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Tavern @ Second Empire

330 Hillsborough St, Raleigh, NC 27603
(919) 829-3663
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Ranked #8 of 758 restaurants in Raleigh
Price range: RM93 - RM241
Cuisines: American
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Restaurant details
Good for: Romantic, Groups, Business, Local cuisine, Outdoor seating, Special Occasion Dining, Entertaining clients
Dining options: Dinner, Reservations
Dining style: Fine Dining
Cross street: Harrington St.
Description: Located in downtown Raleigh’s historic Victorian Dodd-Hinsdale House (circa 1879), Second Empire combines history, atmosphere, exceptional service and gourmet cuisine for an unforgettable dining experience. Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern features our award winning Contemporary American Cuisine in two dining atmospheres. Upstairs enjoy the ultimate dining experience in an elegant yet relaxed atmosphere of charm and grace. Downstairs in the Tavern and beautiful Atrium room enjoy a lighter fare menu and more casual environment. The Capitol Room, Raleigh Room, Pine Room and Atrium Room are available for private parties seating up to 55 people or various combinations of rooms for parties up to 300 people. Second Empire is very proud to be the recipient of the DiRoNA Award (Distinguished Restaurants of North America), the AAA Four Diamond Award (Raleigh’s only restaurant with this award) and the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1998.
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112 reviews from our community

84% Recommend
    69
    26
    9
    5
    3
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Las Vegas NV
Senior Contributor
40 reviews 40 reviews
30 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
25 helpful votes 25 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 9 May 2013

This restaurant is a house converted into a restaurant. It is right next door to the Clarion Hotel. The menu is different with things like braised rabbit. We started off with a cheese plate with three different cheeses. They served some fruit and assorted crackers and bread to compliment the cheese. Next I had a corn and crab chowder which... More

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See 16 more reviews by LasVegasfemale for Raleigh
Yardley, Pennsylvania
Senior Contributor
35 reviews 35 reviews
24 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 19 cities Reviews in 19 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 April 2013

I was invited to a family dinner at this magical place. We had a private room with our own wait staff. Our head waiter introduced himself to the group and proceeded to inform us of our dinner selections in great and exciting detail. Their house salad dressing is refreshing and light. You can't get enough of their homemade bread! My... More

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See 3 more reviews by hairydiver for Raleigh
Los Angeles
Senior Contributor
23 reviews 23 reviews
19 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
9 helpful votes 9 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 16 April 2013

This review is for the main dining room. The restaurant is set in an old mansion and there are rooms for eb=very size of party. This is an area of the country I am completely unfamiliar with and I relied on review sites - they were correct. The setting is Southern genteel with service to match. They say they have... More

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Raleigh, North Carolina
Top Contributor
90 reviews 90 reviews
57 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
26 helpful votes 26 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 March 2013

We have eaten at Second Empire twice now. First time in the Tavern with friends and the meal was very good. As good in fact as you would expect in a restaurant with this reputation. The menu selections and specials were also very good. In the Tavern you also get to select from both the Tavern and main restaurant menu.... More

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See 6 more reviews by Robert B for Raleigh
Raleigh, NC
Senior Contributor
45 reviews 45 reviews
35 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 20 cities Reviews in 20 cities
19 helpful votes 19 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 March 2013

Went to the restaurant for a private group dinner and this place did not disappoint. Even with a group of 30+ everyone was pleased with their dinner. Great overall experience.

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See 3 more reviews by traveldude2 for Raleigh
Sarasota, Florida
Senior Contributor
47 reviews 47 reviews
25 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 22 cities Reviews in 22 cities
27 helpful votes 27 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 29 March 2013

We attended a rehearsal dinner at this restaurant. It is a lovely setting and the room accommodated about 50 people. The wines were very good and the dinner which was a choice of the filet or salmon were both excellent. I would love to go back again and look over their menu as a regular diner.

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See 3 more reviews by joananne2010 for Raleigh
Asheville, NC
Senior Contributor
31 reviews 31 reviews
10 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 14 cities Reviews in 14 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 14 March 2013

We had a large group of about 16. We were well accommodated with wonderful wait staff. I had the grouper which was very good as was the key lime pie. I would go back for dinner. Some might say it a bit pricesy with most meals in the mid to upper $20's, but food was well worth it.

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See 2 more reviews by AnnieGirl50 for Raleigh
Cary, North Carolina
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
11 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 6 cities Reviews in 6 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 7 March 2013

A little noisy when full but the food is always outstanding. If you want the "upstairs menu", eat upstairs for the same price. If you want a little action in the different rooms and bar, eat downstairs. THe food is always over the top, unique and service quality is top shelf. Great Occasion Restaurant!!

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See 5 more reviews by Charlie M for Raleigh
Apex, North Carolina
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
20 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 10 cities Reviews in 10 cities
18 helpful votes 18 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

I took my wife here the other night to celebrate her birthday. It was a fantastic night out! The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful and elegant. All of the staff we came in contact with were extremely friendly and helpful. Since this was for a special occasion they printed out a personal menu for my wife's birthday and the... More

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See 8 more reviews by Eddie_Mullins for Raleigh
Woolwine, Virginia
Top Contributor
50 reviews 50 reviews
43 restaurant reviews
Reviews in 26 cities Reviews in 26 cities
22 helpful votes 22 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 25 February 2013

Have you ever been to a restaurant where the food was excellent but something was missing....that is my impression of Second Empire. We dined upstairs since this was business. It is touted as a good place for business since it is small rooms. It was small rooms but with the waiter "belting out" the menu specials to the few tables... More

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