New food hall at N.C. State Fairgrounds to open in 2026
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — For years, “Restaurant Row” was among the most popular stops for N.C. State Fair goers.
With the lunch stand building now leveled, construction will begin on a new lunch option.
According to N.C. State Fair Director Kent Yelverton, the Midway Event Center will bring a new food option to the fairgrounds, not just for fair goers, but people who live and work nearby.
“We’re looking forward to the new building that will go up in this location,” Yelverton said.
“West Raleigh is growing,” he said. “We have a lot of new people in the area, new employees, new residents and additional food options are certainly something that we need.”
The new food hall will house eight permanent food vendors on the first floor and an event space on the second. Vendors are still being identified, but the focus is on offering variety and bringing local vendors.
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The building is expected to open in time for the 2026 N.C. State Fair. Once open, the food hall and event space operate year-round.
“At the fair, we’re always trying to attract people,” Yelverton said. “We’re about community. We’re about bringing people together. This building will do those things.”
The former lunch stand was a staple, but Yelverton hopes this gives people something new to look forward to.
