Featured Restaurant News
- There is no resting for Andrew Cash. His local coffee shop, Jubala Coffee, will soon open a second location at North Hills. They will be in the Main District at the base of 4114 Center at North Hills, between Alo Yoga and Gorjana. This is the fifth Raleigh location for Jubala, having most recently opened (last November) a location in downtown Raleigh in the Pendo building – which also doubles as a late-night spot, Bar Marigold (which just opened last month). Visit Jubala here.
Wake County Restaurant News
- We start over in Apex where The Line reported that a new cafe called Popovers Cafe had their grand opening this week at 219 N. Salem Street in downtown Apex. Offering sweet and savory popover pastries, owners Mustafa and Juliette Ozturk have created a space that reflects so much of their family, both growing up (for instance, Juliette’s grandmother’s traditions) as well as current family (for example, their second-oldest son is the chef). Popovers are a pastry with a crisp exterior and a custard-like interior, with fillings ranging from sweet, like bourbon caramel apple, to savory, like spinach, sun-dried tomato, and gruyere cheese. Sign me up! Visit them here.
- Also in Apex, David McCreary shared that Foxtail Coffee Co. has just opened a second Apex location (the first located near downtown Apex). The new store is situated at 1451 Richardson Road, Suite 126, in the burgeoning Sweetwater Town Center. Check them out on Instagram here.
- In North Raleigh, Nash & Smashed, known for its Nashville-style hot chicken and hand-smashed burgers, has signed a 10-year lease for its first North Carolina location at 5821 Poyner Village Parkway, Suite 101. They will occupy 1,575 square feet at Poyner Village, an open-air shopping center located across from Triangle Town Center. This is Nash & Smashed’s first entry into the North Carolina. Get familiar with them here.
- In downtown Raleigh, NC Triangle Dining reported that The Artist Lounge is coming soon to 122 S. Salisbury Street. It is an outdoor oasis with a relaxed vibe for artists to get inspired and boost their creativity. There’s a luxurious pool, elongated fire pit, multiple lounge areas and a large bar fit with two beer taps and a cafe. Keep up with the progress on Instagram here.
- Up in Wake Forest, Wake Forest Real Community Information page on Facebook noted that Las Margaritas Mexican Restaurant (located at 111 South White Street), which served Wake Forest for 26 years and closed for 2 years, is reopening soon under the name Las Mas Mexican Food & Cantina after a complete remodel.
- Also in Wake Forest, Wake County’s first Whataburger location opened yesterday (Thursday, March 26) near Wegmans. 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.
- In Morrisville, Mike Depersia of DePersia & Associates, shared that the Red, Hot & Blue (1000 Market Center Dr., Morrisville) in Park West Village has been sold and will reopen as Dum N Grill, an Indian fusion concept. Their menu brings together aromatic biryanis, fire-grilled kebabs, comforting curries, and modern Indian favorites. Get to know them here.
- Out in Wendell, the Triangle Business Journal reported that Chris and Lauren Gass, who first opened Bellow Butcher Co. in October (at 8 N Main Street, Wendell), will open a soft-serve ice cream shop next door called Daughters in honor of their two daughters. The space was formerly home to the ice cream shop Creative Cone. Expect them to open in May. In the meantime, visit Bellow here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Located within Horseshoe at Hub RTP, Cheeni Indian Food Emporium will expand beyond its lunch-only service to offer dinner from 5-9 p.m., Wednesday through Saturday, with vegetarian, pescatarian and omnivore menus. Dinner service will begin April 1. Cocktail service also will start that evening. Visit Cheeni here.
, Closings
- My buddy Glenn Gillen shared that Proximity Brewing just posted on Instagram that they are closing their taproom in Old East Durham effectively immediately and will focus on wholesale.
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
- The folks at Trophy Brewing and Locals Seafood will host an Oyster Festival on April 12 from 1 to 5 p.m. at The Bend Bar in downtown Raleigh. The celebration features NC’s best oyster farmers – 8 of the finest oysters farmers from Eastern North Carolina for a one day event. Get tickets and all the details here.
- The fourth annual Gettin’ Piggy With It returns to downtown Raleigh on May 17, bringing award-winning chefs and pitmasters from across the country together for a day of barbecue, community and philanthropy benefiting the Frankie Lemmon School. Tickets go on sale at noon Friday, March 20. The family-friendly event will take place from noon to 5 p.m. at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave., Raleigh) and will feature barbecue and other chef-driven bites, along with local beer and spirits, live music, games and more. The event is hosted by the Frankie Lemmon Foundation in partnership with Jake Wood of Lawrence Barbecue and Chris Powers of Trophy Brewing Co. VIP tickets are $200 per adult and includes early entry at noon. General admission tickets are $150 per adult with entry beginning at 1 p.m. Children ages 11 and under are admitted for free. Proceeds benefit Raleigh’s Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center, which provides accessible education and therapies to children with and without disabilities, often at little to no cost to families. Get tickets and all the details 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.
