TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• We are just weeks away (shooting for mid-May) from a couple of really cool dining options hanging out side-by-side. Former downtown Raleigh vegetarian and vegan hotspot Fiction Kitchen is moving from their current location at Gateway Plaza (next to Union Special) to the plaza’s other side where they’ll be alongside Mala Pata, an upcoming new Mexican restaurant and bar. Mala Pata is a collaboration between some pretty cool restaurant veterans – Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis (Centro, Gallo Pelón Mezcaleria, Ex-Voto, Patty Boy) and chefs Eric Montagne and Zack Gragg (Standard Beer + Food, Locals Seafood). Keep up with Mala Pata here and Fiction Kitchen here. (Pro tip: see note below in the Events section about a special Cinco de Mayo Taco Pop-Up)

Wake County Restaurant News

• I used to love to go into the former Capital Creations Gourmet Pizza location – old school pizza at its best. And we get to go back in again soon as we learned this week that Oakwood Pizza Box, the popular downtown Raleigh pizzeria, is taking over former Capital Creations space and opening a carry-out only location at 1842 Wake Forest Road. Look for them to open this fall. Keep up with their progress on their Instagram page here.

• We learned last week that downtown Raleigh is getting a new kind of newsstand – The Newsagent’s – a combination newsstand, bookstore, coffee shop, collectables, movies, event space and more. They are shooting to open this summer at 228 Fayetteville Street in the Mahler Building. Keep up with their progress here on Instagram.

• Raleigh Magazine shared the news of Glenwood South’s newest bar—but only for those 23 and up and only on Friday and Saturday nights. Occupying the former Google Fiber building (and before that 518 West), Westwood is now in its soft-opening phase at 518 W. Jones St. serving up craft cocktails, beer and wine. Get some peeks on their Instagram page here.

• Hal Barnes’ daughter-in-law, Julie Barnes, shared with me that she saw an “opening soon” sign for Potbelly Sandwich Works in the window next to the former Quiznos location at Falls Village shopping center at 6675 Falls of the Neuse Road. This will mark the fourth Triangle-area location joining locations in Cary, Morrisville and Durham. Visit Potbelly here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Some very exciting news over in Durham thanks to my Twitter buddy BurgeoningBaker. He shared with me this week that the former Red Lobster location (4416 Durham-Chapel Hill Boulevard) will soon be home to the newest location of La Buena Vida. They already have two locations in the Triangle – Raleigh (4516 Falls of the Neuse Road) and Cary (Cary Parkway and Kildaire Farm). If you haven’t been, it is definitely a blend of bold Mexican flavors and a vibrant atmosphere. No word on an open date, so stay tuned. Visit them in Raleigh or Cary here.

• Over in Chapel Hill, the folks with The Latin Effect food truck shared the news that they are going into their first brick-and-mortar location at 308 West Franklin Street where Beer Study was. Look for their dishes inspired by the rich flavors of Central and South America. And the truck will continue to operate, giving you two options now! Keep up with their opening announcement on their Instagram account.

Closings

• The Indy shared the news that Carrboro’s Bowbarr, located at 705 West Rosemary, will close with the conclusion of their liquor license at the end of April.

Food Trucks

• On a recent visit to Milonga Argentinian Bakery in west Raleigh’s Hillsborough Plaza (kinda between Hillsborough Street, Western Blvd. and Jones Franklin) I learned that they are launching a food truck this weekend. It will be parked outside their store at 5619 Hillsborough Street. Stop by and check it out – you can thank me later. Visit them on Instagram here. And if you haven’t been to Milonga yet….get there!

• The remaining schedule for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos is as follows: June 1; and November 2.. All rodeos are from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and will feature over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world, and family fun – making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

• Great news as the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo returns to downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 28th from noon until 6 p.m. all along Fayetteville Street. From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity. Whether you’re a fan of gourmet burgers, delicious tacos, or decadent desserts, our food truck rodeo promises to have something for everyone! Visit their Facebook event page 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

• Brewgaloo, NC’s largest craft beer festival and the second largest craft beer festival in the country, will take over downtown Raleigh THIS weekend – April 25th and 26th. Expect tastings for beers, ciders, sours, and more from 110 brewers alongside 60,000 attendees. Expect plenty of live music, local food trucks, and enough beer to fill Fayetteville Street. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.

• Cary’s annual Spring Daze arts festival is this Saturday, April 26th in Bond Park from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The event features 170 NC artists, over 20 food trucks and 3 stages with performances all day. Get all the details, including where to park, on their site here.

• Tickets are now on sale for 7th annual Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic which will be held on Sunday, April 27th in Clayton. This highly anticipated annual event will feature an exciting day of food and drink samples from more than a dozen local chefs, breweries and bars, alongside live music, crafts, a silent auction, raffles and much more. Proceeds from the event will benefit the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic in North Carolina and providing support to individuals affected by substance use. General admission tickets are available for $100, and VIP tickets, which offer exclusive benefits, are available for $200. Early Bird Tickets cost $100 and include an event t-shirt but must be purchased by March 30th. Tickets and more information can be found at Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic.

• Raleigh Times is hosting a Spring Harvest Beer Dinner on Wednesday, April 30th from 6:30 until 9 p.m. The evening promises a sensational experience crafted by their talented team – chef Jake, chef Greg and chef Zach with beers paired by Caitlin and Austin. Enjoy a three-course dinner expertly paired with some of the best brews for just $80 per person which includes food, brews, tax and gratuity. Sign up and get all the details here.

• Celebrate Cinco de Mayo at Natural Science Bar at Gateway Plaza (2431 Crabtree Blvd.) as they host a final “Taco Pop-Up” before Mala Pata opens. Join them from 6 – 9 p.m. on May 5th as they will be slinging roasted pork and grilled shrimp tacos on fresh corn tortillas, whipped potato flautas, and macha chicken wings…plus Margaritas, beer, and more from Natural Science Bar. Get the details here.

• This year’s Gettin’ Piggy With It is set to take place on May 18th in Raleigh at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave Raleigh, NC). The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing and features award-winning chefs and pitmasters nationwide, local beer and spirits, games, live music, and much more. Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds go towards the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center. For 60 years, Frankie Lemmon has been celebrating and educating children of all abilities at little to no cost to their families. Get updates on Instagram here.

• To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Irregardless in downtown Raleigh is hosting a series of special prix fixe dinners, each celebrating a different decade in the restaurant’s history. The second event, set for Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m., takes you back to the 1980s – the decade when Irregardless hit it’s stride. Indulge in a three-course, prix-fixe dinner that highlights iconic dishes from their early days, reimagined for today’s palate. Enhance your experience by adding expertly curated wine/cocktail pairings to each course. Seating is limited, so don’t wait—reserve your spot and join them for a memorable evening of culinary nostalgia and celebration! Tickets and details here. Additional dinners are as follows: 1995 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. July 9; 2005 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10; and 2015 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

• NC Sugar Rush will be held in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza on Sunday, May 25th from noon until 6 p.m. If you are not familiar with this yumminess, it is a dessert food only event with something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Sign me up! Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

• The 10th Annual Raleigh International Food Festival will take place this year on Saturday, June 7th from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. The event will feature over 120 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe with over 60 cultures represented. Free tickets and all the details here. (Tickets not required as this is a free event)

• Also on Saturday, June 7th is the 5th Annual Bubbles & Brisket featuring BBQ pit-master/chefs and an array of sparkling beverages ranging from Champagne, cava, cremant, prosecco, beer, sodas to non-alcoholic and boozy cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent across the country, along with enjoying multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Tickets are $75 (early bird is $65). Discounted six-pack group tickets available. The VIP Experience ($135) tickets include: Early entrance, VIP Trig Modern lounge, specialty Champagne & brisket tastings concierge full-service of all chef offerings. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Pop Up Markets are no cost food distributions directly facilitated by the Food Bank. Most are walk-up, and client choice distributions, with volunteers stocking tables from pallets of food and assisting neighbors throughout.  The Pop Up Markets program is meant to provide additional support for the Food Bank’s primary goal: supporting our Partner Agency Network. These are locally run food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations that partner with us to distribute food to those in need in their communities. Find a list of April, 2025 Pop Up Markets here.

Featured Restaurant News

• And then there were two. Brewery Bhavana, the downtown Raleigh restaurant known for its unique fusion of dim sum, craft beer and curated ambiance, is expanding for the first time. The second location will officially open TODAY, Friday, April 18 at Fenton in Cary. This new outpost reimagines the Brewery Bhavana experience with a lush beer garden twist. The menu will feature their signature dim sum—including dumplings, egg rolls and steamed buns—alongside guest favorites like Peking Duck, General Tso’s Chicken and soup dumplings. They first opened their doors in Raleigh in 2017 and earned national recognition for their innovative approach to food, beer and design. Patrick Woodson became the sole owner in May 2023. Get the latest on Instagram here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Raleigh Magazine shared the news this week that downtown Raleigh’s Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria (106 South Wilmington Street) is closing its doors after 10 years. Their last day will be May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). That’s the bad news. The good news is that Kim Hammer and Lewis Norton of Bittersweet, a dessert shop at 16 E Martin St., and Johnson Street Yacht Club, will open Bitter Social in that space. They are shooting for a late summer opening. According to the magazine, the bar/social space will be heavily event-focused, with daily programming like smutty poetry and prose nights cohosted by Blackbird Books and Coffee, a “trashy wine club” pairing vino with everything from potato chips to candy, DJ dance parties, the return of Bittersweet’s gin club, and much more. And, yes, Bittersweet’s beloved espresso martinis will grace the menu as well.⁠ Centro, which occupies the ground floor in the same building, will remain open Keep up with developments on Instagram here.

• Raleating shared on Instagram that Morrisville has a new coffee shop – Fare and Fellow opened this week at 4921 McCrimmon Parkway. This is their third location, with locations in both Durham and RTP. The spot offers great drinks, salads and sandwiches and features conference rooms, an outdoor area, a rec space and more! They will have their grand opening on April 21. Visit them here.

• Triangle Business Journal reported this week that a well-known bakery in Johnston County is coming to Raleigh. JP’s Pastry, which has operated in Benson for more than a decade, has signed a lease for 2310 Bale St. in Raleigh. Located just off Wake Forest Road near Costco Wholesale and Wegmans, the bakery will open between late May and mid-June. Visit JP’s here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Thanks to a tip from buddy Glenn Gillen we learned that Daughters Coffee & Books opened in South Durham on Saturday, April 12th at 5410 NC Hwy. 55 just around the corner from True Flavors Diner. Stop by today and pay them a visit. Get details here.

• Gillen also shared that Gossip Tea Lounge has opened at 5320 McFarland Drive in Durham near Duck Donuts. Their site indicates that they are a Vietnamese café specializing in traditional Vietnamese food and beverages, including bánh mì, Vietnamese coffee, and bubble tea. Check them out here.

• And if you are not convinced that Glenn Gillen is my go-to source for everything Durham, he also shared this week that he noticed that a coffee and cocktail bar called Baryo has opened at 506 Ramseur Street. They are self-described as your newest option for a morning espresso, an afternoon glass of wine, a late-night cocktail, or a zero-proof THC creation. Learn more about them here.

• Also in Durham, Axios reported this week that Di Fara Pizza Tavern, a pizzeria with origins in Brooklyn, will open a second Triangle-area location in the Horseshoe at Hub RTP later this year. Di Fara’s original Triangle-area location opened in downtown Cary in 2021. Keep up with their progress on Instagram here.

• Got the inside scoop on a few changes over in Carr Mill Mall in Carrboro thanks to Tyler Huntington. Carrboro Pizza Factory and Daisy’s Delights in Carr Mill have been sold to Andrew Moore, owner of Venable. And while they have plans for new concepts in both spaces, they will reopen the existing Pizza Factory concept as quickly as possible giving them time to make a proper transition to the new concept.

• And Tyler also informed us that Sam Suchoff has sold PiggyBack bar (in the Cedar Falls Courtyard at 630 Weaver Dairy Road in Chapel Hill) to the folks at Beau Catering who plan to open with their own new bar concept. Stay tuned. Follow Beau Catering on Instagram here.

Closings

• As noted above, Gallo Pelon Mezcaleria is closing its doors after 10 years. Their last day of service will be May 5th (Cinco de Mayo). Bitter Social will open in the upstairs space. Centro (ground floor) remains open.

• The Triangle Business Journal reported that Garner distillery Aristotle Spirits has closed after falling behind on rent.

Food Trucks

• The remaining schedule for the Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeos is as follows: June 1; and November 2.. All rodeos are from 12 noon until 4 p.m. and will feature over 50+ food trucks with cuisine from all over the world, and family fun – making it the ultimate Sunday Funday in Durham Central Park (501 Foster Street)! Get all the details here.

• Great news as the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo returns to downtown Raleigh on Saturday, June 28th from noon until 6 p.m. all along Fayetteville Street. From savory flavors to sweet treats, there’s something to satisfy every craving and cuisine curiosity. Whether you’re a fan of gourmet burgers, delicious tacos, or decadent desserts, our food truck rodeo promises to have something for everyone! Visit their Facebook event page 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

• Over in Raleigh’s Iron Works, Little Rey’s will feature a monthly taco from a rotating local chef with 100% of proceeds from all purchases going to a charity of the guest chef’s choice. The March collab will feature chef Saif Rahman of forthcoming Peregrine who made a panch phoron spiced beef taco with chimichurri that will be available all April long and will benefit Now Serving NC. The taco will be available on Little Rey’s menu throughout April. Visit Little Rey here.

• The Pit’s 15th Annual North Carolina ‘Cuegrass Festival will be held in Downtown Raleigh THIS Saturday, April 19th from noon to 6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street between Morgan and Martin Streets, including East and West Hargett Street between Salisbury Street and South Wilmington Street. ‘Cuegrass is a celebration of two of North Carolina’s cultural assets: Barbecue and Bluegrass music. Each year, 100% of the proceeds from food and beverage sales, Fast Passes, The Pit merch, and the Silent Auction are donated – this year to SAFEchild, The Occoneechee Council of the Boy Scouts of America, Freedom Ride Rescue, and Western North Carolina Hurricane Relief. Get all the details here.

• Brewgaloo, NC’s largest craft beer festival and the second largest craft beer festival in the country, will take over downtown Raleigh next weekend – April 25th and 26th. Expect tastings for beers, ciders, sours, and more from 110 brewers alongside 60,000 attendees. Expect plenty of live music, local food trucks, and enough beer to fill Fayetteville Street. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.

• Tickets are now on sale for 7th annual Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic which will be held on Sunday, April 27th in Clayton. This highly anticipated annual event will feature an exciting day of food and drink samples from more than a dozen local chefs, breweries and bars, alongside live music, crafts, a silent auction, raffles and much more. Proceeds from the event will benefit the North Carolina Harm Reduction Coalition, a nonprofit dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic in North Carolina and providing support to individuals affected by substance use. General admission tickets are available for $100, and VIP tickets, which offer exclusive benefits, are available for $200. Early Bird Tickets cost $100 and include an event t-shirt but must be purchased by March 30th. Tickets and more information can be found at Roots for Reece Chef’s Picnic.

• This year’s Gettin’ Piggy With It is set to take place on May 18th in Raleigh at Maywood Hall and Gardens (622 Maywood Ave Raleigh, NC). The event is hosted by Lawrence Barbecue and Trophy Brewing and features award-winning chefs and pitmasters nationwide, local beer and spirits, games, live music, and much more. Tickets are on sale now. All proceeds go towards the Frankie Lemmon School and Developmental Center. For 60 years, Frankie Lemmon has been celebrating and educating children of all abilities at little to no cost to their families. Get updates on Instagram here.

• To commemorate its 50th anniversary, Irregardless in downtown Raleigh is hosting a series of special prix fixe dinners, each celebrating a different decade in the restaurant’s history. The second event, set for Wednesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m., takes you back to the 1980s – the decade when Irregardless hit it’s stride. Indulge in a three-course, prix-fixe dinner that highlights iconic dishes from their early days, reimagined for today’s palate. Enhance your experience by adding expertly curated wine/cocktail pairings to each course. Seating is limited, so don’t wait—reserve your spot and join them for a memorable evening of culinary nostalgia and celebration! Tickets and details here. Additional dinners are as follows: 1995 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. July 9; 2005 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 10; and 2015 Dinner: 6:30 p.m. Nov. 12.

• NC Sugar Rush will be held in downtown Raleigh’s City Plaza on Sunday, May 25th from noon until 6 p.m. If you are not familiar with this yumminess, it is a dessert food only event with something to satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth. Sign me up! Get all the details on their Facebook event page here.

• The 10th Annual Raleigh International Food Festival will take place this year on Saturday, June 7th from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. The event will feature over 120 food trucks/dessert trucks from around the globe with over 60 cultures represented. Free tickets and all the details here. (Tickets not required as this is a free event)

• Also on Saturday, June 7th is the 5th Annual Bubbles & Brisket featuring BBQ pit-master/chefs and an array of sparkling beverages ranging from Champagne, cava, cremant, prosecco, beer, sodas to non-alcoholic and boozy cocktails. With the purchase of a ticket, guests will enjoy various styles of brisket and side dishes prepared by the best talent across the country, along with enjoying multiple styles of sparkling wine from around the world. Tickets are $75 (early bird is $65). Discounted six-pack group tickets available. The VIP Experience ($135) tickets include: Early entrance, VIP Trig Modern lounge, specialty Champagne & brisket tastings concierge full-service of all chef offerings. Purchase tickets and get all the details here.

Food Bank Corner

• Pop Up Markets are no cost food distributions directly facilitated by the Food Bank. Most are walk-up, and client choice distributions, with volunteers stocking tables from pallets of food and assisting neighbors throughout.  The Pop Up Markets program is meant to provide additional support for the Food Bank’s primary goal: supporting our Partner Agency Network. These are locally run food pantries, soup kitchens, and other organizations that partner with us to distribute food to those in need in their communities. Find a list of April, 2025 Pop Up Markets here.