Posted on May 15, 2017

DiRoNA Achievement of Distinction in Dining

Now approaching our 20th year of operation, Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern is proud to be the recipient of the AAA Four Diamond Award since 2004 (and Raleighs only recipient), the recipient of the DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award since 2005 and the recipient of the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence since 1999. Second Empire is the Ultimate Dining Experience in an Elegant yet Relaxed Atmosphere! Located downtown Raleigh in the elegantly restored Dodd-Hinsdale House (circa 1879), Second Empire combines history, atmosphere, and gourmet cuisine for an unforgettable dining experience.

We suggest beginning your evening with a cocktail or glass of wine in our rocking chairs on the front porch. You will then be seated in one of our main dining rooms. Formal, yet maintaining a relaxed ambience, Second Empire features wide, arched passages, fireplaces, 14 foot ceilings and an abundance of windows. Each dining room comfortably seats up to 50 people.

If you are looking for a more informal setting, you may ask to be seated in our Tavern where you will be able to select from either the main dining room menu or our Tavern menu. The Tavern is surrounded by exposed brick walls for a cozy dining experience. The Tavern Bar is the perfect setting to meet friends for drinks after work. Be sure to sample the latest beers on tap or have the bartender fix you the best martini to ever pass your lips!

Second Empire is the perfect setting for an elegant wedding ceremony, in or outdoors, reception, rehearsal dinner and bridal luncheons. We can assist a bride with her photography, flowers, entertainment as well as the food and service to make her day as seamless as possible.

For corporate gatherings and other special group occasions, Second Empire provides four private dining rooms: The Pine Room, The Raleigh Room, The Capitol Room and The Atrium. Located upstairs on the main dining floor, The Pine Room can seat up to 40 people. It features walls paneled with North Carolina pine and French doors that open out onto the back porch. The Raleigh Room and the Capitol Room are located downstairs on the Tavern level and feature exposed brick walls and arched brick doorways. Seating in either of these rooms can be set up as one large square table, two long tables or 2, 4 or 6 top arrangements. The Raleigh Room can seat up to 25 people and The Capitol Room, which also features a lighted carved glass art piece of the State Capitol, can seat up to 25 people. The Atrium can seat up to 50 people. Audio-Visual and wireless internet access are available in all four rooms.