dietary speaking but I've tried a lot of meat alternatives just for the hell of it. We started with the root vegetable chips which were good. They are one of those things I'm sure I could pick up at any store though so I wouldn't return for them. I had the "pork" situation and I'd say it's a good pretend version of the real thing. That I'd come back for.
(4)Jinay M.
Great place for Vegetarians and Vegans! I actually enjoyed the food and being vegetarian for once I had lot of options! Do try out psuedo chicken with waffle!
(5)jeremy d.
I had the "shrimp" and grits and it was a really good dish. The flavor was amazing. My wife had the thanksgiving meal and I tried hers and the dish was very good as well. My only complaint would be the lack of parking. Other then that everything was top notch.
(5)M H.
Food is LOVE.. and Fiction Kitchen serves a lot of LOVE. I have dined in twice and enjoyed both meals. My first visit (worth the hour wait) I started with the root veggie chips with hummus AND pesto dip , a happy colorful chip dipped in deliciousness..YUM... then it was a visually exciting plate of tinga tacos!! So much flavor in every bite tasting the seasoned grains, black beans and a savory slaw, a wonderful combo atop a crunchy corn tortilla... i knew i would be back for some more LOVE :) on my 2nd visit , i invited my carnivore friend who wasnt sure what she was going to have, i assured her that there would be something great for her to try. Deb tried the chicken and waffels, she couldnt stop saying "I cant believe this isnt chicken", i tell you she was delighted with her choice!!! On this visit i devoured the sweet potato gnoccoi with greens, once again, a plate full of LOVE... I will be back fo-sho! P.S. i could have eaten 3 servings of the Gnoccio, it was that delish!!! Also, my server Jenna was exceptional, she was able to answer all the questions asked of her and I could tell she really enjoys where she works :) Thank you for the LOVE Fitction Kitchen... see you soon...
(5)Nina S.
Only ONE negative about this place. They open up at 11:30 and you have to wait outside for the doors to open. But on another note, customer service was EXCELLENT. My mom and I sat at the bar we ordered the cheesy grits and the "chicken & waffles". The bartender Chris was 100% on his job. He took our order , he was super nice , and our food came out extremely fast. All of the staff was cheerful and nice. The food was great. And I will definitely be back. :)
(5)Shannon A.
I am so happy for my 400th review to be The Fiction Kitchen!!! Dining at the Fiction Kitchen was WAY overdue! As soon as I found out it had opened, I had planned to go every weekend since. Life takes over, we got busy, and kept having to put it off. I think this actually helped build the suspense and we were certainly not let down. Mon amour est moi recently went Vegetarian. It was a nice treat to reward ourselves as a true vegetarian restaurant, which actually promotes itself as being a great option for the Vegan, Vegetarian, and Gluten Free folks. We dined on a Saturday, and arrived around 5:45pm because we had after dinner plans AND I had heard that it gets super crowded after 6-6:30pm, which is always a good sign! We waited for a couple of minutes for a table and were seated at a quaint little table near the back. The atmosphere is almost cafe-like, very quaint, great little cozy place. There is a full bar on one side with great wine choices and local craft beer, one that was particularly of interest is Asheville's own Green Man Brewery IPA! We perused through the menu and quickly settled on the NC Apple Seasonal Fritters with an agave glaze. Holey moley these things were AWESOME!!!! We decided to get two different items and share them so we could try as much as we could on our first visit. Hubs ordered the BBQ "Pork" (smoked soy) which was AMAZING!! It was served with a side of veggies. I ordered the Grilled Romaine that was served with caramelized onions, seasonal cheese (or cashew cheese) with caesar dressing. Since I am allergic to tree nuts, the candied nuts were served on the side and I opted for the goat cheese since I could not have the cashew cheese (but I hear it is very tasty). The dressing also is made with cashews so I had them substitute for a balsamic dressing. I actually apologized to the server for my allergy issue and she quickly responded with, "no, that's what we do. We sub for people that have allergies so it's not a problem". The grilled romaine was one of the best things I have eaten in months. It was so tasty and had a warm-charred taste that was out of this world! We asked to give props to the chef, Caroline, who we were so amazed with. Literally, being fairly newbies in the game of vegetarianism, we loved everything! It was so great to go somewhere for a veg meal and find that it was cooked to perfection and was unique. We not only had a great meal, but we learned a lot about cooking different items and trying new things on our vege meal journey! Our server was on top of it, was pleasant, and oh so helpful! There are many, many, many more visits to come for us to Fiction Kitchen, and I can hardly wait!!!!
(5)Alyssa P.
If vegetarian food is lacking in this city, the gluten free and vegan options are absolutely nonexistent. Or, at least, were. Maybe this review should come with a disclaimer: I'm vegetarian. I'm gluten free whenever possible. I enjoy kitschy and cozy restaurants. I like my servers to look like they actually exist in the real world. And I know how to work the hot water on a bathroom sink. But with that being said.. I've been here on two different occasions and been thoroughly impressed by the food and staff both times. Jan 18 (Fiction Kitchen's first weekend dinner service) I arrived at around 9:15. The tables were mostly full so we opted to sit at the bar. Service was prompt and friendly and I went for the Sweet Potato Nori Roll and Sashimi Tofu plate. Nice presentation and absolutely BANGIN flavors. Nori Rolls were perfect and loved the Sashimi Tofu along side the arugula and citrusy-ginger dressing. Opted for the Sweet Potato Pot de Creme for dessert which was also delightful and came topped with apples and rolled oats (if I recall correctly.) I was totally impressed by a well done Vegan and Gluten-Free meal. A friend ordered the Chicken and Waffles which was absolutely delicious... this coming from someone who historically loathes imitation vegetarian fare. When we arrived, they had run out of the chocolate dessert and were nearing the end of the tempeh, but for it to be their first weekend night and for them to just be coming out of a rush that put them at capacity, I was thoroughly impressed. The kitchen was quick, presentation and flavors were excellent, the staff was on the ball, and everything was clean. Jan 23 was a slower night. On this trip we tried the Spring Rolls which were fresh and flavorful with just enough cilantro. Probably would have eaten the spicy peanut sauce with a spoon if it were socially acceptable. We followed up with orders of the Sweet Potato Nori and Chicken and Waffles. There was a minor mix-up in the kitchen which was promptly resolved, and as a result we also got to try the Pulled Pork. The Chicken and Waffles was fab as before, as was the Sweet Potato Nori. The Tofu Sashimi was a bit saltier (and to me, a bit less enjoyable) than it had been on the previous Friday, but was still quite good. The Pulled Pork, however.... OH MY GOD. Happiest accident. The "pork" itself was absolutely amazing-- no idea what black magic they employ with that dish. The Latka-like potato cake underneath was the perfect consistency and temperature, and the spread of seasonal vegetables (Kale, Broccoli, Beets, and a few others) was perfectly balanced with the dish. Portions are filling, but not overwhelming. Our waitress was attentive and our glasses were never empty. I didn't notice a real issue with noise either time as others have mentioned, but could see this being an issue as it is a smaller space. I could jump for joy at the lack of television. The set- up doesn't appear to be conducive to huge groups. I have yet to conquer the cocktail menu, but it's appealing, as is the mention of Brunch in the future. TLDR; GO HERE. TRY THE PULLED PORK. Try everything. Before I do.
(5)Ryan L.
I had the chicken tacos; my girlfriend had the pumpkin curry. Never had such good vegetarian food in my life. Will be back as often as possible!
(5)Cindy B.
Love the decor, menu design service and prices - I guess the location and parking are the only set backs...but WELL worth the effort! My favorite part is when i arrive i have to say, "THAT's a big door!" :)
(4)Cheri H.
Fiction Kitchen is quite simply one of the best restaurants we have ever been to. First, the food. The Root Vegetable Chips are addictive (we had with edamame hummus), the Farmer's Market Plate was fresh and delicious and the Pulled "Pork" BBQ was the best Carolina BBQ I've ever had. Period (I still can't believe it wasn't real pork.) Second, drinks. I had a tequila concoction wihich was fabulous. The bartender comes up with all the drinks and they are truly unique and incredibly delicious. Third, atmosphere. Small and fun, it gets crowded on the weekends, but we were able to eat at the bar with no wait. Bottom line, just go! Vegetarian or not, it's one of the Triangle's best places to eat
(5)Stella G.
I am a big fan of well cooked vegan food!! I have had my fair share of NOT so GOOD vegan food! We ventured out to have dinner while I was visiting some friends in Raleigh and well worth the trip! Service was excellent the waitress answered all our questions and new all about every entree, so important in my book, Great atmosphere! We even had the chef come over and ask how our dinner was! Even if your not into vegan or vegetarian food go try this you might be into it after!!! just saying!
(5)Rylli P.
Great food. Great atmosphere. Great prices. One of Raleigh's gems.
(5)Trina A.
My husband & I finally made it to FK tonight, we have been meaning to go forever. We are not vegetarians, but we do love our local veggies and appreciate culinary excellence. Bottom line...as we left we were already planning what we were going to try next time! Absolutely delicious, thank you & see you soon!!
(5)Chip E.
I enjoyed my dinner at Fiction Kitchen. The menu is very unique - very tasty vegetarian/vegan. I had sweet potato sushi rolls with sashimi tofu and it was delicious. Surprised with the flavor - unexpected in a good way. My friend really like the grilled romaine, she says it's a must-have for my next visit. The only thing that can be improved is the atmosphere. People waiting to be seated and hovering over the tables waiting for people to finish up... can't say that contributes to their atmosphere. Every space is used in the restaurant, all the way to the front door which leads to the "hovering" atmosphere. Though, for those that have seating or waiting to be seated, the food is worth the wait.
(4)Melissa M.
The Fiction Kitchen boasts a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes. My boyfriend and I were lucky enough to try out their tacos. They were delicious!
(5)S P.
Amazing food. If you are a recent convert from a Meat based diet to a vegetarian diet, come here and see that all food doesn't have to be bland or made out of mashed up vegetables. Get here early to get a seat.
(4)Lauren P.
My husband and I love this place. They always try to serve local produce and other foods as much as possible. I know that it is a small place and the wait is sometimes long, but it's well worth the wait. They spent a lot of time and effort to get this place up and running, not knowing how well it would be received. Maybe one day they will expand and have a larger space. I have always had great service. I really like sitting at the bar as well. The bartender will tell you about all the local liqueurs that they serve. I have tried the curry bowel (amazing) and the "bbq" My husband has had the tacos and of course the focaccia bread (YUM)!!
(5)Ameeta M.
Positive : Food was good. Worth the wait Negative : I had been twice to this place and I had to wait both the times for around 30-45 minutes. They can improve on this.
(4)Teri S.
We just went tonight and it was great! Nice vegetarian options that I haven't seen anywhere else. Some are meat imitations, but a lot are stand-alone good vegetarian or vegan dishes. Great desert too.
(5)Andrea F.
I'm not a vegetarian, but this place could easily convince me to become one. My friend and I split the tacos and the chicken and waffles and I am now obsessed with both. You would have absolutely no idea that it wasn't real chicken.
(5)Jakob L.
I am amazed at this place. They food is absolutely stupendously good and the service is very, very good. I've tried everything on the menu at this point and not a single dish let me down. I highly recommend that Tinga Tacos, the Tasting Plate and the Chicken & Waffles. My favorite place in Raleigh. Btw, be there early...the place is packed within 30 minutes of opening. If you get there during peak hours on a weekend, the wait may be over an hour.
(5)Tracy G.
This place is great! The first vegan restaurant in Raleigh! Woo-hoo! It's always packed. The food is great. They are very concerned with quality and they use local and organic when possible! Their soy is organic and non-GMO, which is SOOOOO important, people!!! I'm very excited, and I'm really glad they opened up. YAY!!!
(5)John T.
Fantastic food...great ambiance. Staff was very friendly. I had the Tinga Tacos. There were only two, but they were full of chipotle soy and slaw and two was all I needed along with the black beans. Will be back!
(4)Aquagirl B.
Have hit up Fiction Kitchen twice now! Awesome to have a vegetarian restaurant in Raleigh that is concerned about GMO'd foods and the well being of Raleigh residents!! THANK YOU Fiction Kitchen! Wish more restaurants would be more concerned about where their food comes from!!
(5)Emily L.
The food is excellent, it always blows my mind. The pulled pork plate is the best, far better than any other vegan barbecue and actual meat barbecue I've ever had. Plus, they always have new things to try if you get bored with the same things. The service is great, they remember me when I come in and always keep my water glass full! There is usually a wait, but its always worth it.. The only complaint I have about the fiction kitchen is the noise level. I understand they can't really do any thing about that since its a small area but it's pretty unbearable at busy times..
(5)Blake S.
The beet soup was amazing. Everything about this place is great. I'm so happy to have another vegetarian option in downtown Raleigh. Especially one of this caliber.
(5)Tara C.
Boy, do they know how to do their veggies. The farmers market plate today was delicious. Don't miss the apple fritters! Fun, quirky dining room -- everything from the table dressing to the food was well thought out.
(4)Charlotte B.
My boyfriend just moved to Raleigh and for my first time visiting I really wanted to find an awesome hidden gem that he and I would want to return to time and time again. Clean eating is really important to him where as fine dining is more my style. We picked the perfect place. The staff was very knowledgeable & the dishes were very creative & well executed. We started off with 2 Moscow mules made with their home made ginger ale. Always hard to find a place that also has a great bar, but they did a fantastic job with their cocktails. First we had a vegan cheese plate that was amazing then we split the Lima bean "Shepard's pie" that was on special & a BBQ "pork" dish that is regularly on the menu. All of our dishes were fantastic. We will definitely be back for more!
(5)Claire S.
So good and creative! Chicken & waffles dish is awesome. The curry bowl has great flavor too. And very fun cocktails! Moonshine and berry jam cocktail ("The Briar Patch") was delicious.
(5)Jeremy M.
This is hands down one of my favorite places to eat in Raleigh. If you're a vegetarian or vegan you know there are only a hand-full of places where you can really get some good food in Raleigh. Not only is the food really good, the service is spectacular. Everyone at the restaurant is friendly and cool. One of my favorite items on the menu is the grilled romaine salad. I know that sounds silly but that cashew cheese and those candied nuts put me over the edge every time. As far as entrees go, I haven't had anything I haven't liked. I must say, I knee-jerk to the tinga tacos because I like spicy and I like mexican! But my absolute favorite guilty pleasure is most definitely the dark chocolate garnache pie. I almost NEVER get dessert anyplace else. Whenever I'm at the Fiction Kitchen, I leave something out JUST to get it. Perfect combination of sweet and salty drizzled with that caramel glaze. Super rich so you may want to split it. I don't share mine though! Love this place! Oh and they make really good drinks, too!
(5)Caitlin A.
I'm an omnivore, but I appreciate a great vegetarian/vegan meal, so I was excited to see the progress of The Fiction Kitchen from Kickstarter to open (wow, 37k? Raleigh is awesome!). I finally got the chance to go to dinner there last night. The dining room was full at about 8:30 with a 20 minute wait, so we decided to sit at the bar where we could be served immediately. I ordered the BBQ Pulled "Pork" with seasonal vegetables and by boyfriend ordered to Tinga Tacos. If I was given that dish and told it was actual pork, I would be none the wiser; It was absolutely amazing. The root vegetables were fresh and charred to perfection. I didn't get a chance to sneak a bite, but the boyfriend said the Tinga Tacos were amazing as well. Seriously can't wait to go back - I have my eye on the "chicken" and waffles for next time.
(5)Tom J.
Our meal at Fiction Kitchen was an unabashed delight. Creative, flavorful, beautiful food that was both originally conceived and expertly executed. No need to qualify this as a vegetarian place: it's just great food. "Pulled Pork" was textured and seasoned in a satisfying way that would satisfy a carnivore. And "chorizo" tacos were meaty and delicious. I get excited about greens, and the side order of sautéed kale was a home run: tender, almost sweet, with just enough garlic to make the dish wholesome. Fun waitstaff and quirky & entertaining decor rounded out a most memorable experience. Bravo!
(5)Sanjay G.
Updated 5/26/13: Given the detailed response from the owner, I realize I should have given the staff a chance to fix my dish. I may try again. I am revising my star rating to 3. -- Original 1 star: I am a vegetarian, mostly vegan but didn't like this place. The concept is great, but food wasn't great. The curry had vegetables like sweet potatoes and beets. I mean do they have an idea about any other vegetables at all that exist in the market place?? They were all about local and non-GMO foods. I don't care so much about the the fact that your tempurah comes from Pittsboro..I care about what sauces and spices you add. This was an american chief that has no clue how to use spices.
(3)Yeshanth J.
The food and the ambience reminds me of vegan joints in Asheville, NC. It does have some hippy touch to it. The food and flavors of their dishes are as interesting as how they sound on the menu. The root vegetable chips for appetizers are a must try. They aren't greasy. I have had Nori rolls and Sashmi Tofu and I wouldn't say it was out of world. It's very hard to mess up with Sushi. I had been here couple of times with my friends and I had a chance to taste Curry Bowl, Braised Tempeh and NC grits, Crispy Fried Chicken and Waffles, Tinga Tacos. I would Braised Tempeh and Tinga Tacos clearly stood out. Delicious food and a haven for vegans. Don't expect to be blown away but you will be pleasantly surprised.
(4)Briana B.
I was very intrigued by Fiction Kitchen as it was getting a lot of great buzz around Raleigh and I was interested to see the spin they could put on this meatless restaurant. I am happy to report it was delicious! I had the Noodle Bowl and it was quite delicious. It was a perfect amount of food for dinner. It was more of a soup that I was expecting given the decryption but the combination of noodles, vegetables, and broth were perfect! Everyone in our dining party was pleasantly surprised, even the very skeptic meat lovers. The restaurant itself is very unique and our service was great. I would definitely recommend it for something different!
(4)Hilary O.
Great food with lots of vegan And gluten free menu options. Eclectic art and diner style tables/seating help make this place a true local Raleigh gem.
(4)Catherine W.
If you are coming to Raleigh, you must include a stop at the wonderful Fiction Kitchen. There is nothing fictional about the talents of the head chef! Caroline works magic every night. We have been to dinner here several times and I have been blown over by the creativity and broad flavor palate. The wait staff is engaging and helpful and the bartenders creative and quick to get an adult beverage to you if you have to wait for a table. Get here early or call and make reservations because you will surely wait! There isn't any other restaurant of this sort in the Triangle. Make it a go to destination.
(5)Wendy B.
We had high hopes for The Fiction Kitchen since it was our first restaurant to try in Raleigh -- from the moment the hostess rudely wrote our name down to seating us in the worst spot by the kitchen our experience continued to go downhill. When our appetizer never arrived and the server told us, " I just work here" to the salt infested vegetables and overall "one-note" vegan food I would never recommend this place to anyone. We've been vegans for a while and have lived in many places. It's a shame because vegan food can be delicious and attractive.
(1)PicnicBear B.
I'm vegan but hadn't tried this restaurant because the menu on the website didn't have much that appealed to me. The menu also looks strange with the really small font and not much in the way of descriptions. When my non-vegan boss brought me the recent article on the owners from the local newspaper, I knew I had to get in there any try it. Hubby and I used to drive from Cary to Durham for the vegan dinners at Ninth Street Bakery, and this was much closer. Went on a Saturday night around 8, and it was crowded, but we expected that. We waited for maybe 40 minutes and I had a cocktail. The cocktail was extremely strong. It was $10 and there must have been $10 of liquor in there. I would have been loaded had I consumed the entire thing. I didn't need that last night, but I really appreciate a strong drink, so my impression was already pretty favorable before we sat down to eat. We sat at the bar and for that reason interacted with a lot of different staff members. They were all warm and friendly and efficient. Great service! Most importantly, the food: Great food. Generous portions and super value. The prices are pretty low for what you get. The garam masala fritters, squash soup, salad, pho, and mushroom risotto with tempeh where all excellent. There was no way we could stay for desert with how rich and filling the food was. I wasn't tempted to order one to go because they all looked (fake) dairy-based. I'm more of a baked good or fruit pie type person. My suggestions for them would be to take reservations, see if the background noise level could be lowered . . and to improve their website so it doesn't look like they focus on imitation Southern meat dishes. Those were never my favorite foods when I did eat meat, and that's why it took me way longer than it should have to come in here. Conveniently, we were able to get one of the last reservations for Valentine's Day (they do take them for that, for a prix fixe meal) and we're going at 10 pm which is late for us, but it's going to be worth it. I expect to be back here on a regular basis!
(4)Brandon S.
This place is out of this world. Who knew that vegan/vegetarian cuisine could taste so good? I have been for both dinner and brunch. Both meals completely blew me away. I highly recommend that any adventurous foodie visit the fiction kitchen.
(5)Diana C.
Delicious Vegan restaurant! The food was so fresh and the produce comes from local farms. The staff was fun and friendly. I really was not into some of the graphic art work, but the food was so good, I didn't care. Tried their salad and tacos last month. Will definitely be back,
(5)Ava K.
Yuuuuuuummmmmm! This was the very last place before heading out of Raleigh. We had the: Farro Risotto Chicken & Waffles BBQ Pulled Pork Peanut Butter Cheesecake Everything was delicious! Service was great! Would definitely recommend!
(5)David D.
Who would've thunk some of the tastiest vegan can be found in Raleigh, NC? The Fiction Kitchen is ironically juxtaposed next to the Pit, an iconic BBQ restaurant, but the Fiction Kitchen holds its own in flavor and service. The scene is cool and hipster inside, but slightly upscale enough to attract the business crowd as well. The servers were pleasant, and the bar scene is a lot of fun especially with the unassuming bartender. Too many vegan restaurants are either uber-hardcore and too smoothie-focused, while others try to appeal to the blob-crowd and drench everything in olive oils. The Fiction Kitchen strikes a healthy balance (pun intended), and does not skimp on flavor to deliver some highly nutritious foods. Since I'm a beast, I ordered the following: 1) Spring Rolls -- very tasty and the rice paper was super lite. The spicy peanut dressing brought these up a notch and kept from being too healthy, hehe 2) Farmer's Salad -- outstanding, all fresh local ingredients, tasty intriguing dressing, roasted mushrooms, super fresh greens, a vegan nut-based cream sauce as well as other interesting accompaniments. Vegan bacon chips added an interesting texture 3) Red potato soup with vegan ham -- this was good, although not vegan (have to deal with the cream). I wanted something warm and cooked to counterbalance the raw plates 4) Sashimi tofu and sweet potato maki -- super tasty sweet potato roll, high-quality kale salad and ginger accompaniments (wasabi was fake however) really stood out here. I thought the tofu sashimi a little bland I topped off the meal with an organic chardonnay and was a happy camper. I highly recommend this spot! Keep in mind it's a little funky
(5)Patrick C.
Fantastic brunch from the champagne cocktails to the vegan desserts. Stephanie P. was fantastic!
(5)Amanda H.
Oh Raleigh, you clevah guhl. You're at it again with yet another veggie/vegan/gluten-free friendly, not-so-hidden-anymore treasure. This place is like Remedy Diner's free-spirited little sister, ever so slightly more hippie than hipster. Aside from that, if you love Remedy, you're bound to fall head over heels for Fiction as well. Impeccable and imaginative craft cocktails? Check. Eclectic-verging-on-bizarre decor? Check. Adventurous and in some cases downright avant garde menu? Double Check. I mean, vegan sushi served with tofu sashimi, people. Was it odd as hell? Yes. But do I give them points for creativity and making that dish downright edible? Hecks yes!! The service was quick and friendly (although I found it a little strange that to get a drink at the bar while you waited for a table, you're not actually allowed to sit at said bar, but asked to stand (awkwardly) off to the side? It's a small place. I get it. You need every seat you can get. But let a girl have a proper seat if she's ordering, yeah? Our summer rolls were phenomenal and gone in 60 seconds, btws. Can't wait to get back and try out more of this menu!
(4)Swap P.
Love, love, love Fiction Kitchen. My wife and I have gone multiple times! The staff is friendly and consistent. It's nice to see familiar faces when we go. We often start with the house made chips with a side of the edamame hummus and the cilantro dip. Entree-wise, we have tried a variety of items on the menu. Our favorite dish is the Tinga tacos! Ask for a side a salsa. It's yummy! Everything is flavored super well. For dessert, we always order a slice of the chocolate ganache pie. The crust is great, the chocolate is rich and the salted caramel drizzle is yums!
(5)Lacie B.
Almost every time I visit Raleigh, I make sure to go to Fiction Kitchen. First of all, go early on weekends because it's always busy! (For good reason - the restaurant is on the smaller side) We usually put our name down and grab a drink at the bar (The Dirty Beetz is phenomenal) sometime we go right around the corner and grab a quick beer at Crank Arm brewery while we wait for a table. Once we are seated, we usually start with an app. The seasonal fritters are always good. The vegan pimento spread is super tasty, although it is definitely not real pimento spread. I've had almost all of the apps on the menu and have never been disappointed. The boyfriend (almost) always orders the faux chicken and waffles. He tells me that they are his standard for chicken and waffles (and he is a meat-eater!) I like them a lot, but I'm not a huge fan of meat substitutes. I usually order the market plate. All seasonal, fresh ingredients. Let me add that the service is always nice and attentive.
(5)Michael L.
When frequenting vegan establishments, I normally keep expectations low. That being said, this place impressed me. I just got the BBQ "pork" (which looked more like pulled chicken, but whatever) which came with sauteed veggies and a pan-fried potato cake of sorts. While I knew that the "pork" was likely made of some type of soy-based product like tofu skins, the texture (despite being slightly chewy) did resemble pulled pork to a pretty good extent. Moreover, the sauce it came in had a solid kick and tanginess to it as well, making it actually pleasant to the taste buds! All the vegetables were not overcooked- firm and with a bite, which in my view is pretty perfect. The potato cake was surprisingly rich- I'm assuming they don't use butter as a vegan establishment, but man those potatoes were both garlicky and buttery in the best ways possible. A Green Man IPA to round off my meal made everything just fine. A fan.
(4)Kathleen W.
My husband and I first visited FK last year and although we live in Florida, we do all that we can to "frequent". The location is in a cute artsy neighborhood in Raleigh, they are actually strategically placed between two farmers markets which provides them with the freshest produce to make all of their creative ideas come to life every night. Their special board is always full and exciting so be sure to ask. The space itself is well decorated/lit and very clean. The service is always warm and helpful. The menu isn't excessive so you can't go wrong with anything that might peak your interest. Our favorites are the chicken and waffles and the vegan cheese plate (the only vegan cheese plate that has excited me).
(5)Kelli s.
Amazing. Great food and great service. Went tonight and had chips and hummus, a beer that our waitress recommended (it was a hefeweizen on tap, so delicious), the curry bowl and chocolate mousse pie. Everything was great. I love meat and didn't feel like I was missing out at all with this dinner. - my friend had a salad and vegan shepherd's pie. She said it was great. Our waitress was extremely helpful and friendly. The other waitstaff was excellent too. I was drinking water throughout the meal and they kept it full the entire time. I would highly recommend this place to anyone.
(5)Tiffiny R.
We tried the Fiction Kitchen for the first time this past weekend for Sunday brunch. I will be the first to tell you that I am by no means vegan or vegetarian; however, we had a friend in town who is so we figured this would be a great place to take them. I was really impressed by the food and would definitely go back. Food: We ordered a round of mimosas and Bloody Mary's for brunch. They were all very well made! The seasonal fritters were apple and an awesome snack. The fried "chicken" biscuit was very good also. It was very hard to believe that it was not chicken. I tried the Huevos Rancheros which was very good; however, the chips may have been a bit stale. The whole wheat pecan pancakes just melted in your mouth. Overall the food was fabulous! Service: We arrived right around 11:30 when they opened for brunch. We had a group of 6 people and had to wait about 45 minutes. The restaurant is very small and they only have a few large tables so it is hard to accommodate large parties. We didn't mind the wait and they were right on time with 45 minutes which was great. The hostess was great and very friendly. Overall: I would highly recommend this restaurant to someone looking to try something different. It was definitely a great Sunday brunch spot. You don't need to be vegan to enjoy the food, there is something for everyone.
(5)Lauren R.
I will begin by noting that it annoys me that so many Raleigh restaurants do not take reservations, but also aren't big enough to offer a bar area for you to wait. At least Fiction Kitchen will take your number so you can wander to other places and then return when they let you know your table is ready. All of the food is good, and it's amazing if you consider that it's vegan. I had the "chicken and waffles" and it was a good amount of food! The soy chicken was tasty and the waffles with agave syrup were rally good too! I also tried my dining companions' meals, which they also enjoyed. We also did the root vegetable chips, which were good there, but did not make good leftovers (the pesto hummus we got with it was outstanding--but there wasn't enough and for $8, I'd think they'd let you have both dips instead of picking one). The service isn't the best--the waitress seemed really impatient when we had questions about the menu and annoyed that we weren't buying alcohol (hey--we had a few drinks at another bar while we were waiting for our table to be ready at Fiction Kitchen). However, the atmosphere is really cute and the price is right! All of our entrees were $10-13. Overall, I'd recommend it in downtown Raleigh and I'm looking forward to going back!
(4)Heather M.
The food here was amazing. I had the chicken and waffles, for the first time ever (it's not a common dish where I live, and I've been a vegetarian for so long). Our server was great, and we indulged in appetizers, soup and entrees. I LOVED the decor, retro tables and great table settings. My only complaint was it was LOUD with a capital L-O-U-D. I could barely hear my co-worker throughout dinner.
(4)Amanda S.
Hands down the best experience and food that I've had in a restaurant in years! I had been wanting to go to Fiction Kitchen ever since I heard they were opening and were focused on vegan and gluten-free menu options with a strong desire to support the community and utilize local vegetables and fruits that were in season. I did plenty of research on this restaurant both on Yelp and other social media outlets, and I heard nothing but rave reviews -- and after my amazing experience last night, I can see why! We walked in and it's a small restaurant and although there were a lot of people, the servers/wait staff most definitely have their act together. They were sweet, attentive, and even though we put our name on the list to wait for a table, they came and found us at the other end of the restaurant enjoying a drink and chatting. It's not bright but not dark that you can't see -- the ambiance is wonderful. There's a positive hustle that the staff has while serving and helping customers. It's a really good vibe you get just when you walk in the door. We were seated under the amount of time promised for a table. We quickly grabbed some beers and ciders and sat down and ordered the root vegetable chips that comes with hummus and cilantro aioli. My goodness -- that stuff did not last long at our table. They were the perfect appetizer. Perfectly salted crunchy snack before our meal. Our waitress, Jen (who is quite incredible I might add) knew details about every plate on the menu down to every ingredient to make the dish complete. Quite fascinating and even gave us recommendations based on the seasonal veggies. She was even cracking jokes (they had put a picture of Beyonce on our candle holder and she joked saying it added to the "am-Beyonce" of the restaurant! haha. My girlfriend ordered the Farmers Market plate which had vegetable sushi rolls and she got the kale salad to go with it. It was delicious and didn't last long on the table. I ordered the curry -- you have your choice on what level of spiciness you'd like it at between 1-5. Since I'm not one to enjoy extremely spicy food, I opted for the level 1 curry. It came with a side of white rice and had fresh squash, potatoes, onions, kale, etc. in the curry. It hit the spot. We also ended the night with a slide of a peanut butter cheesecake and holy moly --- I think it flew in under 30 seconds flat. The prices were also decent and I didn't feel that it was outlandish at all assuming they take such care and pride in ensuring that their food is local and fresh. And I want to add that it felt nice to be in there -- felt like home. All the servers made you feel like they were your friends (not to say they aren't!) and you can tell there's a strong sense of pride in the work that they do. My girlfriend and I have already planned to go back to this place as we wanted to order so many different dishes on the menu but for obvious reasons can't! If you're ever in the area or have friends that haven't gone -- this is the place to be. And if you have friends that are from out of town looking for a local joint to grab a great meal, this is your place to stop!
(5)Christine S.
* The Fiction Kitchen -Cuisine: Contemporary American, Ultra Fresh, Locally Sourced, Inspired, Innovative, and Impressive Vegetarian and Vegan Fare -Beverages: Full bar; Excellent cocktails; All craft, nearly all local beer; Reasonable wine list: seven whites, seven reds, sparkling, and sake -Recommendations: Anything on the Daily Special Chalkboards. There are always special appetizers, salads, entrees, and desserts, and they're always fantastic. * Appetizers: Tasting Plate, Root Vegetable Chips, Bread and Spread * Soups & Salads: Daily Soup, Locavore Salad (both change almost daily, but are always delicious) * Entrees: Farmer's Market Plate (changes daily, always delicious), Crispy Fried "Chicken" and Waffles*, Tinga Tacos, Mushroom Farro Risotto, Eastern NC-Style BBQ Pulled "Pork," Curry Bowl * Brunch: Fried "Chicken" Biscuit with NC Blackberry Jam, Biscuits and Gravy, French Toast and Soysage, Way Faux or Huevos Rancheros, Fried "Chicken" and Waffle * Beverages: I'm hopelessly in love with the Dirty Beetz. -Atmosphere: Trendy Casual, Artsy, Vibrant, Intimate -Service: Excellent (9.5/10). Servers are always pleasant, extremely knowledgeable about the menu, and happy to answer questions. The pride they take in their restaurant and its place in the community is abundantly apparent; and, although it isn't actually a family-run restaurant, the staff is unmistakably a family. The only reason service isn't a 10/10 is that dishes aren't consistently paired with seat numbers, which occasionally leads to misplaced or auctioned dishes. -Notes: Fiction Kitchen is consistently one of the most inspiring restaurants I dine at. The cuisine, drinks, service, staff, atmosphere, pricing -- everything -- is consistently damn near perfect, if not actually so. I've seen so many devout carnivores' eyes light up and jaws slacken during their first Fiction meal, I'm certain even the meatiest-eating, veggie- and meat-substitute-avoiding diners will be thoroughly impressed, and find several things they love. Dining at Fiction Kitchen often elicits a series of "I can't believe it's not meat!" moments, and by virtue of its locally sourced ingredients, introduces local diners to what home really tastes like. They not only take great care with their innovative flavor pairings, but carefully craft the textures of each dish, ensuring total palette pleasure. I could go on and on about Fiction, but I've already written a 2,254-word essay about it, so I'll stop for now and share the essay upon request. In sum, if you haven't been, go -- soon! And if you have, but only once, a few times, or not for some time, go -- soon! You will not regret it. Fiction Kitchen is legitimately amazing. -Cons: They don't take reservations, so there's often a wait -- especially for weekend dinner and brunch service; however, you can enjoy beverages on the little porch while you wait. If you have a party of six or more, though, do call ahead so they can be prepared, even though you won't have an actual reservation. -Overall Rating: 10/10 -Website: thefictionkitchen.com
(5)Adam B.
We found this little place while traveling and we are in love! They have auch a wonderful variety of vegan foods and desserts. Had the sampler platter, pulled "pork", tempeh steak, a lot of the sides, and the lemon cheesecake and chocolate ganache. Everything was very well prepared and delicious. The space is a bit small and it was super busy over the holiday weekend but the servers did an okay job. Our water glasses were never empty.
(5)Kuanyu C.
I'm no vegetarian/vegan, nor am I a dedicated locavore; however, friends keep telling me it's time to venture its tasty menu. Great thing about my diet, I can actually eat things beside meat :) After some beers around the corner, I walked into the Kitchen on a Tuesday night; there were a few tables unoccupied, but I opted for a seat at the bar, and immediately I was greeted by the bartender and a glass of water. I was only looking for one quite bite, but ended up a four course meal: Started the course with spring roll and spicy peanut sauce. I loved the fresh ingredients and the pickled cabbage (sauerkraut, not kimchee) but I think the wrapper was hydrated a bit too long, and half of the rolls exploded and disintegrated in my hand. Next up is the locavore salad. Fresh lettuce with hummus and light dressing with black pepper. Love the peppery kick, and that work very well with the sweet watermelon and preserved peach (?) Main dish is Farmer's Market Platter: curried organic eggplant, local cherry tomatoes and cilantro-jalapeño rice. The whole plate has a good balance of flavors, I added tempeh for some needed protein, but I'm not used to this beany tempeh; the tempeh I grew up on was more well-blended. I guess it's the whole smooth peanut butter vs. crunchy peanut butter argument. At this point I was fully content, and I was ready for my check... until I glanced over at the chalkboard menu again, and spotted the ganache chocolate with salted caramel drizzle. Anyone, ANYONE, vegan or meat-lover or otherwise, reject chocolate with salted caramel, well then, you are just inhuman!
(4)Liz S.
By far, my favorite Raleigh restaurant. There is typically a wait and it's ALWAYS worth it. FK is unique to Raleigh as one of the only restaurants with an elevated, vegan dinner menu. Don't get me wrong, I really like some other places in the area that offer vegan sandwiches and such, but it's nice to be able to go out to a really nice dinner and have a full vegan menu. I eat here almost weekly and have never been disappointed. The staff is always friendly and attentive. You would be missing out if you leave without one of their amazing desserts. It's hard to believe they're vegan. Yum!
(5)Jessica B.
Amazing dishes that even a meat lover will enjoy. Be prepared for a wait if you get there later on a Friday or Saturday as it does not boast a large seating capacity. Try the ginger soda it will change your world!
(5)Vanya W.
The restaurant is attractive, and the food is interesting (in a good way). The mock meats were indistinguishable from the real thing, which helps when bringing kids. Those dishes were absolutely spot-on, and mind-blowing. Like a lot of vegetarian/vegan cooking, some of the other dishes did tend toward the sweet side. I generally consider sweetness in vegetarian dishes to be a flaw, but maybe it is better considered a feature of the cuisine, like using soy sauce on Chinese food: it's just how it's done. Overall, though, the food was very good. I would go again.
(4)Lynsy M.
Warning: this restaurant is very overrated. As a carnivore, I enjoy all types of deliciously prepared foods; however, if there is a better prepared and better tasting dish with animal-derived ingredients, the vegan dish will be my first choice. Unfortunately, my entree was bland. Actually, all four of the entrees served at our table lacked flavor. Yes, local, fresh ingredients were present... but flavor was lacking. I was severely disappointment as well as everyone else at my table. I suppose the hype for this restaurant relies on the lack of other vegan and/or truly vegetarian restaurants in the area. I promise you, fellow carnivores, vegan CAN BE packed with delicious flavor... and if given the opportunity, I recommend giving a vegan dish a try... just don't let fiction kitchen be your first vegan meal. It won't convince you that meat/animal products are NOT a necessity of every meal. My prediction: other vegan or vegetarian inspired restaurants open up in the downtown Raleigh area, and Fiction Kitchen will lose half of its business. (Side note: Our service was REALLY good, so no problem with our waitress)
(2)John U.
Forewarned about the small seating space, we arrived a little after 5:00 for dinner, and were able to be seated immediately. When we left at about 5:45, it looked like there were only two parties waiting for places, so try going early to avoid the wait. We had the bread 'n' cheese for starters, choosing corn bread and vegan pimiento cheese to suit our southern-born tastes. There was plenty of cheese for the bread, with a little left over for my wife's salad. She chose the daily salad special, incorporating the fresh local produce available on that day, topped with marinated and sauteed tempeh. Sticking with the southern-born theme, I had to try the vegan Eastern NC BBQ. The seitan meat substitute was nicely browned, with even a hint of smoke, and the sauce was perfect Eastern-style. Grill-browned smashed potatoes and a stir-fry of fresh veggies were non-traditional, but delicious sides. I had a taste of the tempeh as well, and it had a tasty mix of salty and umami flavors. Fiction Kitchen is a great place to ease into vegan eating because they don't skimp on taste and offer imaginative vegan takes on familiar dishes. The emphasis on fresh local produce, rather than the latest exotic fad ingredient, also adds to the comfort level.
(5)A K.
Hannah was so helpful recently when I called to have a gift card mailed to my mom for her birthday! She did not make me feel like I was imposing, despite being the beginning of dinner service. Awesome service!
(5)Caitlin G.
I had the Crispy Fried "Chicken" and waffles & it was AMAZING!!! I have never found something that tastes more like Chicken or BETTER! I can't wait to try everything on the menu. I will definitely be back. If you haven't been here, you must come! I am vegan but I hear even meat-eaters love this place!
(5)David B.
Keeping it classy in Charlotte! Great vegan/vegetarian restaurant. Cool vibe and the servers were nice. The food was on the semi pricey side but the place was definitely quality. I think they list the local farms they get their produce from. I had the curry dish for $14, which was great. My friend raved about the risotto style farro dish. The house salad looked great as well. Overall, it's a pretty hip spot. For sure worth checking out.
(4)Laragh N.
I have gone to this place 6-7 times since it opened.I am a carnivore who eats her greens ( shock! ).Every time I have returned it gets better! I'm also quite happy they've chilled out a bit and introduced eggs for brunch (: Pros : -Chris Tamplin has his homemade hotsauce behind the bar and makes a damn good drink ! - I'm pretty sure Tuesday is half off bottles of wine! -I've had the best bowl of soup in my life here (simple ,delicious vegetable broth) -Their Desserts are AMAZING .I may even say AMAZEBALLS. I am almost hoping something tragic happens in my life each Tuesday so I have some excuse to go there and order 4 desserts and a bottle of wine by myself ! Cons -I wish it was bigger -I feel like stealing their table decorations -They have some horrendous art on the walls sometimes but that's okay.Nobodys perfect (:
(5)Jal F.
Yum! I got the risotto with some kind of fake chicken and guess what... It was amazing. I enjoyed the casual ambiance complete with Christmas lights and some good soul music.
(4)Felicia A.
as a vegan finding variety and chooses which do not involve soy can be a challenge. in steps fiction kitchen with enough filling taste meals for even me!! there is nothing better than knowing I can have a dinner or brunch with friends and everyone will have a meal that makes them smile. I have eaten many a meal here and the quality and service continues to keep me coming back for more. it has been said that nothing fails like success however this is not the story at FK!! keep doing it right. I am a very happy client
(5)Steph W.
Holy mother fritter! Crispy on the outside, warm and cake-like on the inside, those little pakoras are all that's right in the world. Dip them in green sauce for a minty mouthful but slather in sweet sriracha and surrender your soul. At FK, every bite is bitching. The farmer's plate brings a new seasonal flair. The pulled "pork" will leave you and Wilbur happier than pigs in shit. And the cocktails are old-fashioned concoctions that satisfy your need for a nip--and your sweet tooth, should you forgo chocolate ganache and salted caramel pie. But why would you? FK is all about the yes and, so permission yourself to indulge in what's good for you, good for NC, and good for the planet. Chefs Caroline and Siobhan have got it going on with an awesome staff and a super fly little space where home grown and handmade remake the Southern palate. Totally worth the wait. Every time.
(5)Charlie M.
This past week I have been traveling with a vegetarian and a vegan so naturally I was a little concerned with dining choices as I am a carnivore. On our first night in Raleigh we searched out vegan friendly choices and the Fiction Kitchen appeared to be the best and boy was it. I found the atmosphere to be fun, friendly and eclectic but most of all the food was terrific, so much so we ate there the next night as well. Highly recommended, tie your dinner to a concert at the open air amphitheater next door.
(5)A D.
(This is important, before we get to the food parThe layout is pretty stupid. they obviously have a hell ton of people wanting to eat here, yet apparently they can't be assed to even attempt to use the space semi-efficiently. There's a lot of awkward open space that they could easily slide two more tables into. The server we have is timid as hell and I'm not upset about that but like I can't hear her and shes acting as if we're going to scream at her? We have to sit at the one-odd table that's way too big and is literally the centerpiece of the waiting area. Basically surrounded by people not eating while I'm supposed to be relaxing having brunch. Ok food time!! Dad got the French toast, I got the molasses pancakes. French toast is horrible, they just use these thin slices of bread that are cooked to cardboard level toughness. I make better French toast at home for a hell of a lot cheaper, and mine are undercooked half the time BUT AT LEAST they aren't dry haha. Pancakes are ok, they fulfilled what I was craving for the most part. A lot stingy on their sauce. I'm never coming for brunch again, I am most certainly coming back for other stuff though. Dying to try the vegetarian menu.
(3)Mark W.
The Fiction Kitchen is a great example of how the Triangle's food scene is starting to develop. Rather than just getting more bars and fancier American food, interesting restaurants like this are starting to pop up.The menu consists entirely of vegetarian and vegan friendly choices, but most hardcore meat-eaters will walk away satisfied if they're willing to give it a chance. One of my favorite Southern dishes is chicken & waffles, and The Fiction Kitchen does a great job with it. This is the first place I've been able to take veg* friends to introduce them to this wonderful dish. I believe the chicken is made from soy protein and you can definitely tell that it's not real chicken, but the combination still works just as well together. I've tasted most of the other entrees and they have all been good, but it's hard not to order the chicken & waffles when I know how good it is. The root vegetable chips are also a great side with the season pesto, and their desserts are amazing. Their current space is relatively small, so the wait times can be pretty lengthy. I hope they will expand at some point in the future to meet the demand, but the food is always worth the wait. They have a pretty good bar to wait at, but the area around the bar usually fills up quickly as well. I'd recommend going on early week nights if you're trying to avoid the lines.
(5)Zachary H.
Very cool place for some vegan-ized southern classic food. An oasis for vegans in the south. Supper friendly staff. Lot's of mock-meats, seemed like a cool bar too, though I didn't drink on this visit. Thank you Fiction Kitchen!
(4)E.R. P.
Good selection but like much of the vegetarian food the region, it's not actually that healthy. Lots of fried mock meats, fried veggies and some heavy handedness with the salt. Ordered the grilled romaine salad, the miso dressing simply built salt on the tongue so I ended up leaving about a third on the plate. The caramelized onions and pecans were good. I also added the mock fried chicken to the salad and it is as excellent as the other reviews say.
(4)Heather B.
100% Vegetarian! Visit: January 11 R-Line Stop: R12 It's a new year and time for resolutions. If you have committed to eating healthier including reducing or eliminating meat, dairy, and/or gluten from your diet, then you have reason to celebrate the opening of The Fiction Kitchen. Even you, my 'Confirmed Carnivore' friends (that means you, Chip), will enjoy this new culinary gem in downtown Raleigh. It's not fiction; it's a true story...the food rocks! Andy and I heard the rumor that the Fiction Kitchen was open so we called after work on Friday night to confirm it's open before walking to the restaurant. Indeed it was open in the 'soft phase' but they had room for 2 more guests. Yeah! We arrived shortly before 7 pm and were seated at the bar next to 2 patrons that are also "JoJo Fans", an instructor at HEAT who is the best in town. We had a lot of fun sharing tips and views of DTR restaurants that have cuisine for vegetarians and vegans. Sarah, the bartender, went over the wine offerings by the glass since the beverage menu wasn't printed yet. She gave us a taste of 2 that interested us, which we enjoyed. The food menu is not extensive but is a diverse and imaginative selection of appetizers, soups & salads, entrees, and sides. As I mentioned previously, there is NO MEAT but providing protein in many forms of tofu. I'm not a big fan of tofu but when it's prepared in a certain way I truly enjoy it. And the Fiction Kitchen knows how to make it delicious! Grilled Romaine with goat cheese (make it vegan with cashew cheese). The salad consisted of subtly charred romaine with a light coating of caesar dressing topped with crumbles of creamy goat cheese, a smattering of candied pecans accompanied with a little pile of caramelized onions. Our friends mentioned the cashew cheese was amazing. I will try it next time. Wonderful combination of flavors: smoky, creamy, sweet, tangy, and nutty. Sweet Potato Sushi Rolls with Sashimi Tofu This dish was a work of art visually as well as for the taste buds. Beautiful and scrumptious! The little seared pieces of tofu were delicious...super fine, pleasing texture and fabulous flavor. The sauce drizzled on the rolls was a little too sweet for my preference. Tinga Tacos This was my favorite dish for several reasons. 1: It had a similar look, taste, and texture to 'pulled pork'. 2: I really liked the spicy chipotle accent...not enough heat to get you warm or make your lips tingle but added to the depth of flavor. 3. The seasonal slaw was fresh and crunchy. 4. The quinoa and black beans were awesome. The service was attentive and the wait staff was amiable and loquacious. Siobhan, a co-owner, came by to inquire how we liked the food. She was genuinely interested in our opinion. The Fiction Kitchen has a fun, casual, positive vibe and I can't wait to explore more of the menu.
(5)Sarah M.
Nice, small restaurant with good, unique food! I got the curry bowl and my boyfriend got the Nori roll. The Nori roll won but I enjoyed both! I got tofu in the curry bowl and I think tofu went better with the Nori roll instead. I wish I tried tempeh in the curry. Curry sauce was so yum and I liked the veggies and potatoes! I definitely want to come back and try more items on their menu!
(4)Laura P.
It's fantastic to see some vegetarian, vegan, and locavore options done deliciously. I am a carnivore, and I was impressed with the choices. I got the braised tempeh with grits, and it was really delicious. The housemade ginger soda was so powerful I had to water it down to sip it! Service was attentive and very nice. My only complaint is that the dining room was extremely loud.
(4)Erik S.
As a resident of the downtown Raleigh area, we've been experiencing a huge restaurant boom in the past ten years or so. There are some great ones, but my favorite is the Fiction Kitchen. It has a cool atmosphere, an awesome staff, and some of the most savory food I've ever had the pleasure of eating. It's a vegan/vegetarian restaurant. I am neither of those things, but I still love this establishment's food like nothing else. I'm a creature of habit and generally order the "chicken" and waffles or the tinga tacos, but I can also speak on the deliciousness of the fritters, root vegetables, and all of the desserts. The people rule, the food rules, and the place is beautiful inside. You can't lose.
(5)Bart C.
I was looking for and found an awesome local, organic, diet-sensitive, conscious joint for dinner downtown, what a treat! Fantastic seasonal specials and they can tell you where everything they make comes from - locavores unite!
(5)Jesse R.
Traveling vegan in NC is always a chore. Plenty of places offer vegetarian options, but creative vegan cuisine is in short supply. Enter Fiction Kitchen. I called ahead, curious about logistics since I had read several reviews warning about wait times. Jen was very thorough and shared all the deets about busier times and different party sizes. We decided to go ahead and show up around 5 to avoid the later Saturday crowds. When we arrived, not only did we get a spot right away, but it was a booth! Cha-ching! Jen said that parties of two always have an easier time, but we were expecting to wait for at least a few minutes. Super exciting. Cute menu, great front door and decor, wait staff that obviously don't follow a dress code and look hella cool as a result. Jen was our server as well and did an amazing job selling specials, soups, and Raleigh to us. Jen went above and beyond and sent us to a groovy jazz speakeasy after dinner. Service was stellar: attentive without being smothering, thoughtful, and friendly. Jen rocks! Curry cauliflower & broccoli soup was off the chain, vegan cheese plate stole my heart away, and I licked the sauces on my sushi and my dining buddy's green beans off of my fingers by the end. Not classy, but oh em gee. Vegans in Raleigh: I'm insanely jealous. Creative affordable food in a relaxed but cool space. Check out Fiction Kitchen!
(5)Cal H.
Great food, one of the few options for a vegan/ gluten free like me, but......they don't open until 4:30pm on Saturday, that means all the customers all Rush in at once when the door is unlocked and they are quickly overwhelmed and 20 min later, customers are told it's a 45 minute wait. In addition, the big issue is that once the doors open all the staff are overworked, overstressed and in a really bad mood. A big-time negative vibe surrounds the place. A good remedy for this problem would be to open the doors at 3 PM instead, let people trickle in... more total customers served, less stress, happy employees and ultimately more satisfied customers. Until then I probably will not be coming back.... Such a shame.
(2)Nyckie P.
Fantastic food! The vegan cheesecake always makes my day. This place is great for everyone, it's not just for vegans.
(5)Connie L.
:[ SO SAD:[ i read yelp reviews before i went in and had already decided on the nori rolls thinking that they had sweet potato.. but i was wrong! it came with beets instead (the menu says beets.. my mistake for totally not reading the menu before i ordered.. it must have changed?).. i learned that day that I actually don't like beets.. they were SUPER sweet + a sweet sauce which totally clashed with my palate. others tried my dish and agreed it was way sweet ... like a weird dessert BUT i did try a bite of my friend's chicken and waffles and they were totally DELISH! we also had the root veggie chips with the edamame hummus and they were YUMMY and huge portion which we all shared as appetizers would want to go again to try the other dishes because everyone seemed to enjoy their dishes but me:[ LOL UBER FAIL!! ALSO! had the cheesecake with oreo AND SO YUMMMMY!!!!!
(3)L N.
Weekend brunch was delicious. The vegan Chicken and Biscuits were amazing, and they let me replace the jam that usually goes with it for gravy so I could have a mini Biscuit and Gravy as well. Filling portions and pleasant service. A little bit of a wait because it is a small restaurant, but very reasonable for a walk-in.
(5)Bethany A.
I really like this place and I've only been here once and that was over a year ago. BUT, I recently attended an event that the head chef of Fiction Kitchen cooked for and was reminded of how lovely and wonderful this restaurant is. I came here before a concert with a friend, and even though the wait was ridiculous, we had some time to burn so we decided to chill out and just hang around. I really liked the interior of the restaurant - it's all bright and cheerful. We ordered the "chicken" and waffles and the pulled "pork," and both were excellent. I really enjoyed both dishes - they were seasoned well and cooked with super fresh ingredients that you could tell were local. I am not a vegetarian or vegan, and I really enjoyed the food here. If you're in the area, I definitely recommend swinging by. But be prepared for a long wait, especially since I believe they're only open for dinner!
(4)Lacie B.
We decided to come to Fiction Kitchen while visiting Raleigh. As a vegetarian who does not like meat substitutes, this place is great. My boyfriend, who is an avid meat-eater, loved Fiction Kitchen too. We had two cocktails, which were good. Good selection of beer and wine. On to the food, we started with the seasonal fritters with agave vegan butter. MUST TRY! I had the risotto, as it was one of the few items without a meat substitute, it was yummy, but my boyfriend's meal was even better. He had the 'chicken' and waffle. It was so good! We had to double check the menu to be sure it was faux chicken. Next time I'm in Raleigh, we will definitely be returning.
(5)Katie B.
Funky fresh little place downtown! It's small, quaint and cozy. We had the spring rolls as an appetizer which were tasty, the portion size wasn't exactly giving but the peanut sauce was was tangy. I had the farro risotto as my main dish, it was good. My boyfriend had the chicken and waffles, I don't think he was particularly thrilled and he ended up eating the rest of my dish as I couldn't finish it. Again, the portions were on the smaller side. I did have some good wine and we sat at the bar, which was a little cramped. Overall a decent place to go.
(3)W L.
By accident, I've just returned from one of the best meals I have ever eaten, bar none. The Farm to Fork Food Movement has awoken in the South and set up shop in Raleigh's Warehouse District. Having underestimated the effects of "organic panic," the venue's size is no match for local demand, so no matter what early bird dining hour you arrive, there is a line out the FK'n door. As we waited greedily for our food, gazing on the patient umbrella'd souls in the summer rain hoping for their names to be called...I found myself contemplating a wall-demolition border invasion of the "Deep South" bar next door or launching another Kickstarter campaign less than a year since the doors opened, to find these culinary savants a much-needed larger space. Looking past the ironic decor, it dawned on me where I was. This is Chez Panisse, thought my hunger-addled mind. Caroline Morrison is the Alice Waters of this town and this generation, casually and masterfully blowing our minds with the complexity and nourishment of slow local food to the exclusion of an industrial monocultural animal-protein food supply and traditional concept of what it means to "dine out." She is a revolution. She must be. She just made me like kale salad.
(5)Amy L.
As the carnivore I am, I was a bit skeptical about The Fiction Kitchen. I am surprised and happy to report that the positive reviews lived up to the hype. I had the tinga tacos and my gosh were they delicious! The seasoning on the "tinga" had so much flavor. The tacos come in a corn tortilla with fresh slaw on top, and I added goat cheese as well. The side of black beans/quinoa had just enough kick and were a nice compliment to the tacos. I was so full that I couldn't finish everything. Am looking forward to my next trip back. As a side note, I loved the goat cheese, but didn't love the $3 upcharge.
(4)Cassandra B.
I think this has to be my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. If you're prepared to wait 30-45 minutes for a table on the weekend, this is the perfect place to eat. I couldn't decide between a few items so I went with the cashew cheese grits with balsamic-glazed tempeh and greens with a side of vegan fried chicken. Perfect choice! The side of chicken would have been more interesting if it came with some sauce (they had no BBQ sauce or other sauce that was appropriate) but it would be good on a sandwich. I also had a vegan chocolate mousse cake, which was rich and tasty.
(4)Rachel H.
I've been coming here since day one, and overall this place is awesome! Everything is delicious and artfully prepared. I'm a vegetarian, most items seem to be vegan, but I doesn't make a difference. My all time favorite dish is the chicken and waffles. I also love the apple fritters, although they are seasonal and oj longer in the menu. For brunch the French toast is quite yummy. My favorite part of this restaurant is there is always something new to try. The farmers market plate changes weekly, and sometimes there's more than one offering. It's always delicious and has fresh veggies prepared in new ways. Recently I had fried green tomatoes with pimento cheese and coconut milk greens. Sooo good. The service is hit or miss. Recently our waitress asked my husband if he wanted goat cheese in his salad. He said sure, and was charged an extra $2.00. Didn't find out until we got the bill. I'm not going to blame the restaurant for that, but it was pretty annoying. Sometimes our server will be in our face a lot, too attentive. I don't think we've ever been ignored by a server, so that's good. Also this place is very small. Go early, expect to wait on weekends, and don't bring a large party.
(5)Ruth B.
I myself am not vegan, but I have a friend who is, and I like to joke that we go here to eat "the food of her people". FK serves some of the best food I have ever had. The first time I went was for their Sunday brunch. (Get there early! Like 30 min to an hour before they open!) the first thing we got was the Pink Lady Apple Fritters which were amazing. I also got their French Toast, which is made with banana pudding instead of eggs. It was delicious, though I was not particularly fond of whatever bananas they used. Still, quite good. Te second time I went was for dinner and once again I was blown away by how delicious their food was. I got the Localvore Salad, which was only vegetarian, as it had goat cheese on it, but was SO delicious. I also got the Barbecue "Pork" which was delicious. It did not have the texture of pulled pork, but the taste was amazing, and it came with some deliciously cooked vegetables. My friend got one of their signature cocktails, the Apple Dumpling Gang, I believe, and it was also delicious. I wish more places would take advantage of the amazing local resources we have here in the triangle. So far FK is the only one that I know of and their food is amazing for it. It is not cheap, but for as much food as I got, and for how delicious it was, it was more than worth the price.
(5)Kim S.
Hip restaurant in downtown Raleigh! Fun atmosphere, awesome gluten free choices and wonderful dessert. My meat eating men, loved the "chicken" and waffles and noodle bowl. I really enjoyed the coconut curry bowl. Appetizers were delicious.. Root chips And Spring rolls.... Yum! The root chips are not gluten free ( my guess because of cross contamination while frying) but they did not bother me in the least . These are a must! We will be back!
(5)Christina M.
Came here with a friend on a Saturday night. For vegan food it was GREAT. Either of of us are actually vegan or vegetarian and we both loved the food. I would recommend Fiction Kitchen for people of all kinds of diets.
(5)Lindsie T.
Fiction Kitchen gave great service. I am a vegan with an intolerance to unfermented soy, and the staff was very helpful in accommodating my dietary needs. They made a delicious "huevos rancheros" with tempeh and other deliciousness. My champagne cocktail was also to die for!
(5)Stephanie H.
This is truly as good as it gets. My husband is extremely carnivorous, I can an omnivore but can be vegan. We were both extremely satisfied with the experience. We went on a Tuesday night and sat at the bar. It was half-price for a bottle of wine, so we shared a Reisling. We had a spring roll appetizer which were perfect. The dip was a little spicy, but of course that is optional. I liked them without the dip. I had the "chicken" and waffles, which was a very generous helping, and my husband had the curry. Both were excellent. For dessert, we split a vegan cheesecake. Honestly? I would not have known it was vegan. Definitely the best restaurant I have been to in Raleigh, vegan or not. I am hoping to get there for brunch before we head back to Minnesota.
(5)Anna O.
5 stars for you Fiction Kitchen, you go Fiction Kitchen. To say the least, this place knows how to do vegan right. I had the best chicken and waffles here! I also tried the chicken biscuit which was delicious as well. Keep in mind Fiction Kitchen is jam packed on the weekend so you're bound to wait a bit for a table (it's worth the wait).
(5)Sukirti S.
Our first try in vegan food and it didn't let us down. As vegetarians we were skeptical at first looking at the menu. Ambience was noisy and place is so small. It was pricy and quantity was large for the two of us. They don't take reservations so be prepared to wait! We ordered root vegetables chips with a side of pesto the quantity was huge and had to ask for to go box. It was not so crunchy but worth trying though! We had crispy "chicken" waffle and yellow curry bowl as entrees. Waffle was pretty decent but expected it to be more crispy and the "mock"chicken on the top was flavorful seasoned with spicy sriracha sauce was scrumptious! Yellow curry bowl was good asked for a spice level of 4 which was not spicy enough for us! On the whole it was very different from other usual places.
(4)Kayla C.
I'm not a vegan and I'm a mediocre vegetarian - and this place is amazing no matter what your food preference. It is so delicious you won't miss meat or animal products whatsoever - in fact you'll leave thinking - why am I NOT a vegan? Had the fritters and chicken and waffles. For drinks had mint juleps and some kind of cocktail with pecan extract in it- can't remember the name. All was superb. Wait staff extremely friendly and helpful. I'm not from Raleigh but I will definitely make a point to stop in here whenever possible.
(5)Anthony G.
The chicken and waffles made me happy today! Lately I've decided to eat a lo Vegan and I've been going to Remedy and Spotted Dog and now back to FK. I love the food here and the service and the fact that it is vegan.That's all. The food supply in the world is just too shady so eat V and eat at FK
(5)Samara R.
My #1 favorite restaurant in the Triangle! Amazing vegan selection and definitely a hot spot with nice waitstaff. Our top picks for food include the root vegetable chips, curried kale fritters, bbq plate, tinga tacos, and for brunch the root veggie hash and grit bowl of goodness. We drive 30 mins from home to go here and it is worth it everytime! FK - please consider a second location in Cary/Morrisville!
(5)Moma D.
WOW!! My husband and I enjoyed the incredible food for the first time. Between the 2 of us we ordered 1 entrée, a soup and salad & 2 appetizers. We both agreed this was the BEST meal we have had in years. Each dish had it's own flavor that just popped! Little bit of a wait but well worth it, as there is a full bar. A MUST TRY- can't wait to go back.
(5)Kimberly T.
Raleigh needed this more than another pizza or bar food establishment. Don't know what to order? Never tried that before? Just ask, the staff will chat you up about anything. The head chef has a well deserved local following, and the "regulars" are dining-in several times per month (because the food is just that good, and the specials keep it fresh). This is also a great place for carnivores because they will not feel off-put by pretentious, "I eat better than you" vegan/vegetarian servers, bartenders and fellow patrons. Oh, and there is creative talent behind the bar, too! Food, service and beverages and vibe are solids at the FK.
(5)Jon B.
I was intrigued when I first heard about Fiction Kitchen. I am by no means a vegetarian, but the idea of options is always nice. After some friends had eaten here and given it the thumbs up we ventured over on a First Friday. It was prime dinner time and the place was busy. We lucked up and found a couple of seats at the bar. I had the Curry Bowl and Mrs. B had a couple of small plate specials (some green beans in an Asian sauce and the fritters). Everything was delicious! They let you choose the spice amount on the Curry Bowl and mine was just right with plenty of heat, yet still eatable. They also kept the water glass full which is always a plus in my book, especially when spicy curry is involved. We definitely plan on a return visit. I may even try on of the entrees with, um, "meat" in it.
(4)Laura K.
The Fiction Kitchen is lovely. The staff were wonderful, the atmosphere is fun, and the food is good. My husband and I started out by splitting the Locavore salad which was fresh and delicious! Next we shared the tinga tacos and a curried risotto dish. The tacos were good, but nothing amazing. I've been a vegetarian for several years, so I don't get that excited about fake meat. I would have liked to have seen more veggies on them. If you are looking for something that tastes like chicken, you will probably love them. The risotto on the other hand was delightful! Lots of different flavors and textures, all very well balanced. We finished up with a truffle pie which was amazing. Oh, and they have a nice selection of local beers! We have been back several times now and this is definitely our favorite restaurant in Raleigh. The special is always amazing!
(5)Travis L.
I am a meat eater, so I have been putting off visiting but am glad I finally did. Atmosphere was trendy/bohemian, and service was excellent. We had the root chips with some great hummus and a cilantro pesto. Next was the tinga tacos and pulled pork, both of which were better and more authentic than a lot of meat restaurants in the triangle. I will definitely be back here.
(5)Steve S.
Fantastic vegan food! I travel a lot, and alway look for a vegan restaurant. I rarely find one, but for this trip to Raleigh I hit the jackpot. The food is delicious and fresh, and well presented. I had the braised tempeh over grits, and I commend it as a vegan taste of the south. If you are looking for a tasty and healthy meal, this should be your destination.
(5)David W.
I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but decided to try this place because of all the good reviews. All I can say is good food is good food, regardless of the type. Will defiently be back.
(5)Leigh H.
Woo-hoo! Love the Fiction Kitchen. We went on Saturday, Jan. 19th - the fourth official day they had been opened. We read on their Facebook page that they had been pretty full on Friday and had started running out of food. No biggie. We arrived at 5:15 thinking we'd have an early dinner. Well, all the tables were already full! Note that there is not a lot of seating here. There are three tables that are used as two-tops. There was another 2-top that had been pushed together with a 4-top. There are three or four booths, but the booths are a bit small. I am not sure you could fit four people in them (I never saw it happen), and there is one table, that I think can seat six, at the very front. There's also seating at the bar for 10ish people. Although seating at the bar was available, we chose to wait for a table. It took about 30 minutes to be seated, and we were first in line for the first available 2-top. There was a group of four ahead of us. By 6:00 the bar was full, and there was a wait. There were people waiting outside on the sidewalk! My advice on getting there: (a) arrive early. The next time we go we will aim to be walking through the door at 5:00. (b) there really isn't a waiting area. You can sort of hang out in the entrance way, sit at the bar, or stand outside. (c) the restaurant is in downtown Raleigh. We got street parking for free about a block away. Now, the food! The food is divine!!!!! I had the pesto grits with braised tempeh. First, let me say that I LOVE grits, but I am very particular about them. I will eat them no matter what, but I think most places serve medicore grits (I think Crook's Corner in Chapel Hill has the best in the world). Fiction Kitchen's grits were outstanding. They were not in the same league as Crook's Corner, but I don't think anyone is in that league. I added local goat cheese to my grits, and that was also an excellent decision. Pay attention to your menu. The grits had an (opt) written next to them. I asked what that meant, and I was told it meant that the goat cheese was an option. I am sure it cost extra. I don't care. I explained to our serve that I am not really a tempeh eater and asked if I would like it. She claimed I would. I decided that since I was at a vegetarian restaurant I might as well go all out. The tempeh was amazing!!!! The only issue - if you can even call this an issue - was that it was very rich. I didn't eat all of it because I felt a stomachache coming on with each bite (but in a good way). My husband had the chicken and waffles which is a vegan dish. It was such an amazing dish. I want to go back next weekend so I can have it. While both dishes were excellent, I would recommend the chicken and waffles dish over the grits, but you can't go wrong with both. For dessert, we each had a pice of the ganache truffle pie. They were relatively small slices, but the perfect amount. I'm not complaining. I think most restaurants serve too much. Overall portion size was good, and I thought it was an excellent value for the money. I had a soda. Mu husband had a beer, and we spent right at 60.00 including the tip. My only complaint is that I live in Durham and they are 45 minutes away from me! I wish they were closer, but I am already thinking about making the drive again next weekend to score some chicken and waffles.
(5)Sarah P.
Love! Start with the root veggie chips, the edamame hummus that comes with is creamy and perfectly compliments the chips. I can't stop ordering the noodle bowl, and last night we tried it with the "pork" from the BBQ dish added in which was one of the best decisions ever. The "pork" tasted so very much like real pork. I've tasted the curry and it is also spot on; you really can't go wrong with any of the dishes. My man-friend, who is a total carnivore and has only recently started trying some vegetarian options, loved everything he tried here! Couple tips: the French 75 cocktail is perfection in a glass so get one while you wait for a table, Tuesday is 1/2 off bottles of wine, and one of the bartenders makes and sells some really delicious hot sauce (yes, this too went into the noodle bowl)!
(5)Traci H.
One word. A.MA.ZING. I went with a Meetup group (Triangle Vegan Social Club), and I think a previous reviewer was spot on. This is great food that happens to be vegan/vegetarian. The good thing about going with a group is having the opportunity to taste a variety of dishes. For appetizers, we had the spring rolls and the cornbread. Both were incredible. The rolls were served with a terrific spicy peanut sauce, and the cornbread had a nice kick from the fresh jalapenos. The spread for the cornbread was slightly sweet, providing a nice contrast to the spice of the peppers. As far as entrees, I had the pulled "pork," and it was better than the Lexington barbecue that I ate as a child. The dish had a lovely smoky flavor, and just the right amount of spice. The "chicken" and waffles were tasty - a beautiful combination of sweet and savory. The sweet potato sushi and tofu sashimi - fabulous. And surprising...I didn't expect to like it as much as I did! The tofu sashimi was the star of the dish. Whatever the tofu is marinated in is absolutely divine. The Tinga tacos were also delish - the flavors of chipotle and cumin were discernible, and the crunch from the cabbage was lovely. For dessert, I tried a couple of bites of the chocolate ganache pie with salted caramel sauce. It made me weak in the knees. Really. MUST GO BACK AND TRY EVERYTHING ON THE MENU. Seriously. LOVE this place!
(5)Marina Y.
Really delicious food! I had the curry bowl and a side of the seven pepper hot sauce, which I then bought a bottle of (highly recommend). My friends had the sushi dish (liked it), the pho (liked it) and the soup of the night (butternut squash - this was also a big hit). The service was also fantastic - our waiter was really, really nice and helpful. The only reason I'm knocking a star off is because near the end of the meal, the hostess (or whoever it was - manager? I don't know) was trying to kick us out. Now I get it - restaurants are busy, people want the table, but it's not OUR fault that someone was waiting X amount of time for the table (bringing this up to us in an annoyed manner is such a big no no), since we weren't exactly the binding constraint on that situation - our checks were taking forever. But most importantly, if you don't want people waiting a long time, Fiction Kitchen, maybe consider oh....I don't know...taking reservations?! :-)
(4)Brandy G.
I can't get enough of this place ! Amazing cocktails and food. I don't know how they manage to make fried chicken and waffles that has no chicken but it's magic in your mouth. Everything I have ever had is amazing !
(5)Justin S.
If you're vegetarian, vegan, or gluten free just get over here already! Honestly, this is the best food we've had in Raleigh. We came for brunch and were floored by the fried mock chicken on biscuit - the batter is so flavorful! typically there aren't any good substitutions for the real thing out there but their vegan version had me dreaming about it for days. The root veg hash was great, tempeh bacon delicious, and tofu scramble was perfect! One thing that was immediately obvious is that the chef wields spices like a true artist. Although the food was divine, the reason we came back for dinner was the service! Our server had personality, was attentive, and was on it the entire time. The entire staff works like a team, which isn't so commonplace - it left us feeling like everyone actually cared about whether we enjoyed our experience there. The tinga tacos were mouth watering, and the beans - perfect. Their house made yellow curry had an ideal type of heat that didn't distract from the great flavor at all. We paired these with a couple of their cocktails, featuring house made syrups and grenadine... Need I say more? They were nearly impossible to savor, we almost slurped them down within minutes. We nearly walked out without dessert but our brunch waitress told us about a dessert that wasn't on the menu yet - pumpkin donuts with a vegan egg-nog. It tasted like Thanksgiving made love to Christmas while New Years watched - because we definitely felt a little dirty after eating such a sinfully good combination. If you're still reading this review and you're not sold yet, just go check them out already. They source local, have great service, and are pumping out edible art.
(5)DAVID C.
As a Los Angeleno, I am very conditioned to quality and locally sourced vegan restaurants, As a visitor, I am usually at the mercy of local recommendations. Most of my past experiences relying on recommendations have not been good. Fortunately, The Fiction Kitchen was a delightful surprise, The food is creatively prepared and presented, and the produce is locally farmed and distributed. Our server was energetic, knowledgeable, prompt and professional. Warning to those who are accompanied by "meat-eating only" friends: There is NO meat served in this restaurant (including fish). However, this is a great place to introduce those folks who are willing to "take the leap" and try some quality vegetarian dishes with perfect seasoning. I wish I could throw the restaurant in my baggage and take it home to my neighborhood in the Palisades.
(4)Suthern G.
My hubby's not a sold out vegan, but would like to be. So he wasn't sure whether he would like The Fiction Kitchen. But it was our anniversary, and he asked me to pick. I loved the name as an avid reader/writer. But if you ask the very knowledgable server or bartender to tell you how it was named, they'll tell you the story. We started with the Tasting Plate. Other reviewers rave about it and it is scrumptious. I ordered the Braised Tempeh with Grits. Hubby ordered the Tinga Tacos, and we shared from our plates. As all other reviewers point out, you forget you're in a vegetarian restaurant. This food is top drawer and deserving of its high star reviews by local foodies. We plan to go back and try it for lunch too. Agree with all other high reviews about The Fiction Kitchen. Go! Go!
(5)Kelli R.
The Rust heart is my favorite drink here. Actually, I'm pretty much in heaven at the amazing FK. It's definitely worth the wait.
(4)Chris I.
I was so excited to find this spot that was a little oasis along a mostly deserted street-- it's close to Nash square so my husband and I decided to walk over. We snagged two seats at the bar, and ordered drinks, spring rolls, the salad special, and fried "chicken." My husband LOVES chicken- his favorite food- and he was pleasantly surprised at how delicious "fake" chicken can be. Actually, he was amazed. He ended up also eating vegan cheesecake and didn't realize it was vegan until he was done-- another shock. So clearly no matter what your dietary preferences/allergies, you'll find something delicious at this place. The bartender was quite friendly. She didn't know how to make a Manhattan but tried. Someone who may have been a manager spotted it, saw it was the wrong color, and proactively volunteered to make us another one. They also have a nice wine selection. We just had a very pleasant evening at Fiction Kitchen, and we'll definitely be back. It's a place where you feel good about spending your money and you get to eat delicious food too.
(5)Daniel J.
Best. Vegan. Food. I've been everywhere, and this is the tops. Eat the pulled pork. Dang. And the potato cake. Ok yeah. Great. The deserts. Chart toppers. I dont care. Great service. Good folks. They like nice people. Because they are nice people. Charm. Nice. Sweet. But it comes down to the best food on the earth.
(5)Cerena M.
This place was great and the ambiance fun (although loud). I had the veggie chips to start and the veggie risotto. The dips that came with the chips were excellent as was the risotto. My friend got the tofu sashimi which was great as well. Service was excellent as was the location.
(5)Mandy S.
We were extrememly confused and disapointed in the Sunday Brunch service today. We got there a few minutes before 11:30 and waited outside like no everyone else. When the doors opened at 11:35 they started bringing in people who had been there before us - as you would expect. What we didn't expect was that the two parties that walked up behind us were seated before us. To make it worse, there was a party of three that walked up while my boyfriend and I were the only ones still outside waiting, and THEY got sat before us. After no one was left we were given a booth and then told that because everyone was sat at the same time we should be patient. Being patient is fine - but when the entire restaurant gets their food order (including two people who walked in AFTER we were seated) before you do, you can't help but wonder where the disconnect is. The food is good but I doubt we will go back. It's just not worth the headache.
(1)Lauren H.
What a great and unique place! The drinks: creative, delicious, love them. They use beets or fennel or other vegetables giving the cocktails a delicious twist! The menu: I tasted everyone's food at our table and everything was incredible! Chicken and waffles - amazing, noodle bowl (get the tofu) - amazing, fried egg - amazing. I will go here again and again. Get there early - they will likely have a wait and don't take reservations!
(5)Emily F.
I am vegan. I'm not from Raleigh, but was in town for work. How exciting to find a vegan restaurant that will modify menu items to make them vegetarian, if that's what you prefer. I'm used to vegan being the exception, not the rule, so I really appreciated that. The interior is fun, trendy and energetic. There seemed to be a short wait for tables (on a Wednesday night), but I was able to sit down at the bar right away. After reviewing the extensive list of specials, I ordered the Tinga Tacos from the menu with a glass of wine. I'd love to try everything on that menu, but the tacos hit the spot with just a little bit of spice, balanced by a tangy slaw and soft corn shell. The portion size filled me up without over-doing it - it was just right. Fiction Kitchen is an all-around awesome restaurant, and I'd venture to say that many of the diners were not vegan or even vegetarian. It's just that good. The only thing that would make me like them more is if they opened a location in the DC area (please?!). I'll definitely be back for more.
(5)Jesse B.
This is probably one of the best Vegan restaurants in the area. I love how it is completely vegan/vegetarian. This is very comforting to me and I enjoy the wait it is well with it.Chicken and Waffles is off the chain as well as the tempeh and grits. The sampler with the vegan cheeses is also mmmm good!!!
(5)Jessica Z.
I have been to The Fiction Kitchen 3 times and every time it just gets better. I am a vegetarian and I was ecstatic a vegetarian and vegan friendly restaurant was opening in Raleigh. I was so stoked to be able to go to a place where I could eat absolutely anything on the menu (and would not be stuck eating another veggie burger or veggie/hummus wrap - there are no veggie burgers or veggie/hummus wraps here! Thank dog!). Even if you are a meat-eater, though, the Fiction Kitchen really covers their bases - you will find food here you will enjoy eating, I promise. All three visits here I've dined with very meat-heavy eaters and each time, everyone left satisfied and talking about how great all the food was. I have tried the tinga tacos (spicy but not overwhelmingly so), the chicken & waffles (absolutely amazing - the "chicken" patty was so much like chicken my mind was kind of blown), the tempeh & grits (a little spicy and incredibly filling - it was a massive amount of food and very easily shareable), the cornbread (enjoyable if a little crumbly, it was also not a sweet cornbread), a few cocktails (no complaints!), and the grilled romaine salad (this tasted like vegetable steak - I have no other way to describe it except it had a seared, peppercorn taste of a steak). Everything I've eaten has been delicious and beautifully presented. The staff are always positive, upbeat and friendly. My water glass was always full, the wait staff checked on me frequently (but not in an annoying manner) and they were quick to give thoughtful recommendations. Drinks were made and delivered promptly and plates quickly taken away when I was finished but I never felt rushed. Yes, all three times there was a wait (varying from 10 minutes to about 45 minutes), but it is a popular and small restaurant. My only real complaint is the noise in the place - it gets kind of loud in the restaurant (because it is so small and gets busy at prime dining times) so it can be hard to talk with your dining partner(s). Other than that, I wouldn't change a thing about The Fiction Kitchen. Their menu is seasonal and changing soon; I look forward to trying the new dishes and regularly supporting The Fiction Kitchen.
(5)Renee D.
FIRST thought: the peach cake with olive oil? GO EAT. Seriously. The only modification to make that dessert one of the best ever would have been to do maybe some chopped mint on top instead of micro-greens. When that is the only complaint I have about the food? It's good! I am also not a straight up vegetarian nor a vegan nor gluten-free. I had my reservations (small though they were) about the food but after hearing such glowing reviews from so many folks; thought it was well worth a try. It was busy even though it was a Thursday evening after 8pm. Red Hat Amphitheater was rocking some folks and it was a beautiful night. Parking: it's not the most convenient but I never expect that from a downtown restaurant. We started off with the house salad: huge and not drowned in dressing. I like a little more so just asked for some on the side. Tahini is yum. One of the nicest things were the fellow diners: we chose to sit at the bar so we didn't have to wait and the ladies were recommending things and their plates were so yummy smelling that we took their suggestions and had exactly what they had. NC Grit cake plate for me: the pesto/basil salad that tops it was absolutely stunning in taste and freshness. As this was my second "salad" of the meal; it had to be a stunner. The tomatoes were so incredible it already made my heart ache due to summer ending and knowing there would be no more fresh tomatoes until next year. The Tinga Chicken added to the curry bowl was stellar as well. Seriously: the texture was spot on and the spice level was just just perfect. I am definitely a fan and will be back to try more new stuff! Oh and let's not forget: the tequila drink we had, one of their craft cocktails with habenero or something was just phenomenal. A little heat with a lot of good booze: YUM! With an appetizer (salad), main plate, dessert, and one alcoholic beverage, my bill was around $32.
(4)Brian W.
Quite simply the best vegan restaurant in the Triangle. I go here as often as I get the chance, and have never been disappointed.
(5)Molly M.
Believe the hype! This place is terrific. The portion sizes are huge, even for apps and salads, and everything is not only perfectly prepared but prices are totally reasonable. I had the chicken & waffles and it was off the hook! The fritters are also terrific as a starter, with an agave "butter" nobody would think wasn't real if they didn't know. The only downside is the small space and lack of reservations - I would love to make it a more frequent stop but unless you get there really early you're going to have to wait.
(5)Zoe Z.
Like a book with a beautiful cover, the good vibe of this place doesn't tell much about the food itself. We tried out tofu sashimi and farmer's market plate. They tasted like sushi box made in a hurry and dried-out burrito to me. Plain and plain, fin.
(3)Susan V.
This place is amazing. I was in town for a conference and went there for dinner 2 nights in a row. They are farm to table but in a very fun, funky, way. I'm vegan. This place has an amazing array of vegan and vegetarian and gf options. It also has multiple vegan southern dishes. The farmers plate when I was there was bean cakes over collard greens which the server recommended I add the vegan pulled pork to. That was a great call. The pulled pork was a nice consistency and subtle smokey flavor. So amazing it was vegan! I also had the braised tempeh and NC grits which was seriously DELICIOUS. The pan juice was great with the grits and the sautéed greens and mushrooms that went on top were so good- they should make an entree with that as the focus. I also came back on the weekend for brunch and the vegan grits bowl of goodness! It was delish and add the side of root veg hash for an extra yummy and filling meal (I had lots if left overs) So impressed with a completely veg restaurant in North Carolina. This vegan California girl was very impressed. They should expand to Santa Cruz, CA ;)
(5)Erik H.
My favorite restaurant in Raleigh (and I'm not even vegetarian). Creative, well-prepared dishes and great service. Get the root vegetable chips as an appetizer... you won't be sorry!
(5)Christine U.
One of my favorite places! Great food, local produce, nice wines, friendly service. Get there early on Friday and Saturday as they get crowded quickly. Their Sunday brunch is the best--so yummy!!! We go often; it's a great location if you're going to a concert at the Red Hat Amphitheater, on First Friday art walks, or to the convention center. :)
(5)Amy H.
I'm a meat eater, but having many vegan/vegetarian friends, I have grown to enjoy the cuisine. I was excited to give Fiction Kitchen a try! For an appetizer, we got the root vegetable chips with edamame hummus and the pesto dip. Both were amazing and we cleared out all of those chips in no time! My husband and I both got the Tinga Tacos loved them! They came with black beans and quinoa. The service was quick and the servers are VERY knowledgeable about the menu. We asked our server a lot of questions and she was really on the ball. The space is a bit small and they fill up fast. Also, they do not take reservations, so be prepared to wait if you have a large crew. We had a party of 6 and were lucky enough to snag one of the larger tables as soon as we arrived. By the time we left, there were quite a few people waiting.
(4)Frederic S.
I will add my review that starts with "I am not a vegetarian"...I am not...but I did not miss the meat in the least. In fact, if I could cook like this for myself, I am not sure I'd ever eat meat again. How is that for high praise? Seriously fresh and seriously flavorful, it was delicious without compromise. Did I mention the reasonable prices too? Nice selection of local beers (on tap) and friendly service capped off our first (but not last) visit.
(5)Eric S.
Artistic, imaginative, delicious food in a casual friendly atmosphere For those of us who live in a town with only one vegetarian-only and no vegan-only restaurant(s), traveling, even a short distance to experience new veg-friendly places is always a treat. When we went to Fiction Kitchen, we were just happy to be there. But what we found was a truly unique, inspiring meal. I have only been interested in veg culture for 5 years or so, but in all the years before I had never encountered chicken and waffles. I had the vegan version at FK and it was so awesome I want to go back, just thinking about them. Everything we had was superb! Sashimi Tofu, BBQ pulled "pork" with potatoes and seasonal vegetables, even the salad was incredible. Plus they have a great beer selection.
(5)Richie K.
Stopped by Fiction Kitchen before a show at Berkeley Cafe. For once in my life, Missus Baltikahn made a wiser meal decision than I did. The sweet potato sushi rolls with sashimi tofu were okay albeit oddly sweet. Then again, that's what I get for ordering sushi from a non-Japanese restaurant. The few bites I had of the crispy fried "chicken" and waffles were awesome but I would have liked a greater chicken:breading ratio. Last night, the ratio was somewhere in the ballpark of 1.5:1. I'm thinking 3:1 would be ideal. Finally, and this has nothing to do with Fiction Kitchen itself, but the can of Triangle White I tasted seemed to be skunked. So, the moral of the story? If you go, be sure to check out the soy chicken and waffles.
(3)Jesse S.
Artistic passion and brilliant vegetarian/vegan cooking collide to form a masterpiece of succulence. You can eat your fill and not leave feeling like a bloated turnip who needs to head straight to the Jon upon arriving home. It's healthy, it's light, it's expertly crafted. It's legit. It's never not had a wait since it opened. I used a double negative. And? It's not not the place you will freaking love. It is the place.
(5)Shannon P.
My new favorite restaurant!! They've done such a great job of marrying vegan/vegetarian cuisine with a culinary vision that is quite remarkable. I've been to several vegan places and they're all good, but usually very simple, casual, and tends to be more lunch type cuisine. What The Fiction Kitchen does so well is present you with a dish that's so beautifully done that you won't miss the meat. In fact, you'll LOVE it without the meat. They do a nice visual play on some of the items as well - my hubby got the "Pulled BBQ Pork" dish and it looked like the real thing...but tasted better than the real thing. A neighboring table ordered the Chicken and Waffles and in looking at it, I would've thought it was actually chicken and waffles. I was impressed with their blackboard on the wall illustrating where all of their ingredients come from...they source locally as much as possible. They also feature daily specials, including drink and dessert specials. I opted for one of the daily specials - the farmers market plate. The night I dined, it consisted of wheat berry grain with coconut curry sauce with acorn squash and many other seasonal veggies. It was divine!! The best part is you get to enjoy this upscale meal in a laid back, retro ambiance. You can come as you are here - nothing too fancy and that makes it great in my opinion! Also - you can relax when the bill comes because the most expensive entree on the menu was $15!! You can't beat that for date night out!!
(4)Kris T.
Fiction Kitchen isn't great vegan/vegetarian food. It's great food that happens to be vegan/vegetarian. Even avowed carnivores can find something on the menu to satisfy their taste buds. The "pulled pork BBQ" is a good example: the texture and flavor are spot on! Served with a fried potato cake and sauteed root veggies and greens when I tried it (the veggie options are seasonal), it was filling and delicious. The sweet potato sushi rolls with sashimi tofu are also excellent. Great sweet/salty flavor, and served with the requisite pickled ginger and wasabi. The "chicken" and waffles was my least favorite of the dishes I tried. it was good, but not much better than the commercial soy-chicken patties you can buy at the grocery store. I felt the same about the waffle. However, my dining companions both raved over it, so I'm in the minority. I recommend the tasting plate, which included house-made cashew cheese, tempeh pate, candied nuts, and an apple butter. it was a light, delicious start to the meal - I could eat about a pound of that salty, earthy pate! Fiction Kitchen has a great wine and beer menu, and I was very impressed with the specialty cocktail menu. General recommendations: it would be smart to be open on Mondays, to capitalize on the "Meatless Monday" movement. And I look forward to Fiction Kitchen serving lunch and brunch, which it appears they hope to do. It's just dinner for now. If you're a vegan or vegetarian, I'm sure I don't need to encourage you to give this place a try. But even if you're not, check it out!
(4)Meghan C.
One of my top favorite restaurants in Raleigh! (And I'm not even vegan/vegetarian!) There is a lot to try in this town so I usually prefer to go new places, but keep ending up back here for "comfort food". Anything with root veggies (like the chips or hash that comes with the quiche) is awesome and flavorful. Never had a bad dish.
(5)Melodie S.
Raleigh has arrived, we have a veggie/vegan option for dinner. (Now if they would only open for lunch:) I normally won't review until I have eaten somewhere twice, particularly a new venue, but I am so impressed with what the folks at FK are doing I had to say something. Decor, nice, unassuming, come in jeans, barhoppin' finery, whatever. We came early (6 pm) on a frigid, drizzly Thursday. Place was a 1/3 full, but tables were full by the time we left around 7:15. Ordered the cornbread app to start, very nice, crispy and warm with a delish molasses drizzle. I had the fake chik'n & waffle offering. Spouse and I negotiated heatedly over that last couple of mapely-buttery-salty bites. We lived in LA for 10 years, and know from meat substitute done right, and this is it. Yeah, it's that good. He had the pulled pork , which was smoky, pork-like and gone in seconds. Really wanted to try the Tinga Tacos, those are up next. This is the kind of place that is so good that it can convert a carnivore to veg, much like Native Foods in Irvine did for me a bazillion years ago. They should do some Happy Hour special stuff to get that bar filled up once they get their game on, but honestly, for a place that opened up a few weeks ago, the service was pretty much flawless. Water flowed like, well, water. Plates were cleared promptly, one of the chefs unobtrusively asked how things were, so nice. It feels so great to support a labor of love like this. This place will bring veggies like us to DT Raleigh way more often for sure. xox
(5)David W.
When the co-owners of Fiction Kitchen announced their Kickstarter initiative in late 2012, I was moved by their passion for quality and vegetarian/vegan cooking knowledge, so I decided to give a small donation. A few nights ago, I ventured in and caught the tail end of a meal with some of my friends. They had ordered the Warm Cornbread, Crispy Fried "Chicken" and Waffles, Braised Tempeh with Pesto Grits, and Sweet Potato Sushi Rolls with Sashimi Tofu and completed them by the time I arrived. All four of them (including a baby, which the waitstaff treated with the utmost respect throughout the experience) had wide smiles and told me that I would be in for a special treat. Another friend (a devout meat-eater) had tried the "Chicken" and Waffles a few days prior and told me how amazing the place was, so I felt primed for a superb experience, and I was not let down. I ordered the Curry Bowl and asked for it to be pretty spicy but not cry-in-front-of-my-friends hot, and waited for my order. In the meantime, the others' desserts were brought out - I don't know the names of them because at this time they are not listed on Fiction Kitchen's web site. They looked like decadent chocolate pie and fluffy sugar doughnut balls. When I received my Curry Bowl, the waitress (who was very kind and personable) asked me if the spiciness was to my liking, which it was, and I dove in. It was incredible! Everything was perfectly cooked and the various flavors of the dish worked well with one another. After a short while, the co-owners came to chat us up, which was a nice personal touch. It helped me feel connected with the overall vibe of the restaurant and showed that they cared about both the quality of their food and the satisfaction of their customers. Fiction Kitchen is a refreshing restaurant with a fantastic staff, organic decor, unique atmosphere, and delicious food. I am going to recommend that all of my friends go and try it out. Even if they are stubbornly dedicated to eating meat, I think they'll be pleasantly surprised by what they find there. I'll be returning several times to try out all of the items on their menu!
(5)Craig B.
It's a great restaurant...which also happens to have a vegetarian menu. I am a meateterian. My wife is a vegetarian. I traditionally have a difficult time find something to eat when we go to "her" restaurants. I do not have this issue at Fiction Kitchen. First off, the food is fresh and local. The staff are very very friendly and inviting. On to the food. We loved the season fritters. They were sweet and fluffy. For me, the best part was the bourbon-agave they served on the side. (I would probably eat a sneaker if it was dipped in the bourbon-agave sauce.) We have tried the BBQ pulled "pork", crispy fried "chicken" and waffles, sweet potato sushi rolls and the Farmer's Market Plate. They are all amazing. They are very flavorful. The BBQ "pork" tasted like a great eastern BBQ pulled pork. The "chicken" and waffles would rival anything served at Beasley's. (The "chicken" crust wasn't as crunchy as a traditional deep fried chicken would be.) The farmer's market plate had two skewers of teriyaki "beef" and a lot of local vegetables. It was like a raddish slaw. The sushi rolls were good along with the beet dipped tofu bites. For drinks, they have a great selection of local beers on tap and a full liquor bar. I definitely enjoyed the Aviator Black Mamba Oatmeal Stout. Lastly, they have coffee from Counter Culture. For something wonderful, you should try The Fiction Kitchen. Accepting vegetarians and meatetarians alike.
(5)Gerry P.
I wish I could give it 4.5 stars, but I can't so I had to go with 4 stars. Food quality, taste and service are all 5 stars, but portion sizes are pretty small. I've been to a few different Vegan restaurants and in that category, I'd say portions are average size, but I just don't get why they all have relatively small portions. I've been to Fiction Kitchen twice now and definitely enjoy it. My wife and I have had the Tinga Tacos (favorite so far), Sweet Potato Sushi Rolls (wife's favorite), the locavore salad, the grilled romaine salad (good, but pretty tiny for the price) and the cornbread (good, but I still like Whole Food's vegan cornbread better). I had the Farmer's Market Plate once and it was very good, but its a bit hard to review it since it can change every time. I have to compare it to the Remedy Diner since both are vegan friendly and in the same area. I'd say the food and atmosphere at vegan diner is more casual. The food at Fiction Kitchen looks and tastes more like someone with culinary training made it. Not that Remedy Diner is bad at all, just more things I could make myself; kind of like going to Chili's or something. . At "average" chain restaurants, I can be full on just an entree, but here I need an appetizer also so it gets somewhat pricey. Food's good, just wish there was more of it.
(4)Marisa M.
The atmosphere here oozes hipster, so don your skinny jeans, skater shoes and fedora, and get ready to talk progressive politics lest you feel completely out of place. As far as the food goes, it is a bit overpriced but scrumptious and a great options for vegans, gluten-free folks and vegetarians. They have this magic ability to disguise tofu as meat which I am sure would fool a few carnivores. Everything on the menu is great making it really hard to choose, but the waitress we had was helpful and essentially chose for us at our request. Definitely try the veggie chips to start! For those of you concerned with sustainable/local food sourcing and blah blah all that hippie stuff, rest easily- most if not all of their food comes from NC soil right to your plate.
(4)S C.
Best meal we've had in Raleigh for sure, maybe in the Triangle, and we've been here 2 years now. We had (1) the vegetarian quiche, which came with a delicious root vegetable hash and really tasty fresh fruit, (2) the "chicken" and waffles, (3) a side of some of the best cheese grits I've ever had, and (3) a sort of chocolate truffle dessert. Came in under $30 for two people with dessert and everything was perfect. Everyone was friendly and whole place had a nice vibe. I left smiling. We'll definitely be back. Thanks!
(5)Louis V.
Revising my review based on the last few times I've been to Fiction Kitchen. I learned to arrive early, as soon as the doors open early. That makes all the difference in dealing with the aggravation of waiting forever for a table. Also the wait service seems to have gotten better as I don't feel rushed like I used to. This could be due to showing up first thing instead of later in the night, maybe they aren't as stressed out. For my last visit, my main dish and appetizer were delicious. I didn't care for my side of fritters and sample of cashew cheese (the chunks of cashews take it away for me, I don't want to be reminded I'm eating cashews). Overall my experience here has improved and thus I felt obligated to give Fiction Kitchen an additional star.
(4)Lauren S.
I was really excited to try this place as I am gluten intolerant. The atmosphere is trendy and has a really cool vibe. It is "hipster-y," but the staff was very knowledgeable and friendly. I ordered the farmers plate, which I got with a tofu scramble, free-range scrambled eggs, root-crop hash, and tofu bacon. I usually eat pretty fast, but I savored every bite of this meal.
(5)Jason H.
My wife and I finally got a chance to eat at Fiction Kitchen. We went on a Saturday night around 6:00pm and it was already busy. We grabbed some seats at the bar and really enjoyed our meal. The servers were very knowledgeable and were able to answer questions. So if you're a newbie to vegan/vegetarian, don't be scared to ask questions. The food was top notch. We'll be back!
(5)Rupert B.
Fiction Kitchen is always great, I'm not going to bother on a long review, im sure it's all been said.
(5)Lina J.
I finally got to visit this restaurant, and I was not disappointed. It was Saturday night, and the restaurant was busy. Since I was alone, the hostess prompted me to the bar. They had a nice selection of local beers on tap, and a full bar as well. I was offered to sample beer before ordering it - that was nice of them. I ordered soup of the day (split peas, and it was delicious) and cornbread from their appetizer menu - portion was huge, and cornbread was to die for. As my main dish I ordered "chicken and waffles". It was delicious, waffles were fluffy, "chicken" was nicely battered. However I don't eat fried food too often anymore, so it was just a bit too heavy for me. Should stick with veggies next time. I also got chocolate ganache cake to go, and had it next day for lunch. Best chocolate cake in a long time! The reason I am not giving five stars is because I felt rushed the whole time. My family was out of town, so I decided to enjoy the dinner out by myself, and I wanted to take my time. I felt like I was inconveniencing them for sipping on my beer too slow. Also, food came really fast, like it was a diner... There is a fine line between bringing food to soon and waiting for it too long. But I will definitely come back with some company next time.
(4)Billy S.
I eat meat and love everything on the menu. I've ordered the tempeh pate every time I've been there. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly, and the restaurant is very accommodating of food allergies and dietary restrictions. They have some nice inexpensive wines also.
(5)MonaLisa J.
LOVE this place. Staff is always helpful, knowledgable and friendly and the food is always fresh and tasty. Great place even for non-vegans. They get very busy on the weekends but it's worth it!
(5)adrial d.
What an amazing place. All the staff there was so friendly and kind. My friend and I went there after a yoga event in downtown Raleigh and had the spring rolls (simple yet amazing), the grits/tempeh dish and the chicken and waffles. All of it was so, so good. I'm not even vegan/vegetarian and it all rocked. So delectable. The "chicken" was better than most actual "previously living" chicken I had ever had. It actually went neck and neck with Dames Chicken and Waffles (Durham). Impressive, if you ask me. Then we finished it off with the chocolate pie and the cheesecake. What an amazing dinner altogether. Also, as an added heart-warming moment ... I mistakenly left my hat there. I live quite a drive away, so I was worried it was lost forever. I called them today and humbly/shyly asked if they wouldn't mind mailing it to me to save me the 1.5-hour drive. They immediately (and happily) agreed to do it! This place clearly goes above and beyond in service to give awesome food and send hats back at a moment's notice. :) I'm about to put a blast out on Facebook about this place, too. So, so appreciative. Hugs all around, Fiction Kitchen!
(5)Karmilla C.
As a vegetarian, I highly recommend this place!!!! Omg very creative and healthy, mainly ---yum yum yum!!!!! You will satisfy whatever you order there, I basically tried every dish in the menu, can't find which one I like the most, well, one thing for sure is you HAVE to try their chocolate cake and non dairy cheese cake ..............!!!!!!! Better than real cheese cake!!!! This is my favor vegg restaurant in Raleigh:)))
(5)Julia D.
From beginning to end, our experience here was awesome! As two traveling vegans, we didn't know what to expect in Raleigh. But Fiction Kitchen easily makes our list for best vegan food anywhere!!! We had the Foccia, tasting plate, local salad ( wedge with coconut bacon bits and vegan ranch), farro risotto and chicken and waffles. We over indulged because we just couldn't decide! It was worth it! Everything was flawless! In fact, I am determined to recreate that salad at home. Best I've ever eaten! Great service, wonderful house made beverages, fantastic creative dishes all for a VERY reasonable price... What more could you want?! We will certainly be back!
(5)Ashley B.
Everything here was excellent!! Had the root veggie chips with the edamame hummus as well as the "chicken" and waffles. Also the local farmers market plate was divine. Don't forget the dirty beet cocktail, so good and unique. French 75 was excellent too. Will definitely be back.
(5)M P.
I'm usually skeptical of vegetarian restaurants, but Fiction Kitchen was amazing. Went here around Thanksgiving, and both the Thanksgiving Feast (mock turkey, cranberry, potatoes, brussels sprouts) and mock chicken and waffles were amazing. They don't take reservations and the place is a bit small, but you can wait at the bar where they have a nice mixed drinks menu. You can also order food at the bar if you don't want to wait for a table. I would highly recommend it, even to non-vegetarians.
(5)Ash R.
I was very excited about this all vegan place, as my normal option is a salad or chip and salsa. I had the chicken and waffles. It is quite possibly the tastiest thing I have ever eaten. I cleaned my plate. My boyfriend liked his food as well and ate everything, which is saying a lot for someone who is a meat eater. I will absolutely be back! The desert portion was very small for the price, but it was delicious and hopefully just a fluke.
(5)Hope P.
I'm from Portland, OR and must say I've yet to find a Vegetarian/Vegan restaurant this spectacular! I was in town on vacation for a couple of days and stopped in on a Thursday night then quickly returned the following night! The food is absolutely incredible and the service was impeccable! You can totally feel the positive energy and tell that each person really enjoys working there. From the owners to the wait staff, they are completely dedicated to excellence which manifests into an amazing culinary experience!
(5)Joe B.
Went to Fiction Kitchen a month or so ago and came away not unimpressed nor impressed. I think I had the farmer's salad, a companion had the "BBQ pork" and another had something I can't remember - tells you how memorable the experience was. We also had the spring roll appetizers - okay, nothing special. I'm going to lay down a challenge to the folks at FK - get creative. I'm getting sick of "vegetarian" restaurants trying (I guess) to cater to meat eaters with faux meat dishes. I'm an omnivore and I love my veggies, pulses and potatoes. What I expect from a chef is the ability to assemble ingredients in imaginative and delicious ways that emphasize those ingredients and make the whole more than the sum of its parts. I think they can do it at Fiction Kitchen and Raleigh certainly needs it.
(3)Alex F.
Wonderful restaurant! Great food, great atmosphere, great people. The owner and chef made an effort to check on each table to make sure everyone was having a pleasant experience. The staff seem very open to suggestions on how to improve, but we had no negative feedback! The seating is limited, so take note if you are in a larger party. Also, I believe they will not be take reservations. Very excited to have a great vegetarian restaurant downtown. Everyone should check this place out....even if you are a carnivore.
(5)Julia B.
Really like this place! Great cocktails, awesome menu, nice staff, food is excellent. Lots of yummies to choose from so it was hard to pick. Which is perfectly fine with me because I don't mind coming back :)
(4)Bozar B.
Loved the chicken and waffles. I've only been one but nearly everything was delicious and interesting. I couldn't stop eating the grilled salad and my friends loved the salad wedge. However, I didn't care for the sushi, tofu sashimi, or spring rolls. There really wasn't anything special about them and I actually thought they tasted worse than what you can get elsewhere. Despite that, I'll keep coming back to try out their other dishes. I want to try the pulled pork!
(5)Andy W.
This place has an amazing staff! Owners, waitstaff, kitchen crew, and bartenders are super cool.
(5)