Featured Restaurant News
- Big news out of Pittsboro this week. The family-owned concept La Cucina della Nonna will take over the former Havoc space in the SoCo district – the restaurant and entertainment district just off the courthouse circle spearheaded by Greg and Paula Brown Stafford which has truly transformed the circle in downtown Pittsboro. The space will initially house Nonna’s Cafe, a coffee shop and wine bar, which will open soon – before the end of September. As they work to complete the kitchen build-out, they hope to open their authentic Italian restaurant in early 2027. They also plan to incorporate the large outdoor space for community events and gatherings. A huge congratulations to Dana and Jim Rumbold. Best to follow along on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- Triangle Business Journal reported this week that Brian Wojick will soon open Pizzeria di Territorio and the connected speakeasy Stoccaggio at 301 W. Cabarrus St. across from Red Hat Amphitheater. No word on an exact opening date. Look for them to serve up Neapolitan-style pizza baked inside a 900-degree brick oven imported from Italy, in addition to pasta and other Italian dishes. Guests can find the entrance to Stoccaggio (the Italian word for storage), down the restaurant’s hallway and through the storage closet. There will also be a door from the outside. The speakeasy will serve cocktails, wine and small plates.
- Reader Christina Coffey alerted us to the fact that La Sultana Kitchen has opened beside the new Nash & Smashed at Shoppes at Poyner Place (5821 Poyner Village Parkway) in Raleigh. The authentic Venezuelan restaurant also offers Arabian, Mediterranean, and Mexican dishes as well halal food. Check them out on Instagram here.
- In Apex, the News & Observer reported that father-son duo, Jerry and Justin Canada are expanding their Spring Lake-based fast-casual restaurant Legacy Rolls to Apex. It will be located at 700 East Williams St., off of N.C. 55. The Triangle location is still under construction, but the business plans to host a soft opening by the end of October. Like the original location, the new spot will feature the restaurant’s signature cinnamon rolls with blueberry, cookies ‘n cream and caramel apple flavors. Follow their progress on Instagram here.
- Over in Cary, we first told you about this back in June, but we learned this week that Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café, which has locations across Texas, Florida, Minnesota and Arizona, has opened in Fenton. This is their first North Carolina location. They specialize in handcrafted crêpes, specialty coffee, matcha lattes, and a Parisian dining experience — open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, and dinner. Get familiar with them here.
- Also in Cary, the Triangle Business Journal reported this week that after making its debut in Chapel Hill, H&H Bagels plans to open soon at Cary’s Waverly Place shopping center at 316 Colonades Way. No open date has been announced yet, but their website lists Cary as “coming soon.” Visit H&H here.
- Jacob Wunsch of Today in the Quay shared on Facebook that Fuquay-Varina will soon be the newest location of Guthrie’s when it opens at 1960 Cinema Drive. They tout themselves as the pioneers of the chicken finger only restaurant..who knew? No word on an open date, but get familiar with them here.
- Over in Wake Forest, we saw that Shine & Dine Cafe officially held its grand opening on August 25th at 1318 S Main Street. They serve classic breakfast dishes, breakfast bowls, and traditional plates. Popular items include the “Rise and Shine” vegan burrito and fresh coffee. They also offer lunch options alongside morning breakfast and brunch favorites. Visit them on Instagram.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- We first told you about this back in August, but it is now confirmed that chef Alex Catotti is coming home. After building a career in some of the country’s most celebrated kitchens, the Durham native will return to his hometown with his wife and business partner pastry chef Erin Kobler to open Restaurant Cornelia, the fine dining destination he has dreamed of for years. The pair will also open a sister concept, The Vintner and The Baker, to serve as the backbone of the chefs’ sustainable mission. Together, Restaurant Cornelia and The Vintner and The Baker will place Durham at the forefront of the culinary scene in the American South. The restaurants will share the same downtown Durham address at 949 Washington Street and are slated to open in the spring of 2027. Follow along on Instagram here and here. You can visit their website here.
- The move is on. After 30 years, Carrburritos is saying goodbye to their original location at 711 W. Rosemary Street as they move just down the street to the former Grata Diner / Elmo’s Diner spot in Carr Mill Mall. The move gives them an expanded space, a much larger kitchen (i.e. think catering!), easier parking, and a full bar. Their last day in the original location is this Saturday, September 5th and expect the transition to take about 2 weeks before they open in the new spot. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.
- According to the News & Observer, over in Chapel Hill local restauranteur Baljeet Singh is teaming up with acclaimed chef Roberto Mendoza to bring us Tikka Tequila which will open soon in the former Latin Effect spot at 504 W. Franklin Street. The concept will fuse Mexican and Indian flavors, with a Salvadoran twist – possibly the first of its kind in North Carolina, but part of a growing trend across the country. Look for them to open later this month.
Closings
- Café Root Cellar in Pittsboro will close on September 19th. Until then, they are serving dinner Thursday-Saturday (5-9 p.m.) and for brunch on Sunday (9 a.m. – 2 p.m.). That’s the bad news. The good/great news is the Chapel Hill location remains open. Visit them here. Additionally, the closure allows chef Sera and Susan to begin a new chapter focused on their nonprofit Feed-Well Fridges. Read about the non-profit’s efforts to address food insecurity and commercial food waste with the dual goal of improving community health and environmental sustainability. Feed-Well fridges.
- Cali Burger, which opened in 2024 in the former Arby’s location at 3415 Hillsborough Street, announced it would close at the end of month. They are working on securing a new location.
- Over in Raleigh’s North Hills, Foxcroft Food & Wine Raleigh announced their closure. Through tomorrow (September 5) they will offer 50% off their wines. After September 5, any outstanding gift cards can be redeemed at any other Foxcroft location.
- Over in Durham, the News & Observer shared the news that Nzinga’s Kitchen at 826 Fayetteville St. has closed its doors after 12 years of operation.
Food Trucks
- The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on September 27. You’ll find food and drink at over 30 food trucks as well as inflatables and family fun for all ages. It will be hosted at Durham Central Park (500 Foster Street, Durham). Go ahead and mark your calendar. 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
- The 17th Annual African American Cultural Festival of Raleigh & Wake County is this Labor Day Weekend, September 5th – September 6th, in the heart of downtown Raleigh. The festival is not just an event, it’s an experience! This family friendly, interactive event is free and accessible to all and has become a destination event for visitors from all over the country. The festival features local and national talent in visual arts, music, theatre and dance, and showcases a host of art, merchant, and food vendors. Get all of the details here.
- The Sola Hot Mini 5K will be held on Saturday, September 12th. Join the community and Sola’s fight to find a cure to end ALS. Any and everyone is encouraged to come out – runners, walkers, volunteers, donors, cheerleaders, kids, strollers, moms, dads, friends, family…just be there. Get all the details here.
- Chef Sera Cuni and her team over at The Root Cellar in Chapel Hill and Pittsboro are taking part in three dinners coming up that you are going to want to check out. First up is a Fish Pickin’ on September 20th where she is teaming up with chef Bill Hartley at Chatham Oaks Farm in Pittsboro. Next up is the Annual Pay-What-You-Can Community Feast benefitting chef Sera’s nonprofit Feed-Well Fridges to build Feed-Well’s first permanent home and commissary kitchen. This event takes place on September 27th also at Chatham Oaks Farm. And finally, a Yellowstone Dinner on October 29th where four incredible chefs are taking over Holl & Stone Farm in Garner. Chefs Sera Cuni of The Root Cellar, Bill Hartley of Postal Fish Company and JDub’s Po’Boys, Ryan Butler of Smoke Ropers, and Lynn Wells of Thyme Well Spent and Our State Magazine will each helm their own station, giving guests the chance to wander the farm, fill their plates and experience a menu built around smoke, fire, Southern ingredients and a little Wild West inspiration. Get your tickets for any of these events and all the details here.
- Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on September 13th for 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.
- On Sunday, September 27, from 12 to 6 p.m., the inaugural Carolina Culture Food Fest will transform Moore Square into an exciting celebration of food, culture, and community. With the tagline “Where Food, Family & Fun Come Together,” the free, family-friendly festival will bring together food trucks, chefs, dessert vendors, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders from across North and South Carolina. One of the festival’s most anticipated attractions will be a live food competition, where participating chefs and food vendors will put their signature dishes, creativity, and culinary skills to the test. Get all the details here.
Food Bank Corner
- The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina is launching the Plate It Forward campaign to address the rising hunger crisis in the region. During Hunger Action Month this September, Food Bank supporters can dine out at partnering restaurants to purchase #PlateItForward dishes. A portion of the proceeds from each order directly benefits the Food Bank and our network of over 700 partner agencies and meal sites. At a time when more than 1 in 7 of our neighbors don’t know where their next meal might come from, it’s never been more important to #PlateItForward. Our community can get involved by visiting them here to find a roster of participating restaurants and their #PlateItForward dishes. Diners are encouraged to share their #PlateItForward meal on social media to invite others to get involved.
