These 6 restaurants & bakeries open soon in the Triangle. What to know
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- Six new Triangle restaurants and bakeries will open across 2026 in varied neighborhoods.
- Major concepts include the highly anticipated Big Cat and a fine dining Indian spot.
- Many will open in early 2026, including The Dirty V and Whataburger.
Over the next few months, expect to see a variety of new restaurants open in the Triangle.
Many will be familiar to locals. For example, a popular bakery that opened in Raleigh over a decade ago is growing to a second location.
But some are new or long-awaited concepts.
Here are some forthcoming openings to look out for.
Ayra opening in Chapel Hill
The team behind Lime & Lemon and chef Sujan Sarkar of the Michelin-starred restaurant Indienne are partnering on a new concept, Ayra.
Expected to open in the second quarter of 2026 in the former Elements space, Ayra will offer a tasting menu, bar and an a la carte dining experience featuring contemporary Indian cuisine.
Location: 2110 Environ Way, Chapel Hill
Big Cat coming to Raleigh
A team of newsmakers in the Triangle dining scene is collaborating on a new “multipurpose” concept called Big Cat, expected to open in March or April.
Moving into the former Brookside Bodega in the East Mordecai neighborhood, Big Cat will serve a dinner program led by Ajja chef Cheetie Kumar. Co-founded with Ajja’s Kumar and Paul Siler, Ex Voto’s Angela Salamanca and Marshall Davis, and Locals Seafood partner Justin Pasfield, Big Cat will also have lunch service, soft-serve ice cream year-round, a bar and a market with grab-and-go bites, beer and wine, and prepared foods.
Location: 1000 Brookside Drive, Raleigh
Tex-Mex and barbecue restaurant opening in Durham
The Bull City’s American Tobacco Campus is gaining another new restaurant this year.
Winston-Salem’s East of Texas, a restaurant serving Tex-Mex and Texas-style barbecue, is expanding to Durham. Offering indoor and outdoor seating, the concept is expected to open this summer.
Raleigh bakery expands to second location
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Known for its wide variety of muffin flavors and custom cakes, Raleigh’s Groovy Duck Bakery is opening a new location in Apex.
The bakery’s owners are beginning a major renovation project of the space and expect the business to open in April or May.
Location: 101 N. Salem St., Apex
Whataburger opening first Wake County location
Triangle eaters are closer to getting to experience the iconic Texas brand Whataburger and sample its burgers, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuits and many sauces.
The fast-food chain will open its first Wake County location in Wake Forest in early March, The News & Observer learned.
Location: 489 Calvin Jones Highway, Wake Forest
Plant-based restaurant coming to Glenwood South
From the VegSouth Hospitality Group, a plant-based restaurant called The Dirty V is coming to Glenwood South.
The restaurant, expected to open in late January, serves vegetarian and vegan takes on popular dishes such as burgers and breakfast sandwiches, often with colorful ingredients. It will host plenty of events and satisfy hunger cravings of the late-night crowd.
Location: 301 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh
The News & Observer’s Drew Jackson contributed reporting.
