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The Willard, Raleigh, NC

The Willard

4.5
4.5
581 Reviews
$30 and under
Cocktail Bar

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Great for outdoor dining
  • Great for scenic views
  • Romantic
The Willard Rooftop Lounge, Raleigh's Best Rooftop Bar of 2022 & 2023, 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 Cherokee Trout and Steak Frites.
Located on the 7th floor of the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown in the Glenwood South district.
Private dining

Private dining

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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
    (919) 803-5200
  • Website
    http://www.thewillardraleigh.com/
  • 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
  • Location
    9 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-1797
  • 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

  • Christmas Day Buffet

    $0.00 - $60.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 25, 2024 only
    Celebrate Christmas Day at The Willard Rooftop and savor a delicious buffet of holiday favorites. Enjoy ham, roasted chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, veggies, and more, all while taking in the stunning skyline views of Downtown Raleigh. Skip the hassle of cooking and cleaning and make this Christmas a truly memorable experience. Bring your loved ones and create lasting memories at The Willard Rooftop. This year, celebrate the magic of the holiday season in style at the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown. Enjoy the ambiance of our festive decor, sip holiday cocktails by the fire on our rooftop lounge and immerse yourself in the Christmas cheer and entertainment on Glenwood Avenue.
    Christmas Day Buffet Photo

  • The Fourth Annual Willard NYE Bash

    $125.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Tuesday, Dec 31, 8pm-1am. Enjoy a World Cuisines inspired buffet, 2 full cash bars, live music with Peter Lamb & the Wolves, dance floor, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $125 per person including tax and gratuity. Don't want to drive? Call or visit our website to book an overnight stay room package for $359 and receive 2 tickets to the Bash, chilled bottle of bubbly upon arrival, breakfast in the morning, and complimentary parking. Go VIP with private room and balcony, tickets to the Bash, three-course plated dinner, dedicated server/bartender, and exclusive bar offerings for up to 12 guests for $3,500 including tax and gratuity Call for more information. This event is 21+ only. ID must be provided upon request.

  • Community & Cocktails: DJ Night at The Willard

    Jan 22, 2025 only
    Gather your gals and pals for a new monthly evening of community, music, and philanthropy at The Willard Rooftop. 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, $8 Pimento Jars and $4 Papas Bravas. Take in The Willard’s extraordinary views of the Oak City skyline and connect with friends old and new. The evening will support Designed for Joy, a non-profit that provides women in crisis with stability through immediate employment and support. Look forward to this new monthly event series, with each event supporting a different non-profit organization.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

What 581 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.3Food
  • 4.4Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.1Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Great for brunch

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Great for scenic views

  • Raleigh

    Great for brunch

  • Raleigh

    Great for outdoor dining

  • Raleigh

    Romantic

  • Raleigh

    Great for scenic views

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
The Willard boasts a "fantastic view and ambiance," making it an ideal spot for drinks and relaxation. While the food receives mixed reviews, the "knowledgeable staff" and "great cocktails" are often praised. The rooftop setting offers a "beautiful atmosphere" perfect for enjoying Raleigh's skyline, especially for special occasions.

581 Reviews

  1. Patrena

    New York City

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service! Awesome ambience! Would definitely go back again and again! Food was PERFECT! Five star rooftop lounge!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Kimberly

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We thoroughly enjoyed our time at The Willard!! The staff was super nice and accommodating; the food and drinks were amazing!!! The ambience inside and outside of the lounge was just beautiful!!! Beautiful furniture and bar inside and outside the beautiful Raleigh City Skyline!! We will be coming back!!

    Is this helpful?

  3. Elissa

    Wilmington

    8 reviews

    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined 5 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had a great time, one of the best burgers I have ever had and our server was fantastic. 5 stars😀

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  4. Randy

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant was truly exceptional. The view was breathtaking, and the ambiance felt like fine dining in New York City. The drinks were perfectly crafted, and the food was exquisite. I will definitely be returning

    Is this helpful?

  5. James

    Raleigh

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    It was a nice atmosphere and the food was very good.

    Is this helpful?

  6. Gregory

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We arrived to a late reservation and the staff bent over backwards to accommodate us.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Lisa

    Greensboro

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Food was okay, at best. Rolls were hard. Mac and cheese was dry. Desserts were dry. Had to refill our own water because we couldn't find the waitress. Won't be going back.

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  8. Mark

    Raleigh

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    The place is physically nice. Actually quite nice. Very modern. The outdoor seating was nice. The food was mediocre. It was OK. It wasn’t bad. When you spend $250 for a buffet. It’s not unreasonable to expect it to be extra nice. With some maybe unique choices. Not even close…. As I said, it was adequate. Which made it really not good considering the cost. I’m sorry, but I have to be honest….. friendly staff… and to be clear that $250 was for three people actually it was more than that. There was one beer each I believe the whole thing came for three people to about $290. It wasn’t remotely worth that based on the quality. But again, nice people.

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  9. Tracy

    Raleigh

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 2
    We attended the Thanksgiving event. Terrible, rude service. We had reservations but, we were seated at a small and low table. It felt as if we were being made to sit at a “Kiddie” table. Very unprofessional. Way overpriced. Will not do it again. Would not recommend!!

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  10. Carel

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I Love the place. Can’t beat the view. This is definitely the best rooftop lounge in Raleigh. The food is great and so is the staff. I definitely recommend it.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

The Willard is rated 4.5 stars by 581 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people
8:00 PM
Booked 11 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
  • Website
    http://www.thewillardraleigh.com/
  • Phone number
    (919) 803-5200
  • 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
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