The most romantic restaurants in Raleigh, often dimly lit and suspiciously well-scented, offer the perfect backdrop for shared glances, whispered nothings, and the awkward fumble for the check. Whether you’re hoping to kindle a new flame or merely prevent an existing one from flickering out entirely, this guide to Raleigh’s most romantic eateries may prove useful.
Most Romantic Restaurants in Raleigh
Raleigh’s most romantic restaurants might just provide the backdrop for a transcendent love connection. Or, at the very least, a decent meal. One never truly knows what the evening holds, does one?
Godspeed, and try not to spill anything on your good shirt.
Ajja
209 Bickett Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27608
Ajja is lively, beautiful, vibrantly decorated restaurant serving Mediterranean and Middle Eastern inspired food and fantastic cocktails. Get a reservation and sit on the cozy heated patio if you can.
Try:
- You won’t be disappointed with anything on the menu but I’m an especially big fan of the warm squash dip, creamed feta, warm Moroccan hummus, and king trumpet mushrooms.
Barcelona Wine Bar
430 W Martin St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Barcelona is a friendly tapas restaurant chain where vibrant flavors and warm hospitality transport you to the heart of Spain. There’s nothing like fighting over the croqueta to put one in the mood for romance.
Try:
- Bone marrow, jamon & manchego croquetas, piquillos rellenos, and beef short rib.
Brodeto
2201 Iron Works Dr suite 137, Raleigh, NC 27604
Brodeto specializes in delectable seafood dishes inspired by the culinary traditions of Southern Italy and Croatia, offering a refined dining experience in a relaxed yet upscale setting.
Try:
- Razor clams, amberjack, whipped ricotta, sardine toast, little gem hearts, brodeto, whole roasted branzino,…
Bella Monica
3121 Edwards Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27612
Bella Monica offers a variety of dishes that might be found on the sun-drenched shores of Italy, or perhaps in a trattoria tucked away on a cobblestone street. One can reasonably expect pasta and likely other culinary creations involving tomatoes, cheese, and perhaps even some meat. The vibe here is cozy and inviting, without being overly fancy or pretentious.
Try:
- Anything with Nana’s Gravy.
Caffe Luna
136 E Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Caffe Luna offers a culinary journey through Italy, from the simplest of antipasti to the most elaborate of entrees. The restaurant’s warm and inviting atmosphere, adorned with artistic touches, creates a perfect setting for a romantic meal or a spirited gathering.
Try:
- Linguine fra diavolo, rigatoni con pollo alla panna, or fiocchi.
Crawford and Son
618 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
Crawford and Son is a neighborhood restaurant pumping out decadent versions of home cooked classics. Their drink menu isn’t huge but does include what I believe are some of the best mocktails in Raleigh.
Try:
- Bone marrow beef tartare, short rib bolognese, manchego herb biscuits, grilled short ribs, and any cocktail or mocktail on the menu.
Death and Taxes
105 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601
Death and Taxes serves inventive modern dishes cooked over a wood fire in a classy restaurant with an open kitchen. Get a reservation of show up when the open and hope the fire and love gods are on your side.
Try:
- Grilled golden beets, seeded sourdough bread, roasted NC oysters, and the steak or pork chop if they have it!
East End Bistrot
2020 Progress Ct suite 110, Raleigh, NC 27608
East End Bistrot is an upscale French bistro where you can expect excellent food and excellent service.
Try:
- I haven’t been here yet, but I’m looking at Ceasar salad followed by the prime true ribeye or ora king salmon, and the guava-vanilla bean cheesecake.
Figulina
317 S Harrington St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Figulina is dedicated to the culinary art of pasta. They craft various shapes and sizes of pasta, which they then combine with sauces and other ingredients to create dishes that are more than fit for consumption. They also offer a small selection of other Italian-inspired fare along with drinks and desserts. Figulina is a place where one might go to enjoy a meal, either with a companion or in quiet contemplation of the intricacies of noodle-making.
Try:
- Market lettuces and the mafaldine.
Flour & Barrel
400 W North St Suite 120, Raleigh, NC 27603
Flour & Barrel is a celebration of flour and its transformative properties. It embraces rustic Italian small plates, think: focaccia sandwiches, deconstructed lasagna, various meatballs, and chicken dishes, all made in a clever zero-waste kitchen. The beverage director has crafted a barrel-aged cocktail list (bourbon, mezcal!), in addition to beers brewed onsite.
Try:
- A big ass meatball, the radiatore, the chicken parmesan.
Hummingbird
1053 E Whitaker Mill Rd STE 111, Raleigh, NC 27604
Hummingbird is a New American eatery with a dash of New Orleans panache. Picture a haven of tranquility, a tapestry woven from warmth and intimacy, where patio seating beckons you to bask in the Carolina sunshine. Their craft cocktails, mixed with the utmost care and a dash of whimsy, are voodoo potions of joy that will transport you to a state of pure bliss.
Try:
- Smoked deviled eggs, charbroiled oysters, gumbo, and a peacemaker po’boy. And a cocktail!
Hummingbird is also a popular brunch spot. More of Raleigh’s best brunch spots here.
Jolie
620 N Person St, Raleigh, NC 27604
Jolie is a lively fine dining French restaurant by acclaimed chef Scott Crawford. Go for the classic French dishes and modern adaptations; stay for the beverages.
Try:
- Steak tartare, escargot, steak frites, and a cocktail.
La Terrazza
223 S West St 9th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27603
La Terrazza offers Mediterranean and Southern Italian dishes and a ridiculous wine selection on the Dillon Rooftop. Look for floor-to-ceiling glass walls showcasing the skyline of downtown Raleigh, and an outdoor bar.
Try:
- Caesar salad, polpo, arancini, pasta of your choice, and creme brulee.
Madre
518 N West St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Madre is a sophisticated small plates spot in Smokey Hollow. There are a number of gluten free and vegan options available in case your date has dietary restrictions. In which case, you won’t have to share your Calabrian chicken.
Try:
- Salchipapas and Calabrian chicken are the two dishes I can confirm are delicious.
Mulino
309 N Dawson St #1313, Raleigh, NC 27603
Housed within a stylish reclaimed mill, Mulino provides elevated Italian plates and a curated selection of wines. The warm and inviting atmosphere, combined with the intriguing culinary offerings, makes Mulino a captivating destination for those seeking a taste of Italy.
Try:
- Tagliatelle, lamb, vanilla crème brûlée. The pizzas are delectable too!
RH Rooftop Restaurant Raleigh
4120 Lassiter Mill Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609
At the Restoration Hardware Rooftop Restaurant, you’ll find a collection of furniture that appears to be trying very hard to be elegant, and a menu with dishes that sound equally ambitious. Picture olive trees, bathed in light from a skylight, chandeliers sparkling like captured stars, and a fountain gurgling in the center of it all. Look for a curated selection of wines and champagnes to go with your meal.
Try:
- I haven’t been here yet, but I’m looking at the lobster roll, and then saving room for the caramelized banana split and butterscotch brulee.
Second Empire
330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603
Second Empire is a place where one can enjoy a questionably scrumptious meal in a setting that whispers of history and elegance. They serve up contemporary American cuisine, which is a fancy way of saying they take delicious, fresh ingredients and turn them into culinary masterpieces. And, of course, there’s an extensive wine list to complement your meal. It’s the kind of place you’d go for a celebratory dinner or a romantic evening. The service is impeccable, attentive without being intrusive. You’ll feel like a guest of honor – just remember to make a reservation.
Try:
- The Empire seafood paella, the roasted Australian lamb rack, the roasted Pennsylvania duck breast, and the Empire chocolate souffle keep people returning over and over.
St. Roch
223 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601
St. Roch is just a delightful establishment where one can acquire oysters and New Orleans-inspired dishes. The restaurant has a full bar, and it offers a variety of cocktails, beer, and wine. St. Roch is a place where families gather to enjoy a pleasant meal, friends meet to share a laugh, and couples… well, couples do whatever couples do in restaurants.
Try:
- Oysters, pimento cheese snack, crispy frog legs, gumbo, and ‘gator Bolognese.
Tuscan Blu
327 W Davie St #108, Raleigh, NC 27601
Tuscan Blu is an Italian restaurant is located in a building that was once a train depot. The restaurant features a menu of classic Italian dishes, with a focus on fresh, local ingredients, where the air is filled with the aroma of garlic and tomatoes. This is the kind of restaurant where anything could occur. Perhaps a waiter will trip over a rug, or maybe a couple will get engaged.
Try:
- Caprese, fiocchi, and traditional New York cheesecake.
Vidrio
500 Glenwood Ave #100, Raleigh, NC 27603
Dine in a stylish atmosphere featuring dramatic decor at Vidrio. Enjoy exquisite Mediterranean fare and creative cocktails. Reservations recommended.
Try:
- Artisanal bread, Moroccan beef skewers, fresh fettuccine hanger steak, fig and blue cheese flatbread.
Where do you go for a romantic dinner in Raleigh?
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