First Look: NC State Fairgrounds Food Hall

NC State Fairgrounds’ highly anticipated food hall set to make its debut this fall. 

Step right up—the NC State Fairgrounds’ game-changing new food hall is ready for its debut. First announced last year, the Midway Event Center is gearing up to welcome fairgoers inside during the NC State Fair Oct. 15–25.

Located adjacent to the iconic Dorton Arena, the two-story, 30K-square-foot building is “going to be something different than the State Fairgrounds has ever had,” says NC State Fair Director Kent Yelverton.

But the real treat? Getting a first look inside.

“When people come in, they’re going to be wowed and blown away by the beauty of this space,” says Kristen Hess, CEO of Raleigh-based HH Architecture, the firm behind the project. “It’s very upscale.”

Think less utilitarian concession hall, more funky fair nostalgia meets serious design. The first floor spills out onto a sunken, terraced outdoor dining area filled with seating and landscaping, while inside, booths, banquettes and tables are layered among playful finishes. Look closely and you’ll spot hot dog wallpaper, ice cream motifs, State Fair Flyer-inspired decor and other cheeky details. “There’s some Easter eggs in the building,” teases Hess.

A monumental staircase leads upstairs, where another bar, additional dining areas and an outdoor terrace overlook the midway. The icing on top? The State Fair Flyer chairlift passes right by, setting up an only-at-the-fair vantage point over all that fried food-fueled action below.

“It’s going to be a super cool experience for people to come in, move up through the space, explore, and then go out on the terrace and look out over the midway,” explains Hess.

And the second floor isn’t all about the view—it also delivers something the Fairgrounds has long needed: dedicated event space. A large room seating about 150 for a banquet can host meetings, gatherings and private events. During the Fair, expect programming in the space—but when nothing’s on the calendar, it’ll be open to the public, says Yelverton.

As for what’s actually on the menu this October: While the eight permanent food vendors are still being identified and contracted—and will not be fully operational for this year’s fair—the building itself will be very much a part of the action. But officials do anticipate up to four temporary vendors serving from dedicated stalls along the south terrace, complete with exterior walk-up windows and counters.

And then there’s the food hall’s rather famous next-door neighbor. Designing a contemporary gathering place beside Dorton Arena—one of Raleigh’s most recognizable modernist landmarks—meant designing something new without trying to upstage the icon next door.

“We were never wanting to compete—we were wanting to complement,” says Hess. The new building’s roofline rises toward Dorton in a subtle architectural nod, while walls of glass and expansive terraces keep the Fairgrounds action in view.

Beyond the State Fair, once the permanent kitchens come online, the eight food vendors, two bars, dining areas and event spaces are intended to operate year-round—giving Raleighites a reason to hit the Fairgrounds without a flea market, trade show or corn dog calling their name.

So, sure, come October for the Ferris wheels and fried everything. But next year, don’t be surprised if one of the fairgrounds’ buzziest new attractions doesn’t move at all.