Guidebook for Durham
Food Scene
Convenient "village" shopping, restaurants, grocery store, Starbucks, nail salon.
Just off Hwy 54 between I40 and UNC.
Meadowmont Village
505 Meadowmont Village CirConvenient "village" shopping, restaurants, grocery store, Starbucks, nail salon.
Just off Hwy 54 between I40 and UNC.
Located near my house on Hwy54 at I40.
Broad selection of American items on menu; even has a small bar.
Clean and consistent; very popular.
8 locals recommend
Nantucket Grill - Chapel Hill
5925 Farrington RdLocated near my house on Hwy54 at I40.
Broad selection of American items on menu; even has a small bar.
Clean and consistent; very popular.
Really good, like homemade, especially for a chain. I get the single patty with "everything" and the small fries are enough for 2 people.
Five Guys
407 Meadowmont Village CirReally good, like homemade, especially for a chain. I get the single patty with "everything" and the small fries are enough for 2 people.
Bangkok 54
6118 Farrington RdAsian takeout nearby.
Amante Gourmet Pizza
6209 Falconbridge RdDecent pizza nearby or delivered.
Brixx Wood Fired Pizza - Chapel Hill
501 Meadowmont Village CirPopular bar and pizza business.
SANDWHICH
407 W Franklin StOne of my favorite independent foodie places.
My favorite Latte. Not convenient to my house, but if you make it over to Carrboro, check it out. This is the typical Carrboro granola hippie crowd and GREAT coffee.
61 locals recommend
Open Eye Cafe
101 S Greensboro StMy favorite Latte. Not convenient to my house, but if you make it over to Carrboro, check it out. This is the typical Carrboro granola hippie crowd and GREAT coffee.
One of my favorites. Very good, Farm-to-Table, and with a bit of a southern influence. Tuesday night specials but get a reservation.
63 locals recommend
Acme Food & Beverage Co
110 E Main StOne of my favorites. Very good, Farm-to-Table, and with a bit of a southern influence. Tuesday night specials but get a reservation.
Funky little coffee bar with night lights & outdoor seating and occasional evening entertainment outside during nice weather.
52 locals recommend
Caffè Driade
1215 E Franklin StFunky little coffee bar with night lights & outdoor seating and occasional evening entertainment outside during nice weather.
Only Burger
3710 Shannon RdJust good burgers and fries. The Mushroom Melt is my weakness.
Killer donuts with killer calories. Not much seating inside. Waiting line on weekend mornings.
17 locals recommend
Rise Durham Southpoint
8200 Renaissance PkwyKiller donuts with killer calories. Not much seating inside. Waiting line on weekend mornings.
Very good upscale restaurant.
He also owns Nanataco and the BBQ joint across the street.
27 locals recommend
Nana's
2514 University DriveVery good upscale restaurant.
He also owns Nanataco and the BBQ joint across the street.
The best European style pastries and casual dining. Very crowded weekend mornings. Nice outdoor seating during good weather.
We are addicted to the Fruit Tart.
128 locals recommend
Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Biergarten
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdThe best European style pastries and casual dining. Very crowded weekend mornings. Nice outdoor seating during good weather.
We are addicted to the Fruit Tart.
Southern rustic charm and good quality casual food and pastries. Crowd outside on nice days.
93 locals recommend
Foster's Market
2694 Durham-Chapel Hill BlvdSouthern rustic charm and good quality casual food and pastries. Crowd outside on nice days.
Kitchen
764 M.L.K. Jr BlvdGreat tiny Bistro. Hard to get a reservation. Go early.
Elaine's On Franklin
454 W Franklin StHigh quality.
Lantern Restaurant
423 W Franklin StOne of Chapel Hill's most popular. Well-respected chef.
Specialty Foods and Gourmet Kitchen Store with Cafe/Restaurant. University Mall (University Place)
24 locals recommend
A Southern Season
1125 Jay LaneSpecialty Foods and Gourmet Kitchen Store with Cafe/Restaurant. University Mall (University Place)
Small Italian-inspired family restaurant that opened to good reviews. Call for reservation or go early. The dishes are continental in style with small local vegetable dishes, pasta courses, meat.
39 locals recommend
Gocciolina
3314 Guess RdSmall Italian-inspired family restaurant that opened to good reviews. Call for reservation or go early. The dishes are continental in style with small local vegetable dishes, pasta courses, meat.
Beautiful art museum/hotel open 24 hours for viewing. Upscale restaurant. Located inside c1937 art-decor Hill Building.
62 locals recommend
21c Museum Hotel Durham
111 North Corcoran StBeautiful art museum/hotel open 24 hours for viewing. Upscale restaurant. Located inside c1937 art-decor Hill Building.
Mexican chain with organic ingredients and brown rice options.
28 locals recommend
Chipotle Mexican Grill
2608 Erwin RdMexican chain with organic ingredients and brown rice options.
Small B&B Cafe
219 East StSmall, cute, and good food, especially breakfast, in Pittsboro.
Toast
345 W Main StSmall high-quality Italian-inspired sandwich shop. For lunch.
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 E Parrish StTheir own beer and local beef burgers, plus wine.
Chubby's Tacos
748 9th StMy daughter loved their burritos and cheese dip.
Mellow Mushroom
310 W Franklin StGood pizza; across from Durham Bulls ballpark and DPAC.
Market Street Coffee
503 Meadowmont Village CirLocally owned coffee shop and gelato, in Meadowmont.
Will deliver from variety of restaurants. https://www.takeoutcentral.com/restaurants/
Takeout Central Chapel Hill
400 Market StWill deliver from variety of restaurants. https://www.takeoutcentral.com/restaurants/
Steak and Bison. Excellent for a chain. Across the street from Southpoint Mall.
6 locals recommend
Ted's Montana Grill
6911 Fayetteville RdSteak and Bison. Excellent for a chain. Across the street from Southpoint Mall.
Four Square Restaurant
2701 Chapel Hill RdGood reputation for a long time. Nice special dinner out.
411 W Franklin St
411 West Franklin StreetPopular and Reasonable pasta and more. Usually crowded and rather loud.
Mellow Mushroom
310 W Franklin StGood Pizza on Franklin Street
Essentials
Another option for groceries. Also in the same location are Petco/PetSmart and Home Depot
Kroger Pharmacy
3420 SW Durham DrAnother option for groceries. Also in the same location are Petco/PetSmart and Home Depot
Trader Joe's
1800 E Franklin StGreat frozen entrees and desserts, as well as affordable wine.
Whole Foods Market
81 S Elliott RdOrganic options; Salad Bar; Hot Bar
Local food co-op. Good hot bar and salad bar, and very good bakery from scratch; organic. Not convenient to my house but if you make it over to Carrboro, check it out.
176 locals recommend
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver St Local food co-op. Good hot bar and salad bar, and very good bakery from scratch; organic. Not convenient to my house but if you make it over to Carrboro, check it out.
Arts & Culture
The Mardi Gras Bowling Center
6118 Farrington RdBowling
Chelsea Theater
1129 Weaver Dairy RdGreat little theater for INDY films.
Local Baseball ; there was a Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins movie called "Bull Durham" . Great pizza across the street at Mellow Mushroom
220 locals recommend
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
409 Blackwell StLocal Baseball ; there was a Kevin Costner, Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins movie called "Bull Durham" . Great pizza across the street at Mellow Mushroom
Downtown Durham, Inc.
307 Market StLots going on down there with eateries, breweries, and entertainment.
Reality Ministries
916 Lamond AvenueContra Dance 1-2 times per month.
http://www.tcdancers.org/members/pgm/sched.cgi
Location of Contra Dance 2-3 times per month. Also drumming circle and other events.
http://www.tcdancers.org/members/pgm/sched.cgi
Carrboro Coffee Company
101 S Greensboro StLocation of Contra Dance 2-3 times per month. Also drumming circle and other events.
http://www.tcdancers.org/members/pgm/sched.cgi
Big mall; always crowded. Several theaters.
I like the cafe inside Nordstrom.
20 locals recommend
AMC DINE-IN Southpoint 17
8030 Renaissance PkwyBig mall; always crowded. Several theaters.
I like the cafe inside Nordstrom.
Paul Green Theatre
UNC Playmakers Theatre
DPAC - Durham Performing Arts Center
123 Vivian StreetPerformance Theatre
The ArtsCenter
400 E Main StPerformances and Classes
Silverspot Cinema, a boutique movie theater, is coming to University Mall in 2015.
Also at the mall: Southern Seasons, and various stores.
14 locals recommend
University Place
201 S Estes DrSilverspot Cinema, a boutique movie theater, is coming to University Mall in 2015.
Also at the mall: Southern Seasons, and various stores.
Sightseeing
Nice for a walk. The trails behind the fenced in gardens are dog-friendly.
54 locals recommend
North Carolina Botanical Garden
100 Old Mason Farm RdNice for a walk. The trails behind the fenced in gardens are dog-friendly.
Cool little historical town with much starting to "happen". Park at Weaver Street Market, and start walking WEST, heading up the hill to Calvin & Nash streets to Mystery Brewing & Hillsborough BBQ
Riverwalk
Hillsborough RiverwalkCool little historical town with much starting to "happen". Park at Weaver Street Market, and start walking WEST, heading up the hill to Calvin & Nash streets to Mystery Brewing & Hillsborough BBQ
Carrboro
Funky, Hipster kinda place, with the heart at Weaver Street Market.
Duke University Gardens - must see when you visit the Chapel and Duke; don't miss the Asian garden. Take a blanket and picnic. Even during the winter there is much to enjoy.
378 locals recommend
Sarah P. Duke Gardens
420 Anderson StDuke University Gardens - must see when you visit the Chapel and Duke; don't miss the Asian garden. Take a blanket and picnic. Even during the winter there is much to enjoy.
Cool little old town with hipster general store serving good food.
49 locals recommend
Saxapahaw General Store
1735 Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church RdCool little old town with hipster general store serving good food.
Cafe, restaurant, bookstore, gift store on beautiful grounds with gardens that one can wander around. View the bucolic setting and their famous Belted Gallaway cows.
9 locals recommend
The Fearrington House Restaurant
230 Market StCafe, restaurant, bookstore, gift store on beautiful grounds with gardens that one can wander around. View the bucolic setting and their famous Belted Gallaway cows.
Hillsborough
Historic old town with nice little businesses and a short Riverwalk.
Old tobacco factories and warehouses have been turned into modern usable space. Some eateries. Across from ballpark and DPAC arts center.
116 locals recommend
American Tobacco Campus
300 Blackwell StOld tobacco factories and warehouses have been turned into modern usable space. Some eateries. Across from ballpark and DPAC arts center.
Everything Else
Bolin Creek Trail
Bolin Creek TrailWalking, Biking Trail in Chapel Hill
Very nice gym and pool facility. They may offer walk-in or visitor pricing. If I still have a membership, you can pay $10 to go as my guest. Lots of classes and some yoga.
8 locals recommend
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont
100 Sprunt StVery nice gym and pool facility. They may offer walk-in or visitor pricing. If I still have a membership, you can pay $10 to go as my guest. Lots of classes and some yoga.
Spring thru Fall. Saturday 7:30am-noon, and Wednesday evenings.
Dedicated local, mostly organic farmers.
54 locals recommend
Carrboro Farmers Market
301 W Main StSpring thru Fall. Saturday 7:30am-noon, and Wednesday evenings.
Dedicated local, mostly organic farmers.
Nearby at University Mall (Now called University Place). Local Producers, sometimes crafts and music.
Sat 8-Noon; Tues 3-6pm
11 locals recommend
Chapel Hill Farmers' Market
201 S Estes DrNearby at University Mall (Now called University Place). Local Producers, sometimes crafts and music.
Sat 8-Noon; Tues 3-6pm
Really nice farmer's market with local, (much organic) vendors and food trucks. Wed 3:30-6:30, Sat 8-Noon
106 locals recommend
Durham Farmers' Market
501 Foster StReally nice farmer's market with local, (much organic) vendors and food trucks. Wed 3:30-6:30, Sat 8-Noon
Wells Fargo Bank
112 W Barbee Chapel Rdat Meadowmont Village
Barnes & Noble
5400 New Hope Commons DrBookstore chain with Starbucks cafe.
Scratch, good donuts, including some gluten-free items. The Boston Cream baked donut was amazing.
6 locals recommend
The Phoenix
664 West StScratch, good donuts, including some gluten-free items. The Boston Cream baked donut was amazing.
Good several-mile walking road thru woods and open fields. Sadly no pets allowed. Behind the Finley Golf Course parking lot, down a dirt road, and across a creek.
Mason Farm Biological Reserve
Good several-mile walking road thru woods and open fields. Sadly no pets allowed. Behind the Finley Golf Course parking lot, down a dirt road, and across a creek.
Greenways, walking and biking paths.
http://www.townofchapelhill.org/town-hall/departments-services/parks-recreation/facilities-greenways-parks/greenways
Chapel Hill Orange County Visitors Bureau
308 W Franklin StGreenways, walking and biking paths.
http://www.townofchapelhill.org/town-hall/departments-services/parks-recreation/facilities-greenways-parks/greenways
O2 Fitness Falconbridge
6118 Farrington RdNearby; although I belong to UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont.
Walking, running trail along old rail tracks. Will become part of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail. There have been some reports of crime, although the town is taking steps to make it safer.
106 locals recommend
American Tobacco Trail
7616 Fayetteville RdWalking, running trail along old rail tracks. Will become part of the Mountain-to-Sea Trail. There have been some reports of crime, although the town is taking steps to make it safer.
Drinks & Nightlife
Very Casual small brewery with events at night such as trivia nights and music.
137 locals recommend
Fullsteam Brewery
726 Rigsbee AveVery Casual small brewery with events at night such as trivia nights and music.
Small with music. Next door to decent BBQ joint. Great to walk there on the Riverwalk from Weaver Street Market.
9 locals recommend
Mystery Brewing Public House
230 S Nash StSmall with music. Next door to decent BBQ joint. Great to walk there on the Riverwalk from Weaver Street Market.
City Beverage
4810 Hope Valley RdBar and Restaurant
Shopping
Brueggers Bagels, Trader Joe's, Massage Envy, gas station, etc.
6 locals recommend
East Gate Shopping Center
1800 E Franklin StBrueggers Bagels, Trader Joe's, Massage Envy, gas station, etc.
Rams Plaza
1728 Fordham BlvdFood Lion, various stores.
New Hope Commons
Walmart, Dick's Sporting Goods, Barnes & Noble, various stores.