Giant 3-D cats poke their whiskery faces right through the walls at this place. Yes, actual walls.
I can’t imagine eating dinner without staring back at them.
The owners even asked neighbors to donate their own cat-themed treasures. So the kitty art covering every corner came partly from the people who live nearby.
I love that kind of team spirit.
Then the food shows up, and it’s serious. The New York Times named this North Carolina spot one of the 50 best restaurants in America.
It was the only one in the state to make that list.
So how does a room full of cat kitsch earn that kind of praise? The answer involves duck fat wings, coconut curry oysters, and a dream team of chefs.
I think you’ll want a seat.
The Walls Are Literally Full Of Curious Cats
Most restaurants hang a painting or two and call it a day. BIG CAT went all in, covering its Raleigh dining room with cat art from floor to ceiling.
The star attractions are the very big 3-D kitties. They poke their whiskery faces through the walls like they’re checking on your order.
The overall look is eclectic with a vintage vibe. Think thrift-store charm mixed with a playful sense of humor.
Orange-painted lightbulbs give the room a warm, calming glow. It feels cozy, like dinner at a friend’s very fun house.
Here’s a sweet detail. The team invited locals to donate their own cat-themed paraphernalia for the decor.
That means some of the art you see once sat on a neighbor’s shelf. Every figurine or print might come with its own little backstory.
The New York Times even called it a sly, inviting neighborhood restaurant complete with cat kitsch. That’s high praise for a room full of whiskers.
My advice is simple. Take a slow lap with your eyes before the food arrives, because you’ll keep spotting new cats all night.
A Chef Supergroup Runs The Kitchen
Bands get supergroups, and apparently so do Raleigh restaurants. BIG CAT brings together some of the city’s best-known food names under one roof.
Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler come from Ajja. Angela Salamanca and Marshall Davis are behind Mala Pata and Centro.
Justin Pasfield rounds out the crew. His résumé includes Locals Seafood, Person Street Bar, and Natural Science.
Cheetie Kumar leads the kitchen as executive chef. She has earned James Beard nominations, which are among the biggest honors in American food.
The team announced the idea in the summer of 2025. The doors officially opened in March 2026.
That’s a lot of talent for one menu. You might worry about too many cooks, but the whole thing hangs together surprisingly well.
Each partner brings different experience, from seafood know-how to neighborhood hospitality. The result feels relaxed instead of fussy.
Fun fact for food nerds. Bon Appétit listed BIG CAT among its most anticipated restaurant openings of 2026 before many people had even tasted a bite.
Knowing who’s cooking makes the playful cat walls even funnier. Serious skill, silly decor, and zero apologies.
Comfort Food Takes A Trip Around The World
Roasted North Carolina oysters with coconut curry and cashew. That one menu line tells you a lot about how BIG CAT thinks.
The menu pulls ideas from the Global South. Then it pairs them with local, seasonal North Carolina ingredients.
You’ll see familiar comfort food that has been gently reimagined. The New York Times described the menu as deceptively familiar, and that fits nicely.
Za’atar waffle fries arrive with thoum mayo, a punchy garlic sauce. A mezze plate brings dips and bites made for sharing.
There’s also a smoked trout dip. It’s made with house-smoked trout from the North Carolina mountains.
Salads get creative too. Look for a seeded Caesar, grilled watermelon som tum, and an heirloom tomato and peach combo.
Plates come mostly à la carte, so sides are separate. Ordering a few things for the table is the smart move.
I like how the menu feels adventurous without being intimidating. You can play it safe with fries or go bold with curry oysters.
Menus shift with the seasons, so expect some changes. That just gives you a good excuse to come back.
Save Room For Wings, Steak, And Pork Belly
Duck fat chicken wings. Go ahead and read that again slowly.
BIG CAT offers them in a few styles. You can pick harissa-honey with sumac onions, aji amarillo, or Szechuan pepper with creamy chili crisp.
Choosing just one flavor is tough. Bringing friends solves that problem fast.
The wagyu bavette steak is one of the top sellers. It comes with a black garlic steak sauce that sounds rich in the best way.
Spicy pork belly shows up on the dinner menu as well. So does lemon-butter shrimp, a bright pick for seafood fans.
Want something classic? The Joyce Farms half chicken uses Poulet Rouge with a citrus marinade.
Vegetables get star treatment too. The charred cabbage chop proves cabbage can be the main event, not a sad side dish.
My tip is to mix and match. Grab a meaty main, a veggie plate, and something to dip.
Sharing plates also lets you taste more of what this kitchen does well. And yes, the cats on the wall will judge your choices silently.
Dessert Comes Swirled And Dairy-Free
Soft serve might be the happiest food ever invented. BIG CAT serves a dairy-free version, which opens the fun to more people.
That’s great news for anyone who avoids dairy. Nobody has to sit and watch everyone else enjoy dessert.
The flavors have a reputation for being fantastic and refreshing. On a warm North Carolina evening, that sounds just right.
Soft serve also fits the mood here perfectly. It’s playful, a little nostalgic, and a bit silly, much like a wall full of ceramic cats.
Plan ahead so you don’t fill up on fries. Leaving a small gap for something cold and sweet is a good strategy.
Kids will likely be thrilled with this ending. Adults usually are too, even if they pretend otherwise.
Dessert offerings can change with the seasons. Ask your server what’s swirling that night.
I believe a meal should end on a high note. A cool, creamy cup of soft serve does that without any fuss.
Honestly, it might be the easiest decision you make all evening.
Little Diners Get Their Own Menu
Kids and cat walls go together like peanut butter and jelly. BIG CAT is family-friendly, and the little ones get their own menu.
Options include Chicken Nuggies, Cheesy Broccoli, and Kids Waffle Fries. Simple, comforting, and easy to love.
Getting a child to eat broccoli is usually a battle. Adding cheese might just win the war for you.
The giant 3-D kitties double as built-in entertainment. Kids can count cats, name them, or invent stories about them.
That’s handy while you wait for food. A curious kid is a calm kid, at least most of the time.
Parents still get the full grown-up menu. Nobody has to give up wings or oysters just because the family came along.
The restaurant also works well for groups and solo diners. It’s flexible in a way that suits real life.
Here’s a practical tip. Dinner starts at 5 PM, so an early reservation can line up nicely with younger bedtimes.
Bring the whole crew. The cats don’t mind a little noise.
Grab A Seat On The Breezy Patio
A bright orangeish-red building is hard to miss. That bold color marks BIG CAT from the street.
Out front, you’ll find a breezy covered patio. There’s also an upgraded concrete patio with a curtained awning.
The curtains add a cozy, tucked-away feel. It’s outdoor dining that still feels a little private.
North Carolina weather can be lovely for much of the year. Spring and fall evenings seem made for a meal outside.
The covered area helps when the sun is strong. It also gives you a backup plan if clouds roll in.
Inside offers all the cat art, of course. Outside offers fresh air and a relaxed neighborhood view.
Can’t decide? Eat on the patio, then wander inside afterward to admire the whiskery wall residents.
Reservations are recommended for dinner. Mention your seating preference when you book, and you might snag the spot you want.
Either way, that orange exterior makes a great photo backdrop. Snap one before you leave.
A Market And Bodega Shares The Space
Dinner is only part of the story. BIG CAT also works as a market and bodega, aiming to be a day-to-night spot.
The market side offers prepared foods to-go. You can also find fresh-pressed juices and grab-and-go mezze.
Cheese, charcuterie, and pantry essentials fill out the shelves. It’s handy for a quick snack or a last-minute picnic.
More goodies are expected down the road. Plans include chicken salad, hummus, beet tzatziki, whipped feta, and farm-fresh eggs.
Pre-marinated meats, crackers, bread, and ice cream are on the list too. Daytime coffee and sandwiches are also anticipated.
Hours for the market side may grow over time. Check before you go if you’re hoping for a lunchtime visit.
Don’t skip the merch. BIG CAT sells cat-themed hats and t-shirts.
A hat might be the perfect gift for the cat lover in your life. Or keep it for yourself, no judgment.
Leaving with a bag of snacks and a new shirt feels like a win. The cats would approve.
Plan Your Visit To This Neighborhood Favorite
By the neighborhood, for the neighborhood. That’s the BIG CAT tagline, and the partners mean it.
They all live within walking distance of the restaurant. That’s about as local as it gets.
You’ll find it at 1000 Brookside Dr., Ste. 119, Raleigh, NC 27604. It sits on the Brookside block near the Mordecai and Oakwood neighborhoods.
Fun history bit. The space once held Brookside Market & Pizza, Comida y Cocteles, and Otomi Comida.
The current team wants to stick around for the long haul. Based on that New York Times honor, they’re off to a strong start.
Dinner runs Wednesday through Sunday from 5 PM to 9:30 PM. The restaurant is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
Reservations are recommended. A spot on a Times list tends to attract a crowd of curious diners.
Raleigh has plenty of great places to eat. Still, very few combine a James Beard-nominated chef with walls of curious kitties.
So round up your favorite cat lover and book a table. Just don’t be surprised if you start shopping for 3-D cat sculptures afterward.
