Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

4.6

874 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 12 times today

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Innovative

If you can't find the date you are looking for here, please call or text the restaurant directly at 919.342.8227 as it may still be available through our central booking.

Reservation Cancellation Policy: As we are a small restaurant with limited seating, No Shows and Reservations cancelled with less than 12 hour notice may be subject to a charge of $20 per person.

Our Patio counts on a heated and covered tent that will run through December, January and February for additional seating.

The Cortez is a fresh seafood and small plates experience with a freshly kept selection of tropical cocktails that draw on our food memories, travels through the years, and Mexican-American heritage.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Mexican, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:15 pm
Phone number
(919) 342-8227
Website
http://www.cortezraleigh.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Chef Oscar Diaz

Location
413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-2198
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Parking details
Turn into the alleyway marked by the Cat Mural and you will find a private lot in our rear side of the building. Additional parking can be found at the parking deck behind the Carolina Ale House and street parking all around Glenwood South. We are handicap accessible!
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Traps Bay, New River, NC
Medium-High Salinity, Small Size, Meaty & Sweet
- ea$2.75
Carolina Daydreams, Stump Sound, NC
Medium Salinity, Small Size, Sweet Flavor & Garlicky Finish
- ea$2.75
Core Sounder, Jarrett Bay, NC
medium Salinity, Medium Size, Creamy & Sweet
- ea$2.75
Dress 'em All Up
Bell Pepper, Shallots, Serrano, Cucumber, Salsa Macha, Lime, Salt + Pepper (Add $0.50 Per)
Chargrilled Oysters
The Oyster Shooter*$7.00
Vodka or Tequila, Tomato, Serrano, Pineapple, Cucumber, Cilantro, Tamari, Lemon, Local Oyster

Sharing Plates

Charred Brussels
Brussel sprouts, black bean salsa, crema queso cotija, onions, cilantro, lime
Smoked & Loaded NC Papas$9.00
Smoked & fried fresh dug potatoes, guajillo buffalo, blue cheese, pickled peppers, prosciutto, chives
Crab Avocado Toast$19.00
Boulted Bread, Avocado Crema, NC Lump Crab, Kewpie Mayo, Fennel, Shallot, Peanut Salsa Macha
NC Peaches + Burrata$14.00
Boulted Bread, Basil Oil, Balsamic

Sea

Sharing Plates

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*$16.00
Red Onion, Serranos, Cucumbers, Pepper Mix, Tortilla Chips
Hamachi + Tuna Crudo$15.00
Peppers, Cucumber, watercress, leche de tigre, guacatillo salsa
Gambas al Ajillo$15.00
Shell-On Shrimp, Garlic-Butter-Lemon Sauce, Toasted Baguette
Coctel Mixto
Poached octopus, shrimp, oyster, cocktail sauce, dressed up mix, fried saltines
Charred Octopus$18.00
Buttered Beans, Tomato, Parmesan Butter, Charred Octopus, Chives, Chili Oil
Fried Baja Taquitos$15.00
Corn tortilla, shrimp, bell pepper, salsa roja, queso cotija
CORTEZ SAILBOAT
NC TIRADITO, 4 RAW OYSTERS (2 DRESSED UP), CRAB SALAD PEEL & EAT SHRIMP, OCTOPUS+SHRIMP COCTEL, FRIED SALTINES
Mussels & Picadillo $19.00
PEI mussels, beef picadillo, chipotle, basil, serrano, garlic parm toast

Larger Plates

Grilled Hanger Steak
Pinto beans, kale, mushrooms, molcajete salsa, pickled onion, cilantro
Al Pastor Local Catch Tacos
Al Pastor Marinated Tuna, Local corn tortilla, Farmers market Salas, Street corn, Salsa Diablo & Guacatillo
Grilled Whole NC Fish
Satueed Kale + Mushroom, Salsa Criolla
Triple Deluxe Burger
Brioche, triple beef patties, american cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, burger sauce, handcut salt + pepper fries
Seared Scallops + NC Corn$36.00
Seared Maine Scallops, Coconut and corn puree, market corn + butterbean esquites, peanut salsa macha

Bread

Bread + Weed Butter
Baguette, Herb-Nori-Anchovy Butter

What 874 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.7Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Innovative
Raleigh
Innovative
Raleigh
Hot spot

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offers an adventurous menu with standout dishes like charred octopus and shrimp. Patrons praise the "amazing food" and "great service," with particular highlights on the small plates, oysters, and cocktails. Despite some issues with noise and occasional service lapses, it's a "favorite place" for many, offering a delightful dining experience in Raleigh.

874 Reviews

J
Jeremy
Raleigh
86 reviews
3.0
86 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Not great. First time here, and unfortunately the last. To be fair it was a fixed menu for Valentine’s Day but there were only two entree options and only one dessert. Nothing was spectacular, and it wasn’t inexpensive. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Is this helpful?
J
Janine
VIP
New Orleans
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We dined for the Valentine's Day Prix Fixe. The food was delicious and service was attentive.
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
Raleigh
15 reviews
5.0
15 reviews
Dined 4 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We went the day before Valentine's Day, because we couldn't get reservations for Friday. We both had the tuna dinner with a side of brussel sprouts. Both were excellent! The waitress was kind enough to bring a bit more of the sauce for the tuna. Both of us love extra sauce on things. Then we had the churro for dessert.HEAVENLY!! I highly recommend Cortez. We will be returning.
Is this helpful?
K
Kristal
Hawaii
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on February 7, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent menu, ambiance and service. Great cocktails and descent beer selection. The small plates as well as the larger are really awesome. The local oysters are a reason to come!
Is this helpful?
D
Doug
VIP
Raleigh
11 reviews
5.0
11 reviews
Dined on February 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
A great evening. The dishes often came with small surprising twists (e.g., pairing asian pears with tuna crudo) that helped make the evening "special". Grilled oysters were my favorite.
Is this helpful?
A
Angelica
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent food, ambience, and service! Do not hesitate to make a reservation, totally worth it!
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
VIP
Raleigh
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had the Gambas and Smoked Potatoes as well as the Mussels to start. They were ALL AMAZING. Our server Tony, did an amazing job as well. Then we shared the beef and the tuna. We shared all of this at the table for four and we couldn't finish as amazing as it was. Love this place!
Is this helpful?
L
Lucas
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on January 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great service; great vibes; great drinks; great food. Definitely returning!
Is this helpful?
R
ROBBY
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on January 19, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was awesome and the staff was even better!!!
Is this helpful?
S
Silvia
Raleigh
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on January 18, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time at Cortez. We were pleasantly surprised with the food. We ordered Ceviche, a few oysters, octopus, gambas al ajillo, and the shrimp tacos. Everything was delicious. The cocktails were good as well.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 342-8227.

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail is rated 4.6 stars by 874 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 17, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 12 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-2198

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Raleigh
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:15 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Mexican, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Turn into the alleyway marked by the Cat Mural and you will find a private lot in our rear side of the building. Additional parking can be found at the parking deck behind the Carolina Ale House and street parking all around Glenwood South. We are handicap accessible!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Oscar Diaz
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.cortezraleigh.com/
Phone number
(919) 342-8227

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

NC Snapper Ceviche

Gambas al Ajillo

Charred Octopus

Oysters*

Traps Bay, New River, NC

Carolina Daydreams, Stump Sound, NC

Core Sounder, Jarrett Bay, NC

Dress 'em All Up

Chargrilled Oysters

The Oyster Shooter*$7.00

Sharing Plates

Charred Brussels

Smoked & Loaded NC Papas$9.00

Crab Avocado Toast$19.00

NC Peaches + Burrata$14.00

Sea

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*$16.00

Hamachi + Tuna Crudo$15.00

Gambas al Ajillo$15.00

Coctel Mixto

Charred Octopus$18.00

Fried Baja Taquitos$15.00

CORTEZ SAILBOAT

Mussels & Picadillo $19.00

Larger Plates

Grilled Hanger Steak

Al Pastor Local Catch Tacos

Grilled Whole NC Fish

Triple Deluxe Burger

Seared Scallops + NC Corn$36.00

Bread

Bread + Weed Butter

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cortez Seafood + Cocktail restaurant rated?

Is Cortez Seafood + Cocktail currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information