Best Restaurants in Durham North Carolina

Best Restaurants in Durham North Carolina include Spanish tapas, fresh seafood, handmade Italian pasta, steaks, German-inspired dishes, and wood-fired pizza. Downtown Durham has an especially strong collection of independent restaurants.

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Mateo Bar de Tapas — Spanish Tapas With Southern Influences

Mateo Bar de Tapas combines Spanish cooking with ingredients and flavors from the American South. Additionally, its downtown menu features small plates alongside Spanish wines and sherry.

Saltbox Seafood Joint — Fresh North Carolina Seafood

Saltbox Seafood Joint celebrates the traditions of American fish camps and seafood shacks. Chef Ricky Moore focuses on fresh, seasonal seafood prepared with a straightforward approach.

M Sushi — Seasonal Sushi in Downtown Durham

M Sushi specializes in high-quality seasonal seafood and traditional Japanese techniques. Meanwhile, its intimate downtown setting provides a focused alternative to larger sushi restaurants.

Mothers & Sons Trattoria — Handmade Italian Pasta Downtown

Mothers & Sons Trattoria prepares fresh pasta daily in downtown Durham. Also, its seasonally focused menu draws inspiration from regional Italian cooking and Italian-American family traditions.

NanaSteak — Steaks Near the Durham Performing Arts Center

NanaSteak offers upscale steakhouse dining beside the Durham Performing Arts Center. Steaks and North Carolina-inspired dishes anchor the menu, while its downtown location is convenient before a show.

Guglhupf — German-Inspired Food and Artisan Baking

Guglhupf blends Southern German traditions with fresh North Carolina ingredients. Additionally, its restaurant, bakery, patio, and biergarten provide options from breakfast through dinner.

Pizzeria Toro — Wood-Fired Pizza Downtown

Pizzeria Toro specializes in Italian-inspired wood-fired pizza in downtown Durham. Its East Chapel Hill Street location makes it convenient for a casual meal while exploring the city center.

Final Bite

Durham combines Southern ingredients with an unusually diverse local food scene. Seafood, Spanish tapas, sushi, Italian pasta, steaks, German cuisine, and wood-fired pizza provide plenty of choices.

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