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    Rue Cler

    3.9 (729 reviews)
    PriceyFrench
    Closed Closed
    Updated 3 months ago

    Rue Cler Photos

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    RUE CLER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Rue Cler

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    escargot
    Rebecca D.

    Genuinely such amazing food, and the staff is so passionate about the menu BUT I am quite upset that I booked my reservation for my sober anniversary and they didn't allow me to bring my NA wine without a $50 uncorking fee which normally i'd 100% understand except for the fact that they did not have NA wine on offer (and my family got 2 bottles of wine and it was a screw off lid hehe) ... Perhaps I am being nitpicky and again the food was exceptional but just very disappointed due to the circumstances for the dinner being my sober anniversary

    Côtes Courtes, Scallops
    Andrea A.

    Rue Cler is a cozy but modern-feeling Parisian restaurant in Downtown Durham. They have prix fixe and à la carte menus as well as features; to note, you can order à la carte from the prix fixe menu. They also have an extensive wine/drinks list. My dinner party all opted for the prix fixe, and I got: - Huîtres Grillées (broiled NC oysters, white miso butter): The butter was absolutely delicious, but I'm just not an oyster girlie. - Confit de Canard Gratinée (duck confit, summer squash, sauce Bechamel): I liked the creamy sauce as well as the perfectly cooked veggies, but the duck was a bit dry at spots. - Côtes Courtes (braised beef short ribs, beech mushrooms, sauce Bechamel, lentils): This was probably the best savory bite. The short ribs were decently cooked but the sauce and lentils were just so flavorful and rich. I tried my friends': - Soup de Pêche (chilled peach soup, crème fraiche, corn-celery salad): Certainly interesting and refreshing, but not my cup of tea flavor-wise. - Jambon et Melon (Bayonne ham, mixed melons): Surprisingly good! The sweetness of the melon and saltiness of the meat complemented each other well. - Risotto: Can't remember the exact ingredients of these last three dishes, but I liked the mushrooms in the risotto. First time eating escargot, wasn't really my thing. Thought the risotto itself could have been more flavorful. - Scallops: Scallops were cooked perfectly; the fennel and couscous salad was delightful with great texture. - Duck breast: My friend decided to add foie gras to this entrée, so I got to try it for the first time. It was interesting- super fatty and reminded me of pork belly. The duck itself was fine, nothing that stood out. Lastly, some other things I got: - Cocktail: Can't remember the name or contents of this either haha, it was like violet something. But really good! I asked for their sweetest drink and the server recommended this- tbh it wasn't super sweet but was kinda tart/citrusy and I really liked it. - Tarte Financier aux Pommes (almond and apple tart, crème chantilly): This wasn't just an amazing dessert, it was probably the best bite of the night. It was fresh out of the oven which I'm sure added to how delectable it was. I loved the subtle almond, perfectly crunchy but also soft apples, and creamy and complementary chantilly. Definitely get this! I appreciated the wide variety of dishes I was able to try with prix fixe, but wasn't necessarily wowed by them. If I were to come back, I think I'd stick to trying the classics. Service was awesome, the servers were very knowledgeable about the menu and they even brought out these complimentary cheesy puff things that were delicious. There's free nearby parking in City of Durham garages on weekends or after 7pm on weekdays. 7.5/10 would recommend at least once!

    Puff pastry
    David J.

    Dinner tonight at Rue Cler was perfect. We were seated and greeted immediately, a few minutes before our reservation time. We ordered a bottle of wine and observed the food on nearby tables. It led us to the special roasted chicken entree, which was excellent. While we waited they brought complementary puff pastries and bread service. Dessert was shared profiteroles (!!). While largely a traditional French bistro menu, it's a little unusual, with a dominant price fixe section, from which you can select anything ala carte. There are also blackboard specials. Also note that there is an 18% gratuity added to the bill, with the option to add more. It doesn't get any better.

    Coq au Vin
    Keenan T.

    Rue Cler is a corner restaurant that serves up authentic French cuisine. I came with a friend on Friday and was fortunate to be seated on arrival. Our hostess said they were booked for 6pm tables. I knew coming before 6 was important. Otherwise we'd be on a wait. I was smart to have my friend call ahead to see if there was a wait. The restaurant has a semi-casual vibe and is good for couples and small groups. Rue Cler's selection of wines was splendid. I saw two tables drinking a certain red wine. I asked my server, Nate, what they ordered. The one he pointed to was beyond my budget so I settled on a different one by the glass. I started the evening with a featured white wine. Once my entree came I changed to a featured red. My French Onion Soup was done well. My last memory of having this was that it's very salty. This one didn't have as much. I thank the cook there. My friend had their chicken special and I had their Coq Au Vin. Both were awesome!

    The coq au vin was really dry. They need to marinate a little more. I wouldn't get this here again.

    The coq au vin was really dry. The staff were friendly and the ambiance was nice. This is a better place for wine and they have a larger wine selection.

    Great oysters, as always
    Paul M.

    I have come around from my iffy review from a few years ago. This place is dynamite! I wish it still had a brunch service. Excellent everything, all around, service, food, drinks. It is a little noisy for those with hearing issues. But maybe in a corner it would work out better. They often have nice oysters, a full bar, and interesting wines on the other chalk-board (and also french cider!)

    Morels with hollandaise.
    Marilyn B.

    Love Rue Cler - food is exceptional, low key, bistro-style ambiance, great service - always a beautiful night out for a special occasion. I didn't know what to expect the first time I went and was afraid it would be intimidating but the atmosphere is warm and the staff are friendly, welcoming and very knowledgeable. It's fine dining so be prepared to splurge on the price, but the quality is excellent.

    Scallops!
    Jennifer H.

    I must be honest and say I was a little nervous about eating here because my experience with French restaurants is pretty limited and I wasn't really sure what to expect. We were a party of 5, myself, my cousin and his wife and my aunt and uncle were in town. We were out celebrating my Aunts bday. I must start by saying the space is smaller than I expected but had a cool rustic type vibe. Our server, Trent was awesome! The food was absolutely exceptional!!! I was blown away with the watermelon salad, gnocchi, and scallops!!! The flavors and various sauces were amazing! I was able to sample some of the cantaloupe and ham, savory beignets, and olives. I was also fortunate to pick off the plates of my family members and tried some French fries and the amazing potato's there were served with the salmon that my aunt ordered. I ordered some sort of hazelnut dessert special which was good and in my opinion was superior to the bite of crème brûlée I tried. I am a bit bummed that I didn't have an alcoholic beverage due to being on call for work, but I crushed bottle after bottle of water! Thank you for an amazing dining experience-food, service and atmosphere was pure perfection! Thank you!!!

    Menu
    David L.

    Came in on a Friday evening for a 5:30pm reservation. There were plenty of empty tables. Got the foie gras appetizer, the bread (which we didn't know was not complementary), coq au vin (chicken) and the Magret De Canard (just the entree rather than the whole Prix Fixe menu). Ambiance: 5/5 Service: 4/5 some times it felt that our waiter forgot us but for the most part he was good. The food also came out at the perfect times. Food: The Foie Gras was good but the shining star was the Coq Au Vin- perfectly cooked with deep earthy flavors. The duck was good but definitely didn't match the Coq Au Vin.

    Anchovy tomato toast- tasted like bruschetta

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    11 months ago

    A birthday go to when I'm in the area. I go for a port, but stay for the food and service. Every time.

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    A little steep on price, but exceptional food and service levels you simply don't find anymore, even at the best restaurants.

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    Vin Rouge - Oysters

    Vin Rouge

    (648 reviews)

    $$

    We came here for brunch to celebrate my wife's birthday with a couple of friends visiting from out…read moreof town, and it was a great choice. We arrived a little early and were seated quickly. Parking worked out for us, but I'd recommend arriving early unless you plan to use valet. Street parking nearby can be tight. The interior is charming and relaxed--exactly what you hope for in a French bistro. Our server was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the service throughout the meal was excellent. They also had a nice range of gluten-free options, which we appreciated. I had the Croque Madame and it was delicious. The mornay sauce was the standout--perfectly creamy with a smooth texture that didn't feel heavy. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Overall, a really enjoyable brunch and, so far, our favorite French restaurant in the Triangle.

    I debated leaving 2 stars but settled on 3 because the food was really tasty. We came in on a…read moreSunday at 5:45 pm. We ordered the lobster bisque special and shrimp to start and placed our order for dinner fairly quickly after sitting down. The two appetizers came out right away and were very unique. We then waited an hour and a half for our entrees. Our server checked in multiple times saying they were on their way/ coming soon. We were just two people and ordered steak frites and mussels. No special order or anything complex. These are two of the most popular items. We watched tables get served and flip to new people in the time it took to get our entrees. When the food did come out, we really enjoyed it. It was well made but this was a disappointing experience overall.

    Bluebird - Beef Tartare

    Bluebird

    (145 reviews)

    Excellent experience! The chefs were excellent. I hope they know the food they created was so…read moredelicious and was changing lives in that dining room. Our server was great and very knowledgeable on the menu and had great wine recommendations. The Soupe aux Haricots Cannellini was creamy and delicious. The big chunks of bacon were pleasant and tasty finds within the soup as well. The beef tartare was perfectly prepared and paired well with the small pieces of toast that came with it. Every bite of the poulet toulousaine (sausage-stuffed chicken) was delicious. Each bite was juicy and very well-seasoned. The fondant potatoes were so soft and good. The knife sliced through them like butter. It was amazing and the Brussel sprouts were divine. I loved it.

    We had Sunday brunch here during a visit to UNC. We sat outside, which as nice, even with the rain…read more The inside was bustling and a big loud, plus the AC was pretty cold, so the patio was fine. The service was very "Parisian"--they left you alone but were there when you needed a server. The omelettes were divine. We had the "supreme" which is off the menu but is a combo of ham and mushrooms. The eggs were silky and the potatoes on the side err smashed fried potatoes with caramelized onions. My son had the gnocchi which was quite good. The morning bun was the hit, though, and a must-get when you go. The have a pretty impressive bar program, too. I had a French 75 (since it's a French restaurant, seemed like the call) which had Theo house made pea-lavender syrup. It was excellent! Delicious, strong coffee too.

    Jolie Restaurant - Steak frites

    Jolie Restaurant

    (161 reviews)

    Making a reservation later in the day of going, the only option for dining was the roof patio…read more Despite having rained and being cool earlier in the day, it was actually quite a bit nicer than I had expected. Our server, Olivia, was excellent, knowledgeable & attentive, and fun. The food was excellent, we had three small plates and two entrees. All of them were uniquely worth going to the restaurant for. Would recommend for a nice evening out + French cuisine.

    I wanted to love this place so bad, but it fell really short for me. First off, the service was…read moreincredible. Everyone was so nice and attentive. Let's get to the food - For starters, we had the bread & butter, steak tartare, and gnocchi. I absolutely loved the bread & butter (duh) and the tartare, but the gnocchi wasn't for me. Everyone else at the table loved it! For my main I got the hanger steak. Instead of tender and flavorful, it lacked any taste and was incredibly chewy, it was incredibly disappointing. The fries were okay - pretty crispy. I had a bite of the duck and it wasn't for me - the only source of flavor was the sauce and it wasn't a hit with anyone at the table. For dessert, we got the mousse and crème brûlée. The mousse was incredibly dense and rich. If that's your jam, it's for you but I was expecting something much lighter. The crème brûlée was fantastic! Overall, I don't think I'll be coming back. For the price, there are much better restaurants.

    Margaux's Restaurant - Beef Skewera

    Margaux's Restaurant

    (383 reviews)

    $$$

    We recently celebrated my brother-in-laws 80th Birthday at Margaux's. It was a fabulous experience!…read moreThe food was the best I've had anywhere, the service was flawless from the hosts and hostesses that served the appetizers to the full service given all of us by Sara and Bill! They were so professional and personable and just made the evening perfect. It was night to remember and I will go there again when in the Raleigh/Durham area. Thank you so much to the Chief for the wonderful food but especially to Bill and Sara for their expert service!

    I attended a business dinner at Margaux's in January 2026. This is a nice atmosphere, although a…read morebit dated. The waiter was really good and very helpful. The reason for the low rating is the food. My colleagues could not believe that I ordered the liver entree, but I didn't care, I love liver, and my wife won't fix it. I'd never heard of Mustard-Seared Calves' Livers, but, loving liver the way I do, I was willing to try it. When the liver came out, it looked like a huge pile of greasy slop. I was not deterred and took a bite. The liver was mush; it had absolutely no texture, and the taste was just awful. Not wanting to tempt fate (I have had food poisoning before), I did not eat any more than that first bite. As I mentioned before, the waiter was excellent and removed the offending entree. He offered to put in an order for something else. I opted for the calamari appetizer, which was okay. They comped my calamari and didn't charge for the liver. I hope the restaurant will rethink this dish. I suppose it could have a following, but at the very least, make sure the liver is fresh and high-quality.

    Rue Cler - french - Updated May 2026

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