New Raleigh Restaurants of 2026: What Is Open and What Is Coming

Local to Coastal Realty keeps an eye on what is opening in Raleigh, because where people eat on a Friday night says a lot about which neighborhoods are changing. Here is what has opened in 2026, checked in October. Hours and menus change, so check before you go.

Botiwalla by Chai Pani opened Tuesday, June 2 at Raleigh Iron Works. It is the fast-casual offshoot of Chai Pani from owners Meherwan and Molly Irani (Raleigh Iron Works).

Big Cat is a neighborhood restaurant and market at 1000 Brookside Drive, Suite 119, from Cheetie Kumar, Paul Siler, Angela Salamanca, Marshall Davis, and Justin Pasfield. In September 2026 it was named to the New York Times list of the 50 best restaurants in America, the only North Carolina restaurant on it (Visit Raleigh).

Sunflower's Cafe is back at 1029 South Saunders Street. It was a Raleigh favorite for 37 years, and the founders' family runs it again, with everything made from scratch (Sunflower's Cafe).

Kokoro Ramen and Izakaya is open in City Market at 200 East Martin Street, on the Downtown Raleigh Alliance's list of new businesses (Downtown Raleigh Alliance).

Lewis Barbecue is coming to the Salvage Yard at Raleigh Iron Works in 2026, with Texas-style smoked meats from pitmaster John Lewis (Raleigh Iron Works). The brand earned a Bib Gourmand from the MICHELIN Guide, and Raleigh is its first North Carolina location (announcement).

Pizzeria Toro, a Durham pizzeria since 2012, is building its first Raleigh location at 807 Halifax Street in Seaboard Station, sharing a renovated garage with The Common Market. It is aiming for a fall 2026 opening (Hoodline).

42nd Street Oyster Bar closed in March 2025, and longtime general manager Hunter Correll and chef Joe Rohrer plan to bring it back at 508 West Jones Street. As of July 2026, structural repairs come first and no opening date has been set (What Now).

If you are thinking about selling a Raleigh home, moving to one of these neighborhoods, or pairing a Raleigh base with a place at the coast, my Raleigh guide covers the parks, museums, and places to eat. Get in touch and I will run the comps so you can see what the numbers look like.

• Raleigh Iron Works: Botiwalla opening
• Visit Raleigh: Big Cat
• Sunflower's Cafe
• Downtown Raleigh Alliance: new businesses
• Raleigh Iron Works: Lewis Barbecue
• PR Newswire: Lewis Barbecue to open in Salvage Yard
• Hoodline: Pizzeria Toro at Seaboard Station (September 2026)
• What Now: 42nd Street Oyster Bar reopening update (July 1, 2026)