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

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

Oxford Oaks Distillery

5.0

5 (291)

$30 and under

American

Oxford

About the restaurant

seeking a memorable dining experience, Oxford Oaks Distillery is the perfect destination. Located in historic Oxford, North Carolina, this establishment combines upscale dining with handcrafted spirits in a warm, inviting atmosphere. As you enter, the elegant décor and exposed brick walls set the stage for a culinary adventure. The enticing aromas of freshly baked bread and sizzling steaks will awaken your senses. The menu features a variety of dishes made from the finest seasonal ingredients, including appetizers like housemade crab dip and tuna tataki. For the main course, choose from succulent steaks, perfectly seared seafood, or delicious vegetarian options, each crafted with care and artistry. To enhance your meal, explore Oxford Oaks' extensive bar, which includes their own handcrafted spirits and a curated selection of wines and craft beers. Whether celebrating a special occasion or enjoying a night out, Oxford Oaks Distillery promises an unforgettable experience.

Top review

Peggy

Dined on Jun 13, 2025

Friendly, prompt service by all staff. Food and drinks were delicious and fresh. One of the best outings and food we have experienced.

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Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi

4.9

4.9 (991)

$30 and under

Thai

Holly Springs

About the restaurant

Osha Thai Kitchen & Sushi, named after the Thai word “osha” meaning, tasty or good, is more than just providing you, the guest, with good food. We are striving each day to deliver an atmosphere that is not only welcoming, but one that you will be happy to share with your friends and family. A consistent experience of authentic Thai food and sushi that will wake your taste buds up and have you asking for more.

For Take Out ordering online, please visit oshathaikitchennc.com

Please note that if you party does not arrive within 15 minutes of your reservation time, we may need to release your table and place your back on the waitlist (if exists) or offer the table to other customers. We will provide you with the current wait time so that you can make an informed decision. If you think you may be running late, please let us know and we will do our best to accommodate you.

We may contact you about this reservation so please ensure your email and phone number are correct when setting.

Top review

Piotr

Dined on Jun 26, 2025

Both food and service are top notch. Highly recommend to everyone

Durham - M Sushi

4.9

4.9 (3116)

$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

Vicki

Dined 4 days ago

Best and most authentic sushi we have had in a long time! Will definitely be back. Expensive but worth every penny!

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4.9

4.9 (168)

$31 to $50

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Now Accepting Reservations For July 9th and beyond,
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 area!

Top review

JulieVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Highly recommend this quaint, upscale restaurant. Food is exquisite and the service is excellent. Wine and cocktails are wonderful.

Maximillians Grill & Wine Bar

4.9

4.9 (980)

$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

chrisVIP

Dined on Jun 21, 2025

Fantastic food and exceptional service. Looking forward to another visit!

Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.9

4.9 (860)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Durham

About the restaurant

The 125-seat indoor/outdoor Nasher Cafe overlooks the garden and sits adjacent to the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen "Corridor Pin" sculpture, providing a serene and beautiful ambience. The Nasher Cafe offers local and sustainable products forged into creative lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Guests can experience a world class museum as well as restaurant in one stop.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on May 8, 2025

I’ve had lunch here twice and both times the service and food has been excellent.

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4.9

4.9 (1067)

$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

Tangela

Dined 1 day ago

A delightful dining experience in a quaint small downtown area. Attentive servers, beautiful atmosphere, variety of food options expertly prepared & beautifully presented. Four diners ordered 4 different entrees and 2 different Sharable’s as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Every food and beverage choice was excellent!

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4.9

4.9 (1397)

$30 and under

Indian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Azitra is an "Indian Culinary Nirvana" sharing the love of great food, wine and community.

We pride ourselves on fun takes on Indian food, both modern and contemporary. We have a Wine Spectator award winning wine program, and an innovative cocktail program.

Azitra awakens the inner soul through colorful ambiance, rich Indian palate and complex tastes with a seductive dining room, a fashionable bar, intimate private lounge and outdoor seating. We strive to create memorable dining experiences day after day. Guests can sample the vibrant flavors of India. Our menu features classic Indian cuisine reinvented for today’s more discerning palate. We invite you to indulge in India’s culinary treasures, time after time.

Top review

David

Dined 5 days ago

This a very good Indian restaurant. They have a lot of items on the menu and several that you don't see at a lot of other Indian restaurants. We got some of the lamb dishes which were very good. The quality of the breads in the assorted breadbasket was excellent. The samosas were also very good. We were the only ones eating outside on the particular evening so sometimes the waiter took a while to come around, but he did an overall good job.

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Popular dish

Butter Chicken

Bodega Tapas and Wine

4.9

4.9 (928)

$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

Judith

Dined 2 days ago

Lovely restaurant with friendly service and a creative, delicious menu. We enjoyed the lamb meatballs, shrimp, and beef empanada. The house olives were marinated in roasted garlic, fresh rosemary and citrus, delicious! The wine selections were diverse and the details of this little gem were thoughtful down to the classic after dinner mint on your way out. We shall return soon!

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Popular dish

Lamb Meatballs

Popular dish

Beef Empanada NC Wagyu

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - North Raleigh

4.9

4.9 (1451)

$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

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jun 24, 2025

Food was amazing! Love the decor. One of my favorite places to take guests from out of town!

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