Food & Drink

8 restaurants that impacted Raleigh’s dining scene in 2024

Stories by News & Observer journalists, with AI summarization

Raleigh’s culinary scene in 2024 has seen a dynamic transformation with the addition of several diverse and ambitious restaurants. Downtown developments like Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen, offering an all-day dining concept, and PrimoHoagies, which continues to expand with a focus on Italian-style sandwiches, contribute to revitalizing Raleigh’s core. Meanwhile, new ventures in the Village District and Raleigh Iron Works, including establishments such as Postino WineCafe and celebrity chef-driven taquerias like Little Rey, highlight both neighborhood charm and high-profile ventures.

Independent ventures like LaGana, with its chef-driven burger menu, and the ongoing growth of local chains like Lime & Lemon Indian Grill, demonstrate the city’s commitment to blending casual and innovative dining experiences. Together, these openings underscore Raleigh’s evolution as a vibrant hub for both local tastes and global culinary influences.

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories below were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

The new Birdie’s Barroom & Kitchen will open this summer on Fayetteville Street in Downtown Raleigh.

NO. 1: NEW DOWNTOWN RALEIGH RESTAURANT WILL BE A HOT SPOT FOR BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER & DRINKS

Raleigh will add a glitzy new all-day restaurant this summer. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

Raleigh’s Village District unveiled a new wine bar, Postino WIne Cafe, with seating for nearly 300 and more than 30 wines by the glass. By JENN DUNCAN

NO. 2: RALEIGH’S VILLAGE DISTRICT ADDS A NEW WINE BAR FEATURING DOZENS OF WINES BY THE GLASS

The former Carolina Bakery has gone in a new direction. This is the second NC location for this wine bar. | Published August 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

A second Raleigh location of the sandwich shop Primo Hoagies will soon open at 121 Fayetteville St., Suite 112. The first Primo location opened in 2021 in North Hills as the brand’s first North Carolina restaurant. By Bill Church

NO. 3: NEW PRIMOHOAGIES SANDWICH SHOP IS COMING TO RALEIGH. HERE’S WHERE & WHEN IT’LL OPEN

Primo specializes in Italian-style and deli sandwiches, plus a line of spicy “Diablo” sandwiches, meatball subs and Philly-style roast pork. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

The new Raleigh burger joint LaGana opens this month in Raleigh, serving its version of the classic burger called The Textbook, pictured here. By FELICIA TRUJILLO

NO. 4: RALEIGH’S NEWEST BURGER JOINT HAS OPENED WITH A UNIQUE TWIST ON FRIES

Could this be Raleigh’s next great burger spot? | Published October 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

Calamari diavolo pasta from Piada Italian Street Food is made with spicy diavolo sauce, bruschetta tomatoes, chopped green onions, grated parmesan and fried calamari.

NO. 5: FIVE GUYS, ITALIAN STREET FOOD COMING TO TRIANGLE TOWN’S WEGMANS-ANCHORED DEVELOPMENT

This will be the fast-casual restaurant’s third location in the Raleigh area. But it’s not the only business planned for the town. | Published September 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by rumsted@newsobserver.comRenee Umsted

Triangle chef Scott Crawford in front of his new restaurant, Crawford’s Genuine, in Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport. Taken Sept. 18, 2024. By Richard Stradling

NO. 6: A LOCAL CELEBRITY CHEF HELPS BRING A SENSE OF PLACE TO RDU AIRPORT’S TERMINAL 2

Crawford’s Genuine, the first airport restaurant from Scott Crawford, opened last week. | Published September 18, 2024 | Read Full Story by Richard Stradling

The taco shop Little Rey’s from Ford Fry will open in Raleigh Iron Works in 2024.

NO. 7: CELEBRITY CHEF SETS OPENING DATE FOR NEW RESTAURANT IN RALEIGH IRON WORKS

Breakfast tacos star at the latest restaurant to open in Raleigh Iron Works. | Published November 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

Tandoori salmon from Lime & Lemon includes spicy marinated salmon cooked in a tandoor.

NO. 8: INDIAN RESTAURANT WITH 3 TRIANGLE LOCATIONS WILL OPEN 2 MORE NEXT YEAR. HERE’S WHERE

The restaurant first opened in Durham in 2019 and has since expanded to four locations in North Carolina, with two more on the horizon. | Published November 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

This report was produced with the help of AI tools, which summarized previous stories reported and written by McClatchy journalists. It was edited by journalists in our News division.