Herons
One of only 79 Forbes Five-Star restaurants in the world, Herons is the signature restaurant of The Umstead Hotel and Spa and annually acclaimed among the best restaurants in Raleigh, North Carolina. Open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the intimate, 98-seat dining room features a full-view kitchen, a meticulously curated private art collection and floor-to-ceiling window views of the surrounding gardens and grounds.
Reservations: 919-447-4200
Hours
Breakfast
- Monday - Friday 7:00am - 10:00am
Brunch
- Saturday - Sunday 7:00am - 1:00pm
Lunch
- Monday - Friday 11:30am - 2:00pm
Dinner
- Tuesday - Thursday 5:00pm - 8:30pm
- Friday - Saturday 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Details
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DRESS CODE
Herons offers a luxury dining experience to all our guests; we request that you dress appropriately for the dining room at dinner time. Jackets are requested, but not required. Ripped clothing, shorts, casual sandals, and athletic wear are not permitted.
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PARKING
Complimentary Valet Parking Available
The Herons culinary team masterfully redefines American cooking by infusing classic concepts translated with local, seasonal ingredients and precise technique, brightening each ingredient's flavor and purpose. Select from the four-course prix fixe menu showcasing The Umstead's culinary farm and drawing inspiration from the art and nature theme of the property.
Herons has been recognized by Food & Wine, Condé Nast Traveler, and Southern Living, in addition to receiving numerous accolades and awards, including five stars from Forbes Travel Guide and Five Diamonds from AAA.
Reservations
To make a reservation at Herons, visit us on open table
or call 919-447-4200
2025-07-23
Umstead Uncorked Wine Tasting
Journey through Sonoma
Join us for our July Uncorked tastings as we explore the wines of Sonoma, California. Often overshadowed by its eastern neighbor Napa Valley, Sonoma is one of the most diverse wine regions in the country, with a remarkable range of climates, soils, and terrain. Wine Director Hannah Barton will guide you through a tasting that spans from vibrant, full-bodied Chardonnays to graceful, nuanced Pinot Noirs.
2025-07-24
Umstead Uncorked Wine Tasting
Journey through Sonoma
Join us for our July Uncorked tastings as we explore the wines of Sonoma, California. Often overshadowed by its eastern neighbor Napa Valley, Sonoma is one of the most diverse wine regions in the country, with a remarkable range of climates, soils, and terrain. Wine Director Hannah Barton will guide you through a tasting that spans from vibrant, full-bodied Chardonnays to graceful, nuanced Pinot Noirs.
2025-07-30
Umstead Unbottled Wine Masterclass
Tour de France
Embark on a journey across France in our Tour de France wine masterclass. Taught by Wine Director Hannah Barton, this class explores six of France's most important wine regions. Discover the diversity, history, and craftsmanship that make France the benchmark of the wine world.
2025-08-06
[ SOLD OUT ] SALTY Executive Chef Dinner: An Exclusive Night at Herons
We are thrilled to announce that Herons will host the next SALTY Magazine dinner with Guest Chefs Richard Lee and Cassidee Dabney. On Wednesday, August 6th, these dynamic chefs will join our very own Chef Steven Devereaux Greene, all brought together by Salty Magazine’s founder, Geeta Bansal.
2025-07-16
New Beginnings: An Artist's Reception for Alice Ballard
Artist's Reception
The Umstead Hotel & Spa is pleased to present a new exhibition featuring ceramic works by acclaimed artist Alice Ballard, displayed beautifully in our second entrance lobby,
Known for her contemplative, hand-built vessels inspired by seed pods, leaves, and other organic forms, Ballard's sculptural pieces reflect a deep reverence for the quiet intricacies of the natural world. Working primarily in white earthenware, she employs pinch, coil, and slab techniques to create meditative forms rich with texture, movement, and soul.
Her permanent sculpture, Pod Triangle, located outside Herons, exemplifies our Art in Nature philosophy, inviting guests to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature's elegance.
We invite you to join us for an intimate artist reception with Alice Ballard, including a lecture and Q&A
2025-07-23
Umstead Uncorked Wine Tasting
Journey through Sonoma
Join us for our July Uncorked tastings as we explore the wines of Sonoma, California. Often overshadowed by its eastern neighbor Napa Valley, Sonoma is one of the most diverse wine regions in the country, with a remarkable range of climates, soils, and terrain. Wine Director Hannah Barton will guide you through a tasting that spans from vibrant, full-bodied Chardonnays to graceful, nuanced Pinot Noirs.
The tasting will be held on Wednesday, July 23rd in the Fireplace Lounge and begin at 6:30pm. Meat and cheese plates will be paired with the wines. Please call if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. Tickets are $85 plus tax and service charge and are non-refundable.
To enjoy this experience call 919 447 4050 or click here to reserve online.
2025-07-24
Umstead Uncorked Wine Tasting
Journey through Sonoma
Join us for our July Uncorked tastings as we explore the wines of Sonoma, California. Often overshadowed by its eastern neighbor Napa Valley, Sonoma is one of the most diverse wine regions in the country, with a remarkable range of climates, soils, and terrain. Wine Director Hannah Barton will guide you through a tasting that spans from vibrant, full-bodied Chardonnays to graceful, nuanced Pinot Noirs.
The tasting will be held on Thursday, July 24th in the Fireplace Lounge and begin at 6:30pm. Meat and cheese plates will be paired with the wines. Please call if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. Tickets are $85 plus tax and service charge and are non-refundable.
To enjoy this experience call 919 447 4050 or click here to reserve online.
2025-07-30
Umstead Unbottled Wine Masterclass
Tour de France
Embark on a journey across France in our Tour de France wine masterclass. Taught by Wine Director Hannah Barton, this class explores six of France's most important wine regions. Discover the diversity, history, and craftsmanship that make France the benchmark of the wine world.
The masterclass will be held on Wednesday, July 30th in the Sycamore Room and begin at 6:30pm. A charcuterie display will be presented with the wines. Please call if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies. Tickets are $100 plus tax and service charge and are non-refundable.
To enjoy this experience call 919 447 4050 or click here to reserve online.
2025-08-06
[ SOLD OUT ] SALTY Executive Chef Dinner: An Exclusive Night at Herons
We are thrilled to announce that Herons will host the next SALTY Magazine dinner with Guest Chefs Richard Lee and Cassidee Dabney. On Wednesday, August 6th, these dynamic chefs will join our very own Chef Steven Devereaux Greene, all brought together by Salty Magazine’s founder, Geeta Bansal.
Host of the evening, Chef Steven Greene leads the culinary vision at Herons, the Forbes Five-Star signature restaurant at The Umstead Hotel and Spa. A multi-time James Beard Foundation Best Chef: Southeast nominee, Chef Greene is known for his refined approach to Southern cuisine, conscious ingredient sourcing, and artistic plating.
Under his leadership, Herons has become one of only 79 restaurants in the world to hold the prestigious Forbes Five-Star distinction. Chef Greene continues to elevate the dining experience by championing hyper-seasonal ingredients from the on-site One Oak Farm and crafting tasting journeys that honor both innovation and heritage.
Richard Lee is the Executive Chef of Saison, a Two Michelin-starred restaurant in San Francisco known for its open-fire cooking and ingredient-driven approach. A graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, Lee honed his skills at top kitchens including Eleven Madison Park, where he helped the team earn #1 Restaurant in the World. Since joining Saison in 2019, he has infused the menu with nuanced, seasonal flavors that reflect Northern California’s culinary diversity. With his expertise, Saison continues to be recognized among the most innovative fine dining destinations in the country.
Cassidee Dabney is the Executive Chef of The Barn at Blackberry Farm, a Relais & Châteaux property in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains. A graduate of the New England Culinary Institute, Chef Dabney brings decades of fine dining experience from across the U.S. and abroad, including many years with the Four Seasons. At The Barn, she leads a team crafting Foothills Cuisine, multi-course menus inspired by seasonal, farm-fresh ingredients grown just steps from the kitchen. A three-time James Beard Best Chef: Southeast nominee, Dabney has helped shape Blackberry Farm into one of the South’s most acclaimed culinary destinations.
This year’s dinner begins with a toast to excellence, as guests will be welcomed with a glass of Krug Champagne. Each chef will present a uniquely inspired canapé highlighting the carrot, Krug’s single ingredient of 2025 and setting the tone for an unforgettable evening. All three chefs will bring their unique perspectives to the plate, and guests will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. This exceptional collaboration, limited to 50 guests, will showcase a tasting menu at a fixed price of $350 and an additional option for a wine pairing at $150 plus tax and service.
This event is fully committed.
2025-07-16
New Beginnings: An Artist's Reception for Alice Ballard
Artist's Reception
The Umstead Hotel & Spa is pleased to present a new exhibition featuring ceramic works by acclaimed artist Alice Ballard, displayed beautifully in our second entrance lobby,
Known for her contemplative, hand-built vessels inspired by seed pods, leaves, and other organic forms, Ballard's sculptural pieces reflect a deep reverence for the quiet intricacies of the natural world. Working primarily in white earthenware, she employs pinch, coil, and slab techniques to create meditative forms rich with texture, movement, and soul.
Her permanent sculpture, Pod Triangle, located outside Herons, exemplifies our Art in Nature philosophy, inviting guests to pause, reflect, and reconnect with nature's elegance.
We invite you to join us for an intimate artist reception with Alice Ballard, including a lecture and Q&A.
Wednesday, July 16
6:00-8:30 PM | Conference Lobby & Sycamore Room
$35 per person
Light hors d’oeuvres and wine will be served prior to the Artist Lecture.
Reserve this experience by phone at 919 447 4050 or online through OpenTable.
Artwork is available for purchase through The Umstead Gift Shop.