Food & Drink

‘All good things must come to an end’: Beloved Triangle cafe closes after 30 years

The vegetable lasagna at Zest Cafe in North Raleigh is so popular that it has remained on the menu for almost three years.
The vegetable lasagna at Zest Cafe in North Raleigh. jleonard@newsobserver.com
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  • Zest Cafe and Home Art, a family-owned Raleigh eatery, closed after 30 years.
  • Owners cited pandemic pressures, rising costs and tariffs forcing the shutdown.
  • Final service ended Dec. 27, with a closing sale planned Jan. 6 to clear inventory.

One of the Triangle’s oldest eateries has closed its doors for good.

Decades after opening in North Raleigh, Zest Cafe and Home Art permanently shut down over the holiday weekend.

“As the saying goes, ‘All good things must come to an end,’” Zest’s team announced in a social media post on Dec. 27.

“The restaurant and retail industries have been increasingly difficult since the pandemic,” the post said. “In addition, increasing costs and tariffs make it necessary for our family to make a change. We are endlessly grateful to our loyal staff and customers. It has been our honor and privilege to serve our community for the past 30 YEARS!”

The social media posts generated hundreds of comments from fans of the restaurant and its gift shop who mourned its closing.

‘Til we eat again

The family-owned and operated cafe was established in 1995.

Since then, the Six Forks Road restaurant has been a staple in the area for its ever-evolving menu of “innovative, contemporary American cuisine with a fresh and healthy outlook” with a curated collection of seasonal goods, accessories and more in its home art boutique.

While Zest’s final day in business was Saturday, Dec. 27, there will be a closing sale Tuesday, Jan. 6, when “everything must go.” Details and updates on the sale have yet to be announced.

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