Hayes Barton Cafe & Dessertery

Category:	Cafe
Address:	2000 Fairview Rd, Raleigh, NC 27608, USA
Phone:	+1 919-856-8551
Site:	hayesbartoncafe.com
Rating:	4.4
Working:	Closed 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM 11:30AM–2PM Closed

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 10

Ron Wen

Are you hungry? Well you better be if youre eating at Hayes Barton Cafe! Because behind that discrete doorway is some WWII decor and comfort food in VERY large portions. Toss in a delicious slice of cake that could feed 4 people and you are not going home hungry my friend. With its small space, HBC usually fills up quickly and you may need a reservation. As you walk in you pass a case of their 10" high cakes to whet your appetite. Go for the mussels and bagel chips app if you want to get your meal started with a bang. Their chicken pot-pie has a WHOLE chicken in it and shows up at your table like a super-star. And the meatloaf is probably 12" across and 2" thick, I dare you to finish it. And no meal would be complete without a slice of their amazing cake so dont quit yet! They rotate their flavors but they are usually all excellent. So yeah, Hayes Barton Cafe has been delivering deliciousness for years and they dont look like they are slowing down...

jennifer lumer

Cakes were amazing, food was good, service was ok. Not sure what the excitement is over this place. If i ever go back again I will get a piece of cake to go then eat it somewhere else with AC. Reason for the 3 stars: - NO AC - only fans. In August it was really hot. No matter how much ice water I had it didnt cool me down. - Prices were on the high side for a cafe - Menu was lacking in descriptions of some of their meals. There is also a lot of restrictions and rules. They dont split up checks, but they "have a calculator". The host also forgot to give us the specials sheet when seating us. - Website is horrible. Not a fan of the flash menu where I have to wait for the rotating menu to see what they have and have it switch on me before I got to finish reading it.

Gregory Martinez

Lunch is delicious, efficient and served with a smile. There are daily specials, milkshakes and floats. Desserts are available to eat in and take out at lunch as well and they are some of the best you can find in Raleigh. The lemon-blueberry is one of my personal favorites. Dinner is southern comfort at its best. Daily specials will keep the regulars coming back for something new or an old favorite. Salads are fresh and well thought out. The mussels are some of my favorite in the city and with a nice oaky chard are paired well. Portions are large and you will have enough meatloaf to make yourself a sandwich for lunch the next day. The hospitality from host staff, service and bar are top notch and remind you that every city has its secrets.

A Private User

I got "sick as a dog after eating there." Had the spinach greens salad with warm goat cheese and walnuts. Before I left the restaurant I had stomach cramps, and started to have severe flatulence (which continued for about 1 hour). When I got home I had to run to the toilet every 15-20 minutes and my stomach just poured out of me with that same foul odor, I was up until 3:30am until having to go to the toilet finally stopped; and I ended up quite dehydrated. I did not like their sanitation rating of 93, but my friend assured me it was OK (he did not eat or drink anything). Maybe it was late in the day and some bacteria formed on something, but I really was sick as a dog. I will not be returning to the establishment again I assure you.

A Private User

Hayes Barton is my favorite restaurant in Raleigh! The food is excellent... for dinner dont miss the crab dip, meatloaf, or pork medallions. The steaks and fish are excellent too, although on the verge of being pricey. The desserts are maybe the best I have ever had and HUGE... today I shared the chocolate Kahlua soaked heath bar cake and it was amazing. For lunch the chicken salad club is excellent especially with the deviled eggs, which my girlfriend and I split. The best part of the restaurant though is the host and owner, Frank. He is a wonderful host and makes every experience special. I have even celebrated my birthday there and it is a perfect place for a nice date!

Kimberly Burton

Nostalgic decor -- not retro: its the real deal. A casual soda shop vibe during lunch transitions to cozy, surprisingly romantic dinner ambiance in the PM. Jaw-dropping, gorgeous mile-high cakes & deep-dish pies *baked fresh like mamas.* Take a slice to go if you must, but do not -- I repeat: DO NOT -- skip dessert here. Filling, delicious dinner entrées like the worlds best chicken pot pie (rich, creamy sauce, fresh ingredients, home-made crust perfection). Lunch diner faves: hot dogs, deviled eggs, & fries -- classic chicken salad too! Down-to-earth, neighborly staff at this Raleigh gem seal the deal. P.S. I mean it: if you skip dessert, get help. ;)

Matt Boyce

This is truly one of Raleighs gems. I have only eaten a full dinner here a few times (the meat loaf is amazing), but every time has been great. The service and food is outstanding. But... The cakes, my God the cakes. If you can eat a whole slice I would be impressed. They are pricey, but absolutely worth it. We usually stop by as they are opening to get some cake for a little later. I have had at least 5-6 types and all are the best I have ever had for that type of cake. I dont think you will ever be disappointed with any of them. One piece of advice, get there early to make sure you get a good selection, as their cakes sell out throughout the evening.

A Private User

Excellent food and outstanding service! Frank and his wife Marget run a great place. I am in the US Army and was in Raleigh visiting and when he found out that he refused to take our money and even gave us desserts on the house, despite us begging him to let us pay. It was a good feeling to be somewhere that appreciates military service, and we will make the 1.5 hour trip back to eat there many times! The decor of the restaurant was perfect for a 1940s diner, and very clean! We had no wait for service, but can see that the small size of the restaurant may cause a wait due to the high demand.

Trevor Evans

This is an exception place. Ive never been anywhere with such a friendly, accommodating and delicious experience. My wife and I have popped into Hayes a few times just for cake but thought we would stop in the other night and grab dinner too. We didnt have a reservation and they were booked all night. They were so kind and worked us in. The meal was incredible. The best steak and tomato pie (seasonal special). The atmosphere is second to none, so nostalgic. I highly recommend Hayes without any reservations. You will have a great time there and you will NOT be disappointed.

Stephen Fitts

This place is great. Got here around 620 pm for dinner, had a 45 minute wait. The host took our jackets and was very curious. My girlfriend ordered the meatloaf and it was huge, enough to feed two or three. Tasted great along with the mashed potatoes. I had the burger, 1/2 lb and was also good. Reminds me of a diner. Good atmosphere. Great food. Will be coming back. This place has been packed since it opened and has not slowed down. Dont let that scare you, service was also great and very timely.