Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Raleigh

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Raleigh? 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!

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - North Raleigh

4.9

4.9 (1447)

$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

LieslVIP

Dined on May 22, 2025

Gonza is the Best Mexican in Raleigh by far! We have been going for 8 years and the consistent quality hasn’t let us down yet.

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

4.8

4.8 (301)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Raleigh

About the restaurant

A brewery and full service restaurant serving hand-made pizza and more in Downtown Raleigh. We feature Detroit style pizza on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm until they're gone. We have a full bar featuring inventive cocktails, great wine, cider, non-alcoholic options, and more!

We have several areas for private events and larger gatherings. Reach out to our events team for details: events@trophybrewing.com

Top review

Taylor

Dined 6 days ago

Trophy Brewing is hands down one of the best spots in Raleigh for pizza and beer. The pizza crust is perfectly crisp, the toppings are fresh, and their combos are seriously creative (try the Most Loyal if you’re feeling bold). Their beer selection is just as strong; from hoppy IPAs to smooth stouts, everything tastes crafted and on point. The vibe is chill, the staff is super friendly, and it’s a great spot for anything from date night to grabbing a casual bite with friends. If you haven’t been yet, you’re missing out. This place never disappoints.

Simply Crepes Cafe of Raleigh

4.8

4.8 (207)

$30 and under

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

A full-service restaurant and bar. Offers progressively traditional, French Canadian farmhouse vibes. Scratch-made comfort food is handcrafted in our kitchen using fresh meats, produce, signature sauces and dressings.

Menu Musings: Nosh on some of fan favorites for breakfast like French toast, Maple Sausage Stackers, oatmeal creme brulee, simply strawberry crepes. Lunch can be healthy! Many gluten and dairy free options. Try a Mediterranean Chicken (or make it vegetarian with tofu). Vegan friends love the Thai Curry Crepe. Food Network has featured our Rugby Crepe on The Best Thing I Ever Ate. Try it, is it the best?! Come for dinner and grab a burger or fried chicken sandwich. After dinner nutella dessert crepes - yes!

Top review

Michelle

Dined 6 days ago

Incredible!! All around great experience!! Highly recommend!

J. Betski's

4.8

4.8 (109)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Relaxed, casual, lively location serving East & Central influenced European Cuisine with a modern, local flair that will pleasantly surprise your palate; features the option of using a hybrid service system or traditional print menu service. Located on the edge of the Five Points neighborhood in Raleigh, NC. We use the highest quality seafood, meats, poultry and local produce for our menu of small and mid size plates, providing you a unique and memorable flavor experience. Enjoy one of our expertly created craft cocktails, or order from our list of wines or extensive selection of high quality European and local Beers.

Top review

JoanVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Delicious, efficient ordering process and fast service. Cocktails, draft beer, schnitzel, baked oysters, shrimp bisque were some of our favorites!

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (3117)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, a locally owned Italian restaurant that has been named one of Raleigh's best by Raleigh Magazine. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, minutes from the Raleigh Convention Center, Mulino offers an authentic dining experience that showcases the rich flavors and traditions of Italy. Guests can enjoy classic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients, perfectly paired with wines from Italy & beyond.

Mulino’s inviting atmosphere includes cozy indoor seating & a beautiful outdoor patio, available on a first-come basis. Mulino can accommodate parties from 2 to 250 guests. For groups of 12 or more, a special large-party menu is available to enhance your dining experience.

Parking is available at 209 N. Dawson Street, 329 N McDowell Street, and streetwise along Lane Street.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, where every meal is crafted with passion and every guest is treated like family.

Top review

Nikki

Dined 2 days ago

Great service, food and drinks! Well definitely be back

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4.7

4.7 (509)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Raleigh

About the restaurant

La Terrazza, the newest addition to Umbria Hospitality Group, presents a delightful fusion of southern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine, complemented by an enchanting city skyline view. With seasonal delicacies, premium ingredients, and market-fresh produce, our menu showcases traditional favorites with innovative flair. Step into our inviting dining space adorned with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, or unwind at one of our two bars – one indoors and the other nestled in a patio enclosure. We aim to whisk you away to a culinary experience like no other. Patio seating is first come first serve for reservations.

Top review

Breyele

Dined on May 22, 2025

Beautiful scenery go at 7:30 8:00 to see the sunset on the roof top and you can order anything and it will be amazing but try the duck and crème brûlée! Also service is attentive and nice.

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Doc B's Restaurant- Cary

4.7

4.7 (89)

$31 to $50

American

Cary

About the restaurant

Set in a comfortable and inviting atmosphere, Doc B's Restaurant serves food made from scratch daily. Incorporating the highest-quality ingredients, the menu includes a variety of "very special” entrees, crave-worthy burgers and sandwiches, signature Wok Out Bowls™, delicious salads, indulgent desserts and so much more. Doc B’s also impresses with an extensive locally curated craft beer offering, wine and spirits selection in addition to signature cocktails. No matter what occasion, the expansive menu truly offers something for everyone. With each location having its own personality, Doc B’s Cary at Fenton offers a large, vibrant outdoor patio with a gorgeous pergola, furnished with heaters, misters and fans so guests can enjoy Fenton Square in all seasons. Finally, the expansive bar with six tv's adjacent to the plush lounge, are perfect for mingling with friends and social gatherings.

Top review

Brad

Dined 4 days ago

Excellent experience! Generous portions more than justify the cost, and the quality and homemade nature of the food was top-notch.

Brewery Bhavana - Fenton

4.6

4.6 (43)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Cary

About the restaurant

Our newest location brings the signature Brewery Bhavana experience to Fenton, blending craft beer, dim sum, and a thoughtfully designed space. Flooded with natural light and filled with lush greenery, the setting is anchored by a hand-painted Garden of Eden mural and a canopy of hanging plants.

Located on Lower Garden Lane, the glass-walled dining space offers a warm, verdent atmosphere, while the courtyard provides the perfect spot for a beer in the sun. Enjoy a diverse cocktail program alongside a menu inspired by our Raleigh flagship.

Top review

ErinVIP

Dined on May 20, 2025

Food was incredible! All the dumplings were amazing, especially the soup dumplings. Server was excellent and super attentive. Will be going back to my next visit to Raleigh/Cary!

Peck & Plume

4.5

4.5 (587)

$30 and under

American

Cary

About the restaurant

Peck & Plume — a nod to the restaurant’s view of Downtown Cary Park and its avian inhabitants — is a polished yet casual restaurant offering a menu of modern American classics taking inspiration from our southern surroundings. Whether diners want a peck of plates to share with friends or the plume of a special occasion dinner, Peck & Plume is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. The bar program focuses on premium cocktails, approachable wines and North Carolina craft beers.

Top review

Dined 7 days ago

We had an outstanding experience at Peck and Plume. Service was great and so was the food.

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4.3

4.3 (123)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Rooftop restaurant and bar on the 10th floor in the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown. The restaurant features contemporary American fusion dishes, signature cocktails, and an INCREDIBLE VIEW! Perfect spot for a date night or if you want to grab a pre-show cocktail and bite to eat. Located in close walking distance to the Raleigh Convention Center, Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts, and the Red Hat Amphitheater.

Top review

Jacquie

Dined 6 days ago

Everything was fantastic. The food, cocktails and atmosphere was amazing! I do wish the mac and cheese from my first visit was there again, because it was the best Mac Ive ever had. I'm celiac and I truly appreciate the care that goes into the quality gluten free food!!

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