Amazing food & service! This restaurant has been added to my favorite Italian restaurants in the NC area!

I'm still dreaming of these cocktails. I wanted to try something new for my Birthday dinner and it was Restaurant Week in Apex= win-win situation! We haven't tried many restaurants in Apex so I had to heard of Serafina Ristorante. The cocktails were just divine. I started with the No. 152, which has gin, strawberry-basil, lemon, and vermouth. What a lovely and delicate combination. My husband got the No. 198, which has mezcal. It would be difficult to choose a favorite. I'm also not a fan of ice so I'd recommend skipping the ice, which I did for the next drink. Later we got the No. 043 that has lavender, honey, lemon, and white grape. I think this was my least favorite. For dinner, I went with the restaurant week pear and fig salad and rigatoni bolognese. My only complaint was that the salad was a little salty for my taste. Otherwise, everything was delicious and fresh. My husband opted for the roasted chicken, which was the star of the show. This chicken elevated the whole meal. It was roasted perfectly and had so many wonderful flavors like fig and apples. I was jealous of his meal, but he let me have a few bites. My only complaint is that it was small. For dessert I had the panna cotta and my husband had the cannolis. Again, I was jealous of his, but I helped him eat them. The chocolate cannoli was the best. The panna cotta was also nice, light, and fresh. The restaurant and bar itself was pretty inside with nice decor and a warm vibe. We had a great experience for my Birthday dinner and I'd definitely visit again! read more

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The lasagna was sooo good. I usually put salt on everything to bring out the flavor and did not have to for this - it was spot on with the seasoning and the pesto topping added a lightness to it. Not to mention, the sweet pea ricotta - divine. The tartare was also excellent - the sweet pepper drops added a hint of spiciness that blended so well with the meat. And finally, the lemon cheesecake was fluffy and not super dense, the crust was more like pastry and the lemon curd with thyme was a welcome sauce to layer onto each bite. I can't wait to go again and try the rest of the dishes. My only constructive comment is that the lasagna was more lukewarm than hot. read more

Stopped in for bunch Sunday afternoon on a whim. Our server was attentive and patient with a few gabby girls. I was shocked there was no wait, but was happy we were able to sit right down. We opted to share some wine, they happily let us taste before chosing. Two of us tried the eggs Benedict and one the egg sandwich. We devoured our food. It was all delicious and I have been thinking about the eggs Benedict since I left. We all agreed we would happily come back. This was our second trip in and both experiences have been very positive. read more

We attended Serafina's inaugural wine dinner, the facility spacious and comfortable. The service was friendly and attentive. We were greeted with a glass of prosecco while waiting for the event to begin. As befitting a special event, the chef came out to describe each of the 4 courses in detail before each arrived, and the owner described each wine pairing. The wine pours were generous, but were paired with relatively small portions. Together with no bread on the table, this left a number at our table unexpectedly quite buzzed. The pace of the meal was rather slow, extending the affair to 2.5 hours, including significant gaps between courses. The wine and courses came out staggered, so the pairings were less obvious. The food was a bit uneven, as one prosciutto and melon was out with only 1 tiny curl of melon, another with 4, the melon rather bitter from bountiful rind; one duck breast came out delightfully rare, another came out well done. The braised lamb cannoli was completely delicious, although the form factor left us chuckling. Overall an enjoyable evening with good food and wine, but they have some fine tuning to do before the next one. read more

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just shared an anniversary dinner with my husband at Serifina. we were exited to see a traditional Italian ristorante. We shared the burrata (antipasti), bolognese (primi) and tiramisu (dolci) and my husband order the filet and I ordered the short rib (secondi). All were delicious. The stand out for me was the short rib. I would order it and recommend it, the gremolata was lick the plate delicious. my husband was most impressed with the bolognese. I also ordered the No 32 cocktail for dessert. It is oddly specific for me (almond, lemon, cherry and cream - all of my favorite flavors at once)! I strongly encourage you to to try it. It was the perfect combination of sophisticate, approachable and delicious. read more

This was my first time at Serafina's and the food was delicious. Started our meal off with a focaccia plate. The bread was nicely baked and came with a flavored butter and honey. For my entrée, I had the Rigatoni Bolognese which was rather flavorful. The portion size was enough for that meal with no left overs. My husband had the Short Rib Agrodolce which he enjoyed. Ended up taking the lemon cheesecake to go and that was also delicious. It was a traditional denser cheesecake and the lemon curd was tart and yummy. As for the atmosphere and staff... the restaurant was not busy when we went. It has a nice and cozy atmosphere. The staff was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu and attentive. I would definitely eat here again. read more

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Serafina is a great addition to Downtown Apex. My husband and I dined in for dinner and sat at the bar so we could watch football. For drinks I started off with a beer then had a glass of red wine. I liked the drink selections; however, the pours of wine are way overpriced for most options. To start, the focaccia plate is a must. It came with a delicious butter and honey to top it with. For our entrees it was the gorgonzola gnocchi for me and the rigatoni bolognese for him. Both were solid options. This spot has been a few things over the years so I am hoping that Serafina is here to stay. read more

Our meal and service were excellent tonight! The Rigatoni and Filet were great. Awesome old building in downtown Apex! Thanks James! read more

Went for dinner tonight. The food was good, and the menu is smaller. I do wish the entrees had more to it as I got the steak and it came with 5 potatoes. The steak was good and cooked perfectly. I also had the cheesecake for dessert which was very good but again on the smaller side read more

Serafina Ristorante - Italian Near Me - Apex, North Carolina

Karen waited on us, friendly and attentive. Panzenella salad and crispy eggplant sandwich were both excellent. Full of flavor. Help this restaurant out at lunchtime... It's worth trying to find a parking place now that Salem Street is closed. Great brunch on the weekends too! Kudos to manager Brian! read more

We got to experience Serafina during their restaurant week! 1. As soon as we entered, we were greeted warmly 2. Our server, Isabelle, was soooo sweet and made us feel very comfortable 3. The food was AMAZINGGGG 4. We appreciate the level of care and dedication the staff provided us today. It was everything we could have wanted and more. Thank you for creating such a nice ambiance and experience for us during restaurant week! read more

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What a beautiful, charming, delicious neighborhood spot! Loved the short rig agnolotti and the tuna crudo. The eggplant lasagna was really good and a sizable portion (and the eggplant was not overdone which was great). The Sparici Landini Bardolino is a chilled red!!! which we've been hunting around town for. The bar has TVs + the table service has plenty of seating because there is also a mezzanine (upstairs) -- so dont be intimidated that they dont take reservations at the moment (but they will take reservations late August apparently). There is also at least two private dining rooms that we saw and a really large round table by the open kitchen, so probably great for large groups. We didnt try the cocktails (we opted for wine) but the drinks looked beautiful. Would recommend for date night and there is an outdoor covered patio too! read more

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This was a great experience. Booked this reservation a month out for Valentine's Day. Prior to our dinner, I reached out and spoke with the owner about getting a good table. She was able to get us a table on the mezzanine inside, overlooking the kitchen and the main dining room. This table was very intimate and much more secluded from the rest of the people. This already was fantastic. The food was incredible as well. We got the burrata and tuna to start, and then the lobster ravioli and gnocchi. We loved everything! Service was good as well. Overall a great experience all around. Would definitely recommend for a date night. Will come back! read more

Serafina Ristorante - Lobster Ravioli and Gnocch - Italian Near Me - Apex, North Carolina

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I'm from NY, and finding good Italian food has not been easy. I'm so happy I found this gem!! I came here on a date for Valentines' Day and everything was superb! The service was 10/10 and the food was delicious! Sawyer was our server and she was so sweet and super attentive. Would definitely recommend! read more

Serafina Ristorante - Lobster Ravioli and Monkfish - Italian Near Me - Apex, North Carolina

I was super excited to try Serafina and I LOVE Italian food. However my overall experience doesn't have been wanting to come back for more. I went with a group of friends, none of our dishes came out warm even the focaccia. The focaccia did taste delicious though... My entree was the short rib ravioli. It was straight salt, I couldn't taste any other flavors. Lastly, I still had wine in my glass and the server swooped it up and didn't ask if I was finished. The ambiance wasn't as elegant as I hoped it would be. I have heard great things about having brunch here so I will come back to try brunch and give an updated review when I do. read more

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Whenever we come here we always start with the focaccia and a glass of wine at the bar. It's such a beautiful space! read more

Serafina Ristorante - Red Wine - Italian Near Me - Apex, North Carolina

Perfect spot for ladies lunch out! Steak sandwich and flat iron salad both amazing with wine! read more

Serafina Ristorante - White wine & friends - Italian Near Me - Apex, North Carolina

The monk fish was excellent as was the tuna. We loved the focaccia bread. The tiramisu and mango sorbet topped off the meal in an excellent way. read more

This Italian restaurant is located at where the Peak on Salem restaurant was. Lunch was good- nothing extraordinary that will make us book a table anytime soon if we are wanting to really have a delicious Italian meal. We had Panzanella salad, Bolognese, Chicken Milanese w/ a side of Cacio e Pepe. It's good but I'd say that it is lacking that "over the top" taste compared to other Italian restaurants within the Triangle that we have tried. We had great service though. read more

First thing - i do not understand the negative comments. This place, wait staff, management and food were amazing. We ordered the cacio e pepe, gnocchi and the monkfish and all were exceptional. We will be back read more

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We have been for lunch multiple times and dinner. We love the food and the service is excellent. Will be back!

5 star lunch. Caren was a fabulous server and bartender. Flat iron steak was delicious. Very tasty snd tender. We love a little of their yummy fig dressing as an additional side. Cappuccinos and gelato for yummy dessert. read more

Love that this location is open. Had dinner at the bar - great service, limited menu, still tweaking their offerings. Though it was Italian- not really reflected with current menu. We'll give it a bit of time and try again. read more

We went the other night The staff was pleasant and the cocktails were very good Unfortunately, the food is subpar at best The Bronzino fish had to be sent back. It was so salty. The lasagna dish was dry and the sauce tasted like Hunt's tomato sauce The bolognese was a Brown sauce very uninspired If this place is gonna make it, they definitely need to change the menu and the chef read more

The meal was fabulous! Hot, Fresh, and plentiful. The Short Rib Agnolotti and Rigatoni Bolognese were our choices and did not disappoint. The welcome from Peggy was warm and inviting. She insured we were comfortable and made us feel welcome. Since they are new, my only complaint was we felt rushed. Over time I feel they will back off and allow you to relax and enjoy the experience. Will definitely return as the Food, Staff, and atmosphere was great! read more

We absolutely love Serafina however they need to up their game. The scallop dish was absolutely delicious. However, it was one scallop chopped up throughout the entire dish. The Bolognese was absolutely delicious, but a tad salty. We are really cheering this restaurant on but please step it up! read more

We have added Serafina to one of top places to dine. The ambiance speaks for itself, dark wood bar and kinda moody vibe. The food is wonderful. We are working our way through the menu but our favorites so far are the Tartare di Manzo and the Burrata are our favorite appetizers. Who am I kidding ... add the Focaccia plate as well. For entrees we love the Bolognese, the Cacio de Pepe and the Short Rib. If you love gelato then they always have a rotating flavor and we just had the Salted Caramel and WOW, we poured an espresso over it for the perfect affogato. Happy to add this gem to our list! read more

Serafina Ristorante - Downtown Apex, NC Opening Night Review July 30, 2025 Too Long, Didn't Read (TL;DR): Beautifully designed upscale Italian restaurant with thoughtful food, friendly staff, and an atmosphere that lives up to the name Serafina. While vegan and gluten-free diners may need to ask extra questions, our overall experience on opening night was exceptional. Highlights: the Burrata Tiepida, Lasagna, and the Tiramisu. Free parking available nearby. A welcome addition to downtown Apex. -- Full Review: My wife and I had dinner at Serafina Ristorante tonight on their opening night, and it's safe to say downtown Apex has a new gem. Located in a walkable strip with plenty of free parking in front and behind the building, Serafina makes an elegant first impression with its celestial-inspired theme: white, gold, and black accents, softly lit paintings, and an intimate, elevated ambiance. Food: Appetizer: Burrata Tiepida - Warm burrata, lemon-spiced honey, and herb ciabatta. This was a hit. The burrata was just cooler than room temperature, as it should be, and the lemon-spiced honey paired perfectly. The ciabatta tasted freshly baked and lightly toasted. Simple, but elevated. Entrees: Lasagna - Whipped herb ricotta, tomato sauce, and layers of fried eggplant. My wife loved it. It struck the right balance of structure and moisture. It held its shape without being dry or greasy. Rigatoni Bolognese - Braised pork and beef ragu, fruity olive oil, and Pecorino. The flavors were layered and savory with hints of carrot and onion. However, the temperature could have been hotter. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente. Desserts: Lemon Cheesecake - Olive oil, thyme, and lemon curd. A creative twist on a classic. Refreshing and subtle. Tiramisu - The standout. Soft, rich mascarpone mousse and perfectly soaked ladyfingers. Tasted fresh and made in-house. Drinks: No. 091 - Vodka, Drambuie, hazelnut, chocolate (my wife's choice) No. 032 - Amaretto, vanilla bean, lemon, cream, cherry (mine) We enjoyed the flavor profiles and appreciated the unique number-based naming convention. It was fun and mysterious. Service and Atmosphere: Our server, Erika, was warm, knowledgeable, and welcoming. We learned that staff were trained to taste the full menu, which is something every restaurant should do. It showed in the confidence of the recommendations. The theme of "Serafina" (angelic and serene) is carried through consistently, from branding to tableware. There's a quiet elegance here that feels upscale without being stiff. The lighting and decor invite you to settle in and savor. Dietary Considerations: Currently, there are no clearly labeled vegan or gluten-free options on the menu. Dietary restrictions will require clarification with staff. Hopefully, future iterations of the menu address this more explicitly. Final Thoughts: Serafina Ristorante brings something special to downtown Apex. It's a restaurant that takes food and experience seriously without losing its warmth. Whether for a date night or celebratory dinner, it's worth visiting. We'll be back soon, especially for the tiramisu. read more

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Used their private room at this restaurant. Food fantastic! Service was great Sara, Collin, and Jackson took care of us with 3 crowds of 30 demanding people in their private room. They handle it so well. Very professional. Room was tight for this many people, but worked. There are stairs prior to the private room. Would recommend for this. read more

first time dining since new restaurant took over. Sadly it was very disappointing. Appetizer of Burratta had four slices of Italian bread, all were burnt. Serving was very sparse with a small amount of arugula at base of bowl. no taste at all. My daughter ordered Bolognese which was dry and bland. no sauce at all. Spoke with couple next to us and they too were not pleased with quality of the food. Hope it will improve as the building is wonderful. Will probably not return. read more

This was a huge disappointment for the price point! Very expensive. Positive: the restaurant is beautiful and our waiter was very nice. Negative: the food was not good. We ordered the burrata and it was cold out of the refrigerator. We sent it back only for a second one to be brought to the table that was worse. So we asked to cancel hoping our entrees would be better. The short rib portion was small and tastes like pot roast with five gnocchis. The roasted brazino ( Mediterranean Sea bass) was full of bones and salty. As I write this review I have a small bone in my throat from the fish. I have tried everything to try and swallow it... banana wet bread.. etc. A glass of red average wine was 22.00. My husband and I each had a glass of wine and an entree and our bill was 150.00. We went to Culver's on the way home. This was supposed to be my birthday dinner and my husband felt horrible that it was so bad. Too expensive, small portions and a bone in my throat. We will not go back. read more

Brian, the manager greeted us upon arriving. Such an amazing conversation to begin our evening at Serafina. He came to check up on us multiple times while we were dining. Sawyer was an amazing server and she added such a personal touch to an already classy, warm and chic environment. Lastly, the food was great! As a northerner, I'm picky about my Italian food, but they did an amazing job with Arancini, short rib, bolognese and tiramisu! Definitely will be coming back here and asking for Sawyer!! read more

My group visited Serafina Ristorante in Apex expecting an attentive, upscale dining experience. The hostess and several members of the wait staff were professional and pleasant--kudos to them. However, our evening was seriously undermined by the behavior of the General Manager, Dillion Williams. He had one other party moved away from our area to another floor, which made our group feel isolated and unfairly targeted. Later, when we were finishing our meal, his tone toward us was dismissive and condescending. We felt threatened and unwelcome. As someone active in the community, I was shocked that the person in charge would treat paying guests this way. Unless ownership steps in, replaces the GM, and restores respectful guest service, I cannot recommend this restaurant. read more

It was such an amazing experience. From the moment we came in, we were greeted warmly. The waiter was very attentive and made us feel welcomed. The food was great, I got exactly what I was craving, the monkfish is amazing! I highly recommend trying it! It was a great experience, and worth the price, which I think wasn't bad at all. I will be a regular in this place. read more

Amazing 1st time experience from the moment we arrived to the time of check out. We will definitely be back to see Sauer and... oh yeah the incredible food. It's so obvious the staff enjoys working here. That's trickles down from the GM Bryan. Keep up the great work!!! We had a ball and felt so special. Thank you Vincent for our parting Valentine gift. read more

Impeccable service, warm ambiance, and inventive, intentional food. Great addition to Apex in a fantastic spot, at last! Go there immediately. Make memories. Order the focaccia! Nom Nom. read more

We came for lunch-the steak salad and short rib lasagna special was delicious! The atmosphere, nod to Italian dining, and service by Colin was fantastic! We will definitely be back-we want to try dinner and the outside patio on a pretty day! read more

The food was not served properly and served at different times. No water refill and the service was over worked and not professional for this type of restaurant. the ambiance was nice but there was too much confusion in the staff and order. It took over 30 minutes to get our wine. When I spoke to the Owner or Manager about the issues, did not seem to care but told me to pick up his card on the way out and he would see that I got a nice table next time. There will not be a next time. I do not often write reviews with low star ratings but on this one, I thought it may be helpful. read more

I dined at Serafina Ristorante in Apex expecting an attentive, upscale dining experience. The hostess and several members of the wait staff were professional and pleasant--kudos to them. However, our evening was seriously undermined by the behavior of the General Manager, Dillion Williams. He had one other party moved away from our area to another floor, which made our group feel isolated and unfairly targeted. Later, when we were finishing our meal, his tone toward us was dismissive and condescending. We felt threatened and unwelcome. As someone active in the community, I was shocked that the person in charge would treat paying guests this way. Unless ownership steps in, replaces the GM, and restores respectful guest service, I CANNOT recommend this restaurant read more