Restaurants in Durham, NC

1. Fairview Dining Room

Located in Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club, the Fairview Dining Room is an award-winning restaurant that promises an unrivaled dining experience. Renowned for culinary mastery, meticulous attention to detail, and elegantly romantic ambiance, the four-star restaurant is one of the top spots to go for a special dinner or celebration. Diners can enjoy a creative menu regional neo-American cuisine and fine wines from around the world against a backdrop of spectacular views over the golf course from floor-to-ceiling windows and nightly piano music. The full-service bar offers an extensive menu of libations ranging from globally-inspired wines, craft, and classic cocktails, craft beers on tap and by the bottle, and imported spirits. The Fairview Dining Room is open for lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC 27705, Phone: 919-493-6699, Map

2. Gocciolina

Gocciolina is a hidden gem tucked away on Guess Road that serves traditional Italian fare and casual wines in a warm and welcoming space. Hidden away in a strip-mall, the family-friendly restaurant serves a seasonal menu of innovative Mediterranean and Northern Italian cuisine such as handmade pasta and in-house sauces, platters of antipasti, fresh seafood, and prime meat dishes, and crisp salads.

Don’t miss the decadent desserts that ring true of any Italian kitchen such as Tartufo, tiramisu, homemade ice cream, and pannacotta. The cuisine is accompanied by an extensive wine list, craft micro beers, signature cocktails, and imported spirits.

Gocciolina, 3314 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705, Phone: 919-973-4089

3. Bar Virgile

Located on Mangum Street between Main and Ramseur near the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Carolina Theater in the heart of downtown Durham, Bar Virgile is a stylish, relaxed spot that specializes in globally inspired tapas-style fare and inventive cocktails. The bustling bar serves a variety of easy eats prepared by the dynamic in-house team using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and regional produce from the Triangle area. The bar boasts an extensive menu of libations ranging from craft and classic cocktails, seasonal offerings, craft beers on tap and by the bottle, and one of the largest spirits selections in the Triangle, consisting of agave, whiskey, gin, and rum. Bar Virgile is open for dinner and drinks Monday through Saturday.

Bar Virgile, 105 S Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701, Phone: 919-973-3000

4. Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

Located in the Glen Lennox Shopping Center, Bin 54 Steak & Cellar is a classic steakhouse and bar that serves premium steaks and fresh seafood in an elegant dining room with a subdued ambiance. Using only the freshest locally sourced ingredients and regional produce such as grass-fed aged USDA Prime and Certified Black Angus beef, sustainably caught seafood, and organic vegetables and fruit, Bin 54 Steak & Cellar from-scratch dishes and bread, sauces, and desserts made in-house. A classic bar serves a variety of libations ranging from craft and classic cocktails, craft beers on tap and by the bottle, and globally inspired wines. Bin 54 Steak & Cellar is open for dinner only Monday through Saturday.

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar, 1201 Raleigh Rd, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, Phone: 919-969-1155

5. Bleu Olive

The Greek-owned Bleu Olive is a traditional Mediterranean bistro with outdoor seating that serves delicious Mediterranean and Greek fare in a bright and inviting setting. Boasting a charming white-tablecloth setting and a family-friendly ambiance, the family-owned and operated bistro has been taking diners on a culinary journey to the sun-kissed shores of the Med for over 25 years. Using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, dishes are prepared from scratch and presented with passion and love. Diners can tuck into plates of grilled octopus, saganaki (deep-fried cheese), meatballs, moussaka, paella, calamari, crab cakes, and roasted lamb in the oven. Casual wines, craft beers, and spirits are available from the bar, along with coffees and soft drinks. The Bleu Olive is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Sunday and dinner only on Saturdays.

Bleu Olive, 1821 Hillandale Rd, Durham, NC 27705, Phone: 919-383-8502

6. Counting House

Located in the chic 21c Hotel on Corcoran Street, Counting House is a perfect spot for a romantic dinner or special celebration. Once home to Suntrust and boasting an old bank valet on the lower floor, the elegant restaurant celebrates North Carolina’s rich heritage of fresh seafood and other regional fare using local, high-quality ingredients and organic produce. Executive Chef Thomas Card presents dishes such as plancha octopus, crab and squash ravioli, smoked oysters, pan-roasted catch-of-the-day, pork chops, and ribeye steak, and a variety of vegetarian options. The bar offers an extensive menu of drinks to pair with each dish, ranging from a global wine selection, craft, and classic cocktails, and craft beers on tap and by the bottle. Counting House is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, seven days a week.

Counting House, 111 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701, Phone: 919-956-6760

7. Elements

Elements is a stylish and sophisticated restaurant that offers a unique dining experience in a contemporary, chic setting. Chef Michael Chuong and his team combine locally sourced ingredients and flavors with modern Asian and European cooking techniques to produce seasonal lunch and dinner menus with innovative flair. Menus change weekly to accommodate local producers, and a hand-picked selection of house-made signature cocktails, a curated wine list of wines from around the world and a range of craft beer are the perfect accompaniment for the mouth-watering menu. Elements is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and dinner only through Saturday.

Elements, 2110 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517, Phone: 919-537-8780

8. Littler

The aptly named Littler is a tiny restaurant packed with intimate charm and an out-of-this-world menu that draws couples on date nights for an unforgettable dining experience. The 30-seater eatery makes up for the lack of space with its menu which features seasonal plates of contemporary New American cuisine like savory beef heart tartare, chicken-fried duck tongue, roasted Guinea hens, and hearty lamb burgers.

Craft cocktails and casual wines complement the cuisine at Littler , and big-bulb string lights give the cozy space a romantic glow. Guests can enjoy half-priced bottle wine on Sunday evenings and oyster specials on Mondays. Littler is open for dinner only, Wednesday through Monday.

Littler , 110 E Parrish St, Durham, NC 27701, Phone: 919-374-1118