Mouthwatering Wine Bars in Raleigh

Vin Rouge

★★★★☆ 4.1 (617) • $$

"Very nice date night spot in Durham off Ninth St near Duke's campus. If you're in the mood for French cuisine this will satisfy your craving. The wine menu is INSANE how extensive it is. The service we had was great and the server was kind, friendly and attentive to our table ensuring he answered all our questions. The food was delicious and we were able to try some items we normally wouldn't be able to try. Everything was just delicious. If you're looking for a top notch place featuring French food, Vin Rouge is your 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!"

Bella Monica

★★★★☆ 3.9 (645) • $$

"Bottom line: Great lunch meal at Bella Monica, the Whole Wheat Penne selection was delicious as well as light as it does not have a heavy sauce component. Service and atmosphere were good. If I could give half stars, I'd say 4.5 stars here. The Deets:Now that I think about it, I cannot believe I have not reviewed Bella Monica until now as these guys have been here in Raleigh for quite a few years. I was working near the area and got the chance to catch lunch there recently. We were greeted at the door promptly and given our choice of table or booth, so we went with a booth midway into the long narrow restaurant area. The server was pleasant and helpful, and started us off with some bread for the table. The bread looked like a square slice of sponge cake to me drizzled in olive oil, but tasting reveals that it is a light airy type of bread that I enjoyed (I am not a fan of hard crusty type breads so I loved this version, see pics). For my lunch meal, I went with the Whole Wheat Penne menu selection that includes chicken, arugula, mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan-Reggiano, and pine nuts. Reading the ingredients, it sounded delicious and light and when it arrived, the impression from the description proved correct (see pics). I really enjoyed this dish, wonderful flavors blending together without being heavy. I would definitely get this one again, it was great as it ticked most all the boxes of a nice Italian flavor profile without a heavy sauce. I would say 4.5 stars for this lunch visit to Bella Monica, and would love to visit again in the future."

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!"

Caffe Driade

★★★★☆ 4.2 (426)

"Super cute little shop with extensive grounds. Best in good weather as the indoor seating is quite limited. The brown sugar oat milk latte is a house favorite - they make the brown sugar syrup in house. The pour overs change day to day and are quite good. The grounds are adorable but can be buggy if it's humid out. Baristas are helpful if you need guidance. Baked goods are top notch and there's vegan options. Watch out for snakes outside though! Parking is tight but there is more around the corner if you go to the roastery so keep driving through the parking lot!"

Tarantini Italian Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4.3 (334) • $$

"Wonderful service, comfortable chairs, plenty of space at the table in the area that we sat and we had a wonderful server. I enjoyed and appreciated the entire meal from start to finish. We had several appetizers that were delicious. The fried ravioli was crisp and flavorful, the bruschetta was overflowing with cheese and tomatoes, and the calamari was light and cooked nicely and all solid cut pieces. I tried one of the specials, eggplant rolatini served over spinach , this was delicious and flavorful filled with spinach and ricotta and topped with a nice serving of mozzarella that was toasted. Dinner was very filling and everyone in my party enjoyed their meal tonight."

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!"

Caffe Luna

★★★★☆ 3.9 (371)

"DELICIOUS Italian cuisine in the cutest restaurant!I've seen this place so many times, but haven't gotten a chance to visit. My mom was in town for her birthday so I decided it would be a great opportunity to check it out. I made a reservation for a Friday evening through OpenTable. This restaurant is located in downtown Raleigh. Although there is street parking, it is scarce and there's other businesses, bars, and restaurants in the area that also use that parking. There are, however, pay lots and parking decks right across the street and a short walk there. The inside of the restaurant is small, but it really fits the feel and makes it feel more authentic. The menu has great options. They only have beer and wine for the drink menu. We both ordered a glass of wine and were given break and olive oil for dipping. The bread was really good. It was the right temperature and taste. I ordered the Tortelli Crostacci and it was so good. I love good Italian cuisine and this was fresh and flavorful. My mother ordered the Parmigiana di Vitello (Veal Parmigiana) and her meal was great too. The food was fresh and flavorful and cooked well. The prices were reasonable, especially for the quality and quantity of food. I have fallen in love with this place and can't wait to return!"

Margaux's Restaurant

★★★★☆ 4 (347) • $$$

"Came here for a friend's birthday dinner after hearing many great things over the years. Thankfully, it lived up to the hype. When you walk in, the ambiance feels pretty high-end and luxe. The perfect place for a celebration.There were about 15 of us seated at one huge table that they had reserved. Despite the part, the server was terrific, made thoughtful suggestions and did an excellent job keeping up with everyone's order. I ordered the salmon, which was delicious. Perfectly cooked, well seasoned, great plating and accompaniments. It was a wonderful experience. I look forward to trying it again in the future."

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

★★★★☆ 3.7 (306) • $$

"Firebirds is a excellent choice for a meal. I visited for a late brunch and enjoyed the variety their menu brings. They have creative cocktails and so many dishes to choose from. The service was excellent from staff. When we arrived we were offered the opportunity to choose from the brunch or dinner menu. I adored the neat, creative & clean presentation of our food and cocktails. I ordered the Seasonal craft cocktail Fuego Mojitarita with a jalapeño garnish. It was very flavorful and garnished well. For my meal I had the fried green tomatoes and crab cakes and eggs from the brunch menu. I did not enjoy the fried green tomatoes unfortunately. The crab cakes were huge and the dish was so flavorful. The Potatoes were nice and crispy. Overall a good choice for brunch."

Glasshalfull

★★★★☆ 4 (231) • $$

"Decided to check out Glasshalfull after hearing about it on social media. It is a cool and chill spot sporting tons of tables, a wrap around bar, and a massive wine selection. I checked out their menu ahead of time and decided to go for their mini burgers that had bacon and truffle aoili. It was just the right amount of food! I ate just one, but I will be devouring the other in like an hour as I am a grazer! To drink I got a bottle of their cremant rose. Nice hint of strawberries, peaches, and rose. It was very yummy and actually paired really well the burgers. Normally I do not get a bottle of wine just for me at a restaurant, but they were half off today and I decided to go for it! Such a great recommendation by the waitress. I love that they are able to recork the bottle, so you can take it home. Therefore there is no pressure to finish it! Around it are several other local businesses to check out. Carrboro's downtown very much reminds me of Pittsboro as it is very quaint and cute.Definitely would come back as it is very chill and has such great vibes!"

Vinos Finos Tapas and Wine Bar

★★★★☆ 4.3 (196) • $$

"We stopped in a couple of weeks ago for a relaxing dinner. Vinos Finos is one of our semi-regular dining haunts in Lafayette Village. The atmosphere, service, and food quality is always top notch here. It's a nice place to go for a relaxing dinner and a glass or two of wine from the great selection they offer. On this date we came in for a late Saturday dinner. The place offers a menu primarily of tapas and a few large entrees. We started with the Burrata Salad and Spring Garden Salad. Both were delicious! The ingredients were fresh and both were tasty. Next up were the tuna tortilla chips and the octopus and potato dish. Both were tasty and satisfying. We skipped desert due to it being late but, the offerings looked really good. We will save that for the next visit. VF is always reliable dining option in Lafayette Village. Definitely check them out."

Da Vinci's Table

★★★★☆ 4.1 (207) • $$

"A nice local Italian place in Burlington. We went Friday evening a little before 8pm and they quoted us a 20 minute wait, but we were seated in less than 5 minutes.They have their normal menu and daily specials. My husband ordered the daily special of Tuscan steak tortellini and I ordered lasagna from the menu. Both meals came with salad and garlic bread. The bread definitely needs to be improved and my lasagna was decent. However, the Tuscan steak tortellini dish needs to be on the menu full-time. It was absolutely amazing and my only regret was not ordering it too.Service was top notch and our server checked on us and made sure we always had drinks and our water refilled."

Osteria G

★★★★☆ 4.2 (194)

"We decided to give it a whirl and pop in for the hub's birthday. This place caught us completely off guard. Osteria G's is friggin' delicious! Everything we tasted was top tier. Mac's service at the bar, and his cocktails were tasty. From the bread service to the strawberry trifle -- we were enthralled. I kid you not, the ribeye had a range of flavor that I personally have never experienced in a steak. (That's quite embarrassing as I've had the best of them, or so I thought.) The chowder, meatball Wellington, oysters-- all divine and I can't wait to return. Mac shared that there's a wine dinner coming up, and if we're in town, we're there! Cheers + thanks for a great night!"

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."

Mirchi’s Indian Kitchen & Bar

★★★★★ 4.5 (114) • $$

"Yummy! Is the first word that comes to my head whenever I think if Mirchi's. It is my new favorite place for Indian food. The flavor and wholeness of the curries is always spot on and chicken and lamb are always soft, tender and cooked for perfection. The ambience is casual but elegant and the service is always impressive. I am already looking forward to the next time I get to visit Mirchi's!"

The Oak House Durham

★★★★★ 4.5 (113) • $$

"We hosted three of our nieces and nephews and their partners here for pre-dinner drinks on a Friday evening at 6:30pm. Derrick served us up some coffee and the nice bottle of champagne for our table! Six glasses and everyone toasted our being together again! Well, I toasted with my espresso but it was good as well!The art work on the walls was definitely unique. I had fun trying to name the untitled pieces. Art should go in a new direction to visit a place never before seen! This qualifies!There wasn't any food but the drinks hit the spot! We headed out for a larger family gathering down the street and celebrated life is good with new beginnings!"

Mi cancun - Pittsboro

★★★★☆ 4.2 (122) • $$

"Nice ambiance. Simple and smallish interior but with a covered patio that has great heaters to keep you warm. Friendly staff and quick service. The food is always good and tasty. A very good Arroz con Pollo."

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!"

Pimiento Tea Room

★★★★☆ 4.3 (111)

"TLDR: Beautiful tea house serving appetizers, high-quality teas, lunch, and dinner. Check serving times for meals beforehand since they have limited hours for lunch (11-2:30) and dinner (5-8:30). They do not have wifi. I recommend their seasonal fig tea and pickled vegetables!Interesting atmosphere and aesthetic. It has more of a day bar / brunch restaurant vibe than a cafe. One room did have a lovely tea room vibe. Several parties dining in that room wore fancy high tea hats. The building, furniture, and decorations are beautiful. The music did not match the vibe nor did the plastic QR code menus or plastic wrappers holding the gold tinted utensils. The employees were friendly, but busy. I am sure the set up is tricky with multiple rooms, large parties, and an outdoor area. I stopped here one since I love tea and two since I needed to work on a presentation. Ample parking is available with signage directing you where to park. When you walk in, you wait briefly at the hostess stand to be seated. I chose the room on the left since it was quieter. Comfortable chairs, a couch, and tables decorated the bright room. Framed pictures of Dolly Parton lined the fireplace and the bar was located at the far end of the room. I chose to sit at a dining table and viewed the paper menu. QR code menus and paper menus are available. The paper menus are at the hostess stand when you walk in. The tea menu was short, but had a good variety of high-quality unique teas. I chose the seasonal fig tea made with a blend of black and green tea. Since I arrived in between lunch and dinner, they were serving only appetizers at the time. I chose the pickled vegetables. Once I ordered and set up my laptop to start working, I was informed that they do not have wifi. This was very surprising. Unfortunately I needed internet access to work so I did not stay as long as originally planned. I did love the tea and pickled vegetables. I finished the vegetables and poured the tea in a to-go cup to enjoy later. Overall, the tea room is lovely. Perfect for meeting up with friends."

Imbibe

★★★★☆ 4.4 (91) • $$

"The live jazz on Mondays is amazing, my friends and I love coming after class for the music and mulled wine. The gumbo was pretty good, too. They put goat cheese in it which is pretty unique, but still tasted hearty and savory. Excited to come back again for the jazz and wine!"

Uncorked

★★★★☆ 4.2 (85) • $$

"I finally had a chance to check out Uncorked while out on a first date. The location is within a strip mall and right next to a Mexican restaurant. A nice idea for plans for dinner prior or after. The Service and R&B music were excellent here but my date and I find the wine unimpressive. We decided to order 2 flights, so that we could really give everything a fair chance. Riesling is a favorite of mine so I went with that. I also had Chardonnay (not a favorite), red and something similar to Malbec. I only enjoyed the Riesling. This is a very quaint wine shop, there is not a lot of space or seating but it's perfect for just two."

Convivio

★★★★☆ 4.2 (75)

"We had walked by several times and always thought this looked like a charming little Italian eatery and wine bar. We finally decided to make a reservation and go on a weekday night. They were offering a special three-course meal in addition to their regular menu of a few offerings, so both my wife and I ordered that. Honestly, I was hoping to like this place more but we were a little disappointed. Our wine pours were tiny and the the entree portions were really small. Our server asked if we'd like bread and olive oil and we said yes. When our bill arrived, we noticed we were charged for it. The ambiance was nice but we just don't think the prices justified the portions."

Good Day Good Night

★★★★☆ 4 (66)

"Don't overlook this restaurant and don't assume it's just another "hotel restaurant." Good Day Good Night is in another league with their use of fresh ingredients, innovative recipes, comfort foods, and house made syrups, sauces, and juices. Their new chef, Andres Cortes, seems very talented and creative. I am looking forward to trying more of his creations. Most recently I tried the Peruvian chicken and crispy fried ribs for takeout. I meant to order the pan roasted half chicken but for some reason I mixed up when I ordered but boy am I glad I did. The Peruvian chicken was phenomenal. It was cooked and seasoned perfectly. Nothing was bland or overwhelming just balanced and satisfying. The chicken was accompanied by similarly perfectly cooked peppers, potatoes, and green tomatoes. I wasn't sure about the green tomatoes, but they do complement the dish well and add another texture. Not many dishes are worth a trip to downtown Raleigh and dealing with traffic and parking...the Peruvian chicken dish definitely is. I placed the order with a waiter while enjoying an El Corazon (tequila, blood orange, passion fruit, pomegranate, lime juice, and orange liquore) then Pink Cocktail (strawberry anise syrup, vodka, lime juice, and sparkling wine). They really nailed the flavors on these cocktails. I'm hesitant to try vodka based cocktails and typically go for tequila. I was intrigued by the anise syrup so I gave the pink cocktail a try and loved it. Their mixologist definitely knows how to balance flavors. The cocktails are surprisingly strong so one is enough, I just couldn't help trying another after how good the El Corazon was. With the excellent service, accurate orders, and ingenious menu I highly recommend Good Day Good Night to others and look forward to returning!"

First Street Tavern

★★★★☆ 4.3 (43) • $$

"Not only does this tavern have some of most comfortable outdoor seating arrangements and vast selection of drinks around, they have some extremely impressive people working behind the bar. I have learned the difficulty of finding a bar that can consistently make a great old fashioned or even have all of the ingredients to make a mediocre one. After ordering one here and watching the bartender make it, I was literally blown away by the attention to detail he took to make this drink, this man has skills!Its an interactive environment that has an energy of its own and although its a busy place, there is always plenty of comfortable seating and not deafening to the ears when you want to hold a conversation. Cheers!"