16 new Triangle restaurants to watch in 2024: Rooftop views, basement brews & expansions
We’ve barely uncorked 2024, but the year looks to be a major one for Triangle restaurants.
In the coming months we’ll see three new spots from acclaimed chef Scott Crawford. One of downtown Raleigh’s most promising restaurant spaces will finally unveil its skyline views. And the tiny Mexican restaurant that shouted into the national dining conversation will add a new location in the Triangle.
Here are the 16+ restaurant projects we’ll be talking about this year.
1. Brodeto
2200 Atlantic Ave., Raleigh. brodeto.com
The latest restaurant from Raleigh chef Scott Crawford explores the coastal Mediterranean flavors of Italy and Croatia. With a wood-burning kitchen at its heart, Brodeto joins Raleigh Iron Works as the development’s most prized addition. Seafood will star on the Brodeto menu, where diners will soon find raw crudo dishes, grilled fish and, of course, the fish stew from which the restaurant takes its name.
2. Sous Terre
620 N. Person St., Raleigh.
For Scott Crawford’s next magic trick, he’s taken over the former Atlantic Lounge, the subterranean cocktail bar accessed by key-holding members, and will reopen it as Sous Terre, a new cocktail bar with the chef’s exquisite touch. With Sous Terre, Crawford practically owns this corner of Person and Pace streets, where he has his flagship Crawford & Son, the French bistro Jolie and now the underground bar.
3. Crawford Brothers Steakhouse
Fenton. instagram.com/crawfordbrosnc
It’s fair to say this new steakhouse from chef Scott Crawford has been one of the Triangle’s most-anticipated restaurants for years. The steakhouse was first announced in 2018 as part of the now-open Fenton development in Cary. Crawford plans a classic American steakhouse in a sprawling 4,500-square-foot space, setting a stage for big meals for life’s big moments.
4. Emmy Squared
905 W. Main St., Durham. emmysquaredpizza.com
Durham was due to get a new location of this popular pizza and burger brand more than a year ago, but restaurant representatives say there’s no new timeline to share beyond, yes, Emmy Squared still plans to open in Brightleaf Square. Ostensibly a pizzeria specializing in square pies, Emmy Squared is equally famous for its burger. We’re hoping to get a taste sooner rather than later.
5. Figulina
317 S. Harrington St., Raleigh. figulinaraleigh.com
The cherished restaurant Humble Pie closed in downtown Raleigh last year after more than three decades in business. In its place will be a new Italian restaurant from a promising newcomer in the Raleigh food scene. Former Poole’s Diner chef David Ellis will open his first restaurant, Figulina, focusing on freshly made pasta with plans for a small market. Ellis, a British expat who moved to the States in 2019, intends to blend Italian dishes with Southern flair.
6. Fonda Lupita
905 W. Main St., Durham. fondalupita.com
The famed Sanford restaurant Fonda Lupita plans to open a new Triangle location in Durham’s Brightleaf Square. Two years ago Fonda Lupita’s tiny original restaurant was named by the online food publication Eater as one of the best new restaurants in the country. Now Biridiana Frausto plans to bring her menu of gorditas, tacos and other delights to Durham.
7. Durham taprooms
New development dots Downtown Durham, bringing new apartments and high-rises, along with new restaurants and breweries. At least three new breweries and taprooms will open within Durham’s social district next year.
▪ Flying Bull: This is an expansion of one of Durham’s newest breweries. Flying Bull opened on Ninth Street in 2022 and in the first few days of 2024 has unveiled its new Innovation District brewery and taproom. The new 5,500 square foot spot includes production space, a taproom and cocktail bar, and a new restaurant. Address: 300 Morris St., Suite 103, Durham.
▪ Crank Arm: This popular Raleigh brewery is branching out to Durham after more than a decade in business. Crank Arm will join the new Beckon apartment complex, adding a satellite taproom with two dozen beer taps. Address: 311 Liggett St., Durham.
▪ Atomic Clock: This brand new brewery from brother and sister owners will open across the street from the old Durham Bulls stadium. Atomic Clock plans more than 20 different beers and a new taproom alongside the restaurant Plum. Address: 501 Washington St., Durham.
8. Mala Pata
2411 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh. instagram.com/malapata.molino
Certainly one of the Triangle’s most exciting restaurant openings of 2024, the forces of Locals Seafood and Ex Voto are teaming up on this new coastal Mexican restaurant Mala Pata. Currently under construction in Raleigh’s Gateway shopping center, Mala Pata will sit next door to Mordacai Beverage Company. The restaurant is currently teasing and testing its menu with a brunch residency at co-owner Angela Salamanca’s downtown Raleigh restaurant Centro. The first service sold out of its ticketed reservations in a single day.
9. Fiction Kitchen
2409 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh. thefictionkitchen.com
A staple of downtown Raleigh for years, vegan icon Fiction Kitchen is building a new dining space in Gateway. For now the team of married owners Caroline Morrison and Siobhan Southern are hosting a pop-up in the former Fine Folk space.
10. Natural Science
2409 Crabtree Blvd., Raleigh. instagram.com/natural_science_bar
This new spot comes from the folks behind the beloved Person Street Bar. Natural Science will open in a tucked-away alcove of Gateway Crossing, in a section of the shopping center that’s quickly becoming the Triangle’s hottest food and beverage corner.
11. La Terrazza
223 S. West St., Raleigh. laterrazzaraleigh.com
The owners of Mulino Italian Kitchen & Bar have one of the grandest openings of 2024. La Terrazza will open this February high up in The Dillon, offering downtown views of Raleigh alongside square, thick crust pizzas, plates of crudo and Italian wine and cocktails.
12. Gussie’s
927 W. Morgan St., Raleigh. gussiesraleigh.com
This new Raleigh neighborhood bar is already open, debuting in the first few days of 2024, but will continue to blossom in the new year. Gussie’s lands near Hillsborough Street and downtown Raleigh, taking over the short-lived Soul Taco space. The menu dances around comforting pub food with some modern touches. You’ll find Nashville-style hot oysters, barbacoa tacos and a smash burger, paired with classic cocktails, a thoughtful wine list and dependable beer options.
13. Tamasha
4200 Six Forks Road, Suite 130, Raleigh. tamashanc.com
This new North Hills restaurant will open in the early part of 2024 as the Triangle’s latest modern Indian concept. Helmed by chef Bhavin Chhatwani, who has worked in a Michelin-starred kitchen in California and a resort hotel in India, Tamasha promises a new fine dining perspective on Indian cuisine.
14. Roo’s Chicken
1221 New Bern Ave., Raleigh
This sister concept from Cook Out is still a bit of a mystery. What we do know is Cook Out bought a building on New Bern Avenue and installed a giant sign on the side of the restaurant that says “Roo’s Chicken.” The fast food giant appears to have toyed with a spin-off concept for years now, first adding special menu items at a Cook Out location in Wilmington under the name “Taco Roo’s.” We’ve reached out to Cook Out to learn more, but haven’t heard back. Our fingers are crossed for Cook Out jumping into the chicken sandwich wars.
15. Little Rey
1101 E. Whitaker Mill Road, Raleigh. littlerey.com
Celebrity chef Ford Fry was the first to attach a restaurant to the now-open Fenton in Cary, bringing the first Superica location to the Triangle. As a follow-up, Fry’s lively taco shop Little Rey will open closer to downtown, joining Raleigh Iron Works this year. Beyond tacos, Little Rey is a destination for charcoal-roasted chicken and is sure to be a brunch star with a lineup of cocktails and breakfast tacos.
16. The Crunkleton
Smokey Hollow Raleigh. instagram.com/thecrunkletonraleigh
The famed Chapel Hill cocktail bar The Crunkleton is one of the most influential bars in the South, known for its floor to ceiling wall of liquor — including many impossible-to-find bourbons, and numerous comfy armchairs. Raleigh is set to get a new Crunkleton location as part of the Smoky Hollow development, but the timeline is murky at the moment. Co-owner and namesake Gary Crunkleton said the new location hopes to open this year. When it opens, the Raleigh Crunkleton will follow the model of the popular Charlotte location, adding a kitchen to match the top tier cocktails.
These beloved Triangle restaurants closed in 2023. A look back at what we’ll miss
