Three Triangle Restaurants Earn Michelin Bib Gourmand Recognition in Nashville
New dining venues, including Maggiano's and Millie's Ice Cream, are set to open across the region as the Michelin Guide names three local spots for their value and quality.
By Priya Marino ·
Three Triangle restaurants received new Bib Gourmand designations at the 2026 Michelin Guide American South ceremony held in downtown Nashville on Wednesday. Ajja in Raleigh, Ideal's in Durham, and Tesoro in Carrboro earned the accolades, which recognize restaurants offering good food at reasonable prices.
The Michelin Guide also confirmed that Prime Barbecue, Mala Pata, and Sam Jones BBQ retained their Bib Gourmand status from the previous year. Sixteen other establishments in the region kept their Michelin recommended listings. These include Brewery Bhavana, Poole's, Stanbury, and The Fearrington House Restaurant.
The expansion of the local dining scene includes several major new arrivals. Maggiano's Little Italy will occupy the former Brio Italian Grille space at Crabtree Valley Mall in Raleigh. This location will serve as the second Maggiano's in the Triangle, joining the existing site at Streets at Southpoint in Durham. The chain, known for large family-style portions, has not yet announced an opening date.
Millie's Homemade Ice Cream plans to open its first North Carolina location at 325 Blake St. in Raleigh's City Market. The Pittsburgh-based franchise will sit next to Blackbird Books and Coffee, with a target opening before the end of the year according to the Triangle Business Journal. South Block, a brand known for acai bowls and smoothies with three locations in Charlotte, is preparing to enter the Raleigh market at 4121 Main at North Hills St., adjacent to bartaco.
Other recent openings include Grain & Berry in Apex, located at 2017 Creekside Landing Drive. This is the brand's second North Carolina site after Holly Springs. In Durham, M Kikkei, formerly M Pocha, will hold an invitation-only soft opening on October 24 and a public grand opening on October 29 at 101 E. Chapel Hill St. The restaurant serves Nikkei cuisine, a blend of Japanese techniques and Peruvian ingredients, and marks the seventh concept in the Mpire group.
Winston's Grille in Raleigh is marking its 40th anniversary, having been founded by Wil O'Neal and Charles Winston Jr. in 1986. In Pittsboro, Tavolo Italian Eatery has opened in MOSAIC at Chatham Park. Gandy Coffee House is expected to open in early 2027 inside the historic Captain J. F. Alston House at 14 N. Small St. On the other side of the ledger, Sushioki in Research Triangle Park has closed permanently after eight years of operation.
The regional calendar features several upcoming events. The inaugural 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 benefiting SECU Family House at UNC Hospitals. A Yellowstone Dinner hosted by chefs including Sera Cuni of The Root Cellar is scheduled for October 29 at Holl & Stone Farm in Garner.
Preeti Waas will host a Super Spooky Sandwich popup on October 31 from noon to 4 p.m. at 202 N. Corcoran St. in Durham, with the menu available for pickup starting Saturday, October 24. The Chefs for Change Gala & Auction at The Cookery will benefit Families Moving Forward on November 5. 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. Organizers added a $60 Half Shell ticket, which includes nine oysters, two bites, and one drink, after feedback from attendees who felt previous pricing was too high. The festival will feature North Carolina pitmasters for the first time. The previous two editions sold out and collectively raised about $12,500.
The Trophy Trot 5K returns for its 10th year at Dix Park on Thanksgiving morning, November 26, benefiting Healing Transitions. Nearly 3,000 participants signed up for the previous race, which donated about $60,000, an increase from $42,000 the year before. The North Carolina State Fair continues through Sunday. The Food Bank is observing Tackling Hunger Month, noting that more than 600,000 neighbors are unsure where their next meal will come from, and that every $25 provides 75 meals.
Source: WRAL
