The Provincial

First time here, what a cool vibe! The place wasn't busy so it was such a relaxing atmosphere to…read moreunwind and enjoy a drink. Service was great, nice the server took our order we were left alone to enjoy ourselves. Everyone who worked there was super nice and friendly. Great place!

Great service on a packed Friday night and the cocktails were on point! I had the old fashioned (no…read moresmoke) and it was perfect. My husband had the Sombra Rioja and it was the perfect combination of smoke and spice, great for mezcal lovers.

Dessert "charcuterie " board

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Perro Perdido

Side Door Cocktail Bar

4.8(11 reviews)

4.3 mi

The cocktails here are fantastic and I love the dimmer lights than the dinning room offers. We…read morewill often eat here just for that (well and the cocktails). Parking is easy - they have their own lot. It's a small space, but never overcrowded (at least when I have been there) and their drinks rotate seasonally. Service is always prompt and they are nice! Great place!

Ambiance is a little lackluster as it's attached to V pizza. I think turning a few of the high top…read moretables to more relaxed seating would improve the vibe. Their cocktail list has some unique and whimsical drinks - ALL are delicious. They'll also once in a while have a couple of special cocktails on a board that the bartenders have concocted - also delicious! We always choose this place over the ones in downtown Cary as the drinks never fail.

Cute space

Drink

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SideBar

4.5(108 reviews)

5.7 mi

Great local spot to grab a cocktail in downtown cary. They have a good selection of whiskey…read more The prices are pretty decent and the ambiance is cozy and inviting. The only negative I will call out that they don't have a freezer so they only have machine made cubed ice which doesn't go well with an old fashioned or whiskey. A big ice cube/rock is definitely needed!

My friend and I stopped by SideBar for a quick drink the night before her birthday and it did not…read moredisappoint. The drinks were great! We tried the sherry colada and the bruleed greyhound. Staff was also friendly and knowledgeable. Inside - the vibe is very moody and dark. It would be a great spot for a first date or a cocktail before dinner. There's no food on the menu FYI.

Old Fashioned

Bar

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The bar

The Backyard Bar

4.3(10 reviews)

3.3 mi

Our favorite band, the Purebredmuttsband played there and we had a blast!! Fantastic food truck…read moreout back. {{*.*}}

Polite staff, big outdoor space, live band, pool tables and good selection of drinks! A nice place…read moreto grab those Friday drinks with your gang:)

$5 Margarita

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Peak Of The Vine

4.8(25 reviews)

Come hang out a while at this corner wine bar and explore the world with a knowledgeable…read moreconnoisseur. Grab a glass or a flight and have a seat. The lounge carries French influence. There are paintings of Parisian life and an open invitation to rest. I recently traveled through France and memories welled up as I sipped a Bordeaux white wine. I needed some alone time. I'm happy I got to have it here.

Peak of the Vine is my favorite wine bar in the area. It's warm, welcoming, and full of friendly…read morepeople and the kind of spot where you can walk in and instantly feel comfortable. The wine selection is great. There's always something new to try, and the staff listens to what you like before making a suggestion. What I love most is the vibe. It's relaxed, cozy, and feels like a true gathering place for the community. It's the kind of place you go to relax and feel connected. A real gem, and a place I'm glad to have in my neighborhood.

Bar right.

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The Walk Up

4.3(21 reviews)

5.5 mi

We stumbled in on a Friday afternoon when downtown Cary was popping. It's a cute spot, which as the…read morename suggests, requires you to walk up a set of stairs to get to the bar. They do not have a bottle of champagne on the menu that you can order so the bartender just charged us 3 glasses of champagne so roughly $33, which is about what I would expect for a bottle of champagne. The champagne was okay. I think this space focuses more on liquor drinks. The inside of the bar is nice and moody, and we went downstairs to the outdoor seating area, which had a lot of space. Overall, a nice spot to spend a summer evening.

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.

Part of seating area, June 2025.

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AVA Rooftop Bar

4.0(47 reviews)

6.3 mi

Great experience. My bartender was Donovan and he was focused on serving us top notch spirits. I…read morewanted an espresso martini and he made it clear that he did not have all of the ingredients to make the drink but he could get a nice mix and get really close. I really appreciated the transparency and let him create a coffee shot instead for me. Fantastic taste and better than what I was served downstairs at S&S. Highly recommend.

Oh em geee Donavan was the best bartender ever ! He was respectful and kind and conversationalread more

Ava Margarita

Cute but too sweet

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Scratch Kitchen & Taproom

4.0(620 reviews)

The food is delicious here, five stars!! The server and host were very nice and greeted us with a…read moresmile. We had the crab cakes over fried tomato with the red pepper sauce and wasabi creme- you would think it had a lot going on but it all tasted SO good together! My husband got the burger with candied bacon, fried truffle mac and cheese on it like what!? Never had anything like that before and it was amazing. My kids got the house made chicken tenders and fries and you could tell everything is made in house and tasted so fresh! We ate everything! I had the salmon which was cooked very well! Only thing I would say about that is it was very heavy on the rice and a side of veg would have been nice. I will remember this place if I am ever in the area again and would definitely recommend!

One of my favorite restaurants in Apex. Went out with some girlfriends the other night and didn't…read morehave a single negative thing to say. Our server, Gamble, was a delight. The food came out super quick, and everything was delicious. Overall, I had a 10/10 experience. I will definitely be back soon.

Seating area, Oct 2024.

Pork Skillet Hash

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Drinks

Hearsay

5.0(1 review)

5.2 mi

Great atmosphere, excellent service, great cocktails. We want to keep places like this. Check it…read moreout

The Exchange Barbershop & Lounge

4.1(55 reviews)

I was in town and came here to get a haircut and was rather disappointed…read more First off, I thought it was crazy that they charged $40 for a haircut in apex, North Carolina of all places. I was expecting it to be around $25. It was my mistake to not ask ahead of time but haircuts aren't even this expensive in Manhattan. My barber was a really nice guy, but I asked for a medium skin fade and he cut it way too high and not close enough to the skin. I know it's always a risk when getting a haircut at a new shop but he tried his best. Staff is really friendly but I just can't justify the price being that high for this area

The atmosphere was fun and exciting. My barber was CeyJay and he was a a hoot! Enjoyed the jokes…read moreand the haircut. Would recommend

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Garden G.

8 years ago

Been here about a dozen times. Nice menu. Fresh food. Look forward to going. Some creative recipes for specials. Wait time for food can sometimes be a little long. Nice drob-by spot on that rare date night with hubby. Love to get a few drinks and apps after a movie. Honesty check - two less than stellar nights: 1.One night I asked for a house margarita but got premium tequila and such. Waiter said it was because he could tell it was a special night. Nice gift, right? Not so much... charged me for fancy drink. Then it took a big deal to explain I wasn't paying the extra $7 he put on the bill. Nice ending to a good nice, right? 2. Waited 30 minutes for food on a night when a big group seemed came in (clearly a reservation - tables had been held). Then 4 of 5 in our party finally got food. I waited. and waited. Finally got a plate (wrong order & something I cannot eat). So, I asked what the "fastest thing you can cook for me" might be. Waiter went off to ask. Came back with a house salad that was no big deal. And, guess what.... charged full price for it. Uncool. 3. I have noticed families with little ones sometimes have a hard time navigating the place (it's kind of small). 4. Wait time can be a little long. Overall, a nice place. Worth a trip.Just watch your check total and speak up early if you don't see your food. read more

Ben L.

7 years ago

Good burgers!!!! That's all I eat when I go here. Staff is kind of weird and hipsters, but they're good at what they do. And everything is supposedly locally sourced. I don't always believe people when they say that, but it's still damn good! read more

Ashley W.

10 years ago

The Provincial in Apex is freaking awesome. The food is farm to table, menu constantly changing and the service is great, beyond great. We came on a Friday night and the two bartenders were so good. This place will be here for along time. read more

Michelle P.

135

7 years ago

Love this place! The food is always delicious, the drinks are always extraordinary, and the service is awesome! Love the blackened Tuna! It's my favorite! read more

Patrick W.

10 years ago

Great food and awesome service. The wine menu was great for a night out with the wife. Cant say enough about the food. Great place need to try. read more

Montatip K.

9 years ago

Great place great people and of course great food I would come here every week So far six times and I just moved here less than one month :) read more

Bethany B.

10 years ago

Everything we've had has been amazing! Shoestring onions with dressing are a favorite. Fish was among best we've had!

Keri J.

4 years ago

Absolutely love this place! Food it always excellent , every time. Drinks... not always but service is friendly!

Corey S.

3 years ago

I went into this, not expecting too much, and was thoroughly surprised. I will definitely be going back. read more

Drew L.

9 years ago

Wonderful restaurant- all very fresh with a terrific and friendly staff. Can't wait to go back!!

John M.

10 years ago

First time here. Food and service were wonderful. Highly recommend burger and swordfish.

Chris L.

4 years ago

Food is always great and reasonably priced. Great atmosphere. Always busy! Good spot.

William D.

5 years ago

The lamb chop dinner was exceptionally good!

Brian S.

4 years ago

It's pricey but the food is delicious.

The Provincial - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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This place did NOT disappoint!!! It was an impromptu lunch but so glad we ended up here. We went…read moreto the Fenton location in Cary and have on our list to try the Raleigh location as well. For starters, our waiter(if I'm not mistaken was also the bartender) was very attentive and gave excellent recommendations since it was our first visit. I ordered the rose water lemonade and my son ordered the strawberry lychee. Both were delicious so much so I asked could the two be combined without the carbonation that the lychee drink had. It was a hit!!!! For appetizers we ordered the Duck Egg rolls and asked the waiter to surprise us with the second appetizer. He chose the Pork Bao. The egg rolls were our favorite out of the two but both were great. For our entrees, my son ordered the General Tso Chicken. I couldn't decide between two dishes so I asked the waiter once again to surprise me. I ended up the whole fish(black bass) entree which was a phenomenal choice. The flavors were like a party in your mouth. It was seasoned to perfection and the sauce: OMG!!!!! Both entrees came with a bowl of fluffy rice. For dessert we got the mooncakes. They were ok. The ambience was nice and welcoming. I don't drink but was informed that it was a place people go to take part in their amazing drink selections. That it is also a great place to read a book which they have plenty to choose from if you forgot your own and a good meet up or date spot. If you are looking for new place to try this place will be a great choice!!!! Let me know what you think!!!

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