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    Bittersweet

    4.4 (479 reviews)
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    BITTERSWEET ATMOSPHERE

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    Joel J.

    This place was amazing and I'll def be back again. Came on a weekday, the place was moderately packed which was nice because it didn't make it awkward just being us two. The noise level is medium with everyone talking but nothing too crazy. The workers were super friendly and attentive, answering our questions and making sure we understood the menu. The drinks here are also very delicious and presentable. We also ordered an ice cream sundae for 2 which was very yummy; I def recommend you stop by for drinks and a good time.

    Pecan pie with Chai espresso martini
    Cam A.

    The literal definition of a dessert bar. They have amazing unique treats, a great alcohol selection. They also have mocktails coffees, and teas. I believe this place is known for their gym and they have a large gin collection. Sat at the bar here the service was great. The dessert and the drinks came out quickly. They do have special desserts of the day and baked goods also. After a night out if you need a sweet treat and another drink, this is the place to go.

    Outdoor
    Khanh-Chau M.

    Came on a Sunday night and had to wait in line until we could get seated. Unfortunately, a lot of things ran out by the time we got seated so we couldn't try the desserts we really wanted. The sundae was still nice to try with the different toppings. Their almond drink was also tasty. Wish we could have tried more of their desserts.

    This was incredible. Prob seasonal. Fresh squeezed watermelon juice as a margarita.
    Jessica F.

    Loved this cocktail bar! Espresso martinis were perfect and they had a variety of options! All people of my party loved their drinks. The pretzels/nuts bar snack was tasty too. The staff and our waitress in particular was awesome- so friendly and fun and engaging. Definitely would go back next time in the Raleigh area!

    Davia N.

    One of my new favorite places in downtown. This was one of the stops for my birthday and I know I will be back soon. Service was friendly and the staff gave great recommendations for popular items. We tried a variety of drinks and desserts. Even had a cute birthday shot with a candle in it. The Derby pie was by far my favorite dessert that night. We also had the s'mores sundae which had a cool presentation. For drinks the Caribbean Thunderstorm was my favorite. Definitely give this place a try.

    Bad Santa!
    Shamara H.

    Not so Bittersweet...This is one of my favorite Raleigh spots. Service always amazing! The staff is here is very friendly, helpful, and I have never had a bad cocktail. Drinks are bussin! I love the Gin and Jam and the Espresso Martini's are the best in the city! I would also recommend you trying a seasonal drink. Definitely a cute spot for a date night, drinks with friends, or a solo date. On the weekends get there early to beat the line. But, trust it is worth the wait!

    Boozy pepper mint latte w/ vodka
    Hayley P.

    We've known about this place but only just visited, and we had an absolutely wonderful time! We came in on a Saturday afternoon around 4pm. No wait, which you won't find as it gets into the evening. Our server was lovely and attentive. I got the boozy peppermint latte and my partner got the I Smell Ice, and lemme tell you, they are heavy handed with that liquor. We also got the coffee crème brûlée and both agreed that it is probably the smoothest crème brûlée we had ever had. $42 in total with the tip so not bad for what you get. A great place to pop in on the weekend with your SO or friends.

    Gin & Jam  Seaside Garden
    Paige R.

    Pretty great! I came here with a few friends for my birthday. The service was super nice and attentive, and were really accomodating taking our chaotic orders. The cocktails I had were very good - my personal favorite was the Seaside Garden. I tried other drinks my friends ordered and everything was good (gin & jam for one). We got the shot special and since there were 5 of us played shot roulette. That was super fun and I like that you can mix and match. The prettiest lemon tart was quite beautiful and the berries on it were fresh and delicious. However, I thought the tart wasn't "tart" enough - it tasted more like a slice of cheesecake. The salted choc. chip cookie ice cream sandwich was delicious - I would definitely come back again specifically for that. Overall, highly recommend and I hope to try more of their offerings.

    Holly K.

    Bittersweet continues. to be such a Raleigh gem! I've been a few times recently and it never disappoints. On Pi day they were unfortunately sold out of most of their pies, but we still enjoyed what we were able to get. The chocolate chess pie was solid, but I think my favorite dessert here still remains that carrot cinnamon cupcake and the salty ice cream sandwich. For drinks the iced toasted almond continues to be my favorite. The perfect after dinner sweet treat drink. Their new champagne and gummy bears cocktail also did not disappoint. Expect to wait when you go, but they do a good job of moving through the line in waves.

    Lindsay K.

    I've been here an embarrassing amount of times and everything I've tried has been wonderful! I'm not a huge drinker but love the creative cocktails. Most importantly, the desserts are absolutely delicious. I love that they have standards on the menu and also a rotating list. This is a great date spot or just a place to come with friends. Everyone is always friendly and the spot has great vibes

    Outside. Storefront.
    Daniel B.

    I liked Bittersweet OK. This place gets three or four stars out of me. I thought the drinks were fine, the desserts were delicious, the atmosphere was too loud (noise level), and the service could've been better. Read on for details. This is a popular place to get drinks and desserts in downtown Raleigh. The business opened in July 2014. It's located on the ground level of PNC Plaza, the tallest skyscraper in Raleigh. We parked for free in the nearby Moore Square Parking Deck. The deck address is 233 S Wilmington St, Raleigh, NC 27601. It was free for us because we visited on a Saturday. Parking is free all day Saturday and Sunday. Parking fees are enforced Monday-Friday, 7am-7pm. We showed up to Bittersweet on a Saturday night around 9:30pm. There was a line outside to get seated. This place is first come, first served. The wait wasn't bad. We waited maybe 15-20 minutes. Our options were either a table outside or a standing-only bar inside. It was luck of the draw for what was available when it was our turn to be "seated." I say that because we ended up standing inside whereas groups that were waiting behind us got to sit at tables inside. The lady handling the line and seating didn't have a great attitude. I get it - it's not an easy job and she probably had to deal with her fair share of entitled/rude people. That said, just not a good vibe. Our server was better. She was nice and also very busy. Inside, the dining room and bar were dimly-lit. I liked the comedic art of Bruce Willis from Die Hard. The music was loud. This is one of those places where you have to speak really loud to hear each other. Obviously not uncommon for a bar environment, but it was too loud for me. Outdoor seating was uncovered. Part of the street had been converted into dining spaces. The menu had a sizable list of fun and creative cocktails and desserts plus gin, whiskey, wine, champagne, and beer. There were also mocktails, coffee, and tea. "Cocktail Brunch" is served every Sunday, 12-3pm. Here's what we got: Cocktails * Key Lime Martini ($14) x2 - Tanqueray Rangpur Distilled Gin, Nikka yuzu gin, lime, vanilla, whipped cream, graham dust * Watermelon Margarita ($14) - watermelon juice, Hornitos Black Barrel Tequila, Bombay Sapphire East Gin, lime, agave, basil * Toasted Almond ($14) - amaretto, coffee liqueur, cream, nutmeg; available hot or iced (my wife got hers iced) Less Than Zero (mocktails) * Little Garden ($10) - Seedlip Garden Party, grapefruit, ginger-turmeric syrup, agave, lime, coriander, Fever Tree Elderflower Tonic Water. Desserts * Peaches & Creme Brulee ($11) - peach puree creme brulee with cooked peaches on the bottom, vanilla-thyme madeleine cookie * Margarita Key Lime Pie ($12) - made with key lime tequila curd, triple-sec-infused whipped cream, graham crumb crust, lime zest * Cherry Cheesecake Vacation ($13) - vanilla bean cheesecake on a graham ganache "beach" topped with Michigan Montmorency tart cherries, cherry gel and almond sand dollar cookie I tried all the drinks listed above along with the Margarita Key Lime Pie and the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation. In general, the drinks were good/decent. Nothing too crazy or memorable. Out of the group above, I think the drink to get is the Key Lime Martini. My wife ordered the Toasted Almond and while she liked it OK, in hindsight she said she would've ordered the Key Lime Martini instead. The Little Garden mocktail was sweet. The desserts were the highlight for me. Both the Margarita Key Lime Pie and the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation were terrific. Both were rich, comforting, and delectable. I liked the Cherry Cheesecake Vacation better only because I love cherry pie and cheesecake and this was almost like a combination of those two things. The desserts were high-quality and well-made. This Cherry Cheesecake Vacation is a miracle. If you're familiar with Atlanta, where my wife and I are from, Bittersweet reminded us of Cafe Intermezzo because of the late-night drinks and desserts. It's also a hot spot, which this place appeared to be.

    Asya T.

    Bittersweet is one of my favorite spots in downtown Raleigh. Nestled in the heart of everything, it offers both indoor and outdoor seating, making it perfect for any occasion. It only opens in the evenings, so you'll have to hold off on those late-night cravings for a bit, but trust me, it's worth the wait. They have great gluten-free options, and the drinks are just fantastic. I generally order dry drinks, like a Manhattan, but like the fruit standbys they have here. Their drink and dessert pairings are lovely and well-conceived. I love dropping by for a quick bite pre- and post-dinner--it's always a yummy, creative treat!

    Outside

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    4 months ago

    Great after dinner desert and coffee : tea place. Great service. Ambiance was perfect . We enjoyed our desserts very much

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    5 months ago

    great!! food and service good. will come back again. Thank you !!!!!!!!rndnz dmene nene end dnfnfndndndnfb

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    11 months ago

    Love the vibe in this place! The bartender makes a mean Aperol spritz. Wait staff is friendly & quick with orders.

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    Ask the Community - Bittersweet

    Is Bittersweet 21 and over only?

    I'm not sure. They did not check ID, so my guess is "no age require "

    Does this business offer delivery through UberEats?

    I'm not sure

    Is this a good spot to work?

    No, loud noise level

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    FOUNDATION

    FOUNDATION

    4.5
    (332 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    This is a whiskey lover's dream and one of Raleigh's most unique drinking destinations. It's quite…read moreliterally underground as it's in a basement. With little signage the space feels like a natural speakeasy. It's unpolished enough to feel a little sleazy, yet polished enough to never feel dirty. In other words, it has character, and plenty of it. The bartenders were fantastic: knowledgeable, talented, and happy to chat about the spirits behind the bar. Whether you're a serious whiskey enthusiast or just looking for a well-made cocktail, you're in good hands. Being open later than most Raleigh bars makes Foundation one of the city's go-to late-night options, but that shouldn't overshadow what it really is........a great bar at any hour. The atmosphere, the drinks, and the people behind the bar make this a place worth seeking out whether it's your first stop of the evening or your last.

    Came here before dinner and had a great time. Even though it's a speakeasy, it was pretty easy to…read morefind. The menu leans heavily toward whiskey and bourbon, with lots of solid options. I had their basil smash, which was refreshing, and the Manhattan--bold with a warm, spicy profile. Pleasant surprise to see Michter's as the special of the night, and it was excellent with smooth caramel and vanilla notes. Service started off a little hands-off since we ordered at the bar, but picked up toward the end when staff came by to check in. Drinks were high quality without being overpriced, and the vibe is relaxed--not at all pretentious. You can definitely come casual. If we had more time, we would've stayed longer or come back for another round.

    Photos
    South side
    South side
    Foundation old fashioned
    Foundation old fashioned
    Bar

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    Bar
    Cuya

    Cuya

    4.5
    (27 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    This place was absolutely amazing. All I can say is, we made a lot of happy noises while eating,…read moreand there were plenty of "oh my God" moments at the table. From the staff to the manager to the food, everything was on point. The food truly speaks for itself. They serve small plates, which we love because it gives you the chance to try different things and experience a variety of flavors. We started with the fried pork belly on tostones. It was perfectly seasoned, topped with avocado, and every bite just melted in your mouth. Next, we had the tamarind sticky ribs with a tamarind mango barbecue sauce. This was a perfect example of how simplicity can create complex flavors. The ribs were cooked just right -- not completely falling off the bone, but tender enough that when you bit into them, the meat pulled apart so easily. They were juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right touch of spice from the chili flakes. Then we moved on to the mini arepas, and oh my God. They had slow-cooked pork, guava barbecue sauce, and fried papas on top. The arepa itself was crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. The savory pork paired with the sweetness of the guava barbecue sauce was incredible, and the crunch from the fried papas took it to another level. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but my wife does not. I wanted dessert, and we were leaning toward the tres leches, but our waitress highly recommended the bread pudding. I am not usually a fan of bread pudding at all, but her recommendations had been on point all night, so I decided to trust her. I am so glad we did. They take a Mexican bolillo, soak it overnight in tres leches, then pan-sear it to create this crispy caramelized outside while keeping the inside warm, soft, and sweet. It is topped with crema and toasted coconut, then they pour warm guava syrup over it and serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet. The layers of flavor in that dessert were unreal. Honestly, it may have been the best dessert we have ever had. And remember, my wife is not big on sweets -- she usually only takes one bite of dessert, but this time she tried to eat over half of it. Lol. I highly recommend this place. The food, the service, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all amazing. And after dinner, you can even head upstairs to work off the food with salsa lessons and a dance club. This is definitely a spot worth checking out! Este lugar fue absolutamente increíble. Lo único que puedo decir es que hicimos muchos sonidos de felicidad mientras comíamos, y hubo muchos momentos de "¡Dios mío!" en la mesa. Desde el personal, hasta el gerente, hasta la comida, todo estuvo excelente. La comida realmente habla por sí sola. Sirven platos pequeños, algo que nos encanta porque te da la oportunidad de probar diferentes cosas y experimentar una variedad de sabores. Comenzamos con el pork belly frito sobre tostones. Estaba perfectamente sazonado, cubierto con aguacate, y cada bocado simplemente se derretía en la boca. Después probamos las costillitas pegajosas de tamarindo con una salsa barbecue de tamarindo y mango. Este plato fue un ejemplo perfecto de cómo la simplicidad puede crear sabores complejos. Las costillas estaban cocinadas en su punto: no se caían completamente del hueso, pero estaban tan tiernas que al morderlas, la carne se desprendía fácilmente. Estaban jugosas, llenas de sabor y con el toque perfecto de picante gracias a las hojuelas de chile. Luego pasamos a las mini arepas, y ¡Dios mío! Tenían cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa barbecue de guayaba y papitas fritas encima. La arepa estaba crujiente por fuera, calientita y esponjosa por dentro. El sabor salado del cerdo combinado con la dulzura de la salsa barbecue de guayaba fue increíble, y el crujiente de las papitas fritas lo llevó a otro nivel. Ahora, a mí me gustan mucho los dulces, pero a mi esposa no tanto. Yo quería pedir postre, y estábamos pensando en el tres leches, pero nuestra mesera nos recomendó mucho el budín de pan. Normalmente no soy fanático del budín de pan, pero sus recomendaciones habían sido excelentes toda la noche, así que decidí confiar en ella. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo hecho. Toman un bolillo mexicano, lo remojan durante la noche en tres leches y luego lo sellan en sartén para crear una capa exterior crujiente y caramelizada, mientras que el interior se mantiene calientito, suave y dulce. Lo sirven con crema y coco tostado, luego le vierten encima un jarabe tibio de guayaba y lo acompañan con una bola de sorbete de coco. Las capas de sabor en ese postre fueron irreales. Honestamente, puede que haya sido el mejor postre que hemos probado en nuestra vida. Y recuerden, mi esposa no es muy amante de los dulces; normalmente solo prueba un bocado del postre, pero esta vez intentó comerse más de la mitad. Jajaja.

    This was my first time coming here since they rebranded and reopened. I already enjoyed the…read moreprevious concept and was anxious to see what was different. The essence of it still feels similar with a few differences in ambiance and menu. They still over an oyster option, but we didn't try it. The octopus was good - cooked nicely. I enjoyed the ceviche. It's not the best I ever had, but a solid choice and the portion was excellent. The cocktail was well balanced and tasted good. The skirt steak was nice, but I was full so didn't eat all of it. There are black beans under the skirt steak that were AMAZING. It was just a small option of the dish - not the size of a side portion but almost like a "sauce" under the steak. It was perfect. This place remains a solid choice. I would come here again on a date or with a girl friend.

    Photos
    Cuya
    Cuya
    Seasonal cocktail

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    Seasonal cocktail
    Whiskey Kitchen

    Whiskey Kitchen

    4.0
    (789 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    $$

    Wow! I said I'd come back but I didn't realize it had been 8 years!…read more My husband Dan H and I had a great lunch with some friends today. We all shared an order of fries for the table, which were amazing. Then I got the grain bowl with shrimp, and everything was perfectly prepared and delicious. My husband enjoyed his biscuits and gravy with fried chicken- so tender and decedent. Our friends enjoyed their meal, too, and enjoyed the apple custard for dessert. The mocktails were also delicious- I loved one with hibiscus and ginger. So nice to have a bunch of mocktail options! The ambiance was just as great as it was 8 years ago- spacious and light. The server was great, and let us linger for a few hours without hovering. Hope to be back sooner than another 8 years from now!

    If bourbon and whiskey choices were a personality trait, The Whiskey Kitchen would definitely have…read morecommitment issues...because the selection is massive. Seriously, if you can't find a pour you like here, you may just need water instead. Started with the biscuits topped with crackling and house-made preserves, and honestly, that combo alone made me question why I don't eat more biscuits in life. Sweet, salty, buttery chaos in the best way. For the main, I went with the pork chop and greens. The chop leaned a little overcooked for me personally, but the sauce helped bring things back together and added good flavor. The greens had a nice little kick of heat, but I kept waiting for that deep smoky ham hock flavor to show up like an old Southern grandma entering the kitchen... and it never quite arrived. Overall though? Still a solid meal, strong whiskey program, cool atmosphere, and definitely worth checking out if you're in Raleigh looking for a bourbon-forward dinner spot. Travelin_Broke approved with a slight side-eye from the greens.

    Photos
    Whiskey Flights
    Whiskey Flights
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    The Botanist and Paper Plane

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    The Botanist and Paper Plane

    Bittersweet - coffee - Updated June 2026

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