TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• Got word this week that Velvet Taco, the nationally acclaimed taco restaurant known for its imaginative, globally inspired tacos, will be opening its first Raleigh location at North Hills on February 16th. The restaurant will occupy the former World of Beer space at the base of Captrust Tower in the Park District. With quite an eclectic menu, look for everything from Korean Fried Rice and Nashville Hot Tofu to Spicy Tikka Chicken and Fish N’ Chips. And don’t miss their signature Red Velvet Cake for dessert! Get familiar with them here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Over in Glenwood South, The Dirty V, a plant-based restaurant, with additional locations opening soon in Myrtle Beach and Miami, is now in soft-open mode (just working out a few cosmetic changes). They took over the former Marian Cocktails & Kitchen spot at 301 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 100. Visit Dirty V here.

• Mother Nature had a different plan for the opening of Jubala’s new late-night spot, Bar Marigold. Originally planning to open this past Wednesday at 301 Hillsborough Street (corner of Hillsborough and Dawson) in the Pendo building, they will now hold their grand opening tonight, February 6th. A coffee shop in the morning and throughout the day, it changes up gears and becomes your newest evening lounge to grab a curated menu of classic, new, and coffee-infused cocktails (including espresso martinis), mocktails, and evening bites. Follow along on Instagram.

• Over on Hillsborough Street, Roots Natural Kitchen, which also has a location on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, will open on Saturday, February 21st across from NC State’s campus at 2712 Hillsborough Street (think former Gumby’s spot). If you are not familiar with Roots, they were founded in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2015 serving up natural food in a fast-casual setting and now have just over 20 locations, mostly in the mid-Atlantic. Get to know them here.

• Over in Apex, Adam Orentlicher sent us a note letting us know that Taki Sushi opened in Sweetwater Town Center (just off Hwy. 64 at 2701 Lawnview Lane, Suite 103) kind of across from Southern Peak Brewery Taproom and Pizzeria and behind Fratelli’s Delicatessen. This area is quickly becoming a “food court” of sorts for Apex! Check out Taki Sushi here.

• A little out of our “normal” coverage area, but this might be worth the hour drive down to Southern Pines where Wisco Taco Foxtrot, a casual yet elevated taco restaurant with touches of Midwestern flavor and hospitality, will open on February 12th. Expect a fun, vibrant gathering place offering scratch-made tacos, creative cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere. Take a peek here and then jump in your car and head on down.

• And kudos to brothers Casey and Mick Vorbeck as Manhattan Cafe was picked by Chowhound as North Carolina’s best hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop joining 49 others, one in each state. The downtown location (320 S. Wilmington St., Raleigh) got the nod for being the hole-in-the wall, but they also have a location in RTP (1004 Lower Shiloh Way, Morrisville). Stop by and see for yourself here. See the article in Chowhoud here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The News & Observer shared that a location of Paris Banh Mi, known for banh mi, baked goods and drinks such as boba tea, will have their soft opening on Thursday, Feb. 12th in Chapel Hill’s Meadowmont development at 407 Meadowmont Village Circle (formerly Meet Fresh and before that, Five Guys). There is already a location in Cary. Congrats to owner Thai Doan. Start getting familiar with them here.

• And another re-opening at Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing shopping center following the devastating flooding from Tropical Storm Chantal. Clean Juice opened this week simply announcing, “We are back!” Visit them here.

Closings

• Reader Bridget Lambusko notified us that Giorgios Bakatsias has closed his recently opened sushi spot in Raleigh called Tomi Sushi (they opened last October). It was in the East End Market development (off East Whitaker Mill Road between Wake Forest Road and Atlantic Avenue).

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Bahama Breeze is closing its tropical-themed Raleigh restaurant on Wake Forest Road on April 5th. Owned by Darden Restaurants, it will become one of its other concepts. Stay tuned.

Food Trucks

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• Due to the weather, the dates for the annual Triangle Restaurant Week have been extended through February 8th (but check with each restaurant before heading out). During the event, participating restaurants within Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas will offer a special 2 or 3-course prix fixe menu ($20, $25, $30,$35, $40, $45, $50) each day they are open. Get a full list of restaurants, hours, days and all the details here.

• Rocky Top Catering announced new dates for the eighth annual Cooking for the Kids, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangle’s vibrant chef community in support of  an impactful local nonprofit, Overflowing Hands. Overflowing Hands is a 100% volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States and around the world. Hosted at the elegant Millbrook Manor (located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh), Cooking for the Kids offers guests an immersive dining experience where philanthropy and culinary creativity take center stage. The first round was last Monday, and the finale is now scheduled for Tuesday, February 24. Check out who the winners were in week 1 and see what the next round entails. Get all the details, including competing chefs as well as tickets, here.

Food Bank Corner

• The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is looking for caring friends to become Monthly Sustainers of the Food Bank to help respond to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance. When you partner with them monthly, you help ensure that healthy, nutritious food can reach people in need all year long. In fact, your monthly gift of: $25 can provide 75 meals per month; $35 can provide 105 meals per month; $50 can provide 150 meals per month; $100 can provide 300 meals per month. Plus, with your monthly commitment of $25 or more, they’ll send a special tote bag your way. And when you carry it, you are reminded of all you make possible for your neighbors through your consistent generosity! Become a Monthly Sustainer here.

Featured Restaurant News

• We learned from the folks over at RALToday that Jubala’s new late-night spot, Bar Marigold, will begin operations next Wednesday, February 4th at 301 Hillsborough Street (corner of Hillsborough and Dawson) in the Pendo building. A coffee shop in the morning and throughout the day, it changes up gears and becomes your newest evening lounge to grab a curated menu of classic, new, and coffee-infused cocktails (including espresso martinis), mocktails, and evening bites. Follow along on Instagram.

Wake County Restaurant News

• I learned from colleague Scott Steinsberger that the new location of Cafe Tiramisu has opened in a space across the parking lot from their former spot. They are now located at 6196 Falls of the Neuse Road, Suite 116 in what was the Burger 21 location (although I assure you, you won’t recognize the space). A major presence in the Northridge Shopping Center for over 20 years, the new spot takes it to a new level! Congrats to the DeMartino family on their continued success and growth. Visit Cafe Tiramisu here.

• Learned in the News & Observer this week that Shish Kabob, located in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza on Fayetteville Street, has closed. It is evolving into a fast-casual concept called Pita Bowl which will be serving up build-your-own bowls and pita sandwiches or wraps. They join Jimmy John’s, Fire Wok and Veloce Italian Market in the small glass buildings at City Plaza. They expect to soft open in mid-February and hold a grand opening in early March. It will be the third Pita Bowl in Raleigh, joining the restaurant on Leesville Road and another off Blue Ridge Road at Lake Boone Trail. Visit them here.

• Over on Hillsborough Street, Roots Natural Kitchen, which also has a location on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, will open next month across from NC State’s campus at 2712 Hillsborough Street (think former Gumby’s spot). If you are not familiar with Roots, they were founded in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2015 serving up natural food in a fast-casual setting and now have just over 20 locations, mostly in the mid-Atlantic. Get to know them here.

• Up in Wake Forest, got word from reader Michelle Canfield that Patronies Pizza has closed and Sabatino’s (pizza, pasta and bar), with a location in Apex, will soon open in that space at 131 Crenshaw Corners Drive. Patronies still has a location at Holden Beach. Visit Sabatino’s here and Patronies here.

• And down in Zebulon, reader Thomas Martin tipped us off to the exciting news that there is a sign up from the folks at the Ribsational Food Truck on the former Rey’s Family Restaurant at 1637 Mack Todd Road. We will keep you updated on that. In the meantime, hit the truck up for their ribs, chicken, bbq, string beans, boiled potatoes and mac and cheese. Follow them on Instagram here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Learned from Chapelboro that The Loop in Eastgate Crossing shopping center re-opened this past Tuesday after a six-month closure caused by Tropical Depression Chantal. The Florida-based franchise known for its burgers, sandwiches and milkshakes has additional North Carolina locations in Durham, Winston-Salem and Kernersville. Eastgate Crossing will soon see the reopening of Kipos, Snooze and Clean Juice. Starbucks, Jersey Mike’s and Rise will not reopen. Visit The Loop here.

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Bond Brothers Kitchen and Bar has re-opened
  at the airport. They are located by Gate 3 in Terminal 2. Bond Brothers is providing wholesale beer. Grove Bay Hospitality, the same concessionaire that brought Raleigh chef Scott Crawford’s restaurant to Terminal 2, is staffing the location and offering a food menu. The food side is coordinated by Kenny Gilbert, vice president of culinary operations at Grove Bay and a “Top Chef” Season 7 candidate. Visit Bond Brothers here.

Closings

• Learned this week that after 5 1/2 years, Bull City Solera and Taproom in Durham has closed. Owner Seth Gross also owns Bull City Burger and Brewery and Pompieri Pizza.

Food Trucks

• Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply don’t want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them on Street Food Finder here.

Events

• The annual Triangle Restaurant Week event runs through February 1, 2026. During the event, participating restaurants within Raleigh, Cary, Chapel Hill, Durham and surrounding areas will offer a special 2 or 3-course prix fixe menu ($20, $25, $30,$35, $40, $45, $50) each day they are open. Get a full list of restaurants, hours, days and all the details here.

• Rocky Top Catering announced new dates this week for the eighth annual Cooking for the Kids, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangle’s vibrant chef community in support of  an impactful local nonprofit, Overflowing Hands. Overflowing Hands is a 100% volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States and around the world. Hosted at the elegant Millbrook Manor (located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh), Cooking for the Kids offers guests an immersive dining experience where philanthropy and culinary creativity take center stage. The first round is now scheduled for next Monday, February 2 with the finale on Tuesday, February 24. Get all the details, including competing chefs as well as tickets, here.

• Tickets have gone on sale for the 2026 version of the Triangle Food & Wine Experience which will take place February 5-7, 2026. From its humble inception over 30 years ago, the Triangle Wine & Food Experience has grown to become one of the leading charity wine auctions in the nation with all proceeds benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School & Development Center. And let me tell you, the lineup of culinary talent (from all corners of the United States) is absolutely incredible – see the list here. If you call yourself a foodie, these are the not-to-miss events of the year. A weekend of the most incredible food and wine. Get details on the weekend of events here.

Food Bank Corner

• The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is looking for caring friends to become Monthly Sustainers of the Food Bank to help respond to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance. When you partner with them monthly, you help ensure that healthy, nutritious food can reach people in need all year long. In fact, your monthly gift of: $25 can provide 75 meals per month; $35 can provide 105 meals per month; $50 can provide 150 meals per month; $100 can provide 300 meals per month. Plus, with your monthly commitment of $25 or more, they’ll send a special tote bag your way. And when you carry it, you are reminded of all you make possible for your neighbors through your consistent generosity! Become a Monthly Sustainer here.