Get as much sushi as you’d like at Umiya. | Photo provided by Umiya
Feeling hungry? How hungry? We’ve got five local all-you-can-eat spots where you can feast to your heart (and stomach’s) content without breaking the bank.
Umiya, 404 E. Six Forks Rd., Ste. 101 | All day AYCE | Your sushi is fresh + made-to-order here, and the hotpot comes out sizzling and ready for your choice of meats and vegetables. Plus, grab salads and sides at the cold bar.
Milton’s Pizza & Pasta, 8853 Six Forks Rd. | AYCE buffet Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-7 p.m. | Locals can’t get enough of Milton’s slices — and they don’t have to, either. Fill your plate with every topping under the sun, beef ribs, lasagna, and a 40-item salad bar six days a week.
Szechuan Mansion, 1353 Kildaire Farm Rd., Cary | All day AYCE | This hotpot spot is the real deal — be careful of tongue-numbing peppercorns in your broth while you enjoy a wide variety of mushrooms, vegetables, seafood, and meat.
🎁 Dig in: The Museum Store’s new look arrives with dino-mite flair
Presented by NC Museum of Natural Sciences
Photos courtesy NC Museum of Natural Sciences.
Did you hear? Dueling Dinosaurs at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences announced a historic Nanotyrannus discovery in late October — and the timing couldn’t be better.
The Museum Store just unveiled a full-on transformation, introducing a reimagined shopping experience with unique goodies and exclusive dino merch you won’t find anywhere else.
$2 million. That’s how much damage a natural gas fire caused on the roof of the Raleigh Convention Center Monday night. Officials haven’t determined the exact cause of the fire, but no injuries have been reported, and 61 Raleigh firefighters put out the flame in approx. 25 minutes. (The News & Observer)
Watch
Have you tuned into the new season of “Stranger Things” on Netflix? Durhamite creators Ross and Matt Duffer have snuck in plenty of local references — including a radio station that resembles WPTF’s old building and Hope Hynes Love, their actual high school drama teacher, who still teaches at East Chapel Hill High School. (Axios Raleigh)
Weather
Snow could be in the forecast this Friday for the 919 according to James Danco, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service. Don’t get your hopes too high — if it does snow, it’ll quickly turn to cold rain. (The News & Observer)
Eat
No reservation? No problem. All highly sought-after holiday reservations for the Angus Barn are booked, but you can still get in. If you want to snag a walk-in table, experts suggests showing up 90 minutes before doors open and trying for the Wild Turkey Lounge or Meat Locker. (The News & Observer)
Concert
Country-rock band Ole 60 is heading to Red Hat Amphitheater on May 16 as part of their Smokestack Town tour with support from Rob Langdon and The Bends — tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.
Development
Seaboard Station developer Hoffman & Associates will renovate 802 Semart Dr., home to Ace Hardware, Seaboard Nails, and Peace China, among others. Hoffman has confirmed all tenants plan to remain at 802 Semart during renovations. Plus, The Common Market is going next to 802 Semart in 2026. (Triangle Business Journal)
Health
Meet Horizon IX, an innovative hearing aid that a leading audiologist calls “nothing short of a miracle.” With dual processors for sharper speech and less noise, it offers a nearly invisible design for all-day comfort. Try it at no risk for 45 days and experience effortless hearing for the holidays.*
26%. That’s how much you can save on all Newsletter Text Ads and Email Banner Ads when you use code COUNTDOWNTO2026 on our business promo portal. No long-term contract required + your promo can be here in as little as two days. Get started. (edited)
Health
This FDA-registered vibrator is recommended by doctors because it boosts arousal and supports natural lubrication, thanks to its bendable shape designed to stimulate all the right spots. Even better? Save 35% + an extra 15% with code H4PPY15.*
Category
Seasonal
✨ Downtown is ready for your Hallmark holiday movie moment
Presented by Downtown Raleigh Alliance
Photos courtesy Downtown Raleigh Alliance
Downtown during the holidays is quite the sight to see.
Every storefront shines a little brighter. Every block feels like a movie set, with twinkling lights + festive decor.
This walkable winter wonderland is the Triangle’s merriest holiday destination — with all the happenings you need to have your very own Hallmark-movie moment this season.
Park once and slip straight into:
⛸️ Ice skating adventures at The RINK
🌟 Glowing, larger-than-life installations along the Illuminate Art Walk
🎭 Seasonal shows like The Nutcracker
🍸 6+ holiday pop-up bars (Miracle at Killjoy, anyone?)
🛍️ 153+ small businesses: The Triangle’s highest concentration of locally owned shops
Three viral products that are actually worth paying attention to:
☕ A JavaSok — aka an insulated neoprene sleeve for your favorite iced drinks. The widely popular product is an Amazon bestseller + one of the top gifts of the season. Bonus: Discover Soks for cans, water bottles, ice cream pints, and more.
🥘 The StoveShelf — as seen in Business Insider and Food & Wine. It’s a high-quality magnetic attachment for your stovetop that stores frequently used items like spices, condiments, and cooking oils.
🐻 Something that’s on every teenager’s holiday wishlist: the viral Starbucks Bearista bear cup. If you couldn’t get your hands on the original (they sold out within minutes), we found the perfect look-alike on Amazon.
One more thing before you go — I caught a glimpse of the new Raising Cane’s on Hillsborough Street, and I’m really impressed by the refreshed marquee. Sources say it’ll open its doors in mid-January.
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