50 Best American Restaurants in Raleigh

“Ok Soooooo…I had to come again to celebrate my 42nd birthday! Send the hallelujah choir, a tambourine, and a drum roll please to…Poole’s. Wanna know what the drink and other dish is? 1. Take the pic with you 2. Show it to the bar 3. Enjoy!

Parking: Parking can be a little tricky but what do you expect! It’s downtown! Just park and eat!“

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

“This place is a personal favorite of mine. A true hidden gem, sorta. I really don't want to leave a review. Because then it gets busier. I have nothing but great things to say. The food is always amazing. The staff is friendly, quick and always smiling. Outdoor seating. But good luck on a gorgeous day. I should add plenty of indoor seating too. They aren't a pizza place, honestly they are my top 3 in Raleigh for their meaty or ite. Having said that EVERYTHING is great. I have never had a bad meal here. Now I'm hungry again. Time to go there.“

“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.“

“In Raleigh for a college tour and we wanted a simple restaurant to try out for dinner and obviously we checked out the reviews for restaurants in the area. Me being a fan of Chicken and Waffles, I said say less. We arrived at the restaurant and were quickly seated, got our menus and unfortunately, we waited. On the night we visited, it seems that there was only one waitress but she did the best she could.

We placed our orders and considering the staff shortage, our food came out in decent time. I ordered the Chicken and Waffles which can be customized with breasts, wings, thighs or drumsticks. I was pleasantly surprised with the flavor of the chicken; my only complaint was the chicken breast was too greasy and had an oily aftertaste. The waffle was delicious, well made and perfect.

One interesting thing that happened that caught me off guard was my daughter ask if she could have some extra sauce for her chicken sandwich and the guy quickly says that’ll be an extra charge. There wasn’t that much sauce in the first place but whatever. We paid extra ? The atmosphere was quiet and the decor was decent. I could see myself coming back in the future but realistically, I’d probably try another 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!!“

“the food was awesome, we had ribs, brisket, pulled pork, nachos, wrapped jalapeños, and the best wings ever. the Habenero sauce was not hot, it had just the right heat to it and the Buffalo sauce was amazing. Great service, we never had to flag down our waitress. Great job“

“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!“

“A swanky & tasty place for brunch. They had their own unique stamp on everything, from the steak & eggs to the chairs, & silverware.“

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

“Romantic 32nd anniversary. Cocktails, dinner and service were perfecto.“

“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!“

“Great place to bring a group. Vibrant atmosphere and easily shareable plates. All the food is amazing — you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Highly recommend. No reservations — arrive earlier than you’d like to eat to get your name on the list.“

“This was the best breakfast place. We got the bang bang shrimp and grits, the tomato soup, grilled cheese and French toast for the kids. Everything came out fresh and very flavorful . Our server was Matthew . He was very attentive with the kids and always checked on us.“

“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.“

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

“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“

“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.“

“A fun outdoor (or indoor) place to grab a beer and a snack with friends. Great beer from LBC and good food. What else can you ask for.“

“Great service, cocktails and food!“

“The food & service were excellent.“

“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.“

“Had a light dinner with friends at this restaurant. The buffalo chicken wrap was delicious. My friends enjoyed their burgers. The atmosphere was pleasant enough, but be advised that seating at their booths is a little tight. The boots are kind of short--lengthwise, so be prepared to sit kind of close to the person next to you if you are seated at a booth.“

“Stopped here for a beer after running Thanksgiving Eve errands. Definitely a gathering place. Some groups were meeting after work, others were meeting before the Canes game.
Definitely a change over from groups meeting for drinks after work to group going out for the evening. But always a cool vibe.“

“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.“

“Went today for the first time with a friend around 11AM. They were at the end of their breakfast rush so we had to wait about 15 minutes for a table. Friendly, hardworking staff. I had an omelet and my friend had a philly both were delicious. All the food was fresh and it was very reasonably priced. I will definitely be back soon!“

“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 strawberry shortcake was so moist and delicious. I wish their business hours weren't so limited because I would definitely return.“

“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 had a nice time at Village Draft House today. They have indoor and outdoor seating. When we arrived it wasn't crowded, they had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating.

Our service/server was good. He was at the table when we needed him, and took our order in a timely manner.

The food was good... I got the Adult Bacon Grilled Cheese. It had good flavors and the bacon was cooked nicely. My wife ordered the Turkey Avocado Sandwich. She ordered the bacon very well done and they did a good job of cooking it to her liking. The downside is there was only one piece of bacon on the sandwich. For the size of the sandwiches, I would have expected another slice or (preferably) two of bacon. The portion sizes of the meals are good.

The atmosphere is nice, what you would expect from a "draft house".

A couple places on the menu tell you to check the chalkboards for the daily specials. The problem is the chalkboards aren't in the best location to easily see them.

Overall we had a good experience and would most likely go back again.“

“I highly recommend, friendly staff and excellent service. Worth every plenty and more. I will support everytime. First time grabbing food from this spot and I am amazed at the taste!!“

“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.“

“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!!!!“

“Awesome place! Love Ryan!“

“The food and preparation arealways on point, and the cocktails are easily some of the best in the city. The restaurant is always full, but never feels crowded. Every course and every visit is truly something to look forward to.“

“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 .. ?????“

“We had 5 in our group and our waitress was so attentive to all our needs. She was very sweet and friendly. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was cozy. I'd recommend to anyone wanting healthy food at reasonable prices served by caring waitresses.“

“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.“

“As a person who does not eat red meat, there are plenty of options to choose from. I chose the pesto chicken flatbread, roasted Brussel sprouts, crab cakes, and chicken skewer. The only thing i didn't like was the chicken skewer was just a chicken breast with nothing else. I asked the waiter about it, and she was really no help. The waiter we had was not attentive. She kept forgetting our drinks orders.“

“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.“

“My stay at this Marriott was the most fun with some of the highest vibes from all spectrums of the light. Maria Botros took care of my energy by being a powerful beautiful soul which is her and by blessing everyone around her by being herself. You don't meet many strangers like her, but she is truly a special soul and is protected by the highest source. I wish for all the guest to enjoy their stay and have a 5/5 stay like myself .“

“Solid food with a great atmosphere. The restaurant really captures the rich culture, history, and personal attachment that fans have with the state college. The ambiance is definitely the best part, as it is a sports bar at its base, but it's really cool to see the attachment and local support surrounding NC State and their sports. Wish the service was a little quicker but I can hardly complain as I went during one of their busiest times. Overall, you can't miss this spot, you'll constantly find something new on the walls that you missed the last time“

“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.“

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

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