Sitti

Sitti: Authentic Lebanese Dining in the Heart of Downtown Raleigh

On bustling S Wilmington Street, just steps from Fayetteville Street and City Market, Sitti has spent nearly two decades welcoming Raleigh diners with the warmth and generosity of a Lebanese family table. Opened in November 2006, this downtown mainstay has become one of the capital city’s most beloved independent restaurants, a place where house-baked bread, communal hospitality and genuinely authentic Levantine cooking come together under one lively roof. It is a cornerstone of the locally owned Empire Eats hospitality group and a reliable answer to the question of where to eat something memorable downtown.

A Tribute to Grandmothers

The restaurant takes its name from the Lebanese word for grandmother, the sitti, who is traditionally the keeper and teacher of a family’s culture, faith and food. Downtown restaurateur and developer Greg Hatem envisioned the concept for more than fifteen years before bringing it to life, partnering with the Saleh family, the local family behind the beloved Neomonde bakery and deli. Together they built Sitti as a heartfelt homage to those matriarchs, honoring the recipes and rituals handed down through generations of Lebanese home cooks. That sense of lineage and care still defines the place today.

Mezze, Shawarma and Wood-Fired Pita

Every meal at Sitti begins with pillowy pita bread, baked fresh throughout the day in a wood-fired oven and served with Lebanese olive oil and za’atar. From there the menu unfolds across a generous spread of mezze meant for sharing: silky hummus whipped with tahini and lemon, smoky baba ghanouj, tangy labneh drizzled with za’atar, warak anab grape leaves and the restaurant’s signature kibbee. Entrées lean into the classics done well, from chicken and beef-and-lamb shawarma to samkeh harra, a spice-rubbed salmon with tahini and sautéed greens, while house flatbreads such as the sfiha layer seasoned ground meat with pine nuts and pomegranate molasses. It is fresh, bright, deeply satisfying cooking that stays rooted in tradition.

The Room and the Bar

Sitti’s dining room balances warmth with a touch of urban polish. A long communal table anchors the space and encourages the kind of shared, unhurried meal that Lebanese hospitality is built around, while an Art Deco bar pours Lebanese wines, arak and regional beers alongside a full slate of cocktails. The result is a room that works equally well for a casual weekday lunch, a celebratory dinner with a big group or a lingering evening spent grazing over mezze and drinks with friends.

A Downtown Favorite

Nearly twenty years in, Sitti remains a fixture of downtown Raleigh’s dining scene and a regular presence on local best-of lists for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. Its longevity in a fast-changing restaurant landscape speaks to both the quality of the kitchen and the genuine welcome guests receive at the door. For many Raleigh residents it is a special-occasion standby and a favorite for out-of-town guests; for visitors it offers an authentic taste of Lebanon in the middle of North Carolina’s capital, a short walk from the convention center, hotels and the theaters that anchor downtown.

Planning Your Visit

Sitti is open daily for lunch and dinner, serving Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM. You will find it at 137 S Wilmington Street in the heart of downtown, an easy walk from the Raleigh Convention Center, Red Hat Amphitheater and the Fayetteville Street corridor. Reservations are available through OpenTable and are recommended for weekends and larger groups, though walk-ins are welcome. Come hungry, plan to share across the table, and be sure to save room for that wood-fired pita.