Maggiano's and Millie's Join Growing Raleigh Food Scene as Michelin Honors Local Spots

Three Triangle restaurants secured new Bib Gourmand designations at the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony held Wednesday in Nashville. The honor went to Ajja in Raleigh, Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro in Carrboro. Tesoro is a small, pasta-focused spot with only 18 seats. Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ retained their status from the previous year. Sixteen other local establishments, including Brewery Bhavana and Poole's, kept their Michelin recommended listings.

Maggiano's Little Italy will soon occupy the former Brio Italian Grille space at Crabtree Valley Mall. This will be the chain's second location in the region, following its existing spot at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The brand is well known for serving large, family-style meals, though an official opening date has not yet been announced. Meanwhile, Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a franchise based in Pittsburgh, is preparing to launch its first North Carolina location. It will open at 325 Blake St. in City Market, right next to Blackbird Books and Coffee. The target date for this opening is before the end of the year.

South Block, a brand famous for acai bowls and smoothies, is expanding from Charlotte to Raleigh. It plans to open at 4121 Main at North Hills St., adjacent to bartaco. No specific start date is set for this new venture. In Apex, Grain & Berry recently opened its second North Carolina location in Beaver Creek Crossings, following its earlier launch in Holly Springs. Winston's Grille in Raleigh is also celebrating a milestone, marking 40 years in business since its founding in 1986 by Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr.

In Durham, M Kikkei, which was formerly known as M Pocha, is set for an invitation-only soft opening on October 24. Its grand opening will follow on October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. This eatery features Nikkei cuisine, a style that mixes Japanese cooking methods with Peruvian ingredients. It 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 also expected to open in early 2027 inside the historic Captain J. F. Alston House. On the other side of the ledger, Sushioki in Research Triangle Park closed permanently after eight years of operation.

The local event calendar remains busy through the end of the year. The first Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival will take place on Sunday, October 25, at American Legion Post 6. VIP entry begins at 2 p.m., and general admission starts at 3 p.m., with proceeds supporting 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 is also planning a Super Spooky Sandwich popup for October 31, with a menu available for pickup starting October 24.

Additional gatherings are scheduled for early November. The Chefs for Change Gala & Auction will occur 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 set for November 7 at Raleigh Iron Works. This year marks the first time North Carolina pitmasters will participate. Organizers also introduced a $60 Half Shell ticket, which includes nine oysters, two bites, and one drink, in response to feedback about pricing. The previous two editions sold out and raised about $12,500 combined.

The Trophy Trot 5K returns for its tenth year on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, at Dix Park to benefit Healing Transitions. Nearly 3,000 people participated last year, and the race donated about $60,000, an increase from $42,000 in the prior year. The North Carolina State Fair continues through Sunday. The Food Bank is also observing Tackling Hunger Month, noting that over 600,000 neighbors are uncertain about their next meal. Every $25 donation provides 75 meals.