A new Italian-American heavyweight is moving into Crabtree Valley Mall. Maggiano’s Little Italy plans to open its first Raleigh restaurant inside the former Brio Italian Grille space, filling a storefront that sat empty after Brio’s abrupt closure last year.
The move will make the new restaurant the Triangle’s second Maggiano’s location, according to WRAL, which said Raleigh Downtown shared the news that week. The chain’s only other nearby restaurant sits at the Streets at Southpoint in Durham, giving Raleigh diners a much closer option once the new spot opens. As WhatNow notes, the restaurant would occupy the mall’s address at 4325 Glenwood Avenue, the same spot Brio left behind.
No opening date has been set yet, per WRAL’s reporting, so Triangle pasta lovers will have to wait a bit longer to find out when they can grab a table. Maggiano’s is known for its generous, family-style portions, the station reports, with a menu that leans into familiar Italian-American comfort food and substantial servings meant for sharing among groups.
What Maggiano’s Brings to the Table
Maggiano’s dining concept centers on gathering with family and friends, according to the chain’s official website, with a menu built around appetizers, pasta dishes, entrées and desserts. Signature offerings include lasagna, chicken parmesan, baked pasta, seafood, salads and desserts, and the chain’s family-style option lets groups share multiple dishes rather than ordering individual plates. That focus on familiar cooking and big portions has long been part of the brand’s identity.
Brio’s Long Run and Sudden End
Brio Italian Grille had operated at Crabtree Valley Mall for more than 15 years, going back to its opening in Raleigh in 2009, according to the News & Observer. The restaurant closed its Crabtree location in August 2025, with the newspaper reporting the closure was confirmed through the brand’s website and a recorded message on its phone line. The paper also reported that Brio’s parent company, Bravo Brio Restaurant, filed for bankruptcy around the same time…