Wake County Restaurant Moves, Openings, Closings, and Events 2026

1. Hops & Flower, modern neighborhood bodega and premium cannabis dispensary in Durham

Hops & Flower, from the team behind Luna Rotisserie and Empanada, will open at 2014 Hillsborough Road next to Vin Rouge, operating daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The concept combines a deli, bottle shop/coffee bar, gourmet wellness market and a premium cannabis dispensary; menu highlights include breakfast sandwiches with Little Waves coffee, unique sub sandwiches in the afternoon/evening, a rotating draft-beer selection, and several THC and adaptogenic beverages. The market side will stock deli salads, soups, frozen meals, snacks, sundries and wellness products, positioning the store as a one-stop neighborhood option that can increase daytime foot traffic on Hillsborough Road and fill a niche between cafes, dispensaries, and specialty grocers. Expect an opening in early January, which could create local retail jobs and provide an anchor for nearby businesses like Vin Rouge.

2. Shinjuku Station, new Japanese restaurant planned for northeast Raleigh

Shinjuku Station is planning to open at 6250 Plantation Center Drive in the Capital Marketplace shopping mall at the junction of I‑540 and Capital Boulevard in northeast Raleigh. That location sits on a busy retail corridor, so its arrival will diversify dining options for employees and commuters in the area, and likely draw additional evening traffic to Capital Marketplace. For the local market, adding a full-service concept in that mall can help stabilize weekday lunch and dinner volumes that have been important to retail centers’ recovery.

3. Five Guys, joining Crabtree Valley Mall food court in March

Five Guys will join the Crabtree Valley Mall food court lineup in March, bringing a nationally recognized quick-service burger option to one of Raleigh’s largest malls. Mall food court additions typically aim to boost dwell time and complement specialty retail; this move should help mall operators maintain customer counts as seasonal retail patterns normalize. For residents, it adds a convenient chain option inside the mall and may relieve peak demand at stand-alone locations.

4. Canastas Chicken, now open in Wake Forest

Canastas Chicken has opened at 911 Gateway Commons Circle in Wake Forest, serving Pollo a la Brasa, ceviche, lomo saltado and related Latin American dishes. The menu adds culinary variety to Wake Forest’s growing restaurant scene and caters to demand for regional specialties and affordable, protein-forward meals. New openings like this can support local suppliers and provide employment opportunities while broadening late-night and takeout choices for area families.

5. Pokeworks location correction for Cary shoppers

A correction: Pokeworks’ correct location is Parkside Town Commons, 7169 O’Kelly Chapel Road in Cary, not Park West. For customers planning visits, this clarification prevents wasted trips and matters for delivery and pickup services that rely on accurate addresses. Accurate location information also influences local foot traffic patterns and marketing reach for the store.

6. LongHorn Steakhouse, moving into Durham near The Streets at Southpoint

LongHorn Steakhouse is relocating into the former Chili’s Grill & Bar site across from The Streets at Southpoint. This change keeps a national steakhouse brand in a high-visibility retail cluster and repurposes an existing restaurant footprint, which can be faster and more cost-efficient than new construction. For the Southpoint area, the move should sustain dining options for shoppers and office workers and may preserve jobs that otherwise would be disrupted by a longer vacancy.

7. H&H Bagels, first North Carolina location in Chapel Hill

H&H Bagels’ first North Carolina location will open in Chapel Hill at University Place on January 15. Bringing a well-known bagel brand to Chapel Hill supports morning and lunch traffic near the university and could capture student and faculty demand for consistent breakfast options. This opening underscores the ongoing appeal of breakfast-focused operators in university-adjacent retail centers.

8. JP’s Pastry, gluten-free bakery moving into southwest Durham

JP’s Pastry, a gluten-free bakery from Benson, has leased space in southwest Durham with plans to open in February. As a specialty gluten-free operation, JP’s fills a dietary niche and can serve customers with celiac disease or gluten sensitivities, as well as those seeking artisanal baked goods. Local bakeries often supply neighboring cafes and markets, so JP’s could create wholesale opportunities alongside retail foot traffic and support local food entrepreneurship.

9. Urban Noodle, Durham closing December 28

Urban Noodle in Durham closed on December 28. Closures like this reduce neighborhood dining options and may briefly increase demand at nearby noodle and Asian cuisine operators; they also raise questions about lease turnover and how quickly new concepts will occupy visible restaurant spaces. For employees, closures can mean short-term unemployment or relocation to other area kitchens.

10. Spring Rolls, Raleigh closing December 27

Spring Rolls in Raleigh closed on December 27. The shuttering removes another specialty option from the local market, particularly for quick-service Vietnamese or Southeast Asian fare, and highlights ongoing churn in the restaurant sector during seasonal cycles. Community members who relied on that outlet for prepared meals now look to alternative spots nearby.

11. Figulina New Year’s Eve menu, seasonal special offering

Figulina offered a special New Year’s Eve menu, presenting a limited, celebratory dining option for residents over the holiday. Seasonal menus like this can attract higher-spend customers, support revenue during otherwise unpredictable periods, and showcase chef creativity that may translate into off-season promotions. They also contribute to local hospitality revenue during holiday travel and gatherings.

12. Triangle Food & Wine Experience, tickets on sale for Feb 5–7, 2026

Tickets are on sale for the 2026 Triangle Food & Wine Experience, scheduled for February 5–7, 2026. This multi-day event typically draws chefs, restaurateurs and food-minded consumers from across the region, generating hotel stays, restaurant bookings and media attention that provide a measurable boost to the hospitality sector. For local operators, participating can create visibility and new customer relationships that last beyond the event weekend.

13. Food Bank match, donations to be doubled through Dec. 31

A match was available to double donations to the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina through Dec. 31, offering donors a way to maximize impact during the year-end giving window. Matching campaigns increase resources for food distribution and can help food banks manage seasonal demand spikes; residents who participated helped stretch charitable dollars at a critical moment for food security programs in the region.