TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

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.

Featured Restaurant News

• And in the category of the Comeback of the Year, Raleigh Magazine shared that a once closed icon is coming back to life! Yes, Raleigh’s 42nd Street Oyster Bar is returning. Longtime general manager Hunter Correll and chef Joe Rohrer plan to reopen 42nd Street sometime in 2026. Originally opened in the 1930s, The Angus Barn’s Thad Eure Jr. officially launched the restaurant in 1987. Correll had been with the oyster bar since 1996 and is now part of the new business entity 42nd Street Partners LLC, which was formed in June. Guessing the Instagram account will be the best place to keep up with their progress.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Raleigh Magazine shared the much-anticipated news that Jubala’s fourth location, and the first in downtown Raleigh at 301 Hillsborough St. (aka the Pendo building), is now open. They are serving up an expanded coffee and food menu every day including breakfast burritos, six new lunch sandwiches and three new salads as well as new signature coffee drinks, plus classic drip, pourovers and espresso beverages. And stay tuned for Bar Marigold, a cocktail bar opening within the space at a later date. Pay them a visit here.

• And speaking of even more great coffee in downtown Raleigh, we learned that the space in the front of Gussie’s on Morgan Street, once occupied by Left Hook Coffee, has been left in the incredibly talented hands of the team at Gussie’s, who just opened Foxhole Coffee. Open from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, expect not just great coffee and great company but also delicious bites to complete your mornings. Check it out on Instagram.

• Triangle Business Journal unveiled this week the plans for Whataburger to open yet another Raleigh location – this one at 6010 Glenwood Avenue near Pleasant Valley Promenade. They will demo the former FastMed Urgent Care building and replace it with a Whataburger restaurant with a drive-thru. It will join two others currently being built in Raleigh — one at the intersection of Six Forks and Wake Forest roads where Applebee’s once stood and another where PDQ was at the intersection of Falls of the Neuse and Spring Forest roads. The chain will also open locations in Garner and Wake Forest. Visit Whataburger here.

• And speaking of closed Raleigh icons making a comeback, saw a post on Facebook that The Goat, a beloved watering hole in West Raleigh, will reopen at 5111 Western Blvd. in Raleigh. That’s about all we know right now. No word on a timeline. Keep posted on their Facebook page for further announcements.

• RalToday shared the news this week that Hillsborough Street is now home to the Purple Spoon, a smoothie and juice bar, located at 3801 Hillsborough Street in The Royal building. Open from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. daily, stop by and enjoy everything from refreshing açaí bowls to nourishing juices to crave-worthy sourdough spreads. Visit them here.

• One last item of note in Raleigh, Foxcroft Food & Wine has launched Sunday Brunch at its North Hills location. The new service, offered Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., brings the restaurant’s modern wine bar sensibility to one of the week’s most beloved rituals. Check out the brunch at Foxcroft this Sunday! Take a peek at their brunch menu here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• We first told you about this back in October, but we learned this week in the Indy that popup favorite Hatch Burritos is in soft-open mode in their brick and mortar location at Old Five Points on Mangum (721 N. Mangum Street). They are now serving New Mexican-style foods including burritos, enchiladas, green chile stew, blue corn pancakes, and Benjamin’s Green Chile Pimento Cheese, to name a few menu items. Follow them on Instagram here. Congrats to founder Talitha Benjamin.

• Also 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.

• We first told you about this back in September, but learned this week that Kinya, a ramen and sushi restaurant, has opened in Durham’s Southpoint area at 202 W. NC 54 Hwy. Suite 506. They are holding their Grand Opening this Saturday, November 22nd from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Looks like this will be their first North Carolina location. Follow them on Instagram here.

• And one final note in Durham, I learned from my Durham connection, Glenn Gillen, that Preeti Waas and her daughter Amy, have opened their second location of Nanny Goat, a boutique bodega, in Durham in the Geerhouse complex near Nectar Coffee at 620 Foster Street. You can keep up with their progress on Instagram here.

• Down in Chatham County, Ta Contento will hold a Grand Opening Fiesta tonight, November 21, beginning at 5 p.m. at their second location at The Plant at 193 Lorax Lane. Expect great Mexican cuisine and specials all night! Visit them on Instagram here.

• Also in Pittsboro, Pittsboro EATS! shared that Tikka Masala Indian Grill has opened at 440 East Street in the building which most recently housed Big Mike’s BBQ (old Pizza Hut building). Right now it is drive-thru and take-out only from 4:30 – 8 p.m. daily. Visit them here.

Closings

• Got word from reader B.J. Meier that Katsuji Tanabe has closed a’Verde Cocina + Tequila Library, his Mexican restaurant in Cary. Happened pretty suddenly and the website just shows a pop up saying they decided to close but no other details.

• Cotton House Craft Brewers announced via social media this week that Cotton House Craft has closed in downtown Cary.

• And over in Chapel Hill, buddy Denny Marcin shared the sad news that The Casual Pint on Elliott Road in Chapel Hill will close in mid-December. The good news is you still have a little time to stop by for one more round…or two.

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.

• 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 lone remaining date: 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.

• 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 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.