A Downtown Durham Guidebook
Food scene
Delicious southern/South American food, locally owned, and the first place I take guests from out of town.
50 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas
112 W Main StDelicious southern/South American food, locally owned, and the first place I take guests from out of town.
Alley Twenty Six
320 E Chapel Hill StThis has amazing food, cocktails and mocktails.
Local, Black-owned café with great brunch and lunch options.
63 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Beyú Caffè
341 W Main StLocal, Black-owned café with great brunch and lunch options.
This is where we do most of our grocery shopping.
52 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Durham Co-op Market
1111 W Chapel Hill StThis is where we do most of our grocery shopping.
In spite of the weird name, strongly recommend this spot for weekend brunch.
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Jack Tar and The Colonel’s Daughter
202 Corcoran StIn spite of the weird name, strongly recommend this spot for weekend brunch.
Saltbox Seafood Joint
608 N Mangum StGo out of your way for this fresh seafood!
Best sushi in town, worth the premium prices if you can swing it.
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M Sushi
311 Holland StBest sushi in town, worth the premium prices if you can swing it.
Strongly recommended if you like Indian food.
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
811 9th StStrongly recommended if you like Indian food.
The friendliest pizza place in town, with great specialty pies!
20 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Pie Pushers
117A W Main StThe friendliest pizza place in town, with great specialty pies!
Bagels, donuts, and rotating locally sourced breakfast and lunch options. Ordering ahead for pickup is a nice way to get your food, and there's outdoor seating too.
102 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Monuts
1002 9th StBagels, donuts, and rotating locally sourced breakfast and lunch options. Ordering ahead for pickup is a nice way to get your food, and there's outdoor seating too.
Drinks
The Pinhook
117 W Main StYour neighborhood queer bar and music venue.
Accordion Club
316 W Geer StBeer, picnic tables, divey and sweet
Downstairs is a delicious coffee shop, upstairs is a good bar and restaurant with city views.
100 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Durham Hotel
315 E Chapel Hill StDownstairs is a delicious coffee shop, upstairs is a good bar and restaurant with city views.
Coffee + Pastries
Our preferred coffee shop in Durham. Excellent pastries and breakfast sandwiches when they haven't run out!
43 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Joe Van Gogh Durham
1104 Broad StOur preferred coffee shop in Durham. Excellent pastries and breakfast sandwiches when they haven't run out!
Situated behind the city's one Ethiopian dinner place, this hidden cafe has great outdoor seating, beer and coffee, and Ethiopian bowls and panini. Highly recommended for the food and coffee!
Gojo By Goorsha
823 West Morgan StreetSituated behind the city's one Ethiopian dinner place, this hidden cafe has great outdoor seating, beer and coffee, and Ethiopian bowls and panini. Highly recommended for the food and coffee!
Durham/Chapel Hill's hidden gem with an expansive courtyard, coffee and tea, and delicious Korean food.
12 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Namu
5420 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdDurham/Chapel Hill's hidden gem with an expansive courtyard, coffee and tea, and delicious Korean food.
Downtown Durham has a few great bakery options; this one's my personal favorite and it's about 7 minutes by foot from the house.
26 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Loaf
111 W Parrish StDowntown Durham has a few great bakery options; this one's my personal favorite and it's about 7 minutes by foot from the house.
Not quite walking distance, but worth the trek by car for the cute breakfast/coffee spot and great baked goods.
128 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdNot quite walking distance, but worth the trek by car for the cute breakfast/coffee spot and great baked goods.
Sightseeing
Start here for many wonderful hiking and river adventures.
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Eno River State Park
6101 Cole Mill RdStart here for many wonderful hiking and river adventures.
Recommended for an afternoon picnic or stroll through the gardens
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Iziko lezithole zeSarah P. Duke
420 Anderson StRecommended for an afternoon picnic or stroll through the gardens
A gorgeous place for a short hike to the creek, about 15 minutes by car from the house
Hollow Rock Nature Park
692 Erwin RdA gorgeous place for a short hike to the creek, about 15 minutes by car from the house
The Museum Hotel is literally a 24/7 art museum! Check out the vault downstairs and the galleries upstairs for awesome art, and you don't even have to be a guest of the hotel.
62 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran StThe Museum Hotel is literally a 24/7 art museum! Check out the vault downstairs and the galleries upstairs for awesome art, and you don't even have to be a guest of the hotel.
City/town information
A tiny hippie town with a single excellent shop/restaurant/coffee and a lake where you can rent canoes or kayaks.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saxapahaw
A tiny hippie town with a single excellent shop/restaurant/coffee and a lake where you can rent canoes or kayaks.