7 Restaurants Opening This May Across North Carolina

May is shaping up to be a busy month for hospitality openings across North Carolina.

From coastal taverns and German-style lager breweries to Bengali takeout, and a potato-focused brick-and-mortar, several new concepts are preparing to open or reopen around the state.

Here are eight new and coming soon restaurants and breweries to watch in North Carolina this May.

Waterway Tavern — Ocean Isle Beach

Address: 1882 Goose Creek Road SW Unit 1, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469

Status: Targeting an opening in the next couple of weeks, according to owner Brittany Bowers, who spoke with Business Debut on April 24, 2026.

What to expect: A neighborhood tavern opening on the second floor of the Brick Landing clubhouse, with views of the Intracoastal Waterway and golf course. Waterway Tavern will operate as its own independent business inside the building, alongside The Links at Brick Landing and Paradise Bar and Grill.

Menu highlights: Cocktails, beer, wine, specialty cocktails, four beers on draft, a broader canned beer selection, and a small bar snacks menu.

Hours: Planned Wednesday–Saturday 3 p.m.–10 p.m. and Sunday 1 p.m.–8 p.m.

Who’s behind it: Owner Brittany Bowers is leading the new tavern.

Three Rabbits Brewing — Greensboro

Address: 214 Commerce Pl, Greensboro, NC 27401

Status: Targeting a soft opening toward the end of the month, according to owner Christopher Myers, who spoke with Business Debut on May 4, 2026. A grand opening is expected later in July into August, though the timeline is not final.

What to expect: A 3,400-square-foot brewery and taproom, with about 1,300 square feet used for the taproom and the remaining space dedicated to brewing. The taproom is expected to have a European pub feel with old maps, pictures, and paintings tied to owner Christopher Myers’ German heritage.

Menu highlights: European-style and German-style lagers will be the long-term focus, though the brewery plans to begin with ales such as IPAs and sours while the lager program develops. Myers is especially interested in serving bock beer, a darker German lager with a richer profile than many domestic lagers.

Hours: Planned six days a week, with Mondays expected to be closed.

Who’s behind it: Owner Christopher Myers is leading the brewery and taproom.

Read our full article.

Yard Dog Brewing Company — Farmville

Address: 3883 South Main Street, Farmville, NC 27828

Status: Preparing to open as a new standalone brand under parent company WrenBev, according to General Manager Drew Cheshire, who spoke with Business Debut on April 16, 2026.

What to expect: A small taproom experience with indoor occupancy around 49 guests, plus a large outdoor area with picnic tables, yard games, and a designated dog park space. The concept leans into a dog-friendly, outdoor-focused atmosphere.

Menu highlights: Three initial core beers brewed in-house: a lighter lager, a dark lager, and a German-style wheat beer. Yard Dog will also rotate beers from sister WrenBev concepts, including IPAs and sours. Beer, wine, and a limited liquor menu are planned, with food available through outside vendors, food trucks, or guests bringing their own meals.

Hours: Planned six days a week, with Mondays reserved for brewing, cleaning, and internal operations. Daily hours are still to be announced.

Who’s behind it: Yard Dog is part of WrenBev’s growing portfolio, with General Manager Drew Cheshire sharing details on the project.

Read our full article.

Yeti Bowl and Shakes — Chapel Hill

Address: 153 East Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Status: Targeting an end-of-May opening, according to co-owner Anish Koirala, who spoke with Business Debut on April 17, 2026.

What to expect: A first-location bowl and shake concept taking over the former Hibachi and Company space on Franklin Street. The restaurant will offer takeout and limited dine-in seating, with a setup designed for quick meals and casual visits.

Menu highlights: Customizable rice bowls, chicken bowls, bean-based bowls, and seafood bowls with a range of bases, proteins, and combinations. Shakes will also be part of the core menu.

Hours: Planned seven days a week for lunch and dinner.

Who’s behind it: Co-owner Anish Koirala is part of the team launching the first Yeti Bowl and Shakes location.

Read our full article.

Taste of Bengal — Pineville

Address: 10610 Centrum Pkwy Suite L, Pineville, NC 28134

Status: Targeting a May opening, according to owner Sabyasachi Patra, who spoke with Business Debut on April 2, 2026.

What to expect: A Bengali-focused concept combining takeout food, catering, frozen goods, grab-and-go items, and a halal butcher counter. The Pineville shop will have limited seating and a retail section with frozen fish, meat, chicken, sweets, and savory snacks.

Menu highlights: Bengali cuisine with Indian and Bangladeshi influences. Owner Sabyasachi Patra described the food as more aromatic than spicy, with items such as cutlets, sweets, savory snacks, rice dishes, biryani, and curry-style combos.

Hours: To be announced.

Who’s behind it: Owner Sabyasachi Patra is bringing the concept to North Carolina. Taste of Bengal already operates another location in the King of Prussia area of Pennsylvania.

Read our full article.

Cuya Cafe & Cocina — Raleigh

Address: 413 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27603

Status: Targeting a reopening the week of May 5 after renovations, according to owner Charlie Ibarra, who spoke with Business Debut on April 23, 2026.

What to expect: A refreshed Glenwood South restaurant with a remodeled patio and an expanded daytime cafe concept. The patio update includes a retractable pergola roof and added climate control, allowing the space to be used year-round and adding room for about 40 to 45 more guests.

Menu highlights: Counter-service breakfast starting at 8 a.m. daily, with breakfast sandwiches, omelets, smoothies, pastries, a Puerto Rican-style banh mi, espresso, and matcha. Dinner service will continue with a Latin-focused menu blending Mexican and Caribbean influences, plus some new global additions.

Hours: Cafe service is expected to begin at 8 a.m. daily. Full cafe and dinner hours are still to be announced.

Who’s behind it: Owner Charlie Ibarra is leading the renovation and expanded cafe program.

Read our full article.

Hot Potatoes — Tarboro

Address: 101 E Church St, Tarboro, NC 27886

Status: Opening May 7, according to a recent Facebook post.

What to expect: A potato-focused pop-up and caterer moving into its first brick-and-mortar space in downtown Tarboro. Hot Potatoes will open in the underground unit directly beneath Tarboro Coffee House and will include indoor seating, a bar, and a lounge area. The team also plans to keep doing pop-ups and catering.

Menu highlights: Baked russet and sweet potatoes with a range of toppings, including brisket, pulled pork, chicken, steak, shrimp, and salmon. The expanded menu will also include mashed potato bowls, loaded fries, and vegan and vegetarian-friendly dishes and toppings.

Hours: Initial hours are planned for 11 a.m.–6 p.m. The team is also considering later weekend hours, potentially as late as 1 a.m., depending on demand.

Who’s behind it: Co-owner Robert McBride owns the business with his fiancée Jennifer Brown and business partner Genia Llyons.

Read our full article.