Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Raleigh

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Raleigh? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - North Raleigh

4.9

4.9 (1430)

$30 and under

Mexican

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Come experience Raleigh's Colombo-Mexican Tacos y Tequila Joint!

Hand Crafted Latin Cocktails
Extensive List of Tequilas & Regional Spirits
Carefully Selected List of Latin Wines & Latin Beers

Voted Best Latin Restaurant in the Triangle by Wake County Living Magazine!

Won the Indy Award for Best Mexican / Latin American in the Triangle!

Top review

Latham

Dined on Dec 27, 2024

Excellent food and large selection of premium Tequilas. Excellent staff making this a family friendly destination.

Bodega Tapas and Wine

4.9

4.9 (879)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Wake Forest

About the restaurant

Bodega Tapas, Wine, and Rum. Local and imported artisanal ingredients offered in an affordable small plate format. Enjoy the rum bar with craft, from scratch cocktails, or rum tastings in one and two ounce pours. Most of our extensive wine list is offered by the glass, bottle and tasting pour so you can indulge on high end wines with out breaking the bank. Order as many or little small plates as you like to snack on or piece a meal together and try an array of different wines. We’re perfect for a small bite after work, a night out with friends or an intimate date night. we look forward to having you at our table .
If you are a party of 5 and more, please contact us at Bodega and we will be happy to accommodate you.

Top review

Conor

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent as always. The food and service are top class.

Discover more

Popular dish

Lamb Meatballs

Popular dish

Beef Empanada NC Wagyu

Experience

Valentine's Weekend at Bodega 2025

Masala House

4.9

4.9 (14)

$30 and under

Indian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

With flavors deeply rooted in North Indian and Himalayan cuisine, Masala House offers authentic Indian dining experiences that captivate the heart and palate. Each meal we serve is prepared by a chef with over 15 years of experience in mastering the art of cooking food that pays homage to the culinary heritage of North India.

Top review

David

Dined 3 days ago

Great value. Very busy. Good food and nice servers.

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

4.8

4.8 (281)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Raleigh

About the restaurant

A brewery and full service restaurant serving hand-made pizza and more in Downtown Raleigh. We feature Detroit style pizza on Monday and Tuesday from 4pm until they're gone. We have a full bar featuring inventive cocktails, great wine, cider, non-alcoholic options, and more!

We have several areas for private events and larger gatherings. Reach out to our events team for details: events@trophybrewing.com

Top review

stephen

Dined on Jan 3, 2025

Great tap list, good size bar with options to sit in or outside. Pizzas were pretty average and on the small side.

Bella Monica

4.7

4.7 (3637)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Benvenuto! Opened August 2000, chef/ owner Corbett Monica and his wife, Julie, created this trattoria as an extension of his Nanas dinner table. A place where the neighborhood gathers to dine and enjoy life. Guests become family at our tables, enjoying recipes handed down from our grandparents. Following tradition, we make our sauce with San Marzano tomatoes and use only the freshest ingredients available, just like Nana. Our gravy is so good that we eat it like soup! Neapolitan menu, thin-crust Flatbread pizzas, Pasta, NC Seafood, Chicken, Local Pork. Without a doubt, the best cannoli you will ever taste! Our wine list features all Italian, hard-to-find selections that are a perfect match for our Pasta and Flatbreads. Wine Spectator 2007-2024. Local art is on our walls and we play a great upbeat music mix. We welcome you to our business, our culture, our family. It is an honor and pleasure to cook for you. Please enjoy our food and the company you share at our table. Mangia bene!

Top review

Dave

Dined 6 days ago

My friend and I came in before a Carolina Hurricanes game. Had the sauteed calamari appetizer, side Caesar, glass of Chianti, and Rigatoni Veal Bolognese. It was all delicious. Presentation was attractive. Hostess and wait staff pleasant and accommodating. Will return!

J. Betski's

4.7

4.7 (82)

$31 to $50

Contemporary European

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Relaxed, casual, lively location serving East & Central influenced European Cuisine with a modern, local flair that will pleasantly surprise your palate; features the option of using a hybrid service system or traditional print menu service. Located on the edge of the Five Points neighborhood in Raleigh, NC. We use the highest quality seafood, meats, poultry and local produce for our menu of small and mid size plates, providing you a unique and memorable flavor experience. Enjoy one of our expertly created craft cocktails, or order from our list of wines or extensive selection of high quality European and local Beers.

Top review

Eric

Dined on Jan 4, 2025

Another great dining experience - always consistent and service at the bar was exceptional.

Giorgio Pizza Bar

4.6

4.6 (205)

$31 to $50

Pizza Bar

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Giorgio Pizza Bar, located in the North Hills neighborhood of Raleigh, offers a local, seasonal approach to both hand-tossed, crispy, sourdough pizzas as well as other regional pizza styles. In addition to pizza, our menu offers small Italian-style shared plates of vegetables, meat, seafood, and pasta- served alongside Italian wines and craft cocktails. Enjoy a seat at our large bar for lunch or dinner with pizza tossing in action!

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 3 days ago

The food and the cocktails were very good! We loved the Brussel sprouts and sausage pizza. The service was excellent as well. We will be back!

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - Cary

4.5

4.5 (571)

$30 and under

Mexican

Cary

About the restaurant

WELCOME TO NORTH CAROLINA'S AWARD-WINNING COLOMBIAN-MEXICAN TACOS Y TEQUILA JOINT! Currently serving Dinner and Drinks.

Top review

donna

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

The food is great, service is exemplary! We moved out of state and always visit Gonza when we come back for a visit. Eating at Gonza is always a great experience!

Gonza Tacos y Tequila - Wake Forest

4.2

4.2 (524)

$30 and under

Mexican

Wake Forest

About the restaurant

A Raleigh favorite opens a new location. Come experience the best Colombian-Mexican restaurant now with a location in Wake Forest!

Hand Crafted Latin Cocktails
Extensive List of Tequilas & Regional Spirits
Carefully Selected List of Latin Wines & Latin Beers

Voted Best Latin Restaurant in the Triangle by Wake County Living Magazine!

Won the Indy Award for Best Mexican / Latin American in the Triangle!

Top review

JessicaVIP

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

Great food and drinks! First time at this location but it was just as good as the others!

Bahama Breeze - Raleigh

4.1

4.1 (741)

$30 and under

Caribbean

Raleigh

About the restaurant

When you're at Bahama Breeze Island Grille, life's one big party. It's an escape from the ordinary and a much-needed excuse for you to let loose. Famous since 1996 for tropical cocktails, live music, and more, the vibe here is always as amazing as that Caribbean-inspired food we're known for. Bahama Breeze offers your favorites: seafood, salads, chicken-all with island flair. From Jerk Chicken Pasta to Seafood Paella, you can enjoy the islands one taste at a time, discovering new flavors along the way. Naturally, we're the perfect spot for all the sunniest moments in life: happy hours with friends, anniversaries, birthdays, date nights and unique culinary experiences. So, when you're ready to raise your glass and move your feet, the party's in full swing and the islands are waiting for you or if you'd rather bring the Island party home, online ordering is a Breeze too!

Top review

Cedric

Dined on Dec 7, 2024

Great time dining here on a first date. O was surprised it wasn't as crowed as usual. No complaints!

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