The new eatery is right beside Fiction Kitchen. | Photo by John Hansen Photography
Looking for the next new restaurant hitting Oak City’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Raleigh — plus, some spots coming soon. Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the culinary curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.
June openings
Boatman Spirits Co.
This new spot combines Mediterranean street food, locally distilled spirits, and a relaxing ambiance perfect for your next date night or special occasion.
Cup A Joe
The Mission Valley location of this fave is back in action with all your favorite drink specials and house-brewed java.
This Mediterranean spot is located across from The Yard Milkshake Bar.
Photo by RALtoday
Coming Soon
The Common Market | Projected opening: 2026
This marketplace, which you might know from its Durham location or three Charlotte outposts, will feature curated grocery items, local goods, grab-and-go options, coffee, beer + wine, made-to-order sandwiches, and a full-service bar.
Benchwarmers Bagels | Projected opening: TBA
This local favorite is getting a new location near Dix Park, and we’re excited for more gourmet bagels and top-notch breakfast bites.
Tuesday Night Trivia | 7-10 p.m. | Wolf & Porter | Free | Test your knowledge + compete for prizes like Wolfe & Porter gift certificates.
Wednesday, July 2
City Soul Cafe Open Mic | 8-11 p.m. | Terminal 8, Raleigh | $10 | Come and show your vocal talents or sit back + enjoy performances from neighbors.
Fancy vs. Frugal: A Wine Tasting Series | 6-7:30 p.m. | Westgate Wine Bar | $25+ | Taste and compare cost-effective and high-priced wines and learn if the price tag is worth it.
Thursday, July 3
Goodnights Presents: Katherine Blanford | Thursday, July 3-Saturday, July 5 | Times vary | Goodnights Comedy Club | $26+ | Laugh along with this comedian during her stint in Raleigh.
Silent Book Club | 6:30-8 p.m. | Oberlin Regional Library | Free | Shhh — bring your TBR pile and turn some pages with a group.
Friday, July 4
Cary Presents: Independence Day Celebration | Doors open at 3:30 p.m. | Booth Amphitheatre, Cary | Free | The North Carolina Symphony will play patriotic tunes before a dazzling fireworks display over Symphony Lake.
Lights, camera, action! If your family loves movies, take a peek at all the free outdoor movie screenings this summer with everything from new movies like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Wicked” to classics like “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” and “Top Gun.” Don’t forget the popcorn.
Holiday
Party like it’s 1776. Celebrate Fourth of July at the NC Capitol with a reading from the Declaration of Independence, pieing redcoats and King George III, and a naturalization ceremony for new citizens. Visit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. — then go find some fireworks.
Sports
In the NHL Draft, the Hurricanes picked up seven new players, including Russian goaltender Semyon Frolov and Penn State forward Charlie Cerrato. Next up: Free agency starting today, meaning some potential big trades for the Canes.
Try This
Blackbird Books and Coffee will celebrate two years in Raleigh with a party on Saturday, July 19. Don’t miss the Poetry Fox, mystery grab bags, tarot readings, new merch, and a specialty birthday latte near Moore Square.
Travel
RDU dropped a handy graphic with every nonstop destination the airport serves, and we’ve found our to-do list. With dozens of destinations, we’re about ready to book our next trip. Learn how to navigate RDU like a pro before your summer sojourn.
Ranked
Wake County ranked as the No. 2 place for new families, according to a new study by SmartAsset. Wake ranked particularly well for median monthly housing cost at $1,648. Compare that to No. 1, Fairfax County, VA, with $2,316.
Plan Ahead
Hosting an event? Spread the word with NOVAtoday. Explore our self-service ad portal to find the perfect fit for your budget — from standout banner ads to scroll-stopping social content. Promoting your event has never been easier.
Stat
100%. That’s Homebuddy’s no-clog guarantee on their premium, top-rated gutter guards. Get a free quote and join 410,000+ other homeowners who trust the maintenance-free gutter solution.*
The Buy
A ZlumberLock secure sheet holder. Say goodbye to tangled + bunched up sheets with this easy-to-install, patented product. It fits all sheet types and boasts a sleek, discreet design.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
This weekend, my family and I went to Fuquay-Varina to stop in to Mason Jar Tavern. When you go, don’t miss the Mason Jar fries and a quick walk to the Fuquay mineral spring, which helped establish the community in the 1800s.
These fries are loaded with barbecue sauce, cheese, pulled pork, and jalapenos.
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