Herons

A Serendipitous Birthday Discovery – Exceptional Service and Drinks Typically, my wife and I visit a specific Michelin-starred destination for her birthday, but a busy schedule led us here this year—and it turned out to be a fantastic pivot. This restaurant has officially earned its spot as our second-favorite birthday tradition, trailing only The Modern in NYC. The "Martini Test" We arrived early for pre-dinner cocktails, which is where I put the bar to the test. I always order a cucumber martini as a benchmark for the bartender’s skill; in three years of searching, only three places have truly nailed it. This bar is now the fourth. Shawn is a master of his craft—the drink was balanced and refreshing. Service & Atmosphere The transition to the dining room was seamless. The staff greeted us with genuine warmth, making us feel immediately at home. What impressed me most was the seamless teamwork. If our server, Jonathan, was busy, the rest of the team stepped in without hesitation to clear plates or attend to our needs. That level of ego-free collaboration is rare and wonderful to witness. Only adjustment I would be to shorten the time between courses. The Verdict The atmosphere was refined yet comfortable, with a perfect noise level that allowed for easy conversation. • Food: 8.5/10 (See my individual dish ratings in the photos) • Service: 10/10 (Jonathan was stellar) • Ambiance: 10/10 We will definitely be returning. If you value attentive service and a world-class bar program, this is the place to be.

We had an incredible experience at Herons for our 5 year Anniversary dinner. From the moment we sat down, the staff made us feel genuinely welcome and taken care of. We chose the chef’s five-course tasting menu, and every single course was a work of art—beautifully presented, perfectly balanced, and full of creativity. Each dish felt thoughtful and intentional, and the pacing of the meal was spot-on. The service was attentive but never rushed, and every staff member seemed to take real pride in what they do. The calm, elegant setting made it even more enjoyable—it felt like an escape. Herons is easily one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had in North Carolina. A perfect place for a special occasion or simply to treat yourself to something unforgettable.

My husband and I went to Herons to celebrate our elopement, and it was the most incredible food experience that we’ve ever had. We did the chef’s tasting menu, so each of the courses was a complete surprise. I don’t eat seafood, but the chef was able to modify my courses to be seafood-free. Everything was fresh and very delicious. Highly recommend!

Excellent place for lunch . The dishes were quite amazing specially the ramen bowl. The dessert at the end was delicious and unique. The seasonal drinks are spectacular.

This restaurant is just Zen. Ask to sit outside if you like sitting outside on the terrace. Especially for breakfast. The early morning sun and air, the trees, the greenery. I am jealous. I would want a terrace like this at home. The service could be improved, we were seated promptly but it took a while for someone to take our order. We were dying for a cup of coffee. Once we got the attention the service was great. Breakfast was huge, the toast was some display. I was expecting just a piece of toast with toppings. It was a surprise. I am looking forward to visit again, stay at the Umstead and have dinner at Herons.

We had an exceptional meal at Herons! I’ve gotta say, everything hit the mark at this place. Each dish was thoughtfully curated, beautifully presented, and extremely creative. The service was friendly and perfectly attentive without ever feeling overbearing. The atmosphere was elegant yet inviting, making the entire experience feel really special. This place is a true gem and a classic go-to for a romantic date night, an anniversary dinner, or any celebration where you want everything to be just right. My only critique is that the chairs and carpet feel a bit outdated, but it didn’t take away from the overall experience. This place is still a standout and well worth a visit.

Stayed at the Umstead for our Honeymoon. The food was delicious. Fantastic service for both breakfast and dinner. Very small portions but it’s just perfect amount truly. It’s an experience worth the price tag.

The seating, artwork, and lighting created an intimate cozy ambience that brought a nature theme to the meal. Even the utensils with the wood on the handles created that feel. The servers were friendly and knowledgable about each dish. I even had some fun conversations about with two other servers with the same name that I have, which is rare. The plating and presentation was beautiful and creative for the tasting menu. There was a fresh summer theme interwove throughout the meal with the brightness of the colors and the refreshing feeling of each dish. The flavors were balanced nicely and created depths of flavor. We've been to Michelin one star restaurants and this restaurant's food and presentation fits right in with the rest of them. I would be surprised if this restaurant doesn't get a Michelin star later this year as it surely deserves it. Highly recommend this restaurant and it definitely is one of the, if not, the best restaurant in the Carolinas!

I am super behind on my reviews for 2024, but as one of my New Year's resolutions, I will try to do my Yelp reviews regularly. Aside from that, I already planned to do this one ASAP as it was an amazing dinner. I am not sure how I found out about Herons in the first place, but I assume I was looking for Michelin-star-like restaurants in North Carolina as the tire company has not yet ranked anything in North Carolina. As it turns out, Herons, along with the Umstead Hotel and Spa that it resides in, is only one of 64 places in the WORLD with a Forbes Five-Star rating in addition to a AAA Five-Diamond rating. I originally booked a date night reservation with my wife but had to cancel the initial day. Luckily, I saw there were seats available for the New Year's Eve menu and my parents were still around to babysit the kids. The first course were six oysters with tapioca pearls, ossetra caviar, and champange sabayon. The combination of the tapioca pearls and caviar gave it this perfect blend of crunchiness and chewiness. The second course was lobster, crispy rice cake, sea buckthorn, and an ahi dolce curry. The curry was amazing and paired with the lobster perfectly. Not all of the rice cake was crispy, but still worked out great with the crunchy and chewy combination. This was my favorite of the night, aside from the main entree. Next, we had quail with truffle mouse, chestnut polenta, pear, and madeira jus. While I don't remember details of this dish, I do remember I liked it and the meat fell off the bone. Finally, we get to the main entree of A5 wagyu with asian pear, scallion, cucumber kimchi, fried rice, and galbi. Being an A5 wagyu, there was defintely a lot of nice intramuscular fat marbling to add a ton of flavor. The mini roll of galbi was a nice touch for visual appeal and flavor. If all that wasn't enough, then came dessert of Ecuadorian white chocolate, passionfruit, and champange ice cream bars followed by some more sweet bites. All in all, it was a great experience and despite having to cancel the first reservation, things probably ended up for the better.

I've been here three times now, and I can officially say that this is one of my all-time favorite restaurants! The presentation is so impressive, the dishware is unique, and most importantly, the food is always delicious. I love that they have their own farm so that they can showcase all their seasonal produce too. My favorite bite was the scallop this time, and it wasn't even my entree (big mistake). It's one of the best scallops I've ever had; I wish they gave you five more. My second favorite bite was the duck confit corndog. The presentation was so creative - it really did look like a cattail. For the desserts, our server said that the glassware was custom made to match the colors of the painting behind us. You can just tell that they put so much thought into every single detail here. The bread courses are also amazing! I've dreamed about their bread, and I'm not even a big bread person. This is a great special occasion restaurant in the Raleigh area, and I'm definitely coming here whenever I visit NC!

Herons was amazing. It lived up to the hype. This is one of my top two restaurants in the Triangle. The other is Fearrington House in Pittsboro. When it comes to fine dining, these are among the best in North Carolina. That said, they're expensive and not everyday restaurants. (For "everyday" restaurants in the Triangle, a couple of my top picks are M Sushi in Durham and Tesoro in Carrboro). My wife preferred Herons to Fearrington House. For me, it's a push. She thought Herons had both better food and service. Food-wise, she thought the dishes at Herons were better composed and balanced. Service-wise, she felt the staff at Herons, from our bartender to the hostess to our server and the food runners, were warmer and provided more seamless service. Regardless, both places deliver exceptional dining experiences. I've dined at six Michelin-star restaurants to date (I'm not saying that to humble-brag, I'm saying it to give context) and I think Herons is Michelin-star quality. It's on that level. When the Michelin Guide hit Atlanta in 2023, I correctly predicted several of the restaurants that got stars. While the Michelin Guide hasn't covered North Carolina yet, Herons still has impressive accolades. I saw 2024 Forbes Travel Guide Five Stars and 2020 AAA Five Diamond awards during our visit. Herons is located inside the Umstead Hotel and Spa, a luxury hotel and spa situated just off I-40 exit 287 (Harrison Ave). For parking, you can use the hotel valet or self-park for free in the dedicated lot off Woodland Pond Dr. Use OpenTable to book your reservation. Unlike Fearrington House, which I also booked via OpenTable, Herons awarded dining points. I used OpenTable's messaging system to communicate with Herons staff and make a change to our reservation. It worked well. Herons serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. My wife and I had a 7pm reservation on a Saturday. We showed up early and had drinks at the Umstead's Bar & Lounge. It was really nice (the entire property was) and set the tone for what turned into a magnificent evening. The Bar & Lounge was busy before and after our dinner. The Umstead is a happening place. For dinner, we went with Herons' standard four-course prix fixe dinner at $170 per person. For comparison, four courses at Fearrington House was $150 per person. Both offer $100 drink/wine pairings and supplements for certain courses. Both also offer more elaborate tasting menus. At Herons, it's the "Art Tour," consisting of 8-15 courses at $250 per person. We got to choose from 4-5 selections for each course. My wife and I chose different things for each course so we could try many dishes. Here's what we got: Cocktails * Lilac ($16) - Cathead vodka, creme de violette, blueberry, lychee, yuzu * Ruby cocktail ($16) - Lunazul Reposado, rhubarb, One Oak Farm beets, citrus Non-Alcoholic Infusions * Drinking Vinegars - Strawberry-Basil ($8) Before First * English pea macarons with creme fraiche and Siberian caviar * Buckwheat baguettes and butter from Marietta, Georgia First * Oyster - poached, Charleston Gold Rice, Champagne Sabayon * Wagyu - asparagus, egg sauce, finger lime, kosho, sauce Japonaise Before Second * Chef's play on bacon, eggs and toast; quail eggs, bacon mousse, edible nest * Chive croissants with garlic butter Second * Egg - 62-degree egg, One Oak grits, mushroom, Iberico ham, shrimp. * Foie Gras ($20 supplement) - strawberries, sudachi, salted Marcona almond creme; Carolina pineberries Before Entrees * Duck confit corn dogs, made to look like cattails * Milk bread with honey butter Entrees * Tuna - ossetra, miso, chive, Meyer lemon, brown butter dashi * Beef - two styles (strip steak and short rib), farm carrots, sea buckthorn puree, Shaoxing sauce Before Dessert * Elderflower pickled rhubarb, lime (and other ingredients I forgot) * French press decaf coffee (large, $9) Dessert * Honey - milk ganache, kataifi, orange blossom, nitro labneh, bee pollen * Cheese - Fromager d'Affinois espuma, air baguette, mostarda, English peas After Dessert Gifts * Dark chocolate, yuzu gummies with blueberry centers, housemade Red Hots, and caramels The four-course was an "art tour" itself. It was truly a culinary adventure with neat surprises along the way. And for those wondering, we left the restaurant completely stuffed. The timing and attention to detail was almost impeccable. For example, the butters that accompanied the bread courses were consistently themed. The garlic butter that came with the croissants looked like leaves and the honey butter that came with the milk bread looked like honeycomb. The quail eggs in the edible nest and the duck confit corn dog cattails were creative and fun. The 62-degree egg was served in/with wooden bowls and a wooden spoon rest made from fallen trees on the property. The dishes were unique and the flavors and textures were superb. The entire Herons and Umstead staff were terrific, including our fantastic server Mike.

Herons is an upscaled restaurant, the ambience is very elegant, the deco is stylish, and service is excellent. Food is also great. I have been to this restaurant three times. Each time I enjoyed their food, service and ambiance. This time, we had an Asian themed lunch, which greatly exceeded all our expectations. I hope Herons continues with this tradition and offers other ethical cuisines Like Indian, Spanish or Mediterranean.

Finally got to check out Herons at the The Umstead Hotel and Spa. I was able to snag a reservation for the fully booked Christmas evening with my son. The restaurant was nicely decorated for the season. Very warm and cozy. I was warned that it was going to be pricey but the talent of the kitchen and staff is a standout. We had the prix fixe dinner without the wine pairing and we absolutely enjoyed it. The food was so tasty and plated like works of art. I highly recommend this place for that special occasion.

Heron's never disappoints! We had the chefs tasting menu this evening and both the food and service was incredible. The only small critique I have is that the food was all very similar in texture - it would have been really nice to have some crispy elements in some of the courses.

Ambiance: Herons is an upscale restaurant with beautiful artwork and views of carefully manicured landscape surrounding the Umstead Hotel. Service: The service at Herons is exceptional. You are seated promptly with a team of employees who are constantly refilling water, delivering food, explaining the dishes, and catering to all of your dining needs. Food: The food at Herons can best be described as a twist between southern and Asian inspired cuisine using seasonal ingredients. There are intersectional flavors in all of their dishes. The signature Egg appetizer was the chefs version of grits with a delicious egg and truffle. The oysters were unbelievably flavorful. With the waiter telling us they where obtained exactly at 11:30am that same morning from the coast. The quail eggs in edible birds nets where an artistic treat. The wagyu appetizer was tender, delicious, and paired beautifully with the asparagus. The halibut was cooked to perfection with a fluffy texture and decadent flavor. The menu is carefully crafted and is worth the price. We cannot wait to come back again!

I've never felt more fancy in my life. I mean my wedding was nice but this was fancy! From having our chairs pushed in, warm towels, and being called Ms. all night hit me in the feels. We did the four course option with wine pairing. Add the wine pairing! Don't want to ruin all the surprises for you but yes it is worth it. It's all worth it. Never a want was wanted during this meal. My friends asked if left hungry. No bestie I left perfectly content with all things in my life. Service was beyond lavish. All members of my dinner from our waiter, magic water fairie, Tim the sommelier, and hostess made the experience.

Best of the best all around! Food quality, presentation, atmosphere, and service all incredible. Such a special experience!

Only go if you are truly a foodie. We went for our anniversary and loved our food and the service. The presentations were works of art. This is the best restaurant in the area. We had gone once before for brunch, but the dinner is over the top amazing. I have gone to many Michelin star restaurants and this is about as close as you can get to one in NC.The prices are high but if you want the quality of service, presentation, and food, it is what you need to pay. I have never had elk before, and honestly this dish is better than beef. Coco rub, roasted pear, chestnut polenta, and white port. Though you have either 3 or 4 courses to choose from, there are so many extras that you get, so it is a huge, multi course delight.

My fiance and I decided to get fancy for our anniversary and go to Herons. We went to the dinner service from 7pm and left around 9pm. The service was excellent and we had a wonderful time. I was surprised we left dinner feeling full as the plates were small but between our meals we were offered different tasting plates. I liked the ambiance and staff at Herons but the food was average. There were some weird flavors and textures that were unappealing, especially the egg (second course). We enjoyed our time and paid a big bill for a fun night out but we wouldn't go back anytime soon.

My wife and I came for lunch on a Wednesday, so even though we had a reservation, I don't think we would have had to wait long to be seated without a reservation. After we ordered, we were given two types of bread to start - a savory and a sweet bread, both of which were delicious. As an appetizer, we received a compressed cucumber with a mango salsa "compliments of the chef" (I think all tables received it that day), which was interesting - it had good flavor and while the cucumber was soaked / compressed, it still retained a crunchy texture. I ordered the Chirashi, which included salmon, hamachi, avocado, pickled vegetables, tempura battered seaweed, and rice. It was all very clean and the flavors and textures all complemented each other well. The tempura battered seaweed was actually my favorite part of the dish - it had a crispy texture and just the right amount of batter. The salmon and hamachi were both fresh and tender, and the pickled vegetables were the perfect combination of sweetness, acidity, and texture. My wife ordered the Fried Flounder, which came with a tea leaf salad, cabbage, rice, and herb aioli. Her flounder was also perfectly battered and the fish itself was tender and moist. The creamy aioli paired really well with the fish. The service was top-notch - very attentive, helpful, and prompt. And the lunch prices are less than the dinner prices, for good quality food and reasonable portion size.

Okay I've died and gone to heaven! Finally had a Heron's 4-course (which is really more than 4) dinner experience. And I do mean experience! Spoiled, pampered, luxurious. I felt like we were experiencing the finale of a Top Chef competition (or what I have imagined that to be like). You pick four courses (current price is $155 for the four), plus in my case I added on the $100 wine pairing which is four half glasses of wines chosen for each course. Service is impeccable with perfection pacing. In addition to our four courses, we were treated to other small (but powerful) surprises including three different small warm delicious breads with their individual butters. There were other treats also like an amuse bouche that was a savory macaron, quail eggs stuffed with something amazing and even special little "corn dogs". There's fun, there's whimsical, all to keep you entertained and amazed in between being dazzled by the chosen courses. Mine included crab two ways, one of which was like a very memorable bao bun and the other was a small dish of savory sea urchin custard. Then there was the perfect scallop topped with caviar, surrounded by onion petals with a warm flavorful dashi poured over. Followed by a rich yet delicate Turbo for me and a fabulous Filet for Husband. We chose different desserts as well...his being a more savory one, while mine was apple. By the time they brought more surprise birthday sweets, we could only have them packaged up to take to the room, cause we couldn't do another bite. Best part of it all for me was when I asked if Chef Steven Devereaux Greene was there, he made an appearance and I got my pic with him! I might have even cried a bit cause to me the highest form of celebrities are brilliant Chefs. Deepest thanks to all the hard workers who have perfected their craft to give us such a memorable experience. Also note we enjoyed drinks earlier at the bar at Heron's and had a delightful experience there as well. Husband's new favorite bourbon drink is their Fairview!

This place is fancy with fantastic service but food is average but not excellent unfortunately. I came here 2 years ago but now revisiting, I think the food lacks flavor and portion is small for the cost. I had three types of pancakes, but while eating them, I was thinking Cracker Barrel has better pancakes ;( I had some bacon, which tasted like any other bacon. You would think they would have their own flare to it. The lobster roll was cold, which I don't mind, but did not wow my tastebuds. They really need to work on the flavors- not just presentation. The cookies were a lovely surprise for my dad. The service is really thoughtful. Therefore, it does deserve high marks for that.

Everything was top tier from start to finish! The ambiance is very dim with beautiful art to complement the space! The food was immaculate and would happily go back again!

This is an amazing and immersive experience for sure! The service was so attentive and each course was almost better than the last. My husband and I also enjoyed the wine flight with dinner and it was well-worth it!

I went here for a random lunch to treat myself to a good meal. They have a good amount of lunch options. I chose the soup and sandwich which is a mushroom soup and a grilled cheese. The food was very good. The service was the stand out of the experience. It was the best service I've ever had. They ask for your name and greet you and speak to you by name. They cleared every dish right after I finished it. They brought out bread and a smoothie and said it was complements of the chef. That just added an extra allure to the experience. Each item was filled with flavor. I love how beautiful the restaurant is and the big windows where you can see the trees. I'd love to come back for dinner sometime because I can only imagine how elevated the food is. I tried the espresso dessert and it was delicious. I've been here for high tea and that was fun as well. I'm gonna try to convince my husband to put dinner on the books soon!

Great restaurant. Terrific food and service. I am never disappointed at Heron's. From appetizers to desert the meal and ambience is excellent.

The food was so artistic and something that we've never had. Definitely enjoyed the experience and food. The flavors were phenomenally delicious. The service was truly top notch and everyone was on top of their game. Nothing sat too long on the table without someone picking up our empty plates. The ambience was so inviting which helped complete the 5-star experience. Great job to the Chef, staff and everyone involved!!!!

Everything was giving class we did the 4 course meal worth every penny. The food tasted good everything. They explained everything as they bring it out customer service is very top notch

First time I've visited in 8+ years but still a good experience and doesn't feel tired. Started with the tomato salad, which was good but not incredible (the tomatoes were not as flavourful as I would have liked). What really excelled was the salmon, I'm not a huge salmon fan but this was incredible, probably the best salmon I've ever had.

If you want to be treated like royalty go here ! The absolute best dining experience we've ever had and we are foodies! Unlike most restaurants that have paced courses, these portions were generous with lots of surprises and treats between each course. The food was absolutely stunning with unmatched flavors you can't get anywhere else. The service was choreographed perfectly. I recommend going with the wine pairings as well - these were great wines with an extremely knowledgeable sommelier. Atomosphere was amazing as well and although busy the volume of the restaurant was not too loud at all. Well worth the price tag we will be back.

Absolutely phenomenal establishment. This Michelin star restaurant Blew my mind. We were in town for a wedding and decided to have brunch here before the ceremony which was later on. You definitely need a reservation here as it's always packed. It is located at the Umpstead hotel. Upon Walking in, guests are transported into calm, romantic vibe/atmosphere with a lady playing the harp just by the entrance. Talk about an entrance. Scott was our server and he was a delight. He also remembered that it was one of our parties birthday and brought complimentary dessert for her. Fantastic guy. I had the french toast, biscuits and smoked bacon, and I truly truly enjoyed every last bite. My friends had the açaí bowl, steak and eggs with fries and everyone's plates were pretty cleaned up. Definitely not cheap, but we'll worth the price. My only regret is not taking a picture of the harp being played.

Herons is located in the Umstead Hotel. It has won many dining awards over the years. It is a Five Star restaurant according to Forbes. The service was outstanding as was the decor and the food. Bread was brought to the table. I went with the Filet Mignon which was cooked perfectly. It came with mushrooms and spinach. For dessert, I went with the chocolate torte. This was also delicious. All the dishes that came out of the kitchen were strategically placed on the plate to make it look beautifully. Valet parking is available or you can park in the self parking lot and walk among the landscaped walkway. Herons is a great place to dine if you are looking for a great meal.

How could you not give this place five stars? I have eaten at many fine dining restaurants and a couple of Michelin star restaurants. This place is not just a restaurant, but an EXPERIENCE. We had the four course meal. I consider myself to have a pretty experienced palette but these choices blew my mind. Every course has an amuse bouche. And a bread course with its own specific butter. I noticed every different dish was plated uniquely, meaning different plate styles for each course and offering. New silverware for every course. At each presentation of something new to the table, the staff would explain every part of each dish, bread, butter, everything. I was very impressed. I believe the menu offerings change regularly, but I will say my favorite of the evening was maybe one of the most simple - the salmon tartare. The beef filet was very tender and tasty, nothing super unique but nothing to complain about. I did not care for the Foie Gras dish. I do usually love this, and the description sounded so unique and our servo mentioned it was the most artistic dish they had at the time. It was too sweet and not savory. Too much fruity mixed and it was not for me. But the plate was beautiful. I didn't love that I had a conversation with our server about making the decision and the Foie Gras, and he sold me with his words, but failed to mention that it was a $20 up-charge. It was likely in the menu somewhere and my bad for missing that, but also I assumed that the total cost of the meal included 1 choice from each section. I feel that if there is a dish in one of the 4 sections of choices that is not included in the set price - it should be very noticeable. And the server should verify the guest understands it is an extra cost. Our server was really great about it and removed it from the bill. I didn't mind paying the $20, just wish it wasn't a surprise for me, my fault or not.

Grand ambiance and delightful plates , delivered with personable service that made my birthday extra special! I hope to return and experience a different season, otherwise death by decadence becomes me! A table for four, sharing ensued. My favorite dish was the beef carpaccio, absolutely lovely presentation and delicious flavors. All hail the chive scone!! With all the local artwork, I wish the dinnerware was locally sourced... So glad I left my card ;)

After trying out "fine dining" I've decided that fine dining might not be my palette. The food was pretty good but for the price, there are definitely other places around the triangle that are more worth it. Some of the food that we tried was overly salted, although I did like the crab chawanmushi. The experience overall was good.

Best Dinner experience of my life! My sister and I had our Birthday Dinner @ Heron's in Cary, North Carolina while staying at the Umstead Spa and Resort. We had the world tour dinner. The menu was so good that I couldn't make up my mind. I ask the Chef to decide. Smart move! We were blown away by the 4+ courses he selected for us. This is a once in a lifetime experience. They have acres of farm land so each dish is not just farm to table, it's an original piece of artwork. My compliments to the Chef. Well Done Heron

I came here for Sunday brunch to celebrate my sister's birthday and the food did not disappoint! Service was amazing and our server Cameron was always ready to answer any questions we had about the menu. He also included some complimentary fresh juice shots which was a mix of cantaloupe and some other fruits but overall it was really refreshing. For the entree, I ordered the steak and eggs which were super tender and tasty, and the eggs cooked to perfection. For desert, we ordered the richest and lightest thing on the menu which was the sundae and the melon sorbet. They also offered complimentary cookies to celebrate my sister's birthday and these cookies were amazing and the perfect size! Everything was equally delicious and satisfying. The restaurant wasn't too busy during our visit and the interior was beautiful. Overall, it was a very pleasant brunch experience. Can't wait to try to the lunch and dinner menu next!

What an experience. I highly recommend coming here at least once to understand what everyone is talking about when they say this is a fantastic restaurant. The ambiance, the service and the food created an unforgettable adventure. Our meal ended up taking 3 hours, so come prepared to make a night of this experience. Another thing to keep in mind; if you go to the restroom, they will not bring out a course until everyone is seated again, and sometimes will have to re-do a course if it is ready and any guests are not at the table. My husband and I had reservations on a Friday night at 7pm. The restaurant was already full, and though we got in luckily on a recent cancellation, I know you usually have to reserve at Herons well in advance, especially on weekend evenings. We were seated promptly and our waiter was ready to give us an introduction to the restaurant, offer drink recommendations and answer any questions we had about the menu (and we had a few). Don't be shy! The servers are so knowledgeable about the entire menu, and it showed with our waiter. They come around with a breadbasket and offer a selection of bread for you to choose from. We each got all the different kinds, but our favorite was the mini corn bread. The butter with the salt on top was delicious. They also bring you little tasting plates throughout your meal, so even if it may take some time in between courses, they keep you satiated. First Course: Me: Hamachi - cucumber, kohlrabi, sea beans, smoked roe, butter dashi Him: Oyster - poached, charleston gold rice stew, champagne sabayon Second Course: Me: Egg - 62° egg, one oak grits, mushroom, iberico ham, shrimp (shaved truffles $20 addition, which was worth it) Him: Foie Gras - crispy milk, fermented cocoa, carolina peach, corn cake Third Course: Me: Special Him: Beef - potato squash casserole, black truffle, house made steak sauce Fourth Course: Me: Chocolate - jivara, sweet corn cream, crème fraîche, meringue, cocoa veil Him: Kakigori - cachaça, lime, honeydew melon, green shiso, coconut custard All of our courses we really enjoyed and were able to share with each other. We expected smaller portions but left feeling full and content. We will definitely be back, possibly to try their Fall menu!

This may be the best restaurant in North Carolina. I am really surprised they have not earned a Michelin star.

Wow wow and wow. I celebrated my 39th birthday with dinner at Herons and all I can say is WOW. I was a little saddened by the rain today and had to switch my outfit, but the rain let up and I was still able to wear heels. I arrived early to check out the property and snap a few photos. What a lovely property. The atmosphere is out of this world, the closest sanctuary I have ever experienced. The service was equally amazing. I'm accustomed to a knowledgeable server, however; there was a rotation of equally pleasant and knowledgeable servers to present my 4 course dinner and multiple house made breads/butters and other additions added to my meal as a birthday token. Oh.... The warm lightly scented hand towel to cleanse my hands prior to my meal was indeed up as well. I was so delighted with this experience. I was u able to book the spa massage as they are booked out until July, but I am really happy. I look forward to returning in July for my massage. Unika B. & Co.

Where do I begin.... My family had quite a bit of milestones this year but due to pandemic conditions and restrictions, we were unable to celebrate any of them. Mother's Day was slowly approaching and I heard that Herons had re-opened for fine dining, so I thought yes, we can go there for brunch. Unfortunately, we found out the week of Mother's Day that we were all exposed to the Covid virus which then resulted in positive test results......so much for that idea........When we were all healthy again, I decided to do something special to celebrate all of the missed milestone achievements (3 birthdays, 2 graduations - High School and College, and Mother's Day). It was due time for us to have a well-deserved combined celebration and where better to do it than to book a few nights stay at The Umstead Hotel and Spa Resort. Dinner at Herons: We made reservations to have dinner at Herons on our second night stay at the resort. We got dressed in our formal wear and went down to the restaurant. We were greeted with a lovely smile and professionalism and escorted to our table immediately. There we met our absolutely fabulous server, Carlos; he was assisted by Mandy I believe. Carlos is an excellent and knowledgeable server with a great balance of charm and professionalism. He understood and shared in our excitement for our various celebrations. He was fully engaged in ensuring we had the type of service and experience expected of a restaurant with such high caliber as Herons. We had a four course meal. Each dish and items that were brought to the table were unique In presentation, the way the dish was culminated, and the flavors. The texture was just right with the perfect balance of moisture and tenderness. Everything was exceptional! We were intrigued and sat anxiously anticipating the next treat to come from the kitchen. The chefs had us fully engaged with our mouths watering for the next dish. We were equally impressed by the synchronization of our meals being served. All dishes arrived at the same time and were presented to us with class. Any questions we had were answered immediately with a smile and appropriate level of detail. We felt comfortable and appreciated. There were five of us dining together and every single person echoed the exact same sentiments. The experience that we received made our long awaited celebrations worth the wait. I have recommended you before but now I am inclined to escalate my level of recommendation for your restaurant and staff. Truly impressive food and dining service! Well done Chefs, Carlos, and the entire Herons staff! We had extremely high expectations and you met them effortlessly!

I have nothing to say other than "ご馳走様でした". Food was amazing and fun . I don't think I need to elaborate on their service . It's perfect :) along with the ambiance. We had a corse meal with wine pairing .

One of the best meals and service experiences I've ever had. This is artistic fine dining. Carlos was a fantastic knowledgeable server who helped us navigate all the courses. The explained each course as well as special in between bites and breads. So inventive. So flavorful. So perfect to celebrate birthdays! I loved the lamb entree. The crab salad first course was pretty and delicious. My strawberry dessert was light refreshing and flavorful. This was truly an experience because every staff member was kind and attentive, every plate or dish was chosen for function and beauty, the wines were excellent and affordable. I wish I could eat there all the time!

My wife and I had a great experience here. This was our first time and we plan on coming back. Every staff member was great, especially Mike, our main server. They all greeted upon arrival. Mike provided us with recommendations for each of the courses. He was very friendly and had a conversation with us. We had the 4 course meal for dinner but I am not sure if there is any other alternative. The portions weee just the right size and we were definitely full when we left. All the food tasted great and seasoned properly. I would definitely recommend and will be back. I would love to try each of their seasonal dishes as their menu changes seasonally.

This is the highest end restaurant and bar in Wake County. Bring family, friends and business associates to impress and enjoy. My wife and I look forward to every experience here and they have never disappointed.

Had Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas brunch here, and it was amazing. I had the best steak I've ever had in my entire life and the service was so professional every time i got up they would pull the chair out for me and everything was amazing i guess cause its super expensive they want to make sure you feel like you get your moneys worth

I really hate to brag on a place.. but I have never had an imperfect meal here. Perfect perfect perfect. Service, perfect.. ambience perfect.. cleanliness perfect.. freshness perfect.. tailored requests.. perfect. I mean there are harps playing in the background. How can you not enjoy a meal here? I order a lot of the same exact thing in different places.. one of the best Caesar salads on the East Coast.

Always excellent in all respects. My very favorite restaurant frequented on all special occasions. Quite expensive but less so for lunch.

My husband and I did the Art Tour tasting menu. It's $$$$ ($150 per person for 8 courses + multiple amuses) but was an incredible experience. Brilliant food that looks too pretty to eat, all presented with impeccable service - worth it if you can swing it for a special occasion! Almost every dish on the art tour is inspired by a piece of art in the Umstead - I say almost because one dish inspired the artful wooden bowls needed to contain it. The wait staff sets up a little easel that holds a postcard version of each piece of art. When your gorgeously-plated food comes out, they explain how the chef was inspired by the art to create the food. My husband and I had fun guessing what type of food each piece of art would bring. Sometimes the dish looked like the art; other times it was more about capturing the depth or texture or feel of the artwork in the food. I was proud that I correctly guessed that the painting of a misty forest lake would lead to root vegetables and game (the dish was elk with parsnip). My favorite dishes were the crab starter (the most naturally sweet and succulent crab I've ever eaten!), the duck main, and the sweet potato dessert - all of which you can currently order as part of a smaller 3- or 4-course tasting, and what I would order if I came here again. Dinner here is definitely a splurge, but I am already thinking about what could be the next ultra-special occasion to celebrate here. I believe they change up the tasting menu every year or so, and I can't wait to see what else the chef comes up with!

We had an amazing birthday last nigh. The flavor profiles on everything was out of this world!

This restaurant is no short of amazing! I went to enjoy a celebration dinner and was amazed by all of the detailed food they had to offer. I was nervous at first because I couldn't pronounce half of the things and the other half that I knew how to pronounce I've never had. After you pick out each course, little courses come in between; so I'd eat one meal that I chose and then there after little tiny bites of food was brought to the table. I did love that they had someone who could come out to my table and tell me which wine would be paired best for my dish. This experience is something to look forward to for special dinners such as anniversaries and holidays. The best part was watching all of the waiters move around. Megan was such a delight to have serve us.

This is one of our go-to spots for a fancy, celebratory dinner. Most recently we had dinner here for my birthday. The presentation of the food is incredible. They offer a 4-course meal and there are various items you can choose per course. I always ask the waiter for their interpretation of the course as the descriptions don't necessarily translate to what is ultimately on the plate. I especially love their creativity around desserts. It's definitely a pricey dinner but great option if you're looking to splurge. They provide complementary little bites of food after each course and they also gave us complementary cookies to bring home.

What a magical experience at the Umstead Hotel. The Herons restaurant really went above my expectations for our anniversary dinner. The Five Star Restaurant was superb. The ambiance, the service and the food that was created into a master pieces were just mind blowing. Our meal took about 3 hours for our pre-fixed menu. The servers (we had 4) are so knowledgeable , friendly and kind. The menu is overwhelming , and can be tricky just ask the questions if you have no idea what something is on the menu. :)

This hidden gem of a restaurant is inside of the Umstead Hotel and Spa. It is 10 minutes from my home, but feels like stepping into a world unto itself. I've been here quite a few times, and with each visit, I conclude that I would like to live here! Service is at the highest level with amazing food to match. I usually have the lobster roll (my favorite!) but decided to order the fried chicken sandwich and mushroom soup. My friend had the kale salad with the addition of grilled salmon. Both of us enjoyed every bite of our meal!

Herons Restaurant within The Umstead Hotel has fantastic food and service! The food is truly gourmet and what a treat it is to eat here. My daughter and I had their salmon dish for lunch, as well as some sides, and it was beautifully prepared and presented. Would definitely recommend this restaurant for an awesome experience. The menu has lots of choices for entrees, sides, and desserts, and the children's menu also has a great selection of different items.

First time at Herons. Words really can't describe the experience. The food was good, for sure, but the presentation is just AMAZING. Each dish is a work of art. Service was impeccable. My pictures don't do it justice but they help.

If I am ever faced with making the decision as to what will be my final meal, I hope Herons is an option. I doubt the type of people who arrange final meals are offering Herons, but it is MY final meal we're talking about, right? There are times in life when you experience something that of such high quality that it makes an indelible impression. Think in terms of the first time you drove a really well made euro-sedan, or the first time you played an exceptional instrument. If you have ever used an exceptionally engineered and produced tool after struggling with junk, that is the sort of feeling experienced at Herons. It resets your standards. You remember individual bites of food! It's like a first kiss with someone out of your league. My wife (yes, she's out of my league) and I dined at Herons during a recent stay at The Umstead. We were there to see The Eagles, which was all you'd expect, but Herons was the highlight of the trip. Herons does an amazing thing. They send out little complimentary tastes from the chef in between courses. These aren't some afterthought, or something they are trying to promote. Each one is a beautiful taste experience! I could go on and on about the food, but what really makes Herons exceptional are the people working there. They make perfect service seem so natural! This is the sort of thing that comes from serious education and a commitment to doing things correctly. I've been to premium restaurants before, and it's apparent when someone there is serious about their craft versus begrudgingly earning a living. The sense I got at Herons was a group of people who were excited to show off their exceptional food and wine experience. Carlos, Nathan, Troy, Tim, even Michelle the trainee were absolutely superior and seemed to be genuinely proud of the job they do. With good reason.