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By Sean Lennard, WRAL contributor
Featured restaurant news
Chef Michael Bongiorno is officially bringing a taste of the Italian lifestyle to Midtown Raleigh. Building on the success of Bongiorno & Son —the popular Italian deli and market founded in Lafayette Village in 2020—he celebrates the grand opening of his newest concept, Pranzo, on August 14. Located on the ground floor of 1000 Social at The Exchange Raleigh, Pranzo offers a traditional yet stylish dining experience designed around relaxed socializing, ingredient-driven dishes, and premium imported Italian goods. While the venue includes a select market for specialty items, the focus is a vibrant, casual dining atmosphere that transitions seamlessly from lunch into evening gatherings. Central to the Pranzo experience is the authentic Italian tradition of aperitivo—a pre-dinner ritual featuring light bites and drinks crafted to awaken the appetite and savor the moment. Complementing the menu is a highly unique, hand-picked wine program prioritizing small vineyards, organic producers, and women-owned wineries, featuring labels not found elsewhere in the region. Get familiar with Pranzo here.
Wake County restaurant news
We are getting closer and closer to the opening of the historic Flowers Cottage, which will house two concepts in one spot: Cottage Coffee and Park Bar in Dix Park. The renovated 100-year-old cottage will boast 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 later this month. Follow along on Instagram here.
The Triangle Business Journal is reporting that the breakfast spot PopUp Bagels is coming to Village District in Raleigh, taking over the former Kale Me Crazy space. The fast-growing chain is known for a simple menu of fresh hot bagels, schmears and coffee. Check them out here
Raleigh Magazine reported this week that Cora Kitchen + Bar, a new Spanish and Latin tapas spot, is set to soft open in the former Station space on Person Street late next week. This all-day eatery is led by Chef Sarah Frey of the popular breakfast and coffee truck Mr.Burro — so yes, amazing breakfast burritos are on the menu! Cora will serve breakfast, lunch, dinner, and drinks, with a newly renovated, cozy outdoor patio. Cora is part of the team behind downtown favorites including Hibernian Pub, Watts & Ward, Raleigh Beer Garden and Morgan Street Food Hall. Thanks to Raleigh Downtown for sharing additional details. Get your mouth watering here.
RalToday shared that Drift Coffee & Kitchen is opening its newest Raleigh location at Dix Park this Saturday, Aug. 15. The new shop at The Weld will celebrate with community bike rides, a scavenger hunt and free totes for the first 50 guests. All opening-day sales will benefit Oaks & Spokes. Drift also has plans to open another location in Raleigh’s Iron Works. Visit Drift here
Reader Lucille Auteri tipped us off to the fact that North Carolina, specifically Raleigh, is getting ready to get their first location of Nash & Smashed at 5821 Poyner Village Parkway. Their menu features fried chicken, Nashville-style sandwiches, smashed burgers and more. Get to know them here
Reader Frank Rhodes shared with us the news that K38 in downtown Cary is set to open August 29th at 147 E. Chatham St. 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. Pay them a visit.
Reader Chris Creighton noted that Cary is also getting a Little Caesars Pizza at 100 Wrenn Drive in between Duck Doughnuts and Chipotle. No opening date as of yet. Visit Little Caesars here
Durham, Orange & Chatham restaurant news
Little Bull opened in their new space this week, completing a year-long renovation of a historic building dating to the 1910s in downtown Durham’s National Register historic district (301 East Chapel Hill St.). The work preserved a lot of the building’s history with wood from the original interior walls and repurposed the salvaged beams into a staircase that now connects the main dining room to the upstairs bar. Little Bull will serve dinner nightly beginning at 5 pm, with weekend brunch continuing on Saturdays and Sundays. The team plans to introduce weekday lunch service this fall, marking the restaurant’s first lunch offering. Congrats to Oscar Diaz and Juan Camilo Espada and the entire Mezcalito Group. Visit them on Instagram here.
Triangle Business Journal shared the news that Oakwood Deli, which operates in downtown Raleigh, appears to be taking its signature sandwiches to Durham after filing plans with the city for a new location at 702 and 706 E. Main St. on the corner of Main and Fayetteville streets. The site was formerly home to longtime soul food restaurant JC’s Kitchen, which has closed. The deli serves premium meats from New York-based Boar’s Head and offers breakfast all day, as well as salads, tacos and specialty sides. Visit Oakwood here.
Durham Downtown shared that Durham is getting a new Colombian bistro, with the news that a concept called Melao is taking over the former Little Bull space at 810 N. Mangum St. Inspired by Colombia’s incredible diversity, expect vibrant flavors, thoughtful cocktails and dishes rooted in tradition. Think tropical fruits like lulo and maracuyá, fresh seafood inspired by Colombia’s coasts, comforting classics like bandeja paisa, and so much more. Every dish and cocktail will showcase the bold, soulful flavors that make Colombian cuisine unforgettable. Whether you grew up with these flavors or you’re discovering them for the very first time, get excited about Melao opening in September. Follow their progress on Instagram here.
In Chapel Hill, Chapelboro reported that another business has opened in the Eastgate Crossing shopping center. The Einstein Bros. Bagels chain opened its first-ever Chapel Hill location this week at the former Bruegger’s Bagels space. Bruegger’s was forced to permanently close its location in Eastgate after taking extensive flood damage during Tropical Depression Chantal in the summer of 2025. Visit Einstein Bros. Bagels here
Up in Mebane, Chapel Hill Carrboro Foodies founder Carrie Brogren shared the news that Fratelli Italian Kitchen is opening soon in downtown Mebane. She indicated that the menu will feature chef-inspired Italian dishes, house-made pastas, fresh steaks, delicious desserts, craft cocktails, an exceptional wine list, and more. They will be located at 119 West Clay St. and hope to open in September. Visit them on Facebook 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 through Aug. 16. 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 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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 location. Preview the menu here and make a reservation here.
Also in Pittsboro, Pittsboro Eats sharedCenter located at 697 Hillsboro St. Their goal is to offer a welcoming space for friends and families to enjoy delicious coffee, exquisite espressos, and delectable desserts. The café provides a unique opportunity for transitional aged youth (ages 15-23) who face challenges such as mental illness, physical or intellectual disabilities, or socioeconomic hardship. Visit them here
Closings
Triangle Business Journal reported that Smash Social Club, which Raleigh restaurant group LM Restaurants opened late last year in the former Carolina Ale House space on Glenwood South, has closed temporarily. Stay tuned
The News & Observer reported that CO closed its Raleigh location in June, ending an eight-year run in North Hills. The Durham location remains open
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 St., 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
Foodies! Head to your local Wake County Library … why you ask? On Saturday, Aug. 22 at 2 p.m., Oberlin Regional Library will host an author talk with Brigid Washington, who will be discussing her culinary memoir Salt, Sweat, & Steam: The Fiery Education of an Accidental Chef. Folks can register here. In addition, several of the Wake County branches offer Cookbook Clubs, a fun twist on the traditional book club. Participants all check out a copy of the same cookbook, meet to discuss it, and often share something they enjoyed making from it. They’re always a great time and a wonderful way for food lovers to connect. Details here.
The 50th annual Lazy Daze Arts & Crafts Festival, a beloved Cary tradition celebrating creativity, community, and the “Lazy Daze” of summer, will take place the weekend of August 22-23, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. both days. Explore the work of more than 250 exceptional artists from across the country, enjoy live entertainment on four stages, and savor delicious bites and drinks from 25+ food and beverage vendors. Experience hands-on art activities, professional artisan demonstrations, and plenty of kid-friendly fun in Kid Daze, including the fan-favorite Kid Collectors Market, where young festival-goers can purchase pint-sized pieces created by Lazy Daze artists. Don’t forget to relax in the beer garden or the new Lazy Lounge as they celebrate 50 years of art, music, food, and summer memories. Check out the food vendors here, and get all the event details here.
The Sola Hot Mini 5K will be held on Saturday, Sept. 12. Join the community and Sola’s fight to find a cure to end ALS. Any and everyone is encouraged to come out – runners, walkers, volunteers, donors, cheerleaders, kids, strollers, moms, dads, friends, family…just be there. And don’t forget, if you register before Aug. 30, you get a race shirt included with registration. Get all the details 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 nonprofit organization that helps small farms in North Carolina. Get tickets and all the details here
On Sunday, Sept. 27, from 12 to 6 p.m., the inaugural Carolina Culture Food Fest will transform Moore Square into an exciting celebration of food, culture, and community. With the tagline “Where Food, Family & Fun Come Together,” the free, family-friendly festival will bring together food trucks, chefs, dessert vendors, local businesses, nonprofit organizations and community leaders from across North and South Carolina. One of the festival’s most anticipated attractions will be a live food competition, where participating chefs and food vendors will put their signature dishes, creativity, and culinary skills to the test. Get all the details here.
Food Bank corner
Help kids today! If you looked at a classroom of 30 third graders, you probably couldn’t pick out the five who are secretly worrying about going to bed hungry. But that’s the sad reality in central and eastern North Carolina today, where 1 in 5 kids are receiving discounted or free school meals. It’s usually the best nutrition they get all day, as their parents try to balance paying all the bills with keeping everybody fed. This Back-to-School season, please consider supporting programs that let kids go to bed after a full and healthy meal each night. Every $30 we receive becomes 90 nutritious meals delivered through backpack programs, food pantries and other local services.
