This mixed retail, food, beverage and entertainment development in Cary boasts commute-worthy eateries with Raleigh roots
by Rachel Simon
Between the opening of a $68 million park and the multiple new developments currently being built downtown, Cary has spent the last few years successfully proving that it’s more than Raleigh’s little sister. One major factor in the town’s changing reputation? The development of Fenton, an increasingly popular destination for shopping, entertainment and dining that’s just 20 minutes from downtown Raleigh.
With over a dozen spots to grab a bite now in the area — including outposts from Triangle culinary stars Scott Crawford and Mike Lee — Fenton has become a foodie destination. If you haven’t made a trip out there yet, take advantage of the spring weather and enjoy a beautiful meal or cocktail (or both!) at one of Fenton’s many great eateries, including the options below.
Brewery Bhavana
Known for its excellent dim sum and impressive beer selection, downtown Raleigh’s Brewery Bhavana is on track to open its second location in Fenton this month. The impressive 2,000-square-foot spot is designed to look like a greenhouse, with high ceilings offering plenty of light and adorned with hanging plants and a Garden of Eden mural, and has some lighter food options in addition to the original restaurant’s classic menu.
What really makes the Fenton locale stand out, however, is its spacious outdoor beer garden featuring classic brews, limited-edition options and to-go drinks (Fenton is a Sip and Stroll district). “Cary has always been an important beer sales market for us — their diverse crowd has long supported our wide range of our beer offerings,” says Patrick Woodson, Brewery Bhavana’s owner and co-founder. “We are excited to bring our many different products and experiences closer to them.”
Colletta
Since its 2022 opening by Charleston’s The Indigo Road Hospitality Group, Colletta (which also has an Atlanta counterpart) has established itself as a must-visit for lovers of Italian food. The restaurant features seasonally changing brunch, lunch and dinner menus based on hand-crafted ingredients (spring 2025’s include a pork tagliatelle and wild boar bucatini, among other standouts). Guests have the choice of sitting inside the elegant dining room full of cozy wood tables and quirky lamps, at the spacious bar overlooking Fenton’s walkways, or outside in the vibrant, partially covered patio ideal for al fresco drinks and meals.
“When we initially chose to open Colletta at Fenton, we knew it would be a place that people could not only spend the day, but also a place focused on growing the culinary scene here in Cary,” says general manager Diana Guzman. “We get to welcome guests for a meal, but we also have the opportunity to be a part of an all-day experience that includes our amazing neighbors and the residents that call Fenton home.”
Crawford Brothers Steakhouse
Scott Crawford is one of the Triangle’s most well-regarded — and prolific — chefs. From the original Crawford & Son to French bistro Jolie to Croatian-inspired Brodeto, the James Beard Award finalist is committed to offering a variety of high-end dining experiences. Crawford Brothers Steakhouse, which opened in December, continues that tradition. Taking up 4,500 square feet of space, the restaurant has a dinner-only menu featuring all you’d want from an upscale steakhouse, like a 40-ounce porterhouse and a dazzling seafood tower. That’s not even mentioning the three Wagyu beef dishes and a dry-aged steak burger (a first for a Crawford location), as well as the elaborate and beautifully displayed drinks selection. “All the details are thoughtful and elevated,” says Crawford. The chef, who began his North Carolina cooking career as executive chef at Herons in The Umstead Hotel & Spa, adds that he’s proud to have “been able to introduce an iconic, time-honored restaurant experience to the region.”
The building itself is reason alone to visit: the stunning, wood-and-leather
dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows as well as a wine library and artwork created by acclaimed Raleigh artist Thomas Sayre. In addition to the main space, there are two private dining rooms. One offers a full view of the kitchen, the other is a smaller, tucked-away space that Crawford has coined “the gangster room,” due in part to its red walls and tiled table.
Dram & Draught
Already a Triangle stalwart, with its Glenwood location a favorite among Raleighites, Dram & Draught came to Fenton upon the development’s launch in June 2022 and has grown a passionate following since. With more than 400 cocktails, beers and wines (not to mention mocktails!) available, it’s a go-to spot for visitors looking to grab a drink during their evening out — perhaps with a snack or two. Fenton is the only one of the bar’s seven locations to offer food, and the menu includes flatbreads, dips, salads and more.
“We’ve designed the menu to complement both our drinks and the exceptional dining options around us,” says Kevin Barrett, Dram & Draught’s founder. He adds that he loves the “vibrant” feel of Fenton’s culinary scene, noting that “whether you’re grabbing a cocktail after work or settling in for some late-night bites, Fenton has become a destination where great drinks, food, and company come together.”
M Sushi and M Test Kitchen
Anyone who’s visited one of M Restaurant’s multiple Durham eateries knows that the group’s Japanese- and Korean-inspired menus never disappoint. Fenton is lucky enough to be home to two top-quality offerings: M Sushi, which offers plenty of its Durham counterpart’s most-loved dishes but focuses more on nigiri and sashimi, and M Test Kitchen, which is set up right next door with an outdoor patio and is home to an ever-changing menu of experimental dishes (like a fish in green curry and “duck sauce” duck). Both eateries have a dark and intimate cocktail-bar-like interior and seating at either tables or the bar.
This article originally appeared in the May 2025 issue of WALTER magazine.
