The Best Cocktail Bars in Raleigh

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!"

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!"

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!"

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!"

Dashi

★★★☆☆ 3.4 (703) • $$

"Wow, just wow! This place was fantastic! As a ramen enthusiast, I had high expectations, and they were fully met. The broth was incredibly rich, warming me to the bone--perfect for the chilly day. The pork belly was outstanding, with a perfect crust and tender texture that absorbed the umami flavors of the broth beautifully. The edamame and house-made kimchi were fresh and delicious. The edamame came with a chili crunch that packed a punch, and the kimchi had a bold gochugaru flavor that was absolutely on point.I'm excited to come back and try the omakase menu; it looked phenomenal. I also recommend trying the house-made hot sauce--it was a great addition. The ambiance was super trendy, reminiscent of a spot you'd find in NYC, but fitting right into the vibe of Downtown Durham. The decor was thoughtfully designed, and it really enhanced the experience. Our server was sweet, guiding us through the menu and providing efficient, timely service. I'll definitely return to explore more of the menu next time we're in Durham!"

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."

Azitra - Indian Culinary Nirvana

★★★★☆ 3.9 (431) • $$

"I really enjoyed dining at Azitra. The service was attentive, kind and courteous. The ambiance is modern and upscale and Azitra truly offers a modern Indian cuisine dining experience in Brier Creek. The cocktails are excellent and the menu is unique. There is something for everyone to enjoy from seafood to briyani. My friend and fellow foodie extraordinaire suggested we check the restaurant out for dinner during the week. Upon arrival the restaurant was not crowded and few people were dining or seated at the bar. The staff were very attentive and polished. We were seated at a booth where I really enjoyed the white crocodile faux leather booths. Very posh. Indian food is one of my favorites, I was no stranger to the menu offerings but had a hard time deciding. My friend decided to try a few appetizers and we sampled each others with cocktails. We had the gobi Manchurian cauliflower, Kabob assorted skewers, scallops and garlic naan. We ordered martinis with the bubbles presentation. I ordered the lemon garden with vodka and lycheetini with Gin. Both excellent. Nick our waiter made it special for us with the bubbles gun. Unfortunately a few of the appetizers we had did not blow me away. My favorite being the scallops and garlic naan. The scallops were meaty, juicy and seared to perfection. Well done. For dessert we enjoyed the sampler but our favorite of the trio was the limoncello marscapone cake. Devine. Nick was our waiter and Ashish the Assistant Manager provided excellent service. Always checking in to offer a drink or answer a question. Nick was always willing to make a suggestion about a menu item or offer more to enjoy. I will absolutely be back to enjoy the service, cocktails and celebrate a special occasion. The restaurant is upscale, so you should expect the prices to reflect that. Plan ahead financially."

FOUNDATION

★★★★★ 4.5 (314) • $$

"By far one of the best craft cocktail bars on my go-to list for 2023. The bartender quickly noticed us and cleared our table as people left.I felt an exclusive hidden gem vibe. Very small and intimate. Extremely fitting for the spaces I enjoy. Foundation is tucked away downstairs in a basement-like space. Very easy to overlook. We dropped in for a nightcap. I ordered The Eastside as the bartender suggested. Very good. The bartenders are top-tier and highly experienced. All around good drinks and laid back atmosphere where I enjoyed being in the moment, so much so that I forgot to snap a photo of the menu. It appeared to change, as there were many specialty craft cocktail options. I look forward to coming back soon."

Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham

★★★★★ 4.5 (289) • $$

"We swung by Lime & Lemon for our dinner and I was very impressed. The food is tooooo delicious. We tried the pani puri, idli Sambar, plain dosa, basil and mint naan, garlic naan, chapati and mango and lime paneer curry. I can't believe a mango and lime curry would impress me so much. Not surprised that it is the restaurant's signature dish. The basil and mint naan was a flavor combo that was out of this world. This naan with the mango and lime paneer curry tasted divine. The ambience is very simple. The server was very sweet and friendly and offered us free rice kheer and pistachio kulfi because he messed up our order. Overall, great food and a nice lowkey place when you want to grab some casual dinner."

Tandem Carrboro

★★★★☆ 4 (365) • $$$

"Had a great meal at Tandem! My friend and I treated ourselves to a nice dinner here on a Sunday night. I made a reservation for 6:30pm for 2, but I don't think it was needed since the restaurant had little people when we got there. The interior inside is very industrial, with lots of wooden features (like the floor, chairs, tabletops) and string lights hanging from the ceiling. The walls were brick, and it had great big industrial windows which provided great natural lighting. The service was fine, but nothing over the top.I ordered the 72 hour short rib, and my friend got the salmon. It was delicious. It came in a Le Creuset pot with mashed potatoes and assorted veggies on the side. Stunning presentation, and might I say, those pots are expensive, and they have multiple of them. But I guess it was worth the investment because it looked really nice. The beef was super juicy and tender. High quality melt-in-your-mouth beef. And they don't shy away from the portion. It looked like a fat square block. But it was genuinely glistening in the light. The mashed potatoes were just alright for me. They had a strong flavor that I can't pinpoint - maybe too much cheese? They also put mint on the mashed potatoes and beef, which was quite a surprise, but I don't think I prefer it. The veggies were a nice touch with the beef. Overall, great experience and amazing food. I definitely would come back for another nice dinner!"

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!"

The Mason Jar Tavern

★★★★☆ 4 (322) • $$

"I like it, I love it... (can you finish the line? lol)After 2 visits, I can safely say that I really like the food at Mason Jar. The tacos and wings are great and the blackened mahi w/ risotto was top notch. The service is fast and friendly, and I enjoy the streaming music selection also. It's an overall neighborhood jewel. Cheers!"

Tazza Kitchen Stone Creek Village

★★★★☆ 4.2 (291) • $$

"Our Easter Brunch at Tazza Kitchen in Stone Creek Village was an experience to remember, marked by the exceptional service provided by Elise. From the moment we arrived until the end of our meal, Elise was the epitome of professionalism and warmth. Her attention to detail, quick service, and friendly demeanor made our family brunch not just a meal, but a memorable occasion.We indulged in a variety of dishes that were a feast for the senses. The Huevos Rancheros were a perfect blend of flavors and textures, combining fried corn tortillas with black beans, fried eggs, tomatillo salsa, chorizo, queso fresco, sour cream, avocado, and pico de gallo in a symphony of taste. The Egg Scramble Bowl, with its mix of home fries, provolone, scallions, peppers, bacon, and salsa verde, was a hearty and satisfying choice. The classic Bacon, Egg, and Cheese on a buttered bun, accompanied by home fries, was comfort food at its finest. And the Cinnamon Bun, with its homemade brioche and vanilla sugar glaze, was a sweet end to a perfect meal.Every dish was prepared to perfection, with each ingredient shining through, making it evident that Tazza Kitchen prioritizes quality and flavor. The food and drinks were not only delicious but also beautifully presented, with nothing left out of place.This Easter Brunch was a testament to Tazza Kitchen's commitment to excellence in both food and service. Already looking forward to our next visit. Thank you to Elise and the entire team at Tazza Kitchen for making our family gathering a great one."

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!"

Milton's Pizza and Pasta - Raleigh

★★★★☆ 4.2 (250) • $$

"I've been here countless times since my last review, but just wanted to update it to sing them praises once again!I don't think you're going to find a better buffet in the area. The salad bar is excellent with so many choices of toppings and homemade dressings that are delicious. The dessert bar is very good too and one of my favorites is the strawberry ice box pie. I get a slice before I hit the hot buffet so it has time to thaw while I'm eating my hot foods.The pizza bar is big with at least eight or more pizzas to choose from at any given time. Last, but certainly not least, is the hot bar. There's a pasta bar with several kinds sauces and usually ribs and rice are there too. The main hot bar I love! Two different soups, corn fritters, potato tots, roasted potatoes in a slightly cheesy sauce, some sort of creamy pasta that changes, Greek roasted chicken that is fantastic, usually another kind of chicken too, green beans with garlic, sometimes roasted veggies too, sausage in peppers and onions, and who knows what all else. I can't remember it all, but it's all so good!The staff is great. So friendly and attentive. The manager is always present and not only stays on top of things, but constantly is pitching in with the rest of the employees. That's a good manager in my book!!The buffet is now all day and night on Sundays and I believe just for lunch the other six days of the week. Whenever we do go we try to get there when they open because the place will stay busy non stop, for obvious reasons!"

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"

Carolina Brewery

★★★★☆ 3.5 (332) • $$

"Fantastic visit on a Sunday afternoon. Bar is huge and lots of great beers on tap. They had Bloody Mary's and mimosas on special for under $5! Service was very friendly and made recommendations. We ordered the potato chip nachos which were AMAZING and huge! Ordered the omelet and home fries, easily enough for two portions! The burgers were also huge and delicious flavor! Will be back for sure :)"

G.58 Cuisine

★★★★☆ 4 (230)

"I've had two really wonderful dinners at G58. The ambiance here is definitely upscale, so I would dress up accordingly. The service has been spot on, super friendly, and helpful.On my most recent visit I went with a larger group so we were able to try a great variety. First off the Peking duck is delicious. You have to call them or note you your reservation that you would like the duck. The skin was so crispy and I loved the fresh pancakes and elevated sauces. Dipping the crispy skin in sugar was not something I've tried before. Our server helped us navigate the menu a bit. We ended up getting their filet and two types of fishes to share to share for entrees. The fish that they boil in hot oil was amazing. It didn't have a super enticing description on the menu, but our server let us know that it wasn't crazy spicy and was perfect for sharing. It held true to his promises! The filet also melted in your mouth and the table loved the beef dumplings as appetizers. I also love that they bring out a little red velvet cake with a candle if you are there for a celebration. Just a nice little touch!"

The Piper's Tavern

★★★★☆ 3.5 (254) • $$

"I dined at Piper's Tavern in a large group. they have an elevated seating area and that worked well for the group. Service was friendly. I went with the fish and chips. The portion was large but the arrangement on the plate made the chips soggy with the fish on top of the chips. I'd order something else if I return. The fish was good as were the chips not under the fish. It is too bad they weren't put to the side of the plate.We were all shocked when the checks arrived with the extra 3.5% charge for using a credit card. So what happened in most cases is that was taken from the tip to the server."

La Victoria

★★★★☆ 4.3 (164) • $$

"I came for lunch on a weekday and ordered some tacos: Carne Asada Tacos and Birria Con Mole Tacos. Both were good, packed with flavors and topped with a decent amount of meat and toppings. The chips and salsa that came with the meal were also quite tasty.The service was prompt and friendly, the space is clean, and there is a good amount of both indoor and outdoor seating. Parking can be a bit tricky since the restaurant is in a shopping center which can get busy during meal times.The price point is a little higher than I would have expected, but the food is solid."

Il Palio Ristorante

★★★★☆ 3.9 (193) • $$$

"We were in town for Football Season Tickets and Had been to this location once before but sat in the bar as we did not have reservations, and Yes Reservations are necessary if you want to full experience, although our first visit a few years before was so good we decided to make reservations for this meal, and we were not disappointed. We were sat outside and what a night to sit outside, beautiful and yes the road is right there but we did not notice it at all. We were Served by Ryan who was assisted by Kevin and man these guys were on it, we wanted for nothing including attention, and to top it off Ryan had just moved to the area from Charlotte and had been a server at places we ate there and some we had not and are on our list to visit now, because of him.We started with the amazing White bean crustini's(?), WTH where have I been to have never had this before "ANYWHERE", So good.We had our main course, she ordered the Butter nut squash ravioli and I had the Duck confit as noted in the picture if you like olives it is just amazing and if you do not, still try it...We also had the Bread service, if you find it better anywhere, please DM me and let me know where it is, but this is at the top of my list right now.To finish things off we had the Almond Cake which was just decadent.To experience dining at its best you have to pay for what you are getting and we had the entire package here, Service, Delicious food and a wonderful ambiance."

195 American Fusion

★★★★☆ 4.4 (141) • $$

"S e a s o n I n gOne of the best meals ever. This chef knows seasoning and knocks it out of the park.We started with dumplings and calamari. The dipping sauce was a little salty. But they were both delicious.I had the curry shrimp, my husband had the rack of lamb, my daughter the salmon and her husband the buffalo chicken sandwich. Oh my so yummy. We knawed the bones on the rack if lamb. So savory. The salmon with risotto had crisp skin and creamy, luxurious risotto. The spice on the chicken was great, the chicken large and moist.We finished with Apple tarte, chocolate goat cheesecake, almond chocolate cheesecake, apple tarte and brownie. Delicious.Our server was on top of it."

Los Fogones

★★★★☆ 4.3 (145) • $$

"Five stars for the customer service. Me and my sister arrived at 4pm on a Tuesday knowing the rest of our party wouldn't arrive until 6. We sat at the bar and had delicious drinks. We tried the pork belly and empanadas. Let me tell you if I had only eaten the pork belly I probably would have given five stars. It's easily the best thing on the menu. Next is the rotisserie chicken. Honestly everything else was good enough to include which should be a given at a Peruvian place: the rice and beans. Just okay. But I love this place for Goldsboro...adding diversity to the cuisine scene. Not mad at it at all."

Paolo's On 54

★★★★☆ 3.9 (169) • $$

"I'm in North Carolina for a couple of days on business. The night before I leave to go home I'm feeling like Italian food. I search Yelp with the criteria for Italian food and close to my hotel. This restaurant pops up as above one mile from my hotel.It's located in a small strip mall, or maybe in North Carolina they call it a shopping center. Call it what you will so let's talk about the food.First, the setting is really nice, very Italian, with a little bit of Frank being played.As I look over the menu it's mostly basic Italian food, but I see linguine with garlic and oilI haven't had this in years, but I ask if they can add anchovies to it. The answer is yes.Ok let's talk about this. I like anchovies. I know many people say yuck to anchovies, but let me tell you something just in case you fall into that category.You actually like anchovies, you just don't know it yet.Ok the dish comes. Unfortunately in this bowl of linguine is two small anchovies. Garlic and oil was lacking. The dish was quite dry and lacked the flavor I think it should have.To boot there's a family in the booth behind me that are reading out loud every item in the menu.And finally to add insult to injury, for the two small pieces of anchovy, a $3 up charge.Could this be a supply chain issue.Sorry, three stars. One for the sweet waitress, one for the ambiance, and one for, well I don't know what the third star is for so take it as a going away gift from me."

Wonderland Tapas & Cocktails

★★★☆☆ 2.9 (303) • $$

"Cute spot, club vibes, lots of photo opportunities. Stopped in here on a Wednesday night. Place was quiet, but I could see this place packed on a Friday or weekend night. Cluby music playing. We were greeted at the door and quickly sat. We got a few drinks and appetizers to start with. The shrimp and chicken skewers are on point. Great flavor, the Chipotle sauce was delicious, and the roasted veggies were perfection. We also got the Peruvian chicken and the chicken sandwich. The chicken sandwich wasn't my fav. Nothing wrong with it, just not my flavor. The Peruvian chicken had great flavor and you got a good serving size. They have new management, new owners and a new chef so if you haven't been in a while it might be time to stop in again."

Bazil Indian Cuisine

★★★★★ 4.6 (114) • $$

"I had heard about the new Indian restaurant Bazil and finally decided to try it out. It was three of us so we ordered a bunch of stuff and shared. Lamb Seekh Kabab: this was probably one of the best lamb seekh kababs I've had in the area. The lamb was juicy and was seasoned perfectly. Definitely recommend it. Soya Chaap: I was skeptical about this one but it was actually very good. The combination of the veggies and the sweet and sour sauce was really good. Dal Makhani: You can never go wrong with Dal Makhani. They made it well with the right about to spices and cream. Shrimp Tikka Masala: You can get this with any protein you like. We chose to get shrimp just to switch things up a little. The shrimp was cooked well and the gravy was thick and creamy. Dhaba Style Chicken: This was on the chef's special menu. This is probably the best dish out of all. The chicken was fall of the bone tender and the variety of spices used in this dish made it the star of the night. Definitely recommend getting!Pistachio and Paan Kulfi: These was pretty standard and can be skipped."

Indian Monsoon Restaurant & Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (122) • $$

"Indian Monsoon is located in Downtown Durham and close enough to dine at before a show at DPAC.The website is a little confusing with opening times as it has both 11am and 12pm in different areas on the website. The website also takes reservations for 11am so that is when we went. The workers arrived at 10:59am so there was some delay before we were seated.But once we were seated the service was friendly and the food came out fast. The restaurant is open and clean. It has a nice flow. I had ordered the goat korma not knowing about the goat bones. So when I was unsure how to go about eating it they switched it to lamb. We also ordered garlic naan. My dish had a really nice flavor. I didn't expect my meal to be changed. I just wanted to know how to eat it as I hadn't eaten goat before. The lamb was good.This is definitely on my return list to dine again when in Durham."

The Green Light

★★★★☆ 4.1 (134) • $$

"Now this is a speakeasy, not so easy to find the door but thanks to a little help it didn't take long to get in. One thing I like about these hidden gems, you they are not typically overcrowded and very personable. They also seem to hit the target on quality in every drink they serve.The Green Light is as comfortable as it gets, and the staff make sure of it. This is definitely a bar that will see us again.Cheers!"

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!"

Snooze, an A.M. Eatery

★★★★☆ 4.3 (111) • $$

"Plenty of parking since in a shared strip mall. Also FYI GPS says it's next to Petco but it is not..it is next to Birkenstock and core yoga at end of strip mall.We were in a group of 4 and made a reservation which is suggested for weekdays All of our food was great, waitstaff was friendly and worked together as a team, very efficient.I ordered the shrimp and grits and it was amazing...I recommend if you like cheesy grits...I loved it and when I return to a snooze location I will order againWe also had pancakes and corn beef hash everything was really good."

Mi Cancun

★★★★☆ 4.3 (107) • $$

"Good drinks. $5 Wine Sangrias are a must!Most of the drinks are under $10 including a gin Mexican mule I had the bartender create for me. I enjoyed my Chimichanga entree. Very delicious. Great service here. Very fast service. I enjoyed the food and experience. Various TVs with different games playing are also a plus as something to engage in while dining at the bar."

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."

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!"

Kanki - North Raleigh

★★★☆☆ 2.8 (208) • $$

"The low-down: The food is always good, it's great entertainment, and time passes by quickly because there is always something in front of you while you wait for the main course. Fun fact: hibachi-style" is often used in the US to refer to what is really teppanyaki cooking. Hibachi grills are small, portable barbecue grills that are made from cast iron. These grills have an open-grate and typically use charcoal versus Teppanyakigrilling is done using an iron griddle with a flat, solid surface and used to prepare food in front of guests. Teppanyaki grills usually use propane as a heat source for cooking. For my sons 13th b day he chose Kanki (as he does most years) as his birthday dinner. Since I've been coming to the Raleigh location over the past several years, I really felt like it has lost some of its appeal. I can't quite point my finger in what it is, but the restaurant just seems run-down and desolate. Walking inside it was crowded for 5 pm on a Thursday night, since we did not make a reservation we had to wait a few minutes before we were seated (party of 6). Even though they say no reservations necessary, I recommend them. Once seated we had to wait an additional 15 min to see if they could fill the two empty chairs at our table w patrons before getting started with the cooking. It's always entertaining to see the culinary cooking and cutting skills of the chefs while they grill chicken, pork, beef and seafood, along side rice and veggies while also putting on a little show of fun antics. The amount of food is always more than adequate. service was adequate. Overall it was a nice experience, as usual, and made even nicer by my family paying for my and my son's meal since our birthdays are so close together!"

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."