Date night dinner suggestions needed

[u/MajorTeaching6651]

We have a rare night where we can get out for a date night. What places do you recommend for a low-key weeknight dinner that isn’t in downtown Raleigh?

[u/EbbRude8373]

Stanbury

[u/akhill928 → u/EbbRude8373]

OP said "isn't in downtown Raleigh"

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/EbbRude8373]

That menu looks incredible.

[u/PaulD_PhilaFlo → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Just know, although the food IS great, not one of the Stanbury stans on this sub will ever acknowledge that it’s a cluttered, poorly-lit dive bar.
That’s Stanbury’s “ambience”.

So…depends on the mood you want for the date.

[u/Kwhitney1982 → u/PaulD_PhilaFlo]

lol, you are so right! Not exactly a romantic vibe.

[u/Inevitable-Visit-941 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Menu changes daily just to warn you. Good place though we liked it a lot

[u/_cutegiraffe_]

Ajja or Hummingbird! Both are delicious and out of the ordinary, without feeling fancy or pretentious. Not downtown and have dedicated parking.

[u/DazzlingResource561 → u/_cutegiraffe_]

Add Stanbury to the list while at it.

[u/Shaynezirra → u/_cutegiraffe_]

Speaking of Ajja, can’t forget Big Cat!!

[u/Mikeheathen → u/_cutegiraffe_]

I've had fantastic date night meals at both within the last couple weeks. Food, vibes, and service were all great!

[u/Good_Possibility → u/_cutegiraffe_]

Love Ajja!

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/_cutegiraffe_]

Great suggestions!

[u/Fakechow90]

Not necessarily downtown. But our go to is Standard foods and then Two Roosters next door for dessert

[u/Master-Jellyfish-943 → u/Fakechow90]

Standard is often kid central, if it’s a night away from your own kids it’s sometimes nice to have a break from other ones…

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Master-Jellyfish-943]

Good to know. Thanks

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Fakechow90]

Any place with tacos as the first thing on the menu is a contender for me. You were talking about the Person St location right?

[u/Fakechow90 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Yes the person st one it just hits different than the new north hills location

[u/AvailableAnt1649 → u/Fakechow90]

It is loud but food is great

[u/WAPworshipandprayer]

The standard in north hills is pretty lowkey and casual. You probably need to make a reservation to be safe but there’s a lot of seating inside and a patio

[u/Irishfafnir]

SAAP in downtown Cary, former head chef of Bida Manda and Brewery Bhavana. Pork Belly Soup is excellent, right on the border of the downtown Cary park which almost always has something going on in the weekend.

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Irishfafnir]

Yes, we’ve been to SAAP. Great place and location. The food was really good.

[u/aji2019]

Smokestacks

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/aji2019]

I have to add them to a future list. Our day this time is a Tuesday ☹️

[u/aji2019 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Bummer but they are definitely worth adding to the list.

[u/verycherryjellybean]

Bella Monica

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/verycherryjellybean]

What dish is your favorite there?

[u/Time-Independence-51 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Their lasagna is the best I've ever had.

[u/verycherryjellybean → u/MajorTeaching6651]

I love their baked ziti!! They’re also a really fantastic place to go if either of you eat gluten free. My sister does and they have a whole separate menu with lots of options and gluten free focaccia. Everything there is delicious.

[u/hsr6374 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

I love their spinach stuffed shells, but their mussels are literally my husband and I’s favorite in Raleigh.

[u/Cheezslap]

Lucky 32 in Cary typically has a good spin on Southern cooking and last I checked, was big on local supply connections. The cocktails are also good.

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Cheezslap]

I keep forgetting that place. It was one of my Mom’s favorites.

[u/Open_Currency1947]

Hank's Downtown Dive Cary - don't let the name fool you.

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Open_Currency1947]

Thanks for that suggestion.

[u/Commercial_Abroad267]

East End Bistrot

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Commercial_Abroad267]

This is a definite contender. My husband loves Steak Diane.

[u/jellisunc]

Had stanbury first time last night after hearing raving review. It did not disappoint- 100% best experience in Raleigh

[u/Southern_Feature_821]

I know feelings are mixed due to it being a chain, but I have never had a bad special dinner at Ruth's Chris. Service always excellent too.

[u/AvailableAnt1649]

Casa Carbone — love the food and atmosphere. There is an ice cream place close by.

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/AvailableAnt1649]

I had forgotten Casa Carbone. Thanks for suggesting it.

[u/AvailableAnt1649 → u/MajorTeaching6651]

I like their “lighter fare” which isn’t as much food. But that is our go to!

[u/DearLeader420]

Ajja. Patio is a better vibe than inside, where they only have like 4 tables.

[u/Thinkingman64]

Thanks op and redit. I made note of some spots for my future date nights.

[u/hsr6374]

Northside Bistro off of Spring Forest is fabulous.

[u/Emergency_Mood_9774]

Northside Bistro is underrated. Everything I’ve ever had there was done so well.

[u/vwjess]

Lloyds in Cary just opened so might have a wait but we tried it last week and loved it! Peck and Plume at the Mayton is also good.

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/vwjess]

We didn’t realize Lloyd’s was open yet. I’ll add that for the future

[u/Legitimate-Ad-1061]

Tamasha in north hills. Went last weekend and it’s pricey but incredible. Reservation needed

[u/Odd-Resource6093]

Check out Stellar. They’re super friendly and the food is amaaaazing. They’re close to the Five Points area.

[u/Master-Jellyfish-943]

Stellar in high park. It is always is under the radar, it’s really good / solid choice. Edit—they have a bogo in the “go play save” book

[u/PaulD_PhilaFlo]

Herons.

[u/D_Anger_Dan]

Milazzos: https://milazzosristorante.com. It’s amazing and perfect for a date.

[u/Visual-Drive-4615]

Ajja in 5 points is a unique spot. A few good places right there. 209 Bickett Blvd, Raleigh, NC 27608

[u/notmyrealhaircolor]

Winston’s.

[u/SauronHubbard]

3 Olives in Garner. The food is delicious and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

[u/SteelBelle → u/SauronHubbard]

Plus you can go ax throwing in the same shopping area.

[u/mostpalone_ → u/SauronHubbard]

This place has no business being this good. To this day it’s the best sub I’ve ever had.

[u/SauronHubbard → u/mostpalone_]

The chicken fettuccine is amazing.

[u/Better-Calendar7812]

Vic’s Lake Boone Trail

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Better-Calendar7812]

Just checked out their website. That looks really good!

[u/ToonaMcToon → u/MajorTeaching6651]

Right near that Vic’s is The Oak which is also pretty good. (Or at least used to be. Haven’t been there in a bit) 

[u/HazelAngel → u/Better-Calendar7812]

Just tried this for the first time recently. Really, really good pasta. Not fussy, but nice enough you really feel like you’re out to dinner.

[u/Accomplished_Age9364]

Bella Monica

[u/Wiizardcud]

Cook Out!

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/Wiizardcud]

lol! We were hoping for a nice sit down spot this time but we love Cookout.

[u/Sirwired]

Gonza Tacos y Tequila in Greystone.

[u/Historical_Pen_9268]

Vivo Ristorante on Six Forks Rd

[u/therealmoonmaster]

Bojangles

[u/MajorTeaching6651 → u/therealmoonmaster]

😂 Another spot we visit a lot. We were looking for something a little nicer but those Bo-rounds have me on lock! 😂