In a full-circle moment, the Hotel Indigo’s 20th-floor High Ground Lounge is now slinging classic ’tails and Southern-inspired fare high above DTR in a swanky atmosphere complete with primo skyline views.
Legends Nightclub’s, ahem, legendary move is complete, now in its new digs at West Cabarrus Street. The party never stops, indeed!
Pinkies up—Smoky Hollow is getting its first wine bar. The team behind Cuya will be replacing Hone-Sharpen’s sandwich counter Garlic Bay with The Deb, an all-day wine bar and lounge offering vino, spritzes and NA cocktails alongside a fusion tapas-style menu leaning Italian, French and Asian.
Find friends in low places (literally) at Low Bar, now open below Whiskey Kitchen. DTR’s newest neighborhood watering hole brings back the good old days of simply showing up for a drink—no scene required—with Tiki-inspired cocktails and THC bevs to boot.
Meet the newest kid on the Person Street block: Gallicchio’s Market & Eatery. Now open in the former (ish) delicatessen space, the Italian-inspired market and eatery offers housemade provisions to-go alongside made-to-order fare—from polpette and crostini to a rotating fish special and muffuletta—plus wine and beer.
Cafe Royale | Photo by Sean Junqueira
Like a “French trip down the rabbit hole,” French-inspired Cafe Royale has officially bowed at The Exchange. From Patrick Shanahan and the team behind Capulet Cocktail Club and Rosebud Cocktail Lounge, the all-day cafe dishes a bistro-inspired menu, pastries and lattes to linger over.
Cup A Joe is brewing up a third location just down the street from its OG outpost on Hillsborough Street at the former Crafty Crab.
Talk about the cat’s meow! Brookside’s newest bar and bodega Big Cat made The New York Times’ prestigious list of the 50 best restaurants in the country.
Michael’s English Muffins is moving on up—or, technically, over—having signed a lease to move a few doors down from Suite 114 to 110 while tripling its space. The bigger digs will give Michael’s room to grow both its retail side and booming wholesale business, which has already expanded into three other states.
Pour a smoothie out for The Bomb Bar. Less than two years after opening, the smoothie and health brand shuttered its Gateway Plaza location in October, stating that while the storefront is closing, they are “dreaming about what comes next.”
The newest member of North Hills’ lunch bunch, Standard Beer + Food’s NHID location is now serving daytime tacos, handhelds, salads and snacks seven days a week—plus weekday happy hour specials ($8 oyster shooters, anyone?).
Alcove | Photo by Matt Ramey
Your exclusive first look at the delicious sips and snacks on offer at Alcove is here. The all-day cafe and bar in the original stone garage at The Gables will soon serve coffee, cocktails and European-style picnic fare—with a little help from local faves Jubala Coffee, Escazu Chocolates, Boulted Bread and Little Blue Macaron.
Take home Cake Jefe? Say less. Lina’s Bakery Cafe—of LaGana fame—is offering a host of sweet tiered goodness. Think matcha pistachio tres leches, Oreo chocolate cake and The Guava Love for pickup.
You can have your cake and eat it too thanks to Bittersweet’s special-order cakes—a launch 12 years in the, well, baking.
Arepa Culture
It’s arepa time. Popular family-owned food truck Arepa Culture has opened its second brick-and-mortar at Six Forks Station Shopping Center, following the summer closure of its first.
Clean meets comfort at Little Barrow, a healthy bowl spot set to open its first location at Horseshoe at Hub RTP next year.
Slice, slice, baby! Winston-Salem’s Mission Pizza Napoletana earned a major national accolade, as National Geographic named it one of the best pizza spots in the country outside of New York and Chicago.
Bull City means big burger business. Downtown Durham establishment Bull City Burger & Brewery is expanding for the first time in 15 years, opening Bull City Burger Outpost #1 in the new Latta Park development in North Durham.
We’re on cloud nine. Clouds Brewing is officially back Downtown in its new Jones Street digs, slinging beers, bites and beer garden-meets-pub vibes.
Smoky Hollow is (finally) getting a coffee shop. Enter Madeleine, a cafe and bakery from the owners of Iris Coffee Lab, set to take over the former Tucker Street Diner space this fall.
Pour one out for Triangle Wine Company, which closed all of its locations after 10+ years of business.
Eatertainment is ~punching~ back in. Raleigh Iron Works’ former Jaguar Bolera location is getting new life as Punch Bowl Social, which plans to upfit the space with a new bar + arcade and game areas.
For brews that pack a punch, head to The Left Hook Coffee’s brand-new brick-and-mortar in the former Hargett Street Laundromat, where you can also find teas, egg cream, house seltzers and must-have merch.
The Shinmai empire is growing. The latest addition, Shinmai Moku at Quail Corners, leans into Japanese yakitori and izakaya influences and is built around authentic Japanese binchotan charcoal, a traditional grilling method rarely found in North Carolina.
Person Street’s former (ish) delicatessen space is entering a new chapter. Gallicchio’s Market & Eatery—from the team behind the former Pounded Pig Food Truck—is moving in this fall.
The Left Hook Coffee
Yes, chef! Peregrine’s Saif Rahman landed on the James Beard Foundation’s TasteTwenty list, a national roundup of chefs to watch.
Andia’s Ice Cream’s got big scoop. The award-winning Cary shop is expanding with a new production facility on Brookside Drive and plans for two more locations over the next two years.
Now brewing at Salvage Yard: Bond Brothers’ all-day concept NOCO Brews & Bites is slinging specialty coffee and tea by day—then flipping to craft beer, cocktails and locally sourced small bites by night.
Slice, slice, baby! Michael Longo—of Glenwood Avenue’s Vic’s Pizzeria fame—has expanded his Triangle footprint with Mikey’s Pizzeria, now dishing a distinct blend of Neapolitan- and New York-style pies in the former Pizza & Pints space in McNeill Pointe.
Warm bowls, cold drinks, happy hearts—that’s the vibe at recently bowed KOKORO Ramen & Izakaya, which took over the long-empty Royale space in City Market.
Raise a glass: Not one, not two, but 13 Raleigh spots landed on Wine Spectator’s 2026 Restaurant Awards list for standout wine programs, including Bella Monica, Cucciolo Terrazza, Second Empire and Vidrio.
(Meat)ball is life. Meet Matty’s Meatballs, a Raleigh-based pop-up dishing out cups, sliders and heroes at various locales around town.
If brunch is the question, Songbird is the answer. The recently launched weekend menu features cocktails, coffee, tea, juices and smoothies alongside food faves like avocado toast, breakfast sandos and yogurt bowls.
Twirl it up: Sushi Mon is getting into the ramen game with adjacent Monya Ramen, serving up a trio of slurpworthy noodle dishes and small plates.
Beignets & Brew
Worth the powdered sugar—and the sugar rush—Beignets & Brew has officially landed on Hillsborough Street, offering fluffy fried dough, coffee (natch), breakfast sammies and more.
NC’s ’cue flex continues. Pulling up at No. 63, Prime Barbecue joined a trio of joints across the state on Yelp’s Top 100 BBQ restaurants in the U.S. list, including Concord’s The Smoke Pit (16), Peachland’s Jon G’s Barbecue (50) and Haywood Smokehouse in Dillsboro (65).
7 Brew fans, tap in. The drive-thru coffee chain is inching closer and closer to Raleigh with the opening of its latest NC outpost in Smithfield. Will the City of Oaks be next?!
Word on the street is Bull City’s Koi Sushi & Hibachi is rolling into Raleigh’s Celebration at Six Forks. Stay tuned!
Coasting into Dix, Drift recently tapped its latest cafe at The Weld near Dix Park, giving Raleighites one more spot to perk up.
Smooth moves: Fast-growing acai bowl, smoothie and juice concept South Block is set to debut next door to bartaco in the Main District of North Hills in early 2027.
Sierra Nevada Taproom
New address, same butter chicken. Fan-fave local modern Indian restaurant Nazara Indian Bistro is relocating to Falls of Neuse Road after shuttering its space in Cary.
Margs for the masses! Vibey Kahlovera Mexican bar and grill now also calls Cary and Chapel Hill home.
Ooh, la, la! A taste of Paris is coming to Cary a la La Pause Parisienne, an artisan French bakery and cafe churning out pastries, coffee, sandwiches and more.
That’s a wrap! National Mexican-fusion chain Bubbakoo’s Burritos is bringing bold burrito goodness to Cary’s Ambery Place Shopping Center—think a Nashville hot chicken burrito and birria dilla.
Beloved Durham brunch spot True Flavors Diner has closed after over a decade in business, citing rising costs and a crowded market.
It’s wine o’clock at St. Pierre! Oakwood Pizza Box’s Anthony Guerra teamed up with sommelier Scott Hardiman to open a new wine shop and bar at Raleigh Iron Works. The classy yet comfy space uncorks thoughtfully curated wines from under-the-radar makers, exceptional producers, and up-and-coming labels, plus craft beer and cider, with craft cocktails on deck (stay tuned).
Left Hook, right move? The Left Hook Coffee is leaving Gussie’s at the end of October to focus on its East Raleigh brick-and-mortar. Good news, Gussie’s will take over the coffee counter—and your fave brekkie items aren’t going anywhere.
New name, who dis? Foxcroft Wine Co. is now Foxcroft Food & Wine, highlighting a mod American menu with housemade pastas, steak frites and a bangin’ burger. Sips crafted with lauded Charlotte speakeasy Dot Dot Dot feat. batch ’tails and barrel-aged whiskeys arrive this fall alongside brunch. Cheers!
Foxcroft Food & Wine
It’s getting hot in here! Dave’s Hot Chicken is bringing tongue-tingling spice—and those addicting seasoned fries—to the former BB’s Crispy Chicken spot.
Bye, burgers—hello, hummus and pita. Urban Olive Mediterranean is replacing Transfer Co. Food Hall’s Mama Crow’s in November, serving fresh, made-from-scratch recipes that blend traditional and modern flavors.
Paris + Seoul = yum! French/Korean bakery Tous les Jours is opening a new Seaboard Station spot serving tasty pastries, sandwiches, cakes, bevs and more.
Saucy! Build-your-own taco spot Barrio is now open in Smoky Hollow, serving tacos, nachos, bowls, queso and handcrafted margs.
Horseshoe happens. Poole’siconic double horseshoe counter is back—red barstools and all.
Forrest Mason Media
Pour one out for Mandolin and Mofu Shoppe, both of which closed their doors for good this summer after 14 and eight years, respectively.
Encore! Five Points fave Ajjamakes Garden & Gun’s best new restaurants lists. Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors + groovy patio = no surprise there.
They’ve got buns, hun! Whataburger plans to open not one, but two Raleigh locations by 2026, plus a Wake Forest outpost in the works. Expect burgers, sandwiches, chicken strips, fries and bevs.
From dumplings to burgers—Barley and Burger is primed to flip gourmet burgers and beers by October at its fourth NC location in the former David’s Dumpling & Noodle Bar space.
Wings—brick-and-mortar style. Raleigh’s own “chicken wing guy”—of Da Bubs fame—is now at Le Dive, plating wings (naturally), focaccia pizzas, burgers and more.
Leo Velasquez
Get a taste of the Big Apple at H&H Bagels, setting up shop later this year in Chapel Hill’s University Place. The brand—cameoed in Sex and the City and Seinfeld (!)—also has plans to break onto the Raleigh and Durham scenes.
Same name, new owners? 42nd St. Oyster Bar may reopen as soon as this fall under property owner John Holmes and GM Hunter Correll.
Get back to your roots: Feel-good Roots Natural Kitchen expands to a second Triangle spot this spring in the former Gumby’s Pizza, serving salads and grain bowls ranging from Southwest spice to Asian ginger.
Now it really is 5 o’clock somewhere, as RDU removes alcohol time restrictions, serving spirits as early as 4am.
A new chapter is unfolding for Peregrine, what with Zack Thomas (formerly of Boatman Spirits Co.) joining the team as beverage director. The resto also launched brunch, feat. the likes of hot honey cured eggs and beef heart shawarma.
Also getting a recent brunch upgrade is East End Bistrot, which now serves French-inspired dishes like croque madame, steak frites and eggs, and quiche every Sunday.
A new garden just bloomed in DTR. Enter La Veladora’s back patio, blossoming with Latin spirit-inspired sips, agave, and a plethora of greenery in vibrant pots. Catch ya outside!
Get your fix at Boxyard RTP with new addition Baekho Coffee & Ice Cream from the Namu/Bulkogi/The Can Opener team, specializing in Korean-inspired handcrafted bevs and coffees.
Brunch is always the answer—even on weekdays (find the lie). Birdie’s now dishes weekday breakfast Mon.–Fri. with standard fare like biscuits, French toast, and shrimp and grits—plus coffee and other morning bevs.
Birdie’s Barrom & Kitchen
Wawa lands. The cult-fave Northeast chain opens its first Triangle locale in Garner—with its famed hoagies, breakfast sandos and coffee that make road trips all the more worth it.
Cary’s got the meats. New York Butcher Shoppe is now slicing beef, chicken, pork and fish, plus housemade entrees, sides and dips—not to mention a wine bar serving a full lunch/dinner menu + vino on tap.
Lunch is leveling up—La Terrazza and Figulina now serve elevated midday grab-and-go selects in DTR.
Vic’s Pizzeria is firing up at Wendell Falls—slated to slice on the scene in 2027 with a full bar feat. craft and bottled beer, wine, and liquor—plus the same menu as the DTR location, with expanded pasta selects.
Yeehaw meets howdy thanks to Tex-Mex chain Mezcalito, lassoing the former On the Border near downtown Cary with its bold dishes, from chimichangas and carnitas to quesadillas, tortas, burritos, fajitas and more.
All buzz, no hangover: Secret Garden’s THC-infused spirits hit Le Dive late August.
Arrivederci, Brio! The Italian spot at Crabtree Valley Mall shuttered post-bankruptcy filing—look for new owners to crop a fresh spot to feed the mall crowds.
Pizza for lunch? Say less. Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Timber Pizza Co. now slices pie, empanadas and salads at lunchtime.
