Why Raleigh loves eating at Umiya before (and after) the N.C. State Fair

Every October, Raleigh does the same thing. The Ferris wheel goes up on Blue Ridge Road, the smell of funnel cake drifts across town, and the whole Triangle heads to the N.C. State Fair. And every October, a lot of those fairgoers make the same smart move: they eat at Umiya Raleigh first.

Umiya Raleigh is an all-you-can-eat sushi and hot pot restaurant on East Six Forks Road, in the Creekside Crossing shopping center across from Costco and near North Hills. The N.C. State Fairgrounds are about 8 miles away, roughly 15 minutes down I-440 West in normal traffic. That makes us an easy stop on the way to the fair, and an even better place to land when your feet are tired and you're done with lines.

The 2026 N.C. State Fair runs through Sunday, Oct. 25, so there's still time to plan your trip.

Fuel up before the fair with sushi, sashimi, and rolls made to order.

You've probably seen us on your feed

If our name sounds familiar this time of year, it might be because of TikTok. Last fall, our State Fair tips and tricks video passed 44,000 views, and this year's State Fair tips video is already past 16,000 on TikTok, with thousands more on Instagram. Our favorite part is seeing the comments from people planning their fair day around a stop at Umiya. If you're one of them, welcome. We saved you a seat.

Why eat at Umiya before the State Fair?

The fair is a blast, but a full day of fair food adds up fast. Gate admission is $13 for adults this year, and that's before you buy a single bite. Fair favorites aren't cheap either: turkey legs have gone for $18 apiece in recent years, and that's just one item.

At Umiya, one price gets you all-you-can-eat sushi or hot pot. Weekday lunch, Monday through Friday until 3:30 PM, is $20.95 per adult, or $26.95 for both sushi and hot pot. Dinner, weekdays from 3:30 PM and all day on weekends, is $32.95 per adult for sushi or hot pot, or $38.95 for both. Kids ages 3 to 10 pay less. For about what you'd spend on a couple of fair snacks, you can sit down, eat as much as you want, and head to the fairgrounds full and happy.

And no, it isn't a buffet. Everything is made to order and brought to your table, and you order by tablet, by scanning the QR code on your phone, or through your server. Fresh rolls, sashimi, and nigiri on the sushi side, and nine broths on the hot pot side, from Original and Tomato to Szechuan Spicy and Thai Tom Yum.

Nothing beats a warm hot pot after a cool October night outside.

Parking is the easy part

Anyone who has been to the fair knows the drill: find a lot, wait for a shuttle or walk from a stadium lot, and do it all again on the way out. At Umiya, there's free parking right outside the restaurant. Pull in, walk a few steps, and you're at your table. No shuttle, no long walk, no circling for a spot.

Our sushi bar, where every roll is made to order.

After the fair: come warm up with us

After a long day of rides, livestock barns, and walking the midway, sitting down in a warm dining room feels amazing. Umiya is open until 10 PM Sunday through Thursday, and until 11 PM on Friday and Saturday. Our last all-you-can-eat seating is at 9:15 PM, so if you're heading over after the fair, plan to leave the fairgrounds by about 8:30 PM. Staying for the fireworks at 9:45 PM? Then make Umiya your stop before the fair instead.

A tip from our team: put your first order in as soon as you sit down, then keep ordering a few items at a time. You have up to 2 hours, which is plenty of time to eat well without rushing.

The Mango Delight Roll: way better than another corn dog.

Bring the whole crew

The fair is a group outing, and we have room for one. Our dining room seats about 300 guests, and our booths fit up to eight. Walk-ins are always welcome. Groups of 15 or more can call us at 919-896-6023 to reserve Monday through Thursday. On Fridays and weekends, everyone is seated first come, first served, so plan to get here a little early on the fair's final weekend. Separate checks are no problem.

Feeding the whole crew? Start with a round of nigiri and rolls.

Visit Umiya Raleigh

So whether you're fueling up before the gates open or winding down after a day on the midway, Umiya Raleigh is the easy call for State Fair weekend. Take a look at our full menu and prices, and check our FAQ for everything else.

Location: 404 East Six Forks Road STE 101, Raleigh, NC 27609 (get directions) About 15 minutes from the N.C. State Fairgrounds, near North Hills. Free parking right outside.

Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11 AM to 10 PM Friday and Saturday: 11 AM to 11 PM

Follow us: On Instagram: @umiyaraleigh On TikTok: @umiya.raleigh

Umiya Raleigh is an independent restaurant and isn't affiliated with the N.C. State Fair. Fair dates, hours, and prices can change, so check the official N.C. State Fair website before you head out.