The Willard Rooftop Lounge

I recently visited this restaurant and was impressed by the overall atmosphere. It was very clean, welcoming, and had a great vibe. Our waitress was friendly and provided great service. The view was beautiful, and I loved that you have the option to dine inside or enjoy the rooftop seating. As for the food, it was a bit of a mixed experience. The cedar chicken salad was a little chewy, and the seasoning was quite overpowering. The chocolate torte dessert also had a strong flavor—more like thick chocolate pudding than a traditional dessert. However, the fries were tasty (though a bit salty), and the hamburger was absolutely delicious! One downside was the wait time for drink refills. It could take up to 30 minutes, depending on how many servers were available that day. Despite that, I’m definitely open to giving it a second chance. The atmosphere and some of the food were worth coming back for.

This rooftop restaurant is an absolute standout. The atmosphere is stylish and relaxing, with stunning views that make the perfect backdrop for any meal. The food was excellent, beautifully presented, flavorful, and clearly made with care. Service was attentive without being overbearing, and the ambiance made the entire experience feel special. Whether you're celebrating or just enjoying a night out, this spot offers a perfect mix of great food, exceptional service, and unbeatable scenery. Highly recommend!

A great spot to dive and enjoy views of downtown Raleigh. Food was amazing. I had the barbecue bacon burger which was delicious and even the fries were cooked to perfection. Prices were not terrible and the views were spectacular. We will definitely be returning.

I recently hosted a party of six at the Willard Rooftop Lounge, and I can honestly say it was one of the most memorable evenings we’ve had in a long time. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance was nothing short of stunning, elevated views of the city, warm lighting, and a vibe that made you want to settle in and stay awhile. But what truly made the night exceptional was our server, Eric, easily recognizable by his signature mustache and unforgettable energy. Eric was phenomenal from start to finish. He guided us through the menu with enthusiasm, kept the drinks flowing smoothly, and somehow managed to make every one of us feel like VIPs. His recommendations on the adult beverages were spot-on, and the flatbreads and burgers were absolutely next-level, flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. On top of all that, Eric graciously took group photos for us when we asked. He didn’t just snap a shot; he picked fantastic backgrounds and angles that made the memories even more special. It was a night of fellowship, food, and fun, and Eric played a huge part in that. The Willard Rooftop Lounge is a true must visit in the city, and if you're lucky enough to have Eric as your server, you're in for a 10/10 experience. We’ll definitely be back whenever we're in town!

Amazing drinks and food . We had a group of 4 and each had a cocktail off the menu and some sharable appetizers and that was plenty of food for a light lunch . The view is beautiful from the roof top day or night . The tall steeples and sky high buildings are a work of art to see high in the sky . I highly recommend this place. Yes it's pricey , but it's so worth it 😁

Amber is amazing and she makes me and my boyfriend’s experience here 10 times better every time we come. The food is amazing and the service is even better. This will forever be our favorite spot. Oh, and the views are immaculate

Super cute spot for the girlies to meet up from some rooftop cocktails but I went with hubby for my bday lunch moment. Nice vibes, very windy so don’t wear dresses or hats and Be mindful of your hair but overall I’d be back! Drinks were yummy.

We enjoyed a cocktail and time with friends at the Willard during our stay at the AC. It is a great space with excellent views of downtown. Definitely worth a visit!

My review will be short but to the point. If the idea of brunch at a restaurant who's notion of a "table" is a love seat, two recliners and a low rise coffee table then this might be a place for you. This isn't the sort of ambiance or place setting I am comfortable with when having brunch which included staples like pancakes. This was marketed as a Fathers Day brunch but the restaurant isn't set up to accomodate dining, at least not in the traditional sense of a standard height table, standard height chairs and dare I say, a tablecloth. Tapas for two at a round table not much larger than a pizza? It's perfect. Brunch for four? You'll feel like you've been served table food at a hors d'oeuvre event while you eat standing. Ever been to Epcot Food & Wine Festival and you get the tapas plates that you eat while walking to the next stand? This is one step up from that, since you can sit. The kicker? the amount of square footage they allocated to these loveseat/coffee table arrangements could have fit twice as many people, comfortably, at a REAL TABLE. Hell, I'd have settled for a folding card table if it had a table linen hiding what it was!!

The Willard is located downtown inside of the AC hotel. There is outdoor seating where you can take in the nice views of the city. It was a little chilly outside so we dined inside. Once I was seated I was greeted right away. The staff was initially pleasant. I got the wagyu burger with fries. Our food was brought out quickly. The burger was really good & the fries were also good and served hot. While dining I wasn't provided with a refill on my water or wasn't asked if I wanted one. After we were finishing our meal, our server came over & just gave us our bill without asking if we wanted it & if we wanted anything else. The restaurant was not busy at all or they were not closing anytime soon.

What is the draw of a rooftop bar on a nice day that becomes such an attraction? Being out on an open rooftop overlooking the city, surrounded by comfortable chairs and excellent drinks is what brought me to the Willard and being as impressed as I was, I will return. The staff are great and the Old Fashioned's are excellent! Cheers!!

I enjoyed the Willard. It's a very relaxed hotel rooftop located in the posh AC Hotel. This hotel smells heavenly. I live for pleasant fragrances. If you're looking for a turn up with a live DJ, this isn't it. This is strictly for the Grown & Sexy. The Willard offers a very relaxed ambiance & a bird's eye view of Oak City. The staff here is very friendly and courteous and that makes for an enjoyable experience. You may also rent the rooftop for special occasions.

When I walked inside the hotel I was greeted immediately. The gentleman at the front lobby area was professional and energetic. The smell through the lobby and rooftop entryways was so delightful. When I exited on the 7th floor I was immediately greeted again before both of my feet crossed the elevator threshold. I met some colleagues here for a Spring meetup. I enjoyed the laid-back space and the rooftop vibes. Very nice place to catch up over drinks. I had dinner plans elsewhere, so I did not order anything. This was a floating meet-up on a Wednesday evening after my 9 to 5 (no reservation) which was perfect for my schedule. It was nice to walk right in without rigid reservation times. By arriving later - the servers did not notice the newbies at the table. I wasn't there long. The space is nice. I look forward to returning for a quick nightcap and impromptu rooftop vibes this spring.

Don't walk too quickly past this gem, take the elevator up and have amazing sites and amazing food and drinks. Have a BLAST, it's worth it!

The bar service was amazing. The bar tenders rotate around the bar so you are always well taken care of. Bar seats usually aren't comfortable but these were. The drinks were pretty, but also good. I only got an appetizer, but my pretzel was served hot and was tasty. The braid was unique just like all the drinks... so I can imagine the rest of their food is amazing as well.

This was a lucky find in my quest for a drink with a view! Awesome rooftop above the AC hotel in the happening strip of Glenwood. It was the perfect place to catch up with my friend on a beautiful sunny Sunday . We had their amazing espresso martinis and took in the view of Raleigh. Great high top tables and sofas . They have food as well. But we were here for the beverages ! Great casual chill service. They created a nice laid back vibe here. Super clean inside and outside . Greta Sunday funday spot ! Just take the elevator up !

Lovely rooftop bar on the top floor of the AC Hotel with great cocktails and both indoor & outdoor dining spaces. We stopped in two nights during our stay, once for cocktails and once for a light meal. Our drinks were great and our flatbread was awesome. The view from the outdoor seats was excellent and the heaters ensured we were comfortable even though it was a chilly evening. This place gets busy on weekends and service was slow and/ or preoccupied one of the nights we were there.

I was excited about getting a fancy drink on a rooftop bar. The prices for the drinks were not reflected in the quality. It felt like they did not know what to do when we came in. They had tons of comfy seating outdoors and inside but wouldn't let anyone sit there (found out later they were trying to give their staff a break from servicing those areas). The views weren't that great. I would just go to Level 7 next time that I want the rooftop vibe.

My spouse made us and our friend a reservation for a Saturday here and overall we had a great time. Originally we were sat inside which was not what we were hoping for given this is a rooftop bar in Raleigh, so we were seeking a rooftop experience. They made the adjustment after we expressed our interest in sitting outdoors and sat us at a super cute and comfortable table near a fire place. We got several apps and small plates, as well as a few different drinks and had a really lovely time. The server, Tyler, truly made the experience with his friendly and truly hospitable approach. He's GREAT. Tyler shared he is a bartender but also covers as a server and I'd frankly want him every time we go! He started us off with some vodka based shots, we said to surprise us and he brought us Kamikaze shots which were smooth and delicious. From there we all got espresso martinis which were generally quite good. We had the pretzels and papas bravas as appetizers. The pretzels were 15 out of 10. The pretzel itself was the best pretzel app I've ever had and the cheese was phenomenal. I wasn't a fan of the mustard as it was very horseradish forward which isn't for me. The papas were 6/10, nothing special unfortunately. From there we had the chicken skewers, bourbon shrimp, one of the flatbreads, and burger. The skewers flavor was good, but a bit dry. The shrimp were FANTASTIC. order them now. The burger was good and the fries were decent but I prefer thin cut to thicker. The flatbread was not my fav. Overall, the service and ambiance was 12/10! Tyler is the man. The bourbon shrimp and pretzels were the stars of the show. I'd absolutely return for a pre dinner appetizer with a beautiful loungey view, but would probably grab dinner elsewhere.

Without Tyler, this would be a 2 star experience. He was excellent. The espresso martini, papas bravas, and pretzel was 5/5 along with the service from Tyler. The rest of as honestly...meh. We originally had a reservation for the rooftop and they sat us inside. Tyler got us a table outside and made food and drink suggestions. He was excellent. The drinks were good but food was mediocre apart from a couple apps. Id come back for drinks but idk for dinner.

Gorgeous view but it does come with a price. I've been to the Willard now for two different occasions. Once for a wedding reception and another time to sample the fall menu. The foods served at the reception was delicious, they had these goat cheese stiffed dates that I'm now addicted to. On my most recent visit, I was invited out to sample the fall menu. My boyfriend ordered the Old Fashion and I got a Willard Margarita. The margarita was ok, not as sweet as I had hoped but it was still tasty. My boyfriend wasn't impressed with the old fashioned. Some of the foods I sampled: Duck poutine - I honestly didn't even know there was duck on this but I liked the flavor of the potatoes and toppings, very tasty. Bourbon shrimp - very sweet, the popped sorghum added a nice texture difference but I definitely wasn't expecting it to be as sweet as it was. Conch fritters - these were undercooked. The middle was still liquidy and I wasn't a fan of the flavor. Papas Bravas - crispy red skin potatoes, you really can't go wrong. Pimento - in love, this was my favorite thing I tried, it was delicious! Duck Pate - eh, this was ok but I wasn't a fan. This Rooftop longue has stunning views and it's perfect for a gathering of friends to grab some drinks and snack while you hang out!

I had lunch at this restaurant on Mother's Day. We had reservations, so when we arrived, we were tended to quickly. We reserved indoor seating. This rooftop environment has some great perks . The view is amazing. It was beautiful during the daytime so I can only imagine how beautiful it is at nighttime. The environment is comfortable and cozy. There are non-traditional type of seating. We were seated in an area that was reminiscent of being in the living room and eating with family. We ordered appetizers and entrées. All food came out within expected timeframe. The food tasted good, was moist, and had great texture. The sauces really made the dishes. The sauces were very flavorful with a good balance of spices. My son had a burger with some very thick layers of bacon that he was raving about the entire time he was eating. I had the salmon dish which was good, but could have used a little more seasoning. I drizzled some of the sauce from our appetizer onto my dish, which gave it the additional flavor that it needed. Our server was friendly, and gave us good advice when we inquired about items on the menu. It was a good experience.

We decided at the last minute on a beautiful Saturday, early evening to have drinks & appetizers at the Willard Rooftop Lounge. There was a 30 minute wait for the smaller balcony where we requested to be seated. Less than 30 minutes later we were seated! Ashley was our server and she was great! She literally had the whole section and never made it feel like she was overwhelmed or spread thin. The balcony is set up so nicely and is absolutely beautiful, the view is great. There is also indoor seating which is nice & comfortable. They also have a larger balcony with lots more seating & great views on the other side. The bar area has plenty of seating as well. They have a great cocktail menu & plenty of other libations to choose from. There food menu is pretty decent. We ordered the Papas Bravas and the Bulgogi Steamed Buns to snack on with our drinks. Unfortunately we had to send back the Bulgogi Steamed Buns because they were cold & the meat looked unusual. My daughter had them before and loved them, but this time not so much. The Papas Bravas were yummy. We shared the larger portion which was more than enough. It was the perfect day to be there, and I'm looking forward to many days their this season!!

I LOVEEDDD it here I went here for my birthday and the customer service was so good I gotten a burger and fries and even after we ate they let us take pics and stuff it was wonderful experience

The Willard is a great after work or date night location! The rooftop is located on top of the AC hotel which offers beautiful sunset views of the downtown area. The drink options and appetizers offer a great selection of choices and the service is super (and I mean SUPER) fast! The dinner menu I would define as just okay... it is largely made up of flatbreads and sandwiches, so not a ton of variety. In order to secure your seat you will want to ensure that you secure a reservation in advance! Shoutout: Amber was the server for my group! She was fantastic and so attentive! She offered impeccable service and ensured all of our needs were met!

Ambiance Seating View Wait staff Food It is so wonderful to go to a place like this to see the beautiful city, you have drinks I had a beautiful time the crab cakes and the potatoe app is delicious

The Willard is a restaurant at the top of the AC hotel with mediocre food but a beautiful view of downtown Raleigh. We went with a large group and shared several items. The pimento cheese was served with burned pretzel pieces. The actual pretzel with dipping sauces was OK and was served warm but the cheese dip was all gloppy and cold. The chicken flatbread was teeny tiny with very little toppings. The shrimp were the best thing we had at the table. Most of us had the burger for our entree. We ordered them cooked medium and everyone's was completely cooked through. No pink to be seen. The fries were also blah blah. The waitstaff did a good job with our large table even when the computer system was giving them trouble so props to the crew! Honestly when you eat a hotel this is expected. We shared all 3 desserts as well and the cheesecake was the worst of the bunch. You are definitely paying for the view at The Willard!

Ever had cabbage in a Caesar salad? Me neither, until today. Ever had a runny egg yolk in a Caesar salad? Me neither, until today. We were in the mood for something light and simple so we ordered 'Caesar salads' with shrimp. What arrived was cabbage with undercooked shrimp that was so over seasoned it wasn't edible. We each took a few bites and actually gagged and didn't eat 90%+ of our 'Caesar' salads. The waiter saw that we each left over the entire dish and didn't ask how our meals were or ask if we wanted a doggy bag (I wouldn't subject my dog to this). This was hands down the worst dish I have ever had in a restaurant. Sincerely, Appetite lost

I've been here a few times and have always had mixed opinions. The views are great and the drinks are high quality, however, the service is always pretty slow. It's all a bit overpriced, but it's a staple spot in Raleigh, especially for outside visitors! We ordered the Donkey Kong & the Joel Lane's Refresher - both were great, just overpriced.

Absolutely atrocious. We had a reservation for a party of 8 at noon and we were the first and only people. Three of our meals came out, sat on our table as we were waiting for everyone's food, and it was a solid 20 minutes before the rest of the meals came out. Three of the orders were wrong, and then the cheese wasn't melted. Also, there were two additional burgers that we didn't order? We complained to the manager that the original three meals were cold now by the time the last five meals came out, and they said "we're a tapas restaurant, it's hard for us to get eight entrees out at once" well then why did you take a reservation for eight in the first place? The waitress very rarely came around and was just not attentive, plates never got taken up, drinks other than water were not refilled. She literally didn't ask us how our food was. I will be telling people to not go here.

I have been wanting to give The Willard a try, the views looked spectacular from the pictures I have seen. I met a friend at 5:30 and the view did not disappoint. We didn't have a reservation but they sat us at a table outside with what looked to be some of the best views of Raleigh. Parking was a little tricky, I snagged a spot on the street and my friend found a pay lot by The Cupcake Shoppe. You are not allowed to park in the hotel parking lot. We enjoyed our cocktails,,flatbread pizza, and views during golden hour and it was a perfect transition into the weekend. I'll be back!

The drinks here are overpriced, I guess you are paying for the view which is nice. My friends and I stopped in for two rounds of cocktails, here is what we tried: Me: The Willard Gimlet and Dos Caras My husband: Dos Caras and Kentucky Mule My friends: Donkey Kong, Doctor's Orders, The Acgt and Joel Lane's Refresher We all had one cocktail that we liked and one that we didn't like. The service was also slow but friendly. We chose to go somewhere else for food because of this. If you want a photo with a view then come here but this spot is far from my first recommendation for a cocktail bar around the area.

My boyfriend and I celebrated our one year anniversary here, and it was amazing! This is a cool, rooftop lounge on top of the Marriott. The signs made it very easy to get to! Our waiter, Vicente, was very lovely and made some terrific recommendations for us. He encouraged us to try this drink that wasn't even on the menu, and it was superb- it had some kind of pear liquor and tequila in it. Very refreshing! We really enjoyed everything, especially the mozerella bites. My boyfriend is vegetarian, and they had many unique food options for him, like the jackfruit flatbread! We had an outdoor table on the patio, and the heaters kept us plenty warm. We got to watch the beautiful sunset, and we were lucky that our visit coincided with their astronomy event. It was a free event where you could look into telescopes and learn about stars; it was very cool!

Saw there was a new rooftop in Raleigh and had to check it out. We got a wide variety of food and drinks to try. The fried manchego was absolutely great and the first time I have had something like it. The olives and caprese flatbread were average. The gin and tonic came in a very large cup but was pretty much mostly ice. Overall, food and drinks were average but do want to try the other drink options. I liked the atmosphere here and the views the rooftop has to offer. We got a corner seat and had the best views, however there was no heater next to us and was very cold. Would highly recommend asking for a seat with a space heater or else you may freeze in the colder months. When you enter the hotel to get to the rooftop, make sure you take the 3rd elevator. Overall, a decent new rooftop in Raleigh. May come back in the warmer months for drinks but not sure if I would come back for food.

Solid spot for an evening hangout with drinks and appetizers. We came here on a rainy Saturday evening in April 2023. I was hungry and looking for a satisfying dinner. I ordered the lamb burger no feta and garlic fries. My husband ordered the blackened salmon and sweet potatoes. His meal was quite delicious. That will be my go-to meal on my next trip here. My lamb burger didn't hit the spot. This place scores 4-stars for its ambience alone. Despite the rain, I could tell that the rooftop deck is a major hit on brighter days. Parking is a hassle. You'll have to either find street parking or park in a local deck and walk. Service was pretty good and responsive. I'll also need to try their cocktails on my next trip back. ***Note, their menu is seasonal. Many of the items photographed on former reviews may not be available during your next visit.

Cute rooftop bar with great food and drinks. Our server was very friendly as well. My friend got the steak burger as well and enjoyed it.

Loved this place! My group and I enjoyed the food and cocktails. Everything was so delicious, The wait staff was responsive and helpful. The view was spectacular. We got to enjoy the sunset and a band who was playing at the establishment down below. The manager checked in with us and was very personable. We will be back !

We were invited to a private event here, so this review will not be about regular serve for patrons. We enjoyed some complimentary wine and appetizers, stood around indoors for a while, and then spent a little time on the terrace facing Glenwood Avenue. Rooftop bars tend to be in vogue right now and this one seems nice enough. It seems parking at the hotel is only for guests, so you'll need to look for free or paid parking around the area. We drove around until we found free street parking about a block away. There's an elevator in the back of the lobby that pretty much takes you right up to the top floor.

I checked out the Willard's rooftop lounge thanks to Offline Raleigh. Head to the seventh floor for some lovely views of the Raleigh skyline. I was lucky enough to be there during a full moon. It's much larger than it looks as the lounge has several areas to it. Stay warm under the heaters or by the fireplace that's outside. There are high top tables, couches, tables with chairs and more so it's easy to find a seat. There's a full bar with a few beers on tap and in cans. The food was very good as well. This would be a great spot to get a drink with a date or catch up with your girlfriends.

The Willard is such a lovely rooftop bar for a date night, night out or just during the day to enjoy the view. They have small plates and good cocktails. Parking can be challenging because it's on glenwood but overall it's a great location. I do wish they have live music from time to time but overall I come here often and enjoy an Aperol spritz.

Service was not great, food was terrible, drinks were ok. The only good thing I can say about this place is that the view is amazing

I break my review down by sections. I'll get the complaint out then I'll review the restaurant's food. Parking: The restaurant is part of a hotel. There is no parking unless you are stay at the hotel. There is street parking and a parking garage about a block from the Willard. No issue there. Complaint: When we entered it was clean and the hostess was very friendly. We had reservations and ask if we could be seated in the section with the heaters or hopefully near the fire. The hostess said they were booked for the rest of the evening. She seated us and offered us a blanket. She left and never brought the blanket back. A group of 4 came in and told her they wanted to sit in the heated section after they were seated in the no-heat section. She said we are going on a shift change we can get you in a table on the side balcony. Off to the heat they went. We watch another couple come in and she took them to their table. They didn't like it. She took them to a high-top, they asked if they could sit in the warmed section. She said they were booked for the night. She then sat them at another table with no heater like us. She gave them multiple blanket. As soon as the table next to the fire cleared, the man went to the hostess and asked again. The hostess cleaned the table off and different couple asked for the table. She repeated that it was booked. She then moved the other couple to the table by the fire. They had not reserved this table because we talked to them. I don't understand why they were able to get a warm seat but we were not. Dinner: Service - 4 stars Drinks - 4 stars Our water was very nice. He brought us waters and offered a blanket. He brought it back with our drinks. The Willard Margarita was wonderful. It was very well balance. My husband had the Doctor's Order. He enjoyed it. He ordered two. The first came with dried pineapple but the second one did not. Both of my drinks were identical. Service - Appetizers: 3 stars We ordered crispy duck arepas. They were out. We ordered the garlic ginger chicken bites. It was good. There was a hint of ginger and there was no taste of garlic. It tasted like chicken with barbecue sauce. We also ordered fried mozzarella. The breading could use more seasoning or some finishing salt. The pesto cream dipping sauce was slightly bland. Either the mozzArellano or the pesto sauce was seasoned more, it would have been great. Entrees: 4 stars For our entrees we both had the bacon burger. My burger was not cooked to the requested temperatur however, the burger was absolutely wonderful! It was the perfect mix of sweet, salty, and spicy. This would be 5 stars if cooked to the requested temp.

Let me begin by saying this was for a graduation celebration luncheon And I had reserved it over two months befoe, and it had to be held with a credit card. Let me also mention the restaurant was not busy. We were the only ones there for the first 20 minutes, and then other tables slowly dwindled in. Let me also be fair and saying the only good aspect of the whole lunch was the view. And it was very nice. After that, everything goes downhill. It was in the hotel where we were staying. So we also had drinks the night before. The Mojitos were flat and did not have much flavor. Maybe two Mojito leaves that had not been muddled were in there. And about four pieces of ice. My recommendation would be to have beer or wine there and enjoy the view. That would probably be a nice evening. For two. not more, due to service. And Do not get any food. It will be mediocre and the service with it will be terrible So for lunch, we literally ordered hamburgers. What could be easier! Let's begin with they came out in stages. Two came out, and we thought the other six were right behind them. So after about 10 minutes, we begged those people to go ahead and eat them before they got cold. And then we still waited another 10 minutes for the rest of the food to come out. So my Two daughters had pretty much finished their burgers by then. It had been awkward for everyone as they ate and we "watched". And then it was awkward for the two of them again as six of us ante and they sat there. We were never asked how our food was or did we need a refill on drinks? Literally not one time. And mind you, they were not busy. And we observed bar wait staff inside, chatting it up, cutting up limes. If the wait staff had indeed been busy, which they were not, could the bar staff have not helped out At least refills and getting condiments requested? And the other Things we did ourselves happened twice. We literally cleared our own table. We had ordered appetizers and they never retrieved those dirty dishes. Where were our lunch dishes going? So we stacked them all in the center thinking the staff would see them and come and get them. No. We had to shove those over to the side when the first two plates came. You would think they would get them then. No. They sat there. Until the other six burgers came. And then it was awkward for the staff to try to be putting lunch plates on the table and taking plates off the table at the same time. so we again helped them. . After lunch, it didn't get much better. We stacked the plates again thinking they might come and get them. No. So finally, we ourselves put them on a table close by. We had cake that we wanted to serve to celebrate and we had nowhere to put it , because there was no table space until we cleared it ourselves Conclusion. If it's just you and your date, go for beer or wine and enjoy the view. Don't count on a cocktail being good. But the view is. But you do have to stand up to really see it. The walls are pretty tall around the sides. And whatever you do do not leave a credit card to hold a reservation. There was nothing good about this lunch. Except for being with family and enjoying the view. But the view is not worth this headache.

Terrible service, overrated drinks (avoid the signature margarita) and the steak tapa was over cooked, chewy and under flavored. Overhyped bar and food. Given the rich Raleigh bar and restaurant scene, you could do much better for less

The only reason I would give this 1 star instead of 0 is because of the rooftop / location. The food is gross and also on top of it, served cold. We got half of our parties food out 25 minutes prior to the rest of the food, and when we spoke to the manager about it, he said it was difficult to get a party of 5s food out all together at once (ridiculous), even tho we were the only people here in the entire restaurant. When all the food finally did come out, it was still wrong. On top of it, the waitress had grossly long finger nails with food and dirt stuck underneath them that you could clearly see / should not pass a sanitation review. I would not come, not worth the view. Save your money and time and go elsewhere.

The good: The food was incredible. The chicken flatbread, bacon burger and lamb burger were well worth it. The ambiance and view were relaxing. The bad: from the hostess to the server, everyone acted as if we were bothering them and they hated their job. Drinks went empty several times. We only had water, which I think annoyed the server as well. I ALWAYS tip well over 20%, especially since we don't usually drink and we didn't get appetizers. But i was so annoyed with the attitude, I tipped accordingly. It really ruined the experience for us. I have looked forward to trying this place for quite a while, and was disappointed that the service was sub par. I might come back, but with MUCH lower expectations. If this place wasn't rooftop....it probably wouldn't last long.

Absolutely love the ambience here. The gals at the bar are amazing. Great indoor outdoor space great views. We absolutely love the chicken Shawarma pizza. It's amazing flatbread. Prices for drinks are fair. This is a great place to bring family and friends when they are in town. Parking is free on the weekends, On the street. this is one of our go to places.

Went here for a girls night and loved how classy the ambiance was. Everyone was dressed accordingly and it was a nice little city vibe. Some of the food was a little funky, but we ended switching it out for the dessert. There were a couple hiccups in the beginning, but the staff really tried to make it a great night.! They get a 5 star for all the effort. Most definitely a sophisticated environment.

This was a wonderful experience. I arrived and sat at the bar. The server, Jess and Andy, helped me with my drink orders. I knew what I wanted, but they helped prepare it as well as telling me the back story for each drink. I really enjoyed it. 1st drink- Piano One of the people who work here created this drink it is very good. The drink is one of those when I am ready to go out with my girls' drinks. It was so good and refreshing, plus the presentation was wonderful. 2nd drink- Pigeon My server Jess was the one to create this drink. It is an after you eat and enjoy the company of your friends drink. I am not a friend of match but it was so delicious. The meringue that is on top pairs perfectly with the drink itself. 3rd drink- Cupid and psyche This is a classic drink with a little razzle dazzle. I was a little scared about the fact they used egg white, but in the end, the drink was perfect. It was indeed a little stronger than I thought it would be, so I am glad I saved this for last. This drink was really good, though. If you are ever in the area, please check this place out. If you selit at the bar tou get to see them make all of the drinks. It really wnjoyed seeing what other people ordered. It has so much to offer!!! Can't wait for the next event so I can review it again!!!!

We pulled into the parking garage under the hotel BECAUSE "The Willard" entrance sign was there. Well, parking is for overnight hotel guests only, BUT IF YOU'RE LUCKY, a hotel employee will offer to let you park in the garage for $10 and pocket the cash. Or you could try to find free parking on the street, but if you can't find free street parking and come back, price goes up to $15. SO SLEAZY! So, food and drinks are decent but way overpriced. Got the "Rose All May" flight and it's served in mini stemmed wine glasses. This is just me, would have preferred stemless over a super tiny wine glass with a 2" stem. Check the charcuterie board pic. Two huge crackers, a puddle of mustard, six slices of meat, and three tiny pieces of cheese. That was $26. Service was horrendous. Waitress disappeared often but still reaped the 20% mandatory tip. When we were seated we were told we had a time limit (even though we too had a reservation) so to have the waitress disappear often was incredibly frustrating. Here's how to do The Willard: Uber or Lyft or walk. Come up for a quick over-priced drink (order it yourself at the bar) and take a few selfies of yourself with the view, then head out to a better Raleigh restaurant for better service and amazing food and drink, which will be priced accordingly. Trust me, you'll have more fun and not walk away feeling bamboozled.

If anyone asked me...What makes a great Rooftop Lounge? I would say the following: Finely Crafted Cocktails Tasty Small Bites   Lovely Skyline Views Get all 3 and more at The Willard Rooftop Lounge, located at the the new AC Hotel Glenwood South, Downtown Raleigh, on the 7th floor. With both indoor and covered outdoor spaces with cozy seating and a fireplace, this is a nice spot to enjoy cocktail hour or host your next event! Plus, here's a tip: Each day at 5 p.m., all guests seated at the bar can enjoy a sample of a smoked sangria. The small bites are Mediterranean inspired so think hummus, Flatbread pizzas etc but I loved their stuffed mushrooms. For a cocktail, I tried the Donkey Kong..rum was the base and tropical is how I would describe the taste. I am looking forward to returning and enjoying more good drinks, good food and good time!

I went to Willard during the opening weekend and while I thought the atmosphere was awesome, I could not believe how slow the service was. Granted- it was packed, so I figured this was a reflection of how many people were ordering around the bar. Also, it has quite a fancy cocktail list so we all know those take longer to make than pouring a draft beer. I returned for their cocktails with Santa event and I cannot believe what I saw. It's one thing to be continuously over staffed, but like... don't promote/host an event then. The tables were just covered in empty plates/trash and the bar was covered in empties so much so that you couldn't sit to enjoy a cocktail. I'd generously estimate an approximately 20 minute wait until you had bartender attention. Customers were vocal about their frustrations and how dirty the bar was. There were 3 bartenders and it's a small bar. It wasn't crowded, as this event was family oriented and kids don't drink cocktails. I couldn't excuse them this time. The worst part was witnessing the manager coming over to "look at things" and ask people how they were doing! Are you nuts? Are you somehow overlooking how backlogged your 3 employees are? They are wearing their exhaustion. He wasn't willing to help. That's a poor manager. I won't return and this review is a total reflection of manager from Sunday 12/12, not his bartending staff.

Came for a prix fixe brunch and it was delicious. Great views of the city, and on the date we visited, there was live music. We enjoyed craft cocktails, small charcuterie plates, shrimp and grits, and French toast. Everything was good, and I look forward to more moments on the rooftop when the weather warms up a bit. Parking is available at the hotel parking garage. Street parking is also available.

The contemporary AC Hotel is an exciting new addition to the vibrant Glenwood South District and Raleigh's colorful skyline. Now open to non-guests, the hotel's Willard Rooftop Lounge is one of the best places to view that skyline over carefully crafted cocktails. With covered patios, heaters and fire pits, the space is equipped for year-round enjoyment indoors and outdoors. While the Willard offers an assorted food menu, I visited first for drinks. Our affable and knowledgeable server, Tia, recommended terrific cocktails--on and off the menu. She also arranged for half-pours of wine, which may or may not be officially offered but were nonetheless appreciated. Drink delivery was a bit slow, but that's to be expected from any new dining establishment. Ultimately, we found the Willard experience wholly gratifying and look forward to returning often.

Absolutely horrible customer service!! I was there last weekend, Saturday July 6th with a party of 7. We were treated so poorly by our waitress. She has absolutely no customer service skills. She ignored our table multiple times, tallied the bill to her liking, after we explained multiple times how we would like the bill to be divided. I ordered a ribeye steak, that I requested to be medium. The steak came out well done on a bed of potato wedges. I asked for an order of vegetables to go with the steak. The waitress said she can bring me a medley of veggies on the side. After 20 mins later, I told the waitress once again, I'm still waiting on my side of vegetables. She ignored me completely. My sister then mentioned to her that I'm waiting for my vegetables, to her replying "they're coming" and proceeded to roll her eyes. After the vegetables finally came, they were raw carrots and celery that you would eat with buffalo wings. I told the food server I do not want raw carrots and celery with my steak. Another person in my party had to wait 25 mins, after everyone had their food for her chicken thigh kabobs to come out. It took the food server to tell us the chicken takes a long time. That is something the waitress should've stressed to us when it was being ordered. She treated us really bed because they automatically take a 23% gratuity. I had to get the manager involved when the bill came. I specifically explained to him as well how we wanted the bill split in 3 ways. He too took it upon himself to charge my card incorrectly. My sister mentioned how we weren't happy with the service, and he ignored her completely. The drinks are overpriced. A Paloma in a skinny glass should not cost $25, especially in Raleigh. We were visiting from DC and we have a million high scale restaurants with better prices. They also need to work on a diverse atmosphere. We noticed all the people of color were either hosts or food server's. I will never patronize this place again when visiting, and will let other family and friends to visit to not as well.

I don't even know where to start, since this place was so bad from service to the food. There was no hostess we had to go look for one, and when he sat us he didn't even realize the table was dirty and was extremely sticky. We sat for 10 minutes waiting for a server. When she finally got to the table we had to ask her to clean it but it took her 5 min to come back with a rag to clean it. We ordered our drinks and ordered off the restaurant week menu since that was the whole reason why we were there. We watched our drinks sit at the end of the bar for a good 15min before we even got them, the bar staff was more interested in the football game than anything else happening around them. The first course came out and wasn't bad but nothing like what the menu described. Our main course came out, and the salmon was mediocre but edible. The steak entree came out on an under cooked bed of french fries, and no steak knife to cut the steak. we waited again for 15 min for the server to ask for a knife so I could attempt to eat it. When I finally got a knife to cut the steak it was like rubber, and not appetizing at all. At this point we had lost our appetite and were ready to go but still had dessert. The chocolate pecan chess pie was chewy and looked like it had been frozen then defrosted and frozen again (I only know this because I work in food and beverage). We were excited to try this place but after the horrible experience, service and food we will not be going back.

This spot gets 4 stars off the strength of the view and ambiance. While this is my 2nd time at The Willard, the first time we were on the main rooftop and it was absolutely beautiful. This second time we were on the side, due to the seating being wet, but we still had a beautiful view. The menu is slightly limited in my opinion when it comes to food and drinks, but we found some things that were cool to try. The first time I had shrimp in a tomato/pepper sauce with some bread - it was ok. It was the safest option to me. The mocktails were cool as well. The second time we had ginger chicken bites (7/10), brussel sprout and sweet potato salad (8/10) and French fries which were cooked to perfection - just wish the serving size wasn't so small lol! I tried the Willard margarita and it was good and strong. Prices aren't bad but this isn't the spot to visit if you're super hungry, but if you want bomb views and a good vibe, then you'd enjoy it. Service was cool, she did what she was supposed to do. Make reservations if you want seating on the rooftop! Additionally, the rooftop is apart of a hotel & you may have to pay for parking since this spot is downtown Raleigh.