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 (List updated January 2022).
Click on the restaurant name for a review or their website. Click on the address for a Google map.
And if you’re looking for some great restaurants in Chapel Hill-Carrboro, please check out my list of the Top 10 Restaurants in that area!
🏬 Chicken Bee (Korean)
🚗 810 9th St #129, Durham, NC 27705
☎ 984.888.5561
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
Roast pork sandwiches, Cuban small plates and great cocktails in a very classic, Cuban setting! Conveniently located near DPAC right on Main Street.
🏬 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.
🏬 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.
🏬 Dame’s Chicken and Waffles (Southern, Soul)
🚗 530 Foster St #130, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.682.9235
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
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
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
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
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
A stylish and sleek eatery featuring tasty Asian tapas and a great patio. Beautiful patio and 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
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
Enjoy nasi goreng, Korean barbeque along with eclectic Asian flavors at this funky eatery. Just be aware that seating is tight here, best for smaller groups or solo diners.
🏬 M Sushi (Japanese)
🚗 311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.9089266
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
A sultry, urban take on rustic Spanish tapas and small plates. Great for a date or group dinner, gets a bit loud for conversation when busy.
🏬 Mothers & Sons (Italian)
🚗 107 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701
☎ 919.294.8247
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
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
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
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
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.
