Many restaurants begin with a concept or menu, but the bold, colorful Big Cat started a little differently: with a building at the corner of Brookside Drive and Glascock Street in Raleigh. “[My partners and I] all live close and have seen it change hands over the last 10 years,” says co-owner and executive chef Cheetie Kumar. When the opportunity became available, the timing felt right. “We didn’t go looking for it. It came to us.”
The location determined everything about the eatery’s direction. “The [East Mordecai] neighborhood needed a concept that bridged the gap between a restaurant that is approachable and scratches the itch of a ‘corner neighborhood spot,’” she says. The community response has affirmed that. “The support has been wildly positive and more than we could have even imagined.”
She also encourages folks to come with an open mind. “This is not a cookie-cutter restaurant,” Cheetie says, in large part because of the perspectives each partner brings to the table. She and her partners, Justin Pasfield, Marshall Davis, Angela Salamanca and Paul Siler, chose to celebrate the global south with each dish. The menu is stacked with dishes that blend recipes from the American South with flavors from Asia and Latin America, like duck fat chicken wings glazed in harissa honey, spicy pork belly stewed Filipino style and cornbread served with curry leaf butter, all prepared with fresh local ingredients and served with a side of whimsy.
The menu is also a celebration of North Carolina agriculture. “Lots of people here dedicate their life to growing produce, nurturing quality meats, fish and poultry, and offering excellent sustainable ingredients,” she says. Cheetie and Big Cat’s chef de cuisine, Zachary Massery, love cooking with local produce and working with regional purveyors to stock the pantry. “[It] has been really fun and inspiring,” she says.
Cheetie says it’s also what makes the Triangle a great place to operate a restaurant. “We get the benefit of the fertile and agricultural parts of North Carolina with a population that’s growing every day – with people of diverse backgrounds who are interested in eating adventurously.”
That adventurous spirit is also what drives Big Cat’s aesthetic. “It’s a bold, bright, fun environment – in colors, flavors and vibes,” she says. “We are serious about making sure guests are happy while inserting joy and a little fun in everything we do.”
The Big Cat team isn’t stopping with the restaurant – they have plans to add a neighborhood market and expanded hours later in 2026. “We’re a work in progress,” Cheetie says, “so keep an eye out for announcements.”
More New Restaurants to Try in the Triangle
Botiwalla by Chai Pani
Chef Meherwan Irani’s menu is inspired by the late-night Irani cafes of his childhood in India, featuring charcoal-grilled kababs, smoky lamb burgers and beloved Chai Pani chaats, all wrapped up in a lively, casual format at Raleigh Iron Works. Co-founders Meherwan and Molly Irani were 2026 finalists for the James Beard Outstanding Restaurateur award. (Check out our roundup of critically acclaimed chefs in the Triangle for more award-winning food!)
M Hansik
The classic Korean fare that shaped chef Mike Lee’s childhood gets an elevated treatment at this Wye Junction spot in Durham. Enjoy rice and noodle dishes with a side of kimchi dumplings or sashimi.
Cheeni Indian Emporium at Hub RTP
Preeti Waas and daughter Amy Waas expanded their homestyle Indian concept to Research Triangle Park in late 2025, creating a beautiful space that feels like gathering around the family table for lunch, a drink or a hearty evening meal.
a Tavolo
Chatham County chef Greg Lewis is bringing an Italian eatery to Mosaic at Chatham Park in 2026. “Get ready for a true taste of Italy in the heart of Pittsboro,” Greg says. A Tavolo will feature wood-fired pizza, housemade pasta, a full bar and fresh, locally sourced ingredients – all crafted to bring the warmth and flavor of an authentic Italian table to the community.
Looking for meals the whole family will love? Check out our roundup of all the best kid-friendly eateries in the Triangle!
