September 27, 2025

Raleigh Welcomes New Restaurants and Expansions

News Summary

Raleigh’s culinary scene is thriving with numerous new restaurant openings and expansions, enhancing the local food culture. Longleaf Swine plans a second location in Greystone Village, while Bitter Social and Whiskey Kitchen are set to make their mark in downtown. Midtown Raleigh is expanding with Toastique, alongside Johnny’s Pizza and Chipotle opening soon. The city also sees the return of several beloved establishments and new ventures, all aimed at diversifying dining options and catering to varied tastes in the community.

Raleigh, North Carolina — New Restaurants and Expansions Announced

Raleigh is experiencing a notable increase in new restaurant openings and expansions. Several established establishments are reopening or expanding, while new concepts are set to debut in the coming months. These changes aim to diversify the local food scene and cater to a broad range of tastes.

Longleaf Swine Expanding with a Second Location

Longleaf Swine, a popular barbecue restaurant in downtown Raleigh, plans to open a second location in the Greystone Village shopping center. The new site will occupy the former Sawmill Tap Room space, which has been closed for renovations. Once completed, it will feature significant renovations to the historic building, with an expected opening date in fall 2026.

The restaurant will soon announce weekly pick-up options from Greystone, allowing customers to order ahead. Meanwhile, Longleaf Swine will continue offering food at their downtown location during the renovation period.

New Social Spot and Restaurant Openings in Downtown Raleigh

Bitter Social, a new casual social and sip spot, is scheduled to open on October 2. It will be located in the space above Centro (104 S Wilmington St.), previously occupied by Gallo Pelón. The establishment aims to provide a relaxed environment for drinks and socializing.

Whiskey Kitchen in downtown Raleigh is welcoming back Chef Kyle Teears as executive chef. The restaurant plans to introduce seasonal dishes alongside its established menu this fall, offering familiar favorites with new twists.

Midtown Raleigh and Surrounding Areas Expand Culinary Options

The Exchange at Midtown Raleigh will soon feature a new outlet called Toastique. The shop will specialize in fresh pressed juices, açaí bowls, and gourmet toasts. This new addition is set to open in fall at 1000 Social Street, Suite 130.

Next week, Johnny’s Pizza will open a new location in Greystone Village, occupying the previous Papa’s Pizza space between Gonzas and Bottle Rev.

Multiple restaurant chains are expanding within the region, including Chipotle, which will open a new location on September 30 at 3101 Edwards Mill Road in Olde Raleigh.

In Downtown Apex, Groovy Duck Bakery is moving into the former Cranky Yankee Bakery space at 101 N. Salem Street, continuing its bakery operations in a new location.

Additional Restaurant Openings and Reopenings

In Rolesville, Jersey Mike’s will soon open in Wallbrook shopping center, adjacent to Publix and Five Guys. Similarly, in Knightdale, Unhinged Coffee Co. is preparing for its grand opening on October 2 at the corner of First & Main.

Downtown Durham will see new dining options with Preeti Waas’s second Nanny Goat boutique bodega opening next month. Fans of sports bars can look forward to Tipsy Bull, a new sports bar and grill opening at 800 Taylor St. in the Golden Belt campus later this month.

In Durham, Timber Pizza Co. plans to open a second North Carolina location before the end of the year at The Shops at Wye Junction. Additionally, Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co. is set to debut next month, offering Yemeni coffee, lattes, and signature dishes.

Recent Reopenings Following Flooding

The Catering Company of Chapel Hill and Mariakakis Fine Foods & Wine have both reopened after a 70-day closure due to flooding, restoring important food services in the area.

Upcoming Food and Community Events

The final Durham Central Park Food Truck Rodeo of 2025 is scheduled for Sunday, November 2. Other events include the Walk for Hope on October 12 at The Angus Barn, which will close both lanes of Glenwood to accommodate participants, and the Salt & Smoke & Sound Festival on October 18 at Blackwood Farm Park, combining food and music in a family-friendly setting.

The Chefs for Change Gala & Live Auction will be held on November 6 at The Cookery in Durham, featuring renowned chefs and a multi-course culinary experience.

Food Insecurity and New Food Concepts

North Carolina is facing a 15-year high in hunger levels, emphasizing the importance of supporting food assistance programs. In parallel, Raleigh’s first certified gluten-free pastry shop, JP’s Pastry, is now open daily in Midtown to meet demand for gluten-free baked goods.

New eating options include Dave’s Hot Chicken, which opened on September 5 in a Midtown Raleigh location formerly occupied by BB’s Chicken, and Kokoro Ramen & Izakaya, expected to open next spring in the former Royale space in City Market.

The Omni Hotel downtown plans to feature Bob’s Steak & Chop House, anticipated to open in 2028, expanding upscale dining options. Additionally, Jubala Coffee’s fourth location will open in the Pendo building, incorporating a cocktail bar called Bar Marigold.

Additional Notable Openings

Anthony Guerra’s St. Pierre Wine Shop & Bar has opened at Raleigh Iron Works, offering a curated wine selection paired with chef Vivian Howard’s food creations. Pizzeria Toro is scheduled to launch in downtown Raleigh’s Seaboard Station by next summer, and Capulet Cocktail Club will open at The Exchange at Midtown in the fall, providing a new location for cocktails and socializing.

Through these developments, Raleigh continues to enhance its culinary landscape while also addressing community needs through food events and support initiatives. The city’s vibrant food scene remains dynamic with continuous growth and new offerings on the horizon.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

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Raleigh Food Hall Listed for Sale with Appraised Value of $4.14 Million
Pizzeria Toro Expands to New Location in Raleigh
Raleigh and Surrounding Areas Experience New Business Growth

Additional Resources

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.

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