Maggiano's, South Block Headed to Raleigh as Michelin Honors Three Triangle Kitchens

North Carolina's Triangle region is adding national restaurant chains while local kitchens collect awards from the Michelin Guide.

Three area restaurants earned Bib Gourmand designations at the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony in Nashville. The honorees were Ajja in Raleigh, the sandwich counter Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro, an 18-seat pasta restaurant in Carrboro. Three spots held their prior Bib Gourmand status: Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ. Sixteen other restaurants in the region, including Brewery Bhavana, Poole's, Stanbury, and The Fearrington House Restaurant, stayed on the Michelin recommended list.

New locations are on the way. Maggiano's Little Italy will move into the space Brio Italian Grille vacated at Crabtree Valley Mall. It will be the second Maggiano's in the Triangle; the first is at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. No date has been set for opening. South Block, an acai bowl and smoothie chain with three shops in the Charlotte area, plans to enter Raleigh at 4121 Main at North Hills St., next to bartaco. That location also has no opening date. Millie's Homemade Ice Cream, a Pittsburgh franchise, aims to open its first North Carolina store at 325 Blake St. in City Market, beside Blackbird Books and Coffee, before the end of the year, the Triangle Business Journal reported.

Other activity in the region includes the opening of Grain & Berry at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive in Beaver Creek Crossings in Apex. It is the second North Carolina site for the brand after Holly Springs. Winston's Grille in Raleigh is marking 40 years since Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr. founded it in 1986. M Kikkei, formerly M Pocha, plans an invitation-only soft opening on October 24 and a grand opening on October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. in Durham. The restaurant uses Japanese techniques with Peruvian ingredients and is the seventh concept in the Mpire. Tavolo Italian Eatery has opened in MOSAIC at Chatham Park in Pittsboro. Sushioki in Research Triangle Park closed permanently after eight years.

On the calendar, the Chapel Hill Biscuit Festival opens October 25 at American Legion Post 6. VIP entry starts at 2 p.m., general admission at 3 p.m., and proceeds go to SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. A Yellowstone Dinner follows on October 29 at Holl & Stone Farm in Garner with Sera Cuni of The Root Cellar among the chefs. Preeti Waas runs a Super Spooky Sandwich popup on October 31 from noon to 4 p.m., with pickup at 202 N. Corcoran St. in Durham. The Chefs for Change Gala & Auction is November 5 at The Cookery and benefits Families Moving Forward. Botiwalla holds a Diwali party at Iron Works on November 6. The third Rawleigh Oyster Fest runs November 7 at Raleigh Iron Works with North Carolina pitmasters for the first time; a $60 Half Shell ticket covers nine oysters, two bites, and one drink. The prior two fests sold out and raised about $12,500 combined.

The Trophy Trot 5K at Dix Park on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, benefits Healing Transitions. Nearly 3,000 people signed up last year and the race donated about $60,000, against $42,000 the prior year. The North Carolina State Fair runs through Sunday. The Food Bank is observing Tackling Hunger Month and reports that more than 600,000 neighbors do not always know where their next meal comes from; it states $25 provides 75 meals.