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Raleigh has plenty of places to dine out, but which are the most popular?
To help get a sense of where customers are flocking to, the reservation website OpenTable studied feedback that more than a half-million customers left online in August. It filtered the reviews by location to determine the top 10 most-booked restaurants in the Raleigh area — which includes Cary.
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As we rounded up the winners, we also gathered insight from restaurant websites, OpenTable and The News & Observer’s past coverage. From a North Hills steakhouse to a downtown Raleigh dim sum spot, here’s a guide to the restaurants that made it onto the list.
Location: 4000 Center at North Hills St., Suite 110 in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday; 3 to 11 p.m. Saturday; 3 to 10 p.m. Sunday
From The N&O: “The restaurant is known for its expansive wine program, pouring wines from across the world stored in metal kegs, not bottles, which Sixty Vines says is more sustainable for the environment.”
From the top review: “Food, service, and ambiance was outstanding ! Server tended to needs but didn’t crowd or make you wait too long …. Was just right! GM was present and visible in the restaurant. Food and drinks were amazing! My only regret is not going SOONER!!! 10/10 would recommend !!!”
Location: 4120 Lassiter Mill Road in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
From The N&O: “You can indulge in a lobster roll topped with caviar and then pop downstairs to buy an Italian modernist sofa. When you think of stores with restaurants, visions of IKEA, Nordstrom and even Costco may come to mind. The new RH is not like those. In this new rooftop restaurant, the glass dining room and pebbled wine terrace seem to mirror the luxury chairs, lamps and beds on the floors below.”
From the top review: “What a beautiful setting for Sunday brunch! The ambience, food and service were excellent!!”
Location: 218 S. Blount St. in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday
From The N&O: “When Brewery Bhavana first opened in 2017, it defied traditional restaurant expectations. It was simultaneously a dim sum restaurant, a brewery taproom, a bookstore and a flower shop. That year the restaurant was named one of Bon Appetit’s best new restaurants in America.”
From the top review: “Amazing food. Beautiful space. Stellar service. Grace was not only personable, but entertaining and appropriately attentive. She gave great recommendations and made us feel special. Thank you Grace! We had a wonderful and memorable experience. We can’t wait to come back!!!!”
Location: 25 Fenton Main St., Suite 150 in Cary
Dinner hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Monday to Friday; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday
From The N&O: “Some of the menu items include Danish barbecue ribs, chicken parmesan, wok bowl recipes, and dozens of burgers, salads and sandwiches. There is also a myriad of craft beers, wine and alcohol with signature cocktails.”
From the top review: “Gorgeous night to sit outside. Max, our waiter was outstanding. Great food (Asian bowls), great drinks. Overall outstanding experience. Looking forward to going back.”
Location: 7307 Tryon Road in Cary
Dinner hours: Closed Mondays until the fall; 3:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday; 3:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday; 3:30 to 8 p.m. Sunday
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From OpenTable: “Lucky 32 Southern Kitchen in Cary features exceptional renderings of classic Southern dishes made with plenty of local ingredients.”
From the top review: “Truly a Southern gem of a restaurant in Cary, NC! The food, service and management are all great. Lucky 32 has become my favorite place to have lunch with friends!”
Location: 4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave. in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Thursday; 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
From OpenTable: “Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is your destination for bold flavors and warm hospitality. From expertly crafted wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood to signature cocktails, mocktails, and curated wines, every detail is designed to deliver an unforgettable dining experience.”
From the top review: “We had a lovely dinner and all in our party enjoyed their food.”
Location: 4509 Creedmoor Road in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday; 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday
From The N&O: “Perry’s opened in 2021 across the street from Crabtree Valley Mall. With that opening it brought a new, opulent kind of steakhouse to the Triangle, with multiple dining rooms, a wide, sleek bar top and steaks served sizzling in butter.”
From the top review: “Exceptional meal and service! It’s was our first time there, but we’ve already decided to be regulars.”
Location: 4242 Six Forks Road in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday
From The N&O: “This North Hills steakhouse serves some of the most serious and enticing cuts of beef in the Triangle. There’s the umami-bomb ribeye that’s been rubbed with mushroom powder and drizzled with balsamic. Or a strip steak done in peppery au poivre style with a cognac cream sauce.”
From the top review: “Joy was great. Dane as usual was a perfect host great evening”
Location: 901 W. Morgan St. in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 4:30 to 10 p.m. Friday to Saturday
From The N&O: “Launched as the city’s first vegetarian restaurant, Irregardless helped established a new standard in the Triangle for seasonal, plant-based eating. And since nearly the beginning, Irregardless has been big on brunch, serving at times a two-page menu of favorite dishes and basic classic cocktails.”
From the top review: “Food and service is consistently excellent!”
Location: 410 Glenwood Ave., Suite 100 in Raleigh
Dinner hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday; 4 to 11 p.m. Friday to Saturday
From The N&O: “Once known as a hot spot for Hurricanes players, for more than two decades Sullivan’s has been Glenwood South’s steakhouse. The steak menu for this national chain with locations as far away as Anchorage includes very large bone-in and dry aged steaks amid more modest boneless New York Strips and ribeyes.”
From the top review: “Michael our waiter was amazing! Overall a nice experience”
Inspired by a story from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in Texas
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