Forget flight fears and panic packing—sometimes the best getaway is a staycay. Ditch the keys, keep the vibes and hit pause without leaving town—Raleigh’s hotel and nightlife game is staycation certified. PTO preserved, DND mode: on.
It’s electric! Miami vibes hit Oak City with ’80s-themed pop-up bar Electric Flamingo in the space below The Merchant on South Salisbury Street. The fab collab between Anthony Rapillo of Layla’s Son Hospitality (Flour & Barrel and V Pizza—to name but a couple), Local Icon Hospitality’s Jon Seelbinder and social media influencer Magnolia Megan spins DJs, colorful cocktails, Cuban-inspired small plates by Local Icon chef Caleb Stewart—and nonstop electric vibes.
Mark your menus—the stars will descend on Greenville, SC’s Peace Center for the 2025 Michelin Guide American South ceremony Nov. 3. Until then, find us holding our breath (and our forks).
Boatman Spirits Co. photo by Forrest Mason, courtesy of Boatman
Row, row, row over to Boatman Spirits Co.—dropping at Seaboard Station with its combined distillery, cocktail bar, restaurant experience with Mediterranean fare and a bevy of bevs to boot.
Tropic like it’s hot at La Mala—bringing the heat and do-not-disturb vibes to West Street in the former Clouds Brewing space via fresh-squeezed fruits, premium tequilas and bold Mexican street eats.
It’s (almost) time to meet Mr. Henry. Local bar guru Matt Bettinger’s (of C. Grace and Hank’s Downtown Dive fame) so-named dedicated Village District bar is set to bow late July. Cheers to shaking things up!
Still big on the pig? Fear not: Clyde Cooper’s Barbeque sold its DTR location to Hibachi 88, but plans to stay open through the end of the year before moving to a new close-by joint.
Raleigh’s chocolatier royalty is rolling out as Escazu Chocolates packs up its Blount Street location for its new Gateway Plaza digs.
Fuel your pedal power or steps with stops at Raleigh’s Greenway Food VendorPilot—now serving Shelley Lake, Lake Johnson, Falls Lake Dam, Buffaloe Road Aquatics, Anderson Point, and Walnut Creek Wetlands Center.
Photo courtesy of Stellar
Cap City gets a cosmic upgrade with the opening of Stellar, Five Points’ vibey new resto and wine bar joining High Park Village’s already star-studded lineup. Think craveable shareables, large plates, desserts and brunch—best paired with a bevvy or two.
Ideal for night owls and early birds alike, Glenwood South’s Latin fusion eatery Cuya now boasts late-night grub and a brunch menu dishing the likes of tostones Benedict, huevos rancheros and mimosas, natch.
Pour one out for Giorgios Group’s North Hills tapas bar and restaurant Las Ramblas, which permanently shuttered its doors after an HVAC system failure in early June.
Sweet dreams are made of Tifa Chocolate & Gelato’s swoonworthy lineup of gelato, chocolates, cookies and coffees—set to unlock in the North Hills’s Captrust Tower late August.
Cary’s already seeing stars—The Bar & Lounge at The Umstead just earned Star Bar status from Forbes Travel Guide, adding to its six-year streak of Five-Star ratings.
Something fishy is afloat at Morgan Street Food Hall. The Crispy Cod is making waves with handbattered fish, crispy chips and sandos.
C’est la vie! Cult-fave French bakery La Farm is upping NC State’s food game this semester with its new Park Shops locale, along with soon-to-bow Mediterranean Deli in the Atrium.
No sticky sitch here—just pure Southern gold. Buzzy Local Hive Honey’s Southeast blend brings pure Southern sweetness straight from local beekeepers.
Butter chicken, pakora paneer and unapologetic Indian classics are serving serious heat at Amrut, just steps from 42 & Lawrence and Beasley’s.
The acai bowl craze continues as Everbowl stretches its Raleigh footprint, serving superfood blends in Brier Creek by year’s end.
Fast-casual chicken salad mainstay Chicken Salad Chick is now dishing out sammies, salads and sides—plus delivery and catering ops—to all the chicks (and dudes) in Smithfield.
Tacos and a patio—name a better duo, we’ll wait. Set to bow later this year at Kane mixed-use development Rockway is Campo Taco Co., a new family-owned authentic Mexican restaurant that will feature expansive outdoor seating and serve up flavor-packed tacos (natch), margs and other cocktails.
Photo courtesy of Red Phone Booth
Ring, ring! The 1920s are calling, and they want you to get excited for award-winning speakeasy-style cocktail lounge Red Phone Booth, which is anticipated to bow in downtown Durham by the end of this year.
Belly up. Blotto, by the same owners of Neuse River Brewing, has opened on New Bern Avenue with a casual neighborhood bar feel—plus a patio—offering eight brews on tap.
Another taco spot to, well, taco ’bout—nationally known Dallas-founded Velvet Taco is coming to North Hills with its eclectic menu (see: Nashville Hot Tofu, Spicy Tikka Chicken and Fish N’ Chip tacos) and late-night hours.
Bringing Asian street food to the Raleigh streets is just-opened Oh Mochi in Falls River Town Center, offering the likes of mochi doughnuts, Korean corn dogs and more.
Velvet Taco | Photo courtesy of Kane Realty
Hole-in-one news for Raleigh: Wake Forest’s locally ownedJeff’s Bagel Run is opening a new outpost just around the corner from Crabtree Mall, complete with all the same boiled bagels and unique housemade cream cheeses the Triangle knows and loves—and obsesses over.
Squeeze the day at just-bowed Village Juice & Kitchen at Glenwood Place, offering housemade clean eats that are “Mother Earth-approved”—from cold-pressed raw juices and smoothies to salads and grain bowls to wraps, toasts, and other sweet and savory brekkie ops.
Raleigh’s Michelin moment is almost here. With its Guide American South en route, RM tapped local restaurateurs to dish stars—and a Chief Inspector for answers. They didn’t hold back.
“Drew Maykuth’s fearless, adventurous creativity, humble spirit and thoughtful approach shine through every menu he creates, leaving me consistently inspired and joyful.”
“[Owner] Anthony has meticulously developed a high-volume, high-performing pizza—including a shockingly good gluten-free crust—that has become a must-visit icon for Downtown Raleigh. That would be enough, but he also happens to have one of the best wine and Champagne collections on the East Coast. A true Raleigh gem.”
“These restaurants, and, more importantly, these chefs, are some of the standard bearers in our area: outstanding food and service, dedication to our region, and all of the restaurants are very much extensions of the chefs themselves and really show their unique perspectives and personalities—folks who’ve always been and continue to be North Stars for me.”
“The food is consistently incredibly delicious, seasonal, awesomely creative—and [chef] Drew has a distinct point of view people really connect with through the food. It’s a place that is incredibly important to the Raleigh community.”
“It’s a fantastic steak done simply and perfectly—and has a comfort and familiarity you only get with an old-school family-run steakhouse that’s stood the test of time.”
Photo by Paul Mehaffey
Ashley Christensen, chef/proprietor, AC Restaurants
“100% chef Steven Greene + Herons at the Umstead. The detail in every layer of the experience is Michelin Star-deserving, from the meticulously selected ingredients (including running their own farm) to the high-level execution to the whimsical platings to the razor-sharp yet warm service. The minute there were rumblings of the Guide coming here, my immediate thought was, ‘Good! Steven deserves this!’”
To read our Q&A with a Michelin Guide North America Chief Inspector on how Stars are awarded, click here.
