Talia Gray, Features Editor

Now that the 2026-2027 school year is well underway, I’d like to welcome you all back to the food and lifestyle column called Talia’s Tastes where I, Talia, review local eateries and try new experiences you can find here in Greensboro.  

In this edition of Talia’s Tastes, I’d like to share some of my favorite places to visit for those who are new to the area, as well as some upcoming events you may want to check out. If you’re a frequent reader of the column, you may recognize several of the names featured here from past reviews, while others may surprise you.  

Things to Do This Fall 

Of course, this time of year many look forward to hot and possibly fall-themed beverages to keep you warm in the cooler weather. Luckily for us, Tate Street Coffee House and Coffeeology are in walking distance from campus for any of your caffeinated cravings.  

Speaking of fall cravings, if you’ve been yearning for funnel cake and giant turkey legs, your wait will soon come to an end as the State Fair is quickly approaching. The NC State Fair begins on October 15th at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh, NC, and comes to a close on October 25th. If you want to know what to expect during your visit, be sure to check out the piece I wrote on it last year.

With the fall comes football season as well as marching band season. This coming October, you’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the most impressive bands in our area at Big HBCU’s Battle of the Bands “Battle for Carolina.” Eight HBCU bands located in the Carolinas will compete at the First Horizon Coliseum on October 4^th. Amongst those competing are two of our neighbors, Winston-Salem State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Tickets are available for purchase here.  

On that same weekend, I’m sure we’re all looking forward to UNCG’s Homecoming events starting on October 1st. With so many events for alumni, students, and their families, it can be overwhelming trying to decide which ones to attend. I’d recommend reviewing the schedule of events and planning your days (and your assignments 😅) accordingly. 

Eateries for Special Occasions 

As the seasons are changing and the nights get longer, you may have more dinner plans or special occasions to celebrate. Greensboro has several restaurants that offer an elevated dining experience. 

 My two favorites are Machete and Pangea Bistro & Bar. You can find both restaurants conveniently located in the downtown area. As both of these restaurants are a bit on the pricey side, I would encourage stopping by for a special event prepared to try something new. 

I have visited Machete on multiple occasions and enjoyed the experience every time. The dimly lit eatery is a site for robust socializing and amazing food. For your first visit, I’d recommend going with one or more people accompanying you, along with a willingness to try new things. Machete offers a revolving seasonal menu with deliciously creative approaches you may already be familiar with. Unfortunately, I have not tried this season’s menu items, so I can’t offer specific recommendations as I usually would, but be on the lookout for a full review in a future edition of the column.

On the other hand, frequent readers may recognize Pangea from the article published back in November. I enjoyed my initial visit to Pangea as well as the wide variety of options their menu offers. The openness of their floor plan as well as their location in the heart of downtown Greensboro makes the eatery an ideal stop while out on the town.  If you stop by, I highly recommend ordering the Orange Sesame Wings and checking out their Instagram for upcoming events.  

If you’re looking for even more recommendations or are eager to start planning for the holidays, I’d recommend checking out this article written by Emma Archer, as well as past Talia’s Tastes reviews. Remember, the primary goal of this column is to promote the local businesses that make the Greensboro community so unique. Be on the lookout for more detailed reviews and recommendations in the next edition of Talia’s Tastes.  

Do you have a favorite spot you want to see featured in The Carolinian? Are you a business owner looking to promote your brand? Please fill out this form: https://go.uncg.edu/taliastastes. Check back each week to see if your recommendation made the paper!  

Headline image from greensboro.gov.