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By Sean Lennard, WRAL Contributor
Featured Restaurant News
Looking for a cool spot to enjoy a cup of coffee or a cold beer while taking in a breathtaking view of the best the City of Raleigh has to offer? Look no further than the historic Flowers Cottage, which will house two concepts in one spot: Cottage Coffee and Park Bar
The renovated 100-year-old cottage now boasts a cozy cafe inside as well as a covered outdoor bar. The upstairs cafe opens to an expansive deck featuring terraced seating that gives you a jaw-dropping view of the fields in Dix Park as well as Raleigh’s expansive skyline in the distance. And the team behind it – Justin Pasfield, Jeff Clarke, Dillon Myrick and Sarah Sugg whose combined experience has ties to Raleigh favorites like Person Street Bar, Big Cat, Locals Seafood, Natural Science Bar and Boulted Bread. Look for them to open in August – more details to follow. Follow along on Instagram here.
Wake County Restaurant News
The newest edition of Benchwarmers Bagels opened Thursday at 511 Hardimont Road in North Hills Innovation District, next door to the new Standard Beer + Food. While physically located in the middle of the bustling North Hills business district, Bench is quaintly nestled in a “woodsy” setting amidst the skyscrapers – like a bagel oasis that allows you to escape with a wood-fired bagel and a hot cup of Joe. So take a moment to head over and find this gem to slow down and enjoy life before the bustle of the rest of your day. Check them out here.
Raleigh Magazine reported that the former (ish) delicatessen space on Person Street is entering a new chapter. Gallicchio’s Market & Eatery — previously operating as the Pounded Pig Food Truck, is slated to open in the building this fall, and has already begun interior renovations. Follow their progress here
Reader Frank Rhodes shared with us the news that K38 in downtown Cary is set to open Aug. 29 at 147 E. Chatham Street. This will be their seventh location and follows the most recent opening in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station. What does the K38 represent? The “K” stands for kilometer, denoting the 38th-kilometer mark on the coastal highway in Baja. Founder Josh Vach was inspired by surf trips down the Baja Peninsula, roadside taco shacks, and the specific surf break at that location when opening the original restaurant in 1993. Now you know. Check out K38 here.
Hugh Autry shared with us that there is a “coming soon” banner up in the old K-mart on Western Boulevard for a new coffee concept called Vavela. What began in Charlotte, they believe in creating a complete experience, one that brings together crafted beverages, Mediterranean desserts, and a diverse selection of food. No word on an open date. They are also bringing a location to Durham at 555 S Mangum Street. Get to know them here
With more than 400 locations, Shipley Donuts, a Texas-based doughnut giant, plans to open two Raleigh shops in the next two years, bringing nearly a century of doughnut tradition to the Triangle according to reporting by the News & Observer
In addition to donuts, they will also bring kolaches to the Triangle. These savory breakfast delicacies are hard to find outside of Texas, where dough is stuffed with fillings like sausage and jalapeños, ham and cheese and bacon, eggs and cheese. The first Shipley is expected to open in 2027 in Raleigh, but the exact location hasn’t been announced according to the N&O. Get familiar with them here
David McCreary shared with me that after more than ten years in Cary, Nazara Indian Bistro has closed its doors at 1945 High House Road and will soon relocate to its new location at 13600 Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh. Keep up with their move here
Staying with the all-knowing David McCreary, he also shared that Momo Station, a takeout restaurant serving Nepalese momos (stuffed dumplings) and Himalayan cuisine, has opened at 405 East Broad Street, Suite 249 at Quaint Plaza in Fuquay-Varina. Follow them here
Not exactly Wake County, but not far up the road in Franklin County, got word this week that Rob Smith and Ian Zech are opening a brewery/meadery in Youngsville called North State Brewing Co. They are focused on small-batch craft beer and artisanal meads. They are looking to open towards the end of August at 133 East Main Street once they finalize their ABC permits. Follow along on Facebook here or visit their website here
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Chicken Salad Chick is officially opening in Durham on Tuesday, Aug. 4, at 6807 Fayetteville Road. Pro tip: they are giving away free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests in line! This location is owned and operated by multi-unit franchise owners, Mike Saccone and John Schuster. They also own and operate the Raleigh and Cary locations. Durham will mark their third restaurant to open. Visit them here
Down in Chatham County, get a first taste of the upcoming a Tavolo Italian Eatery during a special menu takeover at The Sycamore at Chatham Mills, the week of Aug. 11–16. Throughout the takeover, guests can enjoy a select collection of dishes from the upcoming a Tavolo menu alongside many of The Sycamore’s signature cuts and sides. The lounge menu will feature a Tavolo items as well. The week will conclude with a special brunch on Sunday from 11am-3pm. Opening this September in MOSAIC at Chatham Park, a Tavolo is the sister restaurant to The Sycamore and will offer a warm, elevated-casual approach to Italian dining. This takeover is a chance to try some of the dishes that will be featured at the new locatino. Preview the menu here and make a reservation here.
Closings
Chris Creighton shared with us that the Papa Murphy’s locations in Apex and Cary have closed. The last remaining location in the Triangle area is in Fuquay-Varina
The News & Observer reported this week that Puerto Rican restaurant, Koki, has closed its downtown Durham building after seven years. But customers can still enjoy visiting the Morrisville location at 10970 Chapel Hill Road
Food Trucks
The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo will be held from noon to 4 p.m. on Sept. 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
Songbird, Raleigh’s newest daylight-to-dusk bar from owners Meg Paradise and Charlie Blue Arm, have launched their weekend brunch program, a seasonally rotating brunch experience featuring hyperlocal ingredients, special bites and cocktails, coffee, tea, juices, and smoothies. Join them any Saturday or Sunday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at 1020 E. Whitaker Mill Road. See the full Bruch menu here
OnSaturday, Aug. 1, Cary’s Koka Booth Amphitheatre will host the annual Beer, Bourbon & BBQ Festival featuring over 60+ beers, 40+ bourbons and lots of barbecue. Get all the details here
On Sunday, Aug. 2, the City of Durham will host the Durham Fiesta Latina where attendees will have the opportunity to experience authentic cuisine, lively music, folkloric dancing, and engaging activities that are fun for the entire family. Get all their details here
The Left Hook Coffee shop is holding their grand opening this weekend at its Hargett Street cafe with a circus on Saturday, Aug. 1. Located at 912 E Hargett Street, at the corner of Hargett and State, you’ll enjoy local vendors/artists/makers, live music, local food vendors, live screen printing, “circus” activities, wrestling, and more. A huge congratulations to Kristin and Nick. Follow along on Instagram here
Chef Caleb Vasquez, formerly of Stanbury and Longleaf Swine, will be cooking a pop-up dinner at 5 p.m. Aug. 2 at Boatman Spirits Co. Enjoy four courses of Chef Caleb’s Izakaya-inspired food, alongside three cocktails from the Boatman Spirits crew
Menu details: Otsumami platter: an assortment of drinking snacks, including sashimi, togarashi boiled peanuts, gai lan aemono (hearty greens in thick sesame dressing, tomato ohitashi and Japanese pickles. A Take on the Classic Japanese Rice Bowl: Wild Ramp Scotch Egg, XO Sauce, Spicy Seaweed Aioli, Eel Sauce, Ramp Karashi, Sushi Rice. Seared Duck Chashu, Blackberry Ponzu Beurre Blanc, Sweet Potato Waffle Fries, Rosemary Oil, Candied Shiitake and Kaiware. Butter mochi, Edible Flower, Persimmon Curd, Matcha. Tickets cost $125 per person. Boatman SpiritsCo. is at 713 Seaboard Station Drive in Raleigh. Get tickets and all the details here.
Cary’s Peck & Plume is celebrating its third private selection Maker’s Mark bourbon with a series of dinners and special events from Aug. 7-8. The bourbon was crafted during The Mayton leadership team’s third barrel-selection trip to Kentucky. Here’s the lineup of special events:
Bourbon Release Dinner: 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7. Kick off Bourbon Barrel Weekend with an intimate evening celebrating the release of Peck & Plume No. 3. Enjoy a guided tasting of all three Peck & Plume Private Selection bourbons before enjoying a four-course dinner by Chef Tyler Trice in the Redbud Room. The cost is $200 per person.
Saturday Pig Pickin’ + Bourbon Release: 2-4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8 Celebrate the release of Peck & Plume No. 3 with a buffet of barbecue favorites, classic sides, drink specials and the first chance to taste and purchase this exclusive bourbon—all set on the outdoor Terrace overlooking Downtown Cary Park. Tickets: $45 per person.
Bourbon Pairing Dinner: 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8. Continue the celebration with a chef-curated four-course dinner paired with Maker’s Mark bourbons. Hosted in the Park Room, this intimate evening highlights thoughtfully crafted dishes alongside exceptional whiskey. The cost is $150 per person. Make a reservation of buy tickets for each event here
Tickets are on sale now for the 2026 Dinner in the Meadow event on Sept. 13 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
The James Beard Foundation announced that its Taste America culinary series is coming to Raleigh with an exclusive dinner on Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at Peregrine. I am happy / sad to report that this dinner instantly sold out. What an honor for Raleigh and for chef Saif Rahman, recognized in the TasteTwenty class—JBF’s annual “ones to watch” list recognizing chefs whose exceptional talent, creative vision, and leadership are helping shape the future of American dining. If you don’t already have tickets, you might as well book a dinner at Peregrine!
Food Bank Corner
Stop Summer Hunger when your gift doubles! The Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina currently has a $100,000 match until July 31!
For kids, summer should be a time of play and rest. But for too many local families, it’s a time of worry instead. When school breakfasts and lunches stop for the summer, parents on an already-stretched budget are challenged to fill the gap. Thanks to some generous friends, every dollar of your gift today will double, up to $100,000, to fund our summer meal programs so that kids can be kids. Because of our buying power and relationships with local food providers, every gift, of any size, will go a long way. Every $30 can feed two children for a month! Every $90 can feed two children all summer! Consider a donation today!
