50 Best American Restaurants in Raleigh

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

“My friend and I ordered and enjoyed a lot of food: - Pimento Cheese w/ Fried Saltines - Roasted Beets w/ Pickled Kumquat, Siano Burrata & White Balsamic-Thyme Vinaigrette - Baguette w/ Cultured Salted Butter - Crispy N.C. Shrimp w/ Marinated Newly-Dug Potatoes & Pickled Ramp Remoulade - Roasted Airline Chicken Breast w/ Herb-Scented Whipped Yukons & Smoky Triple Chicken Jus - Macaroni Au Gratin (the best I’ve ever had, at least four unique cheeses. If you don’t order this Mac ‘n Cheese, that’s your fault!) From the moment we walked in, I knew we were in for something special. The rainbow “Don’t Forget Kindness” window etchings, the upscale modern yet retro decor, the attention to detail, and then learning the history, dating back to 1945 — it’s all so impeccable! Oh, and a fantastic cocktail. The 1806 — Orange Infused Bourbon, Brulee'd Brown Sugar, Bitters! Suffice it to say that I will make it a point to be back, often 🏳️‍🌈 Highly recommend!“

“What an all around amazing night at Second Empire! Our family gathered there to celebrate our son's wedding. The personal service the bride and groom received was way beyond expectations. Everyone made them feel so special! From start to finish, the evening was exceptional. The food was so yummy and there were even options for those in our group, myself included, who were vegan/vegetarian. And it wasn't just a salad. Just ask the server! Ours was well versed in what the chef could prepare for us. The presentation of the food to our party of 13 was also super cool...they brought out all of the entrees at once! Also there is an elevator to help those with mobility issues. Thanks to everyone for helping to make this special day even more special!“

“When in Raleigh, will make sure to make this a regular must visit! 😋“

“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.“

“Unbelievably amazing! The customer service provided by this restaurant group was literally not even imaginable. We thought we had reservations at Brodeto only to find out the reservation was accidentally booked for another date (error on my part!) and the restaurant was closed for a private event. Zach met us at the door as we walked in to advise of this and then he asked if we would like to dine at one of the sister restaurants. He got us a table at Crawford & Son and called ahead to the management team to have us escorted to the speak easy bar in the basement (Sous Terre). Then as we were having a cocktail, Zach once again shows up to personally let us know our table was ready. We sat at the bar and enjoyed some of the best and most inventive food we have tried. The tomato salad, tuna crudo, and OMG the bucatini were all amazing! The trout and steak did not disappoint at all. And the blueberry upside down amazingness with corn ice cream was out of this world. I cannot say enough about all of the staff and especially Zach for truly making what could have been a huge disappointment into an unforgettable experience. 12 out of 10!!!!“

“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!“

“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!“

“Recently a friend introduced me to the Oak and I was impressed well beyond my expectations. The drinks and the food are all top notch. Lots of places have “good bar food” but that’s not the case here, they have custom eats not “bar food”. There’s nothing we ordered that have us scraping up the crumbs. Justin the bartender is particularly knowledgeable and friendly, he’s a sharp guy who is eager to please and quick to serve, we never had to flag him down or ask for help, he was on the spot the whole time! I’ll be back for client lunches and meet ups for sure!“

“I come here about once a month for lunch with a friend. We used to bounce around to different restaurants, but we have found this one to be so excellent that it has become our standard. The food is superb and very creative. They make a hamburger with feta cheese and blueberries that is a fun just for the experience. I normally get the wings; I’ve tried them in a number of sauces. Each is very distinct. I’ve ended up enjoying the Korean most of all. The side items are perfectly prepared, and the tater tots are extra crispy… just saying.
Service is top-notch. The only wait involve is for your food to be freshly prepared, hot, and that’s well worth it. Drinks are brought to the table quickly and with a smile.
Looking forward to my next visit in a few weeks.“

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

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

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

“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🥰“

“Christmas Eve dinner 2025. Everything delicious. Counter seating, so entertaining watching the pace and positive attitudes of those working the line. Roasted oysters, agnolotti divine, NC fish perfect. Staff friendly and, well, just a special evening all together. We have only been twice, but were greeted like regulars.“

“🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Margaux’s in Raleigh dazzled me! The outdoor seating set the perfect vibe, and my waiter Bill was phenomenal—attentive, engaging, and professional, just like the whole staff. Every plate was art, every bite divine, and that key lime pie? Pure transcendence. Effervescent culinary journey with next-level flavors—Perfect kickoff to my Labor Day weekend. I’d recommend it in a heartbeat!“

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

“I had a Cobb esque salad with fried chicken for lunch, it was really really great. Perfect amount of dressing, and the chicken was crunchy outside and tender inside, with lots of flavor. Ranks up there with the best Cobb sausages I've ever had. Lots of people were ordering the burger, it looked delicious coming out of the kitchen, will have to try next time .“

“My Thai Chicken Salad was incredible and quite a huge portion The peanut butter pie was out of this world My server Courtney Lynne was the icing on the cake So fun knowledgeable and so very pleasant. She helped make my 62nd birthday awesome“

“My fiancé and I celebrated our engagement at Oak Steakhouse in May of 2026 and the entire staff made the evening magical. Oak has quickly become a frequent date night spot for us and will be for years to come. The food is always amazing and John our waiter (as well as the entire staff) has always treated us like family.“

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

“Great gluten free options.“

“One of the best places has ever eaten breakfast and the service and atmosphere is even better. Love this place. Makes the best hobo omelettes I have ever eaten . Give them the highest score possible. Been going for 15 years . Awesome place.“

“Seasons 52 is one of the restaurants we end up going to pretty often in the Raleigh area, and it’s still one of our favorites. The menu is great, the prices are solid, and the atmosphere is comfortable and welcoming. The place is always clean and well-kept, and the host staff and servers are consistently friendly, attentive, and efficient. All the servers we have had at Seasons 52 have been great, but if you happen to get P.J., you’re in for an especially good experience.

The menu and wine list have plenty of variety to fit most tastes. If you’re a big steak lover, you might wish there were a few more beef options, but what they do offer is well-prepared and always satisfying. Whether you’re in the mood for seafood, chicken, salads, or seasonal dishes, there’s really something for everyone.

Overall, Seasons 52 is a great go-to spot in Raleigh for reliably good food, attentive service, and a relaxed, easy dining experience.“

“Upon arrival, we were greeted with smiles and seated quickly. We ordered the BERRY GULÉE CREPE and the CHICKEN + "WAFFLES" CREPE, paired with a mimosa flight. Both the fruit and chicken were very fresh. Mimosas were delicious. Our server was very nice and personable as well!“

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

“This was my first visit to the Raleigh location on May 28, 2025 with two out of town guests. three diff dishes were ordered..brisket, St. Louis rubbed ribs and burnt ends. The brisket and burnt ends were amazing. The ribs however were dry and tough. The meat certainly did not fall off the bone. I would not recommend the ribs based on this experience.“

“Don't believe the photo that comes up on the tripadvisor page. When I visited in April 2025, they closed at 5:00 Mon-Thurs, not 8:00. Their website has the correct hours. I had the fried chicken lunch special. It came with two sides and two slices of garlic toast. $9.99. The chicken was juicy and the breading had great flavor. The mac and cheese side was creamy and delish. The broccoli and cauliflower side needed salt and pepper. Nice sized portions for the sides. The garlic bread could use more garlic flavoring. Some patrons at my place of employment told me that they come here several times a week for lunch. The staff is very friendly, even towards me, a newcomer. They seemed to know everyone else in the restaurant. Lots of regulars, which is a good sign.“

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

“Service was impeccable. Our server (Ben, I think) was very attentive and informative.
Food was phenomenal. Portion sizes were ample to allow for 2 meals! Prepared and cooked to perfection-- filet was thick & tender & cooked just right. The cajon ribeye special was unbelievably spiced-like no other.“

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

“Great family breakfast spot. Can’t eat enough bacon. Thanks Lathaniel for being a wonderful server!“

“Great hand crafted cocktails with small bite food options“

“We were there last night with our soccer team so it was around 40 people. They sat us in the tent area and Christian was our server/bartender. He did AMAZING!!!!!!! We were all shocked how he was so efficient and fast with serving that many people. He made great drinks too!!!“

“Great view of Raleigh skyline. Fun, inventive food menu. Friendly service. I'd go again.
Edit: we did go again with a large party and we all had such a great night between the delicious food, attentive service, and spectacular sunset.“

“The Angus Barn is a special and beautiful place. We have been celebrating special occasions there do many years. We were there on Saturday evening and had Melissa. She was a wonderful waitress and made us all feel very special. Especially the birthday lady! Thank you all for always being so accommodating! We love the Angus Barn.“

“Drinks were delicious, but the wagyu skewers were very disappointing. It must’ve been from a chuck cut or something because even though they were cooked perfectly (medium rare) they were still super chewy - where as I expected them to melt in my mouth from the cook temp and the fact they were Wagyu! Definitely wouldn’t order those again.
Toni on the other hand was a fantastic server! He had great recommendations for drinks and dessert. The pecan pie with caramel ice cream would be worth coming back for alone. That is a dessert that I’ll be thinking about for years to come, and has certainly set the bar for pecan pies! Absolutely delicious.
Vibes were great, ambiance was enjoyable for a date nigh. I’d definitely go back again but probably just for drinks and dessert. Definitely hope we get Toni again!“

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

“Noise level was actually so loud it was uncomfortable when we first arrived. There were a couple of large table groups that were definitely contributing to this. Once one table left it got better. Our ribs were delicious but our baked potato was lukewarm and under cooked. We also tried the new dessert and unfortunately that was not warmed enough but it was still very good.“

“Bad Daddy’s catering was an absolute success for our company picnic (70 guests)! The food was exceptional—the burgers had an incredible chargrill flavor, the toppings were cooked to perfection, the buns were soft and toasted, and the salad was chopped and dressed just right. The tots were seasoned well, and the chips paired with the variety of sauce options were a massive hit.

The catering trays were easy to transport, and the food stayed warm. Everything was clearly labeled, and they provided all the necessary tools and cutlery for a seamless event. The pricing was very reasonable, and the staff was helpful—they communicated clearly and went above and beyond to help us execute a great lunch.

Thank you so much!“

“I had brunch here with friends and everything was wonderful! The food was well seasoned and the portions are quite generous. Friendly service as well.“

“I have always had a great experience at First Watch 💓 So refreshing to see excellent customer service on display and a priority! Food was delicious and served quickly ✨ This is definitely our go to restaurant when we have guests in town 😍 Thanks First Watch!“

“Delicious food, and super friendly staff!!“

“Great little bistro in the hotel, super convenient as I was traveling for work and loved not having to run out every night for a quick dinner! Starbucks coffee (limited selection) was perfect to grab on my way out every morning. I had the most interaction with the manager and Sonja, the evening bartender/cook, and they were just the best!“

“I was running 30 mins late for my reservation, called in, no problem to postpone. The staff were amazing, so friendly and were very helpful with menu choices. The food was unbelievable! My only regret was that I couldn’t eat anymore! Just make a reservation well ahead of time to be seated at a table, otherwise sitting at the bar is the next option. We ordered the Risotto and the crab cakes! Both delicious and ended sharing a slice of cheesecake! 5 stars plus to this incredible vegan restaurant.“

“Lunch food is great but the servings are meager.“

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

“Super tasty and the staff was on point! Highly recommended!“

“The food is amazing! Though I haven’t tried every yet👀 I’m sure it won’t disappoint!“

“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.“