Porter's Tavern   

2412 Hillsborough St
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-821-2133

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While not a tavern in the strictest sense of the word, Porter's City Tavern combines urban chic cuisine (funky but filling and affordable) with an unassuming yet sleek atmosphere. This site has been renovated to the nines with flagstone and wood flooring, understated lighting and muted taupe and browns, and it even boasts a small terrace with outdoor tables lining the street. The eclectic menu features items such as tempura French green beans served with a Cajun dipping sauce; and fish tacos, battered bits of white fish rolled in two tortillas and stuffed with avocado, cilantro and spicy mayonnaise. The tavern chips, homemade tortilla chips with a variety of toppings slung over them, are great for sharing or as a stand-alone entree. The Thai chicken chips have chunks of grilled chicken with chopped green onions, white cheddar cheese and a peanut sauce drizzled on top. Hamburgers, pasta dishes, po' boys and gourmet salads round out the menu. To entertain you at the bar, a full wine list and bottled and draft beers join three spotlight drinks: mojitos, homemade sangria and the tangy Brazilian cocktail called a caipirinha. Dessert shines with the unusual molasses ice cream root beer float and the decadent turtle brownie a la mode. -- Lisa Terwilliger