The Most Delectable Cocktail Bars in Raleigh

Watts & Ward

★★★★☆ 4.3 (246)

"Went out with friends to this super cool underground speakeasy! Once they check your ID at the door you can head down the stairs to the seemingly plain entryway. Step inside and you're greeted by a neon sign that points you to the inside of the bar. Almost immediately the place transforms into an old timely prohibition era bar that has comfy old couches and some tables and chairs set up. Feel free to either order from the bar immediately or have a seat and scan the QR codes provided on the table for the menus! They don't serve food, so I'd recommend getting your dinner in before if you plan on bar hopping or it could be a nice place to stop for a few drinks before eating! To drink I had the Cactus Garden which has agave & pineapple in it! It was very light and refreshing and probably my favorite drink here! I also had an espresso martini which was also pretty delicious! I like it when my espresso martinis are more espresso forward and not so creamy. I am so excited that I was able to check this place out, and I would highly recommend it to any speakeasy lovers!"

The Merchant NC

★★★★☆ 4 (65) • $$

"I recently went to the merchant for the first time and had an awesome evening. We went on a Tuesday night and it was not very crowded. I wouldn't say you need. I would say you don't need reservations probably unless you're heading it on the weekend I love the vibe of the place in the interior decoration is beautiful. Of course I totally almost walked by when I was trying to find it. Basically it's upstairs from Vergils look for Vergils, and then you'll notice the hostas, and/or the sign/door that takes you upstairs to the merchant. Their cocktail menu is extensive and it's obvious that that's what they pride themselves on. Of course I'm more of a wine drinker so the cocktail list was pretty much wasted on me, but I did try my friends gin, floral cocktail, and it was really quite good. The servers and the bartenders were friendly, and made some great suggestions.For food the small plates did not disappoint. The menu isn't huge, but they had a ton of variety. We started off with a duck wings and they were super tender and flavorful, definitely something I would get again. Honestly, now that I think about it, I would get everything I ordered again. We also got the crispy brussels sprouts, which were great, but the favorite dish of the night was definitely the steak Frites I loved that they were duck fat fries, so delicious, the steak was cooked and seasoned perfectly. It was sliced for us and really a great dish for sharing with a small group.This spot is a gem and I look forward to dining and drinking there again."

Flavor Hills

★★★★☆ 3.6 (114) • $$

"I made a 4:15 reservation for 2. Upon entry I thought the decor and wall art was very nice. I enjoyed the r&b and hip-hop playlist inside. There were some pleasantries when I arrived at 4:20 a few minutes late but no clear direction when they learned my other party hadn't arrived yet. I had to inform the front host station I would wait at the bar. Very standoffish behaviors towards customers as the first individuals to interact with me before being seated. This was odd. Later on, I received a text that my reservation was canceled. I sat down at the bar. Will immediately acknowledged me as well as other servers nearby. My cocktails were the highlight here.Gin mule was refreshing. Great balance. French 75 was perfection! Will is a great bartender who checked in often. I tried the Cavier of the South. Pimento cheese is an all-time favorite, so it was a hit for me. The sweet chili buffalo sauce added a different but really good flavor to this dish. For my entree, I had the Bayou Bay Catfish with rice and spinach. This was not as expected. The flavors were a more overly seasoned and more salty and less buttery-spicy flavor that is expected for blackened. I typically don't need lemon with my fish, but perhaps adding a lemon to this dish would help neutralize the saltiness. Overall, not much to write home about here when it comes to this dinner (food) for me. I appreciate the chef coming out and being receptive to the feedback I provided on the taste of my food. I also appreciate the level of service from Will. The chef's receptiveness and Will's bartending expertise took this to a 4-star experience. I look forward to trying Brunch."

Milk Bar

★★☆☆☆ 2.1 (83) • $$

"Milk Bar is the spot that used to be Cashmere and the failed Duel Ultra Nightclub which was aired on Bar Rescue. The name is because the space is located in The Creamery. Our bartender, I believe her name was Jess, was awesome. A few of my favorite cocktails were the Raspberry Collins, Bourbon Smash, Sun-Kissed Ginger and Southside Ricky with strawberries instead of cucumber. Plus, you get complimentary popcorn!Bring coins or cash to play skee ball and pool to pass time. I really enjoyed my experience here and will definitely return."

The Glass Jug Beer Lab - Downtown Durham

★★★★☆ 4.3 (17)

"The Glass Jug Beer Lab has opened a taproom in Downtown Durham. The spot was really cute, you can sit inside or outside. My husband had a pint of equinox & solstice (a saison) and I did a flight. You get 4 beers in a flight, I chose the opacity (hazy IPA), transparency (American IPA), my friend wilson (NEIPA) and apricot pomegranate pi (sour). My favorite was the opacity. Cheers!"

Bombolo

★★★★★ 4.6 (35)

"We had an enjoyable Sunday brunch at Bombolo, a relatively new restaurant just north of UNC's campus. It's hard to describe this restaurant because it doesn't serve any one type of cuisine. For example, our meal consisted of New Orleans, Southern, Jewish, American, African/Portuguese, and Japanese cuisine (or influenced cuisine). Sounds like too much, but it works.Bombolo opened on February 23, 2023 in the Midtown Market shopping center on MLK. Same shopping center as The Root Cellar, Flyleaf Books, and Lucha Tigre. The brother-sister owners, Garret Fleming and Eleanor Lacy, used to own and operate Big Belly Que on Franklin Street: https://bit.ly/3rjIIEj Eleanor greeted and seated us and I saw Garret running the show in the back. He came out a few times. Eleanor sat at the bar and oversaw the front of the house.Inside, above the storefront, is text that said, "Ceci n'est pas un restaurant Italien." One of our friends who dined with us here said it was French for, "This is not an Italian restaurant." I Googled the word "bombolo" and it's Italian for cylinder.This is a cozy, intimate restaurant and bar with a hipster vibe, consistent with this part of Chapel Hill. Unlike, say, Durham, the folks dressed preppier. My wife got White Lotus vibes from one table. We enjoyed the atmosphere.At the time of writing this review, Bombolo is only open for dinner, Thursday-Monday. It appears they stopped serving Sunday brunch, at least for now.Reservations are recommended. Book via OpenTable and earn dining points which can be used to redeem restaurant discounts, Amazon gift cards, hotel stays, and magazine subscriptions: https://bit.ly/3OcMk4aDuring our visit, the brunch menu was tight with 12 entrees (priced at $14-30 each), six sides ($5-15 each), a dessert ($7), five alcoholic beverages from the bar ($9-13 each), and coffee, juice, and tea.We sampled a good bit of the menu. Here's what four of us shared:Bread & Biscuits* Muffuletta ($20) - Serrano ham, duck salami, mortadella, comte, giardiniera, lettuce, focaccia* Dirty Bird Biscuit ($14) - fried chicken, smoked bone marrow, kimchi mayo* Lox Benedict ($23) - gin-cured Icelandic salmon, capers, red onions, eggs, hollandaiseSides & Sweet* Piri Piri Chicken Fingers ($12)* Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone ($15)* Berry Cobbler ($7)Bevvies* Persephone ($11) - Empress 1908 Gin, pomegranate liqueur, cava* Bloody Mary - Spicy ($13 each) x4 - house mix, Luksusowa VodkaIn general, I thought all of the food and drink were delicious. The only item I had a minor gripe about was the Muffuletta. It was a bit too salty. I realize muffuletta is going to be salty to begin with because of all the cured meats, etc. However, I don't recall the other muffuletta I've had up to this point being as salty as this one was. Other than that, the sandwich was tasty and used good-quality ingredients. That was the case with everything here. I could tell they cared about the ingredients they used. The focaccia was great.The best thing about the Dirty Bird Biscuit was the biscuit itself. We all loved it. It was very buttery and pretty much perfect in terms of texture and flavor. The kimchi mayo had bits of kimchi in it and the bone marrow was mixed in (subtle) -- yummy. The biscuit sandwich was served with a side of potato chips which I think were housemade. The chips were terrific. They were small, crispy, and not too greasy. They were so good that we asked for a side of them. We ended up getting a small plate of chips on the house with extra sides of kimchi mayo and hot sauce (the same kind used on the Piri Piri Chicken Fingers).The Lox Benedict was solid. I viewed it as Bombolo's take on Eggs Atlantic, which is a variation of Eggs Benedict where the Canadian bacon is replaced with salmon. If you're a fan of Eggs Benedict, I think Bombolo makes a good variation. The Hollandaise was nice and tangy.The sides, the Piri Piri Chicken Fingers and Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone, were really good. The Piri Piri Chicken Fingers was a more straightforward dish. They were breaded and fried chicken tenders covered in piri-piri sauce. The chicken tenders themselves had wonderful consistency, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And overall, the dish was quite flavorful and spicy because of the piri-piri sauce.The Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone was creative. I love wakame (seaweed) which I'm used to having in Japanese cuisine. Here, they paired it with lox, which made sense because of sushi and Japanese cuisine. There was also cucumber, green onion, sesame seeds, and a sauce. I honestly don't remember the mascarpone. Regardless, I liked this dish.The Cobbler was excellent.The Spicy Bloody Marys were fantastic. They were refreshing and had a strong kick to them.Everything was presented beautifully. The food was served on different style plates with various charming designs.Quin was our server and he did a good job. He was friendly and attentive. Everything was served quickly."

The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

★★★★☆ 4.3 (45)

"A very nice restaurant though a surprisingly formal setting (piano player), which you are not expecting in Pittsboro. I started with truffled burrata and it was an excellent dish, the cheese worked well with the poached pear. I had ostrich as a main, less for the novelty, more because game is usually lower fat (thus less unhealthy) than beef. At first, I was like nothing special, but the flavor really grew on me (it looked and tasted like steak). Had Brussels sprouts as a side and they were good. It wasn't the most memorable or my best meal ever, but everything was good + and I would happily return."

Mamacita

★★★★☆ 4.1 (102) • $$

"Mamacita food, service, and overall experience were enjoyed. For food, we enjoyed the chorizo queso dip. I ordered the Parraillada (shareable if needed) came with steak, chicken, and shrimp. My entree had a side of rice and refried beans on the side. The menu indicated a stone bowl but it came on a plate. This entree was perfect for me as I was seeking a large serving, so I could have food to take home. The food was really good and the meats were cooked well. My steak wasn't exactly medium well as requested but still decent. The cocktail flight was a good choice and shareable."

Side Door Cocktail Bar

★★★★★ 4.9 (7)

"We discovered this new cocktail bar on yelp and decided to go check it out. It's on the side of a pizza restaurant and has its own side entrance. They have a full bar and nice selection of craft beers on tap. The bartender, Nunez, is friendly and helpful with suggestions! Cute space and it looks like they'll be ready for plenty of outdoor seating when spring comes. We're so glad that we found this place on yelp and I'm sure we'll be back soon."

AVA Rooftop Bar

★★★★☆ 4.1 (30)

"Definitely a vibe! This spot is 100% geared towards adults who want a more lively night out, they don't even let children in. Which, even though I have a young child, it is kind of refreshing and I'm here for it. It is a great spot to grab a drink when the weather is nice, but it does get loud. So not ideal if you are really trying to have a convo. We kept having to hunt our server down and had to wait an incredibly long time to order any food or get another drink. The food options are limited so this is more of a spot to grab a drink and app before you head out. Could have just been an off night service wise. This place is a bit tricky to find. You literally walk through the downstairs restaurant, Sports and Social, to the back deck of elevators and head to the roof. Parking is easy at Fenton though, always plenty of spots to be had."

Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

★★★★★ 4.8 (24) • $$

"Weldon Mills has been on my list of places but I hadn't planned to visit. I saw the tiki lounge as I passed by while in the area. Lauren was so nice and welcoming into the Tiki Lounge area. Lauren was genuinely happy to see me as I walked inside. Lauren educated me on all things last Friday at Weldon Mills. On the last Friday there is a live band inside Weldon Mills. I've always wanted to hear Al Strong play and ironically I stumbled upon this gem of a space not having any knowledge of the live music.I enjoyed some food inside at the bar. The staff inside were equally pleasant and welcoming. The wings were delicious. I tried the gin-tasting flight for only $8 I believe. A great price. The 86-proof platinum-distilled gin infused with real fruit was really good. I enjoyed the hibiscus ginger and raspberry. For dessert, I tried the red velvet cake. The cake isn't the best I've had, but for there to be dessert offerings - this was a nice addition to satisfy my sweet tooth. Weldon Mills is spacious and cozy for a date night or girls' night out. I look forward to my next visit."

The Provincial

★★★★☆ 4.1 (262)

"Made a reservation and came on a Friday night. It was very busy, enough to where it is difficult to have a conversation with someone across from you. It is very intimate, so be aware.The food is pretty delicious - bone marrow on toast, the croquettes, and the fish big plate. Grits in a block form? Different, but still good! 7/10 - it's a bit TOO intimate"

Gocciolina

★★★★☆ 4 (361)

"Talk about a fun date night! My wife and I sat at the bar. We got a dinner and a show. It was so fun watching the staff roll out the food. As it came out, we got to see first hand what we wanted to eat. Everything was super delicious and the staff is great! We will definitely be back!"

Tazza Kitchen Village District

★★★★☆ 4.3 (613) • $$

"Tazza Kitchen is a small chain of American Diners mostly located in Virginia & the Carolinas. My friend who lives in South Carolina took us here, she likes the place and the food...I can see why. Good size venue, causal ambiance, friendly staff and fairly easy on the finances. #Adulting:~ ONE FINE DAY - 4/5READ THE MENU... CAREFULLY!! lol. They got me at; Watermelon & Hibiscus with lime. I completely missed the non- alcoholic part...lol. I was looking forward to a refreshing cocktail. #Grub:~ CHIPS & GUACAMOLE - 4/5Just a solid standard Chips & Guac, good stuff, just shy of amazing. ~ SPICY SAUSAGE & BLACK PEPPER HONEY PIZZA - 4/5This was a nice surprise. The pizza already sounded very interesting to me, the addition of Honey just put it over the top. Very tasty.#TACOS:The plate of Tacos includes two, and for an upcharge, a Third. I wanted to try a couple of different Tacos, luckily you are able to choose two different Tacos for one dish. ~ CHILI MARINATED SHRIMP TACO - 4.5/5An excellent combo. I didn't foresee this working out that well. I'm happy to say I was very wrong; Tasty and well balanced without being too spicy. The chimichurri slaw was delish, and I'm not usually a fan of mayo, but it worked in this case. ~ BEEF SHORT RIB TACO - 4.5/5 An other combo I wasn't too sure off ; wood oven braised beef, tomatillo chipotle salsa, queso fresco, cilantro lime onion slaw. Deliciousness! Good amount of meat in the Taco as well. I'm a fan. I like this place!"

The Architect Bar & Social House

★★★☆☆ 3.1 (106) • $$

"Surprised that Raleigh has such a cool speakeasy but not many good reviews! We were here for a work event and everyone absolutely loved the drinks and finger food here. There's a cool bookcase that actually opens to a tiny speakeasy located inside the architect! Bartender had good recommendations and service was good. Absolutely recommend!"

Acme Food & Beverage Co

★★★★☆ 3.8 (609) • $$

"Came here to celebrate a special occasion. Love the warm & inviting vibes of the restaurant. Our server was super attentive and made sure we were well taken care of. The food however, was the main attraction. We ordered from their daily special menu. Everything was at the peak of freshness (e.g. heirloom tomatoes) and well prepared. I really appreciated the chef's innovative pairings in the surf & turf (lamb chops & diver scallops). The chef did a phenomenal job with the grilled mahi as well. It was done to perfection and served on a bed of curried puréed parsnips. Outstanding! If you're in Carrboro, I highly recommend checking Acme out for some excellent food!"

Catrinas Tequila & Taco Bar

★★★★☆ 4.2 (265) • $$

"When you walk into the restaurant the first impression is, there is lots of decorative details. They have an alter and decor for Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, the celebration of life and death. There are Latin celebrities on walls, Mexican decorations that entertain you as you wait for a server to take your order.The food is as detailed as the decor. I had the best plantains ever. The guacamole was very different, not bad, but surprisingly different. The street tacos had developed authentic taste. Everything was good, except our server. She could be a bit more curtious.Since I have had worse servers and much worse food, I will just hope she was having a bad day.Will I be back? You betcha!"

Northside Bistro & Cocktails

★★★★★ 4.5 (101)

"We went here recently for a date night dinner. We were seated immediately and Thomas our server took our drink order quickly. The drinks were delicious! Thomas was friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient. I opted for the blackened sirloin with shrimp special. It arrived quickly and was visually stunning. The steak and shrimp were cooked perfectly and were delicious! Overall it was a perfect experience. I highly recommend dining here! You won't be disappointed."

Counting House

★★★★☆ 3.7 (253) • $$$

"We continue to have nothing but terrific experiences at this restaurant when we stay at the 21C. This time we did breakfast and the service we received from Ann Marie was worthy of 5 stars alone for her caring, her kindness, her professionalism and for making me feel truly special for my birthday.Husband had their Breakfast Biscuit Sandwich with Tots while I had the Smoked Salmon BLT with Tots. She even brought me a birthday breakfast brulee for dessert complete with candle! And get this...she told us the pink penguin would be happy to visit us and she took my pic with him! Plus made sure I got a pic with the breakfast brulee.On top of it, she gave us our tea and coffee to go, as well as the rest of my sandwich, which we took back up to the room.All tasted terrific as always and we were made to feel so welcome and special from the moment we arrived and were greeted by a beautiful friendly Hostess. Much appreciation!"

M Test Kitchen

★★★★☆ 4 (30)

"I am an M Stan so I was 5 *'s before I even ate here, but the food was excellent. Also my wife is hard to impress and she dug it all.All this was good:* Lobster shumai* little gems salad, with grated smoked tofu on top* roast pork daikon wraps* kung pao brussles sprouts* loaded tots* tom yum squid soup thing* kind of weird ice cream + crunchy things dessertAlso I got a tequila cocktail with chili's and unfiltered sake that sounds weird but was very good."

The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

★★★★☆ 4.4 (54) • $$

"We had a good time at The Velvet Hippo in downtown Durham. This is a new, hip bar and lounge that opened a month ago (August 5, 2023) on the third floor of the 119 Orange Street building. It's very close to city hall and adjacent to the Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage (convenient, but potentially crowded parking).TL;DR version - The drinks were delicious and this place had a fun vibe. It's got a dog-friendly rooftop bar and overall, it's worth checking out.During our visit, a sign outside on the sidewalk said dogs welcome Saturday and Sunday, 12-6pm.We showed up around 7:30pm on a Saturday and there was no line to get in. They checked IDs at the door (21+ only). We left around 10:30pm and there was a long line, down at least 2-3 sets of stairs, to get in. There was definitely a buzz about this place.We found out about this place from our friend who discovered it on Instagram. The rooftop deck was already completely full by the time we arrived and, unsurprisingly, it stayed that way for the entire time we were there. There was plenty of space inside when we arrived, but it quickly filled up. Hence, the line to get in when we left. This isn't a huge place, but it's not small either. There are a handful of areas to sit and stand (a small variety).The Velvet Hippo serves food and drink, though everything is ordered at the bar. No table service. The food is light bites and small plates. The bartenders were at 100% utilization the entire time we were there. As the night wore on, we found it much easier and faster to get drinks by ordering them from the outside bar. Same bartenders, same bar. It's an indoor-outdoor bar. It really depends on which side is busier during your visit.Here's what we got:Signature Cocktails:* Ursula, Queen of Atlantica ($12) - Empress 1908 Gin, lavender simple syrup, sparkling wine, fresh lemon, glitter* The Garter Belt ($14) - Hendrick's Gin, St-Germain Elderflower Liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup, muddled cucumber, three dashes Bittermens Burlesque Bitters, grapefruit, mint* Hot Girl Summer ($14) - Olmeca Altos Reposado Tequila, watermelon, Gran Gala Triple Orange Liqueur, habanero syrup, lime, and salt half rim* Maui Mahalo ($16) - Plantation Stiggins' Fancy Pineapple Rum, Appleton Estate 12-Year-Old Rare Casks, pineapple, lime, OJ, housemade cream of coconut, kiwi, Crude 'Tropi-500" Bitters (Toasted Coconut-Pineapple-Allspice), Bittermens 'Elemakule Tiki Bitters, crushed ice, saline mist, grated nutmeg* Cheetahs Do It in the Dark ($15) - Teremana Anejo Tequila, Licor 43, Cantera Negra, espresso, orange twist, Maldon saltHanger Management:* Elote Dip ($10) - with Oaxaca cheese, cilantro, and tajin-dusted tortilla chipsIn general, the drinks were good-quality and tasty. They weren't too sweet and were well-balanced, flavor-wise. My favorites were The Garter Belt and the Maui Mahalo. Both were fruity and refreshing, as well as subtly complex. My wife, who loves espresso martinis (she almost always orders them, if available, when going out for drinks at night), liked Cheetahs Do It in the Dark, which is The Velvet Hippo's version. It's made with tequila instead of vodka. It was actually made with The Rock's small-batch tequila brand, Teremana. The chips and corn dip were very good. High-quality and flavorful, like an appetizer you'd expect to find at a solid restaurant.Self-serve cups/glasses and room-temp water were available from a tap by the patio door, inside.The bouncer was very nice.We parked for free in the aforementioned adjacent Chapel Hill Street Parking Garage at 326 E Chapel Hill St. It was full at the time of our visit. Cars were circling around the various levels of the deck looking for spots. At the time of writing this review, it costs $2.25 per hour to park here, Monday-Friday, 8am-7pm. Otherwise, it's free (gate arms will be up)."

Eli's Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.1 (28)

"Hubby and I went today to try Eli's Tavern for lunch. The atmosphere is really nice and very inviting. We chose the brisket Philly and the sausage sandwich. Both sandwiches were excellent. The side of fries were abundant and cooked and salted perfectly. We will definitely come back to try other options. Service was good too."

Libations 317

★★★★☆ 4.3 (20)

"Pretty cool addition to downtown. My husband and I went in for a super early dinner on a Wednesday and we pretty much had the place to ourselves. I love the interior vibe, it's cozy, trendy, and thought out. They have a corner filled with board games and all sorts of great seating areas. Folks did sit at the bar and it got pretty loud. The sound isn't the best in there, but since it is a cocktail bar that is kind of to be expected. My husband loved the peach old fashioned and I went with wine. The food is the fanciest bar food you've ever had-- totally up my alley! We started off with the tailgate dip, the menu said ground beef, but it was actually tasty brisket mixed in there. They even have homemade tortilla chips which were tasty. We also got the brisket hot dog, bougiest bologna sandwich you will ever eat, and dessert. The hot dog was great and reasonably priced at $8. The bologna was literally on a homemade focaccia, open faced. Delicious! The only thing I'd skip next time was the dessert. We got to the pumpkin roll and it was good, but for $9 it felt over priced. They have quite a few tables outside which is a plus as well. A great addition to downtown!"

Vidrio

★★★★☆ 4.2 (572) • $$

"Vidrio gets a 5-star review from me! This place is beautiful, the service is superb and the food is delicious.This restaurant is centrally located in Raleigh in a section of the city with a few restaurants, hotels and bars within walking distance. The menu has quite a few options, and you can get virtually any drink from the full bar. My wife and I went on a late Saturday afternoon for an early dinner, and ordered the Charred Octopus, Hanger Steak and Local Burrata. Everything was delicious, I mean EVERYTHING! The service was great, common areas and restrooms were clean, and the decoration is beautiful (refer to the photos for details). There are quite a few affordable parking spots right in front of the restaurant.Overall, 100% recommended and we are definitely coming back!"

The Pickled Onion 3

★★★★☆ 3.8 (27)

"Yay, it's open! And very much worth the wait! This area (Forestville Shopping Center off Louisburg Road) has needed this, and it shows, cause they are doing quite the business!We stopped in on a Thursday for dinner and it was packed. We were told a 15 minute wait, but we got lucky and a high top near the door cleared quickly for us. What I loved most was the staff were all working together. We had three different folks who made sure we were taken care of. All with a great attitude despite being so busy.Food is the same menu we've enjoyed at their other locations. Nice variety. Husband enjoyed his philly steak sandwich and I was quite pleased with my patty melt, baked potato and broccoli.There are tv's everywhere, and a good amount of seating, including a fairly long bar. Supposedly they will eventually be opening a courtyard with outdoor seating which should help with the crowds. Thanks Pickled Onion folks for opening this location. You are appreciated!"

The Fearrington House Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.4 (183) • $$$$

"Dinner at The Fearrington House Restaurant was one of the best dining experiences we've had anywhere. It was certainly among the very best we've had in North Carolina. The food and service were simply phenomenal. Fine dining at its finest.This place was recommended to us by some friends. I probably would have no idea of its existence otherwise. It's kind of located out in the middle of nowhere. I say "kind of" because it was only about a 20-minute drive from our home in Chapel Hill. This place is certainly worth the drive from anywhere in the Triangle, and points beyond. It's that good.The Fearrington House Restaurant is part of Fearrington Village, a sort of farm-like resort that, along with the restaurant, offers boutique shopping, a spa, and an inn. There are also houses, squares, and a park with ponds and trails tucked away from the retail area. The residential neighborhood is sizable.My wife loved this place because the village was a mini getaway from the Triangle. As we drove past the Belted Galloway cows and the silo on the way in, we knew we were entering someplace special. Overall, the property was really charming, peaceful, and idyllic. It was magical as well -- after dinner, we took a stroll around the house and gardens. Along with the beautiful foliage and landscaping, there were rabbits and fireflies. When I booked our reservations, my wife and I were pleasantly surprised to learn that The Fearrington House is a Relais & Chateaux property. Just a couple months prior to our visit here, we had stayed at our first Relais & Chateaux property, Le Bora Bora by Pearl Resorts, in Bora Bora. That was a stellar experience as well. These experiences make us want to go to more Relais & Chateaux properties in the future.The Fearrington House Restaurant is prix fixe dinner only. The menu is seasonal. For us, the price was $150 per four-course dinner with optional $100 wine pairing. Also, one of the main course options, the steak, had an $80 "supplement" if you wanted to upgrade to Japanese wagyu over the regular ribeye. In addition to the four courses, there were three hors d'oeuvres (two canapes and one amuse-bouche), a "pre-dessert," and even post-dessert treats; the latter was not listed on the menu.There were three options per course. Here's what we had:First Canape* Lemon Poppy Macarons with Foie Gras Ganache (x2)Amuse-Bouche* Local Beet Gummy with Brulee Lemon Creme Fraiche and Herb Oil (x2)First Course* Panna Cotta with Roasted Turnips and Black Garlic; pickled daikon, kale, cracker, grapefruit* Kanpachi Crudo with Mango and Fresno Chili Sorbet; jalapeno, cucumber, limeSecond Course* Stuffed Quail with Jerusalem Artichoke; basil, blackberry, crumble* Seared Bass with Artichoke and Bok Choy; chive, maitake, tapiocaSecond Canape* Melon Gazpacho (x2)Main Course* Beef Ribeye with Bordelaise; cippolini, broccoli, king trumpet* Seared Scallops with Fava Beans and Farro; sweet pepper, herb oil, lace tuile, fennelPre-Dessert* Mango Mousse with Blackberry (x2)Dessert* Valrhona Coeur de Guanaja Souffle; dark chocolate, vanilla, whipped cream* Strawberry Rhubarb Pavlova with Basil; lemon curd, sorbet, angel foodCocktails* Virtuous Imbiber ($15) - bourbon, Pasubio, Montenegro, Regan's Orange Bitters; boozy, botanical, spirit-forward* Five Mile Hike ($16) - rum, lemon, cappelletti, chartreuse, orgeat; bright, refreshing, botanicalWine* Glass of Violin, Pinot Noir ($18) - Willamette Valley, Oregon, MVPost-Dessert Treats* Strawberry Marshmallow, Strawberry Jelly, Strawberry Fudge, some sort of Caramel, and another treat we can't remember + Shortbread Cookies to take homeIn general, everything was magnificent and super creative. How do they even think up some of this stuff? For example, we were hit with Macarons with Foie Gras Ganache and Local Beet Gummies right out the gate. And everything worked well together and was delicious (e.g., the macarons were both sweet and savory, and tasted fantastic). My wife, who loves to cook, commented that she would never think to make beets into gummies.Every dish was complex. We could tell a lot of thought and work was put into each course and the bites in between. The chefs weren't afraid to play with texture as well as flavor. Also, there was an amazing attention to detail. For example, the way they stacked and piped various ingredients on dishes such as the Panna Cotta and Stuffed Quail, and the way they placed curled-up cucumber inside a slice of jalapeno on the Crudo. The presentation was unique, meticulous, and visually appealing.Generally, the drinks were very balanced and refreshing. I really enjoyed the Virtuous Imbiber. It was strong and robust.Service was exceptional. My wife commented that the staff made her feel really special and I agree. We were their focus and priority. The staff was extremely attentive. Our server was Brianna, who has worked at Fearrington Village for many years. She was terrific."

Mariscos Nayarit 2

★★★★☆ 4.1 (18)

"This is my third time here in a week! I have tried a number of different dishes and each one is a new favorite starting with the stuffed Chile reliano I was told by a friend that this is the most authentic place around and his family eats here often when they are visiting from CAThey are not on Yelp (until now!) and their IG account is in Spanish They are very close to Goodberrys, kickback jacks and Crazy Axe in Garner (next door to honey baked ham)"

Nikos

★★★★☆ 4.2 (74)

"We had a great dinner at Nikos. The highlights were the feta and fig cheesecake and our lovely server Tyler. Tyler was amazing and definitely one of the best servers I've had in a long time. She was fun, friendly, and made great suggestions.They have an extensive Greek wine list and I was able to try one before deciding. We got the carrot dip to start which wasn't my favorite. I'd probably just stick to hummus next time. The grape leaves were tasty and very lemony. The salad was good and the lamb pastitsio was great. The start though was the dessert. Tyler suggested the cheesecake and we went for it. It was so fluffy, flavorful, and delicious. Highly recommend! Parking was easy in Bright Leaf Square and free when we were there."

Atlas Bar

★★★★☆ 3.7 (17)

"What a gem in the middle of downtown Carrboro! It's right next door to Armadillo Grill and the doors are open to welcome you inside. It's long and narrow but with plenty of comfortable seating, and a nice outdoor deck. They don't serve food, so you have to have a membership, but it's super cheap. We didn't ask but we think it's 10% of your bill. The interior is beautiful and it's clear that whoever designed it did so with love and care and a flair for the outside the box thinking. It somehow has the ambience of classy and chic, yet not uptight and unwelcoming. A feel of "come as you are and have a drink with us!" Their cocktails are delicious and very fairly priced! They also have a small selection of craft beer and wine, but go for the craft cocktails!"

Toreros Mexican Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.1 (11)

"Happy to see the place back open. VERY friendly service and delicious cheese dip! I'll be back soon"

Death & Taxes

★★★★☆ 4.1 (425) • $$$

"Tucked away on West Hargett Street in the heart of Raleigh, Death and Taxes not only serves a name that catches your attention but dishes that will capture your heart. Celebrating a special birthday over the weekend, my wife and I were treated to an exquisite culinary experience. I savored the confit of pork shoulder, perfectly paired with grilled delicata squash and a tangy pomegranate-juniper jus, while the side of grilled NC asparagus with whipped hollandaise and crispy prosciutto danced on the palate. My wife was equally enamored with her dish of scallops, beautifully complemented by smoked cannellini beans, charred tomatoes, and leeks.What truly elevates the dining experience at Death and Taxes is their mastery of wood-fired cooking. Each dish benefits from the smoky kiss of the grill, adding a layer of flavor that's both rustic and refined.However, no review of Death and Taxes would be complete without a standing ovation for Paige, our server. Her vibrant energy, deep knowledge, and genuine interest in our experience made our evening not just a meal, but a memorable celebration.For anyone seeking a top-tier dining experience in Raleigh, make your way to Death and Taxes. It's more than a meal; it's an event worth every penny."

Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria

★★★★★ 4.6 (79) • $$

"Wow, what a great bar! Loved it! The bartender Daniel was amazing at recommending Mezcals. I observed him with a number of customers and having them try samples to find the right Mezcal for them. He did that for me as well and I appreciated his knowledge even as someone who knows something about Mezcal already. I have a long way to go. I even followed him home and he just spoke to everyone he encountered about Mezcal. The stray cat was even more curious about Mezcal after his encounter.Back to the bar, and I'd go back to this bar in a Cicada second. The atmosphere is a bit dark and mysterious, with lots of little knick knacks around the bar and seating area.They had a decent food menu but the special when I was there was chori-pollo nachos. I'm a huge fan of chorizo and queso so this was a no brainer for me. So good with just the right amount of spice! Yum!The cocktail I ordered was elegant, refreshing and balanced with just the right amount of tequila and mezcal, freshness and smoking garnish that smelled amazing. Others at the bar commented on how good my drink smelled which I THINK is a first for me. Delicious concoction. I first went in to the bar downstairs, which turned out to be the Centro bar, so if you're looking for this place, go upstairs when you walk in. The stairwell is cool too. The folks at Centro were friendly and helpful as well, but I was in a Mezcal mood!I found out about it by looking at the list of top 25 mezcal bars on Yelp! Check out the list from US and Canada:https://blog.yelp.com/community/top-25-mezcal-bars-in-the-us-canada/They were closed on Mon/Tue and I was in town Mon-Thu, so I could only go one night. I would have ended every night here if they were open. Excellent Establishment. Loved it! Thank you for existing!TDLR - Go Here! Drink! Thank me!"

The Bar Association

★★★★★ 5 (4)

"New cocktail bar in Smithfield with a coolSpeakeasy vibe and live music. The bartender made some excellent drinks, she was very pleasant and attentive. The smoked old fashioned and The Empress stood out as our favorite cocktails. They also have a good beer menu too."

Level7

★★★★☆ 3.5 (169) • $$

"I dropped in before my afternoon brunch and after when a group of guys my friend I met at Stir welcomed us back. Tonya was the bartender smiling at the door and greeting us as we entered (both times). It wasn't busy during our first visit before 1pm. When we came back over after - 3:30pm, there were so many people who, I believe, flowed over from brunch. The beautiful AKAs were celebrating founders day. I loved seeing the authentic unity, friendship, and welcome from such an amazing Sisterhood. Level 7 is a great space to connect with other professionals. I enjoyed myself. It was great to experience exceptional customer service. Tonya warned me because the menu was changing, everything wasn't available. She did a great job recreating what I needed for my preference. I wanted to Level 75 but settled for the usual French 75. It was perfect!"

Kipos Greek Taverna

★★★★☆ 4 (528) • $$

"Delicious, filling and amazing service!Hidden away in the corner of a strip mall, its easy to miss. However once you get closer you can truly appreciate the quality of this place.They have a ton of outdoor seating, indoor bar seating and many many tables. We had a reservation for a friday night, the table was tight for 6 people close to the entrance. However the food more than made up for it .Our server was super energetic, had amazing suggestions and made us try different things.I got the fruit mocktail, pita platter lamb shank and the baklava. Others got a bunch of different things at the table, safe to say the spanakopita-pie was my absolute favorite.The ambience was just like a greek beach. They had a live singer, and music playing and it was a great night!"