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Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

4.7
4.7
2759 Reviews
$31 to $50
Contemporary American
Top Tags:
Located in downtown Raleigh’s historic Victorian Dodd-Hinsdale House (circa 1879), Second Empire combines history, atmosphere, exceptional service and gourmet cuisine for an unforgettable dining experience. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features our award winning Contemporary American Cuisine in two dining atmospheres. Upstairs enjoy the ultimate dining experience in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of charm and grace. Downstairs in the Tavern and beautiful Atrium room enjoy a more casual environment. The Capitol Room, Raleigh Room, Pine Room and Atrium Room are available for private parties seating up to 50 people or various combinations of rooms for parties up to 300 people. Second Empire is very proud to be the recipient of the DiRoNA Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America), the AAA Four Diamond Award (Raleigh’s only restaurant with this award) and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1998.

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Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

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Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Southern, French

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Please note under special requests if you prefer tavern/ atrium seating instead of the formal main dining room.

  • Phone number

    (919) 829-3663

  • Website

    http://www.second-empire.com/

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Executive chef

    Daniel Schurr

  • Private party facilities

    Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers four private dining rooms for day or evening receptions and/or dining. We offer our Pine Room which seats 40 people, the Raleigh Room which seats 25 people, the Capitol Room which seats 25 people and the Atrium which seats 50 people.

  • Private party contact

    Nicolle Roberts: (919) 829-3663

  • Location

    330 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27603

  • Neighborhood

    Raleigh

  • Cross street

    Harrington St./ Edenton St.

  • Parking details

    Parking is available on the surrounding streets & our private lot in the rear of the Restaurant. Additional parking is also located behind the Restaurant in the Reynolds Building parking lot. <br />There is a public parking lot across from Second Empire on Hillsborough Street owned by the City of Raleigh & is available for parking, however, there is a $3.00 parking fee that must be paid online. If you do not pay you will be towed.

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

What 2,759 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.7
4.7 based on all time ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.8Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.4Value

Noise • Quiet

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  1. HM

    HusamM

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on January 7, 2020

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Love it great place great food great service. We have been to this restaurant few times and enjoyed it every time
  2. SA

    SAAB

    Raleigh

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Reviewed on January 2, 2020

    overall5foodserviceambience
    One of the finest restaurants in NC. A must for foodies and romantics alike.
  3. CP

    CharlesP

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on December 23, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Perfect night, perfect food, perfect service. Need I say more?
  4. SC

    SeannC

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on December 23, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    A wonderful spot for a fancy dinner out on the town. The basement is a bit more casual, but still a worthy option.
  5. VC

    VickyC

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on December 6, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    One restaurant for special occasions! If you really want the whole cozy seating, classy atmosphere combined with magnificent food, go the the Second Empire. The sauces are magnificent
  6. V

    Vegan

    Raleigh

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Reviewed on November 28, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Cool old building with choice of tavern downstairs for less formal.
  7. HG

    HaleyG

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on November 11, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    One fo my all time favorite restaurants. We've done family dinners, anniversary dinners, and more at Second Empire, and it is SUCH a favorite.
  8. AD

    AliceD

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on November 3, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    I consider Second Empire Raleigh's premier restaurant for fine dining.
  9. CR

    ClaireR

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on November 3, 2019

    overall4foodserviceambience
    Great food and ambiance for a formal dinner but it is very pricey.
  10. ES

    ElenorS

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Reviewed on October 14, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    First class experience. Excellent service, food, and atmosphere.
  11. EN

    ENLIGN

    Raleigh

    45 reviews

    5.0

    45 reviews

    Reviewed on October 8, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    The food is unique. Wine list requires descriptions from staff as the selections are not what you find often. Price is premium. Really premium, but my girlfriend loves it so I shut up and enjoy.
  12. AK

    ArtK

    Raleigh

    44 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    44 reviews

    Reviewed on September 17, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Most professional wait staff of any restaurant in the area. Outstanding meals, and cocktails.
  13. AP

    AndreaP

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on September 9, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Superb and professional attention, good quality and food selection, impeccable table presentation, excellent infrastructure, fair priced.
  14. SS

    SherriS

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on August 8, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Always good. Consistent. Special Birthday present for me a few years ago was Chef's Table. Fabulous.
  15. LZ

    LindaZ

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Reviewed on June 21, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Our favorite spot. Drive in from Sanford for special events and always take guests who visit from out of town.
  16. JB

    JerryB

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Reviewed on June 18, 2019

    overall5foodserviceambience
    Professional and friendly service. Delicious and unique menu. Wonderful ambiance for date or anniversary. Not overly priced for the experience.
  17. KM

    KarenM

    Denver

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on June 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We have come to Second Empire for the last two years for our anniversary dinner. Wonderful place. Food is delicious, the service is impeccable. The duck is a favorite but I loved the steak that I ordered also. Dessert, wow! The staff really goes out of its way to anticipate needs through out the dinner service. Very nice gentlemen waiters.
  18. EM

    EthlynM

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 20, 2019

    overall4food4service5ambience2
    We enjoy coming to Second Empire on special occasions and on April 20 we were looking for king forward to eating upstairs. I had made the reservation at least 6 weeks in advance and when we arrived, the waiter took us downstairs. It was my date’s birthday and he preferred eating upstairs. They seated us in the Oak Room which was dark, and furnishings were “tired”. Very disappointing.
  19. M

    Martha

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 17, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing as always.
  20. LS

    LorraineS

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 22, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent service, creative and delicious food. Highly recommend.
  21. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    By far the best restaurant in Raleigh...Beautiful space, innovative menu, exceptional service...
  22. MB

    MelB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 12, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The staff was very accommodating. Our group thought the closing time was later than it actually was. We stayed past closing enjoying our desserts and conversation without realizing that the place had closed. Staff showed kindness and patience. They did not tell us they were closed and did not rush us. Had we known the place was closed, we would have left much earlier. We’ll be back to enjoy the great food and service. Next time we will mind the time.
  23. h

    hsiegal

    New England

    29 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    29 reviews

    Dined on March 10, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, excellent service. Great spot for date night.
  24. PL

    PeggyL

    Raleigh

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An evening in the upstairs main dining room was perfect for several hours visit with relative having a birthday. The quality food, the beautiful preparation, and the great service are always standard for Second Empire. The choice of scallops was perfect, as were the recommended wine, and dessert of chocolate soufflé. Always a pleasure to dine at Second Empire in main dining room or Tavern (which I did 2 weeks ago).
  25. LW

    LynneW

    Houston

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It is a beautiful restaurant in a restored Vivaldi’s war era home. The chef does a wonderful job drinking foods from all regions of the east coast. Wish the restaurant was in Houston.
  26. NC

    NCbrownie

    Raleigh

    38 reviews

    5.0

    38 reviews

    Dined on March 8, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    For a special occasion dinner Second Empire is a great choice. Varied menu, but everything had a unique touch that made it special. I am a lamb snob and the rack of lamb was outstanding. The bread pudding it came with was almost as good. My Ciopini app was probably the best thing we had. Great wine selection and service was top notch.
  27. JS

    JimS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 7, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Clearly the best restaurant in Raleigh area. Superb food, excellent and polite service.
  28. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 5, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The service was great and the food was delicious. Jason, our server, went above and beyond to make it a special experience for my mother-in-law's birthday dinner. We will definitely be going back for future celebrations!
  29. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 3, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This was our second visit to Second Empire and both visits have been superb. The food, service, atmosphere and attention to detail is first class. Also, the staff really goes out out of their way to make sure it is a pleasurable and memorable experience. Easily one of our favorite restaurants and one of the best in Raleigh (and probably North Carolina) too.
  30. MG

    MeganG

    Raleigh

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was our 27th Wedding Anniversary. We were given a special menu with our names and wedding anniversary date signed by the chef. Our dinner was delicious and dessert was to die for. They also gave us a complementary dessert. Wait staff was fabulous! It’s my favorite restaurant and most definitely will be back.
  31. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 1, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our server was outstanding. He told us the history behind the building and the restaurant. The food was excellent. Second Empire is one of a kind.
  32. MB

    MartinB

    Miami

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 28, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best restaurants I ever been in. Excellent, creative food meets perfect service and this all in a great ambiance. I’ ll go back!
  33. ND

    NavyDavy20

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 26, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    There is too much to say about this dinning experience then this page can hold. The food was wonderful, the service was outstanding. I took my wife here for our 25th Wedding Anniversary, the staff went out of their way to provide a wonderful evening of conversation and food. The Pastry Chef even provided us with a treat of Key Lime pie, a dessert that we shared on our wedding night. Thank you to the Staff for this memorable evening.
  34. BS

    BobS

    Raleigh

    16 reviews

    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    My company gave my wife and me a gift certificate to Second Empire for Valentine's Day. We had never been and were really excited to read about the restaurant and to hear the rave reviews from friends. We were not disappointed. The house is a cozy and unusual setting for a meal out; while we sat in a somewhat brightly lit room off the downstairs tavern that did not have quite the ambience of the upstairs rooms, it was still very lovely. The service staff was extraordinary; from Ben who welcomed us to our table, to our main waiter Jason, to everyone who brought us water or bread or our meals, they were highly attentive and personable without hovering or being overbearing. Jason was especially knowledgeable, helpful, and engaging. He would have made a wonderful guest to share a dinner! The food was equally fantastic. We appreciated that the bread serving was four slices, not a whole loaf that we would have left behind. My wife began with the autumn salad ("Fantastic!") while I had the French onion soup. Both were delicious. The soup was extraordinary in that the outside cheese was perfectly crispy on the edges and soft in the center, without leaving the broth inedibly hot. For our entrees we chose from the menu; my wife had the Icelandic char ("Outstanding!") while I had the paella. It was absolutely marvelous; plenty of fish and just the right amount of rice, all with strong but not excessive spice. The wine list was extensive without overwhelming a novice like me. We had a sauvignon blanc that was a bit more buttery than our normal choices but was still plenty crisp and complemented our food perfectly. We were too full for dessert but I had a coffee (driving) while my wife had a Bailey's coffee ("Delicious!"). We look forward to returning, perhaps for a more casual stop in the tavern.
  35. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One of the best dining experiences we have had in a long time! Our server, Destiny, was engaging, knowledgeable and prompt; we couldn’t have asked for better. We will be back very soon!
  36. AP

    AudgPint

    Chicago

    19 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 24, 2019

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Enjoyed our anniversary meal here. We received a personalized menu, signed by the chef, which was a great way to start our evening. Food is fantastic, but you need to be an appreciator of unique dishes. Sadly it wasn't our favorite ambiance, it felt a little tired and dark. Still a great evening, wonderful food, I would recommend to a friend for a special dinner.
  37. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Birmingham

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Birthday for wife
  38. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    I have been here several times and have never been disappointed!
  39. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Charlotte

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2019

    overall2food4service1ambience5
    It started of very well with personalized attention upon arrival and very informative walk through the menu, however after the first course our waiter disappeared for 30 minutes. This was disappointing because we had requested the wine list when our first course arrived to be able to enjoy some red wine with the filet and aged strip. We finished up the first course and the kitchen brought the steak and we were faced with the option of eating a hot delicious steak sans wine, or have a cold steak with red wine. When the waiter did return, my wife had already finished her filet and I was almost finished with my strip, it had already spoiled the mood for me. Come to find out our waiter was looking for a lost umbrella for another table which is absolutely mind boggling that the restaurant would put that responsibility on him, to the detriment of all the waiter’s other guests. All in all our experienced was soured from what was a great level of service upon arrival through ordering, to poor service after placing our first and second course order. .
  40. OT

    OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 23, 2019

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. My new favorite restaurant.

FAQs

Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is rated 4.7 stars by 2759 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.

Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Harrington St./ Edenton St.

  • Neighborhood

    Raleigh

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner: Tuesday - Saturday: 5:00pm - 10:00pm Please note under special requests if you prefer tavern/ atrium seating instead of the formal main dining room.

  • Cuisines

    Contemporary American, Southern, French

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Business Casual

  • Parking details

    Parking is available on the surrounding streets & our private lot in the rear of the Restaurant. Additional parking is also located behind the Restaurant in the Reynolds Building parking lot. <br />There is a public parking lot across from Second Empire on Hillsborough Street owned by the City of Raleigh & is available for parking, however, there is a $3.00 parking fee that must be paid online. If you do not pay you will be towed.

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Daniel Schurr

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Chef's Table, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Website

    http://www.second-empire.com/

  • Phone number

    (919) 829-3663

  • Private party facilities

    Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers four private dining rooms for day or evening receptions and/or dining. We offer our Pine Room which seats 40 people, the Raleigh Room which seats 25 people, the Capitol Room which seats 25 people and the Atrium which seats 50 people.

  • Private party contact

    Nicolle Roberts: (919) 829-3663

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