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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Raleigh

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18 restaurants available nearby

A photo of RH Rooftop Restaurant Raleigh restaurant
1. RH Rooftop Restaurant Raleigh
new
4.7
Exceptional(51)
Price: Very Expensive
• American • Raleigh
Booked 112 times today
The RH Rooftop Restaurant is located on the third floor of RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills. Enjoy a menu of enduring classics and signature dishes, along with a curated selection of Champagnes and wines. Dine in a year-round skylit garden escape with heritage olive trees, sparkling chandeliers and a cascading, cast-stone center fountain.
A photo of Mandolin restaurant
2. Mandolin
4.5
Awesome(2805)
Price: Moderate
• Southern • Raleigh
Booked 27 times today
Mandolin is a breath of fresh air to the Raleigh dining scene, combining a casual atmosphere with fresh, contemporary, Southern fare. Mandolin uses the highest quality local ingredients to create seasonal menus that resonate with foodies and casual diners, alike. We share our food in a relaxed, cozy atmosphere that replaces the stuffiness of fine-dining with Southern charm. The menu and ambiance reflect the character of Raleigh itself- a blend of rustic and refined, contemporary and traditional, rural and metropolitan. Mandolin, like the City of Oaks, is Southern at its roots, but draws influences from around the world. We love our new home in Hayes Barton, just a stone's throw from Five Points, on the corner of Oberlin and Fairview.
A photo of The Pit Authentic BBQ restaurant
3. The Pit Authentic BBQ
4.4
Awesome(5735)
Price: Moderate
• Southern • Raleigh
Booked 33 times today
Servin’ everything but the squeal! The Pit Authentic Barbecue is home to world-famous tangy Eastern NC whole-hog, pit-cooked barbecue. Located in the Warehouse District, we source premium AWA-certified hogs to cook low and slow for twelve hours. All of our spirits have been handpicked to enhance the smoked and sometimes spicy fare cooked off the pit, from beer to bourbon.Last but not least, we serve up a good time at unique private dining events. Our contemporary setting in a restored 1930s meatpacking warehouse is the perfect spot for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and more. Check out the link below for details!
A photo of Element Gastropub restaurant
4. Element Gastropub
4.1
Excellent(406)
Price: Moderate
• Unspecified • Raleigh
Booked 13 times today
Element: the simplest principal of a subject. Here at Element, we believe that sharing quality food and drink is the simplest and best way to create memories and cultivate friendships. Nestled in the great City of Oaks, Element is here to showcase that a plant-based meal can be delicious to both omnivores and vegan foodies alike.
A photo of Sitti restaurant
5. Sitti
4.6
Exceptional(3287)
Price: Moderate
• Mediterranean • Raleigh
Booked 35 times today
Honoring Lebanese tradition through authentic cuisine. Sitti is a heartfelt tribute to the grandmothers, or sittis, the revered guardians of Lebanese culture, faith, and culinary heritage. Nestled in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Sitti breathes life into the rich traditions of Lebanon, honoring our ancestors by offering guests an unforgettable experience filled with mouthwatering dishes and exceptional hospitality.If you seek an outdoor escape, we offer seating in our courtyard. This space is also available for Private Dining experiences.
A photo of The Willard restaurant
6. The Willard
4.4
Awesome(571)
Price: Moderate
• Cocktail Bar • Raleigh
Booked 11 times today
The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh's Best Rooftop Bar of 2022 & 2023, offers signature craft cocktails and inspired bites with stunning views of downtown Raleigh. The centerpiece of The Willard is the Large Terrace with panoramic views of the Raleigh skyline and dual-sided fireplace surrounded by comfortable, yet modern, seating. Heaters make our outdoor spaces comfortable year-round. Inside, a 22-seat bar is the focal point of the dining room, while Skyview Boardroom offers a unique dining experience for 6-12 guests.The Willard’s cocktail menu playfully leans into Raleigh’s nickname as the City of Oaks, offering signature craft cocktails aged in oak barrels and cocktails where smoke is a key ingredient. The seasonal food menu, crafted by Chef Kyle Teears, includes shareables like papas bravas and charcuterie, as well as salads, Flatbreads, and entrees like Cherokee Trout and Steak Frites.Located on the 7th floor of the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown in the Glenwood South district.
A photo of Bella Monica restaurant
7. Bella Monica
4.8
Exceptional(3604)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Raleigh
Booked 31 times today
Benvenuto! Opened August 2000, chef/ owner Corbett Monica and his wife, Julie, created this trattoria as an extension of his Nanas dinner table. A place where the neighborhood gathers to dine and enjoy life. Guests become family at our tables, enjoying recipes handed down from our grandparents. Following tradition, we make our sauce with San Marzano tomatoes and use only the freshest ingredients available, just like Nana. Our gravy is so good that we eat it like soup! Neapolitan menu, thin-crust Flatbread pizzas, Pasta, NC Seafood, Chicken, Local Pork. Without a doubt, the best cannoli you will ever taste! Our wine list features all Italian, hard-to-find selections that are a perfect match for our Pasta and Flatbreads. Wine Spectator 2007-2024. Local art is on our walls and we play a great upbeat music mix. We welcome you to our business, our culture, our family. It is an honor and pleasure to cook for you. Please enjoy our food and the company you share at our table. Mangia bene!
A photo of Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Raleigh restaurant
8. Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Raleigh
4.8
Exceptional(401)
Price: Moderate
• Indian • Raleigh
Booked 23 times today
Rated as the # 1 Indian Restaurant in Triangle, Lime & Lemon Indian Grill offers an immersive dining experience with exquisite dishes that will take you on a journey through India's many regions, traditions and festivals. We meticulously curate using only the best ingredients to create dishes that are authentic, unsurpassed, and timeless. All this in an ultra-modern setting to ensure your dining affair is nothing short of perfect. Featured in the October 2019 edition of News & Observer and received a 4 out of 5 star rating. It has been consistently voted as one of the Top 10 Ethnic restaurants and has also been recognized as the Best Indian Restaurant in the Triangle for 2019, 2020 and 2021.
A photo of Station At Person Street restaurant
9. Station At Person Street
3.9
Excellent(83)
Price: Moderate
• American • Raleigh
A corner bar and restaurant nestled on the edge of Raleigh’s Historic Oakwood neighborhood, blending amongst the residential streets like a refuge. In the location that originally served as an Amoco gas station- The Station pays tribute to Raleigh’s rich past as well as present.A cozy, rustic, watering-hole inviting you to hobnob and toast one another over a bucket of suds, a locally crafted brew or an artisinal cocktail. Creative, insightful takes on classic dishes that have been hand-crafted to set the tone for comfort. A place to linger. This is The Station. Welcome home, neighbor. The Station offers a “third space” that is uniquely Raleigh. Spacious outdoor and indoor dining areas, adorned with wood and metal, offer a range of accommodations for our friends.
A photo of Northside Bistro & Cocktails restaurant
10. Northside Bistro & Cocktails
4.9
Exceptional(1161)
Price: Expensive
• Bistro • Raleigh
Booked 37 times today
Welcome to NorthsideAn upscale neighborhood bistro, with a refined New American style. Whether you're a first-timer or one of our regulars, you'll love the unmatched ambiance and our innovative cocktails that fuels a bustling dining and bar scene.

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Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Raleigh

Discover the culinary gems of Raleigh, Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill that are truly "worth the drive." This selection showcases restaurants that stand out for their exceptional food, superior service, and inviting ambiance. Each venue offers a unique dining experience, highlighting everything from wood-fired grills to fresh, seasonal menus, and authentic Italian cuisine. The common thread among these establishments is their commitment to quality and a memorable dining experience, ensuring every visit is special. Raleigh itself is renowned for a vibrant dining scene that caters to a variety of tastes and preferences, making it a prime destination for food enthusiasts. Whether you're in the mood for seafood, Italian, or a bistro-style meal, these restaurants promise an enjoyable outing with consistently great reviews. Ideal for both special occasions and casual outings, each restaurant listed is a testament to the rich culinary culture of the Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill area.

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