Guidebook for Durham
Food Scene
Foster's Market is a gourmet food market and cafe, focusing on scratch made soups, salads, casseroles, sandwiches and more. Everything is made in house. Owner Sara Foster is a chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur who used to work for Martha Stewart.
93 locals recommend
Foster's Market
2694 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdFoster's Market is a gourmet food market and cafe, focusing on scratch made soups, salads, casseroles, sandwiches and more. Everything is made in house. Owner Sara Foster is a chef, cookbook author, and restaurateur who used to work for Martha Stewart.
Viceroy is a restaurant serving Indian Cuisine in British Pub style in Downtown Durham. The food and service are fantastic. Their cocktails are inventive and well made.
28 locals recommend
Viceroy
335 W Main StViceroy is a restaurant serving Indian Cuisine in British Pub style in Downtown Durham. The food and service are fantastic. Their cocktails are inventive and well made.
Their baked goods are amazing and the staff is friendly! You can even pay it forward by purchasing a treat for someone to enjoy in the future and leaving a personal message. The space is small but cute.
11 locals recommend
East Durham Bake Shop
406 S Driver StTheir baked goods are amazing and the staff is friendly! You can even pay it forward by purchasing a treat for someone to enjoy in the future and leaving a personal message. The space is small but cute.
Their pizza is killer. Everything else on the menu is equally as delicious - we sometimes order from the antipasti menu without even getting pizza!
105 locals recommend
Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill StTheir pizza is killer. Everything else on the menu is equally as delicious - we sometimes order from the antipasti menu without even getting pizza!
The space is relaxed, their coffee is awesome. One of our favorite spots to grab a delicious slice of pie.
19 locals recommend
Bean Traders
105 W North Carolina 54The space is relaxed, their coffee is awesome. One of our favorite spots to grab a delicious slice of pie.
The outdoor space is magical, their food is great and even vegetarian friendly! Save room for dessert, and check out that bar!
128 locals recommend
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdThe outdoor space is magical, their food is great and even vegetarian friendly! Save room for dessert, and check out that bar!
Maker-inspired hub for craft beer, dim sum, books & flowers in a stylish space. One of Forbes' "10 Coolest Places to Eat in 2018". It is one of two restaurants in the United States on the list. Beer and food are both amazing!
113 locals recommend
Brewery Bhavana
218 S Blount StMaker-inspired hub for craft beer, dim sum, books & flowers in a stylish space. One of Forbes' "10 Coolest Places to Eat in 2018". It is one of two restaurants in the United States on the list. Beer and food are both amazing!
Small plates and great cocktails! Food is excellent and vegetarian friendly
63 locals recommend
Bar Virgile
105 S Mangum StSmall plates and great cocktails! Food is excellent and vegetarian friendly
Great little cafe in an old gas station. Coffee drinks, tea, cocoa, and baked goods.
157 locals recommend
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StGreat little cafe in an old gas station. Coffee drinks, tea, cocoa, and baked goods.
Some of our favorite pizza in the area. One of the only spots to find NY style pie.
14 locals recommend
Randy's Pizza
4810 Hope Valley RdSome of our favorite pizza in the area. One of the only spots to find NY style pie.
Super good wings! They've been voted best in the area, and even have vegan wings. Only a few outdoor tables to eat there, but they deliver and you can do takeout.
22 locals recommend
Heavenly Buffaloes
407 W Franklin StSuper good wings! They've been voted best in the area, and even have vegan wings. Only a few outdoor tables to eat there, but they deliver and you can do takeout.
Authentic pit-smoked bbq and delicious sides. Vegan bbq available too!
48 locals recommend
The Pit Durham
321 W Geer StAuthentic pit-smoked bbq and delicious sides. Vegan bbq available too!
Drinks & Nightlife
The area's first combined bottle shop and brewery, Beer Study/ Starpoint Brewing is one of our favorite spots in the Triangle. The taplist is extensive and the retail bottle selection is the best in the area. The owner will drive to locations that don't distribute to get beer for the shop. Take a peek at the production space for the brewery to the left of the bar, and check out the old school arcade, the "Study Hall" in the back. Dog friendly!
22 locals recommend
Beer Study
2501 University DrThe area's first combined bottle shop and brewery, Beer Study/ Starpoint Brewing is one of our favorite spots in the Triangle. The taplist is extensive and the retail bottle selection is the best in the area. The owner will drive to locations that don't distribute to get beer for the shop. Take a peek at the production space for the brewery to the left of the bar, and check out the old school arcade, the "Study Hall" in the back. Dog friendly!
Excellent wine bar in downtown Durham. Locally owned by an award-winning sommelier who has an impressive background, and trained with the International Sommelier Guild. Monthly wine classes available!
9 locals recommend
Bar Brunello
123 E Main StExcellent wine bar in downtown Durham. Locally owned by an award-winning sommelier who has an impressive background, and trained with the International Sommelier Guild. Monthly wine classes available!
Small urban meadery located in downtown Durham NC. They ferment with local and global true source honey, and local fruits, flowers and herbs, to make artisanal meads (honey-wines). Enjoy a mead tasting in their Tasting Room for $5-$10/person and take home the souvenir glass. Meads are seasonal and availability changes throughout the year. Limited hours.
Honeygirl Meadery
105 Hood StSmall urban meadery located in downtown Durham NC. They ferment with local and global true source honey, and local fruits, flowers and herbs, to make artisanal meads (honey-wines). Enjoy a mead tasting in their Tasting Room for $5-$10/person and take home the souvenir glass. Meads are seasonal and availability changes throughout the year. Limited hours.
Locally owned brewery specializing in barrel aged sours as well as IPAs. The brewer is a serious Simpsons fan and you'll notice the taproom decorated with tons of memorabilia from his personal collection.
10 locals recommend
Durty Bull Brewing Company
206 Broadway StLocally owned brewery specializing in barrel aged sours as well as IPAs. The brewer is a serious Simpsons fan and you'll notice the taproom decorated with tons of memorabilia from his personal collection.
Brewery and taproom in Cary specializing in sours and IPAs. Voted "Best New Brewery in America" by USA Today in 2017.
47 locals recommend
Bond Brothers Beer Company
202 E Cedar StBrewery and taproom in Cary specializing in sours and IPAs. Voted "Best New Brewery in America" by USA Today in 2017.
Shopping
This is like a playground for the creative brain! Find anything and everything in the original Scrap Exchange side, and find vintage clothes, furniture, household items, books, and electronics at Scrap Thrift.
26 locals recommend
The Scrap Exchange
2050 Chapel Hill RdThis is like a playground for the creative brain! Find anything and everything in the original Scrap Exchange side, and find vintage clothes, furniture, household items, books, and electronics at Scrap Thrift.
Sightseeing
The former home of the Lucky Strike cigarette factory has been transformed into a one-million-sq.-ft. entertainment district, complete with apartments and offices in addition to restaurants, a documentary theater, a barber shop, a basketball court, plenty of open green common space under the iconic Lucky Strike smokestack, and more. This is also where Burt's Bees headquarters is - check out the observation hive and Burt's log cabin!
Make a night out of a trip to DPAC or the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, both located across the street. American Tobacco also puts on many of their own events, like art shows, pop-up shops, and free concerts in the summer.
116 locals recommend
American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell StThe former home of the Lucky Strike cigarette factory has been transformed into a one-million-sq.-ft. entertainment district, complete with apartments and offices in addition to restaurants, a documentary theater, a barber shop, a basketball court, plenty of open green common space under the iconic Lucky Strike smokestack, and more. This is also where Burt's Bees headquarters is - check out the observation hive and Burt's log cabin!
Make a night out of a trip to DPAC or the Durham Bulls Athletic Park, both located across the street. American Tobacco also puts on many of their own events, like art shows, pop-up shops, and free concerts in the summer.
Entertainment & Activities
Full-service theater with food and drinks delivered right to your seat. New releases and older movies.
41 locals recommend
Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Raleigh
2116-D New Bern AveFull-service theater with food and drinks delivered right to your seat. New releases and older movies.
Movies and live events including music and comedy - food and drinks offered.
104 locals recommend
Carolina Theatre
309 W Morgan StMovies and live events including music and comedy - food and drinks offered.
Performing arts center featuring broadway shows, live music events, and more!
244 locals recommend
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian StreetPerforming arts center featuring broadway shows, live music events, and more!
Quarter Horse Bar & Arcade
108 S Mangum StNo frills bar and restaurant, a great spot to find local music.
27 locals recommend
The Blue Note Grill
709 Washington StNo frills bar and restaurant, a great spot to find local music.
Local minor league baseball stadium. Lots of local beer and food available inside, even a brewery inside the stadium! Fantastic way to spend a day or evening during the season.
220 locals recommend
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
409 Blackwell StLocal minor league baseball stadium. Lots of local beer and food available inside, even a brewery inside the stadium! Fantastic way to spend a day or evening during the season.
Parks & Nature
Lots of trails to explore and the river to enjoy a hot summer day. Daredevils, check out the cliff jump and swimming hole at the quarry.
215 locals recommend
Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill RdLots of trails to explore and the river to enjoy a hot summer day. Daredevils, check out the cliff jump and swimming hole at the quarry.
2 words: goat yoga! At this local family farm, you can do yoga or meditate with goats. What better way to realign your chakra? Register ahead of time, these events sell out quickly! http://huxfamilyfarm.com/yoga.html
Hux Family Farm
1923 Shaw Rd2 words: goat yoga! At this local family farm, you can do yoga or meditate with goats. What better way to realign your chakra? Register ahead of time, these events sell out quickly! http://huxfamilyfarm.com/yoga.html
Spend a half day on the water out in Saxapahaw and take in views of the beautiful landscape and wildlife. Don't miss out on going upstairs to see the Paperhand Puppet Company's creations. You won't be disappointed!
PRO TIP:
Make it a full day with breakfast at the Saxapahaw General Store and lunch at Eddy Pub. Grab a flight of local craft beer at Haw River Farmhouse Ales, then hit up Left Bank Butchery for local, sustainable meat to throw on the grill for dinner!
18 locals recommend
The Haw River Canoe & Kayak Company
6079 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw RdSpend a half day on the water out in Saxapahaw and take in views of the beautiful landscape and wildlife. Don't miss out on going upstairs to see the Paperhand Puppet Company's creations. You won't be disappointed!
PRO TIP:
Make it a full day with breakfast at the Saxapahaw General Store and lunch at Eddy Pub. Grab a flight of local craft beer at Haw River Farmhouse Ales, then hit up Left Bank Butchery for local, sustainable meat to throw on the grill for dinner!
The ATT extends uninterrupted from Durham more than 22 miles south through Chatham County to its southern terminus in Wake County. Trail connections are becoming available to make the ATT part of a 75-mile greenway network throughout the Triangle region. For example, at the ATT’s southern end, the Black Creek Greenway and White Oak Creek Greenway extend into Cary, Apex, and Morrisville, where travelers can stop to get a bite to eat or check out local shopping and entertainment opportunities. These trails are also part of the East Coast Greenway, a growing trail network stretching from Maine to Florida.
106 locals recommend
American Tobacco Trail
7616 Fayetteville RdThe ATT extends uninterrupted from Durham more than 22 miles south through Chatham County to its southern terminus in Wake County. Trail connections are becoming available to make the ATT part of a 75-mile greenway network throughout the Triangle region. For example, at the ATT’s southern end, the Black Creek Greenway and White Oak Creek Greenway extend into Cary, Apex, and Morrisville, where travelers can stop to get a bite to eat or check out local shopping and entertainment opportunities. These trails are also part of the East Coast Greenway, a growing trail network stretching from Maine to Florida.
Beautifully curated botanical garden with lots of native flora, perfect for a sunny day outing. There are about 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas at Duke University, with 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens.
378 locals recommend
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StBeautifully curated botanical garden with lots of native flora, perfect for a sunny day outing. There are about 55 acres of landscaped and wooded areas at Duke University, with 5 miles of allées, walks, and pathways throughout the gardens.
Arts & Culture
Art gallery inside the hotel. You can find stuff on every floor, and they even have cocktail events downstairs in an old bank vault.
62 locals recommend
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran StArt gallery inside the hotel. You can find stuff on every floor, and they even have cocktail events downstairs in an old bank vault.
Art museum at Duke University. Check out Sarah P Duke Gardens and Duke Chapel for a very full day of sightseeing!
80 locals recommend
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
2001 Campus DrArt museum at Duke University. Check out Sarah P Duke Gardens and Duke Chapel for a very full day of sightseeing!
One of the most iconic locations in Durham, it's a stunning chapel located at the center of the campus of Duke University.
18 locals recommend
Duke Chapel
401 Chapel DriveOne of the most iconic locations in Durham, it's a stunning chapel located at the center of the campus of Duke University.