In news that is sure to delight longtime Raleigh residents, a beloved downtown institution is making its return. Kane Realty Corporation announced today that Sunflower’s Café, a downtown staple for 37 years, will reopen at Rockway, the new mixed-use destination on the southern edge of downtown Raleigh.
The restaurant, which closed in 2020, is expected to open its doors in 2026, marking one of the city’s most anticipated revivals.
Many will remember the original Sunflower’s for its gourmet sandwiches, delicious soups, and delectable house-made desserts. The reimagined Sunflower’s will blend this nostalgia with a modern twist. In addition to its signature menu, the new location will feature a full bar, craft cocktails, and a unique late-night transition where dining tables convert to pool tables.
The revival is a personal mission for Quinn Ferebee, son of the original owners, Deborah and Clay Ferebee. “I’m excited to reintroduce an old Raleigh favorite to a new audience as well as to those who enjoyed it for so many years in downtown,” Ferebee says. “I hope to honor my parents’ legacy and make it the best it can be”.
This commitment includes maintaining the original’s dedication to from-scratch food and long-standing vendor relationships.
The new location at Rockway places Sunflower’s at the heart of downtown’s southern evolution, just minutes from Dix Park and with direct access to the Rocky Branch Greenway trail.
“Sunflower’s represents exactly what we envisioned for Rockway—locally rooted, community-driven, and full of personality,” says Mary Ehrenberger, retail leasing manager at Kane Realty Corporation. “We’re thrilled to welcome back a Raleigh institution in this next chapter of downtown’s evolution.”
