TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• Got word this week that Theatre Raleigh is expanding its arts campus with The Green Room, a new coffee shop designed to serve patrons, students and the greater Raleigh community. The café, located within the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center on Old Wake Forest Road, will open to the public today (Dec. 5th). The shop at 3031 Barrow Dr. will feature coffee sourced and roasted by Grey Squirrel Coffee Co. of Carrboro as well as baked goods and grab-and-go drinks and lunch items from The Veggie Wagon of Carolina Beach, as well as soft-serve ice cream. Best to follow along on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Transfer Co. Food Hall’s newest tenant, Urban Olive, opened this week in the former Mama Crow’s space in the center of the hall. Urban Olive brings the warmth of family recipes into the rhythm of city life with their authentic Mediterranean fast-casual concept. Get to know them here.

• And speaking of food halls, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared that a concept called Leaf & Loaf has opened at Morgan Street Food Hall (411 West Morgan Street). They are serving up signature salads and warm, crusty baguette sandwiches where you can build your own creation exactly how you like it. Get a peek here.

• Staying in downtown Raleigh, we confirmed this week that Wilmington’s K38 Baja Grill will open on December 13th at downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. This will mark K38’s sixth location and the first outside of Wilmington and Carolina Beach. This will soon be followed by their seventh location next summer in downtown Cary at 139 E. Chatham Street. Check out K38 here.

• Over on Western Boulevard, Axios Raleigh reported that Haraz Coffee House, a Yemeni-style chain cafe, is now open. They are open until 11 p.m., so get by and try their Arabic-inspired drinks. Looks to be their second location (first is in Apex) in the Triangle, with additional locations planned for Cary and downtown Durham. Get to know them here.

• Up in North Raleigh, we learned that BurgerFi will open their newest restaurant this winter at 10831 Wakefield Commons Drive, making it their second location in Raleigh and fourth in North Carolina. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• We pulled the trigger a little early a few weeks back, but we can now confirm that Sweetgreen will open their new Chapel Hill location on Tuesday, December 9 at 122 East Franklin Street. They will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, serving up salads, warm bowls, protein plates, and sides. Ahead of their opening, folks can RSVP here for a sneak peek and a complimentary meal on Friday and Saturday (December 5 and 6). Plus, for every meal purchased on opening day, Sweetgreen will donate a meal to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina. This will be their second Triangle location, with the other being in Raleigh’s North Hills. Visit Sweetgreen here.

• Down the hill at University Place, we are days away from the opening of H&H Bagels’ first North Carolina location. Earlier reports suggested that opening will happen next week, but definitely by the end of 2025. The new shop will offer authentic New York-style bagels that are kettle-boiled and baked to order. You’d be wise to start getting familiar with them now.

Closings

• An 88-year tradition suddenly came to an end at the beginning of this month with the announcement that all locations of K&W Cafeteria, including the last one in Raleigh, are now closed.

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Vicious Fishes Brewery closed their Apex taproom just weeks after the closure of their Fuquay-Varina location. They still have locations in Cary and Angier.

• Also got word this week that both locations of Fainting Goat Brewing Company will soon close. The Benson location will close on Saturday, December 27th, while the Fuquay-Varina taproom will remain open as long as they have beer to serve.

• Reader Tyler Glover informed us that Epic Wings in Raleigh’s Brennan Station on Creedmoor Road has closed.

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 tenth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards are back! Vote on the top 5 finalists in each category through Dec. 15. Winners will be announced in January, 2026. Get your nominations in here.

• On December 14th, The Mecca Restaurant in downtown Raleigh, is commemorating their 95th Holiday season by joining the community together for a special three-course Holiday Supper. They will have two seatings at 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include food, a winter beverage, tax and gratuity. In the spirit of giving and giving back to the community, 10% of the proceeds will benefit Urban Ministries of Wake County Food Pantry. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve? Ring in 2026 with a memorable and delicious evening at Figulina where chef David Ellis has created a special 4-course menu showcasing seasonal and luxurious ingredients, a complimentary toast, plus some other surprises – while their wine director, Jeff Bramwell, has curated optional luxe wine pairings to complement each dish! $145 per person (pre tax and service fee). Reserve your spot now.

• 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

• On #GivingTuesday, our community proved that we have the will and the compassion to tackle the problem of hunger in central and eastern North Carolina. Our caring community came together to fill the cart so more families can gather around a special meal this holiday season. It’s essential to continue meeting the immediate needs of our friends and neighbors this holiday season. With grocery prices, unemployment, and utility costs all high, too many people are facing daily worry about what they’ll eat. If you missed #GivingTuesday, you can still make a difference in our community with a gift today. You’ll help stock our partner agencies with healthy, culturally familiar foods so kids, families, and seniors can get what they need.

Featured Restaurant News

• Trophy Five Points, the newest restaurant and bar from the team behind Trophy Brewing Co., opened this week in Raleigh’s Five Points neighborhood (207 Bickett Blvd.). Located in the iconic blue former Electric Supply Co. warehouse, Trophy Five Points combines craft beer, creative cocktails, games, pizza and more to create a lively neighborhood gathering place. This is the seventh location from the Trophy team, which owns and operates a brewery and taproom, bottle shops, bars, restaurants and an event space across downtown Raleigh. The building’s front is anchored by a covered and heated front patio with seating for 80 and four outdoor fire pits to host another 20 guests. A future backyard patio will offer skyline views and connect to the patio at Ajja, the nationally recognized neighboring restaurant by chef Cheetie Kumar. Pay them a visit here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Up in North Raleigh Cafe Tiramisu is moving into a brand new swanky space across the parking lot from their current location at 6008 Falls of Neuse Road in the Northridge Shopping Center. Look for them to begin operating out of the new space in early December. The new space is absolutely gorgeous with an edgy décor, and all the flavors you’ve been enjoying for over 30 years! Visit them here.

• The Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news this week that Veloce Italian Market has opened  in the former Happy & Hale “pod” in City Plaza in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The concept is being brought to us by Anthony Rapillo, the man behind other concepts like V Pizza, Flour & Barrel, La Taqueria and The Side Door. Rapillo has teamed up with Ryan Parker and William Yagasits to bring pizza to the center of downtown. Veloce specializes in 10- and 13-inch pizzas, crafted from V Pizza’s recipe and fired from the same oven—plus paninis, wings, provisions, and a grab-and-go section of sandos and salads. Get a slice here.

• By December 2nd, Transfer Co. Food Hall will have a new tenant as Urban Olive begins operating out of the former Mama Crow’s space in the center of the hall. Urban Olive brings the warmth of family recipes into the rhythm of city life with their authentic Mediterranean fast-casual concept. Get to know them here.

• Raleigh Downtown reported this week that Rocky Mount’s award-winning Barley & Burger has officially opened at 1900 Hillsborough Street in the former David’s Dumpling & Noodle Bar space. Known for their gourmet, chef-crafted burgers inspired by movie icons — Marty McFly, Rocky Balboa, BYOB, and other classics — they also have craft beer on tap, wine, signature cocktails and handspun shakes. It’s the perfect new spot to fuel up for game day. With their original location in Rocky Mount, they also have locations in Smithfield and Charlotte. Check them out here.

• We also noticed this week that Wilmington’s K38 Baja Grill will open on December 13th at downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. This will mark K38’s sixth location and the first outside of Wilmington and Carolina Beach. This will soon be followed by their seventh location next summer in downtown Cary at 139 E. Chatham Street. Check out K38 here.

• And speaking of Seaboard Station, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared that Jade Express will open soon at 111 Seaboard Avenue. This will be the chain’s 10th location and first in the Triangle serving up their famous bourbon chicken. Get familiar with their entire menu here.

• The Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news that Saigon Kitchen Viet Eatery, a new Vietnamese restaurant, has opened at 321 S. Blount Street into the former Mofu Shoppe space at City Market in downtown Raleigh. Mofu Shoppe closed in August after an eight-year run. Follow along on Instagram here.

• In northeast Raleigh, the Buffalo Bend shopping center (7330 Buffalo Road) will soon see a McDonald’s and a Jersey Mike’s open. Thanks to reader Hans Kerekes for tipping us off to this news.

• Over in Morrisville, Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Saqiba Iqbal and her business partners will open Super Chix Chicken & Custard next spring at 1125 Hatches Pond Lane. They are known for their fresh, quality ingredients, including never using frozen chicken. This will be the restaurant’s third North Carolina spot, joining two others in Charlotte. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• In Durham, we caught word that Flavor Hills Durham will be opening on December 3rd in the former Copa space at 107 W. Main Street. Look for them to focus on modern southern comfort cuisine made from scratch with amazing cocktails and specialty drinks. They also have locations in Raleigh and Myrtle Beach. Get to know them here.

• Also in Durham, we learned this week that a fish shack called Jean’s by the Sea will open in early 2026 at 617 Hicks Street in Old West Durham. Expect cold beer, fresh oysters and crispy seafood. Start getting familiar with them here. Thanks to reader Morgan Mueller for tipping us off to this news.

• And we learned this week that a Chipotle Mexican Grill has opened at the corner of Hwy. 54 and Hwy. 55 in Durham in the old Arby’s location right by Pizza Hut.

Closings

• David McCreary shared that after 11 years the Full Moon Oyster Bar in Morrisville’s Park West Village has closed. They are looking to reopen in a smaller neighborhood setting.

• And we were sad to learn this week that Spring Rolls in West Raleigh’s Wade Park will serve their last meal on December 31. The good news is they still have a location in Durham.

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 tenth-annual WRAL Voters’ Choice Awards are back! Vote on the top 5 finalists in each category Nov. 16 through Dec. 15. Winners will be announced in January, 2026. Get your nominations in here.

• Paul Chirico of Ideal’s Sandwich and Grocery has organized a pop-up dinner at The Durham featuring chefs Alfonso Ranno and Zaki Phelan at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 30. “The Little Drummer Boy” dinner is a three-course family-style meal that shares the story of the pair’s identities as chefs and people. They are excited to bring you food that blends their respective Mexican and Afghan cultures, a so called “beat of their own drum.” The menu includes such dishes as Birria Mantu (dumplings), Afghan Naan, Cochinita Pibil, Shor Nakhod and more. The price is $90 per person. The Durham is located at 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham. See full menu and make a reservation here.

• On December 14th, The Mecca Restaurant in downtown Raleigh, is commemorating their 95th Holiday season by joining the community together for a special three-course Holiday Supper. They will have two seatings at 6 and 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 per person and include food, a winter beverage, tax and gratuity. In the spirit of giving and giving back to the community, 10% of the proceeds will benefit Urban Ministries of Wake County Food Pantry. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Tickets went on sale yesterday 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

• You know that a good meal brings people together, especially as we just saw at Thanksgiving and during the holidays throughout December. Yet this year, many of our friends and neighbors are wondering if they can afford their daily meals, much less the special holiday foods at the heart of so many treasured memories. When the costs of food, housing, and utilities are all high — and now that SNAP benefits have been stalled, interrupted, or delayed — more people are faced with impossible choices. Your support can help local families, seniors, and veterans have holidays filled with warm meals and even warmer memories. Thanks to a special match from some compassionate friends, your gift can go twice as far. With all the December holidays just around the corner, will you help the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina prepare by making your gift today? Do so now.