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The Willard, Raleigh, NC

The Willard

4.4 (633)
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar
9 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-1797

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 19 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Great for creative cocktails
The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh's Best Rooftop Bar of 2023 & 2024, offers signature craft cocktails and inspired bites with stunning views of downtown Raleigh.

The centerpiece of The Willard is the Large Terrace with panoramic views of the Raleigh skyline and dual-sided fireplace surrounded by comfortable, yet modern, seating. Heaters make our outdoor spaces comfortable year-round. Inside, a 22-seat bar is the focal point of the dining room, while Skyview Boardroom offers a unique dining experience for 6-12 guests.

The Willard’s cocktail menu playfully leans into Raleigh’s nickname as the City of Oaks, offering signature craft cocktails aged in oak barrels and cocktails where smoke is a key ingredient.

The seasonal food menu, crafted by Chef Kyle Teears, includes shareables like papas bravas and charcuterie, as well as salads, Flatbreads, and entrees like the Lamb Burger and Steak Frites.
Located on the 7th floor of the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown in the Glenwood South district.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Lounge, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Kyle Teears
  • Catering
    Catering customized to your needs is available from the kitchen of Executive Chef Kyle Teears.
  • Private party facilities
    At the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown, the entire 7th floor is dedicated to food and beverage service. With multiple function spaces available for booking alone or in combination, special occasions unfold against the stunning backdrop of downtown Raleigh's skyline, making memories that last a lifetime!
  • Private party contact
    Leslie Hoagland: (984) 272-4486
  • Neighborhood
    Raleigh
  • Cross street
    Hillsborough St
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Community & Cocktails: Music & Philanthropy

    May 28, 2025 only
    Community & Cocktails: An Evening of Music & Philanthropy Gather your gals and pals for an evening of community, music, and philanthropy at The Willard Rooftop on Wednesday, May 28 from 7-9pm. Enjoy a live playlist of upbeat and empowering tunes from Raleigh's own DJ Skylan as you sip on drink and food specials like $12 Espresso Martinis and $4 Papas Bravas. Take in The Willard’s extraordinary views of the Oak City skyline and connect with friends old and new. This event supports Designed for Joy, a non-profit that provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support.
    Community & Cocktails: Music & Philanthropy Photo
  • Father's Day Brunch

    Jun 15, 2025 only
    Make Father's Day extra special this year! Treat Dad to an à la carte rooftop brunch at The Willard on Sunday, June 15th, served from 11 am to 3 pm. Our menu features brunch favorites with a Willard twist, like Eggs Benedict, Steak and Eggs, Salmon Toast, and more! It's the perfect way to celebrate him with delicious food and stunning views.
    Father's Day Brunch Photo
  • Cocktails & Cuisine

    $55.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jun 29, 2025 only
    2:00 PM
    This month’s Cocktails & Cuisine Class is in! Ready to shake things up this month? Get ready for a tantalizing journey into the world of sours. So, gather around the bar at The Willard Rooftop for Cocktails & Cuisine Class: Equal Parts Sour on Sunday, June 29th. Our skilled bartenders will demonstrate how to make delicious sour-based cocktails, and then you’ll get to enjoy the fruits of your labor paired with festive food from our very own Chef Eryn Reagan, all while you take in the spectacular views from The Willard Rooftop. Class sizes are limited, so purchase tickets now for $55 per person.
    Cocktails & Cuisine Photo

Private dining

What 633 people are saying

The Willard reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.4
4.4 based on recent ratings
  • 4.1Food
  • 4.3Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Great for scenic views

  • Raleigh

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Willard offers a "breathtaking" rooftop experience with "top-notch" food and "attentive" service. Its upscale ambiance and stunning views make it ideal for celebrations. Guests rave about the "incredible" Mother's Day brunch and "fantastic" cocktails. While some events faced hiccups, the overall experience remains positive and memorable.
633 Reviews
  1. Taylor VIP

    New York City12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic! Our second time going to cocktails & cuisine! The drinks were refreshing, the food was delicious, and the hosts were informative & lively! Thanks for another great experience.

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  2. Sylvia

    Raleigh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great views, service, and food. Awesome Espresso Martini - real espresso no cold brew!! Music was great - perfect playlist and volume not too loud.
    The WillardResponded on May 13, 2025
    Sylvia, Thank you for the 5 stars and your kind review! We hope you'll be visiting our rooftop again soon!

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  3. Trina

    Raleigh2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The rooftop restaurant at this hotel is a true highlight. With breathtaking views and a cozy, upscale vibe, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. The food was top-notch, fresh, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Service was attentive and professional, making the dining experience feel seamless. Whether you’re a guest at the hotel or just stopping by for a meal, the rooftop restaurant offers a memorable experience that perfectly complements the comfort and quality of the hotel itself. A must-visit if you're in the area!

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  4. Shardai

    Raleigh2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an amazing Mother's Day brunch at the Willard. The staff was warm and welcoming, and they went out of their way to accommodate our needs. The drinks were fantastic, and the menu was absolutely incredible. Thank you for making this day so special for my mom—we’ll definitely be coming back!

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  5. Tracie

    Raleigh1 review

    4.0

    Dined on May 11, 2025

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    It was great! We had good view and a good variety of food choices.

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  6. Arlene

    Asheville / Western North Carolina18 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fabulous time. Wait staff was very good. Don’t order the Old Fashions. They are premixed in a barrel which sounds cool, but did not taste good. The food was good. The ambience is great except for the band playing below on the street. It made it very difficult to talk with one another. (Not The Willards fault of course!) We will be back for sure!

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  7. Neil

    Raleigh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on May 10, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had booked outdoor reservations for lunch for 8, but when we got to the Willard, we learned that they had set aside couch seating for 8. We really wanted a table, so the staff was able to move us to a big table inside. it all turned out great, and the food was delightful. We were there to celebrate Mother's Day, and things turned out splendidly.

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  8. Q

    Raleigh15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We went for the Kentucky Derby, so I'm sure it was more crowded than usual. we had the charcuterie and Bravas potatoes - both were excellent. To top it off, our server, Brenna, was wonderful!

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  9. Daniel

    Philadelphia County7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Loved the atmosphere and food. Was a great place for a small family gathering to celebrate. Service was outSTANDING.

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  10. Becky

    Asheville / Western North Carolina1 review

    3.0

    Dined on May 3, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 5
    waiter was super nice when we arrived but advised a large party would be coming in 2 hrs so we might have to move. and that was ok - but then in about 45 min he asked us to move bc the hostesses were setting up flowers for the party. . but the big party had not come. He moved us to a corner table on the balcony and from then on i had to get up and chase someone to do EVERYTHING - it ruined the whole occasion. my granddaughters 18th bday lunch w her best friend, the guests for the big party didn’t come for a long time actually I never saw them - but they may have come. I was so in love with the Willard when i walked in. I’m 80 years old and to date i have never had such a pathetic experience at a restaurant. No menus, no refill of water, no checking on us. and then I had to find someone to pay. If i had it to do over i would have slipped out as no one would have noticed me. And it really wasn’t even that busy. My waist was a man whose name starts with a V.

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FAQs

The Willard is rated 4.4 stars by 633 OpenTable diners.

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

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Raleigh
  5. Raleigh

Make a reservation


Booked 19 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for The Willard

9 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-1797

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Hillsborough St
  • Neighborhood
    Raleigh
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri 4:00 pm–12:00 am Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am Sun 12:00 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Cocktail Bar, Lounge, Tapas / Small Plates
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Kyle Teears
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Outdoor Firepit, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    Catering customized to your needs is available from the kitchen of Executive Chef Kyle Teears.
  • Private party facilities
    At the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown, the entire 7th floor is dedicated to food and beverage service. With multiple function spaces available for booking alone or in combination, special occasions unfold against the stunning backdrop of downtown Raleigh's skyline, making memories that last a lifetime!
  • Private party contact
    Leslie Hoagland: (984) 272-4486
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
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