Triangle dining scene expands with new arrivals and Michelin nods

Three Triangle restaurants received new Bib Gourmand designations at the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony held in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Wednesday. The award, which recognizes affordable and high-quality food, went to Ajja in Raleigh, Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro in Carrboro. Tesoro operates as an 18-seat restaurant focused on pasta. Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ retained their Bib Gourmand status from the previous year. Sixteen additional Triangle establishments, including Brewery Bhavana, Poole's, Stanbury, and The Fearrington House Restaurant, kept their Michelin recommended listings.

Maggiano's Little Italy is set to take over the space at Crabtree Valley Mall previously occupied by Brio Italian Grille. This location will become the second Maggiano's in the Triangle, following the existing restaurant at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The chain serves large, family-style portions, but has not announced a specific opening date. In the same city, Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a franchise based in Pittsburgh, plans to open its first North Carolina location at 325 Blake St. in City Market. The shop will sit next to Blackbird Books and Coffee, with a target opening before the end of the year, according to the Triangle Business Journal.

South Block, known for acai bowls and smoothies, is preparing to enter the Raleigh market. The brand currently has three locations in the Charlotte area and will open at 4121 Main at North Hills St., next to bartaco, as reported by RALtoday. No opening date has been set for this new spot. In Apex, Grain & Berry recently opened at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossings. This is the chain's second North Carolina location, following its store in Holly Springs. Winston's Grille in Raleigh is also marking its 40th anniversary. Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr. founded the restaurant in 1986.

In Durham, M Kikkei, formerly known as M Pocha, will hold an invitation-only soft opening on October 24. The restaurant will hold its grand opening on October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. M Kikkei serves Nikkei cuisine, a blend of Japanese techniques and Peruvian ingredients, and serves as the seventh concept in the Mpire group. In Pittsboro, Tavolo Italian Eatery has opened in MOSAIC at Chatham Park. 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 closing side, Sushioki in Research Triangle Park has shut down permanently after eight years of operation.

The regional event calendar includes the inaugural Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival on Sunday, October 25, at American Legion Post 6. VIP entry begins at 2 p.m., and general admission starts 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. The menu is due for pickup on Saturday, October 24, at 202 N. Corcoran St. in Durham.

In early November, the Chefs for Change Gala & Auction will take place at The Cookery on November 5 to benefit Families Moving Forward. Botiwalla will host a Diwali party at Iron Works on November 6. The third Rawleigh Oyster Fest, themed Smoke & Shuck, is scheduled for November 7 at Raleigh Iron Works. This edition adds North Carolina pitmasters for the first time. Organizers introduced a $60 Half Shell ticket, which includes nine oysters, two bites, and one drink, after receiving feedback that previous pricing excluded some attendees. The previous two editions sold out and raised approximately $12,500 combined.

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