Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers an elegant American dining experience in Raleigh, NC, set within a historic Second Empire house dating to circa 1879.
The restaurant combines the character and atmosphere of its historic setting with the inviting appeal of a more casual tavern, creating a versatile destination for dinner, solo dining, romantic evenings, lively gatherings, or a quieter night out.
Known for its cozy, historic, upmarket, trendy, and welcoming atmosphere, Second Empire provides thoughtful table service and comfortable seating for guests seeking a memorable meal in an distinctive setting.
The menu and beverage selection offer something for a wide range of preferences, including American comfort food, healthy options, and organic dishes. Guests can enjoy a great beer selection, cocktails, coffee, dessert, and wine list, along with local specialties.
Alcohol, beer, cocktails, coffee, and dessert are available, while a private dining room provides an additional setting for guests who prefer a more dedicated dining space. With a bar on site, restrooms, Wi-Fi, and free Wi-Fi, the restaurant is equipped for both relaxed meals and longer, leisurely visits.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern offers on-site services, dine-in service, and delivery. Accessibility features include a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet, helping make the restaurant more convenient for guests with different mobility needs. Reservations are accepted and required, with dinner reservations recommended, so planning ahead is advised.
Credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments are accepted. Rated 4.80 out of 5 based on 1,914 reviews, Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is located at 330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States. For reservations or more information, call +1 919-829-3663.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
kabocha squash puree, shiitake mushrooms, grape tomatoes, aleppo pepper, leeks, sesame seeds, charred scallion & red miso dressing
hearts of palm, shaved brussels sprouts, bacon, frisse, pumpkin seeds, marinated savoy cabbage, turmeric tahini dressing
savory mousseline, lamb, spinach, mushrooms, warm polenta & fennel salad, chickpeas, feta cheese, treviso, anchovy parmesan lemon sauce
creamy cannellini beans & butternut squash, ricotta cheese gnudi, spinach, roasted tomato salad, grain mustard cream
hearty lettuce, belgian endive, radicchio, frisse, gem lettuce, dill, shallot dijon mustard vinaigrette
black forbidden rice & mung beans, bok choy, fennel, sweet potato, plum tomatoes, seaweed, curry coconut lemongrass jus
lightly seasoned buckwheat & cornmeal flour, creamy roasted pineapple tartar
caramelized spanish onions, gruyere cheese, toasted herb croutons, rich broth
herb roasted yukon gold potatoes, Asian braised collards, cauliflower & corn salad, carrot puree, roasted eggplant & bell pepper jus
creamy roasted butternut squash & pumpkin seed risotto, bacon, tuscan kale, cucumber egg salad, pistachios, red miso celery root jus
crispy green lentil & mushroom patty, braised red cabbage, leek ragout, spicy napa cabbage salad, orange rutabaga sauce
steamed mussels, clams, scallops, seasonal fish, shrimp, saffron rice, chicken, chorizo sausage, stagionato cheese, herb fumét
spanish bomba rice & vegetables, chorizo, wilted spinach, haricot verts, beets & walnut salad, anchovy & tomato butter sauce
sweet potato & collard green gratin, roasted cauliflower, oyster mushrooms, turnip puree, caramelized prune & balsamic sauce
red quinoa & buckwheat pilaf, almonds, rutabaga, roasted spaghetti squash, black eyed pea salad, roasted poblano & pineapple sauce
fingerling potatoes & duck confit mashed potatoes, bok choy, ratatouille, brussels sprouts salad, dried cherry port jus
creamy hominy & chorizo, roasted asparagus, braised napa cabbage, roasted butternut squash salad, 330 steak sauce
Chocolate sponge cake layered with apricot glaze & apricot mousse. Iced with cocoa chocolate glaze & dried apricots Served with dried cherry & cranberry compote, blueberries, whipped cream & tuile cookie
Traditional vanilla custard, caramelized sugar, fresh berries & almond lace cookie
Yeasted chocolate, oat & buckwheat cake, puffed rice blonde brownie .Toasted pistachio ice cream. Caramel & mango sauces and a pistachio cookie
Classic chocolate soufflé baked to order, powdered sugar, & Chantilly cream. Please note, takes 15-20 minutes to prepare.
Graham cracker crust, creamy key lime custard, whipped cream, fresh blueberries, & blueberry sauce
Almond flour, toasted pistachios, roasted pineapple, crumble topping. Star anise, coriander, and turmeric, roasted pineapple sauce. Chocolate cremosa & fresh blueberries
A variety of French-style ice creams and non-dairy sorbets, fresh berries, & a cookie. Price is per scoop.
Hear from our valued guests
This was my 6th chef's table experience, and the crew NEVER misses. The food is exceptional, the service extraordinary. Can't wait to go back for my 7th time in September!
We celebrated our 6th anniversary here, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we arrived, everything was exceptional,the food, the service, and the atmosphere all came together perfectly to make the night feel special. One of the most memorable touches was the chef signing a menu for us, which made the evening feel even more personal and meaningful. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate a special occasion or just want an elevated dining experience, Second Empire is absolutely the right choice. We’ll definitely be back.
What a wonderful experience tonight. We celebrated our anniversary with a Chef's Table dinner. While we didn't see the head chef this evening, the wait staff, the chef's, the runners (everyone in the kitchen) were awesome. The meal was planned by the Head Chef with specific wine pairings. There was a nice touch of giving us the menu for the dinner with a Happy 17th Anniversary at the top of the menu. We were allowed (encouraged even) to check out the line and ask questions. It was interesting to see what all goes on behind the scenes. That team worked like a well oiled machine and you could tell they love what they do. The food was amazing and it will be an experience we will remember forever. We would recommend this experience and are talking. Thanks again to the entire Second Empire crew for a wonderful experience!
Second Empire is one of my favorite restaurants in the area for a special dinner! Even my picky family has enjoyed this place. Service is always top notch, and the food is high quality and interesting. Menu is always changing, and they are very accommodating of food modifications for allergies. My only "complaint" is the dining experience can take a while, so plan a lot of time here and do not be in a rush. We were late to a concert as we were here for almost 2.5 hours, but it was likely due to us ordering cheese, apps, dinner, and dessert! Included are photos from 2 trips, as you can tell I love their steak!
This was my first time at Second Empire. I hadn't heard of the restaurant, but I was taken there for my birthday, and it was a wonderful surprise. I would have walked by the restaurant as it's unassuming from the outside, but it's quite a beautiful building. I liked the uniqueness of the building. There are multiple levels, and we ate in the lower level. There was a waiter and an assistant for our table, so we were never ignored and received great service. For a starter, we had the Crispy Beeler Farms "Pepsi Cola" Braised Pork Belly, which was so delicious! There were so many wonderful flavors and great texture in that dish. When it was gone, I wanted more. For my entrée, I had the Moroccan Seasoned Bell & Evans Chicken Breast. Chicken breast can be dry, but the chicken was cooked perfectly. I requested the sauce on the side, but when I tried it, the sauce was divine! The side of rice was flavorful as well. There wasn't anything that I ate that I did not enjoy! I would definitely eat here again.
We visited Second Empire Restaurant & Tavern for the first time to celebrate my husband’s birthday, and it was an absolutely amazing experience! The food and service were incredible from start to finish. For our first courses, we had the Crispy Beeler Farms “Pepsi Cola” Braised Pork Belly and the Steamed Lobster & Grilled Fingerling Potato Salad-both were fresh, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. We each ordered the chef’s filet mignon special for the evening, and it was absolutely delicious! The atmosphere was elegant, warm, and very pleasant, making it the perfect place for a special celebration. We had such a wonderful evening and are already looking forward to coming back again!
What an amazing dinner experience. We arrived a bit early and grabbed a drink in the lounge. The drinks were delicious and made pretty quick. Dinner was delicious, we got the quail as an appetizer, the duck and the pork chop. All dishes were cooked perfectly and it was some of the best duck that I’ve had. Would highly recommend for a nice dinner out to celebrate.
Second empire was second to none in Raleigh, North Carolina. The food was exquisite. The service was impeccable and the ambience is classy and elegant. We had four courses and each was better than last. The food was brilliantly crafted.The chef’s technique was obviously honed over decades. One of the best courses we had was the morel mushrooms and asparagus Ragu over homemade potato gnocchi.Likewise the chocolate soufflé for dessert is a must. The servers and server assistance knowledge of the menu is second only to the chef. The service here at second Empire is impeccable. The servers have full knowledge of all the wine, cocktails, and food items. Ask them any question and you are sure to receive an in-depth answer. The atmosphere is completely elegant. The building is historic and has an air of old money. We ate upstairs and the dining room and it was quite an experience. We loved that we could dress up and wear nicer clothing. We will be eating here regularly whenever we’re in Raleigh.
We did the chef's table and it was worth it! The staff was fantastic, we met the actual owners and the food was five star! This was a dining experience that is definitely unforgettable. If you get a chance to reserve it is a must see if you are in Raleigh.
We celebrated our anniversary here tonight, and it was an absolutely unforgettable experience from beginning to end! 💕 Our servers, Wyatt and Julianne, were both exceptional; warm, personable, and incredibly attentive! Wyatt demonstrated an extensive knowledge of the menu and thoughtfully recommended wine pairings that complemented our meals beautifully. 🍷 We started with the charcuterie board, which was beautifully crafted and featured some of the best cheeses we've ever tasted. We then each enjoyed a soup course: I had the French onion soup, while my husband had the soupe du jour, and both were excellent. 🍽️ For our entrées, I chose the Roasted Pennsylvania Five Spice Duck Breast, which was expertly prepared and perfectly cooked. My husband had the Herb Roasted Bell & Evans Chicken Breast, and he thoroughly enjoyed every bite. To finish the evening, we shared the lemon and pistachio olive oil cake, which was absolutely divine. 🍰 Chef Daniel Schurr truly made our celebration special. Not only was the food outstanding, but he also left us a kind handwritten note on our custom-printed menu featuring a congratulatory anniversary message. It was such a thoughtful touch and made the evening feel even more memorable. 🥹 This was an exceptional dining experience in every way. We highly recommend this restaurant and will certainly be returning for future special occasions! ✨
Common questions about Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is located at 330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603, United States, Raleigh, NC, United States.
You can reach Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern by calling +1 919-829-3663.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern has a rating of 4.8 out of 5 based on 1914 customer reviews.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following service options: On-site services, Dine-in, Delivery.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following highlights: Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great coffee, Great dessert, Great wine list, Serves local specialty.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following popular for: Dinner, Solo dining.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Healthy options, Organic dishes, Private dining room, Spirits, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wine.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following dining options: Dinner, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following atmosphere: Cozy, Historic, Lively, Quiet, Romantic, Trendy, Upmarket.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following planning: Reservations required, Dinner reservations recommended, Accepts reservations.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following children: High chairs.
Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Paid parking lot, Paid street parking.
Business Features
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