Featured Restaurant News
- LRB Provisions, a takeout sandwich spot in Durham, opened this week. The restaurant is the brainchild of chef Amanda Orser, former chef de cuisine at the legendary Magnolia Grill. They opened at 2009 Guess Road, in the former location of The Dog House hot dog stand. The cozy counter-service spot will focus on takeout lunch to start, with hours from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Orser also had stints at Lantern with James Beard award-winning chef Andrea Reusing; Littler, the downtown Durham restaurant from Gray Brooks, owner of Pizzeria Toro; as well as a series of pop-up dinners at The Durham Filling Station and Gocciolina. Check LRB out here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Sixty Vines officially opened in Raleigh this week, introducing their wine-country approach to dining at 4000 Center at North Hills Street. The restaurant offers 60 wines on tap paired with a vineyard-inspired menu designed for sharing, along with a relaxed atmosphere built for gatherings of all kinds. They have locations in Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., with this marking the second location in North Carolina. They are open for lunch and dinner. Get familiar with them.
- The News & Observer noted this week that Tous Les Jours, a new French-Asian bakery and cafe, is now open at Seaboard Station with pastries, cakes, espresso drinks, and plenty more for your sweet tooth. They also have locations in Cary and Holly Springs, as well as one on the way in Durham. Take a look here.
- Also in downtown Raleigh, Raleigh Downtown shared the exciting news that The Merchant reopened in their new spot at 108 ½ E Hargett St (upstairs). They had their grand opening this past weekend in a swanky cool setting with a brand new and expanded cocktail menu. Visit them on Instagram here.
- The News & Observer also reported this week that Dix Park Conservancy is remodeling one of the park’s buildings to make way for a new food and beverage destination. Justin Pasfield and Jeff Clarke will operate Cottage Coffee and Park Bar in The Flowers Cottage, located at 2105 Umstead Drive on the northwest side of Dix Park. Pasfield and Clarke operate other venues in Raleigh, including Person Street Bar, Locals Seafood and Natural Science.
- We first told you about this in August, but North Raleigh is now home to the newest location of BurgerFi at 10831 Wakefield Commons, around the corner from Milton’s and Pickled Onion – Wakefield. This one comes complete with a drive-thru and an all-new breakfast menu to fuel your day. This is their fourth location in North Carolina, all right here in the Triangle. Visit them here.
- The Triangle Business Journal is reporting that fresh off their opening last week in Morrisville, Dutch Bros Coffee is quickly moving to open an additional location off New Bern Avenue in the Edgewater Commons development at 2908 Sunrise Valley Place. No open date is known at this point. Visit Dutch Bros Coffee here. The TBJ also reported that Dutch Bros is eyeing a location in Clayton.
- Speaking of Morrisville, reader Jennifer Buchholz let us know that Pokeworks in Park West Village opened on December 16th. They serve up fresh, sashimi-grade Ahi Tuna, hand-cut Salmon, all-natural chicken, and tofu in a poke bowl or a wrap. Visit Pokeworks here.
- Buchholz also let us know that Everbowl, an acai bowl restaurant, opened recently in Alexander Promenade off Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh. Get by and check them out.
- Down in Fuquay Varina, my friend David McCreary shared the news that Mi Cancun Mexican Restaurant has opened its latest location at 711 North Main Street in the former Abbey Road Tavern spot. Pro tip: the tableside guacamole is on point, according to McCreary. Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Out in RTP, learned from my buddy Glenn Gillen that Preeti Waas’ Cheeni RTP is in soft open mode in the Horseshoe at Hub RTP development (and right next to her RTP location of Nanny Goat). They are open from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Expect all your old favorites from Waas’ North Raleigh location like dosa waffle, rice bowls, veg puff, street style toast…the works, with more added throughout the week. Look for expanded hours in 2026. Give it a peek at their Instagram page and we sure to visit soon!
- Triangle Business Journal reported this week that a Brazilian steakhouse is eyeing The Streets at Southpoint for its Triangle debut. Dallas-based Fogo de Chão plans to open at 8030 Renaissance Parkway, in the space previously occupied by Mexican restaurant Uncle Julio’s. In true Brazilian steakhouse fashion, servers carve cuts of meat tableside for guests, while guests can also find salads, charcuterie and more at the Market Table. This will be the chain’s first North Carolina location. Get familiar with them here.
- And speaking of RTP, we learned this week from the News & Observer that the popular downtown Raleigh bar Raleigh Beer Garden has opened a new location at RDU Airport. It is the latest concept from Niall Hanley and his Hibernian Hospitality Group. This concept joins their other ones – Raleigh Beer Garden, Hopshots Mini Golf (located behind Raleigh Beer Garden), the Hibernian Pubs, and another recently opened concept, a speakeasy called The Dry Cleaners. The airport location doesn’t have the 350+ draft beers, but it does have a full bar and 20 beers on tap, along with serving “approachable pub food.”
- In Chapel 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
- Reader Joe McGarry notified us that Full Moon Oyster Bar has closed in Parkwest Shopping Center in Morrisville.
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
- 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
- The high cost of healthy foods is putting a huge strain on families in central and eastern North Carolina this holiday season. As colder weather sets in, heating bills start to compete with the grocery budget, leaving many people at risk of an empty holiday table. Let’s lift that burden of worry for families, seniors, and veterans in our community. At more than 700 local food assistance sites supported by the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, every meal you help provide will be delivered with kindness, often alongside other critical services that address the root causes of hunger. Thanks to a match from some generous friends, your gift today can DOUBLE — but only until December 31.
