Fenton, a mixed-use development located in Cary, opened in 2022 as a place for people to gather—for a day of shopping, good eats, celebratory drinks and more (live music in the summer, ice skating in the winter!). 

In the works since 2014, the nearly $1 billion live-work-play district is one of the biggest new developments to open in the Raleigh area in recent years, signing up big-name retailers and chef-driven restaurants to draw big crowds since May of last year (chef Michael Lee, owner and chef at M Sushi, called Cary "the next hot dining destination" thanks in large part to the roster of chefs signed on to the Fenton project). 

While nearly 250,000 square feet of retailers and restaurants are already open, the development is still in a phased rollout, with housing units, a high-end hotel and other amenities still to come over the next few years. More food is on the way, too—award-winning chef Scott Crawford has plans for a flagship steakhouse to open in 2024.

For now, though, Fenton is filled with a bevy of bustling shops and restaurants for you to enjoy on your next visit to the City of Oaks—use the list below to get an idea of what you'll find!

 

Colletta

Colletta aims to provide a compilation of lively dining experiences with top-notch service and quality Italian cuisine. The eatery puts a twist on treasured classics (with house-made pastas, cheeses and pizzas), while also introducing modern culinary techniques.

 

M Sushi

Renowned local chef Michael Lee brought his highly-decorated sushi restaurant to Fenton—possibly the most important restaurant to open in 2022 in the Raleigh area. This Cary location features a menu full of traditional Japanese and Korean cuisine (order the Grand Omakase for a once-in-a-lifetime experience!). 

 

Honeysuckle Gelato

This Atlanta-based food truck-turned-gelato shop opened it's fifth location in the Fenton development, offering seasonal baked goods, gelato scoops and sorbet. 

 

Sports & Social

Sports & Social’s 20,000-square-foot, two-story space features a 30-foot diagonal high-definition LED TV and arcade games including skee-ball, table tennis, shuffle puck, air hockey and a golf simulator. You’ll also find an eclectic menu perfect for sharing, cold beer and a well-appointed cocktail menu. 

 

PBR Cary

Connected to Sports & Social, this 4,300-square-foot venue lives up to its Professional Bull Riders namesake, featuring a mechanical riding bull, multiple signature bars, private VIP booths and plenty of outdoor patio space for a buckin' good time.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by RALtoday (@raltoday)

 

CRU Food & Wine Bar

Stop by CRU to check out a lengthy wine list and impressive food offerings. Conceived as an exciting urban destination to experience and explore the fascinating world of wine; enjoy reds, whites and bubbles—there's more than 300 wines to choose from!

 

Superica

Five-time James Beard Award semifinalist chef Ford Fry has put his Texas roots to good use with his boutique Tex-Mex chain, Superica. The menu features tacos, enchiladas, fajitas and the restaurant's hallmark wood-fired steaks, paired with a beverage menu that includes margaritas, tequilas and Mexican beers. 

 

Dram & Draught

This locally-loved hangout (with one location in downtown Raleigh, now a second at Fenton), is what happens when your neighborhood bar marries a craft cocktail lounge: a place where you feel right at home—with darn good drinks. Score your spot on the rooftop to enjoy more than 300 whiskeys from around the world, draught beer from the Tar Heel State and beyond plus wines from the old world and new.

 

Archer Paper Goods

Archer Paper Goods is an Atlanta-based boutique stationery and gift retailer specializing in greeting cards, desk supplies, pencils and art prints. 

 

Carriage House Coffee

Have you ever gotten coffee from a coffee truck? Stop by Carriage Coffee House's vintage red LeMont truck—affectionately named Ruby—next time you're at Fenton for a delicious drink to sip on while you stroll. Owners Skyeler and Tracy started Carriage House Coffee because they believed that spreading joy by serving the best gourmet coffee has a ripple effect (and we agree!).

 

Sephora

French multinational retailer Sephora opened a location in Fenton in 2022. The personal care and beauty store offers products including cosmetics, skincare, body, fragrance, nail color, beauty tools, body lotions and haircare.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Sephora Cary (@sephora.cary)

 

Paragon Theaters

With premium leather seats, extended legroom, reserved seating, expansive food menus, a bar lounge and digital projection, you’re not just going to the movies. Paragon Theaters have even added electric recliners that can be fully extended with the simple push of a button to continue their ongoing pursuit of enhancing the guest experience to its fullest capacity.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fenton (@fentonnc)

 

Vestique

Started by two North Carolina State University graduates more than a decade ago, Vestique's newest store offers unique and trendy fashion options including shorts, denim, skirts, dresses, tops, shoes and accessories (typically ranging between $30-$50). 

 

Club Pilates Cary

Club Pilates, born in San Diego, has expanded around the globe and is now bringing Pilates to Cary. Club Pilates offers high-quality, life-changing training at a surprisingly affordable price.

 

lululemon

lululemon makes technical athletic clothes for yoga, running, working out and most other sweaty pursuits. The Fenton store offers guests the ultimate shopping experience—equipped with styling experts, online pick-up and a lululemon Studio Mirror.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Fenton (@fentonnc)

 

Header photo by Scott Lowden

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