Beasley’s Chicken + Honey Is Closing: An Iconic Downtown Raleigh Restaurant Says Goodbye

RIP to another Downtown Raleigh staple. One of the city’s most beloved restaurants, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey, has announced it will permanently close its doors on January 25, marking the end of an era for Raleigh’s food scene.

The news was shared today in an email sent directly to customers, confirming that the restaurant—located at the corner of South Wilmington Street and East Martin Street—will soon serve its final plates of fried chicken, waffles, and honey-drizzled comfort food.

A Downtown Raleigh Institution

For more than a decade, Beasley’s Chicken + Honey has been a cornerstone of Downtown Raleigh dining. Anchoring a high-traffic corner just steps from Moore Square, the restaurant became a go-to destination for:

Brunch crowds and weekend visitors First-time visitors looking for “classic Raleigh” Locals celebrating milestones, meetings, and memories

Its casual, welcoming vibe paired with elevated Southern comfort food helped define the modern Downtown Raleigh restaurant boom of the 2010s.

The Vision of Ashley Christensen

Beasley’s Chicken + Honey is part of the acclaimed restaurant group led by James Beard Award–winning chef Ashley Christensen, whose impact on Raleigh’s culinary identity is impossible to overstate.

Christensen’s restaurants didn’t just feed the city—they helped shape it. Beasley’s, in particular, stood out for its approachable menu, consistent quality, and ability to feel both iconic and neighborhood-friendly at the same time.

Closing Date Confirmed

Final service date: January 25 Status: Permanent closure Announcement: Shared via customer email

As of now, no additional details have been released about what will replace Beasley’s in the space, though the announcement encouraged customers to “stay tuned for what’s next.”

Another Loss for Downtown Raleigh

Beasley’s closure adds to a growing list of long-running Downtown Raleigh restaurants that have closed in recent years, reflecting shifting economic pressures, changing dining habits, and ongoing redevelopment across the city core.

For many Raleigh residents, this isn’t just a restaurant closing—it’s the loss of a shared community space that helped define Downtown’s identity for more than ten years.

One Last Visit

If Beasley’s Chicken + Honey has been part of your Raleigh story, there’s still time to stop by before the doors close for good. Whether it’s one final brunch or a farewell plate of fried chicken, January 25 marks the end—but also a chance to say thank you.

We’ll continue to follow updates on what’s next for the space and for Ashley Christensen’s restaurant group as more information becomes available.

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