When would you drop from EF Core LINQ to raw SQL or a micro-ORM like Dapper?

Know when to use raw SQL or Dapper instead of EF Core LINQ

Explains when LINQ is enough, when raw SQL is clearer, and how to keep raw SQL safe and maintainable.

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TL;DR

I would use EF Core LINQ for normal CRUD, relationship-aware queries, transactions, and code that benefits from the model. I would consider raw SQL or Dapper for complex reporting queries, database-specific features, carefully tuned SQL, or read paths where the SQL is clearer than the LINQ translation. The boundary needs to be explicit, parameterized, and tested.

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ORM boundaries, complex SQL, stored procedures, reporting queries, parameterization, mapping, and maintainability.

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Why this question matters
Strong .NET candidates do not treat EF Core as a religion. They can explain when the ORM helps and when a direct SQL boundary is clearer.
I would use EF Core LINQ for normal CRUD, relationship-aware queries, transactions, and code that benefits from the model. I would consider raw SQL or Dapper for complex reporting queries, database-specific features, carefully tuned SQL, or read paths where the SQL is clearer than the LINQ translation. The boundary needs to be explicit, parameterized, and tested.
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Stronger answer
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I would not switch just because a query is slow. First I would inspect the generated SQL and plan; sometimes a projection or index fixes it. Raw SQL adds its own costs: mapping, safety, duplication of schema knowledge, and less compile-time help. If I use it, I would keep parameters safe, avoid string concatenation, centralize the query enough to maintain it, and document why LINQ was not the best expression.

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Details

Using raw SQL before inspecting EF Core generated SQL.
Building raw SQL with string concatenated user input.
Scattering large SQL strings across handlers without ownership.
Assuming Dapper fixes bad database design.

When would you drop from EF Core LINQ to raw SQL or a micro-ORM like Dapper?

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