What's New in Raleigh, N.C.

The Raleigh area is booming with new visitor experiences, creating great story ideas. Get the rundown on new hotels, culinary and nightlife, noteworthy attractions and more.

 Culinary and nightlife | Accommodation news | Noteworthy attractions |
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Culinary and nightlife

Mala Pata
Meaning “bad luck” in Spanish, Mala Pata (and its adjacent mini-bar Peyote) is now open in Raleigh’s Gateway Plaza. From chef Angela Salamanca of Centro and Eric Montagne and Zack Gragg of Locals Seafood, the Latin American restaurant promises excellent fish tacos and fresh corn tortillas from an on-site corn mill rooted in traditional masa production.

Brewery Bhavana - Fenton
The acclaimed brewery and dim sum restaurant based in downtown Raleigh has expanded to Cary’s Fenton mixed-use development. The restaurant’s fusion of dim sum, Belgian-inspired craft beer and curated ambiance is inspired by the concept of dining inside a greenhouse, featuring large murals and an abundance of natural light. Don't miss the Garden of Eden mural behind the bar and the limited-edition Fenton beers.

The Crunkleton
The Crunkleton's third location is now open in Smoky Hollow, serving classic cocktails, a broad selection of antique spirits, curated wines and craft beers. Enjoy the full kitchen centered on an open hearth, with live-fire cooking for lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.

Peregrine
From the creators behind Vidro and Watts & Ward, Saif Rahman and Patrick Shanahan's Peregrine has opened at The Exchange Raleigh. Dubbed Peregrine after the migratory peregrine falcon, the New American eatery draws inspiration from the diverse experiences and cultures, ingredients and traditions that define present-day America. The “Ancient-meets-Modern” aesthetic embraces tradition and innovation in both ambiance and culinary artistry.

Crawford Brothers Steakhouse
James Beard-nominated Scott Crawford's next venture Crawford Brothers Steakhouse opened in late 2024 in Cary's mixed-use Fenton development. This is Crawford Hospitality's largest restaurant, with seating for up to 120. The concept celebrates the nostalgia of an old-school steakhouse with a lighter and edgier twist, featuring in-house dry-aged beef, a breathtaking seafood tower, an extensive wine and craft cocktail program and two private dining rooms. 

Marian Cocktails & Tapas
From the chef behind The Dirty V and Element Gastropub, Leila Kidd, Marian Cocktails & Tapas will serve globally inspired cocktails, small and large plates in downtown’s Glenwood South district.

Tucker Street Diner
Now open in Smoky Hollow, Tucker Street Diner offers elevated comfort food and a classic café experience in a warm, welcoming setting. Enjoy a true diner experience with blue plate specials, breakfast all day and specialty sandwiches and burgers from the same team behind Raleigh's The Shiny Diner.

Diced
Diced, a locally owned, woman-owned fast-casual restaurant specializing in fresh, made-to-order salads, wraps and grain bowls, opened their newest location on downtown Raleigh’s Fayetteville Street. The local restaurant was started by Michelle Woodward, a former competitive gymnast and cheerleader, to offer a healthier alternative to fast food with a focus on quality ingredients and convenience. Diced is also planning a new location in Holly Springs to open in early 2025.

State of Beer
Located next door to Raleigh’s newest neighborhood bar, The Bend Bar, Trophy Brewing’s newest location of State of Beer opened in January 2025. Trophy Brewing acquired and renovated three historic bungalow-style homes on Raleigh’s Morgan Street. This strategic location connects neighborhoods and breathes new life into aging architecture. State of Beer serves some of Raleigh’s favorite sandwiches, salads and beer. It also serves as a bottle shop, with numerous beers and ciders from near and far.

La Farm Bakery – Six Forks
La Farm Bakery’s newest location opened in Raleigh’s Creekside Crossing shopping center. From three-time James Beard Foundation “Outstanding Baker” nominee Lionel Vatinet, this newest La Farm location will offer a bit more than European breads and pastries baked on-site and served alongside Counter Culture Coffee.  Guests at the newest La Farm can expect evening hours with a pizza oven and full bar program.

Giorgio's Epicurean Market
Also known as GEM, Giorgio's Epicurean Market brings gourmet groceries to Raleigh's booming East End Market area. In addition to market and grocery options, GEM also offers prepared foods, pastries and coffee. The new market is a go-to stop for your next little treat.

Little Rey
Atlanta-based celebrity chef and James Beard semi-finalist Ford Fry has opened a new location for his taco brand Little Rey in Raleigh Iron Works. Centered around "al-carbon" wood-roasted cooking, the restaurant boasts popular Tex-Mex dishes like pollo al carbon, charcoal-roasted whole chickens, traditional street-style tacos and more. 

RH Rooftop Restaurant
Enjoy a menu of enduring classics and signature dishes, along with a curated selection of champagnes and wines. Dine in a year-round skylit garden escape with heritage olive trees, sparkling chandeliers and a cascading, cast-stone center fountain. The RH Rooftop Restaurant is located on the third floor of RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills.

La Terrazza
Samad Hachby of Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar has opened a new terrace dining concept at The Dillion in Raleigh's booming Warehouse District. The restaurant focuses on southern Italian and Mediterranean offerings accompanied by a stunning atmosphere, tasteful cocktails and a variety of wines that perfectly complement each dish.

Brodeto
Acclaimed James Beard-nominated chef Scott Crawford's latest venture in Raleigh Iron Works is now open with a menu inspired by his trips to the Adriatic region. Brodeto is a Croatian-Italian eatery featuring the restaurant's namesake dish, a traditional fish stew with a rich tomato-wine broth. The menu focuses on raw and cooked seafood as well as dishes from the wood-fired grill and unique handmade pasta and rice dishes.

Tamasha Modern Indian
An ode to modern Indian cuisine, co-owners Mike Kathrani and Tina Vora recently opened this extravagant and upscale Indian concept in North Hills. Chef Bhavin Chhatwani introduces innovative and genuine Indian cuisine to the Raleigh community, enhancing the city's already diverse food scene.

Figulina: Pasta and Provisions
The most recent chef de cuisine of Poole's Diner, David Ellis, has opened his first restaurant in Raleigh. Figulina is an Italian concept emphasizing fresh, hand-made pasta while utilizing local ingredients that add a Southern flair. The restaurant also includes a small market of take-home prepared foods, cookbooks and more.

SAAP
SAAP, which means 'delicious' in Laotian, is the newest restaurant from chef and Laos native Lou Bounsanga, formerly of Bida Manda and Brewery Bhavana. SAAP's menu is divided into small plates, large plates and a wok section for fried rice and noodle dishes. The 2,600-square-foot, 70-seat restaurant includes 10 bar seats, a 10-seat private dining room and 16 seats on the patio overlooking Downtown Cary Park.

321 Coffee
A nonprofit coffee shop staffed by individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, with a mission to incorporate these individuals into the workplace in a meaningful way. 321 Coffee has locations at the State Farmer's Market, on Hillsborough St., and has just opened its latest location in N.C. State's Centennial Campus. 

Zest Sushi & Small Plates
Now open in the heart of downtown Cary, from the masterminds behind Sono, Zest captures casual elegance in a relaxed yet chic setting with an approachable Asian-focused menu, vibrant bar program and genuine hospitality.

Press Coffee, Crepes & Cocktails
Press emphasizes simple ingredients treated with integrity and care. The restaurant believes that locally sourced, quality food should be accessible to all. Press brands itself as a European-inspired, Carolina-made cafe. 

Jaguar Bolera
A Mexican-Southern fusion restaurant meets entertainment complex in Raleigh's booming Iron Works District, bringing delicious food and drinks along with duckpin bowling, cornhole, karaoke, darts and more to the area.

Gussie's
A fresh version of the old concept of a neighborhood bar from North South Hospitality group. This "third place" hotspot provides a comfortable, lounge-like space for the community with a grab-and-go retail shop, outdoor patio seating and bar area for unfussy drinks and chef-driven sharable bites.

Nightingale Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Perched atop downtown Holly Springs is Nightingale, a chic destination for date nights, special occasions and after-hours drinks serving locally sourced, seasonal small plates in an upscale cocktail culture environment.

Nightlife

• The Bend Bar: Trophy Brewing’s new cozy neighborhood bar on Morgan Street in a historic, renovated home with a sprawling patio and outdoor space.
• High Rail: A rooftop bar that pays homage to Raleigh’s industrial heritage in the heart of the dynamic Seaboard Station neighborhood. Featuring a globally inspired menu with shareables and handcrafted cocktails, this sophisticated space is the premier stop to sip, snack and soak in the city skyline.
• Moon Room: A jazz and vinyl lounge from the masterminds behind Madre in the Smoky Hollow district. 
• Sous Terre: Scott Crawford's newest opening in the Oakwood neighborhood. Sous Terre is an intimate underground bar that focuses on the classics like the famous French 75, a modern take on the Paloma and the legendary shaken-to-order Ramos Gin Fizz.

Coming soon 

Boatman Spirits Co.
Raleigh's newest distillery will open in Seaboard Station in mid-2025. The 7,000-square-foot distillery will feature a craft distillery, taproom, bar and restaurant. Varied takes on classic spirits will be on the menu from vodka, gin and brandy to eventually whiskey, made with old traditions from different cultures and local ingredients when possible.

Saint-Pierre Wine Bar
From the owner of beloved Oakwood Pizza Box, Anthony Guerra will open the classy yet comfortable Saint-Pierre Wine Bar in Raleigh Iron Works in 2025. Fans of his signature Brooklyn-style pies can also look forward to a second, takeout-only location of Oakwood Pizza Box opening later this year. 

Benchwarmers Bagels
Beloved local eatery Benchwarmers Bagels is expanding with two new locations in the North Hills Innovation District and Rockway in Raleigh. Both new locations will offer expanded menus with bagels, sandwiches, nightly pizzas and an enhanced beverage program. Benchwarmers bagels use locally milled organic flour, a 36-hour fermentation process and a wood-fired oven for baking.

NOCO Beverage
From the creators of Bond Brothers Beer Company, Raleigh's Salvage Yard and Iron Works development is anticipating the opening of NOCO taproom (meaning No Company). A wide selection of craft beer will be brewed on-site. The taproom will also offer coffee, tea, craft cocktails and food. 

Lawrence Barbecue
The renowned Lawrence Barbecue will make its permanent home in downtown Cary in 2025. This brick-and-mortar location will encompass all three of chef-pitmaster Jake Wood's concepts, including Lagoon Bar and Leroy's Taco Shop. There will be a patio, smokehouse, bar and merchandise on-site.

Lloyd’s Full-Service Restaurant
The team behind Cary’s The Mayton, Peck & Plume and other North Carolina historic hotels is plotting to revive a 1950s-era service station into a full-service restaurant on a prime corner in Downtown Cary.

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Accommodation news

New hotels

Tempo by Hilton and Homewood Suites Raleigh Downtown (dual-brand hotel)
The fourth Tempo hotel in the world, Hilton's new concept promises guests the ability to relax and recharge in The Tempo by Hilton Wellness Rooms with Peloton. The Homewood Suites concept offers studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites with distinct spaces designed to flex to the needs of a longer stay. The dual-brand property is also home to Moonsong Bar + Café, which focuses on natural, healthy food options and Australian coffee from Bluestone Lane, and rooftop bar and restaurant Urban Oak, a sophisticated and inviting lounge that promises intimate and relaxing vibes.

Hyatt House Seaboard Station
Settle into downtown Raleigh’s newest hotel at Seaboard Station, which opened in October 2024. Visit local shops and restaurants or zip up to the High Rail rooftop bar for scenic views, dining and drinks. Stay close to universities, the Raleigh Convention Center, Warehouse District and more in these comfortably appointed rooms and suites, complete with fully equipped kitchens. Experience downtown Raleigh for a weekend or an extended stay with convenient amenities, including a pool, hot daily breakfast buffet, fitness center and meeting facilities.

Coming soon

Oberlin Hotel is the first hotel from the Curio Collection by Hilton Hotel in the Raleigh area. The hotel will be situated in the heart of the Village District and will have 153 guest rooms (including presidential suites), a high-end restaurant, a rooftop bar and a courtyard for the hotel guests and residents to enjoy. Construction began in 2023, spearheaded by Winston-Salem-based Quality Oil Company LLC. The inspiration for the hotel's decor is to honor the Black history of the neighborhood with artwork and descriptions of notable Black figures who were influential in the construction of the area and Raleigh as a whole. 

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Noteworthy attractions

There's no shortage of ways to find peaceful escapes to explore the outdoors in the City of Oaks. Use any of the Raleigh area’s 180 miles of greenways—many of them connecting to attractions and letting you travel all over the destination—or numerous other miles of trails traversing through parks, and you’ll find runners getting in workouts, cyclists out for leisurely rides, parents pushing strollers and people of all ages soaking up the fresh air. Check out the destination's Top Sports & Outdoors Experiences!

Beech Bluff County Park
Wake County's newest park project opened in March 2025, located in the southeast corner of the county, adjacent to the towns of Garner and Fuquay-Varina. The 300-acre site named for its plethora of unique beech trees includes hiking trails, nature prairies, a community garden and orchard, playgrounds and agricultural programs to honor the history behind the late 1700s farmland. 

Triangle Rock Club Salvage Yard
The newest and largest Triangle Rock Club facility opened in late 2024. The facility is the largest climbing gym in North Carolina and boasts more than awesome rock climbing – the Salvage Yard location has a yoga studio, functional fitness and strength training area, a gear shop, bouldering space and more.

RH Raleigh, The Gallery at North Hills
RH, also known as Restoration Hardware, has reimagined itself to become the leading brand in luxury home furnishings, offering the most comprehensive and compelling collection of furniture, lighting, textiles and decor in the world. Now open in North Hills, this multi-platform design company is redefining the retail experience. Reflecting the brand’s continued commitment to hospitality, RH Raleigh features a dramatic, glass-encased Rooftop Restaurant offering a thoughtfully curated menu of enduring classics featuring the freshest ingredients, simply and elegantly prepared.

Golf Golf Golf
From the visionary behind Videri Chocolate Factory, Sam Ratto expanded his entrepreneurial portfolio with the opening of Golf Golf Golf. Players of all skill levels are welcome to come together and enjoy the game they love at this indoor golf club and lounge. A unique blend of golf with a fresh, laid-back vibe, the 1,500-square-foot venue features two golf simulator bays, a four-hole indoor putting green and a selection of tabletop and arcade games.

Pin Point
A state-of-the-art indoor pickleball and golf facility. From friendly matches to competitive tournaments and leagues, there’s room for everyone to join in on the fun. Plus, the exclusive viewing platform offers the perfect vantage point to catch all the action as it unfolds below. The facility is more than just pickleball courts and golf simulators; there is also a sports bar and pro shop to entertain every guest.

"Dueling Dinosaurs" exhibit (at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences)
An exhibit 67 million years in the making features what's thought to be the only 100% complete skeleton of a Tyrannosaur in the world (plus a Triceratops skeleton, among the most complete ever found). An entire new lab, opened April 2024, has been built for this exhibit, and visitors can get up close and personal with the fossils and meet some of the scientific team as they uncover long-buried secrets. The new SECU DinoLab built for the exhibit is the first open-air paleontology lab in the world that is free and open to the public. Free timed-entry tickets can be reserved here. 

Downtown Cary Park
First proposed in 2001, the Town of Cary City Council approved the master plan for Downtown Cary Park in March 2019. The newly opened park offers an iconic, seven-acre public gathering space including food and beverage facilities, interactive water features, a great lawn and an outdoor entertainment pavilion. Construction of the park broke ground in the summer 2021 and opened to the public in November 2023.

North Carolina Freedom Park
A long-planned park aiming to honor the African American struggle for freedom and liberty for all broke ground in late 2020, just a few blocks from the North Carolina State Capitol. The park includes phrases and quotes from famous Black North Carolinians engraved throughout the space, and a large sculpture in the middle of the park shines a light into the night sky—the Beacon of Freedom—to reflect the fire for freedom. Designed by the internationally known late architect Phil Freelon, the park opened in August 2023. 

Raleigh Iron Works
This historic industrial site just outside of downtown aims to restore the past and forge the future with office space, residential units, retail shops and restaurants in the new Raleigh Iron Works. Vendors now open and coming online soon include James Beard-nominated chef Scott Crawford's Brodeto, a third location for Ponysaurus Brewing, Durham-based Eastcut Sandwich Bar’s second location and Andia’s Ice Cream. Bond Brothers Brewing will open NOCO in the adjacent Salvage Yard development in 2025, joining the newest Triangle Rock Club as anchor tenants.

Smoky Hollow
This mixed-use urban district is the "northern gateway" to downtown Raleigh featuring several new local shops and restaurants, including a new Milklab location; Madre, a tapas place from Happy + Hale founder Tyler Helikson; and Midwood Smokehouse.

Fenton Mixed-Use Development 
Fenton is a mixed-use development located in Cary near WakeMed Soccer Park off Cary Towne Blvd. The $850-million project includes one million square feet of office space, 444,000 square feet of retail space, more than 800 multi-family housing units and more. Tenants include Colletta Italian Food & Wine, CRU Food & Wine Bar, Dram & Draught (cocktail bar), Honeysuckle Gelato, M Sushi (Michael Lee), Superica (Tex-Mex from chef Ford Fry) and more. Scott Crawford's Crawford Brothers Steakhouse is slated to open in late 2024, plus a second location of Brewery Bhavana in 2025 and plans for an anchor hotel are moving forward.

Coming soon

Dorothea Dix Park
In July 2015, the City of Raleigh acquired 308 acres of the Dorothea Dix Campus from the State of North Carolina. The City’s acquisition of the property is to plan and develop a new destination park—Dorothea Dix Park. A master plan for the park—the city's largest green space—was unanimously approved by the Raleigh City Council in Feb. 2019. The master plan proposes the park be transformed through six distinct landscapes, with ideas on how each landscape could be used by visitors (open space, playgrounds, plazas, gardens, performance spaces, public art etc.). Implementation of Phase 1 of the plan, which began in late 2020, calls for physical improvements to the park, including creek restoration, cemetery enhancements, rehabilitated buildings, a new main entry to the park, a new multi-use path and interim parking. Phase 1 of the plan may take 10-20 years to implement.

Gipson Play Plaza
Named for generous Raleighite donors Tom and Pat Gipson and focused on providing a space to play for visitors of all ages— Gipson Play Plaza will open to the public in June 2025 and will act as one of the main entrances to Dorothea Dix Park, acting as a central gateway connection to the rest of downtown Raleigh. The 18-acre area has received new landscaping, fountains, gardens, a waterfall, an amphitheater, picnic grounds, a civic plaza and a playground with climbing towers, a sand bowl, swings and much more. Gipson Play Plaza is just a fraction of the beautiful 308-acre Dix Park on the edge of downtown Raleigh, with rolling hills, historic oak trees, sunflower fields and a storied past. It’s a can’t miss attraction for families, history buffs and outdoor enthusiasts alike.

RUS Bus Project 
Raleigh’s Union Station, an incredible train station and transportation hub that opened in 2018, has begun construction on the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility, a multimodal transit hub. The mixed-use development incorporates existing Warehouse District facades to preserve the area’s history and character. Expected to be completed in 2025, RUS Bus will provide the community with unparalleled access to major transportation routes and networks throughout the local and regional area. Beyond train and bus access, the facility will include pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, including a new pedestrian bridge and infrastructure to support a future Bus Rapid Transit station. The facility will house 500,000 square feet of mixed-use space, including retail, multi-family housing (including 10% affordable housing) and hotel rooms. 

North Carolina Museum of History
This free, Smithsonian Affiliate public attraction, announced an exciting transformation that promises an extraordinary journey into the heart of North Carolina's history. The reimagined exhibits and museum are expected to take two to three years to construct. While the museum closed to the public for its metamorphosis on October 7, 2024, the museum will continue to offer a plethora of digital resources throughout and beyond the duration of its closure.

Hone-Sharpen Cooking School
A woman-owned startup, this innovative new cooking school from Chef Cherisse Byers will feature a demonstration and commercial kitchen. The space will offer classes both for the general public and people training in the culinary arts. Hone-Sharpen will host pop-ups, group classes, cooking demonstrations and events in Smoky Hollow in 2025. 

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Transportation

RDU International Airport currently averages approximately 400 arrivals and departures daily and services more than 14 million passengers annually. RDU provides service to more than 60 other airports via nonstop flights and consistently has the lowest average fare among North Carolina’s commercial airports.

Air France has resumed the nonstop route to Paris and American restarted its direct flight to London Heathrow. Since 2019, both airlines have increased the aircraft size on the route, adding comfort and capacity. 

RDU continues pursuing international expansion, including its newest additions: Reykjavik, Iceland, on Icelandair; Frankfurt, Germany, on Lufthansa; Panama City, Panama, on Copa Airlines; Mexico City, Mexico, on Aeromexico; Calgary, Canada, on WestJet; Bermuda on BermudaAir; Vancouver, Canada, on Air Canada; Montego Bay, Jamaica, on Avelo Airlines; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on Avelo Airlines.

Now Open

Local coffee from award-winning Black & White Coffee Roasters is now being served in Terminal 2 just past the TSA checkpoints. This location positions the local coffee purveyors, along with their local pastry supplier Union Special, as a staple for all who come through RDU International Airport. 

Crawford's Genuine, crafted by five-time James Beard-nominated chef Scott Crawford, is now open in Terminal 2. The upscale bar and grill serves from 4am to the final departure of the night. The menu includes braised short ribs, crispy trout, plus lighter fare for breakfast and lunch. Grove Bay Crawford, a collaboration between Grove Hospitality and Raleigh's Crawford Hospitality, also opened an additional concept in Terminal 2, Carolina Craft, an open-air kiosk serving craft beer, cocktails and light bites. Bongiorno & Son Italian Specialties, a local family-owned market and deli with popular local sandwiches, is also now open in Terminal 2.

Coming soon

Chef Oscar Diaz's Adios! by Cortez will join the marketplace in Terminal 2 later this year, and Raleigh Beer Garden will be opening a location in Terminal 1. These local businesses will join other anchors already in the airport, including Char-Grill and La Farm Bakery Café.

Downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District now houses the new Union Station transportation hub, which opened in July 2018. This major project accommodates longer trains and provides larger platforms, among other improvements. As part of a 10-year strategic Wake County Transit Plan approved by voters in 2016, Union Station serves Amtrak passengers and acts as a multi-modal transit center connecting riders to other forms of transit. New in 2024, the train station opened an on-site gourmet Deli, Union Station Deli & Catering. The concept promises a taste of New York with bagels, deli sandwiches hot pressed paninis, salads and more. 

The plan includes the expansion of bus service from 17 to 83 miles, including 20 miles of Bus Rapid Transit-related infrastructure improvements and will be complete with the activation of 37 miles of Commuter Rail Transit (CRT) running from Garner to downtown Raleigh, North Carolina State University, Cary, Morrisville and the Research Triangle Park and continuing to Durham and will leverage the bus network to connect riders to RDU as well.

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