Home › Beauty and Wellness › Tattoo shop
The 10 Best Tattoo Shops in Raleigh (2026)
Raleigh has a busy and varied tattoo scene, from compact downtown studios to larger shops along major corridors. This ranking is built from Google review data using a Bayesian-style score that weighs average rating against review volume, and it was updated for 2026. We focused on businesses listed under tattoo-related Google categories and prioritized both consistency and the number of customer reviews to surface shops that are broadly recommended by locals. Whether you want a walk-in or an appointment-only artist, this list gives a practical starting point for exploring Raleigh’s tattoo options.
This ranking is computed from Google reviews (our method). Listings marked Partner are paid advertising spots: they sit alongside the ranking without changing its order.
Are you a tattoo shop in Raleigh?
People reading this page are looking for a pro right now. Put your business above the ranking, with your contact details and a link to your site.
✓ Live immediately · ✓ One-time payment · ✓ No subscription
10 of 10 spots still available
Che Ink Studio
Che Ink Studio tops our list because it combines a perfect 5.0 Google rating with a substantial 287 reviews, a balance that gives it strong weight in a review-weighted ranking. Its listing as a Tattoo shop and its downtown St Marys Street address make it highly visible to both residents and visitors. The combination of flawless average rating and high review count is why it edges out other excellent local shops.
The full ranking
LEArtistry + Ink
LEArtistry + Ink is rated 5.0 with 240 Google reviews, categorized as a Tattoo shop and located in the Image Studios building on Harvest Oaks Dr in Raleigh.
240 reviews
Pinky Swear Tattoo
Pinky Swear Tattoo has a perfect 5.0 rating based on 125 reviews, listed as a Tattoo shop at 208 Fayetteville St in downtown Raleigh.
125 reviews
Old Ghosts Tattoo
Old Ghosts Tattoo carries a 5.0 Google rating from 87 reviews; the shop is listed as a Tattoo shop at 111 E Hargett St in downtown Raleigh.
87 reviews
Electric Blue Tattoo
Electric Blue Tattoo is rated 5.0 with 85 reviews on Google, categorized as a Tattoo shop and located on Six Forks Rd in North Raleigh.
85 reviews
Cleopatra Ink Tattoo & Piercing Raleigh Studio
Cleopatra Ink Tattoo & Piercing Raleigh Studio shows a 4.9 rating from 717 Google reviews and is listed under Tattoo and piercing shop at 301 N West St in Raleigh.
717 reviews
Inkvictus Studios® | Raleigh Tattoo, Piercing, & Esthetic Studio
Inkvictus Studios® appears with a 4.9 Google rating and 476 reviews, noted as a Tattoo and piercing shop at 107 Wind Chime Ct in Raleigh.
476 reviews
Urban Ink society
Urban Ink society carries a 4.9 rating based on 431 Google reviews, listed as a Tattoo shop at 6925 Old Wake Forest Rd in the northern Raleigh area.
431 reviews
Eye Heart Tattoo
Eye Heart Tattoo has a 4.9 Google rating from 281 reviews, categorized as a Tattoo shop and located at 430 S Dawson St in downtown Raleigh.
281 reviews
Bold House Tattoo
Bold House Tattoo posts a 4.9 rating with 172 Google reviews, listed as a Tattoo and piercing shop at 4551 New Bern Ave in Raleigh.
172 reviews
Frequently asked questions
How should I choose a tattoo shop or artist?
Look at recent portfolio work to ensure the artist’s style matches what you want, check Google reviews for consistency, and confirm the shop follows proper sanitation and licensing. A pre-visit consultation or conversation about your design is also a good way to judge communication and professionalism.
What should I check before getting tattooed?
Verify the studio’s cleanliness, ask about sterile, single-use needles and ink handling, and confirm the artist’s licensing if required by local regulations. Make sure you understand the design, placement, and aftercare instructions before the session starts.
How much time in advance should I book an appointment?
Booking time varies by shop and artist demand; simple walk-ins may be possible, while popular artists can book weeks to months ahead. Call or message the shop to ask about lead times and cancellation policies so you can plan around your preferred date.
How is this ranking built and updated?
This list is based on Google review data using a Bayesian-style approach that weights average rating by the number of reviews, favoring shops with consistently high scores and substantial feedback. The data set was refreshed for 2026 to reflect current public reviews.