Enjoy a Date Night at One of These 4 Raleigh Fine Dining Restaurants

Eating at a fine dining restaurant is an experience everyone should have. Whether you want to celebrate a birthday, promotion, graduation, or a special date, Raleigh, North Carolina, has many upscale dining options to choose from. Here are four top picks.

1. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

The Second Empire Restaurant in downtown Raleigh is fine dining located within the historic Dodd-Hinsdale House. While the home itself dates back to 1879, Second Empire has offered fine dining to Raleigh residents since 1997. Dishes on the menu include citrus and herb swordfish, grilled Black Angus New York strip steak, steamed Prince Edward Island mussels, and lobster and corn empanadas.

For an extra-special date night, consider making a reservation at the chef’s table. Enjoy a custom-designed menu and wine pairing for dinner. Plus you will have an opportunity to see the kitchen of Second Empire in action.

2. Mandolin

If elevated Southern cuisine is your idea of a perfect date night, reserve a table at Mandolin. Opened by Raleigh native Sean Fowler, Mandolin offers seasonal daily menus with ingredients sourced from local farmers, ranchers, and artisans. Items on the menu include ratatouille salad, chicken and waffles, spring vegetable spaghetti carbonara, and fried summer pickles. Mandolin also serves delicious desserts, like Videri chocolate soufflé and buttermilk pannacotta.

In addition to delicious food, Mandolin has a full drink menu with signature cocktails and unique beers. The restaurant accepts reservations and offers a bar menu with classic dishes like macaroni and cheese and other comfort food favorites.

3. Stanbury

Stanbury in Raleigh’s Oakwood neighborhood combines new American fine dining with a cozy, neighborhood restaurant atmosphere. The menu is concise and consists of drinks, small plates, and large plates. Some of the small plate items include oysters, a North Carolina Swordfish crudo, and steak tartar. Fresh tagliatelle pasta and smoked pork chop are just some of the large plates offered.

Pair your food with your choice of a cocktail, beer, wine, or even Champagne. Visitors recommend ordering multiple small plates so that you can taste a good part of the menu. Reservations are highly encouraged.

4. St. Jacques

Dining at a French restaurant is a classic choice for date night. Raleigh is home to one of the best, St. Jacques. Owned and run by chef-restaurateur, Serge Falcoz-Vigne, St. Jacques uses only local and fresh ingredients from North Carolina. Classic French cuisine like a rabbit and pork pâté, escargot, and smoked salmon populate the appetizers. Seafood dishes like pan-seared scallops and a Scottish salmon in an orange vinaigrette alongside braised duck, beef short ribs, and rack of lamb grace the main courses.

St. Jacques also serves classic cheese plates and desserts like chocolate mousse as well as digestifs like cognac. The restaurant offers an entire vegetarian menu as well.

Going to dinner on a date night is a fairly standard practice. Going to a fine dining restaurant, however, is a step above. Make your next date night special and memorable by reserving a table at one of these excellent restaurants in Raleigh.