Brunch Your Way Through Durham

Move over, coffee — it's the mimosa's time to shine. There's just something quite special about the meal between breakfast and lunch: you can eat dessert (pancakes for the table, anyone?) and drink bottomless cocktails for your whole meal.

Thankfully, restaurants all over Durham are embracing the brunch lifestyle with dedicated menus designed for the occasion. Whether you're visiting for the weekend or looking for a restaurant with delicious brunch menu options, here's a guide to some restaurants in Durham offering international, Southern, and American flavors. Keep calm and brunch on.

International Flavors

Guglhupf Bakery, Cafe & Restaurant

2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Sample German fare on the weekend brunch cafe menu at this European eatery. Familiar brunch items like eggs benedict over Westphalian ham and nutella on grilled brioche mix with traditional German cuisine, such as schnitzel and house-made bratwurst. Make sure to stop by the attached bakery for an almond schnecke pastry.

Aaktun

704 Ramseur St.

Transport yourself to Tulum for brunch with a visit to Aaktun. From Chef Oscar Diaz and Mezcalito group, this dual-concept eatery is full of amazing eats and well made drinks. If you prefer a sweet breakfast, order up some mini churros or a goat cheese cake. For those that prefer the more savory side of things, the brekky butter burger or the spicy chicken mcnug sando will be right on the money. Oh, and did we mention they have tots? The supreme totchos are a dish you won't want to miss.

Alimentari at Mothers & Sons

105 W. Chapel Hill St.

Saturday brunch at Alimentari features American classics like pork rolls and BECs along with dishes taking inspiration from Mothers and Sons, its Italian nighttime alter ego. Bacon frittatas are served next to spaghetti pies and chocolate cornetti. Bring your tote bag to stock your fridge with homemade pantry and prepared food items like fresh pastas and sauces, prosciutto sliced to order and giardiniera.

The Lenny

555 S. Mangum St., Floor 11

From the folks that brought you Jose and Sons in Raleigh, The Lenny invites guests to enjoy a brasserie-style brunch overlooking the Durham Bull's Athletic Park. Order the classics like French toast or eggs benedict or choose from the delicious selection of flatbreads. For those who woke up on the lunchier side of brunch, The Lenny also offers sandwiches and burgers.

Vin Rouge

2010 Hillsborough Rd.

With the Art Deco design, traditional white tablecloths, red accent walls, and black and white photographs, you might actually think you’re brunching on the Champs Elysees. Vin Rouge has a brunch menu filled with options like mushroom and gruyere omelets, crepes, and French toast. And, of course, you can pair your meal with a mimosa or Bloody Mary.

Kokí

104 City Hall Plaza, Suite 101

Located in downtown Durham, Kokí offers delicious Puerto Rican cuisine for brunch, including omelets, empanadas, avocado toast, herb-marinated roast beef with chimichurri, and so much more. Their motto is simple, "Barriga Llena, Corazón Contento," which translates to "Full Belly, Happy Heart." They say that their food is designed to ensure you leave with a big smile, and trust us, you will.

Press Coffee, Crepes, Cocktails

359 Blackwell St.

In the American Tobacco District, Press is an airy European-style café with a full menu of sweet and savory crepes, an Italian-inspired espresso bar and a brunch cocktail bar that's all-American.

Nikos

905 W. Main St., Unit 21B

Founded on the Greek tradition of philoxenia, Nikos is a perfect place to share weekend brunch with friends and family. Kick things off with Greek meze and spreads before moving on to the large plates. Dip pita bread in eggs shakshuka or dig into a classic Turkish breakfast of fried eggs, feta with garlic yogurt and chile oil.

Nzingas Kitchen

826 Fayetteville St. #110

Chef Zuri Hester serves up the Creole-inspired food you’ll be dreaming about long after you’ve taken the last bite. While Nzingas Kitchen doesn't have a specific brunch menu, they do serve breakfast every Thursday-Friday until 2:30 p.m. Stop by for an in-between meal of cheese omelets, pancakes, waffles, warm melt-in-your-mouth breakfast biscuits, and more. You can thank us later.

Hong Kong Chinese Restaurant

3003 Guess Rd.

Brunch doesn't have to include poached eggs and French toast. Sometimes dim sum hits the spot like no other. Crowd around a table and order stacks of soup dumplings, buns, congee and scallion pancakes.

M Tempura

111 Orange St.

Chef de Cuisine and Top Chef finalist Savannah Miller has crafted a superb Sunday brunch at M Tempura. While dinner here is omakase style, brunch is served a-la-carte. With an array of hot and cold dishes, you won't have to look far to find something that will catch your eye. If you're looking for a light brunch, try the poke bowl or crudo. Heartier options include salmon katsu, chicken karaage, crab fried rice and more.

Rose's Noodles, Dumplings, & Sweets

121 N. Gregson St.

Rose's menu of East Asian-inspired dishes and housemade pastries is perfect for a Saturday or Sunday afternoon with friends. Order a few steaming noodle bowls and some veggies and dumplings to share, and save room for dessert.

Straight Up Southern

The Durham Hotel

315 E. Chapel Hill St.

Turn brunch into a public or private party at The Durham Hotel every Saturday and Sunday. Dishes like "The Full Durham," stuffed French toast and breakfast fried rice are served alongside Bloody Marys for a fun outing that everyone will enjoy. Opt for brunch in bed via room service during your stay!

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar

2200 W. Main St.

The brunch menu at Local 22 is clearly designed for a good time, with the Big Bottom Brunch and Parlez-Vous Frozé headlining the cocktail menu and hearty mains accompanying shareable "amusements."

Lula & Sadie's

2022 Chapel Hill Rd.

Gather your crew for brunch at Lula & Sadie's in the historic Davis Baking building in Lakewood. Chef Harry Monds serves dishes inspired by the southern cuisine of his grandmothers, the namesakes of the restaurant. Bring your appetite for bacon pecan cinnamon rolls, "Down Home" biscuits and gravy or their famous red velvet chicken and waffles.

True Flavors Diner

5410 Highway 55 Suite AJ AK

It’s hard to snag a seat at the cozy True Flavors diner on the weekends, but the inventive menu is truly worth the wait. You’re served a hot, buttermilk biscuit the second you sit down (try not to inhale it), and the menu is filled with delicious dishes like slow-roasted duck hash with roasted red peppers, thyme, shallots, and eggs, or the creamy four-cheese shrimp and grits with peppers, onions, fresh corn, sausage, and eggs on the side.

GRUB Durham

1200 W. Chapel Hill St.

At GRUB Durham, you can enjoy brunch every day until 3 p.m. in an old gas station turned hip Southern eatery. Whether you get The Slammer (two eggs, any style, served with bacon or sausage, taters, grits, fruit, and a buttermilk flapjack) or the West End Grit Bowl (stoneground cheddar grits, roasted red pepper sauce, turkey sausage, sunny side up egg and green onions), we know you will leave satisfied with happy memories.

It's a Southern Thing

605 W. Main St. & 1051 Yunus Road St. 110

map marker pin605 West Main Street

Now with a second location at Ellis Crossing, It's a Southern thing is for people who don’t play around when it comes to brunch. With an extensive brunch menu, you can order hearty items like "Pete’s Fat Kid Breakfast Sandwich" with a toasted brioche bun filled with pulled pork, bacon, breakfast sausage, fried egg, cheese, and bourbon honey BBQ sauce. Still hungry? Try the flapjack charcuterie board, chicken and waffle skewers, or shrimp and grits. And yes, their brunch menu features both mimosas and Bloody Marys!

All American Fare

Big Bad Breakfast

2608 Erwin Rd., #120

Share Chef John Currence's love for breakfast at Big Bad Breakfast's Durham location. Everything is big here, from the menu to the dishes. Choose from pancakes, skillets, omelletes, egg plates and more. Wash it all down with a mimosa, Irish coffee or a Big Bad Bloody Mary.

The Common Market

1821 Green St.

The Common Market may be a multifunctional space, but it puts 100% in all of it, including breakfast. Made with locally sourced eggs, bread, bagels, wraps and grits, the sandwiches and wraps here are awesome. If you happen by for weekend brunch, you can order Mama's Bowl or a Pimp My Bowl. Pair it all with a coffee, and you're in business.

Durham Food Hall

530 Foster St. Suite 1

Make the whole crew happy with a weekend brunch at the Durham Food Hall in downtown Durham. Satisfy multiple cravings at once and order locally sourced gourmet bagels and avant-garde sandwiches from Everything Bagels, and casual Mexican fare from Ex-Voto. Wash your meal down with coffee from Liturgy Beverage Company or hand-crafted cocktails and beer from the Auctioneer Bar.

Dame's Chicken & Waffles

530 Foster St. #130

You haven't been to Durham if you haven't brunched at Dame's Chicken and Waffles. Dame's brings the sweet and savory flavor to their brunch menu with their world-famous waffles and crispy chicken. Make sure to top it all off with the delicately whipped sweet crème butter schmear or some of their extra special drizzle.

Elmo's Diner

776 9th St.

Enjoy a hearty brunch all day long at this family-friendly diner on Ninth Street which has won awards for its breakfast, brunch and child-friendly menu. They serve everything you could ever want for brunch including cinnamon apple pancakes, baked French toast, wild oats, quiche of the day, biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon and more.

Geer Street Garden

644 Foster St.

On Sundays, Geer Street Garden transforms into everyone's favorite brunch buffet. Grab a plate and get in line for steaming piles of scrambled eggs and bacon, toast, specials like smoked salmon and more.

Little Bull

810 N. Mangum St.

After reading the brunch menu, you may question our classification of this spot as "All American," but a quick read of the About section of the restaurant's website will have you convinced it's just that. Serving up a delicious, unique brunch menu that changes with the seasons, Little Bull is a partnership between Mezcalito Group, Inc. and two-time James Beard Award semifinalist Oscar Diaz. Each one of their dishes is a heartfelt nod to nostalgic comfort food, drawing inspiration from the rich culinary heritage of first-generation immigrants. Sit down and enjoy duck chilaquiles, Frenchxican toast and gambas grits.

Monuts

1002 9th St.

Monuts takes an updated approach to the American brunch, pairing bold ethnic flavors with seasonal and local ingredients. With menu items like guac dirty to me (a biscuit with guacamole, sausage, and an egg) and Durham dreams of shawarma (focaccia with shawarma aioli and chicken), you'll want to try everything. Build your own bagel or sandwich, or get a slice of quiche with a side of salad or soup. Got a sweet tooth? Do not leave without trying one of their famous donuts.

Refectory Café

2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Everybody loves avocado toast, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never had it the way they do it at Refectory Café. Hopefully, your friends and family are into sharing, because everything on the brunch menu is delicious. Try the signature lemon ricotta pancakes or the challah cinnamon French toast every day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m!

Foster's Market

2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

Brunch every Thursday-Monday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Foster's Market, a gourmet food market and cafe focusing on scratch-made soups, salads, casseroles, sandwiches, and more. And by more, we mean thick slices of the best peanut butter pie you'll ever eat. You will enjoy every bite of your meal because everything is made in-house — down to the roast turkey for their sandwiches.