Date nights are a time-honored tradition in The Grant house and have made quite the evolution in our time together. In recent years, we have taken a more progressive approach to date nights (as seen here), so I wanted to share some of our favorite places to visit for a Raleigh date night. Try them out and let us know which one is your favorite!
This post was originally written in 2020 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2023.
The Perfect Raleigh Date Night Itinerary in 3 Raleigh Neighborhoods
Date Night Itinerary in Raleigh’s Moore Square
Mood: Looking for a casual, yet hip night out? Head to Moore Square for a great wine bar, a delicious dumpling restaurant, and for a great bar for a nightcap!
The Hippo Wine Bar: The Hippo is a new spot in the area and offers great options for wine and beer. Their staff is friendly and offer recommendations for new wines to try given your preferences. They also offer a great selection of beer. Start your night off here! My personal favorite wine I’ve had here recently was the Brut Grüner!
MOFU Shoppe: Walk down the street to MOFU Shoppe for the best dumplings you can imagine. The space is absolutely beautiful and I love their patio dining option as well! Order their bulgogi and chicken & ginger dumplings. The kimchi tots, brussels sprouts, and MOFU rice bowl are all nice options. I definitely love to go here and split a lot of smaller plates!
Amorino: Finish your night with gelato from Amorino right in City Market. This artisanal gelato spot is a great option for building your personalized dessert with all of the flavor options available. Bonus that the presentation is stunning!
Date Night Itinerary in Raleigh’s Oakwood
Mood: Person St. is one of the hippest spots in Raleigh right now with some of the best places in town. While this area is home to delicious restaurants, including Crawford and Sons & Jolie, one of our favorite date nights is low-key with some of our favorite dishes in a cozy, friendly environment.
Champagne & French Fry Window at Jolie: So, this hidden gem offers champagne, beer, and other cocktails at its walk-up window. They also serve up the best fries in Raleigh (yeah, I said it). In addition, they are currently offering desserts, including an ice cream sandwich. Keep an eye on their Instagram for any new features that they may be adding throughout the year.
The Station at Person Street: The Station is one of our very favorite spots in Raleigh. We’ve celebrated David winning a state championship, getting our marriage license, and other smaller milestones here because we just love the vibe so much. The patio is one of my favorite spots year-round because of the fireplaces and the greenery. Order the bacon habanero pimento cheese dip!
Oakwood Pizza Box: David is a pizza connoisseur and Oakwood Pizza Box is his favorite pizza place in Raleigh. We love their pepperoni pizza: David loves their pizza because the small pepperonis reminded him of the pizzas served in Buffalo while I love it because of the fresh basil that the pies are topped with. We also love their takeout option of a pie and a 6 pack.
Krispy Kreme: If you still have room (and even if you don’t!), stop and get a hot donut from Krispy Kreme right on the corner of Peace Street. You can’t go wrong with this North Carolina classic!
Date Night Itinerary on Raleigh’s Wilmington St.
Mood: If you’re in the mood for a laid-back, quintessential Raleigh date night, this is the itinerary for you! Park in a parking deck on Wilmington St. and walk up and down the street hitting some of your favorites.
Raleigh Times: Start here and grab a beer and an order of fried mozzarella. If it’s nice out, head up to the rooftop. If not, cozy up at one of the bars and enjoy the history of the building and the energy of a true Raleigh staple.
St. Roch Fine Oysters: I cannot come to Wilmington Street without stopping at St. Roch for pimento’d oysters and pomme frites. Next time, I’ll try a fried oyster slider, too. While David doesn’t eat oysters, he’ll get on board for the pimiento cheese appetizer that’s on the bar snacks menu.
Beasley’s Chicken and Honey: Split the fried chicken and waffles for your entree at Beasley’s. If you’re not pimento’d out (I mean, how is that possible?), order the pimento mac and cheese to share as well.
Gallo Pelón: If you’re not quite ready to call it a night, head up to Gallo Pelón for a nightcap. Their outdoor patio is a lovely spot, but their bar area is a great spot to hang out as well.
Where are your favorite spots for Raleigh date nights? Let me know in a comment below!
