Chefs and restaurateurs continue to enrich the North Carolina dining scene. Here’s a snapshot of new dining hot spots plus a preview of tables being set with opening dates to be announced.
Hollywood East Brewseum, Wilmington
It's the marquis instead of the menu that's behind the buzz for Hollywood East Brewseum in Wilmington, where hundreds of film and TV projects have been shot. Tyler Christensen, who boasts credits of his own ("House of Purgatory," "My Crazy Sex") plans to transform the former Rose Ice & Coal building into a film-themed dining destination. A late summer opening is targeted. The 90-year-old building, by the way, had a role in the Netflix series "Hightown."
Big Cat, Raleigh
Even with its menu TBA, Big Cat draws attention for its partnership: Cheetie Kumar and Paul Siler of Ajja, an Esquire-recognized Best New Restaurant (2023); Angela Salamanca and Marshall Davis of Mala Pata, a newly recognized MICHELIN Bib Gourmand spot; and Justin Pasfield, a partner for Locals Seafood and Person Street Bar. Opening late March.
Joyful Noise Listening Lounge + Kitchen, Asheville
Hi-Wire Brewing and Summit Coffee join forces to create a cafe by day/listening room by night in the River Arts District. The space will feature a hand-curated vintage sound system and music played on vinyl with a full bar and food program developed by former Vivian co-owner James McGaughey, a 2023 James Beard semifinalist. Joyful Noise plans a spring opening.
Vitale Lakeside, Mooresville
Vitale Lakeside will add even more to love about Lake Norman. The waterfront destination will include a floating bar, rooftop stage and boat slips as well as a casual-to-upscale-dining menu. The new spot, which is expected to open in May, is the latest from Vitale Hospitality Group, whose other properties include Charlotte's Dilworth Social Health, Midtown Tavern and Bonnie & Clyde Lounge.
Prime STQ, Research Triangle Park
Christopher Prieto, known for fusing Texas and NC traditions at Knightdale's Prime Barbecue, will add the Prime STQ steakhouse experience at the Horseshoe at the Hub development. Familiar from Food Network and Cooking Channel appearances, Prieto will serve his in-house-aged steaks with chimichurri in a nod to his Puerto Rican roots. Prime Barbecue earned a Bib Gourmand designation in November in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide American South. Prieto, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southeast, is co-author of "Southern Living Ultimate Book of BBQ: The Complete Year-Round Guide to Grilling and Smoking." Expect a summer opening.
Wyatt's Superfine, Charlotte
After saving and moving the historic Leeper-Wyatt building, Jeff Tonidandel and Jamie Brown are transforming it into Wyatt's Superfine, a four-story dining experience with a parlor-style space, fine dining, and a solarium for drinks and small bites. Opening TBD. The Tonidandel-Brown Restaurant Group includes MICHELIN-recognized Supperland (beverage director Colleen Hughes won The Guide's 2025 American South Exceptional Cocktails Award), Leluia Hall, Haberdish and Ever Andelo. The couple star in the PBS series "Fork & Hammer."
Ayra, Chapel Hill
Chef Sujan Sarkar of the MICHELIN-starred Indienne in Chicago partners with Ravi Jeyaraman and Mayil Rajendran from NC's Lime & Lemon Indian Bar & Grill restaurants to add Ayra to the scene. With a focus on modern Indian fare, Ayra will include a bar Indian-inspired cocktails and separate dining areas for a five- to seven-course tasting menu and a la carte orders. A spring-summer opening is planned.
Guard and Grace, Charlotte
Charlotte will become the third location for the acclaimed Guard and Grace steakhouse, whose Houston flagship carries a MICHELIN recommendation. The 10,224-square-foot restaurant, expected to open in fall 2026, will feature rooftop views and a 2,000-square-foot terrace along with prime beef, seafood and cocktails. Guard and Grace, which also has a Houston location, is part of Chef Troy Guard's TAG Restaurant Group.
Lloyd's Full Service, Cary
A 1950s auto repair shop is being reimagined as a retro neighborhood restaurant in Cary, a Raleigh suburb whose walkable downtown has made it a dynamic destination. Lloyd's Full Service will feature indoor and outdoor seating, a patio and fire pit, and a stage for live music. Early Bird Night Owl, the company behind The Durham Hotel, The Mayton, Peck & Plume and other properties, plans to keep the spirit of the original business alive. Opening this spring.
Maneki, Charlotte
Sam Hart, whose Counter- earned a both a MICHELIN star and a Green Star, joins forces with fellow chef Kenny Do on a late-night Japanese food stall featuring local proteins and produce grilled according to Hokkaido traditions. The 475-square-foot space at Uptown Charlotte's Latta Arcade will include an omakase experience. Hart recently opened Spaghett, a craft pasta and cocktail restaurant. Opening TBD.
High Horse, Research Triangle Park
Katsuji Tanabe of “Chopped” and “Top Chef” fame will revive his Raleigh concept at RTP’s Horseshoe at the Hub. The original High Horse, which drew on Mexican, Japanese and American flavors through live-fire cooking, opened in 2019 and closed as the COVID-19 pandemic set in. Opening TBA.
Lutra Cafe & Bakery, Durham
Having built a sweet following at pop-ups and farmers market, Chris McLaurin opens Lutra Cafe & Bakery at the American Tobacco Campus. The menu expands from McLaurin's signature sweet and savory buns to include lunch and brunch as well as more breakfast items. Arriving in spring, it'll be open seven days a week.
Botiwalla, Raleigh
Asheville chef Meherwan Irani, whose Chai Pani flagship was named the James Beard Foundation's 2022 Outstanding Restaurant, will add Raleigh to the list of cities with Botiwalla, a casual counterpart. Inspired by India's late-night food scene, Botiwalla is known for its chicken tikka rolls, kebabs, matchstick okra fries and other fare with colorful spirited and alcohol-free beverages. Raleigh Iron Works will be home to the new eatery, which has sister locations in Asheville, Charlotte and Atlanta. Irani's restaurant group also operates Chai Pani in Decatur, Ga., and Washington, DC, plus the Spicewalla seasoning brand. Opening spring 2026.
Fullsteam Brewery, Durham
An anchor of NC's craft brewing scene, Fullsteam Brewery is creating its "forever home" at the American Tobacco Campus. The 9,000-square-foot space will include a supper club-themed restaurant, a casual bar and lounge, a fermentation lab and pickling kitchen, outdoor seating, and a 100-seat theater. While Fullsteam has closed its original location, Fullsteam at Boxyard RTP is pouring beer and serving pizza.
Sharigato, Charlotte
Shari Lynne Robins will specialize in temaki — hand-rolled, made-to-order sushi — at Sharigato. Sustainably sourced salmon, scallops, blue crab and toro will be the key ingredients with vegetarian options available. And from the snack menu: seaweed salad, edamame and shishito peppers. A spring opening is planned.
The Quiltmaker Cafe, Pittsboro
With a name inspired by a children’s book, the One World Everybody Eats café moves from pop-up to brick and mortar. The sample menu for the Quiltmaker Café zooms in on breakfast specialties, salads and sandwiches with vegan and gluten-free items included. A spring opening is expected.
Songbird, Raleigh
Meg Paradise and Charlie Blue Arm bring soaring aspirations to Songbird, a "ritual-driven bar rooted in seasonality, locality and thoughtful hospitality." Seasonal cocktails, natural wines and shareable plates will draw on a long list of notable regional sources, from Tin Roof Tea to Mike's Honeybees and edible flowers from Goodness Grove. A June opening is planned.
Sunflower's Cafe, Raleigh
A longtime favorite for its gourmet sandwiches, soups and house-made desserts, Sunflower's Cafe returns after a being closed for six years. At the helm: Quinn Ferebee, son of original owners, who pleased palates for nearly four decades. 2026 reopening date is TBD.
Zamindar's, Charlotte
Vamshi Krishna Adi of ISHQ in New York and Charlotte partners avid Pandoria and Nikhil Mutyala will combine a fine-dining Indian restaurant and a British-influenced cocktail lounge at Zamindar's. The menu will include items from Adi's Manhattan restaurant, which has earned a MICHELIN BIb Gourmand designation. A March opening is planned.