50 Best American Restaurants in Raleigh

“Great food and overall dining experience. The Mac & cheese to share is out of this world.“

“It has to be one of my favorite restaurants for brunch in Raleigh.“

“We ordered the Christmas take home Meal and it was superb!! Everyone raved about the freshness. The Prime Rib was delicious and the vegetables were very tasty and the rolls and pies were the best! We will be ordering for all the Holidays meals in 2025!“

“The atmosphere is great, and the food is both delicious and reasonably priced. One thing that really stood out was the attentive service. it's rare to find a restaurant in Raleigh with so many waitstaff. I also appreciated their sleek black uniforms, which added a nice touch to the overall vibe. The manager was incredibly friendly and made a point to walk to each table to check in with customers, ensuring everyone was satisfied.“

“This place is top notch and I’d recommend it to anyone. The Carolina Reaper chicken sandwich is full of flavor - just to state the obvious, though - it’s HOT! Everything went very smooth and we had a great waiter, even with a completely slammed restaurant.“

“Fabulous service at the bartop. Roy's recommendations were impeccable and considerate of dietary restrictions. The food was outstanding and wine pairings complemented well. Highly recommend sourcing from the starters and sides to get the most variety, unless you wish to commit to the steak or full entree. Oysters and acorn squash were a great combo. I appreciated the ability to do a GF dessert (elevated ice cream sundae!) to top off the night. Thank you!!“

“That was a great last minute surprise. Combo with cheddarwurst, slaw, puppies and baked beans were all fantastic. Thank you. Looking fwd to next time.“

“Really really enjoyed the visit! Old World decor and charm, great service, Thanks Kayla, wonderful selection of authentic Tapas, I need to go back, there's so much more unexplored to try! Maybe just seafood this time. There are so many combinations. Keep up the great work!“

“We went before a Hurricane’s game. Great to see all the ‘Canes fans. I also appreciated the discount parking for the game.“

“I recently had the pleasure to dine at Second Empire. The food was so delicious. I had the swordfish which was cooked to perfection and was enhanced by the sauces and sides. At the waiter’s suggestion, I ordered wine that was complimentary and wonderful. The waitstaff was professional, knowledgeable and fun. The setting was beautiful. I look forward to dining there again and highly recommend it!“

“Irregardless is a wonderful find in Raleigh! The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, with live music that adds a unique charm to the dining experience. Their menu offers a great variety of options for everyone, from vegetarians to meat lovers, all prepared with fresh, local ingredients. The food is full of flavor and beautifully presented, making each bite a delight. The service is top-notch, with a friendly and attentive staff who ensure you feel taken care of. Whether for a special occasion or a casual meal, Irregardless is a must-visit spot that consistently impresses with its quality and vibe.“

“Nothing beats a passionate chef. Tonight was my first experience, and it's only the beginning! The staff was amazing and did not make me feel rushed. 5-star plus. I've never been to a restaurant where all the mussels were open and full of flavor until Northside Bistro. It was impressive and absolutely delicious, and they also serve some of the best cocktails I've ever had!“

“Fabulous food, cocktails and atmosphere!“

“Excellent service and food quality! We had cocktails and a light appetizer while waiting for a table. Then once seated, the two of us ordered: three small plates, one large plate, and a dessert all to share. The timing was perfect. Each item came out separately, with an appropriate pause in between. We were not rushed or overwhelmed. Staff was very attentive without ever being anywhere close to overbearing.“

“Great Food, even better staff. So happy for the cuties couple/bartender Jen and Paul heard that they are having a little one this fall🥰“

“Welcoming atmosphere, nice esthetic. I understand why they are reservation only as they were very busy. I dined in a party of 8 and it was a pleasant experience. We all had an alcoholic beverage. While the size was on the small side, they were all delicious. Crepes were authentic but I was not blown away by toppings or presentation. For this reason I think the price point is high for average Crepes. I had one dish and 2 drinks for $44 plus tip.“

“The food and drinks were absolutely phenomenal. One of the best meals I’ve had in a while (tuna appetizer, my wife had the Cod, and I had the flat iron steak, and their NA Cocktails were very tasty and refreshing). ?? As good as the food was, the service was even more outstanding. Friendly, informative in menu questions, and accommodating when my clumsy elbow knocked my drink off table. The replaced it at no charge. I’ve already recommended to a few friends. Highly recommended. I’m excited to try out some of their other sister restaurants.“

“1st time going today and it did not disappoint. Yes I was that person that showed up right before they closed and yet I was treated so kindly by every staff member in there. 5 out of 5 on Food and Service“

“Everything we ordered was excellent, but the cakes are over-the-top amazing!“

“Best and healthiest food restaurant in Raleigh

Vegetarian options: Good, clean, crisp, veggies

Dietary restrictions: Healthy eating is at Spring Cafe

Kid-friendliness: Yes, very much so. My granddaughter grew up there. She goes on her own and introduces the Cafe to her college friends

Wheelchair accessibility: Yes“

“Everyone was Friendly. Service was great. Drinks and Food came out quick Wings were yummy and the fish and chips! We will be back!!.“

“This is time 3rd time visiting. Each visit was just as good as the first. The food was impeccable, the wait staff was friendly and attentive, and the drinks were great!! I just had the best grilled chicken sliders. The chicken breast was juicy, and the bread was very soft. I love the atmosphere too.“

“Great service, cocktails and food!“

“It was just a regular Saturday as I wandered around North Hills. all of a sudden the rain pours down I was blindly running around, finding a place out of the storm and stumbled into a restaurant. A restaurant I didn’t know what alter the course of my life. It gave me life. That restaurant was.… Bartaco. Little did I know at the time that I was missing out on this incredible experience. From the taco, to the guac, to the tea, Bartaco has changed me in ways I never thought possible. Thank you Bartaco… Thank you.“

“The food & service were excellent.“

“Attention to detail, quality and customer service. Outstanding place to relax and have a cold one.“

“We really enjoyed our food and will definitely return for more!“

“My favorite lunch spot. Friendly service and absolutely the freshest, most delicious food in town.“

“Great dogs and exceptional service. Will visit again soon.“

“Heat Wave Burger – 5 stars: best burger ever! Comes with pepper jack, jalapeno bacon, fresh jalapeno slices, poblano frites (lightly battered and fried strips), chipotle cayenne ketchup, and habanero mustard. I got the 7oz, perfect for me, no mustard and dang it was incredible!

Service & Atmosphere – 5 stars“

“The food is delicious and the presentation is beautiful. If you have not tried First Watch please treat yourself soon😊“

“Love their coconut macaroon, rum, and strawberry puree cakes!“

“A friend and I took a cooking class at Gaia's Kitchen and were blown away by the owner's passion for vegan food and the way she made the six-hour class fun, educational and delicious. Sandra and her amazing daughter taught us how to make five vegan dishes, which we shared that night with our husbands and still had enough left over for even more meals. Our instructors not only provided clear instructions on how to make the tasty food but also plied us with samples throughout the class. I left feeling passionate about exploring a vegan lifestyle and absolutely full! Unfortunately, the business has become so popular that the cooking classes are on hiatus for the time-being. So -- buy something from Gaia's Kitchen and get inspired that way!“

“Jamie and Marie are awesome. Drinks were amazing!! Desserts were also amazing!! Espresso martini was the best I’ve ever had.“

“We are staying at this hotel for a softball tournament at NC STATE. I came down for coffee and there were several people in the restaurant. There was just one employee taking everyone’s order and making coffee and breakfast entrees and she was AMAZING! She was friendly, she was fast and efficient getting everyone their food and drinks. She came around to each table and checked on every patron. I don’t know how she did it, but this was such a pleasant experience in a crowded bistro! Bravo and well done!!!!“

“Always get the meatloaf cannot go wrong very good and the gravy for the REAL mashed potato is super !!!“

“Great service and food. Menu has limited choices but all have great ingredients to make it hard to choose. I selected the burger which was cooked to order and had an amazing jam on it that added sweetness. Thick patty and very fresh bun. Fries were fantastic! Neighbor had fish tacos that looked amazing.“

“New Location is BUSSIN !!! I’m never disappointed when I come eat here. And I tried to Philly Cheesesteak for the first time 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨TOP TIER“

“Love you Ryan and sorry we missed you Ash love 💕 you“

“What a beautiful place to have a NICE dinner! The Filet Mignon was magnificent! Could not have been better! Don’t need a knife! It was Ike slicing butter! Just unreal! Amazing staff! Just perfect!“

“Nestled in an business office complex, you may not see it at a glance. I only stopped because it was close to my hotel. Went there for lunch and the line was out the door. Well worth the wait. I had a gyro sandwich that was to die for. Mostly sandwiches, panini and wraps. They do have a special of the day that could be rice with a protein. Everything looked amazing. They do have in-dining tables. Very nice Spanish speaking ladies that are very quick and helpful. I will be back.“

“Was shopping close to renaissance hotel and found this bar/ restaurant.. stopped in for a quick sip and snack ..

the bartender Lois was just amazing ! Very helpful and her service was exceptional .. smiling all the way and suggesting good stuff.

They just had few beers on tap . I liked the home brewed wheat beer. Light and tasted good . Wish they had few other brands on tap. IPA on tap was also average. They did have bottles and other options .. lots of tables to sit and drink. Parking is a problem here z tough to get one closer to the hotel . Overall a good experience , just because of Lois .. ?????“

“On NCSU campus in Talley, but not the best place to grab food between classes because of the wait. I don't know if they're understaffed or what but it took almost 40 minutes to get our food one time.The food itself is good though, so without time constraints I would recommend it.“

“Karaoke 🎤 nights fun, first time here I definitely recommend attend a karaoke night.“

“Your grill cooks are awesome. Every steak we've ordered has been perfectly cooked. Asparagus was a tiny bit too crunchy for my taste. The flavor was good though. My husband and I aren't really vibing with the Spring menu so we'll wait for the summer menu to come back.“

“excellent food, customer service and great memories every time I visit...keep up the great work!“

“Grows excellent with all 4 of us . He was so pleasant and helpful.“

“I am at Glenwood often and love the main dining area and the atmosphere. The food is great especially the salmon.“

“Great gluten free options.“

“The food at First Watch is always delicious and Justin is an excellent server!“