Native's Guide to Durham
Food scene
Hands down best burger joint in Durham. It's a slightly more expensive (~$12) cousin to Cook Out, but well worth the money.
They also sometimes have this thing called Exotic Meat Month where you can try out burgers of some exotic meat (gators, antelope, etc.), so if you're feeling adventurous, make sure to check it out!
88 locals recommend
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 E Parrish StHands down best burger joint in Durham. It's a slightly more expensive (~$12) cousin to Cook Out, but well worth the money.
They also sometimes have this thing called Exotic Meat Month where you can try out burgers of some exotic meat (gators, antelope, etc.), so if you're feeling adventurous, make sure to check it out!
Guglhupf's probably one of the favorite local German bakery, cafe, and biergarten. Well, it's probably the only one in any case. They know what they're good at (refer to what they put in their name), so expect some great baked goods, good coffee selection to pick from, and tasty German-inspired food + beers.
128 locals recommend
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdGuglhupf's probably one of the favorite local German bakery, cafe, and biergarten. Well, it's probably the only one in any case. They know what they're good at (refer to what they put in their name), so expect some great baked goods, good coffee selection to pick from, and tasty German-inspired food + beers.
Southern + Spanish tapas. A bit on the pricier side, but the food and experience is definitely worth it. Perfect place to take your special someone for a night out, or for a family to share some great food and memories together :-)
103 locals recommend
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 W Chapel Hill StSouthern + Spanish tapas. A bit on the pricier side, but the food and experience is definitely worth it. Perfect place to take your special someone for a night out, or for a family to share some great food and memories together :-)
Great food. Amazing staff. Live Jazz music. Do you need to hear more? :-)
63 locals recommend
Beyú Caffè
341 W Main StGreat food. Amazing staff. Live Jazz music. Do you need to hear more? :-)
Great place for comfort food, pub bites, selection of beer, and outdoor space (plus fairy lights!) to hang out with friends.
79 locals recommend
Geer Street Garden
644 Foster StGreat place for comfort food, pub bites, selection of beer, and outdoor space (plus fairy lights!) to hang out with friends.
This place carries a personal significance to us as that's where my wife and I first met. If you're craving some farm-style comfort food and a mean cup of coffee, this would be a spot to check out.
93 locals recommend
Foster's Market
2694 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdThis place carries a personal significance to us as that's where my wife and I first met. If you're craving some farm-style comfort food and a mean cup of coffee, this would be a spot to check out.
Killer chicken and waffles. I mean, what more needs to be said? :-)
68 locals recommend
Dame's Chicken & Waffles
530 Foster StKiller chicken and waffles. I mean, what more needs to be said? :-)
Rue Cler
401 E Chapel Hill StElmo's Diner
776 9th StNamu
5420 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdThe Pit Durham
321 W Geer StThey make a mean plate of barbecue. I'd argue they've pretty much nailed down every type of meat so you can't go wrong no matter what you end up choosing. We usually go for the 3 Meat Combo plate which is enough to feed a party of 3.
43 locals recommend
The Original Q Shack
2510 University DrThey make a mean plate of barbecue. I'd argue they've pretty much nailed down every type of meat so you can't go wrong no matter what you end up choosing. We usually go for the 3 Meat Combo plate which is enough to feed a party of 3.
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee AveIf you're new to Durham, and are craving for some cheap, late night fast food run, well, COOK OUT is your choice. It's still probably one of the favorites for local college students, so if you've got the heart and stomach for it, check it out!
8 locals recommend
Cook Out
3624 Hillsborough RdIf you're new to Durham, and are craving for some cheap, late night fast food run, well, COOK OUT is your choice. It's still probably one of the favorites for local college students, so if you've got the heart and stomach for it, check it out!
Local brewery
Local brewery with their own brew, along with plenty of craft beers to pick from. Great outdoor space. Perfect for friends to gather, catch up, or just to socialize.
112 locals recommend
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood StLocal brewery with their own brew, along with plenty of craft beers to pick from. Great outdoor space. Perfect for friends to gather, catch up, or just to socialize.
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee AveHi-Wire Brewing - Durham
800 Taylor StSightseeing
21c = boutique hotel + art museum. It's built on a historic bank vault (now turned into a speakeasy), so when you're there, make sure to ask the staff to take you on a tour down in the Vault!
62 locals recommend
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran St21c = boutique hotel + art museum. It's built on a historic bank vault (now turned into a speakeasy), so when you're there, make sure to ask the staff to take you on a tour down in the Vault!
American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell StDuke University
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StCentral Park
Museum of Life + Science
433 W Murray AveBrightleaf Square
905 W Main StDuke Lemur Center
3705 Erwin RdDurham Farmers' Market
501 Foster StTrails & Hikes
American Tobacco Trail
7616 Fayetteville RdEno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill RdCoffee shop
Definitely one of the local favorites - single origin coffee, and specialty drinks galore. You'll find plenty of people here on weekends, sipping away at their cup, sunbathing, or generally catching up with friends. Great vibe. Very chill.
COVID NOTE: As far as we know, Cocoa Cinnamon is not open for sit downs yet.
157 locals recommend
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer StDefinitely one of the local favorites - single origin coffee, and specialty drinks galore. You'll find plenty of people here on weekends, sipping away at their cup, sunbathing, or generally catching up with friends. Great vibe. Very chill.
COVID NOTE: As far as we know, Cocoa Cinnamon is not open for sit downs yet.
One of our go-to coffee shops in Durham because of its close proximity to the newly revived Central Park right down the street. Lots of new buildings, eateries, and you'll find plenty of events happening here, especially on weekends.
If you're a big fan of drip coffee, make sure to take advantage of their unlimited refills on their House Coffee ;-)
7 locals recommend
Foster Street Coffee
530 Foster StOne of our go-to coffee shops in Durham because of its close proximity to the newly revived Central Park right down the street. Lots of new buildings, eateries, and you'll find plenty of events happening here, especially on weekends.
If you're a big fan of drip coffee, make sure to take advantage of their unlimited refills on their House Coffee ;-)
Mad Hatter Cafe + Bakeshop
1802 W Main StGrocery
One of our favorite Whole Foods in the area - super easy to access (within 10 min. driving distance). While you're there, feel free to check out the surrounding area:
- Duke East Campus (where freshmen stay)
- 9th Street (lots of boutique shops and eateries)
- Mad Hatters (local favorite for cakes, coffee, and more)
199 locals recommend
Whole Foods Market
621 Broad StOne of our favorite Whole Foods in the area - super easy to access (within 10 min. driving distance). While you're there, feel free to check out the surrounding area:
- Duke East Campus (where freshmen stay)
- 9th Street (lots of boutique shops and eateries)
- Mad Hatters (local favorite for cakes, coffee, and more)
Harris Teeter
3457 Hillsborough RdQuaint neighborhood Harris Teeter - can't really go wrong any way :-)
Experiences
Jordan Lake