Elevated Snacking at The Willard ​Let's be honest: half the appeal of a rooftop bar is enjoying the skyline views, and the other half is hoping the food actually lives up to the altitude. At The Willard, it absolutely does. ​The Vibe The atmosphere strikes that elusive balance between a chic lounge and a genuinely comfortable hangout. The DJ deserves a serious nod for spinning a backdrop of tunes that perfectly match the sunset--energetic enough to keep the night moving, but chill enough that you don't have to shout over the bass to recount the highlights of your latest mixed doubles victory. ​The Spread ​The Cheese Plate: An absolute thrill ride of dairy. The offerings are genuinely exciting, featuring sharp, creamy, and funky selections that make you feel infinitely more sophisticated than you actually are. ​Cheeseburger Sliders: Perfectly executed, juicy little bites of classic comfort. They deliver exactly what you want from a burger, minus the heavy commitment of a full-sized bun. ​Chicken Caprese Sliders: The elegant cousin to the beef sliders. Fresh, flavorful, and a masterclass in packing maximum taste into minimum real estate. They are the perfect, highly snackable refuel after organizing a massive midday park takeover with the posse. ​The Finale ​Petite Fours: Do not skip these. These delicious little squares are bite-sized perfection. Plus, why commit to one giant slice of cake when you can eat a handful of tiny masterpieces and convince yourself it's a "light" dessert? ​If you're looking for stellar views, killer tunes, and a menu that doesn't miss, The Willard is exactly where you want to drop your paddle and raise a glass. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - crowd and view - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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This is hands down the best rooftop in Raleigh. Parking is free in the garage and you take the elevator to the top floor. The moment you step off the elevator you can see the spectacular view. You have the option of shaded patio or direct sun. The service was great! His recommendations on food and drinks were on point. The new cocktail menu has so many amazing options! They put a unique twist on every drink and it's perfection! The Brazilian lemonade had a creamy sweet taste, so delicious. Also, the pretzel bites and chicken bites were tasty. I recommended getting the chicken bites tossed in lemon dry pepper rub and dipping in Thai chili sauce. I will be back again at sunset to enjoy the beautiful view!! read more

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No one goes here for the food. It's all for the vibes of the rooftop and the drinks. Nice addition to the AC hotel

As soon as I entered I was greeted by the employees. Everyone was kind. This was my first time at The Willard as I've always wanted to go. Both the inside and the rooftop were really cute and the view of Raleigh was very nice at sunset. We shared the pretzels and the chicken bites with lemon pepper with sweet thai chili sauce on the side and I ordered the Banana, Please drink. We ordered the food and drinks based on our server's recommendation. Everything was delicious! read more

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Super cool rooftop experience while staying at the AC hotel. Amber was THE best. She was so attentive and went above and beyond to make sure we had a great time. Seasonal, festive drinks with light bites in a beautiful space was the order of the afternoon of celebrating our NCSU graduate. Definitely check this spot out. We will be back...probably later tonight after our celebratory dinner. read more

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I went here for dinner with some friends, and had a very nice time. It was super easy to make a reservation, and there's a very easy parking lot (free on the weekends) a couple blocks away. We ordered the spinach artichoke dip, the charcuterie board, and the short rib flatbread. Everything was very decent- The flatbread was my favorite, with a very flavorful and generous serving of short rib. The dip was tasty, no complaints there. But the charcuterie was enormous and fun to graze on, but I was missing some outstanding cheeses or meats. Probably the best bang for your buck with this one, but it fell a little flat for me. The only thing I didn't love was the service. They tried to seat us outside on some couches without a real table, and it was very much drizzling on us. When we asked to move inside, they were not very happy. We ended up sitting at a very small table, which was perfectly fine since we were dry. Other than that, the inside was lovely with a beautiful view of the city. I imagine that when it's nice out, it would be a LOVELY rooftop dinner space. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Charcuterie Spinach and Artichoke dip Short rib flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The Willard is located on the rooftop of the AC Hotel in downtown Raleigh. When we visited, seating was limited, so I'd highly recommend making a reservation if you don't want to wait. We sat outdoors, which was lovely, though the space felt a little tight. The staff were friendly and attentive. I tried a few of their cocktails but I preferred the wine. Overall, The Willard is a great spot for drinks with a view, especially during sunset. Just plan ahead for seating. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Charcuterie - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

We had reservations @ 7, and was 5-10 mins late & they couldn't honor our reservation & grudgingly sat us away from everyone (it was NOT busy). we'd didn't & then they put us away from everyone. We were not waited on & felt like we were not wanted! We were celebrating my son's fiancé's 30th bday. Are they homophobia ?? We left and ate at the Irish place. It was very good and we felt welcome. We thought Raleigh was more progressive than that, no ? read more

The Willard is located downtown inside of the AC hotel. There is outdoor seating where you can take in the nice views of the city. It was a little chilly outside so we dined inside. Once I was seated I was greeted right away. The staff was initially pleasant. I got the wagyu burger with fries. Our food was brought out quickly. The burger was really good & the fries were also good and served hot. While dining I wasn't provided with a refill on my water or wasn't asked if I wanted one. After we were finishing our meal, our server came over & just gave us our bill without asking if we wanted it & if we wanted anything else. The restaurant was not busy at all or they were not closing anytime soon. read more

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We came here during Triangle restaurant week and enjoyed our dinner. The Willard is located at the top of AC hotel in downtown raleigh. We had a reservation for a friday night and made the reservation 2 days before. My husband and I both ordered the croquetas to start. We were very suprised we how much we got (6 pieces per person). They came out nice and hot and had a garlic aioli to dip. The cheese was perfectly melty and so tasty. For our entree we order the BBQ bacon pretzel burger, which wa sour favorite because of how flavorful it was. The bureaus burger was good, but the bun didn't seem toasted and the overall burger did not come out hot. We ended our night with the churro cheesecake which was so delicious! We also ordered the chocolate torte, but had it to go. it was topped with candied pecans, and the torte was very rich, but also delicious. We left with some leftovers and overall enjoyed our meal! All of our food came out pretty fast as well read more

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What is the draw of a rooftop bar on a nice day that becomes such an attraction? Being out on an open rooftop overlooking the city, surrounded by comfortable chairs and excellent drinks is what brought me to the Willard and being as impressed as I was, I will return. The staff are great and the Old Fashioned's are excellent! Cheers!! read more

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My husband andI went last night 6.13.26 and found the service lackluster. Don't know if the girls are overworked, but none of them seemed happy to be there. Bar service was backed up, too. We went, but not plan on going back. read more

We had horrible experience. Our reservation was not respected, drinks takes 30 min, no service available at all to talk to ! Not recommended at all. read more

I had such a wonderful experience here, especially on Easter Sunday. I made a reservation for three, but unfortunately my dad had a last-minute surgery and couldn't make it. The staff went above and beyond. They were incredibly kind, reimbursed me for his portion, and even packed up a meal so I could bring food home to him. That level of thoughtfulness truly meant a lot. On top of that, the service was outstanding. Our waitress was so warm, attentive, and helpful throughout the entire meal. The food itself was absolutely amazing; everything was delicious and beautifully prepared. This place really exceeded my expectations in every way. I'll definitely be coming back! read more

I enjoyed the Willard. It's a very relaxed hotel rooftop located in the posh AC Hotel. This hotel smells heavenly. I live for pleasant fragrances. If you're looking for a turn up with a live DJ, this isn't it. This is strictly for the Grown & Sexy. The Willard offers a very relaxed ambiance & a bird's eye view of Oak City. The staff here is very friendly and courteous and that makes for an enjoyable experience. You may also rent the rooftop for special occasions. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Black is the new berry - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

The rooftop is very nice but also very warm, so if you are going on a warm day, be prepared to be a little sweaty. The drinks were okay, nothing special. And the food was decent. The service was quick and very nice. Overall, the area is nice but not worth the $ in my opinion. If I were to go back, I would go for a quick drink max. read more

Best espresso martini we've ever had! Beautiful rooftop hang with a great menu, would definetly return

Got the Willard burger and the IPA. Both delicious! Fries were great too. Also some really great views of downtown Raleigh.

When I walked inside the hotel I was greeted immediately. The gentleman at the front lobby area was professional and energetic. The smell through the lobby and rooftop entryways was so delightful. When I exited on the 7th floor I was immediately greeted again before both of my feet crossed the elevator threshold. I met some colleagues here for a Spring meetup. I enjoyed the laid-back space and the rooftop vibes. Very nice place to catch up over drinks. I had dinner plans elsewhere, so I did not order anything. This was a floating meet-up on a Wednesday evening after my 9 to 5 (no reservation) which was perfect for my schedule. It was nice to walk right in without rigid reservation times. By arriving later - the servers did not notice the newbies at the table. I wasn't there long. The space is nice. I look forward to returning for a quick nightcap and impromptu rooftop vibes this spring. read more

My review will be short but to the point. If the idea of brunch at a restaurant who's notion of a "table" is a love seat, two recliners and a low rise coffee table then this might be a place for you. This isn't the sort of ambiance or place setting I am comfortable with when having brunch which included staples like pancakes. This was marketed as a Fathers Day brunch but the restaurant isn't set up to accomodate dining, at least not in the traditional sense of a standard height table, standard height chairs and dare I say, a tablecloth. Tapas for two at a round table not much larger than a pizza? It's perfect. Brunch for four? You'll feel like you've been served table food at a hors d'oeuvre event while you eat standing. Ever been to Epcot Food & Wine Festival and you get the tapas plates that you eat while walking to the next stand? This is one step up from that, since you can sit. The kicker? the amount of square footage they allocated to these loveseat/coffee table arrangements could have fit twice as many people, comfortably, at a REAL TABLE. Hell, I'd have settled for a folding card table if it had a table linen hiding what it was!! read more

This was a lucky find in my quest for a drink with a view! Awesome rooftop above the AC hotel in the happening strip of Glenwood. It was the perfect place to catch up with my friend on a beautiful sunny Sunday . We had their amazing espresso martinis and took in the view of Raleigh. Great high top tables and sofas . They have food as well. But we were here for the beverages ! Great casual chill service. They created a nice laid back vibe here. Super clean inside and outside . Greta Sunday funday spot ! Just take the elevator up ! read more

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Staff should be more conscientious about holding temperatures for perishable foods. When we served ourselves from the buffet, the food was warm, not hot, and when we took our final bites, the food was cold. That affected the taste. It also can potentially cause people to become ill. read more

The bar is on the 7th floor of the AC Hotel midtown Raleigh. The hotel is modern & accessible. We took the elevator up to the bar that is open & beautiful in a large space. We sat right at the open space with a wonderful view of Raleigh .. We started with glasses of Albariño from Spain & a pinot Grigio from Italy. Loved both wines. Ordered a bottle- prices are very reasonable for both the drinks & food. We started off with Pretzel w dipping sauces. So delicious especially the sauces. Then we had the Papas Bravas - good. Then came the Short Rib Flatbread- phenomenal ! A total symphony of sublime flavors. If I had the time & money, I would go every day for this flatbread! A must try ! The service was fantastic... Only one caveat - the table was only big enough for a couple of drinks- not large enough to hold food. I was not comfortable with scrambling the plates, glasses & silverware the whole time afraid one or the other would come crashing to the floor. I would say if you are going to order food ask for a table suitable for dining. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Short Rib Melt flatbread - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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Excellent all around! If you get a chance to go ... Do it! I've been a couple of times, the first time was better the second, but definitely going to give it a 3rd try! read more

I had lunch at this restaurant on Mother's Day. We had reservations, so when we arrived, we were tended to quickly. We reserved indoor seating. This rooftop environment has some great perks . The view is amazing. It was beautiful during the daytime so I can only imagine how beautiful it is at nighttime. The environment is comfortable and cozy. There are non-traditional type of seating. We were seated in an area that was reminiscent of being in the living room and eating with family. We ordered appetizers and entrées. All food came out within expected timeframe. The food tasted good, was moist, and had great texture. The sauces really made the dishes. The sauces were very flavorful with a good balance of spices. My son had a burger with some very thick layers of bacon that he was raving about the entire time he was eating. I had the salmon dish which was good, but could have used a little more seasoning. I drizzled some of the sauce from our appetizer onto my dish, which gave it the additional flavor that it needed. Our server was friendly, and gave us good advice when we inquired about items on the menu. It was a good experience. read more

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We decided at the last minute on a beautiful Saturday, early evening to have drinks & appetizers at the Willard Rooftop Lounge. There was a 30 minute wait for the smaller balcony where we requested to be seated. Less than 30 minutes later we were seated! Ashley was our server and she was great! She literally had the whole section and never made it feel like she was overwhelmed or spread thin. The balcony is set up so nicely and is absolutely beautiful, the view is great. There is also indoor seating which is nice & comfortable. They also have a larger balcony with lots more seating & great views on the other side. The bar area has plenty of seating as well. They have a great cocktail menu & plenty of other libations to choose from. There food menu is pretty decent. We ordered the Papas Bravas and the Bulgogi Steamed Buns to snack on with our drinks. Unfortunately we had to send back the Bulgogi Steamed Buns because they were cold & the meat looked unusual. My daughter had them before and loved them, but this time not so much. The Papas Bravas were yummy. We shared the larger portion which was more than enough. It was the perfect day to be there, and I'm looking forward to many days their this season!! read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Bulgogi Steamed Buns - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The bar service was amazing. The bar tenders rotate around the bar so you are always well taken care of. Bar seats usually aren't comfortable but these were. The drinks were pretty, but also good. I only got an appetizer, but my pretzel was served hot and was tasty. The braid was unique just like all the drinks... so I can imagine the rest of their food is amazing as well. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Pretzel appetizer - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

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The Willard is a great after work or date night location! The rooftop is located on top of the AC hotel which offers beautiful sunset views of the downtown area. The drink options and appetizers offer a great selection of choices and the service is super (and I mean SUPER) fast! The dinner menu I would define as just okay... it is largely made up of flatbreads and sandwiches, so not a ton of variety. In order to secure your seat you will want to ensure that you secure a reservation in advance! Shoutout: Amber was the server for my group! She was fantastic and so attentive! She offered impeccable service and ensured all of our needs were met! read more

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Gorgeous view but it does come with a price. I've been to the Willard now for two different occasions. Once for a wedding reception and another time to sample the fall menu. The foods served at the reception was delicious, they had these goat cheese stiffed dates that I'm now addicted to. On my most recent visit, I was invited out to sample the fall menu. My boyfriend ordered the Old Fashion and I got a Willard Margarita. The margarita was ok, not as sweet as I had hoped but it was still tasty. My boyfriend wasn't impressed with the old fashioned. Some of the foods I sampled: Duck poutine - I honestly didn't even know there was duck on this but I liked the flavor of the potatoes and toppings, very tasty. Bourbon shrimp - very sweet, the popped sorghum added a nice texture difference but I definitely wasn't expecting it to be as sweet as it was. Conch fritters - these were undercooked. The middle was still liquidy and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Papas Bravas - crispy red skin potatoes, you really can't go wrong. Pimento - in love, this was my favorite thing I tried, it was delicious! Duck Pate - eh, this was ok but I wasn't a fan. This Rooftop longue has stunning views and it's perfect for a gathering of friends to grab some drinks and snack while you hang out! read more

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My spouse made us and our friend a reservation for a Saturday here and overall we had a great time. Originally we were sat inside which was not what we were hoping for given this is a rooftop bar in Raleigh, so we were seeking a rooftop experience. They made the adjustment after we expressed our interest in sitting outdoors and sat us at a super cute and comfortable table near a fire place. We got several apps and small plates, as well as a few different drinks and had a really lovely time. The server, Tyler, truly made the experience with his friendly and truly hospitable approach. He's GREAT. Tyler shared he is a bartender but also covers as a server and I'd frankly want him every time we go! He started us off with some vodka based shots, we said to surprise us and he brought us Kamikaze shots which were smooth and delicious. From there we all got espresso martinis which were generally quite good. We had the pretzels and papas bravas as appetizers. The pretzels were 15 out of 10. The pretzel itself was the best pretzel app I've ever had and the cheese was phenomenal. I wasn't a fan of the mustard as it was very horseradish forward which isn't for me. The papas were 6/10, nothing special unfortunately. From there we had the chicken skewers, bourbon shrimp, one of the flatbreads, and burger. The skewers flavor was good, but a bit dry. The shrimp were FANTASTIC. order them now. The burger was good and the fries were decent but I prefer thin cut to thicker. The flatbread was not my fav. Overall, the service and ambiance was 12/10! Tyler is the man. The bourbon shrimp and pretzels were the stars of the show. I'd absolutely return for a pre dinner appetizer with a beautiful loungey view, but would probably grab dinner elsewhere. read more

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Without Tyler, this would be a 2 star experience. He was excellent. The espresso martini, papas bravas, and pretzel was 5/5 along with the service from Tyler. The rest of as honestly...meh. We originally had a reservation for the rooftop and they sat us inside. Tyler got us a table outside and made food and drink suggestions. He was excellent. The drinks were good but food was mediocre apart from a couple apps. Id come back for drinks but idk for dinner. read more

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Don't walk too quickly past this gem, take the elevator up and have amazing sites and amazing food and drinks. Have a BLAST, it's worth it!

Ambiance Seating View Wait staff Food It is so wonderful to go to a place like this to see the beautiful city, you have drinks I had a beautiful time the crab cakes and the potatoe app is delicious read more

We hosted a birthday celebration for 18 at The Willard and chose it specifically for the ambiance and breathtaking views. Leslie was wonderful to work with in getting all of the logistics set up. Incredibly responsive and accommodating. We had a number of dietary restrictions and she was wonderful in making sure we met everyone's needs (and our celiac friends really enjoyed all of the GF options!). She and the bartenders suggested incredible signature drinks that everyone really enjoyed. The service was wonderful during our event as well. Very attentive and friendly. We had an excellent experience. read more

I've been here a few times and have always had mixed opinions. The views are great and the drinks are high quality, however, the service is always pretty slow. It's all a bit overpriced, but it's a staple spot in Raleigh, especially for outside visitors! We ordered the Donkey Kong & the Joel Lane's Refresher - both were great, just overpriced. read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Donkey Kong; Joel Lane's Refresher - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina

I have been wanting to give The Willard a try, the views looked spectacular from the pictures I have seen. I met a friend at 5:30 and the view did not disappoint. We didn't have a reservation but they sat us at a table outside with what looked to be some of the best views of Raleigh. Parking was a little tricky, I snagged a spot on the street and my friend found a pay lot by The Cupcake Shoppe. You are not allowed to park in the hotel parking lot. We enjoyed our cocktails,,flatbread pizza, and views during golden hour and it was a perfect transition into the weekend. I'll be back! read more

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I was excited about getting a fancy drink on a rooftop bar. The prices for the drinks were not reflected in the quality. It felt like they did not know what to do when we came in. They had tons of comfy seating outdoors and inside but wouldn't let anyone sit there (found out later they were trying to give their staff a break from servicing those areas). The views weren't that great. I would just go to Level 7 next time that I want the rooftop vibe. read more

The drinks here are overpriced, I guess you are paying for the view which is nice. My friends and I stopped in for two rounds of cocktails, here is what we tried: Me: The Willard Gimlet and Dos Caras My husband: Dos Caras and Kentucky Mule My friends: Donkey Kong, Doctor's Orders, The Acgt and Joel Lane's Refresher We all had one cocktail that we liked and one that we didn't like. The service was also slow but friendly. We chose to go somewhere else for food because of this. If you want a photo with a view then come here but this spot is far from my first recommendation for a cocktail bar around the area. read more

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Saw there was a new rooftop in Raleigh and had to check it out. We got a wide variety of food and drinks to try. The fried manchego was absolutely great and the first time I have had something like it. The olives and caprese flatbread were average. The gin and tonic came in a very large cup but was pretty much mostly ice. Overall, food and drinks were average but do want to try the other drink options. I liked the atmosphere here and the views the rooftop has to offer. We got a corner seat and had the best views, however there was no heater next to us and was very cold. Would highly recommend asking for a seat with a space heater or else you may freeze in the colder months. When you enter the hotel to get to the rooftop, make sure you take the 3rd elevator. Overall, a decent new rooftop in Raleigh. May come back in the warmer months for drinks but not sure if I would come back for food. read more

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The Willard is a restaurant at the top of the AC hotel with mediocre food but a beautiful view of downtown Raleigh. We went with a large group and shared several items. The pimento cheese was served with burned pretzel pieces. The actual pretzel with dipping sauces was OK and was served warm but the cheese dip was all gloppy and cold. The chicken flatbread was teeny tiny with very little toppings. The shrimp were the best thing we had at the table. Most of us had the burger for our entree. We ordered them cooked medium and everyone's was completely cooked through. No pink to be seen. The fries were also blah blah. The waitstaff did a good job with our large table even when the computer system was giving them trouble so props to the crew! Honestly when you eat a hotel this is expected. We shared all 3 desserts as well and the cheesecake was the worst of the bunch. You are definitely paying for the view at The Willard! read more

The Willard Rooftop Lounge - Burger - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Raleigh, North Carolina