14 major restaurant openings to look for in the Raleigh and Durham area

Raleigh’s culinary and retail landscape is rapidly evolving with new establishments making their mark. From hot new burger spots to mouthwatering barbecue joints, the city offers something for everyone. Standout restaurant openings include Ajja, which has received national acclaim, as well as eclectic concepts like Common Market, blending a market, bar, and restaurant into one space.

Here’s a look at some of the new openings this year.

Chef Scott Crawford plans to open three new restaurants in 2024: Brodeto in Raleigh Iron Works; cocktail bar Sous Terre; and Crawford Brothers Steakhouse in Cary’s Fenton development.
Chef Scott Crawford plans to open three new restaurants in 2024: Brodeto in Raleigh Iron Works; cocktail bar Sous Terre; and Crawford Brothers Steakhouse in Cary’s Fenton development.

No. 1: 16 new Triangle restaurants to watch in 2024: Rooftop views, basement brews & expansions

Our look includes multiple projects from acclaimed chef Scott Crawford and a tiny Mexican restaurant that shouted into the national dining conversation adding a new location in the Triangle. | Read more

Raleigh Iron Works, a mixed-use development north of downtown Raleigh, is filling up with restaurants, shops and more.
Raleigh Iron Works, a mixed-use development north of downtown Raleigh, is filling up with restaurants, shops and more.

No. 2: Raleigh Iron Works is filling with tenants. These shops & restaurants are open now

The mixed-use development has plenty of eateries and retailers, in addition to office and housing space. | Read more

The former New Anthem space in Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow development will become a new cocktail bar from the owners of Madre.
The former New Anthem space in Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow development will become a new cocktail bar from the owners of Madre.

No. 3: A new diner and cocktail bar will open in downtown Raleigh’s Smoky Hollow

A former brewery taproom in Raleigh is set to become the city’s newest cocktail bar. | Read more.

The new Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen will open this summer on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh.
The new Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen will open this summer on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh.

No. 4: New downtown Raleigh restaurant will be a hot spot for breakfast, lunch, dinner & drinks

Raleigh will add a glitzy new all-day restaurant this summer. | Read more.

Fare&Fellow, a woman-owned coffee shop, is expanding in the Triangle, with two shops in Durham and Raleigh.
Fare&Fellow, a woman-owned coffee shop, is expanding in the Triangle, with two shops in Durham and Raleigh.

No. 5: A Triangle coffee shop is expanding in Raleigh and Durham. Here’s what we know

The woman-owned company, which just debuted at RTP, is growing quickly. | Read more.

Coming to North Hills in fall 2024, Captain Cookie & the Milk Man is known for its freshly baked cookies, with flavors such as chocolate chip, double chocolate, confetti and snickerdoodle.
Coming to North Hills in fall 2024, Captain Cookie & the Milk Man is known for its freshly baked cookies, with flavors such as chocolate chip, double chocolate, confetti and snickerdoodle.

No. 6: Downtown Raleigh store known for milk and cookies expands to North Hills

The bakery has come a long way from its days as a food truck. | Read more.

Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has a fanatical following for its unique flavors nationwide. The brand will open a location at University Place in Chapel Hill by 2025, Ram Realty Advisors officials said.
Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream has a fanatical following for its unique flavors nationwide. The brand will open a location at University Place in Chapel Hill by 2025, Ram Realty Advisors officials said.

No. 7: Chapel Hill mall tears down building, adds ice cream

A new public green and roughly a dozen new storefronts could open at Chapel Hill’s University Place mall by 2025. | Read more

Mac’s Speed Shop was started in Charlotte in 2005 by Wynn Davis and Hall Johnson, who serve comfort foods such as mac and cheese and brisket chili.
Mac’s Speed Shop was started in Charlotte in 2005 by Wynn Davis and Hall Johnson, who serve comfort foods such as mac and cheese and brisket chili.

No. 8: Raleigh is getting a new barbecue restaurant from a popular Charlotte brand

A former Lonerider taproom is now a notable Charlotte barbecue spot. | Read more

The popular wine shop and bar Foxcroft will open a Raleigh location in North Hills in 2024.
The popular wine shop and bar Foxcroft will open a Raleigh location in North Hills in 2024.

No. 9: new wine bar and restaurant is coming to Raleigh’s North Hills. Here’s what to know

The new spot is the sixth location of a popular Charlotte wine bar. | Read more

The popular Triangle Mexican restaurant Chubby’s Tacos will expand with a new location in Garner, opening up inside a Walmart Supercenter.
The popular Triangle Mexican restaurant Chubby’s Tacos will expand with a new location in Garner, opening up inside a Walmart Supercenter.

No. 10: Beloved Triangle taco brand is expanding with a new location in a Garner Walmart

A popular Triangle Mexican restaurant is expanding once again. The location is a little surprising. | Read more

The lone vacancy at the Durham Food Hall will be filled by Patty Boy, a new smashburger concept from Ex-Voto.
The lone vacancy at the Durham Food Hall will be filled by Patty Boy, a new smashburger concept from Ex-Voto.

No. 11: Durham will get a new smashburger restaurant from adored ‘crunchwrap’ masters

First they conquered crunchwraps, soon they’ll have a new smashburger spot. | Read more.

Duck Donuts plans to open in 2024 on Wycliff Road in Raleigh.
Duck Donuts plans to open in 2024 on Wycliff Road in Raleigh.

No. 12: New restaurants and businesses join Raleigh’s Lake Boone Shopping Center

Since late 2023, several stores and restaurants have opened at the shopping center. | Read more

The owners of The Nomad in Hillsborough are opening a new bar in the former Hot Tin Roof space.
The owners of The Nomad in Hillsborough are opening a new bar in the former Hot Tin Roof space.

No. 13: Here’s what’s planned for the former Hot Tin Roof space in Hillsborough

A major face lift and vibe shift is planned for a longtime Triangle bar space. | Read more

Lawrence BBQ is relocating to a new restaurant space of its own in downtown Cary.
Lawrence BBQ is relocating to a new restaurant space of its own in downtown Cary.

No. 14: One of the Triangle’s top barbecue joints is moving operations to downtown Cary

Cary is about to become a major barbecue destination. | Read more.

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. This content was edited by journalists in our News division.

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