Featured Restaurant News
- There is a TON of restaurant news this week….and we’ll get to all of that in a minute. But first things first…today is National Donut Day! And little known fact, there are actually TWO (and why not?) National Donut Days each year. The first Friday in June (today, June 5) and November 5. The June celebration was established by The Salvation Army in 1938 to honor the “Donut Lassies”. These were female volunteers who served fried doughnuts to American soldiers on the front lines during World War I. And the second is…well…why not? Seriously, it is primarily a marketing holiday embraced by bakeries and fans to enjoy an extra excuse to eat donuts. Enjoy today and let’s celebrate…eat a donut (or two)!
Wake County Restaurant News
- We are a week out from the opening of Songbird, the new day-to-dusk bar by Charlie Blue Arm and Meg Paradise of Umbrella Dry Bar at East End Market (1020 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Ste. 130). They will officially open for dinner service Saturday, June 13, followed by their first morning service Sunday, June 14. The concept will feature a walk-up window, sit-down service, two intimate custom bars, and a lush patio and garden. The beverage line-up is extremely diverse as well as seasonal offering up alcoholic, low-ABV and nonalcoholic beverages, wines, small-batch spirits, coffee service (Willow House Coffee), and a tea program developed with Tin Roof Teas. On the food front, look for shareable plates, larger dishes and desserts developed by Dave Mitchell, formerly of Plates Kitchen and currently of Longleaf Swine BBQ, who will serve as chef-in-residency for the first few months. Check them out on Instagram here.
- We first told you about this back in November, but apparently the project is moving again with the announcement this week that Lucky Asian Fusion will bring a location to Ridgewood Shopping Center next to Ridgewood Wine and Beer. They have an existing location in Richmond, Virginia, making this location their first outside of the state. You might be familiar with them as they are owned by Eat Restaurant Partners, the group behind Wong’s Tacos, the fusion taqueria that opened this year up the hill from Crabtree Valley Mall. Don’t be surprised to soon see their other concepts, like Wild Ginger and Osaka Sushi & Steak, make their way into the Triangle food scene. Visit Lucky AF here.
- The third Triangle-area location of Summer Moon Coffee opened this week in the Buffaloe Bend shopping center, off Buffaloe Road and Forestville Road (7340 Buffaloe Road) in Raleigh. They also have two locations in Wake Forest. One thing that is unique about their coffee is that they use a wood-fired oak roasting process that results in a smooth, balanced coffee. Every batch of Summer Moon coffee is roasted in their handmade brick roasters over seasoned Texas oak. Get to know them here.
- Triangle Business Journal reported that Tim Hortons is brewing up its first North Carolina location right here in the Triangle. Tim Hortons, a coffee and restaurant chain with thousands of locations across Canada, has filed a permit for its first North Carolina shop at 1008 Morrisville Carpenter Road. The Morrisville building is home to a former Dairy Queen on the corner of Morrisville Carpenter Road and Davis Drive. Its parent company is Restaurant Brands International, which also owns Burger King, Popeyes and Firehouse Subs. Visit Tim Horton’s here.
- Jeff’s Bagel Run, the fast-growing scratch-made bagel and craft coffee concept, will officially open the doors of its new Raleigh location on Friday, June 19th at 4251 Parklake Ave. in Glenlake shopping center. The Triangle-area franchise, owned and operated by Ryan McEvoy, invites the community to join in a full week of celebrations. The opening schedule is as follows: Soft Opening Days: June 17 – 18 opening at 6:30 a.m.; Grand Opening Day: Friday, June 19 opening at 6:30 a.m.; Opening Weekend: Saturday, June 20 & 21 opening at 6:30 a.m. Visit them here.
- Speaking of breakfast, Drift Coffee + Kitchen is opening another Triangle-area location in the Raleigh Iron Works development later this year. Expect more beachy vibes and the great coffee you’ve gotten to know. For the Wilmington-based cafe, this will be their second Raleigh location, and fourth in the Triangle. They also have a location coming to the Dix Park area. Visit Drift here.
- WRAL was the first to report that the downtown Raleigh edition of Tobacco Road Sports Café (505 Jones St.) has officially closed its Glenwood South location, though its Durham branch will remain open. That news was quickly followed up with the news that as of June 1, Clouds Brewing would begin incorporating Tobacco Road Sports Cafe in Raleigh into its future operations as they acquired the assets and operations. Additionally, employees will be kept employed and they will honor all group reservations. The move welcomes Clouds back to downtown Raleigh. Expect them to open in late June/early July. Visit Clouds here.
- The Green Room, a coffee shop and lounge on the Theatre Raleigh Arts Center campus, is now serving craft cocktails and has expanded its hours. The new hours are: 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; 9 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 10 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sunday. The Green Room has received its ABC permit and is now serving craft cocktails, beer and wine as well as coffee and non-alcoholic beverages. Theatre Raleigh patrons are invited to enjoy a drink before upcoming shows. The new menu will include Espresso Martinis, White Russians, French 75s, Prosecco on tap and Mimosas. Take a peek here.
- Over in Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported that with decades of slinging pizzas in the Triangle, Randy Smith is leaving his Davis Drive location of Randy’s Pizza and will be opening a larger and more modern location this summer at 1120 Parkside Main St. in Cary’s Parkside Town Commons in the former Noodles and Company spot. He has eight locations here in the Triangle. Visit Randy’s here.
- Reader Chris Allen pointed out that the restaurant location at 2026 Kildaire Farm Road has transitioned from Comal MX, to Los Tres to ACP’s…and has now settled into the latest Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill – which also has locations in Chapel Hill and Durham. Check them out here.
- Also in Cary, reader Tim Decker pointed out a “coming soon” sign for the next location of Qdoba in Parkside Town Commons in Northwest Cary. They also have locations in Knightdale and Apex. Visit Qdoba here.
- With Randy’s leaving the Morrisville location at 4129 Davis Drive, the Triangle Business Journal shared the news that Bambino’s Pizza, owned by former Johnny’s Pizza employees, will take over the lease. Get familiar with Bambino’s here.
- And down in Apex (that doesn’t sound right…), Mayor Jacques Gilbert noted that an interesting concept called Ramyun.zip has opened their first North Carolina location in his city. You walk in and you can choose from over 120 varieties of ramyun—customizing spice levels from mild to extra spicy—and then load your bowl with toppings like eggs, rice cakes, dumplings, and veggies, or enjoy Korean fried wings and gimbap. Definitely a very unique dining experience and one you should check out here.
- Out in Rolesville, Trattoria Franko, an Italian restaurant focused on homemade pasta dishes and Italian wines, announced they are less than a week away from opening at 205 Basalt Place. This is the restaurant group Franko’s Hospitality led by Nunzio Scordo that is behind Franko’s Prime in Lafayette Village in North Raleigh and Atlantic Prime Coastal Kitchen and Franko’s Italian Steakhouse in Franklinton. Visit Franko’s Hospitality here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
- Giorgios Hospitality Group announced Monday, June 8 as the grand opening of Géos Tavern & Oyster Bar in Chapel Hill’s East 54 neighborhood. The newest concept from Giorgios Bakatsias is an elevated neighborhood gastropub located at 1118 Environ Way with chef and partner Daniel Jackson at the helm. The menu highlights North Carolina seafood with offerings like Oysters on the Half Shell and Seafood Towers, balanced by comforting Southern favorites including Drop Biscuits with Pepper Jelly, Shellfish Bisque, Tavern Pie, and Shrimp & Grits. The restaurant offers distinct spaces for every occasion – intimate dining in the salon, game-day gatherings in the tavern, special celebrations in the bright garden room, and business dinners in the private dining room. Check them out here.
, Closings
- Mordecai Beverage Company, after more than six years, announced it will close its doors at 2425 Crabtree Blvd. in Raleigh.
- WRAL was the first to report that the downtown Raleigh edition of Tobacco Road Sports Café (505 Jones St.) has officially closed its Glenwood South location, though its Durham branch will remain open.
- On their Facebook page, the Wandering Moose Tavern announced that they are closed until further notice. The truck will still run Thursday through Sunday, 12-8p.m.
Food Trucks
- The Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo is ridin’ back into downtown on Saturday, June 20th from noon until 6 p.m. on Fayetteville Street in the middle of downtown Raleigh. More than 50 food trucks will be serving everything from savory street eats and smoky barbecue to sweet treats and international flavors. Come hungry and support some of the best local food vendors around! They’ll also have live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, yard games, and plenty of fun for cowboys and cowgirls of all ages. Additional rodeos will be held on August 23rd and November 7th. Get all the details here.
- 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
- Raleigh’s International Food Festival is this Saturday, June 6th at City Plaza in downtown Raleigh from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. Global flavors, cultural experiences, desserts, traditions and vendors! Over 40,000+ food lovers for one of Raleigh’s largest and most vibrant cultural celebrations-bringing together global authentic cuisine, vendors, desserts, live entertainment, and community from around the world. Get all the details here.
- This Sunday, June 7th,The Center, a retail and dining plaza in downtown Cary, is hosting a family-friendly Summer Kick-Off Party from 2-5 p.m. Guests will enjoy discounted gelato cups, family-friendly meals and entertainment. The event will include: Face painting and balloon twisting by The Melody Maker Entertainment; Discounted gelato: $3 small cups and $2 baby cups from Geluna Gelato, which was recently called the “best gelato outside Italy” by Local Palate magazine.; A kids’ craft table by art by Shalimar. Enjoy nuggets, fries and ancho garlic honey sauce at Hank’s Downtown Dive. The patio will be open and drinks will be available at the bar. Visit other vendors in the plaza including DiFara Pizza, Taipei 101 and Hunky Dory. The event will happen rain or shine. The Center is located at 111 E. Chatham Street in Cary. Check it out here.
- Rome Night is back at Figulina on June 16th from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. This is a one-night-only regional menu takeover, this time heading back to the heart of Rome with a special Roman-inspired menu celebrating the city’s iconic pastas, bold flavors, timeless dishes, and wines selected to pair alongside. Proceeds will benefit Gene Kluttz, who chef David met while volunteering at Raleigh City Farm during the early days of the pandemic. Since suffering a major stroke, Gene has been working through a long rehabilitation journey. Reservations are live on OpenTable.
- Tickets are on sale now for DURMNIK, where Ricky Moore and Saltbox Seafood Joint celebrate Juneteenth with friends from Lula & Sadie’s, Sarge’s Chef, Chick-N-Que, Chez Moi Bakery, Ideal Bartending Company and Fullsteam Brewery! Together, they’ve collaborated on a festive box of cookout style dishes and a mocktail for you to enjoy — right away on picnic tables at Saltbox or with your own gathering. Guests are limited to purchase no more than 4 boxes per order – boxes are $45 each. Get tickets 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.
Food Bank Corner
- The Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina is launching the “Goal to End Hunger Challenge” to raise $25,000 to help beat hunger during this year’s hockey championship series. Every dollar gets us closer to the goal. Donate now through the end of the series and let’s show Las Vegas what Carolina can do on and off the ice!
