Durham is one of my favorite spots to meet up with friends or go on a date night with David to switch things up from our normal routines. There are so many delicious restaurants and bars to visit, shops to support, and art galleries to browse right in downtown Durham. While Durham is often known for its world-class health care, it is also quite popular for the food and drink scene. Here are 11+ restaurants to try in Durham, NC.
This article was originally published in 2022 and has since been updated and recirculated for 2025.
11+ Restaurants to Try in Durham, NC
Alley Twenty Six
This local bar features upscale craft cocktails and an elevated food menu in a casual, setting! I featured the caviar and tots in my favorite meals from 2024 here, and is truly such a fun order to share with friends or on a date night. David and I also love stopping here to sit at the bar and grab an Alley Jr. burger and those delish fries.
Alley Twenty Six is at 320 E Chapel Hill St STE 200, Durham, NC 27701.
Cheeni
Photo via Cheeni Instagram
Cheeni is a fantastic addition to the Durham food scene, featuring a unique menu and concept from 2x James Beard Semifinalist, Preeti Waas. Learn more about Cheeni’s menu, concept, pricing, and more here. This homey, regional menu is welcoming and walking into Cheeni feels like walking into someone’s dining room at home. Preeti and the staff make you feel right at home with an exceptional meal.
Cheeni is at 202 Corcoran St Suite 100, Durham, NC 27701.
Counting House
Located on the first floor of 21c Museum Hotel, Counting House offers an exception bar and dining experience. The menu is bold, yet familiar and is located in a modern art museum. The menu changes with the seasons, though the Counting House Burger is a regular staple on the menu. And, you might just have one of the iconic pink penguins join you for your meal, as well.
Counting House is located in the 21c Museum Hotel at 111 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701.
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Photo via Dame’s Chicken & Waffles Instagram
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles is a staple in the Durham food scene and has expanded into Cary and Greensboro, too. These chicken and waffles come with a variety of shmears, with their inspirations menu offering pairing suggestions. My personal favorite is the Orange Speckled Chabo with a fried chicken cutlet, sweet potato waffle, orange honeycomb shmear, and honey dijon drizzle. This is perfect for when you want breakfast for dinner, especially!
Dame’s is at 530 Foster St #130, Durham, NC 27701.
Eastcut Sandwich Bar
Photo via Eastcut Sandwich Bar Instagram
This sandwich shop quickly became one of my favorite quick lunch and dinner spots, and the original location in Durham is such a cool vibe. The founders of Eastcut are originally from New Jersey and New York and have brought the best kind of sandwich shop to the Bull City. I love their steak & cheese sammies and their curly fries. I listed the McSteak as one of my favorite meals from 2024 here. Their baked bread is from the locally owned gem, Union Special.
Eastcut Sandwich Bar is at 3211 Old Chapel Hill Rd, Durham, NC 27707.
Fonda Lupita
This delicious Mexican restaurant is proudly owned and operated by immigrant women and features homemade, traditional dishes. The corn tortillas and gorditas are freshly hand-made and the salsa is made with fresh, local ingredients. Start with the queso and chips and be sure to try the QuesaBirria taco! I am thankful I found Fonda Lupita from my Offline membership, which is one of my favorite ways to explore the area.
Fonda Lupita is at 905 W Main St Suite 21A, Durham, NC 27701.
Geer Street Garden
I love Geer Street Garden for a low-key, casual outdoor spot to grab a good meal. Located in a former gas station, this gastropub is quaint and the perfect place to spend a leisurely weekend day. Order the Pile, their version of loaded fries, and a Cobb salad.
Geer Street Garden is at 644 Foster St, Durham, NC 27701.
Krill
Photo via Krill Instagram
Krill is one of the Giorgios Hospitality Group restaurants and features a Southeastern Asian inspired menu with creative cocktails. The menu features a great variety of small and large plates and noodle dishes. One of the marks of the Giorgios Hospitality Group restaurants is their theatrical decor to match the vibe. Check out all of Krill’s sister restaurants here. There are quite a few gems in neighboring Chapel Hill.
Krill is at 506 Ramseur St, Durham, NC 27701.
Little Bull
Photo via Little Bull NC
Little Bull is such a fun concept of first-generation immigrant kids and the menu features seasonal items, usually based on what is available from the local farmers and producers and at the whims of those working in the kitchen. Check out Little Bull for brunch and dinner to try out this fun restaurant.
Little Bull is at 810 N Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701.
M Sushi
M Sushi is my favorite sushi restaurant in the NC state and I cannot rave about it enough. The original location is so quaint and bar seating. Make a reservation online here to be sure you get a table. Be sure to try one of their buns! And get the twisted mango roll.
When I first wrote this article, I could not pick just one of the M restaurants to feature, so I decided to feature them all. I wrote an article a couple of years ago after trying all of the ones in Durham, and let me just say, each one is worthy of a visit.
M Sushi is at 311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701.
Mateo Bar de Tapas
Photo via Mateo Instagram
One of the best restaurants I have ever dined at in North Carolina is Mateo. I have fond memories of an epic girls’ night here where we ordered whatever the server recommended and sat in a booth trying new dishes, laughing way too hard, and enjoying catching up. Their menu is an absolute gem, like the Almejas dish pictured which features NC little neck clams, boiled peanuts and jamon.
Mateo is at 109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701.
Mother & Sons Trattoria
Photo via Mother & Sons Instagram
Mother & Sons serves up freshly made pasta with a seasonal twist on regional Italian dishes. Be sure to try their burrata and the crispy smoked octopus for a starter. I love a good tagliatelle al ragu and their squid ink tonnarelli is outstanding. The interior design, especially at the bar, is so gorgeous!
Mother & Sons is at 107 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701.
NanaSteak
Photo via NanaSteak
Check out NanaSteak, located by DPAC and DBAP and in American Tobacco Campus, for a traditional steak or explore their diverse menu offerings, including seafood offerings. The bar and table tops feature tobacco leaves inlaid in the design as a nod to the tobacco industry in Durham that at one point controlled 90% of the country’s tobacco production.
NanaSteak is at 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701.
Picnic BBQ
Now, y’all may know that I am a self-proclaimed eastern NC BBQ connoisseur. Picnic BBQ is a delight to stop in and spend some time. Their starters include my go-to orders of pimento cheese with fried saltines to fried oysters to deviled eggs. For an entree, a BBQ sammie with fried okra is the move here. If they have run out of okra, the mac and cheese is a fine substitution. Finish up with a piece of chocolate chess pie.
Picnic BBQ is at 1647 Cole Mill Rd, Durham, NC 27705.
QueenBurger
During the height of the pandemic, QueenBurger opened in the parking lot behind cocktail bar, Kingfisher. The space served up smash burgers & fries, bottled cocktails, and offered space to social distance while still having a place to hang and get out of the house. In 2022, QueenBurger opened as its own brick and mortar and is serving up tasty smash burgers & tots right near DPAB & DPAC. Check out their craft cocktails, too!
QueenBurger is at 359 Blackwell St Suite 125, Durham, NC 27701.
Queeny’s
This hip diner is located on the first floor above Kingfisher and has a retro dinner feel. Order at the bar and then pick your favorite spot to hang out while you wait for your meal. I ordered the chicken crispers and fries. They also feature great desserts, and my absolute favorite bartender mixes up fabulous cocktails on Tuesdays and Sundays here.
Queeny’s is at 321 E Chapel Hill St Suite 100, Durham, NC 27701.
Saltbox Seafood Joint
Listen, I will not turn down an opportunity to have a meal at Saltbox Seafood Joint. There is a reason that this seafood restaurant is so popular. In 2022, Chef Ricky Moore won the Best Chef: Southeast James Beard Award. Whatever you do, order the hush honeys and thank me later. The fried oyster and fried shrimp roll are my go-to orders. Do note that the menu changes daily and features the bounty of North Carolina fisherfolk.
Saltbox Seafood Joint is at 2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707.
Vin Rouge
Photo via Vin Rouge Instagram
Vin Rouge really makes you feel like you have traveled into France for your meal, with its white tablecloths, red walls, and French art design. The Moules Frites are delicious, as is the steak tartare. Also, whenever there are little neck clams on the menu, like those pictured above, I will order. This is such a lovely spot for a date night.
Vin Rouge is at 2010 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705.
Here is a map of my favorite restaurants in the Bull City to help you plan your next dining adventure!
Where is your favorite restaurant in Durham? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!
“Bull and Bean” Most definitely needs to make the list .. it is in my top 5 brunch spots and is on south side of durham off old Chapel Hill road to right of Shannon Rd post office. Great brunch spot with nice choice of crafted coffee-like drinks. Everything that I have ever had is delish!!! Definitely a hidden gem that I frequent weekly.
Thank you for sharing this! I will add it to my list of places to try!
Please try moes bbq, it’s a very low key hole in the wall spot, but the food is delicious! They take their time and cook from scratch daily and you definitely can tell they take pride in the food.
Thank you so much for this recommendation! I love hole in the wall type places, so absolutely adding to my list.