The North Hills Yearbook: 2025 Edition: Celebrating Joy, Connection & Community

If there’s one word that captures North Hills in 2025, it’s joy. The kind that shows up in small, everyday moments — a perfectly crafted cocktail shared with friends, live music drifting over Midtown Park at sunset, children running toward Santa with holiday lights twinkling behind them or finally trying that new restaurant everyone swore would change your life (and perhaps it did just a little).

This year, North Hills wasn’t just a place to shop or dine. It was a gathering space. A celebration. A community heartbeat.

We work with Kane Realty and North Hills all year to explore and share this vibrant district. This means we get to do a deep dive into its personality and get to know the planners, managers, makers, business owners, staff, and community. There’s a commitment here to serve and bring joy and connectedness. We love seeing the district grow and expand into something special with community at its heart.

To honor that, we’re closing out the year with something fun, nostalgic, and uniquely North Hills:

The 2025 North Hills Yearbook

A joyful look back at the people, places, and moments that made this district shine in 2025 — from new openings and local favorites to shared experiences that brought Raleigh together. And best of all? Many of our superlatives come straight from you, the This is Raleigh community.

Most Talked-About Opening

The spot that had Raleigh buzzing from announcement to opening. It snuck in right at the end of the year and opened with a preview party that sparkled.

Sixty Vines is wowing with its stunning interior (reminds me so much of gathering spots in Australia), its expansive rooftop (will open in Feb/March and will be the IT spot), its Wine Country style food, and its sixty wines on tap. I most love their commitment to sustainability, not just in their design elements and products used, but for the wine that is on tap, reducing wastage, which, side benefit, makes it lighter on your wallet! (We will be enjoying a full dinner experience here in a couple of weeks. We’ll share more then.)

Unlikely Professionals in Makers Alley was also a small but mighty opening, especially for the men of Raleigh. We like it as it’s quirky, unique, and offers a chance for the masculine to shop and gather around the bar– with arms open for the feminine as well.

 Best “Treat Yourself” Moment: Woodhouse Spa

There can only be one way to experience treating yourself joy, and that has to be an indulgent treatment at Woodhouse Spa!

Take your pick from facials to a couple’s massage. Our tip: extend the experience beyond the treatment itself, with time to relax in the lounge and with time in the salt room and red-light sauna.

For those nights when calories don’t count and indulgence is the only plan. This restaurant delivered on flavor, atmosphere, and pure delight.

Best Signature Experience

How about creating your own signature scented candle? Perfect for ME time, a date, or bonding fun with your best friends. For me, the candle making classes at Kye’s Candle with my sister and daughters was a North Hills experience standout.

We had a wonderful time there together in the summer guided by the expertise of owner, Ky, to create a scent that spoke to our souls. Burning that candle in my office every day after bought precious memories of laughter with my sister who lives so extremely far away (i.e., Australia)! Check the schedule for her candle making classes. She also now offers perfume making classes!

Most Photogenic Corner of North Hills

From art installations to festive holiday scenes, a few spots take the limelight of the Instagrammable backdrop of the year.

The Overlook area (near The Cowfish) is wonderful for photos with its small garden flowering with spring blooms, and the angels’ wings on the wall. There is even a baby set of wings for moms with small children…or pets.

Craig’s Christmas tree photo taken from the drone was also very impressive. Now, this is not one y’all can get, as you need special permission from Kane Realty to fly a drone. (Craig is a licensed and insured drone pilot and he always gets the required permissions before sending the drone up.)

Most Gorgeous Patio

Surround me in ivy and green foliage, feed me delicious branzino and octopus, and consider me whisked away to the Mediterranean. Is there a better patio in all of Raleigh than Rosewater Kitchen & Bar?

Many may argue that the rooftop at Restoration Hardware would compete with its Beverly Hills meets Amalfi Coast vibes. Plus, the view from their looking over the new section of the main district is also lovely, especially at sunset. Wave to the new Sixty Vines patio across the way as it’s coming to claim first spot next year with its new patio opening!

Top Community Event

Whether a concert, market, fitness event, or seasonal celebration, this gathering brought more people together than any other — and left memories lingering long after.

Possibly making the top North Hills event every year would be the North Hills Beach Series. You don’t even have to like beach music to enjoy the experience. On our first visit I was stunned to see young adults in front of the stage dancing, singing, high fiving the artists, and bringing oodles of Joy Energy to Midtown Park.

Chilling out at the back were the older peeps of all ages, plus families spread out on blankets enjoying a more laid-back experience. You do you! All are welcome.

A hot contender has to be the North Hills tree lighting experience with the tree lighting, live music, holiday markets, and a festive experience!

The Quiet Overachiever

The hidden gem that wasn’t always the loudest or the trendiest… but was absolutely adored by those who knew it. A place with heart, comfort, and loyal regulars.

Tifa Chocolates & Gelato – hidden upstairs is their cozy loft hangout space WITH great coffee to match. You can also enjoy their delicious gelato and chocolates, but the coffee was a surprise win.

I also want to give a nod to the cocktails at True Food & Kitchen. Many come here for the clean eating meals (organic, no seed oil, thank you very much), but I also come here to sit at the bar and enjoy their uniquely crafted cocktails packed with flavor and no nasties – all freshly squeezed juice and pure ingredients.

Most Dangerous Store for Your Wallet

No explanation needed. We see you. We forgive you.

I’m not much of a shopper, but if I were, my wallet would be crying walking through the doors of Evereve. I loved all the styles here, the seasonal outfits, the attentive assistants (they can even help style you). It’s only new to North Hills this year and I think it’s here to flourish and stay.

Craig is going to throw his wallet in the ring for Johnnie-O for all the reasons above – classy, yet casual outfits for me (especially the sports minded ones) with attentive and friendly assistants who are ready to give fashion advice. You can even enjoy an espresso shot or beer while you shop. (Guess what was in his Christmas stocking?)

Best Dish in North Hills

I can’t decide on just one great dish we ate this year at many of the North Hills’ restaurants and eateries, so I’ll give you three.

Rosewater Grill’s grilled branzino, served whole with salsa verde, charred lemon, Calabrian chili, and zest. Coming from Australia, I’m not usually wowed over by seafood in the US, but this knocked my UGG boots off!

Good Grace’s Chicken salad sandwich. There’s no reason simple Southern can’t make the best dish in North Hills List. It also made our best chicken salad in Raleigh list) and craft cocktails. Their perfectly seasoned fries also made our best fries in Raleigh list. We’ve had many in our community report back with rave reviews about it after our recommendation.

Foxcroft Food & Wine’s Smoked salmon board on their new brunch menu: Fresh, salty, bright… easily one of my favorite dishes of the year. (can be made gluten free) and they paired that with an authentic Aperol Spritz which is almost impossible to find in Raleigh, strangely so as it’s a simple drink to make.

The 2025 “Where Friends Gather” Award

The spot where conversations stretched longer, laughter sounded deeper, and time felt slower — in the best way.

No one who has arrived in Jubala on a weekend morning to grab a cup of coffee can argue that this is the place to gather with friends any day of the week. And yes, we’ll gladly join the line and patiently wait for a table. Jubala buzzes with conversation amongst groups that range from families (kids love the Nutella waffles), to lovers, to first daters, and friends. We’ve had all but the first date scenario!

And a unique fun way to gather with friends in North Hills every year is the annual Kay Yow Wine Walk. Raise money for a worthy cause AND sip on wine while you shop! Grab your girlfriends and make it a 2026 date.

Most Unique Dinner

Wine dinner at Foxcroft Food & Wine Co. If y’all followed us for some time now, you know we’re passionate global travelers (nearly 60 countries) and have been professional travel bloggers for 15 years. So, it’s no secret that traveling through food and wine at Foxcroft’s unique Wine Dinner would make our best of North Hills list for 2025. We attended the Columbia Valley Washington Wine Night, where a five-course meal was created to pair with wine from the region. Check their schedule here for your 2026 travels.

This is followed closely by the private dining experience we had at Cucciolo Terrazza with about 10 friends. The intimate space lets us laugh a little louder behind closed doors without disturbing other diners. The special three-course menu was excellent, and the dedicated service made the night feel seamless. Smaller groups (fewer than 8) can also enjoy the Wine Room.

Best for Supporting Local

While there are a lot of big-name brands in North Hills that many local shoppers love, there are also opportunities to celebrate and support local – which is our favorite thing to do! North Hills stands out with two great ways to support local:

Makers Alley with its row of local artisans and creators selling their unique products in the Innovation District from scented candles to felt hats, trinkets, and urban plants. Locally owned, Good Graces opened this year offering you a place to rest after the shop with delicious food and drink and opening next year will be more local eateries with Standard Food & Beer and Benchwarmers Bagels.

Heading over Six Forks Road to the Main District is the weekly Saturday morning Midtown Farmers Market. Pick up your delicious fresh local produce ranging from vegetables, wagyu beef, fresh flowers, delicious bakery items, and freshly brewed coffee. You’ll find live music each week and regular themed events, including our favorite iron Chef challenge, which Craig helped judge this year.

Get to know the different districts of North Hills with this first timers guide.

Looking Ahead to 2026

If 2025 was the year of joy, 2026 is shaping up to be the year of expansion — new openings, fresh experiences, and even more opportunities to gather, celebrate, and savor life in our favorite urban village.

We can’t wait to explore it all with you. I know we’re all tapping our fingers on the table eagerly awaiting Benchwarmer Bagels and Standard Food & Beer to open in the Innovation District. Nearly there.

Another opening to look forward to – the rooftop of Sixty Vines is going to be sensational, especially on balmy evenings.

Final Thoughts

From savoring new restaurant openings to cozy afternoons at local cafés, from cheering at pop-up events to getting lost in the magic of the holidays — North Hills offered countless experiences that reminded us why we love Raleigh so much.

We walked away with full bellies, warm hearts, and deep appreciation for the businesses and people who create the spirit of this district.

Stay tuned as we keep exploring, taste-testing, and sharing North Hills in 2026 here on This is Raleigh and on our Instagram @thisisraleigh and Facebook @thisisraleighnc. We plan to incorporate meetups in North Hills this year as well, so subscribe to our email so you don’t miss the chance to gather with like-minded friends, new and old!

What’s making your North Hills playbook list? Favorite memory? Best dish? Places you visited more times than you planned to?