2 Best Restaurants in Central North Carolina, North Carolina

A place to please both pizza purists and just plain enthusiasts, Mission Pizza serves authentic Neapolitan pizza with a perfect crust char and simple toppings, along with a few pasta dishes and starters. Those who are serious about their pie might opt for the five-course pizza prix-fixe menu ($50 per person, served family style) or give themselves over completely to the pizzaiolo with Pizzakase ($65, based on the Japanese tradition of "I leave it up to you"). Tongue-in-cheek notes on the menu note that pizza should be eaten hot out of the oven (takeout is discouraged), with hands, without devices on the table, and without ranch dressing for crust-dipping (see: $100 "ranchage" fee). Reservations are only taken for the multi-course experiences, but there are plenty of nearby spots for a drink or a browse while you wait for a table. 

House-made pasta, innovative bruschetta with 'nduja (spreadable pork sausage), and roasted vegetables and meats are the stars of this sophisticated Italian spot. By day, the Alimentari side serves lunch and brunch, as well as pasta and provisions to go. Chef Josh DeCarolis brings his passion for his Sicilian heritage and expertise in Italian cooking, while his partner Matt Kelly has contributed significantly to Durham's culinary scene next door at Mateo tapas, French classics at Vin Rouge, and the highly anticipated reopening of Nana's Rockwood.