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.
