Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern

There's a reason this place has lasted so long. Every visit is pristine in its execution. The extra that exemplifies Second Empire is their desire to always make every experience magically memorable. And this is something they simply do extremely well. From the food, to our tasty beverages, to our delectable dessert, it was all perfectly presented and prepared. Thanks as always for a truly wonderful evening! We'll be back!

There's a reason this place has lasted so long. Every visit is pristine in its execution. The extra that exemplifies Second Empire is their desire to always make every experience magically memorable. And this is something they simply do extremely well. From the food, to our tasty beverages, to our delectable dessert, it was all perfectly presented and prepared. Thanks as always for a truly wonderful evening! We'll be back!

What a fun date night! My wife and I came here and had an elegant, intentionally slower dinner together. My only regret is that we didn't get to try more items on the menu. The chef definitely knows what he is doing in the kitchen. Our waitress was great! Thanks for a wonderful evening!

What a fun date night! My wife and I came here and had an elegant, intentionally slower dinner together. My only regret is that we didn't get to try more items on the menu. The chef definitely knows what he is doing in the kitchen. Our waitress was great! Thanks for a wonderful evening!

Second Empire is a special place. The ambience is soft, warm and cozy. The service is exactly what you want. Careful, attentive, non-intrusive. The servers are knowledgeable and thoughtful. They attend to dietary restrictions and allergies. They make excellent suggestions. They promptly attend to needs and perfectly pace the courses. You will not be rushed, and you will not be bored. The food is delicious and meticulously prepared. The flavor combinations are surprising and satisfying. I particularly love the incorporation of lots of greens and bright colored vegetables. I really can't wait to come back.

Second Empire is a special place. The ambience is soft, warm and cozy. The service is exactly what you want. Careful, attentive, non-intrusive. The servers are knowledgeable and thoughtful. They attend to dietary restrictions and allergies. They make excellent suggestions. They promptly attend to needs and perfectly pace the courses. You will not be rushed, and you will not be bored. The food is delicious and meticulously prepared. The flavor combinations are surprising and satisfying. I particularly love the incorporation of lots of greens and bright colored vegetables. I really can't wait to come back.

Seriously one of the best restaurants in Raleigh, N.C., this is a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. There’s a rich history behind this restaurant, and the chef takes great pride in his cooking and establishment. Although there is no official dress code, it’s recommended to wear at least business casual attire—avoid showing up in jeans and sneakers. Our waiter, Sam, was phenomenal and well-spoken, and I appreciated the history of the house that was shared with us. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about both the history of the venue and the menu, enhancing the dining experience. The food is cooked to perfection and beautifully plated. Give yourself enough time to enjoy all the courses; plan for 2-3 hours. Everything is served at a relaxed pace, from drinks to the first course, entrée, and dessert. We were seated later than our reservation time and had to wait in the basement, but we believe this was intentional to encourage patrons to enjoy the space and purchase drinks before their meal. The menu is extremely gluten-free friendly, and the chef makes every effort to accommodate those with allergens. The setting is perfect for an anniversary or a romantic date night. If you're looking for something more intimate, consider booking the Raleigh or Capital rooms downstairs. The main dining room and atrium are also nice but tend to have a more family or business-oriented atmosphere. Thank you for a great experience!

Seriously one of the best restaurants in Raleigh, N.C., this is a must-visit for locals and visitors alike. There’s a rich history behind this restaurant, and the chef takes great pride in his cooking and establishment. Although there is no official dress code, it’s recommended to wear at least business casual attire—avoid showing up in jeans and sneakers. Our waiter, Sam, was phenomenal and well-spoken, and I appreciated the history of the house that was shared with us. The waitstaff is knowledgeable about both the history of the venue and the menu, enhancing the dining experience. The food is cooked to perfection and beautifully plated. Give yourself enough time to enjoy all the courses; plan for 2-3 hours. Everything is served at a relaxed pace, from drinks to the first course, entrée, and dessert. We were seated later than our reservation time and had to wait in the basement, but we believe this was intentional to encourage patrons to enjoy the space and purchase drinks before their meal. The menu is extremely gluten-free friendly, and the chef makes every effort to accommodate those with allergens. The setting is perfect for an anniversary or a romantic date night. If you're looking for something more intimate, consider booking the Raleigh or Capital rooms downstairs. The main dining room and atrium are also nice but tend to have a more family or business-oriented atmosphere. Thank you for a great experience!

If you’re looking for a dining experience that makes you feel fancy but without all the pretense, Second Empire in Raleigh is your spot. I went there for my birthday, and wow—let me tell you, I totally see why it’s one of the top restaurants in the city! First off, the decor? Absolutely stunning. It feels like you’ve stepped into a different era—think Downton Abbey vibes, but with better food. Our server was incredible, giving us a mini history lesson on the building while delivering top-notch service. It made the whole experience even more special. Plus, I even got a signed menu, which was such a thoughtful touch! Now, the food. I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but I had the best salmon and white fish of my life here. Seriously, ever. Every bite was pure perfection. I was almost tempted to ask for more, but I had to at least pretend I was still dignified. Oh, and don’t be scared off by the whole “fine dining” thing—the prices are actually very reasonable, which was a pleasant surprise! So, if you’re looking to treat yourself to some exceptional food and an even better atmosphere, Second Empire is where you need to be. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

If you’re looking for a dining experience that makes you feel fancy but without all the pretense, Second Empire in Raleigh is your spot. I went there for my birthday, and wow—let me tell you, I totally see why it’s one of the top restaurants in the city! First off, the decor? Absolutely stunning. It feels like you’ve stepped into a different era—think Downton Abbey vibes, but with better food. Our server was incredible, giving us a mini history lesson on the building while delivering top-notch service. It made the whole experience even more special. Plus, I even got a signed menu, which was such a thoughtful touch! Now, the food. I don’t want to be overly dramatic, but I had the best salmon and white fish of my life here. Seriously, ever. Every bite was pure perfection. I was almost tempted to ask for more, but I had to at least pretend I was still dignified. Oh, and don’t be scared off by the whole “fine dining” thing—the prices are actually very reasonable, which was a pleasant surprise! So, if you’re looking to treat yourself to some exceptional food and an even better atmosphere, Second Empire is where you need to be. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

We went there for a team dinner, and it’s a fantastic spot for group gatherings. The decor is unique, as the restaurant is located in a mansion, which adds to the charm. The food and service were both fabulous. I highly recommend starting with the cheese plate and ending with the chocolate soufflé for dessert.

We went there for a team dinner, and it’s a fantastic spot for group gatherings. The decor is unique, as the restaurant is located in a mansion, which adds to the charm. The food and service were both fabulous. I highly recommend starting with the cheese plate and ending with the chocolate soufflé for dessert.

Absolutely delicious!! Everything was visually stunning and full of flavor. The 7 cheese plate, flounder and oyster starters and tuna entrée. For dessert the Bavarian cake and dessert wine. Holy moly! The best in Raleigh!! The service was great too!!!

Absolutely delicious!! Everything was visually stunning and full of flavor. The 7 cheese plate, flounder and oyster starters and tuna entrée. For dessert the Bavarian cake and dessert wine. Holy moly! The best in Raleigh!! The service was great too!!!

The food is incredible!! The chef does an incredible job at designing the perfect plate. It's been our favorite dinner in Raleigh so far. The atmosphere is classic, and the wine selection is great. It's high-end food and with great service.

The food is incredible!! The chef does an incredible job at designing the perfect plate. It's been our favorite dinner in Raleigh so far. The atmosphere is classic, and the wine selection is great. It's high-end food and with great service.