Triangle Food Guy Sean Lennard has the latest news on restaurants opening in the Triangle, including Franko’s Prime in Lafayette Village in north Raleigh.
Posted
1/9/2026, 2:35:49 PM
Updated
1/9/2026, 2:36:13 PM
By Sean Lennard, WRAL contributor
Featured Restaurant News
Got word this week that Glenwood SouthāsĀ Marian Cocktails & Kitchen, a plant-forward dining experience, has closed that location (301 Glenwood Avenue) and has relocated toĀ Havenwing VineyardsĀ in Benson, North Carolina. Look for them to open in February. As for their space on Glenwood South?Ā The Dirty V, another plant-based restaurant, with locations also opening soon in Myrtle Beach and Miami,Ā will take over that space by the end of January. VisitĀ Marian hereĀ andĀ Dirty V here.
Wake County Restaurant News
TheĀ News & ObserverĀ updated us this week that north Raleigh, specificallyĀ Lafayette Village, is about to get a steakhouse with the anticipated opening ofĀ Frankoās PrimeĀ in the formerĀ Driftwood CantinaĀ space. The concept is led by a group of industry veterans includingĀ Nunzio Scordo,Ā Justin Bee,Ā Keith LoGrande,Ā Joe FarrellĀ andĀ Steven Hayes.Ā Bee,Ā ScordoĀ andĀ LoGrandeĀ are also partners on two Franklinton restaurants,Ā Atlantic Prime Coastal KitchenĀ andĀ Frankoās Italian Steakhouse.Ā They will serve made-from-scratch dishes featuring USDA Prime beef steaks and fresh seafood alongside a vast array of wine. Expect them to be open by the end of January. Additionally, the group is also openingĀ Trattoria Franko, expected to open in Rolesville in the spring.Ā Visit Frankoās here.
In downtown Raleigh, we received the news thatĀ Carrollās KitchenĀ moved just a few steps away from their former location into the formerĀ Amitie MacaronĀ space at 230 S Wilmington St. If you are not familiar withĀ Carrollās, it is a social enterprise restaurant creating healthy employment for women overcoming crisis.Ā Pay them a visit today!
RalTodayĀ reported this week that fido-friendly restaurantĀ Barking DogĀ is now open in theĀ Park DistrictĀ ofĀ North HillsĀ nearĀ ChuyāsĀ (201 Park at North Hills St., Suite 100). Expect brunch, lunch, and dinner with ample patio seating in the sun ā andĀ all well-trained dogs are welcome. Get yourself, and your dog, familiar with themĀ here.
Down in Fuquay-Varina,Ā David McCrearyĀ shared with me thatĀ Deli on Main StreetĀ opened for business yesterday at 604 N. Main Street. The New York-style fast-casual eatery is serving up hot and cold deli classics, chopped salads, soups, desserts and more. Discover moreĀ on their Facebook page. Pro tip: Apparently their first day was so overwhelming in support, they are closed today (Friday) to āreloadā for the weekend. So get by this weekend!
Got word fromĀ Chris CreightonĀ that the newĀ Alpaca Peruvian ChickenĀ opened in Holly Springs at 109 Collins Crossing Road. This is the 19th opening for the locally-owned concept.Ā Check them out here.
And in Zebulon, theĀ Triangle Business JournalĀ reported this week thatĀ Taco Roos, the taco spinoff of North Carolina fast-food chainĀ Cook Out, is looking to open a location in Zebulon at 1206 N. Arendell Ave. That is the former location of hot dog restaurantĀ Hillbillies. No word on an opening date.Ā Visit them here.
Durham, Orange & Chatham Restaurant News
Learned this week on a social media post that the good folks atĀ La Vita Dolce, a community cafe offering espresso, made-in-house gelato, wine, craft beer, panini and small plates in Chapel HillāsĀ Southern Village, are making plans to move into the formerĀ Market & MossĀ space (which they also owned) a few doors down. The space is much larger allowing them to host even more community events and will also allow them to offer an expanded bar program. Exciting news!Ā Keep up with them here.
Up on Franklin Street,Ā Mike DePersiaĀ withĀ DePersia & Associates, notified me this week thatĀ Hibachi & Co.Ā (153 E Franklin St.) was sold to the folks fromĀ Kabab and Curry, with locations at N.C. State and Duke. This will be more of a quick-serve Indian restaurant and it may include a name change. Expect them to open in a few months after a light remodel. Due to their success and popularity,Ā Hibachi & Co.Ā has moved a few doors down to a larger space.Ā Visit Kabab and Curry here.
In Chapel HillāsĀ University Place,Ā H&H BagelsāĀ first North Carolina location will open onĀ January 15th. They have been a New York City institution since 1972 where their dough remains kettle-boiled in New York City water, then baked locally on-site all day, every day.Ā Youād be wise to start getting familiar with them now.
Closings
Open since 2011, downtown RaleighāsĀ Beasleyās Chicken + HoneyĀ announced that they will close their doors on South Wilmington Street onĀ Sunday, Jan. 25. There is still time to get by.
Got word this week that after a nearly 5-year run,Ā GrataĀ in CarrboroāsĀ Carr Mill MallĀ has closed. Any chanceĀ ElmoāsĀ will return to that space? š
Learned from readerĀ Yong-Mi KimĀ that theĀ Hillsborough BakeshopĀ at 110 S. Churton Street in Hillsborough has permanently closed.
Food Trucks
Looking to find your favorite food truck (or stalking them and simply donāt want to have to admit it)? We understand. Find them onĀ Street Food Finder here.
Events
Rocky Top CateringĀ announced this week the dates for the eighth annualĀ Cooking for the Kids, a multi-night culinary competition uniting the Triangleās vibrant chef community in support ofĀ an impactful local nonprofit,Ā Overflowing Hands.Ā Overflowing HandsĀ is a 100% volunteer-led 501c3 organization serving the most vulnerable children in our neighborhoods, across the United States and around the world. Hosted at the elegantĀ Millbrook ManorĀ (located at 1705 E. Millbrook Road in Raleigh),Ā Cooking for the KidsĀ offers guests an immersive dining experience where philanthropy and culinary creativity take center stage. The first round is scheduled forĀ Monday, January 26Ā with the finale onĀ Tuesday, February 10.Ā Get all the details, including competing chefs as well as tickets, here.
Tickets have gone on sale for the 2026 version of theĀ Triangle Food & Wine ExperienceĀ which will take placeĀ February 5-7, 2026. From its humble inception over 30 years ago, theĀ Triangle Wine & Food ExperienceĀ has grown to become one of the leading charity wine auctions in the nation with all proceeds benefiting theĀ Frankie Lemmon School & Development Center. And let me tell you, the lineup of culinary talent (from all corners of the United States) is absolutely incredible āĀ see the list here. If you call yourself a foodie, these are the not-to-miss events of the year. A weekend of the most incredible food and wine.Ā Get details on the weekend of events here.
Food Bank Corner
TheĀ Food Bank of Central and Eastern North CarolinaĀ is looking for caring friends toĀ becomeĀ Monthly SustainersĀ of theĀ Food BankĀ to help respond to the ever-increasing demand for food assistance. When you partner with them monthly, you help ensure that healthy, nutritious food can reach people in need all year long. In fact, your monthly gift of:Ā $25 can provide 75 meals per month;Ā $35 can provide 105 meals per month;Ā $50 can provide 150 meals per month;Ā $100 can provide 300 meals per month.Ā Plus, with your monthly commitment of $25 or more, theyāll send a special tote bag your way.Ā And when you carry it, you are reminded of all you make possible for your neighbors through your consistent generosity!Ā Become a Monthly Sustainer here.
Follow Seanās updates throughout the week atĀ Triangle Food BlogĀ and on all social media platforms @trianglefoodguy.
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