Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    The Crunkleton

    4.2 (75 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

    Order The Crunkleton Takeout or Delivery

    The Crunkleton Photos

    THE CRUNKLETON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - The Crunkleton

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Menu
    Benjamin D.

    Wanted to try something new, and, since I liked the reviews for this place, I figured I'll give it a shot. The ambiance is classy but laid back. The Service was outstanding thanks to Hayley. Her recommendations for pairing the drinks with the food were flawless, and each drink was prepared like a work of art. I started with the raw oysters, paired with a glass of Rose, which I loved. They switched from the Halibut with Fennel to Mahi with Forbidden Rice. The rice is black and inky and potent and extraordinary, but it overwhelmed the fish completely. Still greatful I got to experience it, but I would pair it with something more gamy like lamb or goat. The Pecan pie with warm salted caramel ice cream was nothing short of a spiritual experience, and Hayley's recommendation to pair it with Rum Flip was perfect. Yes, I Ubered. Overall, this one is going to be a frequent hangout.

    Tomahawk steak  Potatoes  Broccolini  Mac & cheese  Fries  Asparagus
    Maia H.

    One of me and my sisters favorite girl dinners!!! They never let us down and the service is great. Yes we basically ordered the whole menu but we had a party of 4 The manager even came to our table and spoke to us while even remembering our name. Personal touch always wins me over. 10/10 every time and I'll always recommend!

    Mina L.

    Loved dining at the crunkelton! Such an elegant place. As soon as we walked in we were welcomed by the hoste and we were seated immediately. Our waitress, Ashley, was fantastic, super nice and helpful. We had the tomahawk steak which was cooked to perfection, the Mac and cheese was delicious and the street corn was sweet, sour with a kick of spicy. Highly recommend it

    Samantha R.

    Went for round two and a girl dinner at The Crunkleton. They have the best bar service, every bartender is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. I started with a half dozen raw oysters. They were fresh and salty, just how I like! I settled on the She Crab soup and fries. The soup was super rich, light on the lump crab but heavy on the cream. It has kick from the chili oil but it definitely helps cut on the heavy cream.

    Monique J.

    This is a perfect place to go for date night or a girls night out. This restaurant is strategically placed on the outskirts of Glenwood Avenue. The aesthetics of this place were top tier and so was the service. I ordered the hanger steak (medium cook) , subbed the fries for the Mac and cheese, and got a side of broccolini. The steak was seasoned perfectly but it was a little chewy and it was slightly overcooked. Nonetheless it had really great flavor. The Mac and cheese was my favorite part of the dish- it had the right amount of cheese and was nice and creamy. The broccolini was good but nothing to rave about. My sister ordered the beignets and omg it was to die for. Unfortunately I am limiting my sugar intake so I only indulged in one but I very well could have eaten all 8 happily.

    Kiara I.

    Raleigh's The Crunkleton has been on my radar for a while, so when a friend and I decided to have a business dinner there, I was excited to finally experience it firsthand. While reservations initially seemed impossible to snag, a spot opened up on the waitlist, and we secured a 5:30 p.m. seating, perfect timing and highly recommended. Parking in the area can be a bit tricky if you are hoping for street spots, but a deck across the street at Publix and several paid lots within walking distance make it manageable. The moment I arrived, I was welcomed by a warm and personable host, and shortly after, Julie greeted me at the table with attentiveness that immediately set the tone for the evening. I mentioned my friend was running a few minutes late, and she graciously ensured I was comfortable while waiting. Though an espresso martini was not on the menu, Julie cheerfully accommodated my request. When my friend arrived, we ordered drinks, my friend opting for a tequila-forward cocktail, and began exploring the menu. Though compact, it offered all the elements you would hope for in a thoughtful, curated dining experience. I went for half-price oysters, a Caesar salad, and fries, while my friend chose the piccata. The Caesar was excellent, though it had a subtle twist that did not fully win me over; the fries, on the other hand, were perfectly crisp, and the espresso martini did not disappoint. The space itself is far more intimate than I anticipated, and it filled up quickly, giving the evening a cozy, lively energy. Impeccably clean and clearly cared for by its staff, The Crunkleton balances attention to detail with a warm, approachable vibe. Overall, it is a solid choice for a business dinner or casual night out, offering attentive service, thoughtful cocktails, and a menu that hits just the right notes.

    Holly K.

    I think this spot is a solid addition to Smokey Hollow. We walked in on a Sunday early evening and were able to snag a table even though all the reservations were booked. Both the hostess and our server were friendly throughout the evening. We got the hanger steak which was a solid portion, but a little tough. It did have great flavor though. We also tried the brussel sprouts, which were good, but the steak had asparagus too so we didn't need the extra side. The risotto with the steak was great. We also got the fig and pear salad, and while tasty didn't seem to have any figs. I think the interior is nice, parking is easy in the garage, would definitely head on in again!

    Steak frites
    Melinda B.

    I went here for my husband's birthday celebration and the service was amazing. The restaurant had a wonderful metropolitan feel with open bar view and hand crafted cocktails. They offer a variety of food options from shareable, small plates, and entrees. The open fire grill influenced us to try the steak frites. All of steak were cooked to temperature and seasoned perfectly. My only issue was the pricing of some of the menu items. I think this spot is better suited for its cocktails and small plates for the price point.

    Darbie V.

    Came here with a team after work and was frankly disappointed. The atmosphere is fun with a great bar in view and the staff were friendly but the food was just okay. I ordered a wedge salad and a gluten free bun with my burger and fries. The wedge salad stole the show for me! It was delicious and it was LARGE several of us enjoyed it which is good to know as it would have been way too much for just one person. Then I got the waygu beef burger with a gluten free bun. First the bun was not good in my opinion one of the worst GF buns I've ever been given. I should have gone with the lettuce wrap or just no bun at all. The meat was fine but nothing special it was cooked well just lacked flavor. Honestly, there are several other places close by I think that I would try before coming here again.

    Beignets with cold brew icing
    Pam W.

    This is a really nice spot for Date night, girls night, a little family night, just anything really. The staff are really nice and the restaurant is really pretty. They have a wall of alcohol so drink up. I'm going to start backwards because desert was so yum. The beignets with cold brew icing is a must try. These were so good. I didn't know what to expect but they were warm and soft. We finished them all. Next up the Cowboy Pork chop and the Dry Aged NY Strip cooked Med. Pork chop was very well seasoned. The Strip could have used some finishing salt. Both proteins came with a grilled half of garlic, half a bubble garlic, and that garlic was on point The Sides, parmesan garlic, herb fries, nice and hot perfection. Hearth vegetables they were awesome. This was a combination of tri-colored carrots and turnips, cooked al dente and chopped chunky just my style of vegetables. The seventh Street corn. This is kind of I guess they play on Mexican street corn it was OK. I was indifferent on the corn. We also had the calamari which was really good as well . So if you like Steak and pork Chop add this one to the list.

    Monte Carlos
    Courtnay B.

    Enjoyed dinner with family from out of town. This is definitely more of a date night spot. Love the cocktail lounge ambiance. Started off with the Old Fashioned and my husband had the Monte Carlos - both were good, but his was a little better. For dinner, I had the fig and pear salad and split the hanger steak with my daughter. Unlike the complaints from other reviewers, the salad had lots of figs and the pear was adequate. It had a tiny too much dressing for me, but I still enjoyed it. The hanger steak was good with the exception of a few gristly pieces toward the end, and the fries were great. We ended with the beignets, which were the table favorite. They were really doughy, but I think that's part of what everyone liked. The sauce on them was amazing! Now for the service, it was not great. The timing of everything was so off. Dare I say, the food came out too quickly. Dinner was served before I could finish my cocktail and salad. Then, my husband ordered a beer when his meal came and it was forgotten and by the time he got it, he was done eating.

    View of the prep area from our kitchen bar seat
    Jewel E.

    A friend and I decided to check out Crunkleton based on the reviews from yelp and a co-worker. It's in a great location in Downtown Raleigh. Not in the midst of the chaos, but close enough to have some variety if you need it. I forgot to make a reservation so we decided to take a chance and be open to bar seating. Luckily we were able to snag a seat at the kitchen bar. We had a front row seat into the prep kitchen and crew doing their thing. It was cool to watch and helpful when we had a questions about our dishes. Our server was nice. She didn't lead with any recommendations, but happily provided some and answered questions when asked. As you can see, I gave the place 3 stars. I was just completely unimpressed with the food that I ordered. I started with the Fig & Pear side salad. The arugula was fresh, but they were stingy with the digs. I only had two small ones on my plate. The vinegarette needed a little bit of sweetness to tone down the acidity of the vinegar. It was intense with the pepperyness of the arugula. For my main entrée I went with the NY Strip and subbed the broccolini for Charred Brussel sprouts. I also ordered an extra side of street corn just to try. The steak was medium like i requested, but it was a bit flavorless and flabby. The NY strip is my favorite cut. It's what I buy and prepare for my family. The one that I was served was difficult to cut and had excessive amounts of fat. That wasn't the least bit rendered. They could have spent a little more time cooking the fat on the perimeter of the steak. Also the bordelaise was runny and seemed to be what ruined the steak texture after it was removed from the open flame. The Brussel sprouts had great flavor but I found them to be too wet. Whether it was from oil or the water bordelaise from the steak. The texture somehow got ruined. The risotto was perfectly cooked, seasoned, and flavored. The street corn had too much lime and mayo. Would have been good otherwise. There was an issue with our drink order at the bar so the waitress brought us complementary beignets to make up for it. The icing was supposed to be cold brew flavored. It was, but it was very subtle. The beignets were still a little doughey in the center, but overall were fluffy and delicious. I didn't taste my friend's food but she ordered the half dozen of raw oysters and the chicken piccata. She raved about both!! I'll give them one more try, but for the price that I paid for my steak, I expected better!!

    Cocktails

    We had an amazing dinner for my birthday. The service was wonderful and timing and the atmosphere was even better. Great music and vibes all around. No complaints and delicious cocktails. We will definitely return! They even compt'd my birthday dessert and added a candle!

    Oysters and Street Corn

    See all

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    1 month ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 2
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 2
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Holly K.
    3304
    2009
    7354

    7 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 5
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 day ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ryan D.
    0
    24
    29

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 2
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    3 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    19 days ago

    Not the same every time the wagyu fell short last time but still consistently good! Salads are so so amazing!!!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Chelsea S.
    393
    38
    36

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Mike B.
    1
    46
    11

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    6 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Greg S.
    0
    26
    16

    3 months ago

    Never disappoints. Had the burger and fries. That's my go to meal. Simple. Very good.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Lamika P.
    1
    61
    193

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - The Crunkleton

    You might also consider

    FOUNDATION

    FOUNDATION

    4.4
    (332 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    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.

    Updating my review: Initially I really liked this bar however I went again on a Friday night and…read morehad a different experience to where I may not return. It was me and one other person and it took about 15 minutes for our waiter to come to our table to take our order or even speak to us (shockingly this same waiter took a couples order sitting at the table next to us even though they arrived way later). We understood that it was slightly busy since it's a Friday night however it would've been better to at least take our order or bring us water in the meantime while also letting us know we had to wait that long. I grew very impatient and ultimately wanted to leave the establishment altogether at this point. Once we got our drinks (I ordered The Middle Child) they were both way too strong to even take a sip. As a cocktail bar, the drinks shouldn't taste like straight rubbing alcohol. I couldn't even finish my drink because it tasted so bad.

    Photos
    South side
    South side
    Foundation old fashioned
    Foundation old fashioned
    Bar

    See all

    Bar
    Bittersweet

    Bittersweet

    4.4
    (482 reviews)
    0.8 mi
    $$

    Bittersweet has amazing desserts and drinks. I've been several times and each time I enjoy what…read moreI've had. A solid go-to is their s'mores sundae which is sooo good! The chocolate brownie is thick and rich, but not too sweet, and the marshmallow cream is divine, especially with the ice cream. A lot of their drinks and gin based, which I'm not the biggest fan of, but I always find something I can enjoy. The service is great and relatively quick, and everyone I've met there is kind and willing to help. The inside is a bit small, so smaller crowds are better and it does tend to get crowded later in the evening and on weekends. The outside street sitting area is nice too and hopefully will be fully fixed soon. Overall a great places to stop for drinks and desserts after a nice meal! And the menu rotates seasonally so you'll always have the chance to try something new!

    My wife and I stopped into Bittersweet last night for dessert, and the whole experience was…read moreexcellent. As soon as we walked in, we met Brandon, and he immediately made the night better. We were honestly a little overwhelmed by all the options, but he gave us an extremely thoughtful and knowledgeable walk-through of the menu, helped us narrow down drinks, and absolutely crushed the recommendations. The desserts were great, the drinks were even better, but Brandon was easily the highlight of our experience. He was kind, helpful, sharp, and clearly knew exactly what he was talking about. Five stars all around. We'll definitely be back.

    Photos
    Chai espresso martini
    Chai espresso martini
    Derby Pie and Gin n Tonic
    Derby Pie and Gin n Tonic
    Pecan pie

    See all

    Pecan pie
    Cuya

    Cuya

    4.5
    (28 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    I've driven past Cuya Cafe more times than I can count, and now I'm wondering why it took me so…read morelong to go inside. The vibe? 10/10. The drinks? 10/10. The food? Unlike anything I've had before. And somehow they managed to be stylish, delicious, AND fast. The only thing that took some time was us deciding what to order because there were so many amazing things on the menu! Raleigh, add this one to your list immediately & honestly...this may be the best fried chicken in Raleigh! CUYA Cafe

    This place was absolutely amazing. All I can say is, we made a lot of happy noises while eating,…read moreand there were plenty of "oh my God" moments at the table. From the staff to the manager to the food, everything was on point. The food truly speaks for itself. They serve small plates, which we love because it gives you the chance to try different things and experience a variety of flavors. We started with the fried pork belly on tostones. It was perfectly seasoned, topped with avocado, and every bite just melted in your mouth. Next, we had the tamarind sticky ribs with a tamarind mango barbecue sauce. This was a perfect example of how simplicity can create complex flavors. The ribs were cooked just right -- not completely falling off the bone, but tender enough that when you bit into them, the meat pulled apart so easily. They were juicy, full of flavor, and had just the right touch of spice from the chili flakes. Then we moved on to the mini arepas, and oh my God. They had slow-cooked pork, guava barbecue sauce, and fried papas on top. The arepa itself was crispy on the outside, warm and fluffy on the inside. The savory pork paired with the sweetness of the guava barbecue sauce was incredible, and the crunch from the fried papas took it to another level. Now, I have a bit of a sweet tooth, but my wife does not. I wanted dessert, and we were leaning toward the tres leches, but our waitress highly recommended the bread pudding. I am not usually a fan of bread pudding at all, but her recommendations had been on point all night, so I decided to trust her. I am so glad we did. They take a Mexican bolillo, soak it overnight in tres leches, then pan-sear it to create this crispy caramelized outside while keeping the inside warm, soft, and sweet. It is topped with crema and toasted coconut, then they pour warm guava syrup over it and serve it with a scoop of coconut sorbet. The layers of flavor in that dessert were unreal. Honestly, it may have been the best dessert we have ever had. And remember, my wife is not big on sweets -- she usually only takes one bite of dessert, but this time she tried to eat over half of it. Lol. I highly recommend this place. The food, the service, the drinks, and the atmosphere were all amazing. And after dinner, you can even head upstairs to work off the food with salsa lessons and a dance club. This is definitely a spot worth checking out! Este lugar fue absolutamente increíble. Lo único que puedo decir es que hicimos muchos sonidos de felicidad mientras comíamos, y hubo muchos momentos de "¡Dios mío!" en la mesa. Desde el personal, hasta el gerente, hasta la comida, todo estuvo excelente. La comida realmente habla por sí sola. Sirven platos pequeños, algo que nos encanta porque te da la oportunidad de probar diferentes cosas y experimentar una variedad de sabores. Comenzamos con el pork belly frito sobre tostones. Estaba perfectamente sazonado, cubierto con aguacate, y cada bocado simplemente se derretía en la boca. Después probamos las costillitas pegajosas de tamarindo con una salsa barbecue de tamarindo y mango. Este plato fue un ejemplo perfecto de cómo la simplicidad puede crear sabores complejos. Las costillas estaban cocinadas en su punto: no se caían completamente del hueso, pero estaban tan tiernas que al morderlas, la carne se desprendía fácilmente. Estaban jugosas, llenas de sabor y con el toque perfecto de picante gracias a las hojuelas de chile. Luego pasamos a las mini arepas, y ¡Dios mío! Tenían cerdo cocinado lentamente, salsa barbecue de guayaba y papitas fritas encima. La arepa estaba crujiente por fuera, calientita y esponjosa por dentro. El sabor salado del cerdo combinado con la dulzura de la salsa barbecue de guayaba fue increíble, y el crujiente de las papitas fritas lo llevó a otro nivel. Ahora, a mí me gustan mucho los dulces, pero a mi esposa no tanto. Yo quería pedir postre, y estábamos pensando en el tres leches, pero nuestra mesera nos recomendó mucho el budín de pan. Normalmente no soy fanático del budín de pan, pero sus recomendaciones habían sido excelentes toda la noche, así que decidí confiar en ella. Me alegra muchísimo haberlo hecho. Toman un bolillo mexicano, lo remojan durante la noche en tres leches y luego lo sellan en sartén para crear una capa exterior crujiente y caramelizada, mientras que el interior se mantiene calientito, suave y dulce. Lo sirven con crema y coco tostado, luego le vierten encima un jarabe tibio de guayaba y lo acompañan con una bola de sorbete de coco. Las capas de sabor en ese postre fueron irreales. Honestamente, puede que haya sido el mejor postre que hemos probado en nuestra vida. Y recuerden, mi esposa no es muy amante de los dulces; normalmente solo prueba un bocado del postre, pero esta vez intentó comerse más de la mitad. Jajaja.

    Photos
    Cuya
    Très lèche
    Très lèche
    Seasonal cocktail

    See all

    Seasonal cocktail
    Whiskey Kitchen

    Whiskey Kitchen

    4.0
    (789 reviews)
    0.7 mi
    $$

    If bourbon and whiskey choices were a personality trait, The Whiskey Kitchen would definitely have…read morecommitment issues...because the selection is massive. Seriously, if you can't find a pour you like here, you may just need water instead. Started with the biscuits topped with crackling and house-made preserves, and honestly, that combo alone made me question why I don't eat more biscuits in life. Sweet, salty, buttery chaos in the best way. For the main, I went with the pork chop and greens. The chop leaned a little overcooked for me personally, but the sauce helped bring things back together and added good flavor. The greens had a nice little kick of heat, but I kept waiting for that deep smoky ham hock flavor to show up like an old Southern grandma entering the kitchen... and it never quite arrived. Overall though? Still a solid meal, strong whiskey program, cool atmosphere, and definitely worth checking out if you're in Raleigh looking for a bourbon-forward dinner spot. Travelin_Broke approved with a slight side-eye from the greens.

    I like the environment and the wait staff is always phenomenal, however this last time I couldn't…read moreeat my favorite thing on the menu (lamb burger) like so many other they amped the spice up. I originally thought it was the sauce which the waitress voluntarily remade but no the current chef is apparently fallen into the current dining trope of spicy is better to the point. I gave my burger to someone else at the table to eat. That said everyone else enjoyed their meals and as always, no complaints on the drinks but... I won't be the one selecting/suggesting it when we're going out to each going forward.

    Photos
    Whiskey Flights
    Whiskey Flights
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    Smoked mozzarella salad with fried chicken
    The Botanist and Paper Plane

    See all

    The Botanist and Paper Plane

    The Crunkleton - cocktailbars - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...