Find some of the best restaurants, food, and dining in the Bull City! Durham has an amazing reputation for being a great, foodie town. These twenty best restaurant options are primarily focused in downtown Durham and some of the more popular neighborhoods further out. The list covers a variety of price ranges, from affordable to pricey. Click on the restaurant’s name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map. (List updated 4/16/2024).
Find more food and restaurant information on Durham, NC below!
1. Aaktun Coffee, Restaurant, and Bar
Aaktun (Mexican-Fusion)
704 Ramseur St, Durham, NC 27701
919.251.9862
Enjoy this funky eatery offering coffee and pastries up front and a tropical paradise in back! Nom on ceviche, lomo saltado and more washed down with tiki drinks.
2. Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood
Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood (Coffeehouse)
2013 Chapel Hill Rd Suite A, Durham, NC 27707
A fun and lively spot for great coffee, hot chocolates, and churros. Great for people watching or hanging out with friends, this busy spot is a great destination in the Lakewood District.
3. Cucciolo Osteria
Cucciolo Osteria (Italian)
601 W Main St Suite C, Durham, NC 27701
984.243.8744
Upscale Italian eats in a modern but business-like dining room. Don’t miss their home-made pastas, they will be opening up a Raleigh location at the end of 2021.
4. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Dame’s Chicken and Waffles (Southern, Soul)
455 S Driver St, Durham, NC 27703
919.682.9235
(Note: Dames has a new location in Durham and this entry will be updated) Heart-wrenchingly, delicious fried chicken on fluffy waffles served with syrup, OMG! Choose your fried chicken (cutlet, wings, drumsticks), waffle, and then a tasty shmear (flavored butter). Located right near the Durham Food Hall and Boxcar Bar and Arcade.
5. Durham Food Hall
Durham Food Hall (Various)
530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701
919.908.9339
A new and modern take on the food hall for the area! Six to seven great food options ranging from Neapolitan pizza, NY bagels, pasta, Southern cuisine, fresh seafood, and much more.
6. EO’s Athletic Club
EO’s Athletic Club (Bar Food)
341 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
919.384.7663
A new sports bar that’s fun, quirky and delicious, E.O.s Athletic Club offers up great wings, bar pizzas and all the sports you want in a colorful, throwback setting. The 70s decor and reasonable prices makes it a way to watch the latest games in downtown Durham.
7. Gocciolina
Gocciolina (Italian)
3314 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705
919.973.4089
A comfortable and cozy take on Italian small plates that focuses on a simple, subtle but delicious presentation. Arrive early to avoid the crowds, it’s a smaller dining room or you might be able to eat at the back-bar.
8. Hutchins Garage
Hutchins Garage (Pizza)
402 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
984.219.6578
Great thin-crust pizzas in a converted automotive garage, fantastic industrial space! Can’t miss items are the Alla Vodka and Fried Chicken pies along with their fabulous beer list.
9. Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries
Ideal’s Sandwich and Groceries (Hoagies, Italian-American)
2108 Angier Ave, Durham, NC 27703
919.724.0241
A great sandwich spot in East Durham, arrive early or be prepared for a wait! Amazing chicken cutlet, chopped beef, and Italian roast pork sandwiches on bread freshly baked in-house. Don’t miss out on the brekkies sandwiches, too.
10. Juju
Juju (Asian Tapas)
737 9th St #210, Durham, NC 27705
919.286.3555
A stylish and sleek eatery featuring a diverse selection of tasty Asian-fusion tapas. Beautiful patio and decor, a great spot for a date given its ambiance and service.
11. M Kokko
M Kokko (Chicken)
311 Holland St Suite B, Durham, NC 27701
919.908.9332
Quirky little eatery focused on chicken dishes done Asian-style. Choose from Korean fried chicken, ramen, chicken sandwiches, and more. Tucked away behind M Sushi next to the Durham Hotel.
12. M Sushi
M Sushi (Japanese
311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701
919.908.9266
Some of the best sushi and Japanese in the Triangle with Chef Mike Lee. Don’t miss this hidden gem and their barbeque eel bun, M Sushi does it right with the best fish in the area.
13. Mateo Tapas
Mateo Tapas (Spanish)
109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
919.530.8700
A sultry, urban take on rustic Spanish tapas and small plates. Great for a date or group dinner, the space gets a bit loud for conversation when busy.
14. Mothers & Sons
Mothers & Sons (Italian)
107 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
919.294.8247
Wonderful, regional Italian cuisine in a cozy setting! Enjoy home-made pasta and rustic Italian cuisine before your DPAC show.
15. Nanas
Nanas (Seasonal)
2514 University Dr, Durham, NC 27707
919.251.8213
This reboot of a Durham favorite hits all the high spots around decor, ambiance and food. Drop in with friends or for a cozy data and enjoy the gourmet, seasonal fare in this excellent new offering
16. NanaSteak
NanaSteak (Steakhouse)
345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701
919.282.1183
A lovely and modern steakhouse offering all your favorite Angus beef classics along with stellar service! Perfect upscale spot for dinner before your DPAC show.
17. Pizzeria Toro
Pizzeria Toro (Pizza)
105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
919.908.6936
Artisanal pizzas and pies in a hip, warm environment. Watch them make your pies in the centerpiece oven and don’t miss out on their sexy bar in back.
18. Seraphine
Seraphine (Cajun, Southern)
324 Blackwell St Suite 4, Durham, NC 27701
919.244.2720
A flavor-filled gem at the American Tobacco Campus near DPAC, Seraphine offers affordable Cajun and Southern classics like raw and grilled oysters, fried catfish over red beans and beignet.
19. Viceroy
Viceroy (Indian-British)
335 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
919.797.0413
A fun and sexy Indian restaurant conveniently located on Main Street. Enjoy flavorful favorites like tandoori, British pasties, and tikka masala in a luxurious ambiance.
20. Vin Rouge
Vin Rouge (French)
2010 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705
919.416.0466