17 Triangle restaurants that prove moving doesn’t mean losing what you love
Raleigh could lose a landmark restaurant.
Word spread last week that beloved Raleigh restaurant and N.C. State hangout Amedeo’s could be redeveloped in the near future. The owners of Amedeo’s said that if the property is replaced by a high-rise, they would look to move the restaurant to a new home.
It’s enough to make longtime diners anxious. But if Amedeo’s were to move, it wouldn’t be the first beloved spot to find a new address. Many of the Triangle’s most popular restaurants used to be somewhere else.
Here are 17 notable restaurants that moved to their current location and kept the spirit alive.
FULL STORY: Moving isn’t closing. 17 Triangle restaurants that relocated and thrived
The Legacy Spots
Chicken Hut, 3019 Fayetteville St., Durham. chickenhutnc.weebly.com
The Chicken Hut is one of the oldest restaurants in the Triangle and is the oldest Black-owned restaurant in Durham. Originally it operated on Apex Highway and then Roxboro Street, but its longtime spot on Fayetteville Street was recently named a Historic Landmark by Durham. For anyone who has followed this restaurant across decades and addresses, that recognition means something.
Clyde Cooper’s Barbecue, 1326 E. Millbrook Road, Raleigh. clydecoopersbbq.com
In the last year, one of the oldest barbecue restaurants in North Carolina moved for a third time in its nine-decade history. Clyde Cooper’s had been on Wilmington Street in Downtown Raleigh for the last 12 years, but in early 2026 moved to North Raleigh after the sale of its building.
Sunflowers Café, 925 S. Saunders St., Raleigh
This cherished café originally opened on Glenwood Avenue in the 1980s, where it spent 21 years, then moved to Peace Street where it operated for another 15. It closed in 2019, but will make a return to Raleigh this year, moving into the new Rockway development. Look for the same Sunflowers, with sandwiches, salads and familiar desserts. If you remember the original Glenwood Avenue days, this comeback will feel personal.
Old Favorites, New Addresses
Poole’s Diner, 428 S. McDowell St., Raleigh. ac-restaurants.com/pooles
The flagship restaurant of chef Ashley Christensen moved in 2024...next door. The main dining room of the famed Raleigh restaurant Poole’s Diner is now in the former Poole’side Pies space. The original room has since reopened after a remodeling, mostly for private events. But the iconic double horseshoe bar is still in business.
Saltbox Seafood Joint, 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., Durham. saltboxseafoodjoint.com
This James Beard-winning restaurant started as a small takeout shack on Mangum Street in Durham. That property is now a row of condos, but Saltbox and its famously fresh seafood live on in a counter service restaurant in an A-frame dining room.
Monuts, 1002 9th St., Durham. monutsdonuts.com
Known for creatively flavorful doughnuts, sandwiches and breakfast favorites, Monuts started in downtown Durham in the tiny dining room that would eventually become the fine dining restaurant littler. The current Monuts spot has an even more historic connection, operating in the former building of the legendary James Beard-winning Magnolia Grill on Ninth Street.
Berkeley Cafe, 428 S. Dawson St., Raleigh. facebook.com/berkeleyraleigh
We’re in the midst of a new era of the Berkeley Cafe after the beloved sandwich shop and bar moved a couple blocks or so, taking over the former Fiction Kitchen space.
Wooden Nickel, 113 N. Churton St., Hillsborough. thewnp.com
One of the Triangle’s greatest neighborhood bars left its original home on Churton Street — Hillsborough’s main drag — and moved exactly three doors down. It feels like the move just happened, but that was in 2018. The new Nickel is larger and has seasoned over the last eight years into the same beloved bar and wing spot.
Still on Franklin Street
Cosmic Cantina, 118 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill. cosmiccantina.com/chapel_hill
Wildly popular for affordable Mexican bites, Cosmic Cantina left its longtime spot on Franklin Street due to development pressures from UNC-Chapel Hill. The new spot opened a couple doors down and hardly missed a beat.
Kipos Greek Taverna, 1800 E. Franklin St., Suite 16, Chapel Hill. kiposchapelhill.com
One of the most popular restaurants in the Giorgios Bakatisas restaurant group, Kipos moved nearly a decade ago in Chapel Hill, but stayed on Franklin Street. Kipos is best known for its rustic, wood-fired shareable Greek dishes.
Fresh starts across the Triangle
Fiction Kitchen, 2431 Crabtree Blvd., Suite 103. fictionkitchen.com
The leader of vegetarian restaurants in the Triangle relocated from downtown Raleigh to the foodie-destination of Gateway Plaza last year, building a new stylish café.
Lawrence Barbecue, 150 E. Cedar St., Cary. lawrencebarbecue.com
Lawrence became one of downtown Cary’s flagship restaurants last year, moving from its original walk-up window in Boxyard RTP. The new Lawrence has its own full bar, comfy dining room and patio and a view of the passing trains.
State of Beer, 851 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. trophybrewing.com/sob---thebend
The bottle shop and beer bar from the folks at Trophy Brewing moved in 2025 to a new forever home on Morgan Street. Now paired with The Bend Bar, there’s more State of Beer to love, but the natty wines and sandwiches remain on point.
Zweli’s, 406 Blackwell St., Suite 100, Durham. zwelisekhaya.com
This popular African restaurant has recently combined its casual Zweli’s Kitchen with the fine dining Bantu tapas concept Ekhaya, now open on the American Tobacco Campus.
Coming back strong
Fullsteam Brewing, 320 Blackwell St. #101, Durham. fullsteam.ag
A foundational brewery in Durham’s modern bar scene, Fullsteam left its original space near Geer Street in 2025 and plans to reopen its flagship taproom in the heart of the American Tobacco Campus.
High Horse, 3151 Elion Drive, Durham
This restaurant from former “Top Chef” favorite Katsuji Tanabe was just starting to soar when it closed. High Horse debuted in downtown Raleigh’s City Market, but closed within a year due to the pandemic. High Horse will return this summer and pick up where it left off: a certified hot spot.
So the next time a restaurant you love announces a move, take a breath. The Triangle has proven, time and again, that the soul of a great restaurant isn’t trapped inside four walls. It travels with the people who cook, serve and gather there — and it can feel just like home all over again.
Mami Nora’s, 1101 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh. mamislatinchicken.com
This longtime Raleigh favorite for Peruvian chicken is relocating from its spot on Wake Forest Road to the new Raleigh Iron Works Salvage Yard. Look for a reopening in 2026.
This story was compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at the top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.
This story was originally published March 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
