Raleigh welcomes new chains as food bank reports 600,000 neighbors facing hunger

More than 600,000 neighbors in the region are not always sure where their next meal will come from, according to the Food Bank. This statistic was released during Tackling Hunger Month as new dining venues prepare to open across the Triangle.

The expansion includes two major national brands entering the Raleigh market. Maggiano's Little Italy will take over the space at Crabtree Valley Mall that was previously occupied by Brio Italian Grille. This location will be the second Maggiano's in the Triangle, following the existing restaurant at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The chain is known for serving large, family-style portions. No opening date has been announced for the new site.

Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a franchise based in Pittsburgh, plans to open its first North Carolina location at 325 Blake St. in City Market. The shop will be located next to Blackbird Books and Coffee. The Triangle Business Journal reported that the target for opening is before the end of the year.

Other new additions include South Block, which is known for acai bowls and smoothies. The brand currently has three locations in the Charlotte area and is preparing to enter the Raleigh market at 4121 Main at North Hills St. It will sit next to bartaco. No opening date has been set for this location. In Apex, Grain & Berry has opened its second North Carolina location at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossings, following a store in Holly Springs.

The region also received new recognition from the Michelin Guide. At the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony held in Nashville, Tennessee, three Triangle restaurants earned Bib Gourmand designations. These include Ajja in Raleigh, the sandwich shop Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro in Carrboro. Tesoro is an 18-seat restaurant focused on pasta. Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ kept their Bib Gourmand status from the previous year. Sixteen other establishments, including Brewery Bhavana and Poole's, retained their Michelin recommended listings.

In Durham, M Kikkei, formerly known as M Pocha, will hold an invitation-only soft opening on October 24. The grand opening is scheduled for October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. The restaurant serves Nikkei cuisine, which blends Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients, and is the seventh concept in the Mpire group.

In Pittsboro, Tavolo Italian Eatery has opened in MOSAIC at Chatham Park. Gandy Coffee House is expected to open in early 2027 inside the historic Captain J. F. Alston House at 14 N. Small St. In Research Triangle Park, Sushioki has shut down permanently after eight years of operation.

Winston's Grille in Raleigh is marking its 40th anniversary this year. Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr. founded the restaurant in 1986. The Food Bank noted that every $25 in donations provides 75 meals.

The upcoming event calendar includes the inaugural Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival on October 25 at American Legion Post 6. VIP entry begins at 2 p.m., and general admission starts at 3 p.m. Proceeds will benefit SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. The third Rawleigh Oyster Fest is set for November 7 at Raleigh Iron Works. Organizers added a $60 Half Shell ticket with nine oysters, two bites, and one drink after feedback from people who felt the previous pricing was too high. The previous two editions of the festival sold out and raised about $12,500 combined.