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 name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map. (List updated July 2022).
Find more food and restaurant information on Durham, NC below!
🏬 Chicken Bee (Korean)
🚗 810 9th St #129, Durham, NC 27705
☎ 984.888.5561
1. Chicken Bee – A great spot for Korean fried chicken, bulgogi and more. This casual eatery on 9th Street will keep you happy with its flavorful bar eats. Save room for their truffle fries, seafood pancake and bingsoo dessert.
🏬 COPA (Cuban)
🚗 107 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.973.0111
2. COPA – Roast pork sandwiches, Cuban small plates, and great cocktails in a very classic, Cuban setting! Conveniently located near DPAC right on Main Street for rustic Latin-American food.
🏬 Cocoa Cinnamon Lakewood (Coffeehouse)
🚗 2013 Chapel Hill Rd Suite A, Durham, NC 27707
☎
3. Cocoa Cinnamon – 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.
🏬 Cucciolo Osteria (Italian)
🚗 601 W Main St Suite C, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 984.243.8744
4. Cucciolo Osteria – 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.
🏬 Dame’s Chicken and Waffles (Southern, Soul)
🚗 530 Foster St #130, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.682.9235
5. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles – 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.
🏬 Durham Food Hall (Various)
🚗 530 Foster St Suite 1, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.908.9339
6. Durham Food Hall – 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.
🏬 Gocciolina (Italian)
🚗 3314 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705
☎ 919.973.4089
7. Gocciolina – 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.
🏬 Guglhupf Cafe (German, Bakery)
🚗 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, Durham, NC 27707
☎ 919.401.2600
8. Guglhupf Cafe – Fantastic pastries, brunch and German food in a casual but lovely setting. Their patio is super popular with students and remote workers. At night, the Guglhupf space feels totally different, cafe by day, sexy restaurant at night.
🏬 Hutchins Garage (Pizza)
🚗 402 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 984.219.6578
9. Hutchins Garage – 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.
🏬 Juju (Asian Tapas)
🚗 737 9th St #210, Durham, NC 27705
☎ 919.286.3555
10. Juju – 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.
🏬 M Kokko (Chicken)
🚗 311 Holland St Suite B, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.908.9332
11. M Kokko – 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.
🏬 M Pocha (Asian small plates)
🚗 101 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.294.9177
12. M Pocha – Enjoy nasi goreng, Korean barbeque along with eclectic Asian flavors at this funky eatery. Just be aware that seating is tight here with one long, communal table and a smattering of seats around the periphery. Best for smaller groups or solo diners.
🏬 M Sushi (Japanese)
🚗 311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.9089266
13. M Sushi – 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.
🏬 Mateo Tapas (Spanish)
🚗 109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.530.8700
14. Mateo Tapas – 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.
🏬 Mothers & Sons (Italian)
🚗 107 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.294.8247
15. Mothers & Sons – Wonderful Italian cuisine in a cozy setting! Enjoy home-made pasta and rustic Italian cuisine before your DPAC show.
🏬 NanaSteak (Steakhouse)
🚗 345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.282.1183
16. NanaSteak – 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.
🏬 Pizzeria Toro (Pizza)
🚗 105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.908.6936
17. Pizzeria Toro – 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.
🏬 Saint James Seafood (Seafood)
🚗 806 W. Main St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.219.7900
18. St. James Seafood – This high-end seafood restaurant has re-opened after a pandemic hiatus. A stellar dining room, paired with great seafood and excellent service.
🏬 Toast (Italian, Paninis)
🚗 345 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.683.2183
19. Toast – A turquoise gem sitting right in Five Points Durham! Italian cafe for super-fresh and flavorful paninis, soups, and more. A very affordable option for lunch or dinner.
