Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

4.7

865 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a booking

2 people

21 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 6 times today

Innovative
Charming
Good for groups

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

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
Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

Popular dishes

Traps Bay, New River, NC
Medium-High Salinity, Small Size, Meaty & Sweet
- eaUS$2.75
Carolina Daydreams, Stump Sound, NC
Medium Salinity, Small Size, Sweet Flavor & Garlicky Finish
- eaUS$2.75
Core Sounder, Jarrett Bay, NC
medium Salinity, Medium Size, Creamy & Sweet
- eaUS$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*US$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 PapasUS$9.00
Smoked & fried fresh dug potatoes, guajillo buffalo, blue cheese, pickled peppers, prosciutto, chives
Crab Avocado ToastUS$19.00
Boulted Bread, Avocado Crema, NC Lump Crab, Kewpie Mayo, Fennel, Shallot, Peanut Salsa Macha
NC Peaches + BurrataUS$14.00
Boulted Bread, Basil Oil, Balsamic

Sea

Sharing Plates

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*US$16.00
Red Onion, Serranos, Cucumbers, Pepper Mix, Tortilla Chips
Hamachi + Tuna CrudoUS$15.00
Peppers, Cucumber, watercress, leche de tigre, guacatillo salsa
Gambas al AjilloUS$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 OctopusUS$18.00
Buttered Beans, Tomato, Parmesan Butter, Charred Octopus, Chives, Chili Oil
Fried Baja TaquitosUS$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 US$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 CornUS$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 865 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.8Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Innovative
Raleigh
Innovative

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail offers exceptional seafood and small plates with standout dishes like "amazing octopus" and "fantastic oysters." The ambiance is described as delightful, though sometimes loud, and the service is consistently praised as "excellent" and "attentive." This Raleigh favorite guarantees an "amazing dining experience."

865 Reviews

R
ROBBY
Richmond
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was awesome and the staff was even better!!!
Is this helpful?
S
Silvia
Raleigh
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time at Cortez. We were pleasantly surprised with the food. We ordered Ceviche, a few oysters, octopus, gambas al ajillo, and the shrimp tacos. Everything was delicious. The cocktails were good as well.
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S
Sandra
Charlotte
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Todo exquisito!! El pulpo es increíble... los cocteles muy buenos (bien presentados)
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B
Brittany
Las Vegas
8 reviews
2.0
8 reviews
Dined on 12 January 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Our server was great but that’s about where the good stops. They had a 90 health code score which is scary for a place serving raw food. Needless to say we did not get any raw food. They looked to have pre-shuck hundreds of oysters which is not something you should do with oysters. The food we did order was under seasoned and lacking anything that would make me consider it good. It was a lot of money for what it was. We left after appetizers. Also the women cleaning table next to us sprayed sanitizer/cleaner from about 12 inches off the table causing a cloud of cleaner to hit the next table down which was full of food. No bueno.
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P
Paul
Denver
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on 7 January 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We enjoyed the food immensely, two signature dishes. One was the Octopus and the other Shrimp. The Octopus was cooked perfectly, and that is not easy. It was tender and very appealing taste. The Shrimp was good, unique in the presentation, but could have been portioned differently.
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J
Jazmin
Washington DC
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 28 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My favorite place to grab oysters and well curated small plates
Is this helpful?
S
Sandra
Charlotte
5 reviews
5.0
5 reviews
Dined on 28 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
De li CIO SOOOOO!! Pedimos pulpo (viene sobre una cama de frijoles blancos), la hamburguesa campeona!!
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N
Nancy
Raleigh
11 reviews
4.0
11 reviews
Dined on 27 December 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Not as good as it used to be. Last two times not as happy with the food. The service is always good. The octopus was as great as always. The avocado crab toast had too much topping. The taquitos didn’t have any flavor. Smash burgers good, fries are the best. Overall good but we won’t be going back for long while.
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D
Diane
Richmond
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 21 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delicious! I had grilled octopus on bed of beans (I didn’t know beans could be so delicious!). Sea bass was delicious too
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M
Mary
Raleigh
34 reviews
5.0
34 reviews
Dined on 10 December 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Delicious food, comfortable service, attentive team! We had the char-grilled oysters which were superb. The grilled romaine salad, the shrimp dish -and the taquitos were good, octopus exceptional! Try it, you will like it!!
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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 4.7 stars by 865 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a booking

2 people

21 Jan 2025

19:00

Booked 6 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

413 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27603-2198

Dining areas

Additional information

Area
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
Gluten-free Options, Patio/Outdoor Dining

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

Cortez Seafood + Cocktail

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

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*US$7.00

Sharing Plates

Charred Brussels

Smoked & Loaded NC PapasUS$9.00

Crab Avocado ToastUS$19.00

NC Peaches + BurrataUS$14.00

Sea

N.C. Snapper Ceviche*US$16.00

Hamachi + Tuna CrudoUS$15.00

Gambas al AjilloUS$15.00

Coctel Mixto

Charred OctopusUS$18.00

Fried Baja TaquitosUS$15.00

CORTEZ SAILBOAT

Mussels & Picadillo US$19.00

Larger Plates

Grilled Hanger Steak

Al Pastor Local Catch Tacos

Grilled Whole NC Fish

Triple Deluxe Burger

Seared Scallops + NC CornUS$36.00

Bread

Bread + Weed Butter

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

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 bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information