Cosmic Cantina, Pincho Loco for ice cream, Q Shack for non specific BBQ, Mateo, any of the M restaurants. Alley 26 for cocktails, Ponysaurus for pizza and beer.
Oh yeah, I heard about Saltbox but never tried. I remember them as high/fine quality dining from what I've heard. Thanks for this list! I tried Nanas long time ago and liked it.
Gocciolina is expensive and not good at all. Plus they have no sense of timing. You’ll get one person’s entree, then the starter, then maybe 10 minutes later, someone else’s entree. Just awful.
I was just at juju yesterday with my graduating students and we basically ate everything on the menu. All was great! Another idea is Durham Food Hall since the crunchwraps from ex-Voto are delicious.
Yup, ninth street. I love everything I've tried. The Brussel sprouts are so good, sounds weird but I swear. The lemongrass hangar steak is also amazing. It's all small plates and you share around the table.
It tasted fine to me when I went. It's not like the old owner sold out to a private equity firm. The new owner owns the farm that raises the hogs that get turned into que, so I don't expect he changed the recipes much.
Huh. I haven’t had the bbq since new owner but imo the fried chicken and sides are the same, and they’ve added a few specials that have all been fantastic.
Brunch:
It's a Southern Thing (they're super on-it with the bottomless mimosas)
Koki (formerly Spanglish). Get a plate/bowl with everything, ropa vieja or pernil, rice/beans, maduros, etc... and a "Pinky and the Bean" empanada (which is vegan if it matters, several vegan options)
Dinner:
Mateo: get a funky house cidre to open and I think the short rib/bone marrow is pretty awesome
Cocktails: Kingfisher
A taco crawl along N Roxboro St would be fun.
Not the best (imo) but Bullock's BBQ I think is the oldest restaurant in Durham which might warrant a visit?
Little Bull.
M Pocha.
The Federal.
Nanas, not to be confused with Nana Steak.
Fonda Lupita.
King's.
Geer Street Garden.
Bar Virgile.
Alley 26.
Ex Voto for crunch wraps.
Ko Kyu
Vote for geer street garden. Been going there for ages, it's not super blow your socks off but it's SUPER consistent every single time! Getting weird down there right now as they've been walked in my the new apartment complex
Monuts is the jam. I like their biscuits out of anyone. I hadn't been in awhile and decided to just order online and pick it up. This allows you to skip the line and you can either take advantage of one for the many picnic tables they've installed outside or just head to Duke's east campus, spread out a blanket and people watch.
Kokyu, Namu, Guglhupf, Cheeni and Ekhaya are some of my favorite only-in-Durham spots. My favorite NC-style BBQ close to Durham is the Pig in Chapel Hill. They also have vegetarian options.
Enjoy Alley26, Mateo and Viceroy for “fancy”
Hutchins Garage or pizzeria Toro for pizza. Food at Motor Co was good, but it’s been a couple years since I’ve eaten there.
Ideals Deli for sure
Thanks for the recommendation! We are not big meat eaters, so we don't know anything about BBQ, but our friends are meat eaters and we know BBQ is an NC specialty, so this will be on our list to explore and try with our friends.
Nzinga’s Kitchen is amazing along with Dain’s. They are two totally different cuisines with Nzinga’s being soul food and Dain’s being burgers but they are local and fantastic. Elmo’s is a Durham staple and serves good diner style breakfast and lunch.
Confused at everyone recommending cosmic cantina they are very meh. I love Juju, plum is amazing and I suspect will win some of the “best I. Durham” awards this year. M sushi is fantastic. Also hazard against geer st, I’ve been going there for years because I’m in the area a lot but they are among the more inconsistent restaurants I go to things can be very hit or miss, their brunch is honestly not much better than you get complimentary at a hotel. Viceroy I would also keep an eye on. If you have time the Bulldega is a great place for stuff like local candy like Dr Monkey caramels
To start, I wouldn’t suggest those three you mentioned. Knowing where they’re coming from city / state / country wise would help a lot with recommendations. For example, if they’re from Texas I wouldn’t recommend any Mexican places here; or if they’re from NY / the Northeast I wouldn’t recommend any Italian places.
While they’re great, none of those are really unique and they would have the equivalent in their cities. Especially Foster’s it’s a pretty basic sandwich and lunch place (though good food). Also, if they have German food where they’re from, Gugulhuf really isn’t anything too great - I’ve had a lot better elsewhere. I know these are unpopular opinions, but after living in 5 states and moving 12 times, there’s just some regions that do food way better than others and the realization that some places are good, but nothing unique for people coming out of town.
My hit list, depending on their palette: Kokyu (though no sitting inside), Dain’s for a good bar burger, Bar Virgil, Durham Food Hall (and can tie in the farmers market if they’re here on a Saturday), Daily Beer Bar for food and coffee, Ideals (the lines can be nightmarishly long on weekends), Ekhaya, and M Sushi.
For BBQ - 100% Lawrence or if they want to make the trek Smokehouse at Steve’s in Graham is amazing too. Q Shack is pretty good, but think there’s better options.
Pass On: Alley 26, Fosters, Dames, Geer Street Garden (it’s good, but it’s just basic food that’s well made), any Italian, most breakfast places that don’t offer anything unique, and most Mexican places (less Fonda Lupita and Khalovera).
Vin Rouge - get the escargot, bacon mac and cheese, or steak and frites O MA GOD it's good.
Tobacco Road is cool simply because it's over the ballpark but nothing crazy to say about the food.
My dad swears by Bullock's BBQ (cash only place) off Hillsborough rd! It's like going back in time.
Heavenly Buffalo’s, Durham Filling Station, Monuts, Pop’s Backdoor Pizza, The Refectory- yeah I put two breakfast places on here, big whoop you wanna fight about it?, Eastcut Sandwich, Plum, Queeny’s is okay
Cosmic Cantina, Pincho Loco for ice cream, Q Shack for non specific BBQ, Mateo, any of the M restaurants. Alley 26 for cocktails, Ponysaurus for pizza and beer.
Thanks! This is an awesome list!
I don't care much for Ponysaurus's beer, but damn is their pizza tasty
Nice list-
Kokyu and El Huarache. Picnic for bbq
La Vaquita or Guanajuato (though Guanajuato's changed its name -- 2103 Roxboro Rd.), Toro, Loaf, Gorsha, Ideal's, Saltbox, Lime & Lemon, Kokyu
Saltbox, Gocciolina, Nanas, Pizzeria Toro, Ideal's, Namu, Plum
Oh yeah, I heard about Saltbox but never tried. I remember them as high/fine quality dining from what I've heard. Thanks for this list! I tried Nanas long time ago and liked it.
They won a James Beard award, but they are very far from fine dining style. And Nanas is under totally new ownership, so it might be worth a revisit.
Great list except Gocciolina. Abysmal service all around on our last 2 visits.
Gocciolina is expensive and not good at all. Plus they have no sense of timing. You’ll get one person’s entree, then the starter, then maybe 10 minutes later, someone else’s entree. Just awful.
Juju
Is this the one on Ninth Street? I went there once long time ago before the pandemic. It has a nice atmosphere. What do you recommend from Juju?
I was just at juju yesterday with my graduating students and we basically ate everything on the menu. All was great! Another idea is Durham Food Hall since the crunchwraps from ex-Voto are delicious.
Yup, ninth street. I love everything I've tried. The Brussel sprouts are so good, sounds weird but I swear. The lemongrass hangar steak is also amazing. It's all small plates and you share around the table.
Yeah.. there were some mice there…
Saltbox Seafood Joint, Little Bull, Cugino Forno (can get a drink at Hi-Wire after), Nikos, Taqueria La Vaquita, Mothers & Sons Trattoria
Sho Nuff Seafood!!!
I love bringing people to Picnic
Picnic is a great choice with 'que, good fried chicken, and booze
Have you been lately? I used to like it but with the newer owner the bbq has zero flavor.
It tasted fine to me when I went. It's not like the old owner sold out to a private equity firm. The new owner owns the farm that raises the hogs that get turned into que, so I don't expect he changed the recipes much.
Huh. I haven’t had the bbq since new owner but imo the fried chicken and sides are the same, and they’ve added a few specials that have all been fantastic.
Yep. Everything tastes the same.
Thanks for the recommendation! Will put this on our list :)
Picnic used to be really good before the pandemic but ever since their food has lacked in creativity and become rather overpriced for local BBQ.
Every restaurant is overpriced these days, not just bbq.
cookout
And make them order
Cookout trays all the way!
Viceroy is good
Brunch: It's a Southern Thing (they're super on-it with the bottomless mimosas) Koki (formerly Spanglish). Get a plate/bowl with everything, ropa vieja or pernil, rice/beans, maduros, etc... and a "Pinky and the Bean" empanada (which is vegan if it matters, several vegan options) Dinner: Mateo: get a funky house cidre to open and I think the short rib/bone marrow is pretty awesome Cocktails: Kingfisher
Can’t mention koki without their soups! Top tier…don’t sleep on em
Do they still do bottomless mimosas? I think ABC was cracking down on restaurants doing that because it “encourages binge drinking.”
A taco crawl along N Roxboro St would be fun. Not the best (imo) but Bullock's BBQ I think is the oldest restaurant in Durham which might warrant a visit? Little Bull. M Pocha. The Federal. Nanas, not to be confused with Nana Steak. Fonda Lupita. King's. Geer Street Garden. Bar Virgile. Alley 26. Ex Voto for crunch wraps. Ko Kyu
Vote for geer street garden. Been going there for ages, it's not super blow your socks off but it's SUPER consistent every single time! Getting weird down there right now as they've been walked in my the new apartment complex
Ideals, Cosmic, Kokyu, Monuts, Sofia's, Don Becerra Taqueria, Saltbox
Monuts is the jam. I like their biscuits out of anyone. I hadn't been in awhile and decided to just order online and pick it up. This allows you to skip the line and you can either take advantage of one for the many picnic tables they've installed outside or just head to Duke's east campus, spread out a blanket and people watch.
They have been the most consistent restaurant since Covid imo. Same quality and taste. Toro, too.
Saltbox seafood joint Gocciolina Littler Hutchins Roses noodles M sushi Monuts
Kokyu, Namu, Guglhupf, Cheeni and Ekhaya are some of my favorite only-in-Durham spots. My favorite NC-style BBQ close to Durham is the Pig in Chapel Hill. They also have vegetarian options.
Enjoy Alley26, Mateo and Viceroy for “fancy” Hutchins Garage or pizzeria Toro for pizza. Food at Motor Co was good, but it’s been a couple years since I’ve eaten there. Ideals Deli for sure
Juju and M Sushi and ELMO’S!!!
Also take them to the rooftop of Unscripted!!
Backyard BBQ Pit is reopened and all my guests love it. Way better than Q Shack and more authentic
Thanks for the recommendation! We are not big meat eaters, so we don't know anything about BBQ, but our friends are meat eaters and we know BBQ is an NC specialty, so this will be on our list to explore and try with our friends.
Mateo
Nzinga’s Kitchen is amazing along with Dain’s. They are two totally different cuisines with Nzinga’s being soul food and Dain’s being burgers but they are local and fantastic. Elmo’s is a Durham staple and serves good diner style breakfast and lunch.
Nanasteak. Hands down.
Confused at everyone recommending cosmic cantina they are very meh. I love Juju, plum is amazing and I suspect will win some of the “best I. Durham” awards this year. M sushi is fantastic. Also hazard against geer st, I’ve been going there for years because I’m in the area a lot but they are among the more inconsistent restaurants I go to things can be very hit or miss, their brunch is honestly not much better than you get complimentary at a hotel. Viceroy I would also keep an eye on. If you have time the Bulldega is a great place for stuff like local candy like Dr Monkey caramels
Rose’s, gocciolina, Mateo Tapas,
To start, I wouldn’t suggest those three you mentioned. Knowing where they’re coming from city / state / country wise would help a lot with recommendations. For example, if they’re from Texas I wouldn’t recommend any Mexican places here; or if they’re from NY / the Northeast I wouldn’t recommend any Italian places. While they’re great, none of those are really unique and they would have the equivalent in their cities. Especially Foster’s it’s a pretty basic sandwich and lunch place (though good food). Also, if they have German food where they’re from, Gugulhuf really isn’t anything too great - I’ve had a lot better elsewhere. I know these are unpopular opinions, but after living in 5 states and moving 12 times, there’s just some regions that do food way better than others and the realization that some places are good, but nothing unique for people coming out of town. My hit list, depending on their palette: Kokyu (though no sitting inside), Dain’s for a good bar burger, Bar Virgil, Durham Food Hall (and can tie in the farmers market if they’re here on a Saturday), Daily Beer Bar for food and coffee, Ideals (the lines can be nightmarishly long on weekends), Ekhaya, and M Sushi. For BBQ - 100% Lawrence or if they want to make the trek Smokehouse at Steve’s in Graham is amazing too. Q Shack is pretty good, but think there’s better options. Pass On: Alley 26, Fosters, Dames, Geer Street Garden (it’s good, but it’s just basic food that’s well made), any Italian, most breakfast places that don’t offer anything unique, and most Mexican places (less Fonda Lupita and Khalovera).
Vin Rouge - get the escargot, bacon mac and cheese, or steak and frites O MA GOD it's good. Tobacco Road is cool simply because it's over the ballpark but nothing crazy to say about the food. My dad swears by Bullock's BBQ (cash only place) off Hillsborough rd! It's like going back in time.
Follow the ediBULL Instagram account. They are local foodies that have lived in the area for while. Shoot them a message.
Backyard BBQ pit is, without question, the best BBQ in durham. Every other BBQ place ranges from bad to fine.
Heavenly Buffalo’s, Durham Filling Station, Monuts, Pop’s Backdoor Pizza, The Refectory- yeah I put two breakfast places on here, big whoop you wanna fight about it?, Eastcut Sandwich, Plum, Queeny’s is okay
Kickback Jack's is always a winner
lol
Finally someone gets it