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
 

Raleigh’s MICHELIN Guide 2025 Honorees 

Bib Gourmand is awarded to those that serve memorable meals at reasonable prices – celebrating restaurants that make outstanding dining accessible to everyone. 

• Mala Pata, Raleigh

• Prime Barbecue, Knightdale 

• Sam Jones BBQ, Raleigh 

MICHELIN Recommended are restaurants that inspectors feel are truly worth a visit for their quality, creativity and consistency.

• Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh 

• Brodeto, Raleigh

• Crawford and Son, Raleigh 

• Dampf Good BBQ, Cary

• Herons, Cary

• Jolie, Raleigh 

• The Pit, Raleigh 

• Poole’s Diner, Raleigh 

• Stanbury, Raleigh 

• St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar, Raleigh 

• Tamasha Modern Indian, Raleigh 

Recent Openings

Big Cat
Big Cat is part neighborhood tavern, part sandwich counter and part market — a new hangout bringing fresh energy to Raleigh’s dining scene. This lively spot springs from a powerhouse crew: Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler (Ajja), Angela Salamanca and Marshall Davis (Mala Pata, Centro) and Justin Pasfield (Locals Seafood, Person Street Bar, Natural Science). Think good food, good vibes and a whole lot of personality under one roof.



Trophy Five Points
Trophy Brewing Co. has opened its newest restaurant and taproom, Trophy Five Points. The project transforms the former Electric Supply Co. building, a 22,000-square-foot warehouse that has long been a recognizable landmark in the Five Points' neighborhood. Enjoy more than 10 taps of Trophy's finest beer, plus a full bar with wine and cocktails, a full menu offering appetizers, salads, entrees and their crowd-favorite pizzas. The addition of Trophy Five Points builds on the brewery’s reputation for shaping Raleigh’s food and beverage culture.

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.

Benchwarmers Bagels
Beloved local eatery Benchwarmers Bagels is expanding with two new locations in the North Hills Innovation District (coming soon) and one now open at Rockway in Raleigh. The Rockway location is already serving guests with an expanded menu featuring 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.

Lawrence Barbecue
The renowned Lawrence Barbecue has opened its new permanent home in downtown Cary. This brick-and-mortar location encompasses all three of chef-pitmaster Jake Wood's concepts, including Lagoon Bar and Leroy's Taco Shop. Guests can enjoy a patio, smokehouse, bar and merchandise on-site.

St. Pierre Wine Bar
From the owner of beloved Oakwood Pizza Box, Anthony Guerra has opened the classy yet comfortable St. Pierre Wine Bar in Raleigh Iron Works. St. Pierre takes its name from both a beloved Champagne producer and Guerra’s mischievous golden retriever, Pierre. The idea behind St. Pierre Wine Bar is simple: good wine, good people and good times. Fans of Guerra's signature Brooklyn-style pies can now enjoy a newly opened second, takeout-only location of Oakwood Pizza Box. 

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.

Good Graces
This vibrant market, bar and eatery is located in the North Hills Innovation District. The space is designed to be a go-to destination to eat, drink, shop and gather. This elevated, everyday space has a little something for everyone.

Boatman Spirits Co.
Raleigh's newest distillery is now open in Seaboard Station. The 7,000-square-foot distillery features a craft distillery, taproom, bar and restaurant. Varied takes on classic spirits are on the menu from vodka, gin and brandy to eventually whiskey, made with old traditions from different cultures and local ingredients when possible. Boatman Spirits Co. on-site distillery has recently released its first bottles of house-distilled vodka and two gins for retail sale out of the distillery.

The Crunkleton
The Crunkleton's third location is 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 Vidrio 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
MICHELIN-recognized Scott Crawford's newest 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. 

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 also added a new location in Holly Springs this summer.

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.

Little Rey
Atlanta-based celebrity chef and James Beard semi-finalist Ford Fry has opened a 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.

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.

Nightlife

• Rosebud Cocktail Lounge: Named after the symbol in "Citizen Kane," Rosebud introduces a Japanese-inspired listening lounge with a state-of-the-art Hi-Fi sound system with an extensive vinyl collection, alongside an a la carte cocktail menu and the region’s first cocktail omakase.
• Capulet Cocktail Club: Capulet Cocktail Club is a hidden house of revelry and romance, paying homage to the most ancient House of Capulet, once beloved and feared in Verona, now reborn in Raleigh among the gardens of The Exchange.
• Bitter Social: A new space for connection, community and fun. With something happening almost daily, Bitter Social's event calendar is packed with unique experiences for everyone. Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes.
• Mr. Henry: Taking inspiration from Ralph Lauren's The Polo Bar, Mr. Henry is now open in the Village District. Inside, enjoy polished wood stretching across the arched entry, a horseshoe bar and vintage photos to enhance a rustic, moody feel to the space. The cocktail menu features simple, classic recipes crafted with care—delicious, timeless cocktails that complement the refined atmosphere. 
• 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. 

Coming soon 

Standard Beer + Food at North Hills Innovation District
Standard Beer + Food will open its second location in the North Hills Innovation District (NHID) in 2026. Standard will continue to bring its signature blend of locally sourced cuisine and craft brews to this new vibrant community hub. With 5,600 square feet of indoor space and over 15,000 square feet of outdoor gathering areas, Standard will continue to offer a welcoming, family-friendly environment where neighbors can connect over great food, beer and shared experiences.

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. 

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

Hive House
Blending bold design, thoughtful touches and a name that suits its energy, Hive House is a fresh new addition to Cary’s growing hospitality mix. A 45-suite boutique hotel from locally owned CMC Hotels, Hive House is located just two miles from downtown Cary. Designed for longer stays but with a design-forward twist, the hotel blends vintage charm, modern amenities and plenty of personality.

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
Oberlin Hotel is the first hotel from the Curio Collection by Hilton property in the Raleigh area. The hotel will be situated in the heart of the Village District and will feature 150 guest rooms (including presidential suites), a high-end restaurant, a rooftop bar, and a courtyard for hotel guests and residents to enjoy. The hotel's decor is inspired by honoring the Black history of the neighborhood through artwork and descriptions of notable Black figures who were influential in shaping the area and Raleigh as a whole. 

The Gables
The Gables, a charmingly renovated motor lodge that is also referred to as a "traveler's retreat" from 1928, is scheduled to open in Raleigh in the summer of 2026.

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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!

RUS Bus Project 
Raleigh’s Union Station now features the Raleigh Union Station Bus Facility (RUS Bus), a fully integrated multimodal transit hub in the heart of downtown Raleigh's Warehouse District. The mixed-use development incorporates existing Warehouse District facades to preserve the area’s history and character. RUS Bus provides the community with unparalleled access to major transportation routes and networks throughout the local and regional area. Beyond train and bus access, the facility includes pedestrian and bicycle enhancements, including a pedestrian bridge and infrastructure to support a future Bus Rapid Transit station. Looking ahead, the facility will house 500,000 square feet of mixed-use space, including retail, multi-family housing (including 10% affordable housing), a parking garage and hotel rooms. 

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 is now open to the public and is 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 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.

The Newsagent's
Raleigh’s newest physical media heaven, The Newsagent celebrates everything you can hold, hear and discover. From books and vinyl to films and delightfully odd finds, it’s all curated with one mission: preserving the good stuff — no algorithms, no gatekeepers, just pure discovery.

Liberation Station Bookstore
Liberation Station Bookstore, North Carolina’s only Black‑owned children’s bookstore, was founded by Victoria Scott‑Miller to center Black stories, imagination and possibility. After closing its downtown Raleigh location, the bookstore reopened in 2026 in Southeast Raleigh with a renewed commitment to serving families through literacy, culture and community care. The new space continues its mission to provide children with a safe, affirming place where they can see themselves reflected beautifully in the stories they read.

Hone-Sharpen Cooking School
A woman-owned startup, this innovative new cooking school from Chef Cherisse Byers features a demonstration and commercial kitchen. The space offers classes for both the general public and individuals training in the culinary arts. Hone-Sharpen hosts pop-ups, group classes, cooking demonstrations and events in Smoky Hollow. Complementing the experience, elevate your lunchtime dining at the adjoining sandwich bar, Garlic Bay Sandwich Shop. 

The Bike Library
The Bike Library, founded by Cameron Zamot, seamlessly blends a bike shop with a coffee shop, offering a welcoming community space for cyclists and coffee lovers alike. The business began as a rental service, operating out of a shipping container-turned-bike shop on a gravel lot at NC State’s Centennial Campus. After nearly a year of growing operations, The Bike Library has now expanded into a full-fledged retail and café space.

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. 

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 2026, joining the newest Triangle Rock Club as anchor tenants. New additions like St. Pierre Wine Shop + Bar, Little Rey, Hunky Dory and The Flourish Market expand the area's retail and lifestyle offerings.

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 fully implement.

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.

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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 70 other airports via nonstop flights and consistently has the lowest average fare among North Carolina’s commercial airports.

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

RDU continues pursuing international expansion, including its newest additions: Dublin, Ireland, on Aer Lingus (starting April 2026); Reykjavik, Iceland, on Icelandair; Frankfurt, Germany, on Lufthansa; Panama City, Panama, on Copa Airlines; Mexico City, Mexico, on Aeromexico; and Vancouver, Canada, on Air Canada.

Now Open

Local coffee from award-winning Black & White Coffee Roasters is now available 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. Raleigh Beer Garden is now open in Terminal 1. 

Coming soon

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

Downtown Raleigh’s Warehouse District houses the 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. Last year, 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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