Hub RTP Restaurants and Shops Open for Business in North Carolina

The new $100 million district in Research Triangle Park is attracting top culinary talent and reviving popular eateries.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:41pm

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Ground was broken on the Hub RTP development in 2020, and businesses are now starting to open their doors in the new $100 million district located in the heart of North Carolina's Research Triangle Park. The project is attracting top culinary talent, including two-time James Beard Semifinalist Preeti Waas, who has opened Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, and Michelin-recognized Chef Christopher Prieto, who is opening Prime STQ. Other popular restaurants like Downtown Raleigh's High Horse are also being revived and expanded in the new district.

Why it matters

The Hub RTP development is a major investment aimed at revitalizing the Research Triangle Park area, which is home to over 22 million square feet of commercial space and a large workforce. The influx of new restaurants, shops, and amenities is expected to create a more vibrant and appealing environment for the thousands of employees who work in the area every day.

The details

The Hub RTP project broke ground in 2020 and has seen over $100 million in investment. The first culinary star to open in the district is Preeti Waas, a two-time James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast, who has opened Cheeni Indian Food Emporium. Other restaurants like Downtown Raleigh's High Horse, which closed during the pandemic, are being revived and expanded in the new development. Chef Christopher Prieto, who received Michelin recognition, is also opening Prime STQ at Hub RTP. The project was designed to cater to the booming population in the Research Triangle Park area, which is home to 22 million square feet of commercial space and a large workforce.

  • Ground was broken on Hub RTP in 2020.
  • Preeti Waas opened Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, the first culinary star to open in the district.
  • High Horse, a popular Raleigh restaurant that closed during the pandemic, is being brought back to life at Hub RTP with construction expected to start later this week.
  • Prime STQ, from Michelin-recognized Chef Christopher Prieto, is also opening in the new development.

The players

Preeti Waas

A two-time James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef in the Southeast who has opened Cheeni Indian Food Emporium, the first culinary star to open in the Hub RTP development.

Anthony Rapillo

The owner of Downtown Raleigh's High Horse restaurant, which is being brought back to life and expanded at the new Hub RTP development.

Chef Katsuji

The chef who will be cooking out of the show kitchen at the revived High Horse restaurant in Hub RTP.

Chef Christopher Prieto

A Michelin-recognized chef who is opening Prime STQ restaurant in the Hub RTP development.

Carolyn Coia

The Vice President of Real Estate at the RTP Foundation, which is overseeing the Hub RTP development.

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What they’re saying

“We're in the middle of the Research Triangle Park. This is a little bit more unique and a little bit more tight-knit, and then with a hotel coming and the benefit of all the travelers coming in, that's our jam.”

— Preeti Waas, Chef

“It's been slow going, but tonight is the first night of our dinner service here at HUB RTP, and I have furious flutters, and I don't usually get those.”

— Preeti Waas, Chef

“Yesterday, we finally received our permit. We're going to build a really big center stage that's going to be a show kitchen that Chef Katsuji will be cooking out of that, will have a view vantage point from everywhere in the restaurant.”

— Anthony Rapillo, Owner, High Horse

“I think that it will be something really fun and different for the community, and different to kind of complement the other chefs and entrepreneurs that are out here in this space. I definitely think RTP is an untapped potential where there are so many people looking for nice places to eat, maybe for lunch or for a happy hour.”

— Anthony Rapillo, Owner, High Horse

“It is the place in the middle of this region that really has the largest workforce. There's about 22 million square feet of commercial space in RTP. A lot of people don't realize that. You think the largest workspace is maybe in downtown Raleigh or downtown Durham, but it's really in RTP. So we really need to think about re-envisioning what RTP is for the employees that come out here every single day.”

— Carolyn Coia, Vice President of Real Estate, RTP Foundation

What’s next

The Hub RTP development is expected to continue attracting more restaurants, shops, and amenities in the coming months as the $100 million project progresses. Specific opening dates for the new businesses have not been announced, but the goal is to create a vibrant and appealing environment for the thousands of employees who work in the Research Triangle Park area.

The takeaway

The Hub RTP development represents a major investment in revitalizing the Research Triangle Park area, which is home to a large workforce but has lacked the type of dining, retail, and entertainment options typically found in thriving urban centers. By attracting top culinary talent and reviving popular eateries, the project aims to create a more dynamic and appealing environment for employees and visitors alike.