TRIANGLE FOOD BLOG

Featured Restaurant News

• You might recognize these names: Cheetie Kumar, Paul Siler, Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis and Justin Pasfield. You’ll recognize them from Ajja, Garland, Neptunes, and Kings; Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand recipient Mala Pata, Ex-Voto, Centro, Gallo Pelón and Patty Boy; as well as Locals Seafood. Well, they’ve all come together to create Big Cat, a multi-concept restaurant, full bar and market featuring day-to-night offerings and essentials for Raleigh’s East Mordecai, Oakwood, and surrounding neighborhoods, nestled on the corner of Brookside Drive and Glascock Street. They will begin accepting reservations next week on March 25th. Pro Tip: This Saturday, March 21, from 11 – 4, they’ll host some of North Carolina’s finest culture producers in art, music, food, beverage, film, photography, architecture, and design at Pop Cat at Big Cat. Locals Seafood and Mala Pata will be popping up with food on the patio, while Big Cat serves drinks and soft serve ice cream for all ages. Check them out on Instagram.

Wake County Restaurant News

• The News & Observer reported this week that a concept called Biddy Thomas is set to open this spring next to Union Special at 2409 Crabtree Blvd. in Gateway Plaza. Margaret Soler’s concept will blend a myriad of ideas under one roof. The retail section will feature gifts such as playing cards, stationery and desk calendars; the dining area will boast a café-style menu of sandwiches, salads, soups and homemade desserts, inspired by Southern cuisine and a nod to New Orleans; a game area, for guests to enjoy; and plenty of drink options featuring signature cocktails, beer and wine. The name is a nod to Soler’s grandmother. Follow along with their progress on Instagram.

• Triangle Business Journal reported that Vino & Tap will be taking over the old Cotton House location in downtown Cary. They will be serving curated wines, champagne cocktails, and rotating craft drafts in a warm, welcoming space. They are shooting for an opening the first week in April. Follow along on Facebook here.

• This is a cool collaboration….Cha House Wake Forest announced a new partnership with Knucklehead BBQ, bringing a bold, flavorful barbecue menu into its in-house dining experience. This collaboration marks a major step in enhancing Cha House’s food program, blending its signature beverages with authentic North Carolina barbecue. Visit them here. Pro Tip: A food sampling of these new and exciting offerings will be happening this Saturday, March 21st from 12-2pm at Cha House Wake Forest. Pro Tip 2: If you haven’t been to Knucklehead BBQ in Mebane, get there now…you can thank me later.

• And if you live in Cary and have a sweet tooth, good news is on the way. Reader Zan Bunn noticed a sign for Insomnia Cookies in MacGregor Village. No word on a timeline. Visit Insomnia here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• Carrboro will soon have a new option for enjoying your morning Joe. Bridge Coffee is opening soon at 203 N. Greensboro Street in a renovated house next to Fitch Lumber. Look for them to open in a few months. Follow along with the renovation progress and opening announcement on their Instagram.

• Back in February, we told you that chef Michael Lee would be opening his seventh concept in the former Plum space at 501 Washington Street in downtown Durham. We now have the name of the Korean restaurant – M Hansik. It was also disclosed that they are targeting a mid-May 2026 opening. Visit all of Lee’s concepts here.

, Closings

• Jaguar Bolera closed at Raleigh Iron Works after less than two years.

• In Cary, Cary Downtown posted that Paris Bahn Mi permanently closed at 712 SE Maynard Road.

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

• This is pretty cool. Heading to an event in downtown Raleigh? If so, stop by and see my friends at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.) where they have just launched a “Pre-Game with Whiskey.” What is that? It’s pretty simple. If you show them a same-day Raleigh event ticket or pass (for any event like concerts, game or any downtown event) you get 10% off your meal. Told you it was cool. Check out Whiskey here.

• Raleigh’s Trophy Brewing Co. is celebrating its 13th anniversary by hosting an all-day party on Sunday, March 22nd. The party starts at 11 a.m. and includes live music, including The Petty Thieves (1-3 p.m.), throwback pizzas and a special anniversary brew from the Foeders. Trophy Brewing & Pizza is located at 827 W. Morgan St. in downtown Raleigh. Visit Trophy 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 can admitted 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.

Featured Restaurant News

• Up in North Raleigh, the News & Observer noted that Vic’s Italian Restaurant, with locations in downtown Raleigh’s City Market, on Lake Boone Trail, and on Glenwood Avenue in downtown Raleigh, will open Vic’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria in a former KFC and Taco Bell at the intersection of Six Forks and Millbrook roads, in the Colony Shopping Center. They will maintain the drive-thru for third-party delivery or takeout order pickups. Mario Longo Sr. noted they are expected to open in about three months, after some modifications to the space. The Triangle Business Journal added that Longo’s son Michael is opening a second Vic’s Pizzeria and Bar in Wendell Falls. The family is also eyeing another spot in northeast Raleigh. Visit Vic’s here.

Wake County Restaurant News

• Raleigh Downtown reported that signs are up for Kokoro Ramen & Izakaya, an upcoming Japanese restaurant and pub serving unique shareable plates and ramen bowls. Great to see the corner of Blount and Martin in City Market opening back up. Follow along on Instagram.

• In Cary, Triangle Business Journal reported that Eastcut Sandwich Bar will open their third location this fall in Waverly Place. They will occupy the former Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop space as well as the former L.A. Bikini space next door. They have two other locations in the Triangle, opening in 2018 in Durham, followed by Raleigh Iron Works in 2023. And they hinted they have plans to open 2-3 more locations. Visit them here.

• Also in Cary, thanks to the keen eyes of reader John Feller, we now know that Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant will land their first Triangle-area location in the Parkside Town Commons shopping center next to Five Guys. Feller noted that the building just broke ground, so likely not opening until late 2026, early 2027. Founded in 2005, now boasting over 60 locations, Cooper’s blends a modern American restaurant, a full-service bar, a Napa-style tasting room, and a massive wine club. Start getting familiar with them here.

• Up in Wake Forest we saw that Sabatino’s Ristorante had their grand opening this past Tuesday, March 10. They are located at 131 Crenshaw Corners Drive and are the sister restaurant of Sabatino’s in Apex at 1001 Davis Drive. Visit them here.

• Down in Knightdale, coffee drinkers listen up! The News & Observer reported that Unhinged Coffee Co. will move into the former Rewind Retrobar on First Avenue sometime in early April, with a grand opening in May. Coffee drinks such as lattes, drip coffee and cold brew will be served all day, and wine, beer, THC drinks and caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee will be served in the evenings. For food, Unhinged will serve baked goods and a small menu of warm dishes throughout the day. Visit them here.

• A couple of exciting announcements coming out of Boatman Spirits Co. in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. First up, Ian McKenney has been named executive chef. A native of New Bern, Ian learned on the job in kitchens, including working for Texas cuisine authority and chef Jon Bonnell at Waters Restaurant and most recently at at Raleigh’s Whiskey Kitchen from 2018 to 2025. The second piece of news is Boatman Spirits will expand its lunch service to Thursdays and Fridays starting March 19th. Brunch is available on the weekends. Visit Boatman here.

• And speaking of brunch. Downtown Raleigh’s Vidrio (in the Glenwood South district) launches weekend brunch starting on March 22. Vidrio’s new brunch menu blends Mediterranean flavors with brunch classics and savory lunch fare, alongside creative cocktails designed for both the table and individual sipping. Brunch will be offered Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Reservations are available through Resy. Visit Vidrio here.

Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News

• One of my favorite coffee hangs in the Triangle is opening a second location today, March 13th. RTPers will be excited to learn that the newest location of Bean Traders Coffee is located in the middle of RTP at 4001 NC Hwy 54, just straight down the highway from their main location at 105 W NC Hwy. 54 in the Homestead Market shopping center. Congrats to David and Christy Chapman on their continued success of great coffee and community. Check out their new location.

, Closings

• David McCreary shared that Jacques Gilbert, mayor of Apex, posted on social media that Yamato Japanese Restaurant at 700 East Williams Street will close its doors for good on March 31. The restaurant had a 14-year run.

• The News & Observer noted that Bella Napoli appears to have closed in Durham after four years.

• Flying Bull Beer Company closed down their Ninth Street taproom and coffee shop at the
  end of February to focus on their larger brewing and restaurant space on Morris Street in Downtown Durham’s Innovation District.

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

• This is pretty cool. Heading to an event in downtown Raleigh? If so, stop by and see my friends at Whiskey Kitchen (201 W. Martin St.) where they have just launched a “Pre-Game with Whiskey.” What is that? It’s pretty simple. If you show them a same-day Raleigh event ticket or pass (for any event like concerts, game or any downtown event) you get 10% off your meal. Told you it was cool. Check out Whiskey here.

• This Sunday, March 15th downtown Raleigh’s Figulina is heading to Emilia-Romagna for their next regional menu takeover, and (low key) celebrating Figulīna turning TWO. This pasta-loving region of Northern Italy gave the world some of Italy’s most iconic dishes. For this special evening, Chef David and the team are presenting a selection of Emilia-Romagna’s classic dishes through a Figulīna lens. And wine director, Jeff Bramwell, has selected some special regional wines to go along with, of course! Comforting, a little nostalgic, and a lot delicious! Sunday, March 15th / 4pm-9pm. No set price. Order à la carte and build your table however you like! Reserve your spot here.

• Saif Rahman, chef and co-owner of JBF’s 2026 “Best New Restaurant” semifinalist, Peregrine, will celebrate his sacred food tradition with guests by offering a special $75 three-course Iftar menu throughout Ramadan, February 17th through March 19th. This Muslim tradition represents the meal served at sundown to break the daily fast. Rahman’s Iftar menu will offer his personal perspective on “first generation American food,” weaving in his Bangladeshi heritage. Reservations are required for the Iftar experience and can be reserved here.

• Barsa New Indian is bringing together local craft producers for a special evening of bold flavors and curated pairings during Bourbon + Bites, a one-night-only tasting event on Wednesday, March 19th from 5–7 p.m. The event will feature Cook’s Mill Whiskey and Crank Arm Brewing alongside chef-driven small bites from the Barsa kitchen. Guests will enjoy a guided tasting experience with each beverage being paired with curated small bites designed to complement the bold flavors of the bourbon and barrel-aged stout. Seating for the event is limited. Tickets are $45 per person and can be purchased 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.

• And more good news, the Food Bank’s new Durham Branch is officially open! The new 64,000-square-foot facility is nearly double the size of their previous location on Angier Ave. The new space features a dedicated space for community meetings, trainings, and volunteer sorting and repack efforts.