Maggiano's, Millie's Ice Cream and South Block Headed to Raleigh as Triangle Dining Scene Grows

Several new names are on their way to the Raleigh area's restaurant scene, while the Triangle also picked up fresh recognition from the Michelin Guide, according to a roundup from WRAL.

At the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony, held Wednesday in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, three Triangle restaurants earned new Bib Gourmand designations: Ajja in Raleigh, the Durham sandwich shop Ideal's, and Tesoro, an 18-seat, pasta-focused restaurant in Carrboro. Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata and Sam Jones BBQ kept their Bib Gourmand status from last year. Sixteen other Triangle restaurants, including Brewery Bhavana, Poole's, Stanbury and The Fearrington House Restaurant, retained their Michelin recommended listings.

In Raleigh, Maggiano's Little Italy will take over the Crabtree Valley Mall space that Brio Italian Grille occupied. It will be the Triangle's second Maggiano's, after the one at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The chain is known for large, family-style portions, and no opening date has been announced. Elsewhere in the city, Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a Pittsburgh-based franchise, plans to open its first North Carolina shop at 325 Blake St. in City Market, next to Blackbird Books and Coffee, with a target of opening before the end of the year, the Triangle Business Journal reported.

South Block, which is known for acai bowls and smoothies and has three locations in the Charlotte area, is preparing to enter the Raleigh market at 4121 Main at North Hills St., next to bartaco, RALtoday reported. No opening date has been set. In Apex, Grain & Berry has opened at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossings, its second North Carolina location after Holly Springs. Winston's Grille in Raleigh is marking its 40th anniversary; Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr. founded it in 1986.

In Durham, M Kikkei, formerly M Pocha, will hold an invitation-only soft opening on October 24 and a grand opening on October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. The restaurant draws on Nikkei cuisine, which blends Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients, and is the seventh concept in the "Mpire." In Pittsboro, a Tavolo Italian Eatery has opened in MOSAIC at Chatham Park, and Gandy Coffee House is expected to open in early 2027 inside the historic Captain J. F. Alston House at 14 N. Small St. On the closure side, Sushioki in Research Triangle Park has shut permanently after eight years.

The event calendar is full. The inaugural Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival takes place Sunday, October 25, at American Legion Post 6, with VIP entry at 2 p.m. and general admission at 3 p.m.; proceeds will benefit SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. On October 29, chefs including Sera Cuni of The Root Cellar will host a Yellowstone Dinner at Holl & Stone Farm in Garner. Preeti Waas will hold a "Super Spooky Sandwich" popup on October 31 from noon to 4 p.m., with the menu due Saturday, October 24, for pickup at 202 N. Corcoran St. in Durham.

In early November, the Chefs for Change Gala & Auction at The Cookery on November 5 will benefit Families Moving Forward, and Botiwalla will host a Diwali party at Iron Works on November 6. The third Rawleigh Oyster Fest, themed "Smoke & Shuck," is set for November 7 at Raleigh Iron Works and will add North Carolina pitmasters for the first time. Organizers added a $60 Half Shell ticket with nine oysters, two bites and one drink after hearing from people who felt priced out. The previous two editions sold out and together raised about $12,500.

The Trophy Trot 5K returns for its 10th year at Dix Park on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, benefiting Healing Transitions. Nearly 3,000 people signed up last year, and the race donated about $60,000, up from $42,000 the year before. The North Carolina State Fair also continues through Sunday. Meanwhile, the Food Bank is marking Tackling Hunger Month, noting that more than 600,000 neighbors are not always sure where their next meal will come from, and that every $25 provides 75 meals.