Terrible. Only thing worth ordering was the $16 cheeseburger and of course they were out of cheeseburgers on a Monday night.

Doesn't look like much from the outside - small, quaint restaurant. Open kitchen so you can hear, see & smell everything that is going on. Super cool vibe! My husband had the ribeye and it was cooked to perfection. I got two small plates - the pig head and pickled beets and both had amazing flavor! So happy we decided to stop in! read more

The Stanbury is overrated. I would much rather enjoy a dinning experience down the street at Crawford and Sons, or Poole's, or Bhavana. My ribeye that I ordered medium rare came out well done. The Crispy Pig Head small plate was doused in mustard (literally all I could taste was mustard). The staff was either rude or aloof. The swordfish curry saved this from being a 1 star review, it was surprisingly delicious. Overall I would avoid Stanbury, especially since there are a plethora of better options in the Raleigh area. read more

This might be the best restaurant in town. So consistent every time. I've never been disappointed

Visited the Stanbury with good friends. A neighborhood gem. The small plates provide a variety of options. The ribeye was fabulous. Great atmosphere and even outdoor seating options to hang out and visit after dinner. read more

One of the best restaurants in Raleigh, if not the best. Love its down-to-earth atmosphere. The Brussels sprouts have left me dreaming about them. Best when with a group and sharing lots of plates. We can't wait to return when restaurants re-open for dine in. read more

Fantastic small plates; however, I was not impressed with the Grilled Ribeye. My favorite dish of the night was the Gambas al Ajillo, it was amazing. Stanbury is definitely a must visit if you are in Raleigh. read more

Service, food and ambiance is fantastic. I did the small plates with a group. The delicious small plates left me wanting more. If you're hungry, get some small plates or an entree for yourself as some shared dishes are tough to make a meal out of with more than two people. The subtle Yoda motif and chocolate shop next door made for a wonderful evening. I will return and recommend to the world. read more

I have been a silent Yelper since 2011. Just taking advantage of the reviews, not writing my own... Bad Mollyann! Time to change that. For my first review, I wanted to start on a positive note and write about my favorite restaurant in Raleigh. I do not say it is my favorite lightly... I mean it. It is my FAVORITE! Stanbury is fairly new. It opened in September 2013. It is located in Mordecai right next to Escazu Artisan Chocolates. I have been there twice now and both experiences blew me away. Both times, my boyfriend and I sat at the table closest to the front door. I am never a snob about where I sit in a restaurant - bar, near a window, back, who cares! I'm usually hungry and I just want some yummy food haha. The first time I went, there was a wait (there isn't much seating, so expect a wait if you did not make a reservation!) but that table near the door was open. I had assumed that they were holding it for a reservation. I asked the host about it and she said it was up for grabs - people just didn't want to sit there because it was by the door and there was no privacy because everyone waiting was standing by it. Mine! The menu is always changing. They have small plates and large plates. For small plates, I have tried the Crispy Pig Head and the Sweetbreads. Both phenomenal!!! The Crispy Pig Head was chopped bbq style and fried like a hushpuppy. It was served with an egg on top and arugula. The Sweetbreads had shaved salmon on top that moved! I've never seen the food on my plate move like that before - so neat! For large plates, we had the ribeye both times. It was that delicious! Dessert is always my favorite part of a meal :P The first time we went, I had the apple cake. It made me feel like all smiles! The second time, which was actually last night by the way... we actually tried all 3 dessert options on the menu. At first we just ordered the bacon chocolate torte which was made with Escazu chocolate. I love how they collaborate like that! Very cool. I love when local businesses support each other. After finishing that delicious dessert, I decided that I couldn't leave without trying the upside down banana cake served with peanut butter ice cream and peanut brittle. We had skipped it before because my boyfriend is allergic to peanuts but I thought that it sounded too amazing to pass up. We asked our server if we could get it with the peanut brittle and peanut butter ice cream on the side. She said yes. Turns out that was a no go. The banana cake also contained peanuts. The server came back and said that she would bring my boyfriend the flan on the house. How sweet! She did not have to do that. It was served with sorbet, blood oranges, and a biscuit. Time for the bill! The bill presenters are old school cooking books. How trendy! They also bring out some chocolate from next door with the bill to top it all off. To sum it all up: I freaking love this place! Can't wait to go back. Check it out ASAP. You won't regret it. read more

My favorite little place! To go stuff lately has been lovely, and it's a cozy little place inside. Cocktails use to be out of this world back in the day, but really they're still good. But damn the food is perfectly cooked and seasoned!!! read more

Quick and great service. So many choices, there is something for everyone. Delicious empanadas. A wonderful treat!

My husband and I decided to give the Stanbury a try for a date night. He saw that it had made it into a NY Times article on Raleigh. We hadn't heard much about it prior to the article. I called to try to get a reservation but, they were booked for the weekend. We decided to drive by and see what the wait was. At 6:15ish on a Friday, we were able to get a lovely table for two on the porch in 30 minutes. Food wise, I was very happy. I thought that our entrees really lived up to the hype. We both ordered from the large plate menu. I ordered the Scallops which were served atop a succotash - a personal favorite for a side. They were fantastic. The serving size was a bit small but, I was happy. My husband liked the scallops but noted that the serving wouldn't be large enough to fill him up. Luckily, he ordered the pork chop. The flavors of the dish were as on point as they were with the scallop dish. It was just a much more filling serving - perfect for him. I cannot stress this enough - for our palates (probably not the most sophisticated out there) the flavors of the dishes were really great. Despite getting a table pretty quickly, it did seem as though we had to wait a bit longer for the food to come out. The flavors really made it worth the wait. On my dish, the cream sauce combined perfectly with the scallop and unique succotash. There was a bacon undertone somewhere in there which wasn't over powering. There was a bit of a citrus hint too. It was fabulous. For my husband, the kale and fingerling potatoes that accompanied the large pork chop were fantastic. The kale had a lemon-buttermilk sauce and the fingerling potatoes had a smokey flavor - as if they had been perfectly roasted at a campfire - by an expert chef that is. Really great flavors. We also ordered two drinks - the Sandhills Smash (bourbon, peach, lemon and mint) and the Asti Spritz (aperol, moscato d'asti, club soda and lime). The Asti Spritz was a pretty typical aperol spritz. The Sandhills Smash surprised me. I usually stray away from bourbon but, I think I could have enjoyed an entire Smash on my own. Usually my husband has me take a sip and it's all I can do to get down bourbon and scotch drinks. This one was quite lovely. We both enjoyed it. It was also unique - something I hadn't had before - although we found it to be somewhat related to a mojito - just not as sweet - but really enjoyable. As two educators, the restaurant was a bit pricey but, it's perfect for a special occasion and I really hope we get to return. It's also neat that a local chocolate store, Escazu, is right next door. Our venture took us to a different section of town which was also a plus (it is close to Mordecai and historic Oakwood - right behind Peace College). read more

I have been to the Admiral in Asheville several times so I was very excited to try this restaurant. I love the hip feel of the place. But I have to say, the food really isn't as well done as the food at the Admiral. We had the beef tartar, because we love how the Admiral does it. It was good, and I like the crab chips, but the presentation and the flavor didn't really compare. I had the scallops and my husband had the guinea hen. Both were delicious and very well presented. It was quite a wait between the 1st and 2nd courses, I will say. The blueberry chocolate tart and the coffee creme brulee were scrumptious. All in all, a great meal, but I would not say that it's on the same level as the Admiral. read more

Stanbury is in a league of its own and is the ultimate dining experience in Raleigh. The food is local and delicious and the cocktails are dangerously good. read more

I was never going to review this hoping to keep it my little secret. I can see now that ship has sailed. This is hands-down the best place to eat in Raleigh. Make a reservation or come prepared to wait. Possibly bring a chair. Sit at the bar if you can! The bartenders are always fun to watch. read more

Stanbury, Oh, Stanbury!!! we LOVE you so much! I live in CA, visiting family in Cary 2-3 times a year, and every time we try to get a dinner, even if it means a reservation 6 months in advance. When it was my first time - I decided to try everything I never saw on the California menu - like frog legs, sweet breads, crispy pork head..... OMG I am still drooling over it! Crispy Brussels sprouts was a big hit last time, even with my very non vegetarian husband:) and the crispy pig head is out family favorite. You are better than Death & Taxes :))) Can't wait to come over again :) read more

The atmosphere is hipster/biz casual. The food is delicious. The service is mediocre for the price. There are other restaurants in the area that I would choose over this for quality of food, presentation, and service. read more

My wife and I tried Stanbury for the first time tonight. We shared 4 small plates and a dessert and this may be the best restaurant I've ever eaten at in my entire life. As we were finishing dessert we were deciding when to make our next reservation. We would have made it on the way out, but the hostess was away from her station. It's way better than Death and Taxes or other high end Raleigh restaurants. Stop eating where ever you've been eating and try this place. The restaurant has a small neighborhood place kind of vibe and a casual atmosphere. There's a mix of small and large plates, but the small plates are amazing. The food was a mix of local ingredients with different influences and lime, peanuts, chilies, and cilantro appear in a lot of dishes and everything has a lot of flavor. We had the beef tartare with nuoc cham, peanuts and chilies served on crab chips. It was insanely good. I could eat this over and over again. The crispy pigs head with poached egg and a mustard sauce was also insanely good. The lamb rib Barbacoa was great, moist and shredding of the bones covered in a sauce. We finished with roasted marrow bones with parsley salad. These were great - rich, buttery and the perfect end to the meal. My wife has the crispycreme doughnut bread pudding, which made a fun dessert showcasing a local favorite and french pressed coffee. Kolsch beer goes well with everything, but they have a great wine list and do great cocktails. It's a great place for a quiet dinner for two or dinner out with a group of friends. read more

The food was very good. The atmosphere is refined casual, very similar to Poole's. I took my girlfriend there yesterday for Valentine's Day and had a very enjoyable experience. The only take away I would have for this restaurant is that the price is actually much higher than the $$ would indicate. For both of our meals plus 3 drinks, we ended up paying $210 with tip. For that price, I could go to three very good restaurants in Raleigh and leave equally satisfied. For that, I have to give it 3 stars. read more

We finally tried Stanbury and we are so glad we did. Everything about the experience was top notch. We arrived quite early for a 6:30 reservation and planned to sit at the bar and have a cocktail while we waited for our friends to arrive. The host told us we could either do that or go ahead and sit at our table, so we chose the latter. We got one of the two tables on the outside porch so were were psyched about that. I tried the Juan Collins and my DH had the Stanbury G and T, which last night was made with a cucumber syrup. We both enjoyed them, but opted for the traditional versions for our second cocktail. We started our meal with a cheese plate which was quite nice. It had a lovely fig and sour cherry compote and marcona almonds, in addition to the cheese and awesome toasted bread. The guys split some oysters and they enjoyed the fact that they had a couple of different kinds that they could mix and match. We followed the with the green beans with smoked blue fish and the beef tartar and our friends had the grilled romaine and the red drum. I wasn't a huge fan of the beans but my DH loved them. I think the best dish at the table with the Drum, but everything was delicious. Our server was Claire and she was awesome! I loved the laid back atmosphere of the place. Everyone was so friendly and they did not rush us at all. They did open the garage door on the side to open up the whole wall of the restaurant at one point because it was such a beautiful evening. The people who were sitting inside all clapped which was fun. We were a little bummed since we had had such an intimate little setting before that, but it was all good. Do be aware that the menu online is just a sample menu and it changes regularly.l I was a little disappointed that they didn't have the crispy pig head on the menu, but that just gives us an excuse to go back! read more

Orgasmic food!! Oysters were amazing! Fresh and delicious! Had lamb and absolutely loved it! Wine had very mild and flavor! And famous pig head!!! read more

What can I say about this place that hasn't already been said (more eloquently mind you) by the NY Times and Southern Living Magazine? Amazing service, fantastic attention to detail, oh, and the food, WOW, the food is out of this world amazing! If you've not done so already check this place out and take your taste buds to the next level! Maybe even enjoy a hand crafted cocktail from the bar that would make Don Draper proud! read more

As if this restaurant needs another rave review... but here I am. Have had dinner at the Stanbury on multiple occasions, and have always been impressed (or maybe "Blown away" is better) by the things I've had. Have some things been merely OK? not really, I wouldn't say that. ...I've been impressed, some times more than others, by some really incredible, truly inventive dishes. Whether it's been their Mackerel Crudo, their oysters, their "Crispy Pig Head" or one of their stellar entrees (pork chops, bass, tagliatelle...) that change seasonally, if not nightly; I have always been impressed, and have left feeling like I've had a really special meal, in a truly special restaurant. It's getting next to impossible to get a reservation, so be sure to plan ahead. Definitely worth the trip! read more

Great atmosphere very casual and cozy. I'd suggest making reservations although we didn't and got lucky we were seated in about 15 minutes at the bar. Drinks are very very good. I had the Rosamaria my hubby had the Kentucky handshaker. We had thee small plate, fried oysters, charred Cesar salad and the crispy pig head. They were all very good. The staff is absolutely amazing from the hostess to the bartenders. Our bill was $90 including tip for 2 drinks each, coffee and the three small plates. We'll definitely be back read more

Th beef tar tar is SO good. Honestly everything on their menu is on point that we tried. Beta to go with a group so you can order a bunch of things and all take bites read more

Love the vibe, the food, the staff...no complaints! I go there with my man or with a small group and get small plates and booze. YUM. Get a reservation though! The bone marrow and oysters are a must to try, but I couldn't name one thing that I wouldn't reorder. Just don't tell too many people, I do like going there at least once a month read more

Based on the reviews for Stanbury, I was really excited to check it out. Unfortunately, I was a bit disappointed. The restaurant has a great vibe. I really liked the setup and the wait staff were great! We tried several of the small plates and weren't wowed by any of them. We felt they were all on the greasy side (most plates had at least something fried on it) and that while the flavors were interesting, they weren't paired very well on the plates. Nothing we ordered was bad, it just wasn't that good. We did really enjoy the desert. We probably won't go back unless we were just meeting people there for drinks. If I'm in the mood for small plates, I'll go to Humble Pie. read more

By far the best steak restaurant I have ever been to! Their menu changes daily based on what is available locally and seasonally and is very creative. The portions can be small but they are on par with upscale eateries. The rib eye is never small tho! Take your time to savor each bite and enjoy the atmosphere in what looks like an old car repair garage. The kitchen is open to the seating area that is limited....I normally go late to avoid a crowd before a late show. read more

I was told that this was a must try place. We went on a Friday night, and were seated right away with a reservation. We got to sit in the far corner spot, with full view of everything. The ambiance was rustic chic, lots of grey and metal with reds. Very unique, the garage door side opens for fresh air. Makes a small space seem more open and fresh. Great, happy staff that make for a really cool vibe. Now for the food! We shared the small plates and a large plate. For the small, we had the salmon crudo, fresh oysters, a steak dish, and the... Wait for it... Pig ears. For our main, we shared scallops. And a nice glass of a red blend to go along with the meal. All the plates were really creative, and the scallops were cooked so perfectly that my hope for scallops was restored (I've had some pretty terrible scallop experiences). I can definitely see the buzz... It's local/rustic/trendy menu and location that is refreshing and fun. I could see this fitting in on Abbott Kinney in Venice CA, but am glad it's in Raleigh! read more

A must try!!! This hidden gem is my new favorite. Its tucked away in such an inconspicuous nook so you'd never see it if you weren't using Navigation!! Im actually a very picky eater so when I sat down & found out gnocchi was "out of season" here, I was worried. By first bite of our cheese plate, all fears were eased. Im so stoked I stepped outside of my norm. The next plate was the grilled Sirloin with navy beans, grilled peppers, & potatoes. OMG, I will be salivating for days! This place is the one you dont want to miss. All fresh, all organic, all GOOD!!!!! read more

The service is worth a superlative , in a category of its own. Don't need to write a 'write-up' ...... Just trust my words....this place is quality , with a capital 'Q'. 5star. read more

I only regret not coming sooner to the delightful Stanbury. I knew it would be an exceptional dining experience, but we came in haggard and world-weary. After sharing good food and drinks with dear friends, we left the happiest campers. Thank you Stanbury! read more

Ive been to stanbury a handful of times and had a good experience each time. With both work colleagues and my wife, the atmosphere was appropriate and cool, the menu interesting, and ingredients were fresh. The menu is somewhat eclectic with specials most nights, and the vibe is a little hipsterry, but im fine with that. Stanbury will definately be in my rotation. read more

So super excited that this place finally opened. The space is really cool and comfortable, I like it a lot. I started off with a spicy cocktail while looking over the menu. My friends and I decided to make a meal of the small plates. We got oysters, salmon, sweet breads, marrow, pork tenderloin, steak tartar and corn bisque. One person at our table opted out and got the chicken grits and collards and said they were the best she had ever had. Everything was really good and tasty; the bisque stood out as my favorite. Our meal ended with chocolate squares from Ezcazu, right next door. Overall, it was really good! I'm looking forward to an expanded menu and more tasty cocktails! read more

Excellent food and even better service. My fiancé and I went a few months ago with another couple and we got pretty tipsy while waiting for a table. Our waiter was EXTREMELY patient with us while we questioned him on different menu items and bantered back and fourth over what we all should order. He even booped me at the end of the night! Stanbury boss man- if you read this!!! You have an absolutely WONDERFUL waiter with brown hair and a beard, average build, average height, possibly gay, ADORABLE nose and the best damn sense of humor and personality you've ever seen....... GIVE THAT MAN A DAMN RAISE AND A HALF! MAKE HIM MANAGE THE PLACE! He talked us into 4 more drinks we didn't need and then 4 more APPETIZERS! The pork chops are phenom! read more

Food = 5 Stars, Drinks = 2.5 Stars My husband and I dined here tonight in celebration of our 24th anniversary. The restaurant was recommended by my stepson and what a great recommendation it was! Our first impression was quaint, non-snooty, and just overall laid-back. The music was background only and not too loud for those of us over 50, although the noise level is high when the restaurant is full. We ordered 3 small plates - Crispy Pigs Head, Grilled Sirloin, and the Duck Breast. My better half had the Seared Diver Scallops for his entrée. The flavors were spot-on! Let me just say that I'm a good home cook and knowing my husband all these years, he has always salted his food before tasting. Tonight, he didn't even ask for salt and pepper (and there were none on the table). The flavors were wonderful in every dish we ordered. Our server, Sam, was the best. He recommended the red wine we had and it was perfect and reasonably priced. He was there when we needed him and un-obtrusive. We didn't feel rushed even though it was clear they needed the tables turned. My only complaint is the cocktail prices. My husband drinks vodka and soda with a splash of cranberry. At the table, he wasn't asked what kind of vodka he preferred. Then I look at the bill after leaving, his drinks are priced at $6 for Luksusowa (never heard of it) and $2 for soda. Really? $2 for club soda mixer. The only reason I noticed was that while we were waiting for a cab, we went to the bar to have another glass of wine ($9) and his vodka/soda. The bartender asked what kind of vodka and I said bar/well and the total was $17 for the two drinks. At $8 per drink, why not have a wonderful glass of wine? When I bartended, the price of a Jack & coke was the same price for Jack on-the-rocks. Other than the cocktail prices, this place is a gem and I can't wait to go back and try the oysters and the rib eye. read more

Extremely gluten free friendly! The waitress knew the menu inside and out and was able to offer adaptations to non-GF items. We enjoyed a calamari small plate, with the "crispy" portions on the side (for my non-GF dining partner to enjoy), sea bass, and scallops (I substituted the farro for rice). All were delicious and the cocktail menu was outstanding. We split the pana cotta as well. Will return and recommend! read more

They don't really take reservations, so if you come in as a walk-in on a saturday night, be prepared to wait at least an hour for a table. The small plates were actually really good! I had the grilled lettuce and the NC shell crab. Both were delicious! Giving 4 stars because the bartender with the mustache ignored me that even my neighboring stranger noticed and commented on it. read more

Walked over to Stanbury and got the last 2 seats at the bar. We decided to get small dishes and share. We started with a salad, then had beef tips, which were delicious, then soft shell crab which was scrumptious, and finally pigs tail!! It was all so delicious, and the wine that the bartender recommended went with all the dishes. This was our second time there, the staff is warm and the place feels so comfortable. Definitely one of my favorites, if you haven't been put it on your short list. Donna read more

My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here the other evening. Fantastic fusion of flavors in everything we ordered. Wait staff was wonderful and attentive without being pushy, which I really like. We plan to go here on a rather regular basis as the menu is always changing. read more