Must-Try Restaurants in Durham NC

Durham surprised me. As a smaller sibling to Raleigh, North Carolina’s capital, I was expecting barbecue, beer, and biscuits. Boy, was I wrong.

Sure, you’ll find Southern favorites, but Durham offers so much more. Did you know it was once voted Tastiest Town in the South by Southern Living magazine?

What you’ll find is innovative chefs bringing global concepts, and traditional fare executed well. Whether you’re looking for fresh seafood, exotic cuisine, or a cool cocktail, you’ll find it here.

My Top 3 Picks of Must-try Restaurants in Durham NC

Restaurant	Top Pick	Our Rating
Zweli’s Kitchen	Piri Piri Chicken	5/5
Lakewood Social	Roasted Sweet Potatoes	4.5/5
The Durham Hotel	Cast Iron Egg Whites	4/5

The 7 Must-Try Restaurants in Durham NC

Zweli’s Kitchen

905 W Main St Suite 19C, Durham, NC 27701, United States // +19192518501

Zweli’s Kitchen is the first Zimbabwean restaurant in the US and is quickly gaining fame as one of the top restaurants in North Carolina. I was intrigued by this exotic cuisine, so I decided to give it a try. It deserves its place amongst the best restaurants in Durham NC.

For Chef Zweli Williams, cooking is a passion. She shares flavors of her home country with original recipes, importing some spices from Zimbabwe. Her husband Leo partners with her in the business, and his mom helps out greeting and serving customers.

Start with an order of Samosas. I mistakenly thought India had a monopoly on the samosa market – I didn’t realize these were an African specialty too. The veggie ones are filled with potatoes, vegetables, and spices in a hot crisp pastry. There are beef ones on the menu too.

Choose your entree and pick two sides, which will be unlimited. Zweli’s wants you to feel like you are dining at a friend’s house, gathered around a communal meal.

The Piri Piri Chicken is one of the most popular items. It’s garlicky, juicy chicken with a smoky, spicy exterior. Order half a chicken and share.

Other entrees include braised oxtail, stewed goat, and shrimp. There’s also Dovi Tofu, which shares the same spicy, peanut sauce as the Dovi collard greens.

I wish I had some bread to mop up the remaining sauce once the tofu was gone. Don’t think peanut butter and collards go together? Wait until you try these.

Other sides include Jallof Rice, and Chakalaka, which you have to order because it’s so fun to say. Rice is a staple in Zimbabwe, and each region has its own version. Think of Chakalaka like sweet and spicy baked beans; this hearty dish goes well with the Piri Piri chicken.

After the parade of spices and flavors, the fried plantains were a sweet, soothing finish. A touch of sea salt added a savory note, which means you could enjoy them as an appetizer as well as dessert.

M Sushi

311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701 United States // +19199089266

The minimalist space of M Sushi has a speakeasy vibe, with dim lighting and muted colors. There’s nothing flashy, except maybe the exquisite natural wood sushi bar that runs the length of the space. This is prime seating to watch the chefs at work, making it one of the finest restaurants in Durham NC.

If you want to go all out, order the omakase tasting menu. There are “lite” and “grande” Omakase versions, depending on your appetite.

Bento boxes, tableside Wagyu beef bbq, lobster, and table smoked black cod are a few of the other full meal choices.

Of course sushi takes center stage here, with the freshest seafood being flown in from around the globe. Take advantage of the daily specials and order the Chef’s selection of Sashimi or Nigiri or order a la carte.

You’ll find traditional rolls, like yellowtail, salmon and California as well as a few house specials. The M Special Roll is plump with scallops, tempura shrimp, spicy tuna, avocado and a touch of citrus-y calamansi curd. Vegan rolls mean there’s something for everyone to love.

The Durham Hotel

315 E. Chapel Hill St., Durham, NC 27701 United States // +9197688830

I only had the chance to try coffee and breakfast here but that’s the most important meal of the day, right? The hotel’s restaurant is located on the lobby level, a sweeping space with floor to ceiling windows and Japanese-style chandeliers.

Breakfast is a casual affair; order at the coffee bar and take a seat. The hotel is located in what was a bank building, which explains the open, oval restaurant space.

Look closely behind the bar and you’ll see the old safe. Slide into a booth or take a seat on the patio. Flowers on the table are a nice touch.

Breakfast is often the meal where I fall off my healthy eating routine, so I was pleased to find some savory, wholesome options. This is one of the reasons The Durham Hotel is part of our list of restaurants in Durham NC.

The Cast Iron Egg Whites arrived in a piping hot skillet, filled with mushrooms, charred peppers, and herbs. It was so flavorful I forgot all about bacon.

You can’t go wrong with the Guac & Toast, which comes with two fried eggs and marinated tomatoes. Two thumbs up for the locally-baked whole grain bread used as a base.

The Granola and Greek yogurt is a solid option too, judging by the berry-laden dish that arrived at the neighboring table.

If you’re more of an indulgent breakfast eater, don’t worry. French Toast with ginger syrup, Chicken and Biscuits or the Full Durham with all the traditional fixings should satisfy your craving. Cheers for the barista who makes beautiful latte art.

Cocoa Cinnamon

2013 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707 United States // +19192130760

This coffee bar with a passion for carefully sourced, freshly roasted coffee is sometimes called by its Mexican moniker Cacao Canela. These two ingredients – chocolate and cinnamon – make their way onto the menu in multiple forms.

Don’t miss the Mexican-style drinking chocolate made from scratch. Choose milk or dark chocolate, which is melted and whipped into a decadent hot cocoa. You can add cinnamon (just do it), whip cream or caramel to customize.

And of course you should try the coffee. The Lakewood location (there are three shops in Durham) is home to Little Waves coffee roaster, which won micro-roaster of the year in 2022. You can see the roasting in action as you wait for your coffee.

Seasonal and specialty lattes get creative at Cocoa Cinnamon. Quirky names, house made syrups like ginger-lavender, rosewater, ground pistachios, and cayenne take lattes to the next level.

Churros are another must-try here. They are made fresh to order, and you can choose cinnamon, cardamom, or lime flavored sugar to finish them off. The cardamom ones paired perfectly with my hot chocolate.

Lakewood Social

1920 Chapel Hill Road, Durham, NC 27707 United States // +9197484687

The walls are fluid at this expansive restaurant just outside of downtown. Roll up doors all around means al fresco dining for everyone. The cool breeze flows through, making it the perfect summer dining destination.

Lakewood Social is housed in the former County Fare Food Truck Rodeo spot, hence the large parking lot and massive green lawn surrounding the building.

This family-friendly place is the latest move by Chef Joel Schroeter, who previously owned a spot in the Durham Food Hall with killer smashburgers. Yes. you’ll find the smashburger here too, along with sandwiches, kabobs, and shareable plates. It’s one of the reasons why it’s one of the best restaurants in Durham NC.

While the burgers have a reputation for excellence here. I’m a big fan of the vegetarian options like the Broccoli Melt, Kimchi Melt and the Honey Miso Chopped Salad. And if you can’t remember the last time you had fresh squeezed lemonade, order one here.

You can easily make a meal of the shareable plates. Order the Whipped Ricotta with Figs, Fried Oyster Mushrooms with green garlic ranch and hot sauce and the Roasted Sweet potatoes with pecans.

Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken

401 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701, United States // +19844392220

This takeout only biscuit and chicken shop is conveniently located in Central Park. There are plenty of spaces nearby to enjoy your breakfast al fresco. You come here for the food, not the ambiance; the automated ordering kiosk is efficient and quick. A classic amongst the restaurants in Durham NC.

The fried green tomato sandwich starts with two of my favorite things: a fluffy warm biscuit and crispy, fried green tomatoes. Slather on some Southern 3-cheese pimento cheese and it’s a winner. The country ham biscuit is solid too.

The traditional buttermilk brined righteous fried chicken is where it all started. Get it on a biscuit, or try the Chix and Grits. It’s a takeaway box layered with grits, bacon, fried chicken, cheese, and boom boom sauce.

Biscuits and gravy belong together like cake and frosting. Rise has the options covered, including the Tree Hugger, which tops a biscuit with country gravy, cheese, and a veggie sausage patty. You can go Old School too, which swaps pork sausage for the veggie version.

Everything Bagels

530 Foster St., Durham, NC 27701, United States // +9192518738

If you needed an excuse to visit the Durham Food Hall, this boutique bagel shop would be a good one. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many unusual flavors of bagels all under one roof. It’s definitely one of the quirkiest restaurants in Durham NC.

You’ll find creative flavors like Purple Sweet Potato, Urfa & Garlic, Black Lime and Sea Salt and Pecan French Toast. Traditionalists, don’t worry, they do have plain, sesame and pumpernickel too.

Even the cream cheese gets special treatment. You can add a schmear of Lemon Miso Rosemary, Crab Rangoon or Jalapeno Popper.

The Spiced Fig bagel gets an extra boost from the Chai spices. With a thick, creamy layer of plain cream cheese, it reminded me of a Chai Latte. Bagel sandwiches range from tried and true Egg & Cheese, to a Breakfast Burger with a fried egg.

There’s a Breakfast Bahn Mi, Chicken Katsu, and a Szechuan Lamb Sausage number. Even the Smoked Turkey Bagel Sandwich has a few creative twists, with herby goat cheese and a zing from the crab apple jelly.

Notable vegan items include Vegan Faux Lox and Nashville Hot Tempeh with sweet coleslaw. Several plant-based cream cheese options are available too.

Restaurants in Durham NC: Wrap Up

Whether you’re craving a quick coffee with the freshest roast or stepping out for a splashy night on the town, Durham’s got you covered. Next time you’re in town, make sure to check out some of our best restaurants in Durham NC.

What Foodies Ask About Restaurants in Durham NC

How does Durham cater to diverse dietary preferences?

Durham is well-known for its inclusivity in dining options, catering to a range of dietary needs including vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian diets.

Many restaurants emphasize sustainable and organic ingredients, offering creative dishes that accommodate all types of food preferences and sensitivities.

What role do local breweries play in Durham’s food scene?

Durham’s food scene is complemented by its thriving craft beer culture. Local breweries often collaborate with restaurants for food pairings and special events, enhancing the dining experience.

The city’s breweries not only produce a wide range of beers but also serve as gathering spots that feature local food trucks and live music.

Can visitors experience any unique food tours in Durham?

Yes, Durham offers a variety of food tours that provide an immersive way to explore the city’s culinary landscape.

These tours can take you through historic neighborhoods, sampling dishes from acclaimed restaurants, or focus on specific themes like barbecue or desserts, giving both locals and tourists a deeper appreciation of Durham’s food scene.

Visiting other destinations in North Carolina? Check out our other delicious guides: