News Summary
Raleigh, North Carolina, is seeing a surge in new culinary and hospitality businesses, with openings of gluten-free bakeries, spicy chicken restaurants, and more. Notable establishments include JP’s Pastry, Dave’s Hot Chicken, and the upcoming Kokoro Ramen & Izakaya. Additional expansions in coffee venues and collaborative food endeavors are enriching the region’s vibrant culture, while community events and new concepts continue to attract locals and visitors alike. Despite these positive developments, challenges persist in addressing food insecurity in the area.
Raleigh and Surrounding Areas See Exciting New Business Openings and Renovations
Raleigh, North Carolina, is experiencing a wave of new culinary and hospitality developments, with several businesses opening or expanding across the region. These changes are drawing significant attention from locals and visitors alike, highlighting the area’s vibrant growth in food, drink, and entertainment options.
New Food Establishments and Renovations
One of the notable openings is JP’s Pastry, North Carolina’s first certified gluten-free pastry company. Located at 2310 Bale Street in Midtown Raleigh, JP’s Pastry is now open seven days a week. The bakery offers a variety of sweet treats including cakes, cupcakes, brownies, cinnamon rolls, and cookies. Additionally, it features savory items such as breads, pot pies, and pizza, catering to customers seeking gluten-free options.
Another major addition is Dave’s Hot Chicken, which opened in Midtown Raleigh on September 5. The restaurant is situated in the former BB’s Chicken location near Wegman’s and Trader Joe’s. Dave’s Hot Chicken is popular for its spicy chicken offerings, where customers can select from seven heat levels, including an extremely spicy Reaper challenge that requires a waiver to order.
In downtown Raleigh’s City Market, the long-empty space previously occupied by Royale is slated for a new restaurant concept. Kokoro Ramen & Izakaya, from the creators of Neko Thai & Sushi, is expected to open in spring, offering Japanese cuisine with ramen, sushi, and izakaya-style dishes.
Looking ahead, the upcoming Omni Hotel in Downtown Raleigh will feature Bob’s Steak & Chop House, scheduled to open in 2028. The hotel is anticipated to be a new luxury destination, adding to the city’s hospitality landscape.
Expansion of Coffee and Beverage Venues
Jubala Coffee is expanding its presence with a fourth location planned in the Pendo building at 301 Hillsborough Street. The new site will include a Bar Marigold cocktail bar, offering both coffee and craft drinks, enhancing the neighborhood’s vibrant atmosphere.
Partnerships and New Openings in the Beverage and Food Industry
Renowned chef Vivian Howard is collaborating with Anthony Guerra to supply food at the soon-to-open St. Pierre Wine Shop + Bar in the Iron Works development. The location aims to become a new community hub for wine and food enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, in Cary, Umi Sushi is preparing to take over the former Red Lobster building at 1801 Walnut Street after extensive renovations, adding sushi and Japanese dishes to the town’s dining options.
Additional Restaurant Openings and Business Milestones
In downtown Angier, Nil’s Mediterranean Cuisine has launched its second location at 16 North Broad Street East, offering Mediterranean-inspired dishes. In Fuquay-Varina, Brus on Main is rebranding as Truman’s Smokehouse & Kitchen, expanding its menu to include smoked meats and classic Southern sides.
The Glenwood South neighborhood celebrates a milestone as Lucky B’s prepares for its 20th anniversary on September 13, while in Apex, Fratelli’s Deli commemorates its first year in operation on September 10.
Reopenings and Community Events
In Chapel Hill, Med Deli is set to reopen for dinner on September 9 after being closed for two years due to fire damage, providing fresh new options for the community. Additionally, Seth Trimble, a senior basketball player at UNC, has purchased the Ben & Jerry’s location in Chapel Hill, previously owned by Antonio McBroom, expanding the retail presence of the ice cream brand in the region.
In Durham, Lutra Cafe and Bakery will host a weekly Sunday brunch pop-up at Cheeni restaurant, starting with an expanded menu to attract brunch enthusiasts. Additionally, Autostrada Pizza & Pannini in Carrboro will hold its grand opening September 6-7, offering promotions and a donation initiative supporting the local PTA.
New Culinary Concepts and Events
Serratore’s Pasta & Pizza opened recently in Hillsborough, focusing on Italian-American cuisine with freshly made pasta and wood-fired pizzas. The last remaining Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls location in the Triangle is now operating in Cary at Waverly Place, after several closures of other locations.
Another notable closure is the Subway at the intersection of Western Blvd. and Method Rd. in Raleigh, which has recently shut its doors.
Community food events continue to energize the region, with the final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo for 2025 scheduled for November 2, showcasing over 50 food trucks. Additionally, chef-driven collaborations such as Little Rey partnering with chef Dave Ellis for a September taco benefiting Now Serving NC demonstrate ongoing local engagement.
Upcoming Festivals and Fundraising Events
The Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival will debut October 18, merging two popular festivals into a community celebration, with tickets now available. Later in the year, the Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction will be held on November 6, featuring multi-course meals prepared by renowned North Carolina chefs to support hunger relief efforts in the state.
Regional Challenges
Despite the positive growth in the food and hospitality sectors, North Carolina faces significant challenges, including a hunger crisis affecting approximately 1 in 5 children across the state. Proposed federal funding cuts threaten to worsen food insecurity, underscoring the importance of community and charitable initiatives in addressing these issues.
Overall, Raleigh and its surrounding areas continue to develop dynamically, with new restaurants, renovations, and community events shaping the region’s vibrant culture and economy.
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Additional Resources
- WRAL: Triangle Foodie News – Dave’s Hot Chicken
- Wikipedia: Raleigh, North Carolina
- News Observer: Food and Drink Updates
- Google Search: Raleigh food scene
- Raleigh Today: New Raleigh Restaurant
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Restaurant
- Indy Week: Restaurant Owner Lee Robinson
- Google News: Raleigh food events
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
