Diners' Choice: Neighbourhood gem restaurants in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

OpenTable

Updated 05 June 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighbourhood gems 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 book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (976)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Cary

About the restaurant

Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar has been serving Cary & the Triangle since 1991. Owned and operated by Will & Margie Hennessee, Maximillians offers global cuisine using locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. Offering over 15 wines by the glass in addition to an extensive bottle list, or enjoy one of our hand crafted cocktails or local draft beers. We hope you will join us, and if it is your first visit, it won't be your last! Cheers!

Top review

Phylis

Dined 4 days ago

The food was fabulous, as usual. We had the grilled Craser salads, grilled trout and Korean BBQ. The coconut cake was to die for. My husband is still raving about it today! Always a good meal with good service.

Littlest Tea Room

4.9

4.9 (25)

$31 to $50

Afternoon Tea

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Tucked inside Little Native Coffee Co., the "Littlest Tea Room" is Raleigh's first SpeakTEAsy and offers a cozy speakeasy-style retreat with a "dark academia" vibe. Dress to impress or come as you are—either way, you’ll love the ambiance and charm. Our space is perfect for intimate gatherings or a casual, but unique afternoon escape. Reserve your spot today!

Private bookings available! ......................................................................................................................................................................................................
PARTIES OF MORE THAN (4) PEOPLE - Please email LittlestTeaRoom@gmail.com as parties of 4+take up multiple tables and need to be manually added. PLEASE DO NOT CALL THE COFFEE SHOP. Our baristas cannot add reservations.

Top review

ScottVIP

Dined 7 days ago

What a great and classy experience. The room is gorgeous and elegant!!

Winston's Grille

4.8

4.8 (1997)

$31 to $50

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Established in 1986, Winston's Grille is dedicated to making "everyday dining experiences lasting memories" for over 36 years. Traditional, American fare dishes, made "from scratch", located in North Raleigh in the Sutton Square Shopping Center. We pride ourselves on consistently serving excellent food and service.

Start your dining experience with one of our famous appetizers like the Carolina Crab Dip, Bruschetta, or Jam Jam Shrimp. Enjoy a glass of Chardonnay or locally crafted beer on our award winning, expansive heated patio. Our menu offers crowd favorites such as our Hand Rolled Sushi, Cashew Salmon, Black and Bleu Salad, Winston's Old Fashioned Burger, Winston's Prime Rib and many more. We offer daily features, gluten-free options, and vegan & vegetarian choices. No visit to Winston's Grille is complete without trying our homemade ice cream. After dining at Winston's Grille, we want you to be asking yourself "when are you coming back, rather than where you'll go next".

Top review

Linda

Dined 2 days ago

I always have consistent good food and service at Winston’s. Owners/managers walk around and talk to the patrons and ensure that everyone is happy.

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Popular dish

Chicken Pasta

Bella Monica

4.8

4.8 (3690)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Bella Monica – A Beloved Italian Trattoria in Raleigh

Since 2000, Bella Monica has been a neighborhood gem, serving authentic Neapolitan cuisine with warm hospitality. Owned by Chef Corbett and Julie Monica, our locally owned trattoria is an extension of Nana’s table, where guests become family.

Our menu features thin-crust flatbreads, housemade pastas, fresh NC seafood, and locally sourced meats, crafted with San Marzano tomatoes and the freshest ingredients. Pair your meal with a selection from our all-Italian, Wine Spectator 2007-2025 award-winning wine list, and don’t leave without trying the best cannoli in Raleigh!

Recognized with Diners’ Choice Awards for being charming, intimate, and perfect for special occasions, Bella Monica is where Raleigh gathers to enjoy great food, local art, and a lively atmosphere. Mangia bene!

Top review

kathy

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent Food Excellent Service And Excellent Atmosphere!! Family or Couples Great Experience !

Refectory Cafe

4.8

4.8 (977)

$30 and under

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Established in 2005, The Refectory Cafe was the first “Green” restaurant on the Duke campus and was located at the Duke Divinity and Law Schools. Now located just 2 miles from Duke's West Campus, The award-winning Refectory Cafe continues to be the restaurant where omnivores, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten-free folks happily share a table together in the same facility. Every diet classification can delight in delicious, satisfying, creative food from a common menu, while enjoying the health benefits of consuming clean food, minimally processed.

Appreciate the Award winning flavor and creativity of our Executive Chef Jake Miles & Pastry Chef Rosa Redel.

MOST RECENT AWARDS: 2023-2025
2023 #4 Independent Restaurant in the STATE (Southern Living Magazine)
TripAdvisor #1 / #2
Best Brunch
Best Wine List
Best Pie
Best Vegan
Best Vegetarian
Best Patio Dining

We look forward to serving you! You will love the food and our team!

Top review

Carol

Dined 4 days ago

All was great. Our entire family enjoyed the food, service , drinks, ambience.

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Experience

Another Incredible Italian Wine Dinner

Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro

4.7

4.7 (122)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Carolina Brewery is a brewpub located in Pittsboro, North Carolina that specializes in serving craft beers and American pub fare. The restaurant features a lively atmosphere with a full bar, patio and numerous televisions broadcasting sporting events. Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro serves lunch and dinner daily and offers a variety of menu items made using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables and locally raised beef. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, typical pub fare and desserts. Featured entrées at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro include chicken mac and cheese, down East BBQ plate, crab cakes, shrimp and grits and fish and chips.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined on 29 Apr 2025

Great food and service. Friendly server. My family loves the specials menu. Today we had the chicken soup and burger.

Omakase by Kai

4.6

4.6 (13)

$50 and over

Sushi

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Welcome to Omakase by , a truly unique combination of classic Japanese & Korean dishes by Chef Chung.

From a selection of luxurious dishes to contemporary plates, the Omakase by Kai menu is made by our talented chefs who use the best seasonal ingredients from carefully selected suppliers.

Top review

Bryan

Dined 5 days ago

Dinner party of 6 and most hot the omakase classic. Food was amazing in presentation and taste. Service was great and will go again.

Khao Sen

4.6

4.6 (71)

$30 and under

Thai

Fuquay-Varina

About the restaurant

Join us at Khao Sen and discover why our passion for Thai cuisine extends beyond the kitchen. From our family to yours, let's share the joy of good food and great company.

Top review

Gregory

Dined 3 days ago

Food and service are great. It gets a little echoey with conversation.

Giorgio Pizza Bar

4.4

4.4 (225)

$31 to $50

Pizza Bar

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Giorgio Pizza Bar, located in the North Hills neighborhood of Raleigh, offers a local, seasonal approach to both hand-tossed, crispy, sourdough pizzas as well as other regional pizza styles. In addition to pizza, our menu offers small Italian-style shared plates of vegetables, meat, seafood, and pasta- served alongside Italian wines and craft cocktails. Enjoy a seat at our large bar for lunch or dinner with pizza tossing in action!

Top review

Mary RuthVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always excellent in food and service! Great ambiance.

Parkside Restaurant

4.2

4.2 (146)

$30 and under

American

Wendell

About the restaurant

Welcome to Parkside Restaurant in Wendell! We are so glad you can join us at our new location in beautiful Treelight Square, Wendell Falls. We have worked hard on this new iteration of Parkside and have tried to encapsulate everything that is well loved from our Downtown Raleigh restaurant to bring here to you. Locally owned and operated, Parkside is the cornerstone of comfort and fresh food. You will find a relaxing place to enjoy an evening in one of our cozy booths or a gathering place for your friends and family to celebrate special occasions in our spacious dining room or semi private dining. At the center of our gorgeous restaurant, you will find our marble bar boasting a large selection of draft beers, wines, and top shelf whiskeys.

We strive to provide top notch service day and night, whether you're in for a quick lunch or night out. You can also find us on Doordash and Toast TakeOut via our website.

We are so excited to be part of the Wendell Falls community!

919-374-7162

Top review

Dined on 8 June 2025

We love, Parkside Was an awesome service experience !Savannah Smith, the waitress there was outstanding over the top, helping us on a timely manner very friendly and a asset to Parkside. Very great experience.

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