Village Tavern - Raleigh: Exceptional Dining Experience with a Cozy Atmosphere

Met friends here today for lunch for the first time and I will definitely be back. Lisette and the front desk staff greeted us warmly when we arrived. Anna Grace was our server, and she was amazing, kind, knowledgeable about the menu, and had great recommendations. My salmon was cooked to perfection. My spinach was amazing, and my friends enjoyed their crab cake and fish and chips. You got to try the Korean cauliflower and the spring rolls. Both were delish, and we even had dessert. We shared the cheesecake, and it was amazing. I can't wait to go back for brunch!

Highly recommend Village Tavern. I also highly recommend our server Chloe. As a single mom, she made me feel so welcomed with my toddler and not so alone. She had personality from the very beginning through the end of meal experience. Everything from start to finish was perfection. The weather made for a perfect day on the patio as well. The brussel sprouts are a must and you have to at least have one of their amazing cocktails too. The bread was perfection and the I loved their kids menu. They stood out with it being different and having healthy options! Love village tavern. It truly is a perfect place for all occasions.

Let me start out by saying that the staff are TEN OUT OF FIVE stars - okay?! I went for the first time today, and Nicki (at the Bar), Nicky in the Back of House, and KC (i think?) at the bar were so so sweet, helpful, and as attentive as they could be - given how packed the bar/restaurant was. Nicki helped accommodate my special vegetarian request for the Thai chicken salad, and I appreciate her so, so much for putting in the extra time and effort, while the bar was packed and her and KC were the only ones back there ensuring everyone was catered to and checked in on. My salad was made with chicken at first, and although I assured not to worry, I could simply set the chicken aside - Nicki had it remade. The second time- I got basically a different salad, given that spring lettuce was not even an ingredient listed for it, and I was really disappointed to basically get a (mostly) green leaf salad with barely any veggies or anything else that was supposed to come with the thai salad. I told them not to worry, just drop the order - but Nicki (bar) and Nicky (BoH), although appearing visibly stressed given the volume of orders and patrons kept their cool and collected demeanor and did their best to ensure i had my salad, and it done correctly. The third time - the salad wasn't as it should have been (they informed me) because they ran out of 2 or 3 of the ingredients and they apologized. I honestly said not to worry, that I appreciate the extra time and trouble they put into it, and they helped accommodate the deficiency (like, ingredient wise...it was still a beautiful and stellar entrée imo) by asking me if I needed anything else. So my 4 star rating is moreso due to the kitchen running out of ingredients during peak dinner service (about 6pm) and order issues and long waiting time to be noticed by a staff member or get silverware - HOWEVER! This is an issue more on the corporate/managerial side, imo, because for the massive volume of customers -- your staff NEED help and you need to have enough of them to keep things flowing without causing staff to burn out or be split in too many ways at once; we are all human after all. And we also can't blame staff for ingredient shortages; the fact that they kept trying to correct the order issue(s) and offer additional supplementation/accommodation speaks volumes to the caring and diligent staff they have on hand. And can we PLEASE appreciate how the staff are able to tend to guests, keep calm and happy and be personable, and still care to provide the best service all while under such high pressure? I look forward to revisiting and comparing my initial experience. The food is fantastic- sure, pricey compared to your nearby Chopt or Five Guys....but it is a SCRATCH KITCHEN of high quality and freshest ingredients, and the portion sizes are fitting and flavor of *chef's kiss* quality. And everything is so beautifully and cleanly plated/presented. The drinks are also beautiful, unique, and tasty!!

We came here for our Sister Cousin outing. When I tell you we had the best time. Our waitress Madison was awesome! She knew the menu and gave us suggestions and was magnificent at her job. She was helped by Phillips who brought our drinks and was so pleasant during these trying times we are in. The bartender Heather was a pro (although pregnant) she made the best drinks we ever had! This place deserves 12 gazillion stars but Google would only let me give them 5! Madison, Phillips, and Heather you all ROCK!! Keep being great!

I’ve dined at Village Tavern in North Hills on several occasions, but this particular visit was exceptional and absolutely worth highlighting. From the moment we were seated, our server Emma made the experience memorable. She was warm, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable about the menu. Her genuine personality and attentive service were the perfect complement to a wonderful meal. It’s rare to find a server who strikes the perfect balance between friendliness and professionalism, but Emma nailed it. We started with appetizers for the table, and let me just say—Village Tavern knows how to kick off a meal. The Korean Fried Cauliflower was the perfect marriage of sweet and spicy with an irresistible crunch that had everyone reaching for more. We also shared the spring rolls, which were bursting with flavor. I decided to mix the peanut sauce with the sweet & sour sauce, and let me tell you—it was a game-changer! That combo was next-level delicious. One thing I’ve always appreciated about Village Tavern is their commitment to quality—everything is made in-house and from scratch, and you can truly taste the difference. For my entrée, I stuck with my go-to favorite: the Meatloaf. It’s hearty, comforting, and seasoned to perfection. The mashed potatoes were creamy and flavorful, and I always request extra gravy because, honestly, it ties everything together beautifully. Paired with a glass of Hearst Ranch Red Blend, it’s a combination that never misses. My dining companions were equally impressed. One ordered the pork chop, which was incredibly tender and packed with bold flavor. The chutney on top added just the right touch of sweetness and complexity. Another guest had the Braised Short Rib—not my personal favorite, but it was undeniably rich and flavorful. The carrots arrived slightly after the dish, but they were cooked perfectly and well worth the wait. Dessert was the cherry on top of an already incredible meal. The peanut butter pie was indulgently rich and sweet, while the warm butter cake stole the show and quickly became a table favorite. To top it all off, Village Tavern offers convenient parking directly below the restaurant, making the experience seamless from start to finish. You just park, take the escalator up, and you’re steps away from a fantastic dining experience. All in all, Village Tavern continues to impress, but this visit truly stood out. Exceptional service, scratch-made dishes, and a cozy yet upscale atmosphere make this a must-visit spot in North Hills. We’ll definitely be back—and next time, we’re asking for Emma again!

Can't believe it was my first time here but it definitely won't be my last! Miles was an amazing server! I love that he made great suggestions and anticipated our every need. The menu had everything sounding good, but I finally settled on the chicken and waffles, and they did not disappoint!! I added potatoes, and boy were they delicious! The food came fast, and we never had to wait for refills. Along with fresh and tasty food, the ambiance was everything! This is my new favorite brunch spot!

FIVE STARS for Village Tavern in North Hills! The food was excellent, the staff was friendly and professional, and the Midtown Raleigh location is hot! There’s so much to see and do while visiting this rebuilt, expanded, and revived section of North Carolina’s capital city. Dinner highlights included fried oysters, a Caesar salad with blackened salmon, classic shrimp and grits, and refreshing beverages. (See photos!)

Calamari was excellent. The vibe was so fun and just right! Menu has so many fantastic options we booked another reservation before even leaving. We highly recommend the Positano pizza and the trout!!