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

OpenTable

Updated 05 March 2025

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

JALWA INDIAN BISTRO

4.9

4.9 (29)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined 6 days ago

Impeccable service, creative and delicious food, beautiful surroundings. Can’t wait to go back!

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (112)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

BradG

Dined 6 days ago

Lovely bottle of wine, great salsiccia pizza. Always a winner.

Marian Cocktails and Kitchen

4.7

4.7 (18)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Marian is an intimate tapas and cocktail bar in the heart of Glenwood South, redefining the art of shared plates and craft drinks. Inspired by the vibrancy of European and Latin flavors, our menu is a bold fusion of plant-based innovation and timeless culinary techniques. Each dish is a conversation starter, designed to surprise and delight with unexpected textures and flavors.

Beyond the plate, Marian is an experience—an inviting, candlelit escape where handcrafted cocktails meet carefully curated wines and spirits. Whether you're indulging in a leisurely evening with friends or seeking a cozy corner for a date night, Marian blends elegance with a relaxed, neighborhood feel.

Tucked away yet central to the pulse of Raleigh’s nightlife, Marian is more than a restaurant—it’s a destination for those who crave something different. Come discover us, and let every bite and sip transport you somewhere new.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined on 2 Mar 2025

We had a big group & they pushed tables together to accommodate everyone. Cool vibe & decor. The menu is vegan, with creative dishes that tasted great!

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - North Raleigh

4.9

4.9 (1444)

$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

Skip

Dined 3 days ago

Coconut shrimp was delicious. Guacamole was overpriced for very small portion. Our server, Jose, was wonderful. All in all, a very enjoyable evening. Fun and yet not too crazy loud.

Blue Jay Bistro

4.9

4.9 (1031)

$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

NikkiVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Great. Again. As always. Thank you Ryan, Skylar, Bella, and all the other amazing people. See you all soon.

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4.9

4.9 (3041)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Durham

About the restaurant

M Sushi, the flagship of the acclaimed M Restaurants group by Chef Michael Lee, is the Triangle’s first dedicated sushi and seafood restaurant. Located in the heart of Downtown Durham, M Sushi sets the standard for exceptional sushi, Omakase, and seafood-driven cuisine. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and masterful execution, the menu showcases traditional Japanese techniques with innovative twists. Open for lunch and dinner, M Sushi delivers an unparalleled dining experience that continues to set the bar for sushi excellence. Experience the origins of M Restaurants at M Sushi.

Top review

Devon

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent solo dining experience. I arrived a bit early for my reservation and was seated immediately. Although I've been to M Sushi a number of times before, and am a huge fan of sushi, I'd ironically never tried the nigiri omakase. This was wonderful experience! The flavor, smell, and mouthfeel were among the best I've had anywhere in the country. The only criticism I have is that I found the caramelized onions to be a bit overpowering on the buri toro. Apart from the nigiri omakase, I also ordered the uni. The uni they source from Hokkaido is always delicate and sweet. I've never had any overpowering bottom-ocean flavor. It was so good I had to order a second!

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MC Modern Asian Cuisine

4.9

4.9 (1057)

$31 to $50

Asian

Cary

About the restaurant

MC named after Award Winning Chef Michael Chuong is bringing his Upscale Asian Flair to the Historic Jones House in Downtown Cary. MC's menu will offer Signature and Creative Dishes featuring High End Sushi and Local and Sustainable Ingredients paired perfectly with Old World Wines.

Top review

Eileen

Dined on 1 Mar 2025

Had the pork chop and special fish entree. Both exceptional….my favorite restaurant

Bodega Tapas and Wine

4.9

4.9 (897)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Wake Forest

About the restaurant

Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum. Local and imported artisanal ingredients offered in an affordable small plate format. Enjoy the rum bar with craft, from scratch cocktails, or rum tastings in one and two ounce pours. Most of our extensive wine list is offered by the glass, bottle and tasting pour so you can indulge on high end wines with out breaking the bank. Order as many or little small plates as you like to snack on or piece a meal together and try an array of different wines. We’re perfect for a small bite after work, a night out with friends or an intimate date night. we look forward to having you at our table .
If you are a party of 5 and more, please contact us at Bodega and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Top review

BobVIP

Dined 5 days ago

This was our initial visit to Bodega Tapas, and we will definitely be back! Nick's service and recommended small plates were excellent, and food presentation, as well as flavor, were wonderful. We may have enjoyed a bit more Serrano ham than was served on that small plate, but the flavor was excellent. Thanks for a wonderful dining experience.

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Popular dish

Lamb Meatballs

Popular dish

Beef Empanada NC Wagyu

Nino’s Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (137)

$31 to $50

Italian

Greenville

About the restaurant

Nino’s Cucina Italiana is a tribute to our father, Nino. He still travels constantly to all the locations to make sure everything is done “Nino’s Way,” with quality food, personality, and love.

Over 75 years of an Italian family tradition in baking and cooking from three generations has culminated in Nino’s Cucina Italiana. Our Italian dishes are centuries old recipes handed down from our family throughout the years. We prepare all our food daily—making fresh dough, sauces, mozzarella cheese, pasta and our delicious meatballs in-house.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Good food, wine … service was terrific! It was a little loud but the restaurant was packed. My husband had fettuccine Alfredo and I had lamb .. both excellent. Eggplant rollotini for an appetizer was good but the eggplant was thick and I think if they breaded & fried the eggplant it would be better than good! Tiramisu for desert was very good also. We will be back!

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4.9

4.9 (1922)

$30 and under

Japanese

Raleigh

About the restaurant

O-Ku's menu provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Raleigh, the restaurant offers rare and unique dining options with traditional sashimi and specialty rolls, highlighting seafood from the finest fish markets in Tokyo and Hawaii alongside local and seasonal ingredients. Reminiscent of traditional Japanese culture, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature starters, contemporary Japanese entrees and seasonal traditional sushi that reflect the uniquely designed space. The beverage program is built around quality ingredients that celebrate Japanese culture .

Top review

michaelVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Always a great experience. Wonderful service as I celebrated my promotion.

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