Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining in Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Nino’s Cucina Italiana

4.9

4.9 (123)

$31 to $50

Italian

Greenville

About the restaurant

Nino’s Cucina Italiana is a tribute to our father, Nino. He still travels constantly to all the locations to make sure everything is done “Nino’s Way,” with quality food, personality, and love.

Over 75 years of an Italian family tradition in baking and cooking from three generations has culminated in Nino’s Cucina Italiana. Our Italian dishes are centuries old recipes handed down from our family throughout the years. We prepare all our food daily—making fresh dough, sauces, mozzarella cheese, pasta and our delicious meatballs in-house.

Top review

John

Dined 2 days ago

Our “go to” restaurant in Greenville! The service is always great! From atmosphere to the professional attention from all of the dining room staff as well as kitchen staff, well done!

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Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (103)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

GRANT

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Great food and service. The pizza is authentic tasting and fresh. We will be back!

Local 22 Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1034)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

A Southern-accented gastropub with a strong local focus.

Top review

christopherVIP

Dined 5 days ago

This is a fantastic place. The food is delicious and creative. The service is top notch and simply wonderful. We will return soon.

Trophy Brewing & Pizza

4.8

4.8 (279)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Raleigh

About the restaurant

A brewery and full service restaurant serving hand-made pizza and more in Downtown Raleigh. We feature Detroit style pizza on Mondays and Tuesdays from 4pm until they sellout, and calzones on Wednesdays. We have a full bar featuring inventive cocktails, great wine, cider, non-alcoholic options, and more!

We have several areas for private events and larger gatherings. Reach out to our events team for details: Events@trophybrewing.com

Top review

Birva

Dined on Dec 3, 2024

Great beer and delicious pizza! Excellent service and ambiance. I will go back.

Sushi Blues Cafe

4.7

4.7 (647)

$30 and under

Sushi

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Sushi Blues Cafe is located on Glenwood Avenue, the heart of downtown Raleigh district known as Glenwood South. With great food, great music, and a friendly and courteous staff, Sushi Blues is an excellent choice for your night out on the town. Come and join in on the fun!

Sushi Blues has something for everyone. Enjoy fresh appetizers, sushi, makimono, temaki hand rolls, nigiri, salads, and katsu. We also have vegetarian options!

But, don't stop there. Have one of our featured cocktails from our fully stocked bar, or choose from a wide selection of import and domestic beers. We also have a have a great wine list to satisfy anyone's taste.

Come enjoy the game on the TVs in our lounge.

If you have an event coming up, we can cater any size party!

BOGO sushi rolls special ALL DAY EVERYDAY

Top review

AnthonyVIP

Dined 1 day ago

Awesome experience tonight. Food and service were great !! We’ll be back.

Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar

4.6

4.6 (3018)

$30 and under

Italian

Raleigh

About the restaurant

Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, a locally owned Italian restaurant that has been named one of Raleigh's best by Raleigh Magazine. Located in the heart of downtown Raleigh, minutes from the Raleigh Convention Center, Mulino offers an authentic dining experience that showcases the rich flavors and traditions of Italy. Guests can enjoy classic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients, perfectly paired with wines from Italy & beyond.

Mulino’s inviting atmosphere includes cozy indoor seating & a beautiful outdoor patio, available on a first-come basis. Mulino can accommodate parties from 2 to 250 guests. For groups of 12 or more, a special large-party menu is available to enhance your dining experience.

Parking is available at 209 N. Dawson Street, 329 N McDowell Street, and streetwise along Lane Street.

We look forward to welcoming you to Mulino Italian Kitchen and Bar, where every meal is crafted with passion and every guest is treated like family.

Top review

Byron

Dined 3 days ago

Mulino is a wonderful place for a meal! My son and I took my wife here to celebrate her birthday and we were not disappointed. The decor and ambiance in an old mill provided a great atmosphere. Our server JoElla was friendly and very knowledgeable of all the selections on the menu. My wife and son had the gnocci and I ate the Picci with scallops added. Everything was perfect! I would highly recommend Mulino to anyone.

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4.5

4.5 (579)

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Raleigh

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Randy

Dined 2 days ago

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

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Lafayette Village Grill

4.3

4.3 (577)

$30 and under

American

Raleigh

About the restaurant

An American grill with a delightful Southern twist. Serving as the flagship restaurant of Lafayette Village Shopping Center in North Raleigh since 2010, we have recently undergone renovations and re-opened in May 2023.

At The Village Grill, we take pride in offering a diverse range of culinary delights that capture the essence of American cuisine while infusing it with the flavors of the South. Our Chef skillfully crafted each dish using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every guest. Whether you’re seeking a refreshing beverage to complement your meal or simply looking to unwind, we have you covered. Our extensive drink menu boasts an impressive selection of beers, wines, and handcrafted cocktails, carefully curated to suit a variety of preferences and palates.

***WE DO NOT TAKE OUTDOOR PATIO RESERVATIONS - RESERVATIONS ARE GUARANTEED FOR INDOOR DINING ONLY***

Top review

Kim

Dined 1 day ago

We discovered when we got to the restaurant that they were closing tonight for good. Kind of disappointing. Nice restaurant but this review is a moot point.

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery

4.1

4.1 (40)

$30 and under

International

Durham

About the restaurant

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery is a veteran and woman owned business located in the heart of Durham’s Innovation District. Using only the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Daniel Arenas concocts your favorite American Classics as well as globally–inspired tapas and large plates. This is not your average pub menu! Specialty dishes include everything from bone marrow beef tartare to caviar service. The Flying Bull proves that craft beer and elevated cuisine are a perfect pairing. We also offer an extensive wine list and full service cocktail bar. Looking to host a special event for business or family occasion? Our large beer hall is the perfect solution. Prix fixe full menu or catered hors d’oeuvres available.

Whether you’re looking for a meal with family or friends, business or date nigh, or even a little Jazz with your beverage, our friendly and courteous staff will make sure your visit is a wonderful experience.

Top review

Drew

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

Very good overall experience. Highly recommended!!!!

Carolina Brewery - Chapel Hill

4.0

4 (213)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Since 1995, we have been proudly serving the locals, students and visitors to Chapel Hill. A lot has changed in both our town and the craft beer industry since we opened our doors as the culmination of a business school plan I wrote my senior year at UNC. Today, we celebrate our North Carolina roots with a made-from-scratch menu focused on Carolina foods in a newly renovated building. I hope you enjoy a true Carolina experience here at Carolina Brewery and will look for our award winning beers on your travels throughout the Carolinas.
Cheers,
Robert Poitras
Owner/Founder

Top review

robertVIP

Dined on Oct 18, 2024

Had reservation but ended up sitting in bar area high top where it was louder than normal due to some baseball fans really into the game. We liked the Octoberfest specials: good beer and the roasted apple kraut was outstanding. Overall was fine but would have preferred to have been seated at a regular table upstairs especially now that reservations are more or less required if you don't want to wait an hour on the weekend.

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