I've been in Raleigh for the week, and this was the best food I've had in town. Loved all dishes- especially liked the chicken and waffles and banana pudding. The menu is locally sourced and looks like something you'd see in California-- my highest food compliment. read more

A friend recommended brunch here so I made a reservation for my Dad and I on December 15. We were seated immediately, but a foursome that sat down after us had service (drink orders, etc) before a waitress ever came to our table. We actually had to stop a random waitress and ask for assistance. That was the first disappointment. The other disappointment was the brunch menu -- very small with only one omelette option, which my Dad was bummed about. We actually both ordered the country breakfast. I've definitely had better. read more

We stopped in for dinner and found ourselves in an impromptu wine-tasting of some outstanding Malbec and Cabernets from Argentina. The wine tasting was followed by an outstanding dinner consisting of spareribs, hanger steak and risotto. Great food, great service and a wonderful atmosphere. read more

Doing college visits and happened on to the Mandolin. What can I say...farm to table. Definitely a keeper. The service was superior and the food was absolutely amazing. I had the Panzanella Salad with shrimp and the rest of the crew enjoyed Steak and Eggs, the Country Breakfast, and let's not forget the Sourdough Waffle. Yum yum yum and double yum. How about the centerpieces on the table are herbs. If you are ever in Raleigh, this is a must go for brunch. Just be sure to get the full fat buttermilk homemade biscuits. Taste just like angel biscuits. Oh so heavenly. read more

Very good as usual. Very solid food and good service. Def a bit on the pricey so it's still reserved as a "special" occasion" restaurant but we'll be back! read more

We decided to go to Mandolin because of a review on Around the Triangle that featured the chocolate desert. The atmosphere was great and the service was outstanding. The first course was a tray of different cured meats and pickled veggies. They were great and set the stage for the main courses. The chicken pot pie was delicious with a light and flaky crust. The striped bass was also delightful and done perfectly. The chocolate soufflé was as advertised to die for. In all a most enjoyable and satisfying experience. read more

Great reputation so we tried it. Certainly a place that has the feel of higher end, quiet, great service, elegant. The food was good, but didn't knock my socks off for the price. I expected something more unique and memorable for the price. Overall my partner and I felt it was overrated. I would go back only if someone else was picking up the tab! read more

The ribeye wasn't on the menu but should be. The smallest steak was 36 oz. and they cooked it correctly. Great meal.

We had an 8 pm reservation. Weren't seated until 8:15. Told the waitress that was totally fine. We ordered by 8:30. No one came by our table until our food arrived around 9:30. Our food was cold, over cooked, and overall gross. A manager asked how our food was. We told him point blank this was very disappointing. We had waited over an hour and our food wasn't good. We ate maybe 10% of our plates because everything else wasn't edible. Other tables that had sat after us had received their food, eaten and left before we got ours. We had ordered a desert at the time of our main meal that hadn't come. He offered to remake our food but we were ready to leave. He said that he'd go check on our desert. He never returned. We stopped the waitress for our check. We paid it as it was super late at this point and we were ready to get out of there and the manager was no where to be found. We sent a letter on their website and never heard back. I've been here before and had a good experience but this was horrible. We understand the staff shortage but when the wait is long AND the food is bad, the restaurant should do something about it. read more

Hands down, the best restaurant in Raleigh. You just won't find better food in the Triangle. It's classy without being arrogant, elegant without being stuffy, and is perfect for a casual bite at the bar, drinks with lady frands, and romantic dinners alike. Dinner prices are on the high side, but brunch is quite affordable if you don't want to drop that kind of cash. Their wine list is solid and appropriately priced. The customer service is also the best around. My husband and I once walked in right at dinnertime on Valentine's Day night, and even though the restaurant was more or less full and we had no reservation, the hostess said in earnest--"I'm so glad you chose to join us this evening--welcome!" We had our engagement lunch as well as my bridal brunch here, and they had printed a message of congratulations at top of the menu. They really go above and beyond. read more

Visited Mandolin last week. The wait staff was very attentive. We where greeted by a gracious host (whom happened to be one of the owners). The ambiance is very nice in-spite of it being a small venue, it had had the atmosphere of a polished venue. Spacing (in regards to tables) is excellent. You have plenty of privacy for your conversation without feeling like you are in a crowded restaurant. The decor was very modern. I had the chicken and waffles. The chicken was cooked perfectly. It wasn't dry, overcooked, undercooked or over seasoned. The chicken was perfect. The collard greens had excellent flavor. Dessert was delicious. Another tip to keep in mind is that the menu changes from week to week. I highly recommend this restaurant, a must visit if you are in the Raleigh NC area. Best to make a reservation. read more

Have been here for dinner and brunch, both amazing. The pork Madame was awesome, and they have one of the best bloody Mary's in Raleigh. Service is always great as well. read more

Not for the meat and potato lover. Tofu steak just doesn't cut it. Liked the shrimp and grits, however for what you got, it was on the high price side. The flounder portion was the thin tail end, not what I saw on the pictures posted here. As a fresh seafood lover accustomed to fresh off the boat, it was a let down. The hoppin john side was excellent, however, all things considered, on the high side price wise for what you got. Scallops app was very good. The best of show. The building was charming, but attention needs to be paid to the table stability due to the brick floor. Our table was wobbly when we sat down and was annoying enough to ask the wait staff to fix. Could have been checked before seating a party. I would not go back again for a full dinner, but would consider an appetizer with the girls after a full day of shopping at nearby Crabtree mall. read more

I'm hard pressed to say that there is a better restaurant in Raleigh. Fried oysters with pork belly (cooked perfectly I might add) was just the beginning to a pristine meal. A real treat and part of my itinerary every trip home. read more

Always an awesome brunch! The freshest ingredients and relaxed atmosphere on Sundays make this our go-to location for special occasions as well as regular weekend plans. read more

Mandolin - Shrimp and grits - Southern Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

Great Southern food. Chicken waffles with collard greens and purple potato gnocchi were both excellent. Chocolate soufflé was okay. Purple potato pie was a great dessert. Recommend this place. read more

Excellent place for Dinner! Recommend the chicken dumplings and Gnocchi :)

Had a large (14 people) group dinner at Mandolin this weekend. They were incredibly accommodating (thank you Caroline), the service was great and the food was outstanding. Had the bone in ribeye, 48oz of some of the best steak I've ever had. I'm definitely adding this place to my rotation, a real gem for those who like farm to table style restaurants! read more

This restaurant is chic with rustic characteristics. The service was great and the waitstaff were very attentive. I ordered French toast which were a little mushy in the middle, but everything else was very tasty. The location is good with rear parking. We were there for a girls brunch which started just before their midday close @ 2:30 pm and we were the only patrons there....I suspect there would be more patrons earlier in the day and later in the evening... Overall good experience; I will be back. read more

Overall I love this place. It is so cute and a great neighborhood spot. It's been a while since I've visited but during my last visit, I would have loved to see the menu freshened up. read more

Arguably one of the best dining experiences I have ever had in Raleigh. The food was fresh and cooked to perfection. The staff is incredibly kind/helpful. Would recommend to anyone. read more

Went to brunch and ordered the Country Breakfast. Although the menu lists scrambled "eggs," there couldn't have been more than one egg on my plate. That, with two small pieces of bacon, a piece of toast and some cut up potatoes, do not equal $11.50 or a filling breakfast. I had wanted to visit for dinner, but after this experience, will pass. read more

Easily one of my favorite places in Raleigh. In the short time that they have been open we have been there twice. Great atmosphere, great service and the food is elegant and more importantly tastes good. The portion size is enough that you are satisfied without feeling stuffed. Love the open atmosphere and that it is bright so you can see what you are eating and enjoy the experience. read more

Wonderful! My girls and I went there for dinner and drinks. The food was excellent and the service was so good we felt like we were given star treatment. We are all foodies so we're a tough crowd. But all were happy (all four of us had different entrees by the way) and interested in going back for brunch. read more

I have gone here a few times. I really want to like this place and was excited when I heard the chef used to be at fearrington. Food - The food had its moments of being very good but overall it was inconsistent. Entrees and accompanying side items usually don't mesh we'll and or are not all prepared well. Single items like the sliders are good. I have eaten in the dining room and at the bar. One major complaint is that we went here on a Friday night and they were out of scallops. During the middle of the week maybe I could see it but on a Friday. That is just very poor planning on their part. Service As noted we have been here a few times. The dining room service is usually good. We did witness a large spill by a waiter and broken glasses at other tables but stuff happens. The waiters seemed to be responsive so that is a plus. On the other hand the hostess needs to learn about service. She seated us in the bar area one night and all was well and good but then another group of two came in and she asked us to move. We had just been served foods and she started quickly moving us over with no regard that we were eating. Meanwhile there were empty seats further to the right. Needless to say it was a big turnoff and we have not been back. Overall the food is inconsistent but at times shines. The service is generally good but the hostess needs some training. I wanted this place to be good but it is disappointing. The mark of a good restaurant is consistency and great service and mandolin needs some work in both areas. read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Raleigh. I have enjoyed everything I have had there and enjoy the fact that the menu changes often! I especially enjoyed the Duck and Dumplings I had last time I was there! I would encourage you that if you don't have space or money to get an appetizer and dinner versus a dinner and dessert. As much as I love dessert, I have found that the appetizers at Mandolin are superior. read more

Came here early on Valentine's Day, with a reservation. Food was delicious, service was great, restaurant was beautiful. I had pheasant hash (to die for) & husband had omelet special. Biscuits are heavenly. What a perfect brunch spot. read more

I had such high hopes for this place. I went for a belated Valentine's brunch with my brother and it was fine, the place is very lovely and the food is good but not spectacular. Surprisingly, their biscuits were entirely bland, so that was a disappointment and they also don't offer a dessert menu with brunch, so that was also a let down. I won't rush back to this place any time soon, as there are SO many other places that do far better than this one, sorry to say... read more

Sunday Brunch in Mandolin is top class! From the biscuits served beforehand with the most delightful apple butter to the classic country ham benedict, all the food is fresh and has a genuinely delicious taste! An added bonus is that the price is very reasonable for brunch especially when you consider it is roughly the same price as other brunch establishments which may have less of the quality. read more

Great service. Mimosa 's were ok, nothing great. Food was good, had the country breakfast, great biscuits! Little pricey, 66$ for breakfast..would like to try dinner.. great place for a brunch date, cute place read more

My husband and I went for brunch. The service was great and the food was AMAZING! We thoroughly enjoyed our experience!

I had one of the best dining experiences that I have had in Raleigh at Mandolin. The service was attentive without being intrusive, the meal was a home run from start to finish, and the cocktails were understated bliss. We started with the panzanella salad which was not a traditional bread-based salad. The salad relied more heavily on the mixed greens than the bread. The colorful beets, house made pickles, and caper berries were a perfect contrast with the creamy cheese. The ramp mignonette served with the oysters on the half shelf was a welcome spin on the traditional shallot based mignonette. The beef tenderloin and chicken and dumplings were great and I would order both again. The real star of the meal was the chocolate soufflé. Actual soufflé made to order served with chocolate ganache and chantilly cream. It takes 15 minutes so order ahead - you will not be disappointed! Heaven on earth. The minimalist decor at this neighborhood spot does not try to hard like some of the concept restaurants in town. The open kitchen allows the diner an insight into the kitchen without making the diner feel caught in the cross fires; the pickled mason jars serve as functional decoration; the photographs on the way to the bathroom echo the local feel of the menu. The chef came by the table to ask how are meal was and the hostess asked us on our way out. This team seems to have a passion for hospitality, to have the ability to make each guest feel special and were able to make a spur of the moment night out turn into one of our best meals in Raleigh yet. Cheers to a smoked maple old fashioned and a lost in Havana! We will be back soon and often! read more

Valentine's Day brunch. First, very cold day and they sat us away from the door! Well done. Second the food: Delicious. My wife had Braised Ashley Farms Chicken - it came with mac and cheese with country ham and scallions. She loved it. I loved the leftover mac and cheese the next day even more. I got the biscuits and gravy with fried chicken. So good. Boneless chicken so no extra effort to remove meat from a bone; I just cut and slid that delicious food in my mouth. Three days later and I'm still thinking about the sausage gravy! Great service; nice atmosphere; delicious food. Go to Mandolin. read more

OMG! I have found my new favorite brunch spot. Seriously, well done. I brunch for the food not the booze. I live in Durham and moved back here in June 2018. I have been brunching at a new place every sunday. Finally brunched in every location in Durham so had to branch out. Made it to La Farm which was my top spot until yours. Had the biscuits and gravy, and shrimp and grits to share with my boyfriend. I can not stop telling people to get out of Durham and come to Mandolin! read more

Substandard overall experience. Atmosphere and service great. Not a fan of the menu for either brunch or dinner, but that could be just me. Pricing ok except for lower than normal meal size, even for fine dining.....ordered the country breakfast during brunch. Only one egg and one and a half pieces of bacon, lots of home fries, a starter house made biscuit and with breakfast, two large sourdough pieces of toast. If for some odd reason, I was on a high carb, low protein diet, this was the ticket. Whoever heard of a restaurant only serving one egg and less than three pieces of bacon? Worst part of my dining experience was cleanliness. Sat at the bar with a view of the kitchen....the floor behind the bar and into the kitchen was very dirty. I also noticed a significant amount of dust from far away all around the kitchen hood and elsewhere. Also, my glass of water was served with a piece of aluminum in it...luckily, I noticed before I drank it. When walking out, we looked for the Sanitation Grade...a 90, one point above a B. This restaurant needs an extreme makeover on cleanliness. read more

Absolutely wonderful! The salad with black truffle vinaigrette was Devine! Never seen some of the veggies that were cut beautifully in this fabulous dish. I do not eat meat, so I ordered the stuffed tasty butternut squash dish which was also a treat. My friend ordered the steak which he raves about the sauce and tenderness! A must do this restaurant! read more

Dined with family and friends and had a great time. The waiter was good and amiable and the whole gathering was in celebration mode. The disapointment came when the seared flounder arrived. There were two pieces of fish the size of baby blue gills sitting on top of a bed of what appeared to be a concoction of pureed vegetables in the form of a soft meatloaf. You could definitely smell the fish which the pieces were totally seared on one side and about 1/4 inch in depth. I was disapointed because the menu showed a listing of various vegetables which did not state would be pureed and mixed all in one. The food was edible but consisted of one maybe two tastes and not the experience I expected. I smiled and kept the mood in tact. Like stated earlier, the ambience is good but do not go there expecting the food to be of excellent quality. There was no show casing of farm raised vegetables. read more

The chef and owner, Sean Fowler knows how to make any dish taste great. I love the food and the neighborhood vibe.

We took out of town friends for dinner here and loved it! The triggerfish was spectacular! Unique and delicious! We also loved the hanger steak and Chicken & Waffles. The dogfish special was a bit less awesome, but clam chowder gratin side dish was yum-o! Service is an absolute 10 here! read more

Definitely our favorite restaurant in town. Brunch menu is terrific and there is always something for everyone. Cocktails are super creative (I never know all the ingredients) but really work well. read more