Headed to the triangle? In this post, I’m sharing the best places to eat in Durham, North Carolina. You’re gonna want to write this down.
Durham has become an absolute foodie heaven. I grew up in this city, but when I was little I don’t think anyone would describe Durham as a city for foodies. I’m so proud of all the progress this town has made and I love spending my time exploring new places, namely: new restaurants!
Durham caters to a variety of cultures and tastes. The triangle is home to a handful of large universities and medical centers, so it brings people from all over the world. You can find so many unique eats and I’m rounding up 10 of the best places to eat in Durham (in my humble opinion)! Don’t worry–this is absolutely not an exhaustive list. These are just some favorites from my personal experience, and I’ve still got tons to explore. I love NC Tripping‘s comprehensive post as well, so make sure you check that out too!
In no particular order, here are 10 of the best places to eat in Durham!
Table of Contents
1 Viceroy
A unique twist on Indian cuisine, this restaurant fuses with a British pub-like atmosphere. My recommendation is to choose a couple entrees and split with a group so you can try more! Another pro tip: the Spicy Papi is delicious buttttt your mouth will be assaulted from all angles with spicy food and spicy drink. Go for a more mellow cocktail, like the Cucumber Gimlet. Make sure to enjoy the moody décor and architecture!
2 Pizzeria Toro
Is there anyone out there that DOESN’T like wood fired pizza? I think not. And if you don’t, well, I don’t want to know about it. Pizzeria Toro serves up delicious wood fired pizzas. The salads are also incredibly fresh!
3 Shiki
If you’re looking for great sushi in South Durham, look no further! This is usually our go to.
4 Dos Perros
Head to downtown Durham to enjoy some tasty Mexican food! I’m super picky about my margaritas, so this *may* or may not be the whole reason this restaurant made the list. It’s not too sweet or heavy on the mix, and you get the perfect amount of salt and tequila. But the food is also excellent! Try the tacos di Birria.
5 Mateo
Tapas? Yes, please! Tapas is one of my FAVORITE dining styles because you get to try a bunch of small plates and it usually means you’re surrounded by a group of friends J Mateo is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday or big event and try everything they have to offer! It’s a Portuguese-inspired menu with yummy dishes like albondigas and patatas bravas. Make sure you order a pitcher of Cheerwine sangria!
6 Cloud Brewing
Located in the Brightleaf District near Duke University, Cloud is a great place to grab a beer and eat a casual meal. The menu is made with a German flair, so you get the classic options like bratwurst and schnitzel but more unique options too like the pineapple burger (my personal fave). The beer list is absolutely endless as well!
7 The Pit
I’m pretty sure I can’t make a list of the best restaurants in Durham without including a barbecue joint. So here you go. The Pit is located in downtown Durham and features a bit more of an upscale atmosphere than your average backyard barbecue. But don’t let that scare you away—the barbecue is perfectly smoked and the sides are to die for.
8 Dashi
Can we make a list of best places to eat without including a ramen restaurant these days? The menu includes all of your classic ramen recipes infused with local produce. My favorite part is that it’s also an Izakaya, or Japanese pub!
9 Mother and Sons
Make sure you have a reservation for this one. Mother and Sons is an Italian Trattoria located in downtown and is always busy! They have classics like tagliatelle, gnocchi, and rigatoni but also have unique dishes like squid ink tonnarelli.
10 Bull City Burger
Bull City Burger has become a staple in downtown Durham. They pair deliciously prepared burgers with perfectly paired beers and have an awesome atmosphere. Every town needs a good burger place, right? Oh—and if you get a tattoo of their logo, they’ll give you free burgers for life!
And a bonus: the Durham Food Hall! Located in the heart of downtown, you can sample several different restaurants in one place! This is great for a big group because everyone can get something different. There’s everything from bagels, to wood fired pizza, to deli sandwiches!
Durham has a million amazing food options and it was hard to narrow down the best places to eat here! I’m more than positive you’ll be able to find a favorite from this list. Share this post with a friend and set a date to try something new!
Have you tried any of these restaurants? What are your favorite places to eat in Durham?
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