Featured Restaurant News
- I know Raleighites, especially NCSU students, have been eagerly watching progress on the soon-to-open Raising Cane’s on Raleigh’s Hillsborough Street (2420 Hillsborough St., the former site of Umami Asian Bistro and the Varsity Theatre). Things got a bit more real this week as the first official signage made its way onto the front of the building. Additionally, our friends over at Triangle NC Foodies shared the intelligence that they are looking at an official open date sometime the second week in January. Stay tuned and follow along here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- The News & Observer shared this week that Lucky Asian Fusion will bring a location to Ridgewood Shopping Center next to Ridgewood Wine and Beer. They have an existing location in Richmond, Virginia, making this location their first outside of the state. You might be familiar with them as they are owned by Eat Restaurant Partners, the group behind Wong’s Tacos, the fusion taqueria that opened this year up the hill from Crabtree Valley Mall. Don’t be surprised to soon see their other concepts, like Wild Ginger and Osaka Sushi & Steak, make their way into the Triangle food scene. Get familiar with them here.
- Over in the Glenwood South district, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance shared the news that Miami Rush, bringing a South Florida feel serving up pizzas, wings and burgers (and a cigar lounge) along with craft cocktails, has opened on Peace Street (805 West Peace St.) catty-corner from Broughton High School. Follow them on Instagram.
- We first told you about this back in April, but learned this week from the Triangle Business Journal that The Newsagent, a combination newsstand, bookstore, coffee shop, collectables, movies, event space and more, is having their soft-opening this month. They are located at 228 Fayetteville Street in the Mahler Building. Follow them on Instagram.
- Over in Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported that the team behind an Urban Turban Indian Grill and Bar in Durham is opening Reserve, elevated Indian dining, in the former Cafe Carolina and Bakery space at 137 Weston Parkway in the Arboretum (at the intersection with Harrison Avenue). They will serve cuisine from all over the Indian subcontinent, including kebabs from the north and seafood dishes from the south. In the meantime, visit Urban Turban here.
- In Apex, my buddy Jennifer Willis will be excited by the news David McCreary shared with me this week…Al’s Burger Shack, which has a cult-like following in Chapel Hill, has opened its new location at 2832 Teachey Place at the Sweetwater Town Center complex in Apex off Hwy. 64. Follow them on Instagram.
- Also in Apex, learned from Carrie Brogren, founder of the Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook group, that Lime & Lemon Indian Grill, with current locations in Durham, Chapel Hill, Raleigh and Jacksonville, has opened in Apex. Located in the Beaver Creek Crossings shopping center off Highway 64, the food menu includes a selection of Indo-Chinese dishes, which sets it apart from the other Lime & Lemon restaurants. Additionally, the space features a 35-foot bar along with a lounge area featuring plush, velvet seating. Pay them a visit today.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- For as long as I can remember, Alfredo’s Pizza Villa has been a tenant at University Place (aka University Mall). On Thursday, November 20th they complete the move across the parking lot into a brand new (larger) space at 900 Willow Drive. Follow along on Instagram.
- More great news out of Chapel Hill’s Eastgate Crossing shopping center as they continue to recover from the devastating floods brought by the heavy rains of Tropical Storm Chantal. We got word this week that Shake Shack will hold their grand re-opening on Wednesday, November 19th at 10:30 a.m. (doors open at 11 a.m.) with $1 from every sandwich sold during the event will be donated to PORCH. Visit them here.
- In Chapel Hill, sweetgreen restaurant (stylized in lowercase) at 122 East Franklin Street is holding a soft opening for downtown customers this Friday, November 14th and Saturday, November 15th prior to their grand opening on Tuesday, November 18th. During their soft opening the popular salad and health bowl chain is offering a complimentary meal to visitors. sweetgreen is a fast-casual chain restaurant based out of Los Angeles with dozens of locations across the country including one in Raleigh. They have taken over the space formerly occupied by Benny Capella’s which closed in December, 2021. Visit sweetgreen here.
- Just over in Carrboro, saw this week that chef Yung Nay is evolving his La Montaña into Sora Sushi & Bar. They’ll be slowly transitioning their space and menu to reflect this exciting new chapter, bringing a modern Japanese dining experience to the market. And don’t worry, you will continue to see your La Montaña favorites during the transition. The transition is also creating one unified brand, combining Sora Sushi & Bar with Yung Nay Private Chef & Catering. Visit them here.
- In Durham near the intersection of Interstate 40 and Hwy. 15-501 in the Patterson Place shopping center, Triangle Business Journal shared this week that Texas Roadhouse will demolish the former Applebee’s and replace it with a new restaurant at 5340 McFarland Drive. They’ll join other eateries such as Duck Donuts, Blaze Pizza and Moe’s Southwest Grill. Visit them here.
- In the category of, “What’s one more?”…Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Chick-fil-A has submitted plans for a new restaurant off Highway 55 just south of Highway 54 near Research Triangle Park at 4913 Apex Highway just half a mile away from an existing Chick-fil-A at 104 Residence Inn Blvd.
Closings
- After 7 years, Vicious Fishes Tap & Kitchen in downtown Fuquay is closing soon (they’ll keep open this week as long as there’s food in the kitchen). That’s the bad news. The good news is they still have the original Vicious Fishes Angier brewery and taproom, taprooms in Vicious Fishes Apex, their new production brewery in Vicious Fishes Cary and Cary Beach House, their Christmas pop-up bar also in downtown Cary.
- Raleigh Downtown shared the sad news that after 10 years, Vita Vite, downtown Raleigh’s wine bar and art gallery in the Warehouse District, will close on Sunday, December 14. So there is still time to swing by for one more toast…or two! Additionally, their second location in North Hills will continue to operate with expanded hours and new events coming in 2026.
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! Nominate your local favorites in over 100 categories Oct. 16 – Nov 15. Then come back to 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.
- Award-winning Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken plans to celebrate its 13th Anniversary with incredible deals on its signature chicken sandwich and its popular new Cheesy Mac Chicken box. Now through November 19th, all customers at any Rise location can enjoy the Righteous Chicken Sandwich on a biscuit or bun for $5.13 or the Cheesy Mac Chicken box for $8.13. Rise Rewards loyalty members will receive additional deals during Anniversary week. Visit them here.
- Carolina Brewery is thrilled to announce its Eighth Annual Oyster Roast on Saturday, November 15th from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pittsboro location of Carolina Brewery. The annual event will once again benefit the North Carolina Coastal Federation and Outer Banks Forever. Admission is free, and freshly steamed or raw oysters will be available for purchase by the half-dozen or dozen. The oysters, sourced from North Carolina’s own Ghost Fleet Oyster Co., will be served by the oyster farmers themselves, offering a true farm-to-table experience. Get details here.
- The Durham is hosting a Sunday Supper from 4:30-8 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 16. The family-friendly event will feature Karaage Fried Chicken with Kewpie mayo, ponzu, and a hint of spice; Miso Soup; Sunomono Cucumber Salad; Miso Ginger Roasted Wild Mushrooms; Murasaki Sweet Potato Salad and house pickled seasonal vegetables. The price is $35 for adults and $15 for children under 12. Reservations are recommended. The Durham is located at 315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham. Details here.
- Lutra Cafe and Bakery, the popular bakery opening at Durham’s American Tobacco Campus early next year, is marking its last two pop-up Sunday brunches at Cheeni in Durham with a “Brunch with Friends” series, began November 2nd. The series features four Durham chefs who will put their spin on the breakfast sandwich on Lutra’s brunch menu. Lutra got its start last year by selling sweet and savory buns at farmers’ markets and more than 130 pop-up events across the Triangle. Chef-owner Chris McLaurin often worked with local chefs and business owners to create special bun flavors for the pop-ups. Here is the remaining lineup: Nov. 16: Chef Carrie Schleiffer (Alley Twenty Six); and Nov. 23: Preeti Waas (Cheeni). Lutra’s Sunday brunch is offered from 8-11 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis at Cheeni (202 Corcoran St. Suite 100, Durham); guests can also order online for takeout through their website here.
- Raleigh’s Figulina is hosting a traditional Italian Piedmont feast of Bagna Càuda on the weekends before and after Thanksgiving. Join around the communal table for a feast featuring a bubbling “hot bath” of anchovy, garlic and olive oil paired with curated charcuterie, crudités and lots of wine. The dates are November 21, 22, 28 and 29. There are two seatings; 5 and 7 p.m. Seats are limited; tickets cost $95 each. A portion of each ticket will be donated to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Reservations available via Resy. Figulina is located at 317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh.
- And speaking of Figulina, beginning in December, you can join the Figulina Pasta + Provisions Club. Once a month, their culinary team will curate a seasonal pasta experience to enjoy with friends or family in your own home. Each kit will feature fresh handmade pastas, slow-cooked sauces, curated provisions, sweets and more off-menu surprises! Their first edition, arriving in December, is now available for limited preorders. Sign-up and get all the details 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.
Food Bank Corner
- You know that a good meal brings people together, especially at Thanksgiving. 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 a holiday 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 Thanksgiving just two weeks away, will you help the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina prepare by making your gift today? Do so now.
