Finally made it down to The Depot on First and I wasn't disappointed. When I walked in I was greeted by Ben the GM who got me saddled up at the bar. They have a beautiful bar with an extensive Bourbon selection and an intriguing cocktail menu but I was here for the food. I started with the Salmon Hash. The protein was prepared to perfection and the flavors were great. Some sautéed onions, red peppers and a drizzle of chipotle mayo enhanced the dish. Next I ordered the Chicken and Waffles. The dish came with some warm whipped butter, maple syrup, with what must have be a 10-12 oz juicy chicken breast over a large Belgian waffle. The chicken was delicious, tender, and seasoned perfectly savory to pair with the sweet syrup and fluffy waffle. I also had coffee and my cup was kept full by the attentive staff. The music in the background provided a nice vibe while also allowing for great conversation. Looking forward to coming back for dinner and drinks. Thanks TDO1st!
Janet C.
The restaurant is in a beautifully renovated and expanded home. Service was good, there is an effort being made to train their new team in the art of fine dining. Our food was prepared well with fresh ingredients. The owner spent time at our table to ensure all was well and gave us the origin story of the establishment. Overall, for a new restaurant, we had a very nice experience. My only hesitation to giving a five star rating is the price point of the meals are a bit high, especially for a new restaurant striving to become a fine dining experience.
Krist Berk
This place is AMAZING - and we are SO lucky to have it right here!! I live in Knightdale, NC, and I work at another fine dining restaurant in Raleigh proper. Nothing against where I work, but The Depot prides itself on sourcing locally as much as possible (beef from Brasstown in Franklin, poultry & duck from Joyce Farms in Chapel Hill, fresh produce from Blue Sky Farms in Wendell) and presenting a fresh, chef-driven menu. These people CARE DEEPLY about what they're presenting you... Kevin in the kitchen as executive chef, Zach behind the bar with his knowledge of both classic and innovative cocktails, Chris as the FOH manager making sure you have a great experience... I'm always happy when I'm a late-in - or get cut early enough - at my restaurant so that I can stop by The Depot & have something sooo delicious close to home & chat with my industry peeps here. This place is awesome... ????
Food was amazing. Service was top notch. Our server Alyssa was knowledgeable and attentive. Price point is high but food was fresh and high quality. All around would eat there again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Pork Belly
Walter Munday
We ate here for the first time last night and everything was wonderful. Service was top notch as was the excellent salad and entree. We will go back for the small plate starters and drinks. We will go back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Harmony Dombrowski
Monica B extended a cheerful greeting for my husband’s birthday! Her service was exceptional and she went above and beyond to ensure our daughter (8) got a special mock-tail.We had the pork belly and lobster roll starters! Both exquisite!Caesar salad was good! Filet was excellent and cooked to perfection. 3 cheese macaroni was a huge hit at our table. They have a well rounded wine list and great cocktail menu.It was a wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion. Looking forward to the next time!
Wish I could give more than a 5. My husband and I ate here for the first time. There is a lot of passion and talent at this restaurant. This restaurant is unique - it combines the high standards of fine dining with the welcoming spirit of a southern venue. We felt like family by the time we left. We really enjoyed the chef sharing the care and detail that goes into the food. And the meal was excellent!!!! As a Knightdale native, grateful to have this place in the heart of town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
5 Star fine dining
The Depot on First has been open since October 2023 and since then has simply excelled as the only fine dining restaurant in the area.
I think much of their success is based on the fact they not only maintain consistency in areas such as attention to detail, exceptional customer service and quality culinary experience, they also continue to evolve and adapt to changing tastes, trends, and customer preferences. I enjoy seeing their ongoing tasting and intimate dining events, of which I will have to attend at some point.
Another cornerstone of success for many restaurant's is Authenticity, and this Farm-to-table restaurant continues to prioritize authenticity by sourcing quality ingredients directly from local farms and producers. They don't take any shortcuts when it comes to freshly prepared food to save time which is why I will wait patiently in the elegantly decorated intimate, warm and inviting dining room for my entree upon every visit. No Rush! Just me bring me another perfectly prepared old fashioned.
Don't hesitate to step outside of the box and try something new on the menu, I am not a fan of porkchops, but I have become a fan of theirs. This is an environment that will put a smile on your face, Ben and staff are simply exceptional, every visit feels like coming home to dinner. I look forward to spending some time out on the beautiful back patio this spring.
Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Steven Fowler
This is the best food in the area. Everything is homemade with the best ingredients. The Short Rib Sliders are unbelievable. The Chipotle Ranch salad dressing is so good, you'll want to drink it. The cheesecake is the best cheesecake I've ever had. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jessica Rae
My husband and I just ate here, and the food is amazing. Emma our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and the restaurant.
Alyssa was our server and was very nice and thorough. Atmosphere was inviting and definitely modern/new. Food was really good. However, for the price, the portions could be larger. Would go back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Joshua Pfister
My wife and I ate at The Depot on First for our anniversary dinner and we were very delightfully surprised. We usually go to the same restaurant downtown Raleigh for our anniversary every year but decided to change it up for 2024, and glad we did. We had the crab stuffed mushrooms, Gorgonzola ribeye, duck, mac and cheese, and cheesecake… every single bite was amazing. Kudos to the chef. The service was awesome (thanks, Alissa) and we were checked in on by numerous members of the staff throughout the evening, including management. We couldn’t have been happier with our experience, and we will definitely be back for more!
Gregory Johnson
Tonight was our first visit to The Depot on First, but it will not be our last. We had a wonderful meal, and our server, Alyssa, did a great job. Thank you for a fantastic experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Burnt Caramel Apple Cheesecake
Dallas Alford
If you havent been to The Depot in Knightdale, I highly recommend it.The food is great, the drinks are poured well and the restaurant itself is beautifully breath taking.The owners of this fine establishment have put their heart and soul into this place and it shows.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Martha Luna
This is our third time at this place. The steak ribeye is always solid and well seasoned and the lobster was amazing. I would recommend for a special occasion night. This place should do more social media outreach, I feel like it doesn’t get enough recognition. The staff are always wonderful and attentive.
Finally made it down to The Depot on First and I wasn't disappointed. When I walked in I was greeted by Ben the GM who got me saddled up at the bar. They have a beautiful bar with an extensive Bourbon selection and an intriguing cocktail menu but I was here for the food. I started with the Salmon Hash. The protein was prepared to perfection and the flavors were great. Some sautéed onions, red peppers and a drizzle of chipotle mayo enhanced the dish. Next I ordered the Chicken and Waffles. The dish came with some warm whipped butter, maple syrup, with what must have be a 10-12 oz juicy chicken breast over a large Belgian waffle. The chicken was delicious, tender, and seasoned perfectly savory to pair with the sweet syrup and fluffy waffle. I also had coffee and my cup was kept full by the attentive staff. The music in the background provided a nice vibe while also allowing for great conversation. Looking forward to coming back for dinner and drinks. Thanks TDO1st!
The restaurant is in a beautifully renovated and expanded home. Service was good, there is an effort being made to train their new team in the art of fine dining. Our food was prepared well with fresh ingredients. The owner spent time at our table to ensure all was well and gave us the origin story of the establishment. Overall, for a new restaurant, we had a very nice experience. My only hesitation to giving a five star rating is the price point of the meals are a bit high, especially for a new restaurant striving to become a fine dining experience.
This place is AMAZING - and we are SO lucky to have it right here!! I live in Knightdale, NC, and I work at another fine dining restaurant in Raleigh proper. Nothing against where I work, but The Depot prides itself on sourcing locally as much as possible (beef from Brasstown in Franklin, poultry & duck from Joyce Farms in Chapel Hill, fresh produce from Blue Sky Farms in Wendell) and presenting a fresh, chef-driven menu. These people CARE DEEPLY about what they're presenting you... Kevin in the kitchen as executive chef, Zach behind the bar with his knowledge of both classic and innovative cocktails, Chris as the FOH manager making sure you have a great experience... I'm always happy when I'm a late-in - or get cut early enough - at my restaurant so that I can stop by The Depot & have something sooo delicious close to home & chat with my industry peeps here. This place is awesome... ????
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Sliders, Crispy Pork Belly, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms
Food was amazing. Service was top notch. Our server Alyssa was knowledgeable and attentive. Price point is high but food was fresh and high quality. All around would eat there again!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crispy Pork Belly
We ate here for the first time last night and everything was wonderful. Service was top notch as was the excellent salad and entree. We will go back for the small plate starters and drinks. We will go back for sure!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Monica B extended a cheerful greeting for my husband’s birthday! Her service was exceptional and she went above and beyond to ensure our daughter (8) got a special mock-tail.We had the pork belly and lobster roll starters! Both exquisite!Caesar salad was good! Filet was excellent and cooked to perfection. 3 cheese macaroni was a huge hit at our table. They have a well rounded wine list and great cocktail menu.It was a wonderful way to celebrate a special occasion. Looking forward to the next time!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Sliders, Crispy Pork Belly
Wish I could give more than a 5. My husband and I ate here for the first time. There is a lot of passion and talent at this restaurant. This restaurant is unique - it combines the high standards of fine dining with the welcoming spirit of a southern venue. We felt like family by the time we left. We really enjoyed the chef sharing the care and detail that goes into the food. And the meal was excellent!!!! As a Knightdale native, grateful to have this place in the heart of town.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Depot on First has been open since October 2023 and since then has simply excelled as the only fine dining restaurant in the area. I think much of their success is based on the fact they not only maintain consistency in areas such as attention to detail, exceptional customer service and quality culinary experience, they also continue to evolve and adapt to changing tastes, trends, and customer preferences. I enjoy seeing their ongoing tasting and intimate dining events, of which I will have to attend at some point. Another cornerstone of success for many restaurant's is Authenticity, and this Farm-to-table restaurant continues to prioritize authenticity by sourcing quality ingredients directly from local farms and producers. They don't take any shortcuts when it comes to freshly prepared food to save time which is why I will wait patiently in the elegantly decorated intimate, warm and inviting dining room for my entree upon every visit. No Rush! Just me bring me another perfectly prepared old fashioned. Don't hesitate to step outside of the box and try something new on the menu, I am not a fan of porkchops, but I have become a fan of theirs. This is an environment that will put a smile on your face, Ben and staff are simply exceptional, every visit feels like coming home to dinner. I look forward to spending some time out on the beautiful back patio this spring. Cheers!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is the best food in the area. Everything is homemade with the best ingredients. The Short Rib Sliders are unbelievable. The Chipotle Ranch salad dressing is so good, you'll want to drink it. The cheesecake is the best cheesecake I've ever had. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My husband and I just ate here, and the food is amazing. Emma our server was great, and very knowledgeable about the food and the restaurant.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Crab Encrusted Scottish Salmon
Restaurantji Recommends
Alyssa was our server and was very nice and thorough. Atmosphere was inviting and definitely modern/new. Food was really good. However, for the price, the portions could be larger. Would go back for sure.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
My wife and I ate at The Depot on First for our anniversary dinner and we were very delightfully surprised. We usually go to the same restaurant downtown Raleigh for our anniversary every year but decided to change it up for 2024, and glad we did. We had the crab stuffed mushrooms, Gorgonzola ribeye, duck, mac and cheese, and cheesecake… every single bite was amazing. Kudos to the chef. The service was awesome (thanks, Alissa) and we were checked in on by numerous members of the staff throughout the evening, including management. We couldn’t have been happier with our experience, and we will definitely be back for more!
Tonight was our first visit to The Depot on First, but it will not be our last. We had a wonderful meal, and our server, Alyssa, did a great job. Thank you for a fantastic experience!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Burnt Caramel Apple Cheesecake
If you havent been to The Depot in Knightdale, I highly recommend it.The food is great, the drinks are poured well and the restaurant itself is beautifully breath taking.The owners of this fine establishment have put their heart and soul into this place and it shows.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is our third time at this place. The steak ribeye is always solid and well seasoned and the lobster was amazing. I would recommend for a special occasion night. This place should do more social media outreach, I feel like it doesn’t get enough recognition. The staff are always wonderful and attentive.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Lobster Sliders, Crab Stuffed Mushrooms