North Hills is adding 2 downtown Raleigh foodie favorites. Here’s when they open
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benchwarmers and Standard Beer will open North Hills locations in May.
- Benchwarmers Bagels expands to a 2,800 sq ft shop adding pizza, cocktails, wine and beer.
- Standard Beer + Food will occupy 5,600 sq ft with an outdoor bar and smashburgers.
Smashburgers and bagels will land in Raleigh’s North Hills development this spring as two of downtown’s foodie favorites expand into the glitzy shopping district.
North Hills will add new locations of the acclaimed Benchwarmers Bagels and Standard Beer + Food, with both expected to open in May.
Kane Realty, the owner of North Hills, shared the opening update this week on the progress of the two high profile restaurants, which have each been in the works for more than a year.
Benchwarmers Bagels in North Hills
Benchwarmers Bagels debuted in Raleigh’s Transfer Co. Food Hall in 2019 as a collaboration between the owners of Boulted Bread and Jubala Coffee, plus longtime chef John Knox in charge of the menu. The wood-fired bagel shop has been shouted out as one of the nation’s best by outlets like Bon Appetit.
In North Hills, Benchwarmers is going even bigger. The standalone shop will be 2,800 square feet and build on Benchwarmer’s current menu, expanding the offerings with pizza, cocktails, wine and beer. Benchwarmers made a big splash with its fermented bagel lineup, including standbys like Everything, Poppyseed and Sesame, but also launched the Southern-accented Grits bagel and a dozen innovative bagel sandwiches. At least three nights a week, Benchwarmers served thick focaccia-style pizza that’s regarded as some of the best in the Triangle.
This will be the third Benchwarmer’s location in the Triangle, following an opening last year in Raleigh’s Rockway apartment building.
Standard Beer in North Hills
For Standard Beer, the wildly popular smashburgers and tater tot spot will anchor the largest greenspace in North Hills. The stand-alone building will be a massive 5,600 square feet and include and outdoor bar.
The latest iteration of Standard became known for one of the Triangle’s very best smashburgers, fancy tater tots with truffle aioli, solid tacos and clean and crispy beers. Cov DeRamus will be the managing partner of the new North Hills Standard.
This story was originally published February 25, 2026 at 3:00 PM with the headline "North Hills is adding 2 downtown Raleigh foodie favorites. Here’s when they open."
