9 notable restaurant closures in Raleigh/Durham so far 2025

The curated articles all describe restaurant closures in the Raleigh-Durham area, highlighting the region's shifting dining landscape due to lease expirations, bankruptcies and rebranding efforts. The Green Monkey closed its doors in Raleigh but continues to operate through pop-ups and events, maintaining its community presence. The Cortez plans a rebranding, shifting from coastal Mexican dishes to a new dining concept, indicating a strategic evolution.

The longstanding 42nd Street Oyster Bar, a staple for nearly 40 years, cites lease renewal issues as the reason for its closure. In contrast, On The Border filed for bankruptcy and closed its Cary location amid broader financial restructuring efforts. These closures reflect broader economic pressures and evolving consumer trends impacting local and chain restaurants in the area.

No image found

Drew Temple serves a customer at The Green Monkey on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 in Raleigh, N.C. The gift shop, bottle shop and neighborhood bar has relocated from Hillsborough Street into a new space at 215 S. Wilmington Street. By Robert Willett

NO. 1: POPULAR BAR, GIFT & WINE SHOP IN DOWNTOWN RALEIGH WILL CLOSE STOREFRONT AFTER 12 YEARS

“Thank you for the love, laughs, and memories,” the owners said. “We’ve loved connecting with each of you.” | Published February 14, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted Anna Roman

No image found

The Cortez will close in Raleigh after eight years in business. The acclaimed and pioneering restaurant was a jewel on Glenwood South. By Juli Leonard

NO. 2: AN ACCLAIMED RALEIGH RESTAURANT WILL CLOSE NEXT MONTH, MAKING WAY FOR A ‘NEW CONCEPT’

The restaurant’s legacy includes James Beard attention and bold flavor memories. | Published February 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

No image found

The 42nd Street Oyster Bar is part of Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Week.

NO. 3: 42ND STREET OYSTER BAR, ONE OF RALEIGH’S SIGNATURE RESTAURANTS, WILL CLOSE. HERE ARE THE DETAILS

42nd Street Oyster Bar feels like it’s been in Raleigh forever. It will soon close. | Published March 8, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

No image found

The Taco Bell and KFC restaurants that shared a building at 5434 Six Forks Road, near Food Lion, have closed. By Renee Umsted

NO. 4: TRIANGLE TEX-MEX & FAST FOOD SPOTS CLOSED, BUT COOKIES + FRIED CHICKEN PLACES OPEN SOON

Three national restaurant chains have closed locations in the Raleigh area recently. But new food spots and stores are coming soon. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

The popular Downtown Raleigh boba shop Budacai is set for a rebrand, with plans to reopen as Amrut in mid-April.

NO. 5: A POPULAR RALEIGH BOBA SHOP IS CLOSING — SORT OF. HERE ARE THE DETAILS

A popular Raleigh boba shop will close, but it’s not bad news. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

No image found

Uncle Julio’s has a “guac specialist” make customized guacamole at your table. Here, Alfredo Carrera makes guacamole during lunch service on Friday, July 12, 2019. The guacamole is a nice addition to the complimentary warm house-fried chips and a distinctive roasted vegetable and chile salsa. By Juli Leonard

NO. 6: WITH DURHAM LOCATION CLOSED, THIS MEXICAN CHAIN HAS NO NC RESTAURANTS LEFT

The upscale restaurant known for an elaborate dessert and guacamole prepared tableside is the latest national chain to leave the Triangle market. | Published May 2, 2025 | Read Full Story by Renee Umsted

No image found

Cornerstone Tavern is closing in Raleigh after 13 years as one of the signature pieces of the Glenwood South nightlife district. By Chris Seward

NO. 7: A CENTERPIECE BAR IS CLOSING ON RALEIGH’S GLENWOOD SOUTH AFTER 13 YEARS

Living up to its name, the bar is closing after more than a decade at the heart of Raleigh’s nightlife district. | Published July 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

No image found

Sean Fowler, the chef at Mandolin in Raleigh, is a regular client of Will Taber’s. Fowler uses Taber’s quail eggs in a variety of dishes, such as this hickory grilled nooherooka beef ribeye with grilled potatoes, heirloom tomatoes, beet-pickled quail eggs, house-made peanut Worcestershire sauce and frisée salad. Fowler likes to cook the quail eggs (seen in this dish) in beet juice which turns the egg whites a bright purple and leaves the yolk yellow. By JULI LEONARD

NO. 8: POPULAR RALEIGH FARM-TO-TABLE RESTAURANT CLOSES ABRUPTLY AFTER 14 YEARS

One of the Triangle’s most fiercely farm-to-table fine dining restaurants has abruptly closed. | Published August 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

Holiday shoppers drive through the entrance of Crabtree Valley Mall on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh Monday, Dec 12, 2022. The mall has been for sale on the market for nearly a year. By Travis Long

NO. 9: LONGTIME STAPLE OF RALEIGH MALL DINING CLOSES ABRUPTLY AFTER 15 YEARS

A dining staple of the Crabtree Valley Mall closed apruptly this week after more than 15 years in business. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Drew Jackson

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