And we’ll all drift on OK at recently bowed DRIFT at Horseshoe at Hub RTP, thanks to the coastal-inspired cafe’s new in-house coffee roasting program and nourishing breakfast/brunch/lunch eats like sandwiches, burritos, salads and bowls. P.S. A second Raleigh location is also coming to The Weld development just south of Downtown (!).
Give it up for Second Empire Restaurant and Tavern! The longtime Raleigh staple was named one of Tripadvisor’s 10 best restaurants in the U.S.
Slice, slice, baby! V Pizza sister concept Veloce Italian Market is now open in the City Plaza jewel box formerly occupied by Happy + Hale. The new concept slings pizzas, paninis, wings and provisions (think: pizza kits, housemade vodka sauce, dry pasta, fried chicken cutlets and more), plus a grab-and-go section of sandos and salads.
Veloce
A hole in one for bagel lovers: Benchwarmers’ Rockway outpost is now open, slinging the same freshly baked bagels, bagel sandos and java we all know and love—this time out of a light-filled indoor/outdoor space.
Chow 🤝 ciao. Fan-fave casual Urban Food Group spot shuttered its Creedmoor Road doors after 15 years following unsuccessful lease negotiations with the landlord.
It’s brunch o’clock at Foxcroft Food & Wine, where spirited mimosa flights and spritzes join forces with classics like shakshuka and hash brown quiche—plus chicken & waffle or smoked salmon boards (!).
New space, who dis? The Merchant’s on the move. The sultry DTR speakeasy has opened its new haunt on East Hargett Street in the former Architect bar spot.
Levant Bistro is so back—the OG Lafayette Village cult fave is reviving its Lebanese flavors and housemade pastries this spring on Six Forks Road (near Vinnie’s Steakhouse).
Old-school spirit, new-school hang: Grog Alley is in the works next door to the new Merchant digs, boasting 1800s tavern vibes, hidden patio, gourmet grilled cheese (!), live music and trivia.
A little buzz is brewing at Dix Park’s historic Flowers Cottage, percolating into a new coffee shop with an extended deck, covered outdoor hangout and all the park-day vibes.
Pinkies up! Raleigh’s next wine-fueled hang has arrived as Sixty Vines pours into North Hills Main District, uncorking 60 vinos on tap and bites—from build-your-own charcuterie boards to handtossed pizzas, burgers, meat and seafood entrees, and desserts.
Sixty Vines
Game on, Raleigh. Massive Olé Sports Bar & Lounge is lighting up South West Street in the rising West End District with a wraparound bar, TVs galore, pool tables, arcade games, outdoor hangs and food truck eats.
Mami’s chickens are crossing the road—to Salvage Yard, where a new spot will hatch early 2026. Till then, hit up the Wake Forest Road outpost to get your fix.
Pouring up all-day sips behind Johnson Street Yacht Club in DTR is Vino Wine Bar, specializing in Black & White Coffee by day and Euro wines by night—plus charcuterie and fresh paninis.
Order up! La Farm on Glenwood South is leveling up with added seating and a full cafe menu made for on-site sipping, snacking and savoring.
Fast-food is having a moment in Raleigh—and we’ve got moves like Jaggers. … The Texas Roadhouse spinoff is setting up shop on Glenwood in the long-shuttered Mami’s Latin Style Rotisserie Chicken with a drive-thru dishing burgers, chicken sandwiches, tenders, salads and shakes.
Raleigh, meet your maker—of pizza. After nearly 40 years, Godfather’s Pizza is back on Glenwood (across from Pleasant Valley Promenade), slicing that “pizza you can’t refuse” with its signature thick crust and throwback faves.
Godfather’s Pizza
Say what?! Cult-classic Texas-based Whataburger is taking over the former Applebee’s on Six Forks Road by Midtown East—joining 10 NC locations, with more on the way in Garner and Wake Forest.
Let’s taco ’bout it: Cook Out sister concept Taco Roos—known for casual quesadillas, burritos, nachos and more—is replacing the Subway on Western Boulevard.
Pour it up at Foxhole Coffee, Gussie’s new morning cafe slinging breakfast classics, craft coffees/ espressos and seasonal standouts.
It’s giving big scoop energy. Andy’s Frozen Custard is adding a second Raleigh spot on Six Forks Road—serving Concretes, Jackhammers, sundaes and banana splits on repeat.
Brew-tiful news: Jubala’s DTR space is now percolating on the daily with an expanded coffee and food lineup—think breakfast burritos, new sandos and salads, plus the signature pours you love.
When life gives you Lime & Lemon… go to Apex. The Indian Grill & Bar is back in the limelight with samosas, chana masala, tikka masala, cocktails and more.
Quiet luxury? Loud arrival. Rimal Coffeehouse opens soon in Raleigh with refined design and elevated sips.
Cluck, yeah. Cult-fave chicken-finger chain Guthrie’s has opened a new locale on Wake Forest Road across from Wegmans—marking its third NC outpost to open this year. And those tenders, sandos and crinkle-cut fries are just as irresistible as they look.
Guthrie’s
Cary’s in its clean-girl era. Mahana Fresh is serving its Florida-born bowls, smoothies and desserts to town—keeping it fresh, literally.
The Cap City’s been on a hot streak when it comes to F&B openings. In the past six months, a slew of new bars and eateries have opened their doors all across town. From burgers and seafood to Peruvian and Italian eats and beyond—plus cocktail dens and wine bars—the city’s latest openings are serving up major flavor. No matter what you’re craving, Raleigh’s newest hospitality class has your next reservation written all over them.
Clicks don’t lie. We posted, you clicked, shared, commented and read—and we tracked every like, love, read and OMG moment. From civic shakeups to hot resto drops, these are the stories that made Raleigh stop scrolling across socials and web. Consider this our annual vibe check: what had you talking, debating and double-tapping all year long.
Is a Michelin-star restaurant also a tourism cash cow?
Fun fact: North Carolina will pay more than $1 mill over three years—about $345,000 annually—to be included in the Michelin Guide American South. The prestigious price tag covers Michelin critics crisscrossing the state, largely funded by Visit NC, with the Raleigh, Durham, Charlotte and Asheville tourism bureaus footing the rest.
So what makes a Michelin star—nay, the chance of a star—worth such a wad of cash? In the culinary world, no accolades shine brighter. As the pinnacle of culinary prestige, a Michelin nod puts a city on the map. After all, a star-studded city calls to foodie tourists far louder than one without.
Research shows Michelin-acclaimed eateries tend to attract international tourism rather than local diners—aka visitors spend far beyond the dinner bill. And the impact doesn’t stop there: A Chicago study found that “an increase of one Michelin Guide restaurant leads to a 0.5% increase (or roughly $1,141) in the home value of the median home in a neighborhood.”
Bottom line? NC’s bet on Michelin is more than a bid for bragging rights—it’s an investment in the state’s culinary and cultural credibility.
“For many chefs in North Carolina, this is their dream. And, more importantly, it’s a dream they didn’t think would become a reality. … They are going to have a chance to shine.” —SCOTT PEACOCK, VISIT NC DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
By the Numbers
2005 First Michelin Guide lands in the U.S.—in NYC only 57% say they’d extend a trip for a Michelin-starred experience 66% would choose a Michelin destination over a comparable option 71% are willing to up their spending for a Michelin-starred adventure
A host of new F&B hot spots are set to join The Exchange.
From the jump, Dewitt Carolinas set out to make The Exchange Raleigh more than just another mixed-use development—the goal was to raise the bar for the city’s hospitality scene. Steering clear of the typical retail-heavy model, the developer instead doubled down on a F&B-first approach, debuting flagship restaurant Peregrine and a mod The Optimist cafe outpost to instant buzz.
“It’s great to work with Todd Saieed and Ven Poole at Dewitt because they have such a vision for what this development can be,” says Peregrine co-owner Patrick Shanahan, who’s set to open Capulet Cocktail Club at The Exchange this month. “I’m hearing what’s coming and I just want to be a part of that and help develop what this little section of Raleigh could be like.”
Now, a fresh wave of bars and eateries are leveling up the 40-acre Midtown destination—and cementing The Exchange as an all-day hub for standout food and drinks. “We’re thrilled to see the first phase of this vision coming to life in really exciting ways,” says Dewitt President Steven Beattie. “We’ve created an ecosystem where each concept complements the others and provides something for everyone at all parts of the day and night.” Here, we dig into what’s coming.
TOASTIQUE
The Exchange’s latest opening at 1000 Social caters to the morning and midday crowd with a healthy dose of wholesome eats made from fresh, responsibly sourced ingredients. A smattering of gourmet toasts (see: avocado, smoked salmon, Greek and tomato burrata), smoothies and smoothie bowls, cold-pressed juices, housemade treats, and a full espresso menu make for a nourishing brunch, grab-and-go treat, or quick midday snack for locals, professionals and visitors alike. Guilt-free mealtime? Say less. toastique.com
CAPULET COCKTAIL CLUB
Wherefore art though Romeo? In Raleigh, natch. An ode to Romeo and Juliet’s Juliet Capulet, local hospitality vet Patrick Shanahan’s romanticized “House of Capulet” cocktail bar—debuting this month beside Peregrine—fuses Ancient Rome and modern disco a la a deep red-tiled double horseshoe bar beneath a soaring ~30-foot dome, rich jewel tones, velvet curtains, and antiques throughout. Out front, a lush courtyard complete with flowing fountains, Roman sculptures and its own bar set the scene for late-night lingerers. The result: a sultry Italian getaway sans plane ticket. Ciao, bella! @capuletcocktailclub
PRANZO
Lafayette Village mainstay Bongiorno & Son is debuting a brand-new concept off the 1000 Social lobby early next year to satiate both the lunch slump and post-work aperitivo scene. Ditching the deli angle, Pranzo—which fittingly translates to “lunch”—will feat. Italian-style sandwiches (expect Bongiorno faves like the Italian, prosciutto, and hot soppressata sandos) and salads, plus grab-and-go cases with frozen items and the like. Come 5pm, the spot will shift to an aperitivo-style menu of small plates—think charcuterie, bruschetta, flatbreads, and prosciutto and melon—paired with wine, beer and spritzes. Call it snacking at its finest. pranzoraleigh.com
MEZCALITO
Where queso flows, tacos reign and the margs pour freely, the regional Tex-Mex fave is taking NC by storm with its seventh spot set to open at 1000 Social by early next year. Expect vibrant decor, upbeat vibes and those signature oversize margs that make every meal feel like a party. And the flavor-packed authentic-meets-fresh takes come in spades—ceviche, ACP, chilaquiles, burritos, fajitas and more. Taco ’bout a bold (and delicious) addition. mezcalitogrill.com
