Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

4.7

2699 Reviews

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Romantic
Good for special occasions
Innovative

Located in downtown Raleigh’s historic Victorian Dodd-Hinsdale House (circa 1879), Second Empire combines history, atmosphere, exceptional service and gourmet cuisine for an unforgettable dining experience. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features our award winning Contemporary American Cuisine in two dining atmospheres. Upstairs enjoy the ultimate dining experience in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of charm and grace. Downstairs in the Tavern and beautiful Atrium room enjoy a more casual environment. The Capitol Room, Raleigh Room, Pine Room and Atrium Room are available for private parties seating up to 50 people or various combinations of rooms for parties up to 300 people. Second Empire is very proud to be the recipient of the DiRoNA Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America), the AAA Four Diamond Award (Raleigh’s only restaurant with this award) and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1998.

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Additional information

Dining style
Fine Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Southern, French
Hours of operation
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Please note under special requests if you prefer tavern/ atrium seating instead of the formal main dining room.
Phone number
(919) 829-3663
Website
http://www.second-empire.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Daniel Schurr
Private party facilities
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers four private dining rooms for day or evening receptions and/or dining. We offer our Pine Room which seats 40 people, the Raleigh Room which seats 25 people, the Capitol Room which seats 25 people and the Atrium which seats 50 people.
Private party contact
Nicolle Roberts: (919) 829-3663

Location
330 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Cross street
Harrington St./ Edenton St.
Parking details
Parking is available on the surrounding streets & our private lot in the rear of the Restaurant. Additional parking is also located behind the Restaurant in the Reynolds Building parking lot. <br />There is a public parking lot across from Second Empire on Hillsborough Street owned by the City of Raleigh & is available for parking, however, there is a $3.00 parking fee that must be paid online. If you do not pay you will be towed.
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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Warm Springer Farms Georgia Chicken Ballotine$13.00
foie gras & smoked mushroom mousseline, parsnip puree, roasted pear salad, rutabaga, blue cheese, ginger & golden raisin vinaigrette
Second Empire Cioppino$15.00
crispy herb cracker, clams, sea scallops, octopus, mussels, plum tomatoes, smoked collards, corona beans, garlic white wine broth
Harrington Autumn Salad$13.00
local blue sky farms lettuce, baby arugula, mandarin oranges, sunflower seeds, dried cherries, black pepper & blue cheese dressing
Crispy "Pepsi-Cola" Braised Beeler Farms Pork Belly$14.00
creamy ricotta & toasted pine nut polenta, smoked collard greens, cauliflower & dried cherry slaw, ancho chili mole sauce
Pan Roasted Madagascar King Prawns$17.00
mung bean & charred radicchio, sautéed bok choy, seaweed, hominy, roasted carrot & coconut curry jus
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cider braised French green lentils & oyster mushrooms, wilted spinach, turnip puree, red grape fennel salad, caramelized prune sauce
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curly leaf lettuce, red haze leaf, frisée, radicchio, belgian endive, red oak, fenberg, dill, shallot dijon vinaigrette
Point Judith Rhode Island Crispy Calamari$12.00
lightly seasoned cornmeal flour, zingy mayo dipping sauce
Classic "330" French Onion Soup$12.00
caramelized spanish onions, gruyere cheese, toasted herb croutons, rich broth

Entrées

Grilled Icelandic Char$26.00
toasted farro & butternut squash, napa cabbage, muhammara puree, walnuts, green apple salad, balsamic & grain mustard sauce
Grilled Black Angus Beef Filet*$48.00
butternut squash puree, country style collards, bacon, hominy ragout, roasted asparagus, fennel rutabaga slaw, dried cherry port wine jus
Roasted Springer Farm's Chicken Breast$24.00
creamy roasted poblano & golden raisin, harissa broccolini, celery root & blue cheese slaw, cinnamon & apple ancho chili jus
Grilled Harissa Seasoned Barramundi$26.00
braised sweet & sour red cabbage, chorizo flavored basmati rice, asian eggplant, haricot verts, butternut squash & lemongrass sauce
Empire Seafood Paella$26.00
steamed mussels, scallops, seasonal fish, shrimp, saffron rice, chicken, chorizo sausage, stagianato cheese, herb fumét
Roasted Five Spice Pennsylvania Duck Breast*$29.00
ginger molasses roasted sweet potatoes, braised napa cabbage, creamy leeks, chestnut mushrooms, juniper berry red wine sauce
Pan Roasted New Bedford Sea Scallops$27.00
creamy green olive & saffron risotto, roasted local mushrooms, braised savoy cabbage, pan roasted cauliflower, autumn red wine jus
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savory brioche & ricotta bread pudding, cauliflower, garlicky escarole, rutabaga puree, butternut squash compote, grain mustard cream sauce
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cannellini bean & sundried tomato ragout, collard greens, turnip puree, fennel & mozzarella salad, caper & red bell pepper jus
Braised Mississippi Rabbit & Tasso Ham Pasta$23.00
bucatini pasta, zucchini, cherry tomatoes, spinach, local mushrooms, broccolini, black eyed peas, rosemary cream sauce
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crispy bacon & horseradish fingerling potato mash, garlicky spinach, creamy root vegetables, tomato confit, roasted cremini mushroom caper jus

What 2,699 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7

4.7 based on all time ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
2Value

Noise • Moderate

2,699 Reviews

HM
HusamM
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Reviewed on January 7, 2020
1. Overall 5
Love it great place great food great service. We have been to this restaurant few times and enjoyed it every time
Is this helpful?
SA
SAAB
Raleigh
20 reviews
5.0
20 reviews
Reviewed on January 2, 2020
1. Overall 5
One of the finest restaurants in NC. A must for foodies and romantics alike.
Is this helpful?
CP
CharlesP
Raleigh
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Reviewed on December 23, 2019
1. Overall 5
Perfect night, perfect food, perfect service. Need I say more?
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SC
SeannC
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Reviewed on December 23, 2019
1. Overall 5
A wonderful spot for a fancy dinner out on the town. The basement is a bit more casual, but still a worthy option.
Is this helpful?
VC
VickyC
San Francisco
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Reviewed on December 6, 2019
1. Overall 5
One restaurant for special occasions! If you really want the whole cozy seating, classy atmosphere combined with magnificent food, go the the Second Empire. The sauces are magnificent
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G
Grubman
Raleigh
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Reviewed on November 28, 2019
1. Overall 5
Cool old building with choice of tavern downstairs for less formal.
Is this helpful?
HG
HaleyG
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Reviewed on November 11, 2019
1. Overall 5
One fo my all time favorite restaurants. We've done family dinners, anniversary dinners, and more at Second Empire, and it is SUCH a favorite.
Is this helpful?
AD
AliceD
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Reviewed on November 3, 2019
1. Overall 5
I consider Second Empire Raleigh's premier restaurant for fine dining.
Is this helpful?
CR
ClaireR
Raleigh
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Reviewed on November 3, 2019
1. Overall 4
Great food and ambiance for a formal dinner but it is very pricey.
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ES
ElenorS
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Reviewed on October 14, 2019
1. Overall 5
First class experience. Excellent service, food, and atmosphere.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is rated 4.7 stars by 2699 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

Is this your restaurant?

Claim this listing

Google Map for Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

330 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603

Additional information

Cross street
Harrington St./ Edenton St.
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Hours of operation
Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Please note under special requests if you prefer tavern/ atrium seating instead of the formal main dining room.
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Southern, French
Dining style
Fine Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Parking is available on the surrounding streets & our private lot in the rear of the Restaurant. Additional parking is also located behind the Restaurant in the Reynolds Building parking lot. <br />There is a public parking lot across from Second Empire on Hillsborough Street owned by the City of Raleigh & is available for parking, however, there is a $3.00 parking fee that must be paid online. If you do not pay you will be towed.
Payment options
AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Daniel Schurr
Additional
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.second-empire.com/
Phone number
(919) 829-3663
Private party facilities
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers four private dining rooms for day or evening receptions and/or dining. We offer our Pine Room which seats 40 people, the Raleigh Room which seats 25 people, the Capitol Room which seats 25 people and the Atrium which seats 50 people.
Private party contact
Nicolle Roberts: (919) 829-3663

Featured in

90 Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

Not available on OpenTable

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Featured in

90 Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Menu

First Courses

Chilean Verlasso Salmon Gravlax Carpaccio*$14.00

Warm Springer Farms Georgia Chicken Ballotine$13.00

Second Empire Cioppino$15.00

Harrington Autumn Salad$13.00

Crispy "Pepsi-Cola" Braised Beeler Farms Pork Belly$14.00

Pan Roasted Madagascar King Prawns$17.00

Sautéed Crispy Veal Sweetbreads$16.00

Empire Baby Mesclun Salad$12.00

Point Judith Rhode Island Crispy Calamari$12.00

Classic "330" French Onion Soup$12.00

Entrées

Grilled Icelandic Char$26.00

Grilled Black Angus Beef Filet*$48.00

Roasted Springer Farm's Chicken Breast$24.00

Grilled Harissa Seasoned Barramundi$26.00

Empire Seafood Paella$26.00

Roasted Five Spice Pennsylvania Duck Breast*$29.00

Pan Roasted New Bedford Sea Scallops$27.00

Grilled Australian Lamb Rack*$35.00

Grilled Citrus & Za'tar Seasoned Swordfish$25.00

Braised Mississippi Rabbit & Tasso Ham Pasta$23.00

Grilled Canadian Veal Strip Loin$38.00

What 2,699 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

How is Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern restaurant rated?

Is Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern currently accepting reservations?

Not available on OpenTable

Additional information

Featured in

90 Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day