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Rustic Roots

4.6 (163 reviews)
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RUSTIC ROOTS ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Intimate
Romantic

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Recommended Reviews - Rustic Roots

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Burger
Monroe C.

My Rating is a 4.5 Rustic Roots is a blend between fine dining without the fine price. Now, when it comes to the customer service from the greeter to the manager to the waitress, everyone did a phenomenal job accommodating us and making sure that everything runs smoothly. We slipped into a two-hour window and had five minutes to spare before 10 minutes to spare before the next reservation came. The customer service is a 10 out of 5. Do not go to this restaurant without getting a reservation. The easiest way to get a reservation is by going online. The second easiest way is calling in during operational hours. Now, the only reason that I'm giving this place 4.5 and not a 5 is because the decor is not appropriate for some all ages. The owners do have a sense of humor, but some decor is not necessary. We got that way: "Let's get good stuff." The story about this place is mind-blowing. For the owners to have a form to sell the blueberry crops to buy the restaurant, to find out that the restaurant was built by their grandfather, almost did a Fred Sanford. I'm coming to join you, honey, when I heard this story. The history of a place brings so much richness in value to how I got there. This is a testament that God is who He is. Deviled eggs: 12 out of 5 Juicy bread: 3.5 out of 5 Gnocchi: 10 out of 5 Burger: 4 out of 5 The flavor profile for the deviled eggs is amazing. The brisket is tender and the most balanced flavor profile out of all the items that we've had. It is unique and tasty because of the texture of the egg yolk and white with the brisket and green onions with barbecue sauce. It was literally out of this world. The hamburger they made it the way I like it. It tastes amazing without having to use condiments, which is always a good sign for a hamburger. You can taste the meat quality of the meat and not have the poor ketchup, salt, pepper, and everything that's on the table in the sandwich to make it pop. The Gnocchi. This dish almost made me take the shelf out for dinner and buy him beers. This dish was undescribably smooth, cheesy, savory, buttery, and Fuego. This is a dish that stops conversations. You're busy talking to your wife, your date, whomever, and you take a bite, and because the flavors are so loud, you can't hear them talking to you. This is the dish that you get upset that somebody else ordered it. Thankfully, my wife didn't finish the dish, and I got the opportunity to use that juicy bread to stop up that wonderful sauce. Defense to the order: my wife didn't finish it due to dietary disciplines. Did I mention juicy bread? I highly recommend that you buy or order something that the juicy bread comes with. Don't get me wrong. It tastes good, but when you are by yourself and you only get two pieces for six dollars, that ain't the move. So I recommend getting a dish that has juicy bread with it. You get more bang for your buck. The fries were the most underrated of everything that I ordered. They were crunchy outside, soft inside, seasoned well, and freshly cut and cooked in the restaurant! 5 of 5 Ask the waitress to customize your order, and they will accommodate you with all the problem-understanding staff. Outside of the things decor that they have to put on the wall, this place is family-friendly. Be aware that they do have a bar, but they have a bar at Applebee's and Red Lobster, so that's not that big of a deal. Outside of the decor that they have on the walls, this place is family-friendly. Be aware that they do have a bar, but they have a bar at Applebee's and Red Lobster, so that's not that big of a deal.

Brown butter cake
Cassidy W.

10/10 restaurant - cozy atmosphere, great service, and the food was amazing. One of the best meals we've had in awhile

Filet medium rare and loaded backed potato
Melissa H.

Service: We had reservations for 7:45 on a Friday and were seated immediately. Host staff were friendly and our waitress was attentive yet not overbearing. She wasn't super personable but, for me, that's perfectly fine. Food: We started with the juicy bread and both ordered the filet with loaded baked potato and side salad. Juicy bread was good but not fantastic - brushed heavily with herb and garlic oil but toasted to an ideal crustiness. My filet was cooked perfectly to medium rare and topped with a herb compound butter. Salad was fresh and a good portion - ranch dressing was most likely homemade, which I appreciate. Baked potato wasn't the best but the loaded toppings were generous and masked the fact that it was a bit overcooked. I had the peach spicy honey margarita and my friend had the lavender lemon drop martini. The drinks were well-crafted and tasted amazing! We both had to have a second drink. Ambiance: The indoor portion of the restaurant is one big open area but it wasn't too noisy. Decor is rustic (imagine that) and it seemed to be kept very clean. Some folks mention the owners make their rounds and talk to patrons. I did not experience that, so maybe they were not there the evening we visited. All in all, this was worth the 30 min drive from Wake Forest & I will be back!

Mahi Mahi
Donna K.

A not so hidden treasure because this place was packed . I definitely recommend reservations. We were greeted & seated quickly. 1st time here & love the country ambiance . Everyone is friendly & attentive. I had the Mahi Mahi special & it was exceptional. The portions are more than adequate. I had to remember to save room for the dessert , which is a must !! Hot fudge devils food cake ! Yum !!! Already looking forward to coming back !

Crab cakes
Mike B.

It's always cool to discover a gem, hidden away in an unexpected place. Let's face it - when you think about Bunn, you think it's a cute little town, well off the beaten path. But you really don't think about fine dining. Well, friends - think again! Rustic Roots offers a balanced farm-to-table menu, upscale rustic atmosphere and excellent service and the food - wow! It's an unassuming building, with a big rooster metal sculpture out front. The dining room is rectangular, with about a dozen tables and a large high-top for seating larger parties. Plus bar seating at the back left. We were greeted and seated immediately. First off, props to our outstanding server Jacquelyn. She's energetic, charming, funny, knowledgeable and professional. Her suggestions were spot on. She timed the meal perfectly and everything was served as-ordered. And she treated us as if she were a family friend. THANK YOU! Tried some Juicy Bread to start. 3 thick slices of crusty bread, slathered in oil and herbs. Juicy, indeed! And tasty. Also tried the burrata bruschetta. A big knot of creamy, rich burrata is served atop an oblong ramekin of home made bruschetta. Super fresh tomatoes, diced onions, fresh basil, olive oil. Plus a few slices of warm, crusty French bread and some shaved parmesan to top it off. MMMMMMM! Also tried the Caesar salad. It's a unique prep - individual leaves of romaine arranged like a flower on the plate, each leaf adorned with a squirt of homemade dressing and a few croutons. The dressing could have been a little tangy-er, but was still delicious. Steaks are a specialty, and so - steak it was! The ribeye is prepared exactly as ordered - medium rare. Lightly seasoned, fork tender and served with a dollop of garlic butter on top. Filet was similarly prepared, prepared exactly as ordered. Sides of a loaded baked potato and baked sweet potato were right-sized, tender, sweet and scrumptious. As we were eating, we saw a few of the desserts pass by enroute to other tables. 5 desserts on the menu, but one of them caught my eye - Brown Butter cake. The cake is served warm... rich, sweet, buttery, creamy and topped with brown sugar, drizzled with caramel, a dollop of whipped cream AND a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Needless to say we finished EVERY bite. It's worth it to drive to Bunn just for that cake. Check this place out - it's really really good!

Brown butter addiction! This deliciousness alone is worth the drive!
Patrick I.

Remember when restaurants were run by owners who stopped by your table to see if everything was alright and the staff checked on you enough times that you weren't forced to tap the bottom of your drink glass to get the last bit of ice out?? Small in size, huge on customer service, THIS is a place you'll never regret waiting in line to get into.

Gnocchi
Meghan R.

We always enjoy our time here! Naomi behind the bar is very kind. Food is good as well, we enjoy getting the specials they have from time to time and the seasonal options they have for food and beverage.

Desserts!!!!
Rich M.

Food is terrific, smaller menu, but they rotate items and get everything they offer just right. Dessert is fantastic as well. It's a nice ambiance, it's the closest thing to a ski lodge feel I think you can get in eastern Carolina, which I miss being from the north sometimes.

Hot honey chicken tenders and chicken fried chicken

Good was delicious, service was exceptional, and the ambiance matched it all. We drove an hour in each direction to get here and it was well worth it!

Janet C.

What an fantastic meal! We had the ribeye steak dinner that comes with salad and potato. The steak melts in your mouth and the sides were delicious. Desserts looked amazing but could not eat another bite. Everything is made from scratch. Our server, Jacquelyn, was terrific. Super upbeat, charming, and very attentive. Location is on the small side but full of country charm. Reservations are definitely required.

Chicken sandwich was supposed to have fried chicken but it was not crunchy. Rather soggy.
Rachel R.

First time visiting the highly spoken of Rustic Roots. Atmosphere was fantastic. And service was lovely. Not impressed by food and prices. My pasta dish with a thin cut chicken breast was $30 which I thought insane for what it was. Drinks are all $15...that's something I'd expect for downtown Raleigh at a fancy speakeasy, not a home town restaurant in Bunn. Glad we got to visit but I can honestly say it wouldn't be worth traveling to eat there again.

Garden salad

Very delicious food and beverages! Very nice owners and great serving staff! Super cute decorations.

Hot honey pork chop

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Vanessa V.

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4 months ago

Service has always been great; husband loves their prime rib; hot honey chicken and fries are exceptional!

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4 months ago

Food and drinks were marginal at a very high price. Service was good though. Desserts were good.

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1 year ago

Service was great. Food was even better. If I lived closer it would be my go to place.

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Vanessa V.

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11 months ago

This place is a gem! The staff is so attentive and personal, very southern like the restaurant. The food is hands-down amazing!

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9 months ago

Great special event location. Local ingredients. Try that Butter Cake! Wow! I love the fact they give out birthday or anniversary cards.

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A fantastic find off the beaten path! Food was fantastic and service was incredible. Do not leave without getting the brown butter dessert!

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1 year ago

Incredible food and service! Will absolutely be back! We enjoyed our evening here so much.

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Ask the Community - Rustic Roots

Do they have gluten and dairy free?

I'm sorry I don't know.

I am searching for a restaurant that is located by a lake with views onto. I thought about Lake Royale. Does this place have that?

Not on the lake, so no views.

Any vegetarian options?

Yes, there are several.

Is this a place you need to dress up for?

no, not at all...very casual atmosphere...I've seen shorts and t-shirts, and I've seen slacks with collared shirts and dresses

View All 5 Questions

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Food was amazing. Staff was on point and very friendly and the ambiance was old school feel. It was…read morea great first time experience and would definitely go back if we were locals.

This was our first time experiencing Daniel's Casual Fine Dining. I really like the ambiance…read moreinside, great place for a date night or a special family occasion. Our server was quite nice and was able to answer our menu questions. Our meal began with the soup of the day, Chicken Tortilla Soup. It was quite tasty, full of veggies that you would find in a pico de gallo nestled in a rich tomato broth, topped with crispy tortilla strips and served in a very small 8oz cup. What was missing was the chicken... I think I encountered one very small cube of chicken in one of those bites. My husband had the bowl size and echoed the same sentiment. For entre, I ordered the Blue Cheese and Apple Salad and made it a meal with the delicately fried oysters. The portions were great for a meal, but I expected more diversity in the salad greens. I received a mound of spinach that would make Popeye extremely happy. I would have loved some crispy romaine to vary the density of the spinach. However, the house dressing and candied walnuts added a great touch. My husband ordered the Cajun Chicken Pasta which I sampled. I loved the sausage and the complexity of flavors for this dish. My son had the crab cakes which were also greatly portioned. He said that the cakes were very good, but for the premium prices he'd expected more crab and less filler. Nevertheless, he still cleaned his plate. Overall, we had a pleasant evening, but for what you pay for a meal, I expected a little bit more.

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Cypress Hall

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Wow. Great dinner. Great service. Before I forget Samantha was awesome. Charming and informative…read more Did not hover but provided excellent service. Appetizers both oysters. Rockefeller and Raw. Both were excellent. Well seasoned and fresh. Entrees I had the striped bass. Husband had the swordfish. Every bite was perfect. Great flavors. Mixed textures on the plate and mine with a little heat to finish. The food could not have been better. Truly a celebration on a beautiful day in New Bern.

I dined for lunch at Cypress Hall in Downtown New Bern. The decor is great. I liked the exposed…read morebrick and high ceilings in the historic building. It also feels modern. One half feels historic and the other half feels modern with the artwork, mirrors, and finishes. The lighting is dim but you can still read the menu. It wasn't busy while I was there but quiet enough I couldn't hear other conversations. Initially the host wanted to seat me at the bar but when I declined, gave me a seat near the open kitchen. My waitress was friendly and helped me select the strawberry blonde to go with the strawberry salad. This was smaller than expected and just one or two strawberries. There was a little too much dressing for my taste as I forgot to order it on the side. I did like how the flavors came together. I also had the chocolate torte which was rich and decadent. I left here a little squeamish from what I witnessed. After all, I was seated at a booth table with a full view of the open kitchen. I noticed the food runner repeatedly touching his nose then the plates of food. I watched him reset a table and was touching the silverware by the tines, the part that goes in your mouth, rather than the handles. I'm not sure if the hands had been washed when he added by hand garnish to my dessert. I immediately removed the garnish but should have returned the dish to get it remade. Also, a table of six was seated then left a few minutes later and the glasses and silverware were not replaced while I was there, leaving me to assume they were not replaced for the next guests. I also noticed the restaurant had many cameras, so these hygiene lapses were likely recorded. For an upscale spot, these hygiene issues were disappointing. I truly enjoyed the flavors and the atmosphere, and I would be happy to return in the future if I could be confident that basic hygiene and service protocols were being strictly followed. I'd particularly love to come back and try the strawberry cake next time.

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I have been to Northside Bistro a few times, with girlfriends, family etc…read more Last night was date night and we just wanted something a little more top tier from the kitchen. I say this because Northside Bistro never disappoints on service and also with food. Thank you Chef John Scarangella! I will say, every single time I go, they seat us in that enclosed porch area at the exact same table. it a little funny. I even went with 7 ladies last year and we were in the same area, bigger table. It would be nice to sit inside of the main dining room one of these days. last night we had great service as usual and the food was amazing. We had the fried artichokes and the Octopus Bravas which we did not take pictures of because we gobbled that down it was so good. My husband had short ribs and grits, we shared a salad which was the Warm Goat Cheese Salad, and I had a special which I think was called Flounder Ettoufee. Everything single thing was amazing and of coursed I will go back, thanks for asking lol. You should go too!

We went to Northside Bistro and Cocktails to celebrate a birthday and had a wonderful experience…read morefrom start to finish. I was able to park right in front of the restaurant, which was a great bonus. The hostess seated us immediately, and our server was absolutely wonderful--so friendly and especially sweet to our birthday girl. All of the food was delicious! I ordered the tuna tartare and enjoyed it as my entrée--it was perfectly fresh and packed with amazing flavor. The décor had a great evening vibe, and I loved the variety of seating options, from tables and booths to bar seating. They even had cozy tables that were perfect for intimate date nights. The dinner and drink menus were both plentiful with lots of great choices. We will definitely be back!

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I just had a wonderful culinary experience at Augustus Grill located in the River Golf Community…read more Before I share my experience with you, I want to make sure you get there. It is in the River Gulfing Community. Everyone has access to the restaurant. You do not have to belong to the River Gulfing Community to have access to the restaurant. Upon arriving in the River Community, you will see an entrance at the big brick wall. After entering through the big brick wall, immediately follow the signs of Augustas grill and River golf. Do not follow the yellow brick road as things can get complicated. The first sign is on your left. They are not noticeably big. Upon arriving Augusta's Grill prepares for a wonderful culinary experience. I arrived before the restaurant opened. No worries. I sat on an amazingly comfortable couch overlooking the beautiful golf course. Promptly at 11:30 when Augustus opened, sweet server Sarah greeted me and inquired if I wanted to dine in or out. I decided to dine out. Sarah effectively, efficiently, and energetically arrived back with the menu and took my drink order. I ordered a glass of sweet tea and Seeker's Malbec. She then took my order with a sweet, sizable smile. The Seeker's Malbec smell reminded me of Plumb and raspberry. The initial taste also had raspberry and plumb notes. The after taste finished with a long-lasting crisp plumb and raspberry encounter. Soon, Sarah arrived with the food and asked if I needed anything. She left and came back to inquire how everything tasted. Ms. Sarah followed all the steps of being a great server. I ordered the Pastrami Burger with fries. Have many napkins available as you devour this sizable burger. The hamburger was cooked perfectly. It had a nice grilled taste. I ordered cheesecake with jalapeno raspberry drizzle. I do not know why they call it jalapeno as I did not discover any jalapeno taste. Do not let the name scare you. I have three suggestions. One cannot get a small side Caesar salad. You can get a large Caesar salad. There is no coffee. A nice cup of coffee would greatly have paired with the cheesecake. There are no stemmed wine glasses. This is not good for wine connoisseurs. If you are looking for a beautiful culinary experience and excellent customer, go to Augustaus grill.

Augustus Grill has blossomed into a first-rate restaurant that offers a wide variety of menu…read moreoptions at very reasonable prices. The indoor seating is limited - but comfortable. The spacious Deck is one of the best dining venues within miles. It's peaceful, scenic, bucolic and relaxing. Service is friendly and the dishes we have tried were well-prepared, innovative and delicious. The Grilled Salmon with Lemon Butter Sauce ($21 with two sides) was as good as any I have had. The thick loin was pleasantly crunchy with a quick burst of tangy flavor. The inside was juicy, flaky and tender. The Roasted Mixed Vegetables were slightly undercooked, allowing the flavors of the Carrots, Cauliflower and Broccoli to stand out. The Potato Salad was OK, but I would have preferred something more zippy and zesty. The Chicken Salad Sandwich ($8.49 with one side) was smooth and creamy. The Toasted Multigrain Bread and Lemon Vinaigrette Dressing transformed this basic stand-by into something special. The Pasta Salad was a real winner. Unlike most bland pasta salads I have had, this one was nicely seasoned and brimming with flavor. We finished the evening with a generous slice of Cheesecake ($6) with a sweet but tangy Raspberry Jalapeño Sauce. Lunch with a grandson on the deck was a lot of fun for everybody. He had the Kids Meal ($6) which included a Hot Dog (he wanted it plain, of course), Bottle of Gatorade and Chips. We enjoyed the Pastrami Burger ($16.49 - with thin-sliced seared Pastrami, Cheddar Cheese, sliced Onion and Thousand Island Dressing) and the Hawaiian Burger ($14.49 - with grilled Pineapple, BBQ Sauce and Cheddar Cheese). The 1/3 pound burgers were served on a fresh Brioche Bun and included One Side. We can recommend either burger, but the one with Pastrami, was truly outstanding.

Rustic Roots - newamerican - Updated May 2026

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