Guidebook for Durham

David & Gina
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Dashi
415 E Chapel Hill St
56 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Monuts
1002 9th St
102 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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!
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Scratch Bakery
111 Orange Street
31 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd
128 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Toast
345 W Main St
49 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Pizzeria Toro
105 E Chapel Hill St
105 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Mateo Bar de Tapas
109 W Chapel Hill St
103 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
Delicious spot for Cuban sandwiches and dishes. Wonderful for meat-lovers, and they have at least one vegetarian option. Lovely weekend brunches, too!
15 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Old Havana Sandwich Shop and Cafe
310 E Main St
15 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Delicious 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Geer Street Garden
644 Foster St
79 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Classic 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
King's Sandwich Shop
701 Foster St
17 người dân địa phương đề xuất
A 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Gocciolina
3314 Guess Rd
39 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Delicious 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer St
157 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
Delicious coffee and treats with a really cool interior. Tends to be less crowded than the other location.
157 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W Geer St
157 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Delicious 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Joe Van Gogh Durham
1104 Broad St
43 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Parlour
117 Market St
75 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets
121 N Gregson St
30 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
Truly delightful bread, pastries, etc. Their flatbread is so good!
26 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Loaf
111 W Parrish St
26 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Truly 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Alley Twenty Six
320 E Chapel Hill St
72 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Craft 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill St
100 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Counting House
111 Corcoran St
11 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
A cozy downtown bar with a good selection of whiskey.
14 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Criterion
347 W Main St
14 người dân địa phương đề xuất
A 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Bull McCabe's Irish Pub
427 W Main St
42 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Avenue
20 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee Ave
137 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
Durham’s “not-so-divey” dive bar. Pool inside, and bocce outside, along with nice outdoor seating.
36 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Kotuku Surf Club
703 Rigsbee Ave
36 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Durham’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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Ponysaurus Brewing Company
219 Hood St
112 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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!)
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Motorco Music Hall
723 Rigsbee Ave
106 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
The spot for local and touring bands, and a classic karaoke night.
39 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Pinhook
117 W Main St
39 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Food Lion
3415 Avent Ferry Rd
99 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The closest chain grocery to the house, you can find lots of basics here at very affordable prices.
Huge grocery store near the house with a glorious produce section.
10 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Compare Foods
2000 Avondale Dr
10 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Huge 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
King's Supermarket
305 E Club Blvd
12 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
199 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Whole Foods Market
621 Broad St
199 người dân địa phương đề xuất
About 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 Dr
About 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!
Lovely community YMCA in downtown.
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Downtown Durham YMCA
218 W Morgan St
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Lovely 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Carolina Theatre
309 W Morgan St
104 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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!

Arts & Culture

Huge and impressive performance space that hosts touring Broadway productions and high-profile performers.
244 người dân địa phương đề xuất
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian Street
244 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Huge 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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
The Carrack Modern Art
947 E Main St
10 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University
2001 Campus Dr
80 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.

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 St
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.
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 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Parker and Otis
324 Blackwell St
61 người dân địa phương đề xuất
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.