After 20 years, this Raleigh restaurant expands to the ‘culinary capital’ of Durham
As the American Tobacco Campus remakes its restaurant scene, a downtown Raleigh restaurant is expanding to Durham’s highest-profile development
The Raleigh Chinese restaurnt Five Star announced this week that it plans to open a new location in Durham’s ATC. Five Star moves into the former Cuban Revolution space, after the restaurant’s closing last year as one of the many restaurants lost during COVID.
Five Star opened its doors in 2000 as one of the earliest restaurants in Raleigh’s now bustling warehouse district. Open only for dinner, Five Star serves a menu of large and small plates, including dishes like crab fat caramel chicken wings, kung pao chicken, Szechuan pork ribs and heat-seeker shrimp.
After enduring years of construction and development in the neighborhood, Five Star relocated from its original spot in early 2020, moving into a new space at 301 N. West Street.
Now it’s popular take on Chinese classics will head to Durham, a city its owner calls a “culinary capital.”
“Five Star has always been — more than anything else — a gathering space for good friends and family to have a delicious meal, a few drinks, and a lively evening in a unique and inviting setting,” Five Star co-owner Michelle Bender said in a release. “As we looked to expand to the culinary capital that is Durham, we knew we wanted to find a home that would build on that spirit of connectivity and cheer that accompanies a great meal. American Tobacco Campus met all of those needs and more.”
With Five Star, the run of restaurant additions continues for ATC, which in a little more than a year added or announced numerous food-centric projects, including the first brick and mortar for Boricua Soul, the new Parker & Otis store and cafe, the Press coffee shop and the future QueenBurger and Zweli’s Ekhaya.
“Everyone we’ve hinted to that Five Star is coming to campus has the same gleeful expression of anticipation and joy that one of their favorite spots in Raleigh will now also be serving Durham,” Adam Klein, director of American Tobacco Campus, said in a release. “Five Star further represents our strategy of celebrating and supporting unique and enticing cuisines created by exceptional local entrepreneurs. We’re thrilled to have them here and for all of the patrons they will certainly welcome to American Tobacco.”
The new Five Star looks to open next spring and will add lunch service.
