Restaurant closings in the Triangle for 2023, from trendy diners to fine dining

Restaurants tell the stories of their communities, as well as the owners and diners who love them. But eventually, all stories end.

So far in 2023, the Triangle has lost beloved restaurants with nearly a century of dining experience in the region, including trendsetting fine dining spots, comforting diners and neighborhood markets.

Throughout the year we’ll chronicle the restaurant closings of 2023, offering a brief remembrance for fans and regulars.

Here are the notable closings of 2023.

Let us know of any other restaurant closings by email at jdjackson@newsobserver.com.

Sawmill Tap Room, Raleigh

MAY: This one is not quite a closing, yet, but the Sawmill’s days are numbered in North Raleigh. The shock continues to reverberate within the loyal fan base of this bar built 23 years ago in Greystone Village. Owners say Sawmill will close in May after the bar and restaurant wasn’t offered a lease extension. Until then, legions of fans have stopped by for one last pint and, according to the restaurant’s Facebook page, former employees are angling to work one more shift.

Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter, Durham

MARCH: The diner may be the Great American Restaurant, a place to get a comforting meal early in the morning or late at night, sitting with elbows on a bar or in a cozy booth. Durham’s Jack Tar was a modern update to the classic diner, serving moon-sized pancakes, a perfect burger and even a take on spaghetti, all in a bright and sharp dining room in the middle of the city. Jack Tar and its sister cocktail bar The Colonel’s Daughter closed in March after five years in business.

J. Lights Market, Durham and Raleigh

MARCH: Born in Durham and expanded to Raleigh, J. Lights offered a bodega-style concept to the Triangle, combining a beer and wine shop and deli counter in two high profile apartment and retail complexes. The Durham J. Lights built a steady following with brewery fans visiting the Hi-Wire taproom in the Golden Belt complex, loving seasoned french fries, burgers and chicken sandwiches. In Raleigh, the cafe was just getting started in the Smoky Hollow development.

Panciuto, Hillsborough

MARCH: For many years this Hillsborough restaurant has stood among the Triangle’s finest kitchens, earning James Beard attention for chef and owner Aaron Vandermark. Through the pandemic Pancuito tried multiple versions of its old self, including a stripped down service model. Ultimately Vandermark morphed the restaurant into a new form with a new name: Hillsborough Bakeshop. Panciuto lives on in the freshly made pastas and creatively seasonal dishes and according to the restaurant’s website may return....in about 1,000 years.

Zweli’s Kitchen, Durham

MARCH: This is not a forever closing. The original location of Zweli’s Kitchen closed in March, ending a five year run for one of the Triangle’s best new restaurants. But Zweli’s isn’t gone for good, it’s simply moving to a new location in Durham’s Brightleaf Square shopping center. The menu of married couple Zweli and Leonardo Williams with remain mostly the same when the restaurant opens in late summer. Look for deeply flavorful Piri Piri chicken, oxtails and peanut butter collard greens.

Deli Edison, Chapel Hill

FEBRUARY: Best known for nationally famous country ham, Lady Edison owner Sam Suchoff launched this deli, bagel shop and market in 2019, taking over Chapel Hill’s former Bagel Bar. The shop served popular bagel sandwiches, bodega style rolls and deli classics, plus served as a retail arm for Lady Edison’s line of sausages, hams and charcuterie. It closed at the end of February.

TOPO Distillery, Chapel Hill

FEBRUARY: Born out of the success Top of the Hill, one of the most successful restaurants on Franklin Street, TOPO Distillery opened in 2012 as one of North Carolina’s very few craft spirits makers at the time. TOPO made everything under its own label, including vodka and whiskey and while production ended in November its bottles may still be on the shelves at some Triangle ABC stores.

Soul Taco, Raleigh

JANUARY: This wildly popular Richmond taco brand was once featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, the ultimate blessing for comforting casual food. That success drove the brand south to Raleigh and a new taco shop just off of Hillsborough Street near the NC State campus. Soul Taco is fusion at its most fun, blending flavors of soul food and the structure of a taco, leading to Nashville hot chicken and shrimp po’ boy tacos. It closed in January.

The Rockford, Raleigh

JANUARY: The oldest restaurant on Glenwood South closed this year, as The Rockford retired after nearly 30 years in business. The Rockford stood out as a funky kind of fine dining within the bustle of Glenwood Avenue’s famous nightlife scene. The restaurant earned the praise of former News & Observer dining critic Greg Cox and its kitchen was led at times by many of Raleigh’s top chefs, including recently Kevin Ruiz.

C&H Cafeteria, Durham

JANUARY: The COVID pandemic was especially hard on cafeteria and buffet style restaurants. This 14-year-old buffet in Durham’s Northgate Shopping Center was one of the first restaurant losses of the year, abruptly closing in early January.

Kitchen, Chapel Hill

JANUARY: The longtime Chapel Hill neighborhood restaurant Kitchen Bistro closed in January, ending a 13-year run serving comforting French dishes. Owned by married couple Dick and Sue Barrows announced at the end of last year they would close Kitchen and retire.