2 Best Restaurants in Raleigh, Central North Carolina

Dinner at this huge, rustic barn (a Raleigh legend) is a real event and certainly worth the sizable prices. With its big portions, kitschy surroundings (especially known for its Christmas decorations), and 89-page wine and beer list, this steak house is both traditional and fun. The kitchen carries on the legacy of Iron Chef Walter Royal, who passed in 2023 after more than 25 years as executive chef, with delicious steaks, prime rib, fresh seafood, baby back ribs, and homemade desserts.

Wood paneling, muted lighting, and well-spaced tables make for an elegant dining experience in this restored 1879 house. The menu, which changes seasonally, has a regional flavor. The food is intricately styled so that colors, textures, and tastes fuse. A brick tavern on the lower level is more casual and has a less expensive menu that has included bison short ribs and grilled North Carolina trout.