Mount Olive, NC Lifestyle and More

One of Raleigh's most influential restaurants will close after 13 years

One of Raleigh’s most distinct and influential restaurants will close this month after more than a decade of championing and celebrating vegetarian cuisine. Fiction Kitchen plans to close its doors for good on Saturday, Nov. 14, and will serve its final Sunday brunch on Nov. 8. “This was a very difficult decision and one full of tears, but we feel the time has come for us to sunset Fiction Kitchen,” owners Caroline Morrison and Siobhan Southern said in an Instagram post. Fiction Kitchen opened in 2013 on Davie Street in Downtown Raleigh. Serving an entirely vegan menu of comforting and seasonal favorites, Fiction Kitchen became a destination for vegetarians and omnivores alike, solidifying its spot as one of the city’s signature restaurants for a time. Its vegan pulled “pork” has been a sensation for years, collecting national write-ups from outlets like The Washington Post . View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Fiction Kitchen (@thefictionkitchen) In 2024, Fiction Kitchen closed its original location in Downtown Raleigh and relocated to the redeveloping Gateway Plaza shopping center, first as a pop-up and then in a new permanent space in 2025. The owners hoped the move would offer a fresh

Raleigh, NC · 4d

allamericanatlas.com

5 Best Restaurants in Durham, North Carolina You Need to Try Before Everyone Else Finds Them

Durham, North Carolina — a city where tobacco warehouses stand shoulder to shoulder with glassy new towers, where the laughter of Duke students mingles with the wisdom of old-timers, where every street corner pulses with the energy of makers, dreamers, and families who’ve called this place home for generations. Here, the city’s soul is stitched together by the legacy of Black Wall Street, the rhythm of jazz and gospel, and the promise of new beginnings. It’s a place where barbecue smoke drifts through neighborhoods, where the scent of biscuits and collards mingles with the spice of new arrivals, and where every meal is a gathering — a celebration of memory and hope, of resilience and reinvention.

Durham, NC · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

Multiple coffee shops across Triangle will close or change in the coming months

On Monday, Nov. 2, a fire was reported at Village Coffeehouse in North Raleigh, prompting the business’ closure for until further notice, according to a post on the business’ social media . It’s the latest in a number of setbacks for coffee shops across the Triangle, which are experiencing struggles for a variety of reasons. In addition to the Village Coffeehouse fire, The Optimist Raleigh announced chapter 11 bankruptcy, Bad Brain Coffee Co. faces relocation and Parallax Coffee will close its Wendell location at the end of the year. On Monday, Oct. 26, Andrew Ward, owner of Optimist Raleigh, took to social media to share the news of the bankruptcy filing. “We will continue to operate normally going forward,” The Optimist said in a social media post. “Staff will be paid. Coffee and food will be served and nothing will change, especially in the interim. This process is just beginning, but the idea will always be to be here and protect this place and our staff.” In January 2025, The Optimist opened WRK by The Optimist on the first floor of North Hills’ The Exchange Raleigh before closing. Then Café Royale , a Parisian-inspired café and bar took over the

Raleigh, NC · 4d

decorhint.com

This North Carolina Restaurant Looks Like A Backyard Party But Just Joined Michelin’s Exclusive List

The missing front door is what got me. Instead of walking straight into this North Carolina restaurant, guests follow a bright 1960s-style mural around a plain cinder block building until a backyard suddenly opens up behind it. By then, I already understand the name. It means “come over” in Hindi...

Raleigh, NC · 19h

takemetotn.com

12 North Carolina Animal Shelters And Sanctuaries Where Your Volunteer Hours Actually Matter

A free Saturday can turn into a tiger tour, a goat cuddle, or a dog walk that helps a shelter pup get noticed. North Carolina is full of rescues and sanctuaries that run on everyday people who show up and pitch in. From the Piedmont to the mountains to the...

North Carolina · 3d

raleighweekend.com

Enjoy Sunday’s Rooftop Drag Brunch with a Canned Food Drive and Legendary Queens

Nothing beats starting the day with dazzling costumes, powerhouse lip-syncs, and a side of bacon overlooking North Hills. On Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026, Raleigh’s original drag brunch returns to the Level 7 rooftop for an afternoon of unmatched entertainment and community impact. The Crape Myrtle Festival team is bringing out a stellar lineup featuring Chloe Cassidy, Kayla LaShay, Alexandra Vittz, Portia Foxx, and Portia Dupree XL.

raleighweekend.com

Smoke and Shuck NC Oysters with Star Pitmasters at Raleigh Iron Works on Saturday

Few pairings capture North Carolina fall quite like briny half shells and rich, wood-fired barbecue. On Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026, the Rawleigh Oyster Fest takes over Raleigh Iron Works from 1–5 p.m. for its annual Smoke & Shuck showdown. The lineup brings together six chef-and-grower duos—pairing Triangle favorites like Figulina, Seraphine, and Cucciolo Terrazza with coastal N.C. farms like Kinnakeet and Hold Fast—alongside four heavy-hitting pitmasters, including Nick Dampf and Katsuji Tanabe, plus plant-based dishes from Cuya Cocina’s Kevin Ruiz.

hoodline.com

Teens Hurl Slurs at North Hills Shoppers in Viral Video, Mall Says It's Disappointed

A TikTok video showing two young teens hurling racist and homophobic slurs at shoppers near Raleigh's North Hills has racked up more than 40,000 views, reigniting concerns about unsupervised teen gatherings at the upscale shopping district. The woman who posted the clip says it captured just one of three separate encounters teens had with patrons there within the same stretch of time.

everafterinthewoods.com

North Carolina Shoppers Are Looking Beyond Supermarkets For These Farm-Fresh Finds

Seventy-five acres. That’s how much room one farmers market needs to hold its farm sheds, restaurants, garden shop, and a busy wholesale side. It opens every day of the year, closing only on Christmas Day. Rain, heat, or a chilly January morning, the gates still swing open at 8 AM.

Raleigh, NC · 1d

lifeonpawsandwheels.com

📻🐾 WPTF AM Radio Building in Cary, NC – Historic Art Deco Landmark That Inspired Stranger Things!

Simba and I visited the historic WPTF AM Radio Building in Cary, North Carolina, an incredible Art Deco-style radio transmitter station that helped inspire the fictional WSQK radio station in Netflix's Stranger Things! With its rounded corners, streamlined windows, vintage lettering, and towering broadcast antennas, this unusual building looks like something straight out of another era.

Cary, NC · 2d

Raleigh News & Observer

Popular Pittsburgh-based ice cream franchise opens first NC location in Raleigh

Pittsburgh-based ice cream franchise, Millie’s Homemade, announced on Monday, Nov. 2 an upcoming location in Downtown Raleigh. Originally launched in 2014, Millie’s was co-founded by Chad and Lauren Townsend. Raleigh will be the franchise’s first North Carolina location. The opening date has yet to be announced. “Get READY, Raleigh: we’re on our way to becoming besties!,” the company said in the post . “...we’ll have scoops and scoops of tasty stuff to announce.” The creamery company has locations in Pennsylvania, Florida, New York, Maryland, Texas and a mobile truck in Tennessee, according to its website . In addition to store locations and food trucks, the business packages their ice cream at Millie’s Ice Cream Works and sells pints in nearby grocery stores. “We’re on a mission to #spreadLove in our community through the simple joy of scratch-made ice cream,” the company said on his website. “That means real relationships and real ingredients – always sourced from farmers & artisans and proudly spun into super premium ice cream...” Triangle Business Journal reported that the site is scheduled to be at 325 Blake St. near Moore Square in Downtown Raleigh’s City Market before the end of the year. Millie’s sells classic, seasonal

Raleigh, NC · 3d

raleighweekend.com

That Friday Glow: Stargazing, Hot Cider, and Illuminated Canopies at JC Raulston Arboretum

Few Raleigh traditions feel quite as perfect for trading the couch for a crisp evening stroll as one under an artfully lit garden canopy. Opening on Friday, Nov. 6, 2026, the annual Moonlight in the Garden returns to JC Raulston Arboretum, transforming the nationally recognized plant collections into an evening wonderland. Stroll through winding pathways washed in colorful lighting, catch live music echoing through the gardens, and grab dinner from on-site food trucks before claiming a spot around the fire pits with hot apple cider.

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WRAL News

Foodie News: New BBQ spot coming to Raleigh Iron Works, Diwali party and Oyster Fest this weekend

Raleigh Magazine shared the exciting news this week that Michelin-recommended Lewis Barbecue is beginning construction on its Salvage Yard at Raleigh Iron Works location in Raleigh this week. Owner and pitmaster John Lewis, who got his start in Austin (where he helped open Franklin Barbecue and the much-beloved La Barbecue), currently has locations in Charleston, Atlanta and Greenville (SC). Barbecue enthusiasts have flocked to his pits for years, waiting in long lines to get a taste of his expertly smoked pork spareribs, beef ribs, “Texas hot guts” sausage, oxtail, and his legendary beef brisket. Expect them to open in the second quarter of 2027. Take a moment to get familiar with them here.

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NC Newsline

A new documentary looks not-too-far back at NC college student voting this election

Some ballots haven’t even been counted yet, but a documentary about the 2026 election from the perspective of North Carolina college students fighting for campus early voting sites has already had its debut. “Where Do I Vote Again?” screened Thursday night at The Rialto in Raleigh. It encapsulates the work of students who tried to […]

North Carolina · 1d

Raleigh News & Observer

A new artisan ice cream shop has opened in Raleigh. Here's where to try it

The small-batch artisan ice cream shop Ladybug Creamery has officially opened at North Raleigh’s Glenwood Place. The creamery emphasizes quality ingredients without artificial flavors or colors. Their dairy, fruit and honey are sourced from North Carolina farms, as well as toppings that are “baked, boiled or roasted” in their own kitchen, according to their website . “First taste, first impression is everything,” the business said in a social media post. “We have been perfecting our recipes and tracking down the perfect local produce to bring a real farm-to-cone experience to the neighborhood.” Ladybug Creamery maintains a rotation of 12 flavors made daily in their location, each categorized under signatures, classics, international or seasonal. These tastes are subject to change, but their signatures — milk & honey, Turkish coffee, and pistachio — are always available, per the website . “Ladybug means: luck, hope, and new beginnings — the courage to move forward and make something meaningful in a new place,” the business said on its website . “That is the whole idea behind our Ladybug Creamery.” It’s led by Onur Yilmaz, a student of gastronomy and culinary arts. Yilmaz had years of experience in professional kitchens before “ice cream became the

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WRAL News

Durham County Animal Shelter responds to photos showing deplorable conditions

The Animal Protection Society of Durham has responded to pictures posted on social media showing the shelter in deplorable condition and alleging poor care. The shelter confirmed with WRAL News that the pictures do not reflect what it looks like now following months of changes. WRAL News is not sharing those photos due to their graphic nature.

Durham County, NC · 2d

Raleigh News & Observer

Durham animal shelter says alleged poor conditions don't reflect the shelter today

A former Durham County animal shelter employee posted graphic photos he said showed the shelter’s poor conditions to Facebook on Wednesday. The employee alleged that dogs were fed moldy food, animals were covered in feces, roaches were falling from the ceiling and dead animals were piled up or laid across the ground waiting to be cremated. The Animal Protection Society of Durham, the nonprofit that runs the shelter under a county contract of over $1 million, confirmed it was aware of posts from “a former employee who has expressed dissatisfaction with the organization” in a Thursday statement . But the APS wrote that the former employee’s photos did not reflect the conditions of the shelter now. The former employee has not worked at the shelter for over four months, and the “historical” photos were not from the final months of his employment, APS wrote. “That does not mean we are dismissing what these images show,” the APS wrote. “APS has faced significant challenges, and we have been open about the changes needed to address them.” Design work starting on new animal shelter The News & Observer has previously reported on the animal shelter’s challenges. In July 2025, The N&O tour

Durham County, NC · 2d

unearththevoyage.com

The North Carolina Fried Chicken Counter That Kept Its Recipe While Every Food Trend Came and Went

Some of the best meals in North Carolina hide inside buildings you would drive past a hundred times without a second look. I almost did, until a line of hungry people wrapped around an old brick corner caught my eye at lunchtime. Inside, the smell of hot, crispy chicken and...

Durham, NC · 3d

familydestinationsguide.com