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Food - Encore Ristorante, Raleigh, NC

Encore Ristorante

4.9 (357)
$31 to $50
Italian
TBD, Raleigh, NC 27614

Make a booking

A photo of Encore Ristorante restaurant

Encore Ristorante

4.9
$31 to $50
Italian
Raleigh

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 3 times today

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Neighbourhood gem
  • Great for creative cocktails
The crew from Northside Bistro are now going to provide some amazing Italian cuisine, Top notch Steaks, and delightful seafood. Expect to see some of the great cooks and friendly staff you expect at Northside along with some great new team members we are excited to introduce to the area.
Chef John and his team are excited to bring you some takes on classic Italian cuisine along with some expected twists and turns to keep things current and we will always hunt for the highest quality ingredients we can find. Service promises to be warm and inviting never taking our focus off the details that matter while still keeping it fun and light hearted.
The decor here at Encore is a polished but comfy, the environment will create great energy and a sense of community but still provide some romantic corners for a Romantic evening with loved ones.
Carol and John are so excited to bring their second offering to the North Raleigh and Wake Forest Area

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Steak, Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (919) 435-0063
  • Website
    http://Encoreraleigh.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    John Scarangella
  • Location
    TBD, Raleigh, NC 27614
  • Area
    Raleigh
  • Cross street
    we are located in the Shoppes at Wakefield Park right off John Rex Blvd.
  • Parking Details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Menu

This menu from Encore Ristorante.

At present, we do not have menu information for this restaurant. Please see their website or wait to visit the restaurant to learn more.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Encore Ristorante.

4.9

4.9
(357)
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Best Service

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Italian

  • Raleigh

    Best Service

  • Raleigh

    Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Encore Ristorante offers a modern, intimate dining experience with "amazing food and service." Known for its exceptional staff, particularly standout servers like Samantha, Peyton, and Meghan, the restaurant delights with dishes like "the best Italian food outside of Italy." Perfect for special occasions, Encore consistently impresses with its rotating menu, gluten-free options, and homemade desserts.
357 Reviews

  1. Glen Gold

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent pre-theater dinner; food was fantastic, as was the service. Nice wine list. Despite a wide-open dining area with tall ceilings, the "noise level" was perfect (for those overwhelmed with loud venues). Easy to talk to each other without having to lean into the conversation!

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  2. John Gold

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill30 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 31 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Always the best in every way. It, Death and Taxes, and AJJA are our GO TO dining spots. Encore never disappoints.

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  3. Robert

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 30 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    One of our top 5 places. Food was excellent and with Samantha serving us we could not have asked for a better night for my Wife’s Birthday. Chilean Sea Bass and Steak and gnocchi were delicious. We will be going back. 👏

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  4. Michael Gold

    Tampa / Central Florida West38 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 24 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Over the past 18 months, I’ve searched Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill for an Italian restaurant reminiscent of Venice or Sicily. Encore Ristorante isn’t quite that, but it ranks among my favorites, and I highly recommend it. The modern, intimate dining room is cozy, though it lacks authentic Italian atmosphere. Service, however, was exceptional. Josh was knowledgeable, attentive, and never rushed us. We ordered one course at a time, and every dish arrived quickly and piping hot. The Four Cheese Arancini delivered wonderful garlic, herb, and cheese flavors, although the portions were small and light on risotto. The homemade marinara—among the best I’ve tasted locally—and truffle aioli were outstanding. The Warm Goat Cheese Salad was a highlight. Vibrant beets, asparagus, spinach, and roasted peppers made for beautiful plating, while the Campari vinaigrette and herb-crusted goat cheese created an excellent balance of earthy, sweet, and tangy flavors. Grandma’s Sunday Gravy impressed with tender short ribs, sausage, meatballs, and fresh homemade pasta. Creamy ricotta balanced the richness, and crispy basil added color and texture. The Potato Gnocchi and Beef Tenderloin was equally memorable. Caramelized homemade gnocchi, mushrooms, garlic, shallots, and delicate truffle cream complemented melt-in-your-mouth beef. Presentation needed more color, though, and a touch of acidity—perhaps lemon zest or balsamic—would have elevated the dish. Dessert, the Limoncello Tart, combined silky custard, a lemon-cookie and blueberry crust, crackling caramelized sugar, and bright raspberry sauce into a delightful finish. Having tasted cuisine across 68 countries and 36 states, I value flavor, presentation, and service, including room for improvement. Encore excels in food and hospitality, earns a place on my return list, and leaves me eager to explore what its chef creates next.

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  5. Ann Marie

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill10 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 22 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Went to celebrate a birthday with friends. Food was great as was the service.

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  6. Susan

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 22 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    Our server JOSH was superior in every way. The mussels I had as an appetizer were superb. He kept my water glass full and was very informational regarding the menu items. Josh was kind enough to give my friend a birthday bite for dessert. Encore should have Josh serve in the dining room more often as I understand he is really the bartender. Perhaps all employees should shake it up once in a while to up their game. Will return again. Sue

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  7. Kristen Gold

    Coastal North Carolina17 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 17 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Always an incredible experience!! Amazing food and service!!!

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  8. Robert

    Los Angeles2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 10 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Loved the rotating menu. Excellent service. You can tell chef took pride in the dishes.

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  9. ! . CLYDE Gold

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill8 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 9 October 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Encore is our go-to place for fine dining. The staff is always friendly, attentive and helpful. Chef is wonderful to work around allergies to provide wonderful food.

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  10. JoAnne Gold

    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill22 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 2 October 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Normally we love Encore. We had Grandma 's Sunday Gravy; and my husband is Italian but did not care for it. I had a special, Pork Ossa Buca, and it was not to my liking either. They recognized our anniversary, and the atmosphere and service were very good!

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Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Steak, Contemporary American
  • Hours of Operation
    Lunch Tue–Sat 11:00 am–2:30 pm Dinner Tue–Sat 4:30 pm–9:30 pm
  • Phone number
    (919) 435-0063
  • Website
    http://Encoreraleigh.com/
  • Payment Options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive Chef
    John Scarangella
  • Location
    TBD, Raleigh, NC 27614
  • Area
    Raleigh
  • Cross street
    we are located in the Shoppes at Wakefield Park right off John Rex Blvd.
  • Parking Details
    Private Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

FAQs

Encore Ristorante can be very busy, reviewers specifically said it was “packed” on a Wednesday night and recommend reservations; other visits were described as quieter, where guests could easily converse.

Portions are on the generous side, guests describe them as generous, ample, and satisfying.

Encore Ristorante is a favorite for date nights, many guests add it to their Friday-night rotation; note that Wednesday evenings are often packed.

Yes, families dine here: guests report bringing children, saying “Kids loved the food, ” and praise staff for being accommodating during family meals.

Yes, Encore Ristorante is a lovely choice for date night, with romantic corners, warm service, and many guests celebrating anniversaries and special evenings there.

Encore Ristorante feels polished yet comfortable, the decor creates lively energy with big windows and warm service, while offering intimate, romantic corners that guests love for date nights and special occasions.

Yes, reviewers report leaving notes and requesting accommodations, and Encore’s team and chef have worked with guests to handle dietary restrictions and craft gluten-free or special dishes.

Encore centers on a polished main dining room with cozy, romantic corners and a lively bar area, guests also note high-top seating by the bar and standard lower tables.

Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed, perfect for a date night or special occasion when many guests dress up a touch for anniversaries and celebrations.

Friday nights are a favorite, guests say they’ve added Encore to their regular Friday night “date night” rotation.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Raleigh
  5. Raleigh

Make a booking

A photo of Encore Ristorante restaurant

Encore Ristorante

4.9
$31 to $50
Italian
Raleigh

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 3 times today
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