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Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

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Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!


A photo of RH Rooftop Restaurant at RH Raleigh restaurant
4.6
4.6 (412)
$50 and over
American
Raleigh
About the restaurant
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.
Top review
Darran
Dined 3 days ago
My experience was spectacular! My family and I had a great time celebrating my sister's birthday.
A photo of JALWA INDIAN BISTRO restaurant
4.9
4.9 (48)
$31 to $50
Indian
Raleigh
About the restaurant
Indulge in the pinnacle of refined fine dining in Raleigh at Jalwa Indian Bistro, where our sophisticated ambiance embodies the essence of elegance and poise. As we present a harmonious symphony of flavors and opulence that will delight your senses, courtesy of our exquisite Modern Indian Cuisine. Our dishes are meticulously crafted by our Executive Chef, the Internationally Acclaimed Chef Mukesh Gautam, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.
Whether you seek an intimate sojourn, a celebratory gathering, or a sublime culinary escapade in the heart of Raleigh, Jalwa Indian Bistro is the quintessential destination for every occasion, offering an unparalleled level of epicurean excellence in fine dining.

Top review
KC
Dined 7 days ago
Naveen did a good job and food was great. We will return
A photo of Blue Jay Bistro restaurant
4.8
4.8 (1045)
$31 to $50
American
Halifax
About the restaurant
At Blue Jay Bistro we invite you to "Escape the Ordinary." This isn't just our slogan – it's our promise.

We've crafted every aspect of your dining experience with you in mind. From our attentive service to our carefully curated menu, we aim to exceed your expectations at every turn.

Indulge in our finest Contemporary American cuisine, featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Savor premium meats, just-caught seafood, and farm vegetables that showcase North Carolina's seasonal bounty.

Your culinary journey with us is about more than just exquisite flavors – it's about creating moments of delight and discovery. Enhance your meal with our selection of wines, craft cocktails, and local beers.

At Blue Jay Bistro, we're not just serving food – we're dedicated to making your visit truly extraordinary. Your satisfaction is our highest priority.

Join us to Escape the Ordinary, where your culinary desires meet our passion for excellence, creating unforgettable moments just for you.

Top review
AllisonVIP
Dined on Apr 12, 2025
As always, excellent food and beverages. Our server was wonderful, and the GM was very attentive and friendly. Overall, another great experience at BJB!
A photo of Herons restaurant
4.8
4.8 (3183)
$50 and over
American
Cary
About the restaurant
Herons, the signature restaurant at The Umstead Hotel and Spa in Cary, North Carolina, offers an exceptional fine dining experience for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch. Located close to Raleigh, North Carolina, Herons is known for its locally inspired, seasonal menus and stunning garden views, Herons showcases a full-view kitchen and an elegant, art-filled dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Every detail—from the fresh, regionally sourced ingredients to the curated wine list—reflects a commitment to artistry and culinary excellence.

Top review
Joan
Dined 1 day ago
Lovely ambiance, excellent service, top notch food and drink.
A photo of Gonza Tacos y Tequila - North Raleigh restaurant
4.9
4.9 (1449)
$30 and under
Mexican
Raleigh
About the restaurant
Come experience Raleigh's Colombo-Mexican Tacos y Tequila Joint!

Hand Crafted Latin Cocktails
Extensive List of Tequilas & Regional Spirits
Carefully Selected List of Latin Wines & Latin Beers

Voted Best Latin Restaurant in the Triangle by Wake County Living Magazine!

Won the Indy Award for Best Mexican / Latin American in the Triangle!


Top review
Robert
Dined 1 day ago
Great food Great service Great time !!!! we look forward to coming back !
A photo of Naos Hellenic Cuisine restaurant
4.7
4.7 (198)
$50 and over
Greek
Cary
About the restaurant
Naos Hellenic Cuisine, the latest venture from longtime restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias, blends ancient Greek traditions with modern culinary techniques. Naos Hellenic Cuisine provides a thoughtfully curated setting for local residents, romantic evenings, business dinners, and global travelers alike. Naos is a celebration of food and life, inviting guests to pause, savor, and connect by "creating a sanctuary for heartfelt hospitality."

With a focus on fresh, local, and Mediterranean ingredients, each plate is a testament to the belief that food can be both simple and extraordinary. Deeply rooted in the ancient Greek philosophy of “food is medicine,” the menu at Naos embraces honest, unadorned ingredients that emphasize simplicity and bold flavors, and features an array of vegetable-centric dishes and mezedes (small plates) designed for sharing. Staying true to the company’s ethos, a signature herb garden provides fresh garniture to many of the dishes.

Top review
RebeccaVIP
Dined 3 days ago
This is our second visit and it was delightful! The manager helped us pick a new wine to try (xynisteri) and our server Arturo made our visit great! We’ve not had a bad dish yet. It’s not a meal it’s an experience. We’ll definitely be back.
A photo of East End Bistrot Raleigh restaurant
4.9
4.9 (306)
$50 and over
Steakhouse
Raleigh
About the restaurant
Located in Raleigh, East End Bistrot, part of Giorgios Hospitality Group, offers an exceptional dining experience combining classic French techniques with Asian-inspired flavors. Our menu showcases high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients, expertly crafted into unforgettable dishes. With a curated selection of fine and rare wines, handpicked by our sommelier, each meal is paired perfectly. Whether you're celebrating or enjoying a night out, the impeccable service from our knowledgeable team elevates your experience. Discover why East End Bistrot is a must-visit destination for food lovers.
Top review
StevenVIP
Dined 3 days ago
Excellent service and food that I’ve come to love from this group. Excellent presentation and timing of the courses. We will return soon.
A photo of Amalia's Authentic Italian Restaurant restaurant
4.8
4.8 (863)
$50 and over
Italian
Wake Forest
About the restaurant
Amalia Fumelli is the inspiration behind Amalia’s Authentic Italian Restaurant. She was born in Italy in 1932, and grew up on a farm. As she grew up, she took an interest in cooking and learned everything about the Italian kitchen from her mother and grandmother. For countless hours each day, Amalia began making hand-made pasta with her rolling pin on an old, wooden table. After many years, she had mastered her pasta creations through her skilled handiwork, precise cutting skills, and the amount of love she put into her work.

Over time, Amalia has passed all of her secrets and knowledge about food along to her children and grandchildren. One grandchild in particular, Filippo Fanfani, gained a passion for the art of cooking through her guidance. As a child, he spent all his days at his grandmother’s house preparing meals for his family. The two have a strong bond, that began with their conjoining love of creating meals that are enjoyable for everyone.

Top review
Jean
Dined 3 days ago
Did was amazing and our server made this an extra special experience
A photo of Oak Steakhouse - Raleigh restaurant
4.8
4.8 (2464)
$30 and under
Steakhouse
Raleigh
About the restaurant
Oak Steakhouse Raleigh continues the legacy of the original Oak Steakhouse in Charleston, SC, with a modern take on the classic steakhouse. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Raleigh, Oak Steakhouse offers an innovative approach to steakhouse dining, serving farm-fresh dishes alongside steakhouse classics. Under the direction of executive chef Todd Woods, Oak's menu highlights the restaurant's relationship with local farmers and purveyors. To complement the menu, Oak's expansive wine list features California Cabernet and Old World reds, including a selection of Italian and Spanish wines, as well as an array of artisan domestic wines. In celebration of Raleigh's local brewery scene, Oak Steakhouse showcases local brews alongside domestic and international beers. Classic and creative, seasonal cocktails are also on the menu.
Top review
Michael
Dined 5 days ago
I took my wife for her birthday and we had a beautiful meal from start to finish. The bread service is a must - warm and delicious, topped with thick salt, and served with a great butter. We got the Caesar and NC Burrata salads and they were both decently sized and tasty. Her filet was perfectly cooked with a nice, thickly seasoned crust and my elk chop was fantastic - I ordered it served medium rare as suggested and it was so tender and flavorful. We also got a side of the mushrooms and they were seasoned and cooked to perfection - the perfect compliment to our meal. Finally, we got the chocolate cake for dessert and it was huge and decadent. A truly wonderful meal and we will definitely be back!
A photo of La Terrazza restaurant
4.7
4.7 (482)
$31 to $50
Mediterranean
Raleigh
About the restaurant
La Terrazza, the newest addition to Umbria Hospitality Group, presents a delightful fusion of southern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by an enchanting city skyline view. With seasonal delicacies, premium ingredients, and market-fresh produce, our menu showcases traditional favorites with innovative flair. Step into our inviting dining space adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, or unwind at one of our two bars – one indoors and the other nestled in a patio enclosure. We aim to whisk you away to a culinary experience like no other. Patio seating is first come first serve for reservations.
Top review
Margaret
Dined 3 days ago
I took two friends here for their first time and they loved it. Our server, food and drinks were all so on point. Best view at dusk.
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