
Death and Taxes
A celebrated Raleigh restaurant by Chef Ashley Christensen, known for wood-fired cooking in a historic, intimate setting with sophisticated cocktails.

Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Death and Taxes

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A celebrated Raleigh restaurant by Chef Ashley Christensen, known for wood-fired cooking in a historic, intimate setting with sophisticated cocktails.
"This meal wasn’t just dinner, it was an experience."
Romantic Seating
Request a table along the outer wall with bench seating for a more romantic dining experience.
Cocktail Choice
Try the Happy Camper for colder months; My Second Rodeo is also a standout.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
$$$
Phone
(984) 242-0218
Address
105 W Hargett St, Raleigh, NC 27601, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Wood-Fired Culinary Mastery
Experience the artistry of James Beard Award-winning Chef Ashley Christensen's wood-fired techniques, highlighting local ingredients.

Intimate & Swanky Ambiance
Dine in an intimate, upscale setting within a historic building, featuring a sophisticated atmosphere and an open kitchen.

Inventive Cocktails & Dishes
Savor unique cocktails like Happy Camper or My Second Rodeo, alongside creative dishes such as bone marrow starters.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Romantic Seating
Request a table along the outer wall with bench seating for a more romantic dining experience.
Cocktail Choice
Try the Happy Camper for colder months; My Second Rodeo is also a standout.
Parking
Parking is generally easy to find on the street or in nearby lots.
Dietary Needs
The restaurant is accommodating for food allergies and can create off-menu dishes.
Tips
from all over the internet
Romantic Seating
Request a table along the outer wall with bench seating for a more romantic dining experience.
Cocktail Choice
Try the Happy Camper for colder months; My Second Rodeo is also a standout.
Parking
Parking is generally easy to find on the street or in nearby lots.
Dietary Needs
The restaurant is accommodating for food allergies and can create off-menu dishes.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Death & Taxes is highly praised for its inventive New American cuisine, impeccable service, and intimate, upscale atmosphere. Diners rave about wood-fired dishes, creative cocktails, and the attentive staff. While most experiences are overwhelmingly positive, some have noted minor disappointments with specific dishes or desserts, though the overall consensus points to a memorable and high-quality dining experience.
"We brought our friends here for a lovely meal! A very intimate space. The wait staff were well versed in the menu and also friendly to chat to in-between courses. We all got a variety of different food but my personal favorites were the potato leek style soup, the roasted oysters and the wintered greens. It was an amazing meal and I can’t wait to come back and try it with the rotating menu!"
Rosie H
"Amazing Birthday Celebration
I celebrated my birthday at Death & Taxes in December 2024 with family and friends, and the whole experience was incredible. Everyone in our group had a great time. The Second Rodeo cocktail was a standout—perfectly balanced with a smoky twist that I’ll definitely come back for.
The food was delicious from start to finish—each dish was packed with flavor and cooked with care. The wood-fired cooking really added something special. The atmosphere was cozy yet modern, and the open kitchen made the experience even more engaging.
The staff was attentive and made us feel welcome throughout the night. It was a memorable evening, and I’d highly recommend Death & Taxes for birthdays, celebrations, or just a great night out in Raleigh."
Sukhbir Gill
"Death and Taxes is a great spot for a 4th or 5th date (or first, if you’re a big baller), or celebrating any occasion. The food is good to great, and service is really excellent! I tend to only leave 5 star reviews if this combination is met, and they definitely delivered.
We are vegetarian, and it is pretty hard to introduce us to new ways to eat vegetables. So, the beet appetizer was a pleasant surprise as we hadn’t really had such a flavor profile before. The tomato appetizer was also good. We shared the vegetarian pasta afterwards, which was citrusy and good, although could have used more umami notes. The carrot side was also good, and family style sharing is definitely possible (or even encouraged?) here. All the dessert options and drinks are delicious.
Our waitress was awesome, in line with other reviews. Shocked to hear it was only her second day on the job! Upon hearing about the reasons for our celebration that evening, she kindly brought out a little pour of something special on the house. But regardless of that gesture the attention and excitement she has for the food and our dining was impressive.
Since I was a bit confused about dress code before going, I can now suggest this spot fits squarely into the category I call “if your shirt has at least two buttons, you’re good.”"
Divyam Goel
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Death & Taxes is celebrated for its wood-fired cooking techniques, inventive New American dishes, and sophisticated cocktails, all served in an intimate, upscale atmosphere.
Popular choices include bone marrow starters, wood-fired oysters, steaks, and creative desserts like the Baked Alaska.
Yes, the restaurant offers a well-curated cocktail menu with unique creations like 'Happy Camper' and 'My Second Rodeo', as well as zero-proof options.
The dress code is generally smart casual; if your shirt has at least two buttons, you're likely good to go.
Yes, they are accommodating for food allergies and can prepare off-menu dishes for dietary needs like vegetarian or vegan.
Parking is typically easy to find along the street or in multiple lots around downtown Raleigh.
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When chef Ashley Christensen opened the 60-seat Death & Taxes—her fifth dining spot in downtown Raleigh—in 2015, the news made big waves, ultimately earning the restaurant the honor of being one of five finalists for the Beard Foundation's best new restaurant award. The wood-fired-focused restaurant—housed in a building once home to a bank and then a funeral home (hence the name!)—boasts an extensive cocktail and wine program that compliments meat and fish staples that are further complimented by grilled vegetables, oysters, salads and more. View this post on Instagram
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Death & Taxes: We loved our experience at Poole’s the first time we visited Raleigh. So much so that we knew we had to try another Ashley Christensen restaurant upon our return to Raleigh!. Death & Taxes was listed as one of the Best New Restaurants by Food & Wine in 2016, and it is definitely worth the hype. Death & Taxes features a menu of wood-grilled dishes prepared with Southern ingredients, and it will certainly be one of the most memorable dining experiences of your life!
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Death & Taxes is a contemporary Raleigh restaurant dedicated to the craft of cooking with wood fire. Chef Ashley Christensen packs the menu at Death & Taxes with embered elements and local ingredients, from North Carolina oysters to embered tomato jam on grilled peaches. The food doesn’t disappoint, and the craft cocktails pull a close second – try the Carolina Gold, with peach-basil syrup and balsamic caramel to complement dry vermouth and vodka.
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Death & Taxes is an upscale restaurant by James Beard Award-winning chef Ashley Christensen. It opened in 2015 in a historic downtown building that once housed a bank and later a funeral home (hence the clever name). In a renovated 1920s building, Death and Taxes is best known for its wood-fired cooking techniques, elegant atmosphere with an open kitchen, sophisticated cocktails, and delicious dishes made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients.
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This restaurant gets its unique name from the Benjamin franklin quote that used to be on its walls – “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes”. In fact, if you consider the previous owners of these four walls, you would understand where the name came from – a funeral home and a bank. Ashley Christensen, the founder of multiple popular restaurants around town came up with this concept in 2015.
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It's been a decade since chef Ashley Christensen's Death & Taxes opened in downtown Raleigh, a period that feels long enough to call it a certified staple of the Raleigh fine-dining scene. Built around the power of a wood-fired cooking, Death & Taxes has one of the most intimate dining rooms in the city, and the perfectly roasted meats and veggies continue to make it a go-to for special occasions or just a Tuesday night out.
My two cents on eating around Raleigh : raleigh
Also, I love AC restaurants, Beasley's is a favorite when family comes to town and Death and Taxes is a great meal alongside Poole's. I think my favorite thing about AC is the influence she has made on the scene in Raleigh and how may people who have come through her kitchens have opened places of their own. I just wanted to give some love to the places that aren't in the paper all the time.
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Death & Taxes, a contemporary American restaurant by acclaimed chef Ashley Christensen, is another excellent choice. Located in a historic building on Hargett Street, this restaurant specializes in wood-fired dishes that highlight seasonal ingredients. Try the grilled oysters or the heritage pork chop, and pair your meal with a craft cocktail or a selection from their extensive wine list.
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Death and Taxes is a prominent venue in Raleigh known for its inventive New American cuisine and crafted cocktails. The restaurant in a former bank enhances its unique dining experience by incorporating an onsite wine cellar within the original bank vault, blending historical elements with modern culinary practices. The interior of Death and Taxes has an intimate, swanky ambiance.
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Ashley Christensen’s fine-dining restaurant is not open yet for in-restaurant dining. But it recently resumed serving meals to take-home. For Valentine’s Day, this take-home meal for two includes lobster tortelloni in melted leek cream, Picanha steak with bone marrow butter twice-baked potato, and bacon-wrapped green beans, focaccia with olive oil and Videri chocolate budino.
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Death and Taxes in Raleigh, NC is a modern American restaurant located in the heart of downtown. Their ever-changing menu offers a unique blend of classic flavors from around the world, all crafted from locally sourced ingredients. With an atmosphere that is both cozy and upscale, Death and Taxes is the perfect spot for a special occasion or romantic date night.
Where the Chefs Eat
Executive Chef Jacquelynn Brown has been leading the kitchen of J. Alexander, a part of a boutique collection of restaurants, for more than a decade. But when she explores the local dining scene in Raleigh, she makes her way to Ashley Christensen’s Death & Taxes, a conceptual restaurant where the menu is dedicated to the technique of cooking with wood fire.
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Experience wood-fired cuisine and artisanal cocktails at Death & Taxes. Helmed by acclaimed chef Ashley Christensen, this contemporary restaurant specializes in grilled meats, seafood, and seasonal vegetables cooked over an open flame. With an inviting ambiance and impeccable service, Death & Taxes is the perfect spot for a memorable dinner in Raleigh.
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While the food is five-star, Death & Taxes isn't your typical upscale restaurant. A unique open kitchen design lets you watch the chefs' employ a wood-style cooking technique to prepare your favorite seafood, lamb, pork and chicken dishes. Portions are small, so its recommended for tables to order multiple items and share so that everyone gets a taste.
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Part of Ashley Christensen’s mini Raleigh restaurant empire, Death & Taxes has been a staple in the area ever since its opening in 2015. For dinner, Meeker recommends “every single appetizer,” but make sure you order something that complements what you’re drinking. “I go champagne and then cabs here because AC’s wine lists are always great,” he says.
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You can spend hours geeking out together over the amazing exhibits before cruising over to the capital building to indulge in a fancy meal at Death and Taxes. The menu is as sublime as the elegant decor and reason to get dressed up if you wish. Save room for dessert and handcrafted cocktails at Bittersweets, where the menu is loaded with temptation.
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Located in Raleigh's Warehouse District, Death & Taxes is a shop for wood-fired cooking and Southern hospitality. Chef Ashley Christensen's menu features locally sourced meats and seasonal vegetables, all expertly prepared over an open flame.The restaurant offers locally sourced meats and seasonal vegetables cooked over an open flame.
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Another amazing Raleigh restaurant by Ashley Christensen, Death and Taxes is a bit higher end. It features contemporary foods dedicated to cooking with wood fire on a custom 2,000 pound grill. As soon as you step in the door, you’ll be wowed by the high ceilings, marble tables, and find leather banquettes.
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In the heart of Raleigh, Death and Taxes offers a unique dining experience. This restaurant, created by renowned Chef Ashley Christensen, is housed in a building with a storied past. Originally a funeral home, then a bank, it now stands as a testament to Raleigh’s rich history and culinary innovation.
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Since I’ve been saving my coins and thinking ahead enough to make reservations a few weeks ago, Death & Taxes it is. Chef extraordinaire Ashley Christensen was recently given the top prize at the James Beard awards, and this is her fine-dining spot, so you can say excellence is a foregone conclusion.
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Opened in 2015 by chef Ashley Christensen, Death & Taxes draws upon its historic roots from its unusual name and the food it serves. The building it occupies was once a funeral home and a bank. Death & Taxes is now one of the best fine dining spots in Raleigh.
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Fire and flavor come together at Death & Taxes, where wood-fired cooking techniques lift Southern ingredients to new heights. This establishment stands as another stellar addition to the best restaurants Triangle NC has to offer, right in downtown Raleigh.
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Death and Taxes serves inventive modern dishes cooked over a wood fire in a classy restaurant with an open kitchen. Get a reservation of show up when the open and hope the fire and love gods are on your side.
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Another culinary gem from Chef Ashley Christensen, a local celebrity chef amongst Raleigh restaurants, Death & Taxes is the perfect swanky, intimate option for diners looking to splurge on their night out.
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With her talent and mission to bring locals and travelers together, she opened up several restaurants downtown, including Death & Taxes — a restaurant with wood-fire recipes sure to tickle your taste buds!
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Death & Taxes mentions that they are “Dedicated to the technique of cooking with wood fire” – sign me up for the signature oysters!. It’s a trendy restaurant with delicious craft cocktails.
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- Rating: 4.1/5 (418 reviews)- Price level: $$$- Address: 105 West Hargett St. Raleigh, North Carolina - Categories: New American, Desserts, Cocktail Bars- Read more on Yelp
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Wear your best to Death and Taxes, a wood-fired kitchen run by Raleigh Chef Ashley Christensen. Pro tip: Sit at the bar to watch the chefs at work.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit