A new Italian spot serving pizza & paninis is open in downtown Raleigh
.jpg "Look for Veloce Italian Market, a new tiny pizza shop in downtown Raleigh this fall.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Veloce Italian Market opens Nov. 22 in City Plaza, replacing Happy + Hale.
- Owner Anthony Rapillo expands downtown presence from Vpizza and Flour & Barrel.
- Menu focuses on fresh pizza, paninis, wood-fired breakfast and take-home meals.
A Triangle restaurateur is bringing a taste of Italy to downtown Raleigh.
After much anticipation, Veloce Italian Market is opened in City Plaza Saturday, Nov. 22.
The new concept, nestled in the former Happy + Hale on Fayetteville Street, is designed to be a “one-stop shop for fresh pizza, a couple sandwiches and cooked and cooled meals ready to take home,” owner Anthony Rapillo previously told The News & Observer.
Pizza for lunch?
Veloce will specialize in quickly cooked pizzas, popped out of the oven in 90 seconds. The gourmet goods will include dried pastas, sauces, imported flour and take home meals. A small bar will also be built, banking on Raleigh’s open container Sip and Stroll district.
No stranger to the local food scene, Rapillo has a hand in multiple restaurants around the area as the CEO of Layla’s Son Hospitality, including Vpizza and Flour & Barrel.
At Veloce — which translates to “fast” — the tiny downtown spot will also offer paninis, wings and provisions, along with wood-fired breakfast options served at its official grand opening at 8:30 a.m.
The News & Observer’s Drew Jackson contributed to this story.
This story was originally published November 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM.