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    The Oak - Raleigh

    4.2 (574 reviews)
    Closed 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    The Oak - Raleigh Photos

    THE OAK - RALEIGH ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Good for groups
    Dogs allowed

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    Recommended Reviews - The Oak - Raleigh

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    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

    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
    Tyson W.

    The only negative I can say is, as travelers from Tampa Florida, it's not likely we will eat here again soon! We came for the Sunday brunch and the ambiance, service, drinks and food all equally deserve 5 stars. My breakfast burrito was amazing and only paled in comparison to my wife's eggs Benedict served with house cured pork belly and latkes. The bourbon Bloody Mary was the perfect pairing! Cheers to a great establishment.

    Flight
    Brenda F.

    Food was FANTASTIC, we were blown away by the amazing flavors, we had the bourbon sliders and the Oak Smash. The fries were fresh and crisp and seasoned well and the mac and cheese was creamy and delicious. 1 cocktail was ok, just a whiskey sour and 1 was terrible, I mentioned to the waiter I'd love if they could do a blackberry bourbon smash, so he suggested the Eighty Six but made with bourbon, the cinnamon bark syrup bit back so bad, not a good combination in that drink. The service was very disappointing, it almost seemed like he completely forgot about us after our food was served. We would have prob given another star to the review if he had been more attentive...he never even commented on the fact that my cocktail sat untouched all night and actually did not even ask how our cocktails were after he dropped them off. He also never asked how our food was, noticed I drank the whole Elijah Craig bottle of water and then brought back that bottle with warm water in it, so I basically had nothing to drink for the rest of the night. He then took forever to bring us our check and even longer to come get our credit card. We came for my husband's 50th birthday hoping to do a flight AND have pours of other bourbons we can't find at the ABC so it would be a special dinner but there was no Wellers, Blanton's, Buffalo Trace or Eagle Rare on the bourbon menu and we were not sitting at the bar so it's not like we could just see if those bottles were there. I thought this place said they were a bourbon bar, which is partly why we went. We would have spent more on drinks but I guess maybe next time, somewhere else. The ambiance of this restaurant itself was really nice though. When we first got there at 4:45pm they were blasting some obnoxious music, but about 15 minutes later that was turned down and the lights were dimmed and it turned into a really sweet, cozy spot. Would make a great date night if you get the service fixed.

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    15 days 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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    9 months 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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    I returned here with a friend after enjoying a Yelp event. It was very busy on a week day at lunch…read moretime and our lunch took a bit to arrive but it was all good once it did. I ordered the crispy cauliflower app which was delish! Don't let the raisins sway your decision - it's suttle but just right with the cauli. They add a romesco sauce that's flavorful add capers to add the salty goodness. Loved this! I also ordered the meatball app which was plenty. They were perfect size and more than enough for two. The sauce was rich and bold with flavor and a sprinkle of goat cheese was just right. I will return and try a few more apps next time.

    Loved walking in to a kind hostess who even commented on my dress! I was hopeful when this happened…read moreand expected the experience to be over the top. I had yet to visit and the dining room was small but separate from the bar area which was nice and the wine as decor was unique. Met my daughter and roommate for lunch and while it was "fine" I'd leave it there. The water didn't have ice which is fine. That said our server never refilled it and only after a switch of servers were we offered a refill. I got the Brie and Prosciutto on Focaccia and it was fine. When one upgrades to fries I expect it to be an upgraded fry. It was fine. Our second server was very sweet but the service overall left something to be desired. There was no table visit at any time and I was grateful for the incredible company because outside that, this spot didn't make the grade.

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    This place is absolutely beautiful. I didn't take many pictures because it was so crowded and you…read morewould mostly see people in the pictures, but it was absolutely gorgeous inside. I love the old Ireland look of the inside of the place. For a cocktail bar I was extremely disappointed that they only had about 6 or 7 drinks on the menu. They said they could make anything but I absolutely hate that. If you're a specialty cocktail bar you should have cocktails to choose from. I am not a bartender and should not have to dream up my own drink. I was there for the experience and to drink something that they created. Service was incredibly slow. I was ready to order and the man just kept telling me that he would come back to take my order. Just take my order! I was ready to leave but we were there celebrating a birthday and I didn't want to be a problem. I'm so extremely disappointed by this place as it really has the potential to be wonderful. As is, I will not be going back. Two stars for the fact that the place is beautiful.

    Mr. Henry is a cocktail bar located in Raleigh's Village District. I really liked the space;…read morehowever, the cocktail menu felt a bit basic. I ordered the Clover Club followed by a beer, while my husband went with the Out of the Woods and the Talk Is Cheap (a mocktail). The beer and wine lists are on the smaller side, but they still offer a decent selection. It's still worth checking out, cheers!

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    There's something ridiculously satisfying about finding a spot that feels hidden in plain sight,…read moreand The Walk Up absolutely nails that energy. Tucked above downtown Cary, this cocktail club delivers specialty drinks that are both creative and dangerously easy to keep ordering. The vibe is relaxed without trying too hard, making it equally perfect for catching up with friends. The real standout for me though? The massive outdoor patio. Spacious, laid-back, and ideal for lingering over cocktails way longer than originally planned. Cary keeps getting cooler, and this place is a big reason why.

    Also, age discrimination, I showed them my ID I'm 24 years old. You can search my name up online…read moreyou can go through court records you can verify that I'm 24. But they would not allow me in there. They said it's 21+ which really they meant it was Old people only. They refused to serve me and said it was the law because I "wasn't 21. " I will be following a civil case I am 24 years old. I showed them a valid government ID and I'm sure that the court will accept my ID and be able to verify my age by other means. Never go here they don't allow young people unless you're a retarded golfer you're a retired golfer. This is your spot. By the way, the drinks are below average and they have fake plants hanging off the walls no food horrible place. In fact, I'm so confident that it's horrible that you can contact me with any questions at 904-679-2513

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    FOUNDATION

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    4.4
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    4.2 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.

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    South side
    South side
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    The Crunkleton

    The Crunkleton

    4.2
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    $$$

    Brunch at The Crunkleton was such a great experience…read more The food, drinks, service, and atmosphere all came together perfectly. The she crab soup was rich and flavorful, the breakfast sandwich was delicious, and the grits, ham biscuits, Caesar salad, and fresh fruit all added something special to the meal. The mimosa was refreshing, and the espresso martini was the perfect brunch treat A huge shoutout to Shalea (or Sheila) -- she was amazing! She offered the best suggestions, was attentive, and really helped make the experience even better. Great food, great vibes, and even better service. Definitely a Raleigh brunch spot worth checking out!

    We were only in Raleigh for a short family trip and wanted one memorable dinner. After reading the…read morereviews, we decided on The Crunkleton--and it exceeded our expectations. We arrived on a busy Sunday evening without a reservation and were told the wait would be about 40 minutes. Instead of simply putting us on a list, Alfredia, the host, immediately made us feel welcome. She even offered me a cup of ice water after noticing we'd walked over in the summer heat. A few minutes later, she found a way to get our family seated much sooner than expected. That small act of kindness set the tone for the entire evening. Our server, Toni, was exceptional. Friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic, he guided us through the menu with thoughtful recommendations. Every suggestion was spot-on, and it was obvious he knew the menu well. The food was outstanding. The Duck Flautas were a great start. The She-Crab Soup was rich and flavorful. The Wagyu Burger with caramelized onions, truffle aioli on brioche was excellent--my son says it's the best burger he's ever had. The Mediterranean Chicken Piccata was beautifully prepared with confit fingerling potatoes, charred asparagus, goat cheese, sun-dried tomato tapenade, and piccata sauce. We were so busy enjoying dinner that we completely forgot to take photos until dessert--which probably says everything. The Beignets with cold brew icing were excellent, and the warm Brownie with salted caramel ice cream was the perfect ending to the meal. What also impressed us was that Chef Jonathan stopped by our table to check on our meal, and Ravin, the General Manager, took time to welcome us personally and make sure everything about our visit was going well. We never felt rushed. Great food may bring people through the door. Great hospitality is what brings them back. The Crunkleton gave our family one of those dinners we'll remember long after the trip is over. The atmosphere is stylish without feeling pretentious, the service is genuinely warm, and it's clear that everyone there takes pride in what they do. If you're visiting Raleigh--or if you're fortunate enough to live there--I would absolutely recommend giving The Crunkleton a try. We left talking not only about how much we enjoyed the meal, but also about the people who made the evening special. Thank you to Alfredia, Toni, Chef Jonathan, Ravin, and everyone behind the scenes for making a simple family dinner into such a memorable experience. We absolutely will be back.

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    The Crunkleton
    Dry Rub Chicken Wings
    Dry Rub Chicken Wings
    Espresso martini

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    Espresso martini

    The Oak - Raleigh - newamerican - Updated July 2026

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