Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

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!

My husband and I were traveling to Raleigh and booked a reservation at this restaurant a day or two before. During our travel they tried to call me to confirm our reservation, and we could not answer- because we were traveling. They ‘unconfirmed’ our reservation, but we would have been there. We had no desire to reconfirm, and ended up going somewhere else that didn’t treat us that way.

Seriously one of the best restaurants in Raleigh, N.C., this is a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. There’s a rich history behind this restaurant, and the chef takes great pride in his cooking and establishment. Although there is no official dress code, it’s recommended to wear at least business casual attire—avoid showing up in jeans and sneakers.

Our waiter, Sam, was phenomenal and well-spoken, and I appreciated the history of the house that was shared with us. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about both the history of the venue and the menu, enhancing the dining experience. The food is cooked to perfection and beautifully plated.

Give yourself enough time to enjoy all the courses; plan for 2-3 hours. Everything is served at a relaxed pace, from drinks to the first course, entrée, and dessert.

We were seated later than our reservation time and had to wait in the basement, but we believe this was intentional to encourage patrons to enjoy the space and purchase drinks before their meal.

The menu is extremely gluten-free friendly, and the chef makes every effort to accommodate those with allergens.

The setting is perfect for an anniversary or a romantic date night. If you're looking for something more intimate, consider booking the Raleigh or Capital rooms downstairs. The main dining room and atrium are also nice but tend to have a more family or business-oriented atmosphere.

Thank you for a great experience!

Dietary restrictions: Extremely gluten free friendly.

Parking: Private parking lot for patrons.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Empire Seafood Paella, Creme Brulee

Amazing staff and very fair pricing for quality of food

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: French Onion Soup

Awesome night

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pan Roasted New Bedford Sea Scallops, Creme Brulee, Rack of Lamb

The food is incredible!! The chef does an incredible job at designing the perfect plate. It's been our favorite dinner in Raleigh so far. The atmosphere is classic, and the wine selection is great. It's high-end food and with great service.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Risotto, Rack of Lamb, Charcuterie

Had a family dinner and it was fantastic

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

This was a great first experience at Second Empire. The atmosphere was amazing, beautiful artwork and design in this historic home.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Creme Brulee

Spectacular service from Mrs. Destiny!!
Great food and cocktails!
Dessert- amazing.
My husband birthday dinner - memorable!!!

Thank you!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Had a wedding rehearsal dinner there with a party of 20 people and their service and the food were fabulous!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We had a wonderful time here. We started with the Tavern downstairs, then made our way up to our table. The staff was friendly and the food was fantastic. Highly recommend for an upscale dining experience. I didn't have room for the dessert, but I hear it's worth trying. Next time!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Pan Roasted New Bedford Sea Scallops

We went there for a team dinner, and it’s a fantastic spot for group gatherings. The decor is unique, as the restaurant is located in a mansion, which adds to the charm. The food and service were both fabulous. I highly recommend starting with the cheese plate and ending with the chocolate soufflé for dessert.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Empire Chocolate Souffle, Cheese Plate

My wife and I had been wanting to go here for a while, so we went for our 45th anniversary. The house/restaurant was absolutely beautiful! The food was wonderful, as was the fabulous service by our waiter Albert!! We will definitely return, and not just for special occasions.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

*** This restaurant deserves a Michelin Star ***

I’m beyond impressed with this restaurant. The food, service and atmosphere are beyond expectations. I ordered off menu recommendations by our server (S/O to Sam!!) and was jaw dropped. The presentation of the food and quality of service is at and above expectations.

I hope to come back in the future. Thank you to the restaurant for allowing me to celebrate my birthday here.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Creme Brulee

Food and service were excellent. The pork belly dish is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Great anniversary dinner!

Dietary restrictions: Chef has celiac, so it’s a gluten-free heaven. Every entree was safe, there was only one appetizer I couldn’t have, AND they had two real gf desserts! Not just ice cream or sorbet!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5