Guidebook for Durham
Food Scene
A delicious bowl of noodles in an intimate, Japanese-inspired location? What’s not to love! Dashi is a wonderful addition to the Durham dining scene and is delectable to boot. Pro tip: the izakaya (Dashi’s bar) serves amazing small plates upstairs.
56 lokale anbefaler
Dashi
415 E Chapel Hill StA delicious bowl of noodles in an intimate, Japanese-inspired location? What’s not to love! Dashi is a wonderful addition to the Durham dining scene and is delectable to boot. Pro tip: the izakaya (Dashi’s bar) serves amazing small plates upstairs.
One of our favorite spots for breakfast and lunch. Monuts is famous for its delicious donuts. The flavors vary daily and include both yeast and cake donuts, and a classic glazed is always in the rotation. Bustling and cozy, Monuts is a great spot to have a leisurely meal and people watch, just be prepared to wait in line on the weekends. Oh, and their sandwiches are divine!
102 lokale anbefaler
Monuts
1002 9th StOne of our favorite spots for breakfast and lunch. Monuts is famous for its delicious donuts. The flavors vary daily and include both yeast and cake donuts, and a classic glazed is always in the rotation. Bustling and cozy, Monuts is a great spot to have a leisurely meal and people watch, just be prepared to wait in line on the weekends. Oh, and their sandwiches are divine!
A lovely downtown spot for breakfast and lunch, Scratch features the incredible pies and pastries of James Beard Award semi-finalist and owner Phoebe Lawless. You really can’t go wrong here, but be sure to try a slice of pie! Brunch is especially good, and outdoor seating is available.
31 lokale anbefaler
Scratch Bakery
111 Orange StreetA lovely downtown spot for breakfast and lunch, Scratch features the incredible pies and pastries of James Beard Award semi-finalist and owner Phoebe Lawless. You really can’t go wrong here, but be sure to try a slice of pie! Brunch is especially good, and outdoor seating is available.
Delicious and comprehensive offerings with a German twist. Guglhupf does it all from fresh baked goods to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This popular spot is always crowded and does the trick for just about any occasion. Don’t forget to stop by the bakery next door and grab some treats to go. Also a nice spot to work during less busy hours.
128 lokale anbefaler
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdDelicious and comprehensive offerings with a German twist. Guglhupf does it all from fresh baked goods to breakfast, lunch, and dinner. This popular spot is always crowded and does the trick for just about any occasion. Don’t forget to stop by the bakery next door and grab some treats to go. Also a nice spot to work during less busy hours.
Durham’s own Italian sandwich shop featuring local ingredients. A delightful place to grab lunch with lots of tasty and innovative options. Excellent soup and salad (I am obsessed with their dressing!) Kelli, who owns the place with her husband, can usually be found working the register – she’s one of the loveliest people in Durham.
49 lokale anbefaler
Toast
345 W Main StDurham’s own Italian sandwich shop featuring local ingredients. A delightful place to grab lunch with lots of tasty and innovative options. Excellent soup and salad (I am obsessed with their dressing!) Kelli, who owns the place with her husband, can usually be found working the register – she’s one of the loveliest people in Durham.
If you go to one restaurant in Durham, make it this one. Toro makes the best pizza around and marries rustic simplicity with a fine dining aesthetic. Located in an elegant building downtown, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a night out. The menu changes with the season and features both red and white pizzas. Be sure to try the ricotta dumplings – it’s like eating savory, delicious clouds.
105 lokale anbefaler
Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill StIf you go to one restaurant in Durham, make it this one. Toro makes the best pizza around and marries rustic simplicity with a fine dining aesthetic. Located in an elegant building downtown, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a night out. The menu changes with the season and features both red and white pizzas. Be sure to try the ricotta dumplings – it’s like eating savory, delicious clouds.
Spanish tapas with a Southern twist downtown. Mateo is a gorgeous restaurant that makes any occasion feel special. The bar features an extensive collection of sherry. Go wild sampling from the large variety of tapas. I especially love the queso frito y huevo, a dish that sounds simple but is anything but.
103 lokale anbefaler
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 W Chapel Hill StSpanish tapas with a Southern twist downtown. Mateo is a gorgeous restaurant that makes any occasion feel special. The bar features an extensive collection of sherry. Go wild sampling from the large variety of tapas. I especially love the queso frito y huevo, a dish that sounds simple but is anything but.
Delicious spot for Cuban sandwiches and dishes. Wonderful for meat-lovers, and they have at least one vegetarian option. Lovely weekend brunches, too!
15 lokale anbefaler
Old Havana Sandwich Shop and Cafe
310 E Main StDelicious spot for Cuban sandwiches and dishes. Wonderful for meat-lovers, and they have at least one vegetarian option. Lovely weekend brunches, too!
Classic American food in a relaxed atmosphere. Burgers, sandwiches, and fries with multiple dipping sauce options. Open late nights on weekends.
79 lokale anbefaler
Geer Street Garden
644 Foster StClassic American food in a relaxed atmosphere. Burgers, sandwiches, and fries with multiple dipping sauce options. Open late nights on weekends.
A classic Durham burger joint. Order take out or eat at the picnic tables outside. Home of the best veggie burger in town.
17 lokale anbefaler
King's Sandwich Shop
701 Foster StA classic Durham burger joint. Order take out or eat at the picnic tables outside. Home of the best veggie burger in town.
Delicious pasta in an intimate setting. Arrive early since reservations aren't accepted and it's a very popular spot!
39 lokale anbefaler
Gocciolina
3314 Guess RdDelicious pasta in an intimate setting. Arrive early since reservations aren't accepted and it's a very popular spot!
There are two locations: the closest on Geer Street (about 6 minutes away) and another on Hillsborough Road. Both serve delicious coffee, amazing hot chocolates, and teas. My favorites include the Dr. Durham latte (something scrumptious involving vanilla syrup and black lava salt) and their selections of vegan desserts. Great place to work on the tables outside, though in colder weather it can get crowded inside.
157 lokale anbefaler
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StThere are two locations: the closest on Geer Street (about 6 minutes away) and another on Hillsborough Road. Both serve delicious coffee, amazing hot chocolates, and teas. My favorites include the Dr. Durham latte (something scrumptious involving vanilla syrup and black lava salt) and their selections of vegan desserts. Great place to work on the tables outside, though in colder weather it can get crowded inside.
Delicious coffee and treats with a really cool interior. Tends to be less crowded than the other location.
157 lokale anbefaler
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StDelicious coffee and treats with a really cool interior. Tends to be less crowded than the other location.
A slightly sleepier, but no less delicious coffee shop on Broad Street. A nice place to sit and read or do work. They also roast their coffee and many varieties are available for sale at the shop.
43 lokale anbefaler
Joe Van Gogh Durham
1104 Broad StA slightly sleepier, but no less delicious coffee shop on Broad Street. A nice place to sit and read or do work. They also roast their coffee and many varieties are available for sale at the shop.
Not to be missed if you love sweets! Amazing ice cream in a fun space downtown. Their vegan ice cream is incredible, especially the chocolate.
75 lokale anbefaler
The Parlour
117 Market StNot to be missed if you love sweets! Amazing ice cream in a fun space downtown. Their vegan ice cream is incredible, especially the chocolate.
A bakery and a butcher shop run by a husband and wife team. Amazing cookies and pastries artfully displayed alongside a nice selection of local goods. All of their sweets are incredible. Our favorites include their morning buns and chocolate cake.
30 lokale anbefaler
Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets
121 N Gregson StA bakery and a butcher shop run by a husband and wife team. Amazing cookies and pastries artfully displayed alongside a nice selection of local goods. All of their sweets are incredible. Our favorites include their morning buns and chocolate cake.
Loaf
111 W Parrish StTruly delightful bread, pastries, etc. Their flatbread is so good!
Drinks & Nightlife
Craft cocktails in downtown Durham. Delicious, classy drinks with a great attention to detail. Frequent jazz nights.
72 lokale anbefaler
Alley Twenty Six
320 E Chapel Hill StCraft cocktails in downtown Durham. Delicious, classy drinks with a great attention to detail. Frequent jazz nights.
A busy spot with a great view of the Durham skyline. Great drinks and a unique location – the hotel features lots of quirky midcentury design.
100 lokale anbefaler
The Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill StA busy spot with a great view of the Durham skyline. Great drinks and a unique location – the hotel features lots of quirky midcentury design.
The bar at Durham’s “Art Hotel” 21 C. (The Counting House is also a pretty tasty, higher priced restaurant.) Grab a drink and browse the art on display in the floors above, or ask for a tour of the vault. All exhibits are free of charge and available to view 24/7.
11 lokale anbefaler
Counting House
111 Corcoran StThe bar at Durham’s “Art Hotel” 21 C. (The Counting House is also a pretty tasty, higher priced restaurant.) Grab a drink and browse the art on display in the floors above, or ask for a tour of the vault. All exhibits are free of charge and available to view 24/7.
Criterion
347 W Main StA cozy downtown bar with a good selection of whiskey.
A vibrant sports bar right in downtown Durham. Bull McCabe’s features a nice lawn with multiple picnic tables. It’s the perfect spot to grab a beer, some food, and spend time with friends.
42 lokale anbefaler
Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
427 W Main StA vibrant sports bar right in downtown Durham. Bull McCabe’s features a nice lawn with multiple picnic tables. It’s the perfect spot to grab a beer, some food, and spend time with friends.
The bar at Motorco Music Hall. Great outdoor seating, tasty food, and a good spot to people watch. For snacks, we heartily recommend the samosas! Also, they have incredible bloody marys.
20 lokale anbefaler
Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee AvenueThe bar at Motorco Music Hall. Great outdoor seating, tasty food, and a good spot to people watch. For snacks, we heartily recommend the samosas! Also, they have incredible bloody marys.
Just across the street from Motorco, Fullsteam is a warm bar and community space. Hosts frequent events like trivia nights, and you can usually find a tasty food truck or two outside.
137 lokale anbefaler
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee AveJust across the street from Motorco, Fullsteam is a warm bar and community space. Hosts frequent events like trivia nights, and you can usually find a tasty food truck or two outside.
Durham’s “not-so-divey” dive bar. Pool inside, and bocce outside, along with nice outdoor seating.
36 lokale anbefaler
Kotuku Surf Club
703 Rigsbee AveDurham’s “not-so-divey” dive bar. Pool inside, and bocce outside, along with nice outdoor seating.
A great spot to hang out with friends. Huge outdoor space and porch to boot! Delicious beer and frequent food trucks (stay on the lookout for Pie Pushers for pizza!)
112 lokale anbefaler
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood StA great spot to hang out with friends. Huge outdoor space and porch to boot! Delicious beer and frequent food trucks (stay on the lookout for Pie Pushers for pizza!)
A local music venue close to downtown. A great spot to see local bands and other acts, including comedy. Motorco frequently hosts events like movie nights and a pop-up chorus. Also home to Parts & Labor, a full bar with outdoor space. Stop by on a nice night and see Durham out and about.
106 lokale anbefaler
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee AveA local music venue close to downtown. A great spot to see local bands and other acts, including comedy. Motorco frequently hosts events like movie nights and a pop-up chorus. Also home to Parts & Labor, a full bar with outdoor space. Stop by on a nice night and see Durham out and about.
The Pinhook
117 W Main StThe spot for local and touring bands, and a classic karaoke night.
Essentials
The closest chain grocery to the house, you can find lots of basics here at very affordable prices.
99 lokale anbefaler
Food Lion
3415 Avent Ferry RdThe closest chain grocery to the house, you can find lots of basics here at very affordable prices.
Compare Foods
2000 Avondale DrHuge grocery store near the house with a glorious produce section.
A lovely little family-owned grocery store about 5 minutes from the house. Perfect for little odds and ends and the owners are so kind.
12 lokale anbefaler
King's Supermarket
305 E Club BlvdA lovely little family-owned grocery store about 5 minutes from the house. Perfect for little odds and ends and the owners are so kind.
Whole Foods Market
621 Broad StAbout 2-3 minutes from the house next to the Food Lion. I will say that this is the friendliest post office I have ever encountered!
US Post Office
3520 Kangaroo DrAbout 2-3 minutes from the house next to the Food Lion. I will say that this is the friendliest post office I have ever encountered!
Downtown Durham YMCA
218 W Morgan StLovely community YMCA in downtown.
Entertainment & Activities
Durham’s own historic concert hall and movie theatre. Located downtown within walking distance of many bars and restaurants, this theatre is our favorite spot to see films. In addition to a beautiful space and great programming, The Carolina uses real butter on their popcorn!
104 lokale anbefaler
Carolina Theatre
309 W Morgan StDurham’s own historic concert hall and movie theatre. Located downtown within walking distance of many bars and restaurants, this theatre is our favorite spot to see films. In addition to a beautiful space and great programming, The Carolina uses real butter on their popcorn!
Arts & Culture
Huge and impressive performance space that hosts touring Broadway productions and high-profile performers.
244 lokale anbefaler
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian StreetHuge and impressive performance space that hosts touring Broadway productions and high-profile performers.
A zero-commission gallery space in downtown Durham that supports and showcases local artists. The Carrack hosts a new exhibition every two weeks as well as frequent events. A great place to see the vibrant arts community in Durham.
10 lokale anbefaler
The Carrack Modern Art
947 E Main StA zero-commission gallery space in downtown Durham that supports and showcases local artists. The Carrack hosts a new exhibition every two weeks as well as frequent events. A great place to see the vibrant arts community in Durham.
Duke University’s state of the art museum. Houses a large permanent collection featuring medieval, pre-Columbian, and art from the African diaspora, among others. A list of current exhibitions is available on their website below. The Nasher also houses a lovely café perfect for lunch or coffee after your peruse the collections.
80 lokale anbefaler
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
2001 Campus DrDuke University’s state of the art museum. Houses a large permanent collection featuring medieval, pre-Columbian, and art from the African diaspora, among others. A list of current exhibitions is available on their website below. The Nasher also houses a lovely café perfect for lunch or coffee after your peruse the collections.
Shopping
A beautiful gift shop filled with colorful home décor, beautiful ceramics, boutique skin care products, and affordable jewelry. One of my favorite stores in town. Located in Brightleaf Square, so you can make an afternoon of browsing and stop for lunch at Parker & Otis or Rose's down the street.
Indio
905 W Main StA beautiful gift shop filled with colorful home décor, beautiful ceramics, boutique skin care products, and affordable jewelry. One of my favorite stores in town. Located in Brightleaf Square, so you can make an afternoon of browsing and stop for lunch at Parker & Otis or Rose's down the street.
A bustling and extensively stocked shop with stationary, kitchenware, body products, wine, and everything in between. Great selection of local products, especially food. Their café is a popular breakfast and lunch spot, too.
61 lokale anbefaler
Parker and Otis
324 Blackwell StA bustling and extensively stocked shop with stationary, kitchenware, body products, wine, and everything in between. Great selection of local products, especially food. Their café is a popular breakfast and lunch spot, too.