Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

4.8

882 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 8, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time today

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Innovative

If you can't find the date you are looking for here, please call or text the restaurant directly at 919.342.8227 as it may still be available through our central booking.

Reservation Cancellation Policy: As we are a small restaurant with limited seating, No Shows and Reservations cancelled with less than 12 hour notice may be subject to a charge of $20 per person.

Our Patio counts on a heated and covered tent that will run through December, January and February for additional seating.

The Cortez is a fresh seafood and small plates experience with a freshly kept selection of tropical cocktails that draw on our food memories, travels through the years, and Mexican-American heritage.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Book your next event with us

View details

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Mexican, Tapas / Small Plates
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:15 pm
Phone number
(919) 342-8227
Website
http://www.cortezraleigh.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Chef Oscar Diaz

Location
413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-2198
Neighborhood
Raleigh
Parking details
Turn into the alleyway marked by the Cat Mural and you will find a private lot in our rear side of the building. Additional parking can be found at the parking deck behind the Carolina Ale House and street parking all around Glenwood South. We are handicap accessible!
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Traps Bay, New River, NC
Medium-High Salinity, Small Size, Meaty & Sweet
- ea$2.75
Carolina Daydreams, Stump Sound, NC
Medium Salinity, Small Size, Sweet Flavor & Garlicky Finish
- ea$2.75
Core Sounder, Jarrett Bay, NC
medium Salinity, Medium Size, Creamy & Sweet
- ea$2.75
Dress 'em All Up
Bell Pepper, Shallots, Serrano, Cucumber, Salsa Macha, Lime, Salt + Pepper (Add $0.50 Per)
Chargrilled Oysters
The Oyster Shooter*$7.00
Vodka or Tequila, Tomato, Serrano, Pineapple, Cucumber, Cilantro, Tamari, Lemon, Local Oyster

Sharing Plates

Charred Brussels
Brussel sprouts, black bean salsa, crema queso cotija, onions, cilantro, lime
Smoked & Loaded NC Papas$9.00
Smoked & fried fresh dug potatoes, guajillo buffalo, blue cheese, pickled peppers, prosciutto, chives
Crab Avocado Toast$19.00
Boulted Bread, Avocado Crema, NC Lump Crab, Kewpie Mayo, Fennel, Shallot, Peanut Salsa Macha
NC Peaches + Burrata$14.00
Boulted Bread, Basil Oil, Balsamic

Sea

Sharing Plates

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*$16.00
Red Onion, Serranos, Cucumbers, Pepper Mix, Tortilla Chips
Hamachi + Tuna Crudo$15.00
Peppers, Cucumber, watercress, leche de tigre, guacatillo salsa
Gambas al Ajillo$15.00
Shell-On Shrimp, Garlic-Butter-Lemon Sauce, Toasted Baguette
Coctel Mixto
Poached octopus, shrimp, oyster, cocktail sauce, dressed up mix, fried saltines
Charred Octopus$18.00
Buttered Beans, Tomato, Parmesan Butter, Charred Octopus, Chives, Chili Oil
Fried Baja Taquitos$15.00
Corn tortilla, shrimp, bell pepper, salsa roja, queso cotija
CORTEZ SAILBOAT
NC TIRADITO, 4 RAW OYSTERS (2 DRESSED UP), CRAB SALAD PEEL & EAT SHRIMP, OCTOPUS+SHRIMP COCTEL, FRIED SALTINES
Mussels & Picadillo $19.00
PEI mussels, beef picadillo, chipotle, basil, serrano, garlic parm toast

Larger Plates

Grilled Hanger Steak
Pinto beans, kale, mushrooms, molcajete salsa, pickled onion, cilantro
Al Pastor Local Catch Tacos
Al Pastor Marinated Tuna, Local corn tortilla, Farmers market Salas, Street corn, Salsa Diablo & Guacatillo
Grilled Whole NC Fish
Satueed Kale + Mushroom, Salsa Criolla
Triple Deluxe Burger
Brioche, triple beef patties, american cheese, tomato, lettuce, onion, pickles, burger sauce, handcut salt + pepper fries
Seared Scallops + NC Corn$36.00
Seared Maine Scallops, Coconut and corn puree, market corn + butterbean esquites, peanut salsa macha

Bread

Bread + Weed Butter
Baguette, Herb-Nori-Anchovy Butter

What 882 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.8Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail delights with "excellent menu, ambiance and service." Patrons rave about its "amazing food," especially the "octopus," "shrimp," and "oysters." The "innovative and fun dishes" offer surprising twists, and "great cocktails" complement meals. While service occasionally wavers, the overall dining experience remains a Raleigh favorite.

882 Reviews

A
Al
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined 6 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
March 2, 2025 was our first visit to Cortez, happens to be the LAST dinner service before they close for a few weeks to renovate the property! So glad we did! Mexican influenced food, taking advantage of local high quality NC ingredients and a few from elsewhere, super fresh. I don't know if they'll revamp the menu upon reopening, but I'm sure whatever it is will be good! The wine list is short and concise but with good matches for the menu. Raw oysters - Two NC, one VA choices, all good. Roasted oysters - good Grilled pulpo with some greens and local butter beans - outstanding Roasted brussels sprouts with Bulgogi sauce - wow, one of the top five restaurant veg dishes I've had anywhere. We didn't have eating capacity left but the smoked papas would have been next. We'll be back when we get back to Raleigh!
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WC
WillC
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 28, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
For years Cortez has been my partner and I’s go to for birthdays, anniversaries, date nights, and just feel good food. Consistent quality and top notch service every meal. Oh and our favorite place to get oysters. We will miss you, Cortez. Excited for what’s next.
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OT
OpenTable Diner
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
So glad we were able to go one last time before the renovation to a new restaurant. Will miss this unbelievable food and ambiance!
Is this helpful?
T
Tiana
Nashville
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on February 27, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
So sad this place is closing! We’re looking forward to the new venture/space, but please keep the ham as, pulling, and charred oysters!
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P
Primula
Baltimore
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on February 26, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food is always amazing and the staff as well! Top Tier!!
Is this helpful?
M
Megan
Charleston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 25, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is consistently amazing. Pricey, but amazing.
Is this helpful?
M
Michael
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on February 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We will miss you Cortez. Dozens of date nights, and four or five Valentines dinners. Looking forward to what's next.
Is this helpful?
S
Shere
New Orleans
30 reviews
5.0
30 reviews
Dined on February 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Food is always good. The only criticism is they didn’t bring one drink for awhile.
Is this helpful?
J
Jeremy
Raleigh
86 reviews
3.0
86 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
Not great. First time here, and unfortunately the last. To be fair it was a fixed menu for Valentine’s Day but there were only two entree options and only one dessert. Nothing was spectacular, and it wasn’t inexpensive. 🤷🏻‍♂️
Is this helpful?
J
Janine
VIP
New Orleans
17 reviews
5.0
17 reviews
Dined on February 14, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We dined for the Valentine's Day Prix Fixe. The food was delicious and service was attentive.
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FAQs

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 342-8227.

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail is rated 4.8 stars by 882 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 8, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-2198

Dining areas

Additional information

Neighborhood
Raleigh
Hours of operation
Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:15 pm Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Happy Hour Tue–Sun 5:00 pm–6:00 pm Weekend Dinner Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:15 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, Mexican, Tapas / Small Plates
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Turn into the alleyway marked by the Cat Mural and you will find a private lot in our rear side of the building. Additional parking can be found at the parking deck behind the Carolina Ale House and street parking all around Glenwood South. We are handicap accessible!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Chef Oscar Diaz
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dancing, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.cortezraleigh.com/
Phone number
(919) 342-8227

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

NC Snapper Ceviche

Gambas al Ajillo

Charred Octopus

Oysters*

Traps Bay, New River, NC

Carolina Daydreams, Stump Sound, NC

Core Sounder, Jarrett Bay, NC

Dress 'em All Up

Chargrilled Oysters

The Oyster Shooter*$7.00

Sharing Plates

Charred Brussels

Smoked & Loaded NC Papas$9.00

Crab Avocado Toast$19.00

NC Peaches + Burrata$14.00

Sea

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*$16.00

Hamachi + Tuna Crudo$15.00

Gambas al Ajillo$15.00

Coctel Mixto

Charred Octopus$18.00

Fried Baja Taquitos$15.00

CORTEZ SAILBOAT

Mussels & Picadillo $19.00

Larger Plates

Grilled Hanger Steak

Al Pastor Local Catch Tacos

Grilled Whole NC Fish

Triple Deluxe Burger

Seared Scallops + NC Corn$36.00

Bread

Bread + Weed Butter

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cortez Seafood + Cocktail restaurant rated?

Is Cortez Seafood + Cocktail currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information