Leave guilt behind at the 3-time winner of "Best Seafood" by Durham Magazine. Blu's seafood is locally and responsibly sourced. The News & Observer said, "Before long, you'll swear you can feel a balmy sea breeze." M-F, 11am-2pm, M-Th, 5pm-10pm, F-Sa, 5pm-10pm; Closed on Sunday.
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Offers the culture and food of southern Brazil with rodizio, a popular Brazilian-style barbecue, and a variety of slow-cooked beef, pork, lamb, and chicken cuts, all carved tableside. Winner of Wine Spectator's online Award of Excellence. W-F, 11:30am-2:30pm; M-Sa, 5:30pm-9:30pm.
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The Four-Diamond restaurant and its executive chef Jason Cunningham are most noted for "regional neo-American" specialties. Fairview's award-winning wine list offers a vast and varied selection of vintages. M-Su, 7am-10pm.
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Bon Appétit calls Four Square "exciting" and remarks, "the plates going back to the kitchen were licked clean." Owned and operated by executive chef Shane Ingram and his wife, former pastry chef Elizabeth Woodhouse. M-Sa, 5:30pm-9:30pm.
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Featured in Cooking Light and on the Food Network, this innovative restaurant features an upscale menu exploring German cuisine with an inventive approach using local, seasonal ingredients. Tu-F, 8am-9:30pm; Sa, 8:30am-10pm; Su, 9am-3pm.
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Tasting Table was pleased that owner and chef Matthew Kelly had turned his attention from his successful French bistro, Vin Rouge, to create Mateo’s Spanish fare. Mateo Bar de Tapas features a rotating menu of Spanish small plates with a Southern flair and features one of the largest sherry menus in the country. Tasting Table enjoyed the Ibérico pork mingled with country ham and clams tossed in sherry and boiled peanuts.
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Chef-owner Scott Howell, "a man of formidable talent," (Food & Wine), serves Southern regional cuisine with strong Italian and French influences at one of Durham’s best known restaurants. Winner of an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator. M-Sa, 5pm-10pm.
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According to Southern Living, "The doors open into a fantasy world; the menu whirls you through the Mediterranean. The ebullient atmosphere reflects the personality of longtime Durham restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias." M-Th, 11:30am-10pm; F, 11:30am-11pm; Sa, 5:30pm-11pm; Su, 5:30pm-9pm.
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Condé Nast Traveler listed Piedmont on its Hot List of the world's newest, hottest, sexiest restaurants, calling the eatery's rustic Italian and French influences "...an appealing combination of farm-fresh earnestness and contemporary style." W-M, 5:30pm-10pm.
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Recognized by USA Today within weeks of its opening, this restaurant located in Downtown's West Village features high ceilings, an open kitchen, and wood-fired oven perfect for preparing northern Italian cuisine. Daily, 5:30pm-until?
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Written up in the New York Times, Revolution Chef/Owner Jim Anile serves well-executed globally-influenced cuisine in an ultra-modern semi-open kitchen dining room in Downtown Durham. M-Th, 5pm-12am; F-Sa, 5pm-2am; Su-closed.
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A Parisian-style restaurant and bakery, Rue Cler offers classic bistro cuisine combined with fresh ingredients and French wines for lunch, dinner, and brunch. Food and Wine praises the hot powdered-sugar-covered beignets sold by the dozen.
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Food & Wine lauds Tonali’s "expertly executed Mexican staples and modest prices ensure a packed house on most nights." Head chef Andre Macias was formerly a sous chef at Durham's acclaimed Four Square Restaurant. Tu-F, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-9pm; Sa, 11:30am-2pm, 5:30pm-10pm.
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Reviewed from USA Today to The Boston Globe, this French bistro offers provincial cooking and an extensive wine selection that earned it Wine Spectator’s Award of Excellence. Tu-Th, 5:30pm-10pm; F-Sa, 5:30pm-11pm; Su, 10:30am-2pm and 5:30pm-9pm.
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Bon Appétit writes that chef Amy Tornquist is "known for her distinctive North Carolina-style cuisine; she makes her own bourbon-laced pimento cheese at Durham’s hottest restaurant." Tu-F, 11am-2:30pm; Sa-Su, 11am-2:30pm; Tu-Su, 5:30pm-12am.
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Southern Living says, "at Bullock's, the lines form early for chopped or sliced pork... great hushpuppies too." Chef-owner Tommy Bullock displays a "Wall of Fame" with all of the celebs who have dined on Bullock's best. Tu-Sa, 11:30am-8:30pm.
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Local pub featured as one of Adam Richman's (of the Travel Channel's "Man vs. Food") favorite picks. According to Adam, "Dain is the perfect bar owner" and his place offers "great beer, great tater tots, and great service." Tu-Sa, 11am-2am; Su, 12pm-10pm.
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Renowned for its Southern comfort food classics, Dame's has garnered rave reviews for its power combo of "perfectly friend chicken" (Oxford American) and "tender fluffy waffles" (Southern Living). M, 11am-3pm; Tu-Th, 11am-8pm; F-Sa, 11am-12am; Su, 11am-3pm.
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Food Network’s "$40 a Day" host Rachael Ray proclaims that Elmo’s is an "awesome pick. Everything here looks great! Try some eggs in their infinite variety...." Breakfast is served all day, plus there are lunch and dinner favorites. Daily, 6:30am-10pm.
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Serving fresh seafood, North Carolina and Texas-style BBQ, and Certified Angus Beef in a casual, family-friendly style since 1983. According to The New York Times, "you can't go wrong with the cleanly fried fish and chips." M-F, 11:30am-9:30pm; Sa,12pm-9:30pm; Su,12:00-9pm.
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"Owner Andy Magowan transformed a dilapidated brick building and onetime gas station into a hopping dining and drinking spot. Favorites include the Reuben sandwich and fried chicken plate. "- Boston Globe Su, 12pm-10pm; M-Th, 11:30am-12am; F-Sa, 11:30am-2am.
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Food & Wine lauds the "ever-changing exhibit of culinary art" at the Nasher Museum of Art’s on-site restaurant. Chef Giorgios Bakatsias provides a contemporary menu of seasonal recipes with fresh ingredients. Admission to the museum is not required. Tu,W,F,Sa, 10am-4:30pm; Th 10am-8:30; Su, 12pm-4:30pm.
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Pizzeria Toro bakes thin crust pizza in a wood-fired oven in an open kitchen. Tasting Table said, "Our favorites include a white pie studded with Meyer lemon slices and Saracena olives, popping with bright acidity; the sausage pizza, shaded in provolone, is a Chicago-style memory brought into clear view." M-Su, 11am-11pm.
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The authors of Kids Love North Carolina suggest Rick’s secret recipe meatloaf, beef burgers, or Carolina pork barbecue. The combination of its casual atmosphere with its traditional menu makes Rick’s a favorite student and local diner. M-Sa, 7am-9pm; Su, 7am-3pm.
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Gourmet Magazine describes this taqueria as "immensely popular" and Durham, North Carolina as "a main artery for the fastest-growing Hispanic community in America." M-Sa, 8:30am-9pm; Su, 8:30am-8:30pm.
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One of five Tokyo-style U.S. noodle bars singled out by Bon Appétit, Twisted Noodles offers "authentic home-style Thai dishes that put an emphasis on seasonal ingredients and smart design." M-F, 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm; Sa-Su, 12pm-10pm.
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Brazilian-Italian café offering Brazilian delicacies, chocolates, pastries, coffee, and more than 100 after-dinner cordials from around the world in a cozy cafe atmosphere. M-F, 8:30am-9:30pm; Sa,10am-9:30pm.
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The Travel Channel's "Man v. Food" hails the open pit-smoked chicken and other Southern classics, but "it’s the succulent pulled-pork barbecue that really makes this family-run restaurant a hungry man’s haven." M-W, 11am-3pm; Th-Sa, 11am-6pm.
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According to Southern Living, "Bull City takes its locally sourced agenda seriously." Almost everything served in the restaurant is made here and comes from within a 75-mile radius. The beers are brewed on the premises and are also highly regarded for their quality and authenticity. Patrons can easily view the brewery as it blends seamlessly with the restaurant, separated only by a floor to ceiling glass wall. Weekly brewery tours are available on Saturdays at 4pm for $5 and last about 1 hour. Tour is available for adults 21+ and includes tasting all beers on tap with owner and brewmaster Seth Gross. Tour costs can be applied to a same-day growler deposit. M-Th, 11:11am-10pm; F-Sa, 11:11am-11pm; Su, 11:11 to 8pm.
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The Boston Gobe loved "The cheery sweet and savory cafe." Garden & Gun said, "What's not to love?" Daisy Cakes began by selling cupcakes and other goodies from a silver airstream trailer named "Sugar." Now with a permanent location, Daisy Cakes' fare is available 6 days a week. M-F, 7:30am-5:30pm; Sa 7:30am-3:30pm.
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According to Country Home, "owner of the beloved Foster's Market... Sara Foster has built a reputation with her special brand of homey, delicious food." Foster honed her skills as a caterer and former chef for Martha Stewart. M-Su, 7:30am-8pm.
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According to Our State, Hog Heaven's chicken and dumplings have "the right texture on the tongue." The restaurant is known for its eastern North Carolina-style, hand-chopped barbecue, and its signature Lexington-style sauce. M-Sa, 11am-8pm.
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Noted as a "rhythmic and savory restaurant" by Atlanta Tribune: The Magazine, Jamaica Jamaica serves authentic Jamaican food such as jerk fish, jerk chicken, rice n' beans, and yellow plantains. M-Sa, 11am-9:30pm.
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King's Sandwich Shop is located in a distinct red and white building and has been serving hot dogs, burgers, fries and shakes since 1942. The Boston Globe lauded the menu as "a 'Happy Days' flashback with modern touches." M-Sa, 11am-4pm.
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The New York Times' mouth was practically watering when it described finding Loaf bakery at the Durham Farmers' Market. "For breakfast, try a hearth-baked loaf from Loaf, a stall so popular that it opened a nearby bakery in 2011." Loaf serves artisan breads baked in a wood-fired oven along with a selection of pastries. Tu-Sa, 7am-6pm.
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A "bustling" taqueria "where the tortillas are made to order" made a Gourmet magazine writer feel as if he was actually in Mexico. M-Th, 9am-10pm; F-Su, 11:30am-10:30pm.
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Visit South complimented The Mad Hatter's Cafe for its "delicious lunch," and "festive atmosphere." Serving fresh, home-made cuisine and using local, organic ingredients, the Café menu features all-day breakfast, sandwiches, salads, soups and entrées. Mad Hatter's also offers a delicious weekend brunch, a dessert counter and a full gourmet coffee bar. M-Sa, 7am-9pm; Su, 8am-3pm.
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Southern Living describes Parker and Otis as "a gourmet grocery store, restaurant, wine store, and all-round cool place to hang and be seen." Bon Appétit featured their Pimento Cheese Dip recipe, saying, "this spread makes one heck of a sandwich." M-Th, 7:30am-7pm; F, 7:30am-8pm, Sa, 7:30am-7pm, Su, 10am-3pm.
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As a new addition to Southern Durham, Rise has made its mark in with unique and flavorful biscuits and doughnuts. Tasting Table admired Rise, saying that while they preferred a simple glazed doughnut, "a chocolate-mousse version...is a worthy indulgence."
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Noted by Southern Living, The New York Times, and several national food magazines, Scratch Bakery has carved out a niche for both savory and sweet seekers. A seasonal menu is complemented by serious coffee, whimsical sweets, and butter-colored décor. M-F, 7:30am-4pm; Sa, 9am-3pm.
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Noted by The New York Times and tucked into a cozy spot near Duke's campus, Six Plates offers a rotating selection of small, locally sourced dishes created to pair with featured wine from around the world. M-Sa, 4pm-until at least 12am.
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If chili-rubbed sliced brisket, hand-pulled pork, smoked turkey, and ribs aren't enough, the desserts "expertly prepared by two serious pastry chefs take this barbecue restaurant to another level," says Southern Living. M-Su, 11am-9pm.
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The Parlour sells hand-made ice cream from North Carolina milk and cream out of a pink bus. The New York Times raved, "The ice cream sandwiches made with soft chocolate chip cookies and hand-made salted butter caramel ice cream are superb." The Parlour plans to open a downtown brick and mortar store in 2013. Tu-Sa, 12pm-10pm.
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Cosmopolitan dubbed it "a meal he'll drool over," and Food Republic raved, "Whoever believes that there is no such thing as a gourmet grilled cheese needs to take a trip to American Meltdown." This roaming business serves melted cheese sandwiches on fresh locally baked breads out of a flaming orange truck.
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In Mandarin Chinese, Chirba Chirba means eat eat! That's exactly what customers do when they get dumplings from this mobile vendor which was the subject of a half hour television show, My Family Recipe.
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Deep South Magazine lauded this mobile food truck for connecting North Carolina's "pasture-based livestock farmers with local restaurants and retailers," and enjoyed the mobile Sausage Wagon's "country breakfast link with maple butter and apples."
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Kokyu BBQ is a Durham-based Korean BBQ truck among the ranks of Durham's nationally-recognized mobile food operators and has been recognized for its quality in a New York Times write-up.
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Feted by Food & Wine for their "wildly popular" Mexican popsicles (paletas), Locopops also offers ice cream and sorbet in traditional flavors, such as mango-chile and tamarind, and quirky ones, like honeydew-lavender and chocolate rosemary. Daily, Mid Mar-Oct, 12pm-9pm; Nov-Feb, 1pm-7pm; closed Dec.
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Monuts Donuts makes hand-crafted, seasonally and locally-inspired donuts. The New York Times called Monuts’ donuts "sublime" and recommended "seasonal flavors like pumpkin chai and maple bacon bourbon." W-M, 7am-2pm (closed Tuesdays).
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As the first food truck in Durham, Only Burger has racked up accolades from the New York Times to Martha Stewart Living. Only Burger has a loyal fan following and now boasts a brick and morter location along with its mobile truck. M-Sa, 11am-9pm; Su, 11am-8pm; see website for truck location and hours.
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This mobile food truck makes deli sandwiches that use locally-sourced, sustainable meats that are hand-cured, roasted and smoked in Durham. Deep South Magazine recommended the peakles, which are house-made pickled sugar snap peas.
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"The barbacoa is so good at Taquería La Vaquita -so juicy and dark and perfectly seasoned - that it might almost be some long-cooked daube at a reputable bistro in Provence", according to Gourmet magazine. Daily, 10am-9pm.
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A Durham landmark "known for big breakfasts and even bigger burgers."According to the Travel Channel’s "Man vs. Food, "the "meat magic" from this takeout joint is often enjoyed curbside, "because it’s just too good to wait ‘til you get home." M-F, 7am-2pm.
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