Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots 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!

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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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

O-Ku - Raleigh

4.8

4.8 (2006)

$30 and under

Japanese

Raleigh

About the restaurant

O-Ku's menu provides a fresh and innovative take on traditional Japanese sushi and cuisine. Located in the Warehouse District of downtown Raleigh, the restaurant offers rare and unique dining options with traditional sashimi and specialty rolls, highlighting seafood from the finest fish markets in Tokyo and Hawaii alongside local and seasonal ingredients. Reminiscent of traditional Japanese culture, O-Ku's menu is comprised of signature starters, contemporary Japanese entrees and seasonal traditional sushi that reflect the uniquely designed space. The beverage program is built around quality ingredients that celebrate Japanese culture .

Top review

JonathanVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We love this food!!!! And we love Nicole!!! She’s awesome and always provides great feedback and insight on the menu.

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PLUS Dueling Piano Bar

4.8

4.8 (473)

$30 and under

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

PLUS Dueling Piano Bar is a one-of-a-kind live music venue and nightlife hotspot located in the heart of Glenwood South, Raleigh. Known for its high-energy, all-request dueling piano shows, PLUS offers a fun, interactive experience where the crowd drives the music all night long. Whether you’re celebrating a bachelorette party, birthday, or just looking for the best bar on Glenwood Avenue, PLUS delivers unforgettable entertainment, great drinks, and good vibes every weekend.

Open Friday and Saturday nights, PLUS is the go-to spot for live music in Raleigh, group nights out, and spontaneous singalongs. Reservations are recommended for the best seats in the house!

Top review

Katrina

Dined 7 days ago

My husband & I went to a Dueling Piano back home (MI) and wanted to try one here. Definitely different than what we expected; very high energy. The 2 negatives are...the more $ you give to request a song, the quicker it gets played. When they should toggle between request regardless of the amount. So, my husband's song was played & mines wasn't 😌. Second, it's a good thing you are allowed to bring food in, because the bathroom had no soap🤢. I can just imagine!! But other than that, we would probably return.

Aaktun Coffee + Bar

4.7

4.7 (171)

$30 and under

Latin American

Durham

About the restaurant

Our cozy cafe is a delightful haven where friends gather amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, savoring delectable pastries and engaging in warm, leisurely conversations. Take a step into our dining room and allow us to whisk you away to a tropical paradise where contemporary tiki cocktails blend seamlessly with vibrant Latin American and Caribbean Flavors. Our culinary journey is guided by the talented Oscar Diaz, a two-time James Beard semi-finalist and our esteemed chef-owner.

Top review

AngeloVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Great food, tried new flavors and dishes I never had before and everything hit the spot. Generous potions on the dinner and shareable sides, and drinks were very well made.

Napa Bistro & Wine Bar - Glenwood Place

4.6

4.6 (39)

$31 to $50

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Napa Bistro & Wine Bar is a new dining destination in Glenwood Place, bringing the flavors and spirit of California wine country to Raleigh. Our menu features fresh, seasonal ingredients, scratch-made dishes, and a carefully curated list of California wines—perfectly paired with warm hospitality and laid-back charm.

Join us for brunch, happy hour, date night, or any reason at all. Whether you're sipping a handcrafted cocktail or exploring something new from our wine list, you're in good hands. Just think of us as your friendly neighborhood restaurant, with a serious wine obsession.

Top review

SalVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had a wonderful experience. The food was superb, the service by our waiter, Megan, was outstanding. 10 out of 10, would recommend!

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Experience

The Bear Immersive Dinner Experience

Omakase by Kai

4.6

4.6 (16)

$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

Peter

Dined on Jun 18, 2025

We Got the omakase premium and shared it between the two of us and it was probably the best sushi meal we have ever had and we have been to nobu in a few places and morimoto in Philly. These guys are doing really amazing stuff

Peregrine

4.6

4.6 (20)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Peregrine is an American Restaurant from Chef Saif Rahman & artist Patrick Shanahan that celebrates Rahman's travels, wanderings, and migration from Bangladesh to America.

Top review

Kimberly

Dined 1 day ago

Dinner at Peregrine was a wonderful way to celebrate July 4th! Our dinner was amazing and the staff was so attentive. Chef Saif brings such a personal touch to the dining experience and we enjoy speaking with him when he stops by our table to make sure our food is wonderful. And it always is! The gem of the evening was the duck!

High Rail

4.2

4.2 (85)

$31 to $50

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

High Rail is a vibrant new bar and restaurant in Seaboard Station, downtown Raleigh, offering breathtaking views and a lively atmosphere. Our world-class cocktail program features handcrafted drinks using the freshest ingredients, expertly made by our talented bartenders. Our menu features refined New American style cuisine, to perfectly accompany the stunning views. High Rail is perfect for after work drinks, date night on the terrace, or a celebration with friends.

Top review

StephanieA

Dined 7 days ago

Our server, Parker was phenomenal! He had great recommandations and a very pleasant demea

Peace & Saint - Raleigh

3.6

3.6 (165)

$31 to $50

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Our elevated shisha café lounge inspired by Middle-Eastern and Mediterranean flavors is open 6 days a week, with a full service bar that invites you to engage in creative pursuits alongside wine, craft cocktails, and specialized hookah flavors.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur taking an afternoon meeting on our spacious patio, a designer stretching your creative inspiration beyond office walls, or a lifelong sports fan raising a victory glass, we invite you to our place of peace and genuine connections.

Respectfully we are a 21+ establishment.
ID is required upon arrival even with reservations.

Top review

Rich

Dined on Apr 27, 2025

The ambiance, vibe, art, music and experience with the hookah is excellent. Absolutely charming and romantic scene. Only complaint is they need more drink selections. Only two beers on the menu and they were out of seltzers, so it left expensive cocktails or wine as the only choice for drinks.

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