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Featured Restaurant News

• Chocolate lovers and film fans alike are invited to experience the magic as Trugalug Chocolate celebrates its grand opening on March 10th at 7:30 p.m. in Raleigh. The evening will feature a special screening of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) with special guest Paris Themmen— who portrayed Mike Teevee in the beloved 1971 classic — appearing live for a meet-and-greet, audience Q&A, and official ribbon cutting. The event begins at Trugalug’s next-door neighbor, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, with the 7:30 p.m. screening. Following the film and Q&A, guests will walk next door to Trugalug Chocolate for an after-party celebration at the shop. Trugalug Chocolate features on-site cacao bean roasting and a handcrafted selection of chocolate bars and small batch bonbons. Trugalug offers customers a rare opportunity to see and learn the entire chocolate-making process—from raw bean to finished bar—under one roof. Check them out here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• According to the News & Observer, Wake County’s first Whataburger location will open Thursday, March 26 in Wake Forest near Wegmans, and the Raleigh location will open Thursday, April 9 on Six Forks Road near Costco. Not to be confused with What-A-Burger, NC’s first Whataburger location opened in Charlotte last year, and 12 are now open across the state. Expect Texas-sized burgers, fries, patty melts, and more fast food faves. Plus, it’s open 24/7 for late-night cravings. Get to know them here.

• Raleigh’s Smash will host a ribbon cutting and check presentation at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3rd. Smash is the latest restaurant and bar from LM Restaurants, the Raleigh-based, family-owned hospitality company that operates more than two dozen Carolina Ale Houses across the Southeast as well as Taverna Agora, Vidrio and Birdie’s Barroom and Kitchen in Raleigh. Smash combines creative cocktails, elevated bar bites and hospitality with interactive games, including table tennis and electric shuffleboard and darts. Smash opened back in December in downtown Raleigh at 500 Glenwood Avenue. Visit them here.

• Located in the Smoky Hollow development, downtown Raleigh’s newest hotspot, The Crunkleton, just rolled out some new menu options to get you in the mood for warmer weather! Known for their handcrafted cocktails and legendary 42-ounce Tomahawk steak, the new additions include items like: Wagyu Skewers, Duck Flautas, Tuna Tartare, Blackened Shrimp Fettuccini, and North Carolina Fresh Mahi. If you haven’t been by yet, you have about 10 great new reasons to do so! If you are a regular, here are some mouth-watering reasons to change things up a bit! Visit them here.

• Up in Rolesville, we learned this week that Jeff’s Bagel Run is opening a second Triangle-area location (the first is in Wake Forest) this March at 101 Rolesville Center Drive. Known for their hand-rolled, kettle-boiled bagels and house-made cream cheese spreads in both classic and creative flavors. And they’re not stopping there. Raleigh is up next this spring, so stay tuned for even more bagel news! Get familiar with them here.

• Also in Rolesville, there is a El Jefe Modern Mex opening soon in the Wallbrook shopping center (think Publix) at 831 S. Main Street. No word on an open date. Looks like they are most active on Facebook here. Thanks to reader Hans Kerekes for bringing that to our attention.

• And down in Holly Springs, Shake Shack opened at 153 Grand Hill Place on February 25th. The restaurant offers signature burgers, shakes, and fries, and is open until 10 p.m. Visit them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• And then there were three. Following up on the recent announcement that they would open a second Raleigh location in the Greystone Village shopping center, downtown Raleigh’s Longleaf Swine announced this week that they would open a third location in Carrboro later this year. They are taking over the former Luna Rotisserie & Taproom, which will hold their final service on Sunday, March 8th. Keep up with all their upcoming announcements on Instagram here.

• Snooze A.M. Eatery is having their grand re-opening this Sunday, March 1st from 6:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. in Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing shopping center (1800 E Franklin St., Ste. 003). They originally opened in November 2023. This falls closely on the heels of last week’s reopening of Giorgios Bakatsias’ Kipos Greek Taverna in the same shopping center. The first 50 people to make a purchase get a special Snooze Chapel Hill gift pack which includes a $50 Snooze Gift Card, a Snooze Tote, and a Snooze Chapel Hill Mug. Even better, 10 of those lucky guests will randomly find $300 Snooze gift cards in their totes! Snooze has been closed since the building suffered extensive water damage from summer flooding in July. On the menu, expect their favorites along with a few newer additions. Visit Snooze here.

Closings

• Luna Rotisserie & Taproom in Carrboro made the announcement this week that their final service will be Sunday, March 8th. The Durham location remains open. See the announcement above for who is moving into the space.

• The News & Observer reported this week that after less than two years, Fare & Fellow coffee shop is closing their location at Park Point in Research Triangle Park. Their Durham location remains.

Food Trucks

• The Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo continues in 2026 on these dates from noon to 4 p.m. – April 12, May 31, and September 27. At each event, you’ll find food and drink at over 30 food trucks as well as inflatables and family fun for all ages. The rodeos are hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go ahead and mark your calendar for all three. Get all the details here.

• 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

• This is pretty cool. Heading to an event in downtown Raleigh? If so, stop by and see my friends at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.) where they have just launched a “Pre-Game with Whiskey.” What is that? It’s pretty simple. If you show them a same-day Raleigh event ticket or pass (for any event like concerts, game or any downtown event) you get 10% off your meal. Told you it was cool. Check out Whiskey here.

• This Sunday, March 1, Cheeni’s location at Horseshoe RTP at 3151 Elion Drive will host a Holi celebration. The three-hour events begins at noon and your ticket includes access to the Mela and Market featuring: Holi colors and a clean-up kit for each guest, a DJ Rang dance party, access to lunch, a collaboration between Viceroy and Cheeni RTP, local vendors (retail shopping, henna artistry, spices). Tickets are $15 per person. Get all the details and tickets here.

• Saif Rahman, chef and co-owner of JBF’s 2026 “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist, Peregrine, will celebrate his sacred food tradition with guests by offering a special $75 three-course Iftar menu throughout Ramadan, February 17th through March 19th. This Muslim tradition represents the meal served at sundown to break the daily fast. Rahman’s Iftar menu will offer his personal perspective on “first generation American food,” weaving in his Bangladeshi heritage. Reservations are required for the Iftar experience and can be reserved 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

• Chef Michael Lee has been working on something new to join his growing list of M Restaurants which include: M Sushi Durham, M Kokko, M Tempura, M Pocha, M Izakaya and M Sushi Cary. Soon the seventh member of the family will open in the former Plum space at 501 Washington Street in downtown Durham. Lee hasn’t shared the name yet, but did disclose that it will feature Korean cuisine. Super exciting. Visit all of his concepts here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Got word this week that Patrick Shanahan has opened Rosebud in the old Fox Liquor Bar space (corner of Wilmington and Martin streets – 103 East Martin Street). This comes on the heels of Shanahan opening Peregrine (with chef Sair Rahman) and Capulet Cocktail Club. Rosebud borrows from Japanese minimalism, listening lounge culture, and bartending discipline while remaining unmistakably American. The name is a nod to the classic movie “Citizen Kane” and their bar program will be led by Zack Thomas, beverage director at Peregrine. Follow along on Instagram here.

• And speaking of cool spots to grab a tasty beverage, Raleigh Magazine reported that Songbird, the new day-to-dusk bar by Charlie Blue Arm and Meg Paradise of Umbrella Dry Bar, will open in June at East End Market (1020 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Ste. 130) with a walk-up window, sit-down service, two intimate custom bars, and a lush patio and garden, according to the magazine. The beverage line-up is extremely diverse as well as seasonal offering up alcoholic, low-ABV and nonalcoholic beverages, wines, small-batch spirits, coffee service (Willow House Coffee), and a tea program developed with Tin Roof Teas. On the food front, look for shareable plates, larger dishes and desserts developed by Dave Mitchell, formerly of Plates Kitchen and currently of Longleaf Swine BBQ, who will serve as chef-in-residency for the first few months. Keep up with their progress on Instagram.

• Over on Hillsborough Street, Roots Natural Kitchen, which also has a location on Chapel Hill’s Franklin Street, will “officially” open having its Grand Opening on Saturday, February 21st (hint: 40% off all bowls and free Roots sweatshirts) 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.

• And the Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared with us a couple of recent openings. First up, the cocktail bar Haymaker held their re-opening on February 20th at 555 Fayetteville Street. And Pita Bowl has opened in one of the pods at 438 Fayetteville Street, serving up build-your-own bowls and pita sandwiches and wraps. This is their third Raleigh location. Check out Haymaker’s Instagram page here and visit Pita Bowl here.

• David McCreary shared that there’s excitement building in downtown Fuquay over the news that Duke’s Kitchen & Taphouse will open next month at 132 S. Fuquay Avenue in the former Vicious Fishes Taproom & Kitchen space. It will have the same chef, management and staff that was at Vicious Fishes, but a new owner. Additionally, some of the old menu favorites like pimento cheese will be resurrected, and a full bar will feature domestic and craft beer on tap, ciders, seltzers and a solid wine section. Check them out here.

• And up in Franklin County, next week will see the soft-opening of the latest rendition of The Pickled Onion as they welcome you in on Thursday, Friday and Saturday prior to their official opening. Their fifth Triangle-area location is located at 771 Tarboro Road in Youngsville. They also own and operate Sunday A.M. Eatery. Get to know them here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• The wait is over…the long-awaited re-opening of Kipos Greek Tavern is tomorrow, February 21. They will begin with just dinner service, and will release plans to re-open for lunch and brunch after they get their doors back open. You’ll remember Kipos was devastated after the Tropical Storm Chantal flooding. Reseverations are now open for you to enjoy the same flavors, energy, and hospitality you expect from the Kipos staff! Make your reservations here.

• And following just a few weeks behind that, we learned this week that Snooze will reopen its Chapel Hill location (1800 E Franklin St., Ste. 003) on Sunday, March 1. Located in the Eastgate Shopping Center, Snooze has been closed since the building suffered extensive water damage from summer flooding in July. Originally opened in November 2023, Snooze Chapel Hill reopens with a few new menu items. They will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on weekends. Snooze is available for dine-in, carry out, delivery and catering orders. Check them out here.

• Also in Chapel Hill, saw a post on the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook page that Tandoor Indian has closed and the new owners will reopen as Naan by Gulshan, Fine Indian Cuisine. It is now owned by the same folks behind Naanstop and Naan House. An opening date hasn’t been set, but it is soon. In the meantime, visit Naanstop here and Naan House here.

• Over in Durham, Glenn Gillen notified me that Bubbakoo’s Burritos, off Renaissance Parkway (8202 Renaissance Parkway) near the Streets at Southpoint, has opened. This marks the first North Carolina location for the chain and one of 130 locations across 14 states. Check them out.

• Also in Durham, Axios reported that a Korean bakery inspired by French culinary traditions, Tous les Jours, has gone from no Triangle-area location, to about to open their fourth Triangle-area location in a matter of months. It is part of a U.S. goal of opening nearly 200 locations. They currently have locations in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station district, Cary and Holly Springs. The Durham location will be on Ninth Street. Get familiar with them here.

• Down in Pittsboro we noticed this week that The Place To Be Bar officially opened in the former Red Moose Brewing Company at 90 East Street, just off the circle in downtown. Good to have a great watering hole on the circle again. Follow along on Instagram here.

Closings

• Chapel Hill’s Tandoor Indian Restaurant, which has been a staple on Franklin Street for approximately 30 years, has closed and will soon re-open under new ownership as Naan by Gulshan.

Food Trucks

• The first Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2026 is this weekend – Sunday, February 22nd from noon to 4 p.m. Find food and drink at over 30 food trucks! In addition, there will be inflatables, face painting and fairy hair for the kids, and the Poetry Fox will be there creating poetry for everyone! The rodeo is hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). And go ahead and mark your calendar for three more – April 12, May 31, and September 27. Get all the details here.

• There is a new food truck in the Triangle that you need to check out. Karahi Kraze is now set-up at Pullen Park Mart at 515 Ashe Avenue in Raleigh. They’ve taken the sizzling taste of authentic Karahi, the flagship of Pakistani street food, and remixed it into next-level flavors, unexpected combos, and that perfect, crave-worthy spice that hits just right. Menu options include bowls, wraps, and loaded fries. Check their site out here, and find their truck here. Thanks to my old buddy “JK” John Kerr (no, not Duke’s mens soccer coach, but who happens to be a dear friend) for the tip.

• 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

• Saif Rahman, chef and co-owner of JBF’s 2026 “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist, Peregrine, will celebrate his sacred food tradition with guests by offering a special $75 three-course Iftar menu throughout Ramadan, February 17th through March 19th. This Muslim tradition represents the meal served at sundown to break the daily fast. Rahman’s Iftar menu will offer his personal perspective on “first generation American food,” weaving in his Bangladeshi heritage. Reservations are required for the Iftar experience and can be reserved here.

• The All Hands: Boatman Spirits Launch Party will be this Sunday February 22nd from 5-9 p.m. General admission tickets and a limited number of VIP tickets are still available. VIP tickets are $50 and grant access at 5 p.m. including: a guided tasting of our new spirits: Vodka, Dry Gin, Navy Strength Gin; a grazing table with elevated bites; cocktail demonstration with tips for recreating at home; distillery tour and behind-the-scenes access; priority access to purchase bottles; Bottle signing opportunity; and one drink ticket for a crafted cocktail. General admission tickets cost $30 each and will allow access from 6-9 p.m. Boatman is located in the Seaboard Station development in downtown Raleigh and all the details can be found here.

• The finale of the eighth annual Cooking for the Kids, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangle’s vibrant chef community, is down to the last two standing – Kyle Fletcher from Glasshouse Kitchen and Harry Monds of Lula & Sadie’s. The entire series, brought to us by the folks over at Rocky Top Catering, is in support of  an impactful local nonprofit, Overflowing Hands. And unless you were smart enough to secure tickets, you are out of luck as the Finale is sold out.

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.