From totally new concepts to revivals of local favorites, here are the food and beverage spots to look forward to this year.
by Addie Ladner
If our annual Guide to Where to Eat & Drink achieves anything, it’s to make us excited about our diverse, award-winning, top-notch food and beverage scene! And with the start of each year comes the excitement of what will be added to that list in the Triangle. Words on the street is that some of our most popular spots, like Standard Beer + Food, will expand — while O.G. Raleigh spots like Sunflower Cafe and The Goat will make a comeback. All the while, entirely new concepts are in development, too, like Christoper Prieto’s highly anticipated steak restaurant and the collaborative neighborhood spot Big Cat. Whether you want to celebrate the return of a classic or try something brand-new, here are 15 restaurants and bars in Raleigh to get excited for in 2026.
NEW SPOTS
LRB Provisions | photo credit: Stacey Sprenz
LRB Provisions (now open)
Folks in the hospitality scene have long been anticipating industry vet (and former Littler chef) Amanda Orser’s new spot in Durham that opened at the end of last year. In a former iconic hot dog stand, expect fresh sandwiches, salads and a few sides on its carefully curated menu that will rotate and expand throughout the year.
2009 Guess Road, Durham; lrbprovisions.com
Rosebud Cocktail Lounge (opening: February 2026)
Artist and serial entrepreneur in the hospitality scene, Patrick Shanahan, is opening this underground bar in downtown Raleigh in Ashley Christensen’s former Fox Liquor Bar location. In time for Valentine’s Day, expect a luxe mid-century vintage atmosphere with top-shelf craft cocktails.
103 E. Martin Street, Raleigh; instagram.com/rosebudraleigh
KOKORO Ramen & Izakaya (anticipated opening: March 2026)
The City Market and Moore Square area was pleased to learn that the vacant restaurant spot in the former Royale space will soon be open. KOROKORO Ramen, based in Southern Pines, is taking over the space with its warm, brothy bowls of inventive Ramen and other Japanese fare.
200 E. Martin Street, Raleigh; instagram.com/kokororamen.raleigh
Lloyd’s Full Service (anticipated opening: spring 2026)
The owners of hospitality spots The Mayton and The Durham are opening this downtown Cary restaurant. Located in a former gas station that was built in the 50s, expect a casual, family-friendly neighborhood vibe.
107 E. Chatham Street, Cary; lloydsfullservice.com
Botiwalla (anticipated opening: spring 2026)
Set to open in spring, chef Meherwan Irani of James Beard winning Chai Pani in Asheville is opening his Southeast Indian street food franchise, an homage to his heritage and Irani Cafes, on the rapidly growing Iron Works campus. Expect assorted fresh teas and juices, succulent kabobs, vibrant bowls and more.
1101 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh; botiwalla.com
Big Cat at Brookside (anticipated opening: spring 2026)
Nestled on the corner of Brookside Drive and Glascock Street, a group of local food and beverage pros including Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler of Ajja, Angela Salamanca of Mala Palta and Justin Pasfield of Locals Seafood have come together with plans for it to be a joint market, restaurant, bar and neighborhood hangout.
1000 Brookside Drive Suite 119, Raleigh; instagram.com/bigcat.brookside
Prime STQ (anticipated opening: Summer 2026)
Award-winning pitmaster Christoper Prieto is making a slight departure from his BBQ restaurants and roadshow with this slightly upscale restaurant in RTP that will cater to both the daytime crowd with a typical lunch BBQ service but then a more elevated dinner service with bourbon and a variety of smoked meat offerings. Expect his popular dishes that combine heritage Texas and Eastern NC methods at Hub RTP.
3151 Elion Drive, Research Triangle Park; instagram.com/primestq
Photo credit: Dix Park Conservancy/Maurer Architecture
Cottage Coffee and Park Bar (anticipated opening: summer 2026)
Slated to open this summer, the Flowers Cottage building on Dix Park’s campus will be a joint coffee shop and bar for people to enjoy the views of the fields and the downtown skyline in the distance. It’s brought to you by the team behind Locals Seafood, Person Street Bar and Natural Science.
2105 Umstead Drive, Raleigh; dixparkconservancy.org
Stanbury’s New Concept (timeline TBD)
Little is known about what will occupy local staple Stanbury’s neighboring space, which its team took over after their neighbors, chocolatier Escazū, moved to a new location. But the team has come out and said locals need not worry, Stanbury will remain the same.
938 N. Blount Street, Raleigh
Lutra Cafe & Bakery | photo credit: Stacey Sprenz
Lutra Cafe & Bakery (timeline TBD)
In American Tobacco Campus, this niche artisan bakery has been hosting tons of popular pop-ups and collabs in anticipation of its opening this year. Look forward to gorgeous, sweet treats, baked goods and brunch offerings in the Bull City.
312 Blackwell Street, Durham; lutrabakery.com
EXPANSIONS
Standard Beer + Food (anticipated opening: February 2026)
The North Hills Innovation District is getting an expanded version of this popular neighborhood spot, which has its first location in the Person Street corridor neighboring Raleigh City Farm. Beloved for its family friendly-atmosphere, great burgers and beer, the Standard team plans to bring all of that, plus more, in a much larger space in Raleigh’s midtown.
540 St. Albans Drive, Raleigh; standardbeerandfood.com
Pizza Torro (anticipated opening: Summer 2026)
A Durham foodie icon, this pizza bistro with a cult following is getting its first Raleigh location in Seaboard Station, the News & Observer reported last year. Expect wood-fired pizzas with both classic and unique toppings, along with great Italian wines and vegetable-forward apps and salads.
807 Halifax Street, Durham; pizzeriatoro.com
REVIVALS
42nd Street Oyster Bar (anticipated opening: early this year)
This beloved seafood joint, located on Jones and West Streets in the Glenwood South district, announced its closing in March of last year after almost 100 years in operation, to the dismay of longtime Raleigh residents. But word on the street is that the restaurant’s former landlord, John F. Holmes Jr., and longtime general manager Hunter Correll plan to reopen the landmark sometime this spring according to reporting done at the News & Observer.
508 W. Jones Street, Raleigh; instagram.com/42ndstoysterbar
Sunflower’s Cafe (anticipated opening: early this year)
This longtime favorite sandwich, salad and soup shop on Peace Street in the original Seaboard Station corridor closed in 2020 before the area started getting a complete revamp. It announced last year it would be opening its all-new second chapter in the Rockway Raleigh district this year.
925 S. Saunders Street, Raleigh; rockwayraleigh.com
The Goat (timeline TBD)
This dive bar on Western Boulevard closed its doors after more than 20 years serving as a favorite to the NCSU and old Raleigh crowd. Interestingly, not long after its closure, the owners publicly announced plans to reopen the institution. Follow their Instagram for updates but expect the same casual bar vibes and daily drink specials at this unassuming spot.
5111 Western Boulevard, Raleigh; instagram.com/the_goatbar
This article was originally published on January 16, 2026 on waltermagazine.com
