Featured Restaurant News
- The News & Observer shared the news that JP’s Pastry’s Durham location opened a few weeks ago but will host a grand opening event March 14. Visitors can enjoy free samples all day, but the first 25 people in line when the doors open at 10 a.m. get a tote bag filled with treats. JP’s will also give away a $100 gift card at 10:30 a.m. and $50 gift cards every 30 minutes from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. JP’s Pastry’s Durham location is at 7072 Highway 751, Suite 108. They now have four shops across Benson, Greenville, Raleigh and Durham and will soon open a fifth location in Wilmington later this year. Visit them here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Learned this week that Gym Tacos will soon open a location in downtown Wake Forest in the former Hardee’s location at 216 E Roosevelt Ave. Based on a recent Instagram post, it doesn’t look like it will be long before they open that location, which will be their seventh location. Stay tuned for an announcement coming soon. Check it out on Instagram here.
- In North Raleigh’s Quail Corners shopping center, Triangle Business Journal reported that a Japanese restaurant called Shinmai Moku has received permits to build out space at 1200 E. Millbrook Road, Suite 126. The suite is located in phase 2 of Quail Corners. Shinmai Moku is a sister restaurant to Cary’s Shinmai Shokudo and Shinmai Kumo. Visit them here.
- Also in North Raleigh, we learned we will soon have the newest New York transplant….Anchor Bar, home of the original Buffalo chicken wing, will hold an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on Tuesday, March 10 at 3 p.m. at 6615 Falls of the Neuse Road. The original location is located on Main Street in Buffalo, NY — home to the original Buffalo chicken wing invented in 1964 by Frank and Teressa Bellissimo. This is their first location in North Carolina. Visit them here.
- Up in Rolesville, Jeff’s Bagel Run will officially open the doors of its newest location TODAY, Friday, March 6th at 101 Rolesville Ctr Rd., Suite 115. 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.
- Thanks to a tip from Chris Creighton, we learned that the Chick-fil-A on Walnut Street (1815 Walnut St.) in Cary (Crossroads Plaza) has reopened after a complete demolition and rebuild. Check it out here.
- Saw on Instagram that there will soon be a Dawn & Dusk Cantina opening at 7810 Target Cir #101 in Raleigh just off Triangle Town Blvd. Looks like they’ll be serving up everything from chilaquiles to craft cocktails. They also appear related to El Patio Bar And Grill, just adjacent to the soon-to-open spot. Keep up with them on Instagram here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Out in RTP at Boxyard at RTP, La Taqueria by Katsuji has opened where you can experience Mexico City-style tacos from Anthony Rapillo and Top Chef alum Katsuji Tanabe, who gained popularity with appearances on Bravo’s Top Chef and winning Food Network’s Chopped. Visit them on Instagram here.
- And Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies Facebook Group founder Carrie Brogren shared that the newest bar to hit downtown Durham, Eve, is now open at 108 E. Parrish Street. Eve is a woman-owned lounge and gathering space. Get to know them here.
, Closings
- Was very bummed to learn late last week that Matt Fern will close his (ish) delicatessen at 702 N. Person Street after 5 (ish) years. Can’t wait to see what the super-talented Fern does next. Their last day of service will be March 29th. Pro tip: since the announcement, they’ve been selling out on a daily basis, so get by early!
- And directly across the street, The Station, part of the Hibernian Company family, announced they would be closing their doors for a major renovation beginning March 9. They will reopen as a brand new concept designed with the neighborhood in mind. So get by this weekend for one more round.
- And just months after opening, Hillsborough Street’s Barley and Burger, founded in Rocky Mount, has closed. They were in the former David’s Dumplings & Noodle Bar spot and before that Darryl’s restaurant next to Players Retreat. The locations in Rocky Mount, Smithfield and Charlotte remain open.
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.
- 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.
- Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on September 13th in Louisburg. The biennial event will be held at the beautiful and bucolic Meadow Lane Farm and is a fundraiser that supports the Leonard-Mobley Small Farm Fund, a non-profit organization that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- Did you know that in North Carolina, 1 in 4 households led by single women live below the poverty line? That’s nearly twice as many as the households led by single men with children. Hunger hits different for women. Economic challenges — from pay disparity to the rising cost of childcare — make it harder to keep growing kids fed. Our heart goes out to the moms of North Carolina who are wondering what to do as SNAP cuts loom. This International Women’s Month, let’s show them that they can count on their community. Some good friends have stepped forward with a $50,000 matching challenge gift, so any amount you give to the Food Bank by March 31 has the power to DOUBLE! It’s a terrific chance to stretch every dollar of your support while helping parents, seniors, and veterans stretch their budgets. In fact, if you’re able, this is a good time to make an especially generous gift, perhaps to honor a mom, grandma, auntie, or another woman who’s stood in a mother’s place in your life. It’s simple to do when you donate.
