Village District ups its game as day-to-night destination district.
Fun fact: Postino is Italian for postman—which is fitting, given upcoming Postino WineCafé promises to absolutely deliver. If your mind goes to brunching and lunching around some intermittent retail therapy when you think of Village District—think again. Beyond the uproarious addition of Goodnights that catapulted the destination for shoppers and diners into a good-night-out spot, the DTR-adjacent district continues to elevate its nighttime appeal.
Now, the Arizona-born dynamic, market-first “industrial winecafé” we first teased last spring is set to uncork in the former Cafe Carolina space this spring—and promises to serve as a welcoming respite for Raleighites frequenting the neighborhood, which is celebrating 75 years of “tradition and taste” this month.
“We take a lot of pride in this property,” says Regency VP/Market Office Nate Smith, “and being able to bring fresh experiences to the market reflects our team’s passion. Postino is one of the most sought-after restaurant concepts in the country, and we’re thrilled they’ll be joining our fantastic tenant mix at Village District”—NTM bringing VD to 99% leased.
With an MO of “making people feel good” and intentionally built as a space for connection, the WineCafé’s iterations serve as odes to the communities that house them—its welcoming vibes synonymous with thego-to spot for happy hour, date night, GNO and beyond.
Midcentury-mod furnishings sourced from local vintage shops and alluring art installations invite, while custom walnut wine walls, rollup garage doors and vibey playlists serve up a kicked-back spot to sip back and relax. Meanwhile, palate-pleasing potables and pairings promise to keep you sated across an ever-changing cast of boutique wines, craft brews and specialty cocktails, alongside a decked-out menu of bruschetta, panini, salads and a lineup of craveworthy charcuterie boards and shareables. Sharing is caring, after all.
Ultimately answering the call for innumerable requests to pull Postino to NC, “when we found this location in Village District that’s been somewhat of a historic landmark in the community, we had to jump,” says Lauren Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Upward Projects. “We can’t wait to join the Raleigh community.”
Echoes Village District GM Brooke Conn: “Postino is in the perfect location to accommodate our community’s desire for a brunch and daytime spot that effortlessly becomes a nighttime destination.” So, clearly, the whole package.
Where you can find the RM team brunchin’ around Raleigh.
Life happens, brunch helps. And on Saturdays and Sundays, there’s no egg-scuse not to gather your crew and get fizzical over mimosas and arguably the best meal of the week (it’s like breakfast, but better—and you don’t even have to set an alarm!). Whether you’re looking for an excuse to day drink or are in dire need of a hefty hangover nosh fest, brunch is always a good idea. Here, the RM team’s fave brunch spots in town.
“I love Cucciolo Terrazza’s atmosphere—and the brunch is delicious.” —Debby Serena, Account Executive
“First Watch has the best biscuits and gravy… and iced coffee!” —Cam Rhinehardt, Account Executive, @camrht
“St. Roch for Southern brunch with Cajun flair (think gator bolognese paired with Lowcountry grits and a housemade chile oil). The Sinner Rolls are a must!” —Kelsie Barton, Contributing Writer, @kelsie_barton
“I could eat pizza any hour of the day, so Poole’side Pies’ new Sunday brunch is my dream. A Carbonara pizza followed by focaccia French toast? Perfection!” —Matt Lardie, Contributing Writer, @matt_lardie
“Parkside in the Warehouse District. Their handhelds are life-giving!” —Emily O’Brien, Contributing Writer
“Jubala (or Waffle House, which I would be equally happy with)” —Chelsea Sutton, Contributing Writer, @chelsearsutton
“It’s not brunch per se, but a sesame bagel with lox and scallion cream cheese from NY Bagel & Deli is also the move.” —Eric Ginsburg, Contributing Writer, @eric_ginsburg
“Cucciolo Terrazza for the Suciello, sub English muffins for grilled bread.” —Sean Junqueira, Contributing Photographer, @seanjunqueira
“If I’m brunching I’m not usually driving to Raleigh, but my fave Chapel Hill brunches would be Bluebird (croque madame) or Bombolo.” —Forrest Mason, Contributing Photographer, @fmasonmedia
Fridge empty from July 4th festivities? Here, we rounded up brunch spots around town that tout the trifecta—aka great cocktails, great food and great patios. Let’s get brunchin’!
Wye Hill
Go for the chef-driven brekky selects, stay for the skyline vistas (find a better view, we’ll wait). Resting brunch face commence. Reservations recommended, wyehill.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Wye Hill Breakfast Sandwich—and the sauce slaps!
Rosewater
Relationship status: it’s caffeinated (and spirited). And romance is def in the air on Rosewater’s enchanting garden patio with its lush greenery surrounds and climbing roses. But you won’t need that excuse… as your full attention will be on chef Brian Jenzer’s beautiful, mouthwatering (and healthy) brunch menu—think breakfast risotto, fine herb omelet and tartines. Do it for the ’Gram—and your belly, of course. Reservations recommended, rosewaterraleigh.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Steak & eggs
Plates Neighborhood Kitchen
If your love for brunch is bottomless, meet us on the patio at Plates—where head chef David Mitchell dishes up an ever-evolving cast of globally inspired locally produced brunch selects five days a week alongside a full-service coffee shop. Ah, the perfect blend. Reservations recommended, plateskitchen.com Served: Wed.–Sun. Our pick: Sweet potato hash bowl
Young Hearts Distilling
Turn down for brunch at Trophy Brewing Co.’s DTR distillery serving a full program of farm-to-table bites, which pair well with its program of perf potables. Used primarily for private events, the roof space overlooking Wilmington Street is fair game for brunch dining—making it a must-reserve Sunday seat. Reservations recommended, trophybrewing.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Apple French toast
Photo courtesy of Young Hearts Distilling
Barcelona Wine Bar
Tapas for brunch? Brilliant. You’re gonna wanna squad up for the renowned regional juggernaut’s brunch tapas so that you can try everything—from the savory olive oil pancakes to the wild mushroom scramble to the gambas and grits. Best paired with the guava-lavender-lemon mimosa. Fizz the season! Reservations recommended, barcelonawinebar.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Potato tortilla
Clouds Brewing
You’ll be on cloud nine after a leisurely brunch at Clouds thanks to its German-inspired eats + classic hearty brunch dishes (NTM brunch drinks and bloody bar!) Brunchin’ is a habit. Reservations recommended, cloudsbrewing.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Pork Belly & Grits
Relish
Taters gonna tate—and tots are on order at this Northwest Raleigh brunch staple, paired with pretty much anything from the scrumptious Southern-inspired craft kitchen menu. First come, first served; join waitlist ahead, relishraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Mama’s chicken biscuit
Mandolin
Happy hollandaise indeed from this longtime local fave where sublime herb and flower box surrounds serve as a the perf serene backdrop for NC-style elevated brunch selects (think farm-fresh eggs sourced straight from chef Sean Fowler’s own Mandolin Farm (!) to scratch-made buttermilk biscuits, local Tepuy Donuts and more). Reservations recommended, mandolinraleigh.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Confit Chicken Hash
St. Roch
Mary Smokes When She Drinks—just one of the buzzy beguiling beverages (an aptly named bloody) that brings us back to St. Roch again and again. And don’t even get us started on that best-in-class Nawlins-inspired cuisine. But, the epitome? Those in-the-know request the hidden back patio—aka a primo secluded spot for noshing on 2022 James Beard Foundation semifinalist chef Sunny Gerhart’s bold Cajun brunch dishes. A sweet escape, if you will. Reservations recommended, strochraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Bolo ’n Grits
Humble Pie
No matter how you slice it, brunch on Humble Pie’s patio overlooking the ever-burgeoning Warehouse District has easily been one of the best seats in town since its humble beginnings in 1989. Period. Reservations recommended, humblepierestaurant.com Served: Sun. Our pick: Huevos Rancheros
Whiskey Kitchen
No Champagne, no gain. Grab your brunch buddies and head to WK for a “mimosa party”—aka a bottle of bubbles and orange juice—plus hearty brunch plates out on one of the best patios in town. And like mimosas, our love for it is bottomless. Reservations recommended, whiskey.kitchen Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Nash Square Breakfast Sandwich
Hummingbird
She’s got eggs and she knows how to use them. Chef/owner Coleen Speaks is easily serving up some of brunch’s best bites in town at Dock 1053 with a cocktail program that you’re gonna wanna mimosey on over for. Reservations recommended, hummingbirdraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick:Chicken & waffle
STIR
Stir up your brunch plans with scratchmade brunch classics like shrimp and grits, avocado toast, and biscuits and gravy—best accompanied with a $5 mimosa or bloody mary. And it’s never too early for oysters (get ’em raw or steamed) and a craft cocktail made with artisanal ice. stirraleigh.com Served: Sat. & Sun. Our pick: Shrimp and grits
Mother’s Day—Sunday, May 14—is right around the corner, and we’ve got a motherload of gift ideas for showing mom some local love (and, ahem, proving you’re the favorite). Cheers to some sweet mom-ents and memories!
Picnic at Dorothea Dix Park
Mother’s Day will be a walk in the park if you celebrate with a visit to Dorothea Dix Park (or the NCMA Museum Park!). Play some pop-up disc golf, then plop down for a picnic (snag a charcuterie board from a local biz or make one yourself!). As they say, experiences are the best gift!
Gift from DECO Raleigh
Get the day off to a great art with a handmade gift from one of the many local artists and retailers at DECO Raleigh. Sign a sweet card, grab some kitchen decor, or get a puzzle or activity for the next family game night.
Brunch Rez
On Mother’s Day, we brunch! And nothing says “I love you” like a shared mimosa bucket (aw!). Nosh on a brunch buffet and sip draft Italian prosecco over at Il Falò; sate your appetite with charcuterie selects, a slew of salads, shrimp scampi and more at The Merchant; or down some sangrias with mom at Barcelona Wine Bar (pro tip: Don’t sleep on the gambas & grits, short rib hash and olive oil pancakes (!). What better way to show mom you love her a whole brunch?!
Flowers from Urban Pothos
What in carnation?! Tell mom she’s your best bud with a cute potted plant from Urban Pothos. Make the trip together or pick out some flowers and/or plants that you’re head clover heels to give your mama.
Chocolate from Videri and Spring & Mulberry
Your sweet mom deserves some sweet treats! To make her heart melt, we rec the decadent buttercream caramel crunch candy bar from Videri; or make Mother’s Day a date mom won’t forget with a more healthful date-sweetened chocolate bar from Spring & Mulberry. Yum!
My Wonderful Birthday SuitPlay at Raleigh Little Theatre
Snag some seats to see Raleigh Little Theatre‘s rendition of My Wonderful Birthday Suit to unwrap the wholesome story of friendships in question—with the lesson of “it’s what’s on the inside that truly makes us special.” Aw, what better way to feel the love with mom at the theater?!
Wine from Raleigh Wine Shop
Want mom to know she’s grape? Grab her a bottle of wine from the Raleigh Wine Shop to crack open at home or take her out for a tasting. Trust us, she’ll be on cloud wine!
Get ready to amp things up! Progress is being made on two new spots coming to Fenton in Cary: Sports & Social and PBR Cowboy Bar, both powerhouse names in dining and entertainment and two of the fastest-growing concepts in the country (!).
Sports & Social will offer fans an immersive entertainment atmosphere (aka the next-best game-watching experience outside the stadium/arena!) complete with a state-of-the-art 42-foot LED media wall that will allow guests to watch multiple sporting events at once—NTM DJs and live music, competitions, light effects, interactive social games, special events, and an elevated menu of lunch and dinner items (don’t miss the #brunchtails on Saturdays and Sundays!).
Meanwhile, the iconic PBR Cowboy Bar marries an authentic “cowboy cool” Western experience and big-time entertainment. Think a mechanical riding bull, multiple bars, private VIP booths, outdoor space, country music (natch) and more. Both venues will be the first NC locations for the brands. Stay tuned to our Instagram for opening updates! fentonnc.com
