As prom quickly approaches, the night can’t begin without a delicious meal. Below we have compiled a list of the best places to eat for the night of prom, all relatively close to the Marriott City Center. 

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar

4208 Six Forks Rd Ste 100, Raleigh, NC 27609

919.784.0400

The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar is a popular, locally-owned restaurant located in North Hills. Just a quick 15-minute drive from this year’s venue, The Cowfish is the perfect place for prom dinner. They serve a variety of foods but are known for their fresh sushi and burgers, as stated in their name. The menu covers all foods from appetizers and entrees to desserts and drinks, perfect for prom. A wide range of accommodations are available, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. If the weather is nice, there is also outdoor covered seating available.

The Cowfish is moderately priced, ranging from $12-$30. Unfortunately, there are no reservations, but there is a new waitlist app instead, so make sure to plan ahead. The CapTrust parking garage is located next to the restaurant and is free to North Hills guests. The Cowfish is rated 4.6 stars on Google, with many reviews saying their experience was great. The restaurant features a large fish tank with a variety of animals. Overall, it is an enjoyable and upbeat vibe. I highly recommend The Cowfish Sushi Burger Bar to anyone looking for a fun meal before prom. 

Wonderland Kitchen and Cocktails 

222 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603

984.500.9498

Wonderland Kitchen and Cocktails is a cafe located on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, featuring delicious foods and drinks, perfect for prom. Located a short 8-minute drive from the prom venue, Wonderland Kitchen and Cocktails is a great place to eat. Most of their food consists of small entrees for a light meal before prom and their website describes the food as “farm-to-table creations with Latin American roots.” A large portion of their menu is dedicated to fun drinks. If you have any food restrictions, their website does not specifically mention anything about being gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan, so I would call in advance.

The prices range from about $11-$30 dollars, according to Yelp. There are also reservations available, but there is a maximum of 6 people per party. If you have a smaller prom group, Wonderland Kitchen and Cocktails is a great place to eat before the event. The entire restaurant has an upbeat energy and style. Many reviews on Google say that this is a wonderful restaurant, and I highly recommend checking it out. 

Seasons 52 

Seasons 52, 4325 Glenwood Ave Suite 2100, Raleigh, NC 27612

919.787.3052

Seasons 52 is a valid restaurant option for prom night with its relaxed, sophisticated and distinguished ambiance, and exceptional American fresh grill cuisine. It is located at Crabtree Valley Mall, so it’s just 16 minutes away from the prom venue. Also, being able to shop while waiting on your reservations is a substantial plus. Seasons 52 has seasonal menus with fruits and certain foods only available in that time frame. The professional chefs at Seasons 52 incorporate fresh ingredients into all of their courses. All of their food being brick oven roasted or oak-fire grilled makes it a naturally flavorful and lighter option for many. 

The most popular entree options include the Filet Mignon, Cedar Plank-Roasted Salmon and Wood-Grilled Shrimp & Grits. The desserts are also phenomenal, consisting of various flavors of mini indulgences: Belgian Chocolate S’Mores Mini, Cookies ‘N’ Cream Mini and Tiramisu Mini are just some of the options. Seasons 52 conveniently accepts reservations both online and from phone calls, however, it is important to note that for parties larger than 20, reservations should be made on the phone. 

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

4350 Lassiter at North Hills Ave, Raleigh, NC 27609

704.295.1919

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is an amazing restaurant choice to consider for the night of prom; it is American cuisine and a steakhouse with delicious desserts to end the course off in the right way with everything made from scratch. Their most popular food items consist of the center-cut sirloin with au poivre sauce, grilled scallops, baja shrimp pasta and filet mignon; there is also a delightful bread given before the food. Their famous dessert options to note are creme brulée cheesecake, chocolate cake and the five-layer lemon cake. 

Not to mention that their service is top notch and it is only 15 minutes away from the prom venue. Since it is located in North Hills, there are numerous other things to do while waiting for reservations, and individuals may enjoy the gorgeous views, especially during the nighttime. The atmosphere in the restaurant itself is astounding, comfortable, lively and pleasant. In 2021, Firebirds won the Diners’ Choice award, and the 2015 top 10 Fast Growing Chains. They accept reservations both online and over the phone, so hurry up and save a table or two! 

Taverna Agora

326 Hillsborough St. Raleigh, NC 27603

919.881.8333

Taverna Agora is a beautiful restaurant that serves delicious Greek cuisine from 11 am-11 pm on Saturdays, which is perfect for an after or before prom meal. Conveniently, this restaurant is only about 4-6 minutes away from the prom venue. This restaurant includes something for everyone in your group including seafood, pasta, salads, soups, meats and delicious spreads, while also accommodating vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free needs. Inside the dining area, it follows a farmhouse theme, but there is also rooftop dining available that is filled with beautiful greenery all around. Taverna Agora actually won best outdoor dining in January 2022, which is no surprise.

Taverna Agora is considered moderately expensive ranging from about $10-$30. Reservations are for 2-11+ people and parking is available on the street, and 301 Hillsborough St. parking is located right next to the restaurant. If you are not a reservations type of person, they do also offer walk in’s but you are seated on a first-come, first-served system. This restaurant has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating and is loved by many. If you have not been before, I highly suggest trying it out and exploring the Greek cuisine Taverna Agora is known for.

Winston’s Grille

6401 Falls of Neuse Rd. Raleigh, NC 27615

(919).790.0700

Winston’s Grille is a family business that has been around since 1986. This restaurant is elegant and a great place to have dinner on prom night, although it is about 18-20 minutes away from the prom venue. On Saturdays, Winson is open from 4 pm-10 pm, so it would be perfect for an early dinner. Winston’s offers American cuisine consisting of soups, salads, sushi, seafood, steak, burgers and chicken. This restaurant also provides vegetarian, vegan and dairy-free options. Winston’s takes reservations for 2-14 people, and for parties of 15 or more, you can reserve a private room. If you would like, outside seating is also available.

Although Winston’s is considered expensive, ranging from around $25-$45, it is definitely worth it and has a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Winston’s is well known for it’s delicious homemade ice cream and incredible service. I highly recommend trying this delicious American cuisine from Raleigh’s very own, Winston’s Grille.

The Capital Grille

4242 Six Forks Rd, Raleigh, NC 27609

(919) 787-3901

This beautiful restaurant is 15 minutes away from the Marriott City Center. Although, the drive is quite worth it due to the fact that they have complimentary valet parking for you and your friends. The Capital Grille is quite expensive to eat at though, with reviews citing meals costing $50-$100 per person. They serve a variety of high-class food, such as: oysters, steak and salmon.

However, the upside is that you can make reservations months in advance as well as being able to make a reservation for a group of up to 12 people, meaning the service can be tailored specifically to make private groups feel more prioritized. The service from all that can be seen is immaculate and fast. Mobile ordering and takeout is also available if preferred.

Sullivan’s Steakhouse

410 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC

(919) 833-2888

This immaculate two-story brick building houses tons of good food and drink under one roof. Plus, Sullivan’s is only about 8 minutes away from the Marriott City Center. The food is delicious and well-presented, as well as the restaurant features live music almost every Friday and Saturday night. The reservations accommodate up to 12 people and if you need to bring more than 12 people, they have private dining rooms with televisions,Wi-Fi and a variety of other amenities. 

Due to the atmosphere of the restaurant, it may also serve as a good place to take pictures. Even if you don’t feel like going in, you can do curbside pickup as well.

All in all, Sullivan’s Steakhouse is a venue with great food and music, as well as not being a tedious distance away from the prom location.

The Pit

328 W Davie St, Raleigh, NC 27601

(919) 890-4500

Barbecue and North Carolina go hand-in-hand, so this prom season The Pit is a restaurant that should be on all prom-goers’ radars. They’re a downtown Raleigh mainstay, and feature a menu full of delicious, freshly-made items. From the starters to the desserts, most diners would be sure to find an NC-inspired dish that not only tastes great but also features a great amount of food for the price.

For starters, tables are given hushpuppies and warm biscuits free of charge. They also offer a wide selection of appetizers, like chicken wings, fried mac n’ cheese and pimento cheese balls. In terms of entrees, barbecue is obviously the highlight. Items like beef brisket, pulled pork and ribs are all popular options. Those with more inspired taste buds can swing for something more unique, like their fried catfish or grilled shrimp skewers. There are also a number of vegan and gluten free options available. To go with the various entrees, numerous sides are available, and will come with the entree. Generally, their menu is very fairly priced considering the amount of food that comes with every order, with most meals ranging from $15 to $25.

Aside from the food, The Pit features a relatively upscale yet slightly rustic establishment. They take reservations online or over the phone, and also have the option for private dining for large groups. Their location is only three minutes away from the prom venue by car, and a mere nine-minute walk, with the total distance between the two locations being just 0.4 of a mile away. With the location being so close, coupled with its fantastic menu and great flexibility for large parties, makes The Pit a very compelling option for any and all prom-goers this year.

Farina Neighborhood Italian

8450 Honeycutt Rd #100, Raleigh, NC 27615

(919) 890-0143

When it comes to finding something everyone can enjoy, Italian food is typically a go-to option for many people when looking for somewhere to eat, and Farina Neighborhood Italian is no exception. Their menu encompasses a broad range of authentic Italian dishes, from staples like spaghetti and meatballs and wood-fired pizzas, to unique dishes like seafood pasta, so finding something for everything in the group to enjoy won’t be hard.

Farina differentiates itself from many local Italian restaurants in the authenticity of their food. Instead of making a number of generic pasta dishes and calling it “authentic” Italian food, they offer a number of more traditional dishes, like Pesto Primavera and Bolognese, alongside more simple offerings. They also have a number of great sharable entrees, ranging from bruschetta to calamari. To top things off, they offer numerous desserts, like tiramisu, cheesecake and cannolis. At Farina, there truly is something on the menu for everyone.

The atmosphere in Farina is rather upscale, featuring a dim dining room with various paintings on the walls. Reservations are only available to parties of 5 or more, and can be made over the phone. Pricing depends on the dish, but expect to spend $25 or more per person. They are located in Lafayette Village, off Falls of Neuse Rd and is about 25 minutes, or a10 mile drive, away from Raleigh Marriott City Center, where prom will be held. This may be a bit of a drive, but getting out of the bustle of downtown to an excellent dining experience is worth it.