These 9 new restaurants are opening in the Triangle. Where to find them
.JPG "A new two-story Raising Cane’s will open on Hillsborough Street in Raleigh, taking over a historic theater.")
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Triangle adds national and local spots across Raleigh, Durham, Cary and Chapel Hill.
- Openings include Velvet Taco, Raising Cane’s, Paris Banh Mi and Kahlovera.
- New venues span tacos, Mediterranean bowls, pastries, juice bars and food-hall stalls.
The Triangle has seen many new restaurants open recently, from locally owned cafes to popular national brands.
And more dining spots will open soon, serving unique tacos, Vietnamese street food and French pastries.
Here’s a recap of some recent restaurant announcements and openings.
Velvet Taco opens first Triangle location
The Texas-based taco chain Velvet Taco is opening its first restaurant in the Raleigh area Monday, Feb. 16. Known for globally inspired dishes including Spicy Tikka Chicken and Korean Fried Rice tacos, the restaurant will move into the former World of Beer at North Hills.
Location: 4208 Six Forks Road, Raleigh
2 new vendors open at Triangle food hall
Old North State Food Hall, a 15,000-square-foot venue in Selma, recently welcomed two new concepts from existing vendors.
Garfield’s Pizza is from the team behind Mr. Outrageous Burgers & More, and Wingy’s is from the owners of Spice Me Up Authentic Mediterranean.
Location: 67 JR Road, Selma
Raising Cane’s opens first Raleigh location
The popular fried chicken tender chain Raising Cane’s just opened its second Triangle location. Housed in a historic theater near N.C. State’s campus, the two-story restaurant opened Tuesday, Jan. 27.
Location: 2420 Hillsborough St., Raleigh
Restaurant with build-your-own meals coming to downtown Raleigh
Pita Bowl, a build-your-own bowl and sandwich concept, is expanding into downtown Raleigh, taking the place of Shish Kabob.
Its menu is focused on Mediterranean flavors but also offers global ingredients and dishes, including jerk chicken and chimichurri. A soft opening is expected in mid-February.
Location: 438 Fayetteville St., Raleigh
Kahlovera Mexican restaurant expands to second location
Popular for its birria, the Chapel Hill restaurant Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill has opened a second spot in Durham.
The Bull City location is larger than the original and has more seats for customers.
Location: 2812 Erwin Road, Durham
Campo Taco Co. opens in Raleigh
Rockway, a mixed-use development near Dix Park recently celebrated the opening of another tenant, Campo Taco Co.
The menu offers a wide variety of street tacos, build-your-own bowls and cocktails including margaritas.
Location: 1001 S. Saunders St., Raleigh
All-day drink spot opens in downtown Cary
Serving fresh juices, cold brew coffee and matcha, The Refreshery is a new, locally owned business in downtown Cary.
The Refreshery, located in the Meridian East Chatham building, also stocks goods from vendors including Breadwaala, Mama’s Salsa and D’Nardys Cheesecakes.
Location: 253 E. Chatham St., Cary
Chapel Hill has new cafe & bakery
The national chain Paris Banh Mi has expanded in the Triangle, with a new location in Chapel Hill.
Owned by Thai Doan, the all-day cafe will serve banh mi, savory and sweet pastries and drinks such as boba tea. A soft opening is scheduled for mid-February.
Location: 407 Meadowmont Village Circle, Chapel Hill
The News & Observer’s Drew Jackson contributed reporting.
This story was originally published February 2, 2026 at 2:21 PM.
