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The Oak - Raleigh

4.2 (577 reviews)
Open • 4:00 pm - 9:00 PM
Updated a few days ago

The Oak - Raleigh Photos

THE OAK - RALEIGH ATMOSPHERE

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

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Recommended Reviews - The Oak - Raleigh

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Kids Sliders. Menu has only 1 slider, you have to add in the second.
Stacy P.

Stopped by for an early lunch with my son, just after opening. The interior is nice, clean, and has a cool, darker vibe, but I will say it feels more suited for a later meal or evening setting. If it's a beautiful day, I'd definitely recommend sitting outside instead. Still, the inside has a cozy, laid-back feel that works well. Shoutout to Qua, who was both the hostess and our server. She was welcoming, attentive, and handled everything smoothly, even as a few more parties came in while she was the only one serving at the time. One thing I really appreciated was that she let us know upfront what items were out of stock before we even looked at the menu. That level of transparency is huge and makes the experience so much better. My son ordered a slider with fries from the kids' menu. It comes with just one slider, so I ordered a second, definitely the right call. He enjoyed it, and the fries were cooked well, just a little on the salty side for our taste (ketchup helped balance that out). I had the shrimp tacos. It's packed and perfect portion for lunch. The shrimp, pineapple slaw, and chipotle mayo was a nice mix. The restaurant was clean (including the bathrooms). The location is also a plus, super close to the Art Museum, which makes it a great stop before or after visiting. Overall enjoyable, and I'd come back, especially to try more of the menu and the drinks.

Pomegranate mimosa. Just yumm!
Jewel E.

Met my girlfriend here for brunch yesterday. It's in the cutest residential shopping area. Lots of parking and easy to access. The staff were super friendly and welcoming. The vibe was warm and woody like you expect from a place called the oak. We did make a reservation just in case they were busy. We were seated in the bar area so the bar tender was also our server. He was kind, super attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu and drink offerings. We ordered pomegranate mimosas. They were a delicious and refreshing addition to our girl time!! I ordered their new Salmon BLT and my friend ordered the Meat Lovers Omlette that was served with gouda grits. The salmon blt lived up to my expectations. It was light but filling and super flavorful. The star is the red onion and dill aioli. My only complaint is the bread. It's tasty bread, it's just not sturdy enough fpr all of the sandwich ingredients. I would have appreciated if it were something thicker or served as an open faced sandwich. The sweet potato fries were fresh and crispy. The fresh pepper sprinkle on them gave them a new dynamic for me. My friend enjoyed the meat lovers omelet and she let me taste the gouda grits. OMG talk about flavor. I'm going back just for those damn grits!! I like very textured grits and these were that on top of perfectly seasoned and cheesed! Geeze!!!!!!!!!! Besides their massive wall of spirits, another component that i appreciated was their inclusive restroom offerings. The door signs are genius! This place looks like it's also great in the evening and late night. They certainly earned a customer in me! Can't wait to go back for more grits!!!!

beef short rib
Emily N.

Amazing once again I got the featured burger and my boyfriend got the short rib. Burger was incredible and short rib was tasty. We loved the bourbon cocktails. I am not a huge bourbon drinker and our server suggested a Gold Rush (not on the menu) that was the best bourbon starter drink! We love this place. One single critique is that the chairs in the dining room are not comfortable. If they were better we would stay longer. Please change the sad metal chairs lol

An amazing Old Fashioned!!!!
Lee K.

Justin at the bar makes amazing bourbon drinks. The service is always awesome and the food is wonderful!!!! Great chill place to hang out for work dinners or just a great spot to hang with friends!!!

Heritage Farms Pork Belly
Ben W.

I was in the area and was looking for a place with good bourbon and food and came across The Oak and loved it so much I went back again during my trip. It is a very cozy and inviting space that advertises itself as a scratch kitchen. Sat at the bar and quickly observed that they have a very vast, extensive, and solid bourbon & whiskey collection on their shelves. Got an old-fashioned made with their own in-house bitters that you can choose from which was good and ultimately treated myself to a pour of Weller 12. Justin was friendly and wicked knowledgeable about bourbons which resulted in an awesome conversation during dinner. From a food perspective it was very fresh and delicious. Started with the Heritage Farms Pork Belly which was rendered beautifully and melted in my mouth without being overly oily that comes with pork belly some times. The entire app paired with the fresh greens, and the bourbon gastrique drizzled on top was well balanced in flavor. For the entree, I went with the Sesame crusted Seared Tuna which was cooked perfectly and paired very well with the bok choy, and wasabi crema. Maybe it is because I was not familiar with the area or it was around dinner time but parking at the strip was hard to find as the lot was very full and the restaurant was tucked away between two buildings and had to rely on Maps to make sure I was in the right place after parking. Overall, strongly recommend this place if you are into bourbon/whiskeys and want good food while you are drinking.

Falan E.

I dined here about a year ago. My previous review disappeared. So, here it goes again. The service here was great. The staff does a great job educating on the bourbon offerings. I enjoyed the grilled chopped salad. Very good. The parking here is effortless. My cocktail was the bourbon smash. No complaints.

Trouble in Paradise
Courtnay B.

I started with the Trouble in Paradise cocktail, which I thought was excellent until I had the Old Fashioned. I am not a bourbon drinker and this was hands down one of the best cocktails I've ever had. You must try it! For dinner, I had the most delicious and tender short rib with collards and fingerling potatoes. The entire dining experience, including our amazing server, Justin, was 5 full stars.

Bar
Kellie B.

We went to dinner here last night had never been here before, and it exceeded our expectations. It's a little dark on the inside of the restaurant, but I think that's it's overall ambience. The food was amazing and Tyler. Our waiter knew so much about bourbon. My husband was thrilled. We will definitely be back.

Kalvin K.

What a fun little restaurant! It's hidden in the back of the plaza but offers a wide selection of bourbon and whiskey. Their old fashioned is renown with a wide selection of bitters. I'm not normally a drinker of old fashioneds but was very accepting of their version. Food wise, it was great, I ordered the shrimp po boy with a side of fries and Brussels sprouts. Everything was delicious! Service was stellar too. Definitely will revisit next time I'm in town!

Bourbon slider , Mac and cheese and unsweetened tea
John E.

The Oak is tucked into a packed in shopping mall right along Lake Boone trail in the "Rex Hospital" district if you will. I normally get there by 440 to the Lake Boone Trail exit then a left on Wesville Court. You then take an immediate right into the very busy main thru way with businesses on the left and right. The oak is on the right in the middle. You can rarely park there at lunch. So you then take a left on this other thru fare and back there you can usually find something. Then you walk back and up a small alley way and its tucked in there. Its right next to two roosters which is a bit easier to see from the street. Give your self a few extra minutes the first time to work thru all this. Once you walk in the door they ask if you want to sit inside or out. Sometimes the greeter is busy serving so you have to wait a minute but be patient they will be there shortly. The staff is super passionate and bright about the overall Oak offerings and the bourbon in particular. Their knowledge and passion stand out and make it super fun. So let me stop here and make a key point. I am NOT a bourbon drinker. I did not come here for the bourbon. I came for the food. The limited menu is superbly seasoned and flavored. The burgers absolutely stand out that way. There are many gourmet burgers being offered. But its not only about excellent quality meat. Its also did you season the meat BEFORE cooking it so the flavor really cooks all the way thru. Salt alone in the triangle will make your burger stand out, along with high quality ingredients of course. The Oak goes beyond salt and beyond the high quality ingredients. Its fully seasoned thru and thru and cooked in. Same is true of the mac and cheese side. I can't think of many places in the triangle right now that burst with flavor like the Oak is going right now. But what about the bourbon? So for the visit I will focus on here I brought my nephew (27 year old adult with masters degree which means, yes, I am old) on March 12th who was in from out of town to come with me to the Hurricanes playoff game, which we won btw. It was my christmas present to him. He is also not a bourbon drinker but he gave a flight a try. Thats 3 bourbons you and the server pick out in small shots to try and learn. What fun!! The server told great stories of the bourbons, how they were made, why they are different from each other. In Devon's case he got Coopers, Hookers House, and Barrell Bourbons. He could not stop talking about the stories and what he had learned about bourbon. So go for the food, but stay for the bourbon and TALK about it with your server. You will not be sorry. The servers are picked for their passion and knowledge about Bourbon. So for this night we had the flight, the lamb burger, the beef and bourbon and 2 mac and cheese for $76+ tip. How was it? His florida team is no longer in the playoffs, my Raleigh team is still going and when i asked him to concede my team is better he replied: "If that means I get to come back for bourbon, and sliders, ... well of course they're the best! "

Heritage Farms Pork Belly
Jaime S.

I've had The Oak - Raleigh on my list of places to eat for over a year, and I'm glad I finally had dinner here. I made a 7:15 reservation for my daughter and I on a beautiful Saturday evening. We were seated right away in the dining area next to the bar. It's a pretty open place with indoor and outdoor seating. They have a couple of sections in the main dining room. The vibe is great and the music is great too. The service was awesome, you never waited or wanted for anything. If our water was low, someone came by and filled it. If we were finished with a plate, someone came and cleared it. Sean was our server, and he was awesome. You could feel his passion about his job and the food there. He made it sound just as good as it was. We started with drinks and appetizers. The Heritage Farms Pork Belly was good. The salsa, elote and the cheese added a nice touch. The sprouts were so good, so light and crispy. So much flavor. The Mac n Cheese was rather tasty as well, so very cheesy! For our entrees, I ordered the seafood special, sea bass with an asparagus fondue, gnocchi and spinach finished with a Parmesan crisp. Every bite was delicious. The favor profile was perfect. I'm so glad I ordered it. My daughter ordered the bourbon sliders, with the black pepper aioli on the side. The sliders were cooked perfectly and were very good. And we saved room for dessert! They had two desserts, Turtle Cheesecake and Sweet Potato Creme Brulee...we ordered both and they were both perfect! I l definitely enjoyed the food and the ambiance at The Oak - Raleigh and I will definitely go back.

Kien H.

So I was on the way to a concert and happened to stop by this spot and I was not disappointed. The people there were super nice and friendly. Because of the show that I was going to there was a lot of people already there so they have to kind of make do and we ended up having to sit outside. But they have heaters outside so keep that in mind. Also which is really cool, they give you blankets if you're not okay with the heaters. So you can send under a heater and then have a blanket on your legs and you can be totally comfortable even if it is a little bit chilly out. Of course it's walled in by the plastic walls that restaurants put up to say that they are indoors and outdoors, but on the right type of night you can really feel the breeze so I thought that the heating lamps and the blankets were a good addition and that's a plus to them. Everybody was super nice, the lady came by who was managing and talked to us for a while. Not just a regular high and buy, actually has some real conversation. I really really liked that. It gave a humanistic feeling to us that we weren't just a table but we were people. The waitress came over and talked to us and she gave us the rundown of the whiskey's and Bourbons. What I loved about this was the fact that she asked what we normally go for and prefer and she tried to match up what we prefer to the specific alcohol on the list. So the fact that you listened to me and then came back and asked my opinion on it, it let me know that you really cared enough about your company to learn about what they serve and you care enough about the customers to learn about what I like. The presentation was great, I have no complaints about the presentation of it, I only got a drink but there was a flight on the table as well and everything was laid out to where you knew exactly what you were drinking. I got a sandwich, steak, and it was really really good. The bread was a little crispy but that crunch definitely added to the meal itself! I wouldn't do plan on going back to this spot when I'm in the area!

Nequel B.

Farm to table and absolutely delicious. I usually don't like all my food mixed together but the pork shoulder, Mac n cheese and Brussels sprouts combo was amazing. The duck my brother got was perfect. Out waiter was extremely attentive and nice, he gave great recommendations and answered out questions. My brother has a peanut allergy and they were really great about asking the chef and walking through the menu with us. I also got the Bourbon flight which I enjoyed, I will say the house bourbon is extremely sweet so be warned. The restaurant was nice plenty of seating for a large group or small group. The bar area is nice and has a ton of alcohol for you to choose from. Highly recommend and would definitely go back.

Bourbon Bloody Mary

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2 months ago

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5 months ago

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2 months ago

Sean our server was outstanding! Great food and atmosphere The appetisers and drinks were unique and refreshing.

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7 months ago

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11 months ago

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1 year ago

Damn good whiskey bar. Regulars are welcoming. Bartenders are fantastic. Food excellent. Quit reading this and get there

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1 year ago

Great food with the best variety of old fashioned drinks in the area. Entertaining bartenders

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1 year ago

Excellent food and excellent service!! Will definitely be back! The grilled cheese is AMAZINGGG!!!!

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Page 1 of 15

Ask the Community - The Oak - Raleigh

Is there live music?

No live music at the restaurant, but occasionally some outside in the courtyard for the other local businesses.

Are there menus available for private parties - around 50-60 people?

I'm eyeing the lasagna to pick up for Christmas dinner? It consists of spiced short rib. What's the flavor profile of this?

Would this be a great place for a birthday dinner and a photographer allowed as well?

Absolutely!

Are dogs allowed in the outdoor seating area?

Yes they are!

I have made reservations for this place for my husband and me. We also have a 1 year old, does anyone know of children are allowed?

We don’t see many kids but we absolutely do allow them!

View All 7 Questions

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FOUNDATION

4.4(332 reviews)
4.2 mi•Fayetteville Street
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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.

Foundation Bar offers a uniquely cool vibe, tucked away in a basement location that makes it easy…read moreto miss if you aren't looking for it. The interior features rotating art hung on the walls--which adds a great aesthetic and is even available for purchase if you fall in love with a piece. The drink menu is impressively extensive, and the bartenders certainly don't skimp on the pours; if you aren't a frequent drinker, one strong cocktail will definitely be plenty. The staff is consistently polite and welcoming, and the overall atmosphere makes for a solid night out. The only notable drawbacks are the lack of a food menu, not even offering small bites, and a noticeable smoke odor inside that might bother non-smokers. Still, it's a great spot for drinks and atmosphere.

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FOUNDATION - South side

South side

FOUNDATION - Foundation old fashioned

Foundation old fashioned

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The Crunkleton - Wagyu Flat Iron

The Crunkleton

4.3(91 reviews)
3.5 mi•Glenwood South
•$$$

I was excited to finally be able to visit The Crunkleton after hearing good reviews about the…read morerestaurant. We came when the restaurant opened during the week so we were seated right away and it wasn't crowded. There are several tables and spaces to sit inside of the restaurant. Our server, Ariel, was friendly & very attentive during our visit. The manager, Ravi, was also great. We both got a steak and I got the Mac & cheese for my side. The Mac & cheese was very cheesy as it contained multiple cheeses. We enjoyed it. My steak was also prepared well and was tender. The fries were served hot. It did take a little while for our food to be brought out to us but it was worth the wait.

We came to The Crunkleton for dinner and made reservations online ahead of time, which I definitely…read morerecommend since this place seems to stay busy. We started with the mussels cooked with chorizo sausage. They had good flavor, although I personally would have preferred the mussels without the sausage flavor. For our entrée, we had the Steak & Fries. The fries were cooked perfectly and had great flavor, especially with the cheese. We also ordered a side of Mac & Cheese, which is made with baked shell pasta, rich, cheesy, and really good. The restaurant itself is fairly small and intimate, with the full bar and open kitchen all in the same room as the dining tables. I really liked the warm, lively atmosphere, although it can feel a little crowded when they're busy. Overall, good food, a cozy atmosphere, and a fun dinner spot in Raleigh. I'd definitely recommend making a reservation before coming, especially for dinner.

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The Crunkleton - Interior

Interior

The Crunkleton - Charred Brussels Sprouts & Duck Fat Potatotes

Charred Brussels Sprouts & Duck Fat Potatotes

The Crunkleton - Barrel Aged Vieux Carre

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Barrel Aged Vieux Carre

The Oak - Raleigh - newamerican - Updated October 2026

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