The latest J.D. Power North America Airport Satisfaction Study confirms what locals already know: RDU is taking off. Those record 15.5 million passengers in 2024 aren’t just passing through—they’re experiencing the airport as a destination unto itself—a curated journey that reflects the airport’s intentional “reimagining of its restaurant scene,” says Stephanie Hawco, director of media relations at Raleigh-Durham Airport Authority. “The new restaurants reflect the vibrant flavors of the Triangle region and elevate the airport dining experience to a new level.”
And it’s working. Travelers are taking note—and taking bites. Add to the gaggle of goodies that have dropped over the last year (see below) the inbound Raleigh Beer Garden in Terminal 1. The Hibernian Hospitality Group concept—repeatedly recognized by USA Today as a top 10 beer garden in the country—is going wheels up in November. Also brewing up in T2: Bond Brothers Kitchen & Bar, Lonerider, Adios! By Oscar Diaz, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay—plus mod Italian eatery Puro Gusto in T1.
Hibernian Hospitality Group
By embracing the Triangle’s F&B scene from the ground up, RDU’s serving up far more than taste—it’s serving a sense of place. Dining isn’t just functional, it’s part of what makes the airport feel uniquely like home in the sky. From Raleigh-inspired menus to lounges that balance comfort and efficiency, travelers find themselves lingering a little longer, elevating a layover to a mini-vacation.
And it’s not just the food that is leveling up. With a record 82 nonstop destinations, including 15 international routes, RDU has officially outgrown “regional hub” status. Air Canada and WestJet now link to Vancouver and Calgary, respectively; Breeze Airways’ will add a RDU crew base come 2026 with tentative nonstops to Montego Bay, Jamaica and Punta Cana in March; and Aer Lingus is set to launch year-round service to Dublin in April.
To keep pace, RDU’s building big: a massive new runway (by 2029) to ease congestion, expanded terminals (T1 to 24 gates, T2 to 53), upgraded customs facilities and a 7,000-space parking deck with sustainable solar-covered walkways. Every upgrade signals a single message: RDU isn’t just growing—it’s future-proofing.
That momentum extends well beyond the terminals and tarmac. The 2021-nee Triangle Takeoff Coalition—a cadre of local businesses and community sponsors who rely on air travel—has served to fortify those connections by recognizing RDU’s role as an essential driver of regional growth and a key factor in the “best places to live” awards sweep. Today, the airport fuels roughly 140K jobs and $24B in annual economic impact, and incentive programs are helping lure more international carriers.
So, as RDU climbs the charts, it’s taking the Triangle along for the ride. From first-time flyers to frequent jet-setters, everyone can feel the care in every detail. The airport isn’t just taking off—it’s landing in the spotlight and earning national acclaim. With the runway stretching farther, new gates multiplying and the skyline rising higher, one thing is clear: RDU—and Raleigh—are just getting started.
TARMAC TO TABLE Heavy hitters redefining airport eats
Raleigh’s restaurant scene burns bright—and often burns out.
Standing in the five-hourlong line for one last meal at 42nd St. Oyster Bar—just hours before the nearly century-old seafood and steak institution shuttered for good—it’s never been more clear how deeply these restaurant relics matter to Raleighites, woven into the very fabric and identity of her DNA. And, yet, in a city fueled by growth, change and a constant craving for what’s next, restaurants here often feel more like moments than legacies—sizzling with what’s new while struggling to sustain what lasts.
Still very much a city on the rise, Raleigh’s dining culture reflects that forward momentum: dynamic, experimental and shaped by waves of newcomers. We celebrate restaurant launches with fanfare, flock to the next big thing and, before long, wonder whatever happened to that place we loved. But what we lack is a true celebration of the kind of deep, generational legacies you travel to the likes of New York, New Orleans or even Charleston just to experience.
In these seasoned cities, the community rallies to protect its culinary keepsakes. They’re more than just spots to sample the latest trending dish, ’Gram the newest spritz iteration or tick off a bucket list—and they do so much more than fill seats: fostering lasting connections, serving as the backdrop for stories passed down through generations, and giving locals a sense of belonging that far outlasts the latest trends and headlines, never mind enticing tourists to travel just for a taste. They’re spaces where community roots run deep and identity takes shape, serving as living archives of a city’s evolving story—especially in the face of urban redevelopment and corporatization.
The truth is, these places don’t endure on sentiment alone. If we want to keep them, we have to show up—for more than just the farewell tour. That means choosing the comfort of the familiar over the novelty of the new every now and then, booking the table before it’s too late.
Much like the revered Depression-era fish market-turned-seafood haven 42nd Street, many beloved institutions have faced the same fate—pushed out by rising rents that trade the past for progress. Layer in shifting demographics, mounting development pressure, soaring food costs and evolving tastes, and it’s no wonder we’ve recently lost a wave of mainstays—David’s Dumplings, Mandolin and Mofu Shoppe, among others. That’s the crux of the issue: It’s hard to establish a landmark when the literal ground beneath you is constantly shifting—especially without the support of the very community you’re built to feed.
Juli Leonard
So in a city where the landscape can shift as quickly as the foodie trends, Raleigh restaurants are forced to constantly reinvent themselves to stay alive. But, rarely, a space finds a way to endure without sacrificing its soul. Salvations like Irregardless and Mecca Restaurant prove that preservation rooted in intention can have staying power. In both cases, change of ownership was a deliberate act—a commitment that affirms these aren’t just restaurants, but relics of Raleigh’s soul, sustained by community support and able to serve another set of decades to safeguard the city’s history, recipes and rituals otherwise lost in the churn of development and gentrification.
We’ve witnessed more than our fair share of outward grief and nostalgia for beloved haunts throwing in the towel—yet not enough bookings while they’re open to help them survive. As a result, Raleighites can just about count on one hand the number of eateries that have eclipsed the half-century mark.
Sure, legacy takes time—as do concepts that have legs for decades to come. Multi-Beard-celebrated places like Poole’s (2007) and Crawford and Son (2016) are pillars in their own right that show no signs of slowing—and are the exact kinds of anchors identity can be built on. Perhaps we’re beginning to see the signs of battle-tested fixtures, chefs planting roots, and a community that truly values both trend and tradition.
And, just maybe, Raleigh’s moment-over-legacy mindset isn’t a flaw—but a chapter. A potentially short-sighted one, if we don’t learn to invest in longevity as much as we do in novelty. As our city matures, we may finally be ready to champion not just what’s next, but what lasts. Now, as Raleigh Magazine turns the page on a new decade, we’re more committed than ever to doing our part to extend that narrative—by telling more stories that celebrate staying power and encouraging our community to support it, seat by seat, meal by meal.
Raleigh Anchors
Going strong for 30+ years, these are exceptions in a sea of short-lived concepts or long-loved losses.
Let’s be frank: Raleigh has earned its rep as a top-tier hot dog hub (see: our area’s No. 1 ranking last year for per-capita consumption of hot dogs in the nation). And with the arrival of summer comes hot dog’s time to shine—especially with the City of Oaks’ smattering of storied wiener oases. So, wherever you opt to grub on a glizzy, it’s sure to be a hot (dog) summer indeed.
Cloos’ Coney Island: Detroit hot dog stand 🤝 Raleigh. Bringing Midwest vibes down South, Cloos’ touts delish dogs and some of the best french fries in the Triangle. @cloosconeyisland
The Cardinal: You got (grilled) buns, hun! Play your cards right when you pick your toppings for a beer-soaked dog prepped on the flattop grill right before your eyes. And further ~relish~ the experience with a pepperoncini shot to pair. @thecardinalbar
Snoopy’s: Ready to chili out?! Serving up delish made-to-order dogs since 1978, this OG Raleigh sup spot was the first in the city to flaunt after-midnight hours, with its four locales bringing in wiener lovers in droves. @snoopyshotdogsandmore
The Roast Grill: Calling all hot dog purists: Go back to the basics (ahem, no ketchup) when bellying up to the Downtown-based dog dive attracting in-the-know locals since 1940. Hot diggity dog! @theroastgrillhotweiners
Char-Grill: Slip your order down the slide and get your glizzy Carolina-style with a Carolina Packers red dog across a smattering of outposts around town. Pro tip: Always wash down your dog with a shake.@char_grill1960
Eat (and drink!) your way down memory lane for a taste of Raleigh’s restaurant history.
There’s no question that Raleigh is home to a thriving restaurant scene—and while our city continues to level up its eating and drinking game on the reg, ya just can’t beat the classics. Here, we challenge you to summon your nostalgic knowledge for a roundup of Q’s on Raleigh’s oldest eateries, spots you might’ve forgotten about and more. Ready for a trip down memory lane?
1. Char-Grill has been touting the “best burger and fries in Raleigh” since 1960! A Raleigh institution—from its late-night hours to sliding your order into the iconic window slot—the burger joint now boasts how many locations in NC? a. 7 b. 8 c. 9 d. 10
2. An, ahem, mecca, Mecca Restaurant has been sating stomachs in Downtown Raleigh since 1930 (and she doesn’t look a day over 25!). What was the OG name of the old-school eatery? a. Mecca Luncheonette b. The Mecca Diner c. Raleigh’s Mecca d. Nick’s Place
3. Get piggy with it via Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque, which has been pullin’ the local pork game for 80+ years. On what holiday did the institution first open its doors? a. Christmas Day b. Valentine’s Day c. July 4th d. New Year’s Day
4. Way back when… Thad Eure Jr. and Charles Winston purchased 50 acres of land on Highway 70 that would eventually become what is now the iconic Angus Barn steakhouse. How much did they pay for the prized plot of land? a. $825 b. $6,750 c. $7,750 d. $10,750
5. Hey, playa! Players Retreat—aka “PR”—has positioned itself as the prime hangout spot for Wolfpackers, as it sits on the outskirts of NC State’s campus and touts tons of collegiate memorabilia. Who currently sits at the helm of this fan-fave neighborhood bar? a. Mickey Hanula b. Bernie Hanula c. Pete Jarrell d. Gus Gusler
6. Mosey up a flight of stairs on Hillsborough Street beside Global Village and you’ll find the treasured Mitch’s Tavern, which has been serving Raleighites since 1974. The resto was also a setting of which famous baseball movie? a. A League of Their Own b. Bull Durham c. Field of Dreams d. Moneyball
7. Hot wieners found here! No-frills hot dog hot spot The Roast Grill has long embraced the mantra to do one thing and do it well—and in this case, that would be a delish hot dog (served with a cold glass bottle of Coca-Cola, natch). Which condiment does the joint not serve? a. Ketchup b. Mustard c. Chili d. Texas Pete
8. Ciao, bella! Amedeo’s Italian Restaurant opened its doors in 1963 after NC State alum Richard “Amedeo” DiAngelis turned his desire to fill the city’s need for a local sub/hoagie shop into a reality. What sport did DiAngelis play during his time in college? a. Baseball b. Football c. Wrestling d. Basketball
9. Before diners chowed down on delish Italian fare on the gorgeous Mulino patio, the aesthetic eatery was the home to Babylon, a restaurant offering eats inspired by which country? a. Egypt b. Turkey c. Croatia d. Morocco
Airplane mode: on. I’ve been to 15 airports on three continents during the last two years alone. I’ve dealt with delays, TSA traumas, disappointing dining options and airports that simply don’t pass the vibe check (cough, cough, O’Hare). I’ve also bopped through boujee travel pads touting nap rooms, capsule hotels, customer service robots, eye-catching artwork and droolworthy fare (s/o to the noodles at Narita International Airport!).
Yet, as they say, distance makes the heart grow fonder. After all my travels, one airport continues to soar above the rest for me. *Cue the drumroll* … it’s none other than our local, lovable and what some might call little Raleigh-Durham International Airport (“though she be but little she is fierce,” and I’d even argue RDU’s smaller size adds to its appeal).
To wit, our airport has friendly TSA agents and local eateries boasting our city’s impressive foodie scene (La Farm Bakery! Char-Grill! Raleigh Brewing!), with more hometown eats and drinks on the way—think Conniption Cocktail Bar, Raleigh Beer Garden and Lonerider Brewing, to name but a few. And going the extra mile, RDU continues to extend its direct flight options. Translation: way less layover drama.
Then there’s the unbeatable vibe. Call me sentimental, but there’s no feeling quite like returning to Raleigh after a long flight and rolling my suitcase past the iconic Raleigh mural toward my pickup point. The whole airport gives off a warm ambiance—so much so that I would just visit for fun… and I have (don’t @ me).
Whether it was love at first flight or I’ve got my head in the clouds, RDU will forever be an airport standout in my heart. And I can’t wait to see how it keeps spreading its wings and flying higher in the future. Essentially, if I’m starting my travels from Raleigh… consider me ready for takeoff.
