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.
