Hummingbird

I’ve been to this place several times, the food, cocktails, and the friendly staff always keep me coming back. The welcome is always warm, the food is just reminiscent enough of New Orleans to hold me over until my next trip.… Seating: I’ve made a reservation a few times inside and out, but I prefer to just be seated at the bar. . Staff: The staff is friendly I’ve only had one lackluster experience and everyone is allowed an off day. Erin the owner is always friendly.. the bar staff are always on point. Check this place out, you won’t be disappointed.

We had a Sunday reservation and we were seated promptly in their “main” indoor dining space. The area is very very small and you can hear employee conversations. I asked the hostess if there were any other seating options and she shared there was the bar and outside but it was too hot outside. We decided to stay put. The service was friendly, the food was good, and the drinks were large pours. The oysters were good but very small considering the price we paid.

I finally made it into Hummingbird for dinner and loved it. Brunch is great and dinner is better. My wife and I came in with another couple and we bought too many things and had too many drinks and I regret nothing! The service was amazing and friendly. The chef stopped by our table, she was gracious and patient with all of questions about technique and ingredients. And the food, every bite was delicious. Arugula salad, dressed perfect, melon and cheese, paired wonderfully elevating the flavor. The shrimp creole was rich, salty, with a tiny hint of heat that kept you coming back to it. The au gratin squash might be my all time favorite squash dish. Stand alone squash as comfort food, who knew? The BBQ chicken, also perfect. Dripping with juice, the meat was flavored from skin to bone, paired with the best fried okra I’ve ever had. Finally the bread pudding was straight magic. I’m not sure where Hummingbird is in my personal best restaurants of Raleigh list but it’s in my top three. Totally looking forward doing a lot more research here so I can make up my mind! I left my original Brunch review below if you’re still reading… Brunch on a loading dock. :) Hummingbird does a good job elevating their section of the loading dock (it’s still a loading dock) but let’s face it, you’re here for the food and cocktails and both are very good. The watermelon and arugula salad, like many dishes here, is better than the sum of its delicious ingredients. Well balanced flavors. The chicken and waffles are very good but there are at least three other places in Raleigh doing this better at similar or better price point. And the Pavlova is inspired. I lack the adjectives to describe this lovely and delicious creation that is lightly sweet and crispy/creamy/melty. Just mmmm. House cocktails are tasty and more boozy than most brunch places so you’ve been warned. I expect to be back to do brunch again and do dinner sometime soon too. If so, I’ll update my review.

The inside of this place is tiny but the flavors of the food are anything but small. The New Orleans inspired dishes are bold and flavorful. This part diner, part eclectic cafe is an interesting find. It is definitely worth your time to visit.

We celebrated a recent birthday dinner at Hummingbird and will definitely return. Every one of their New Orleans inspired dishes was tasty and presented beautifully. We ordered a variety of small plates and enjoyed them all. Their strawberry meringue dessert was a perfect finish to an outstanding meal. As an added treat, Chef Coleen Speaks sat at our table and chatted with us for a few minutes. She is a really nice person, a gifted chef, and a great conversationalist. Good friends, good food, good times!