Brunch Your Way Through Durham
Explore Durham's best brunch restaurants. From eggs benedict and chicken and waffles to Frenchxican toast and aloo chaat, Bull City has it all.
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.
Clouds Brewcade
905 W. Main St.
Serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays, Clouds Brewcade is a perfect Brightleaf Square spot to have a mid morning meal with a side of arcade games. While this brewery and kitchen is primarily inspired by German beer and cuisine, the brunch menu features items from diverse culinary traditions. Stick to the breweries roots with bratwurst omelette and the Belgian berries and cream, or try their take on Huevos Rancheros, "Panchos Breakfast." You also won't want to miss out on the sides. Ask for a brat on the side and some creamy grits or indulge in the beer cheese smothered hash-browns and you'll be fueled for shopping the nearby boutiques.
Esmerelda's Cafe
15 15 N. Pointe Dr.
A true hidden gem, Esmerelda's Cafe sits tucked away in North Durham. Not only is Esmerelda's an excellent coffee shop, they also have a full menu packed with breakfast items, both sweet and savory. Keep it classic with Huevos Rancheros and French toast or try Honduran dishes like Baleada con Salchicha or the Desayuno Catracho.
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.
Hatch Burritos
721 N. Mangum St.
Once a pop-up now with its own brick-and-mortar store, Hatch Burritos serves New Mexico-style burritos. Here, you can order breakfast all day or lunch items starting at 11 in the morning. Order a steak and eggs burrito, stuffed with their signature hatch green chile, or order a few tamales for the group.
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.
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.
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."
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
1051 Yunus Road St. 110
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.
Counting House
111 Corcoran St.
Counting House offers more than just great cocktails — they also serve up brunch every day of the week. Housed in the lobby of 21c Museum Hotel and headed up by Durham native Chef Melanie Wilkerson, this restaurant offers the best of land and sea. Their smoked salmon dish is an elevated take on the classic lox bagel and the Turkish eggs are a must-have. If you're feeling partial to the lunch side of brunch, order fish sandwich or the classic Counting House smash burger.
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
471 S. Driver St.
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.
Drift Coffee & Kitchen
3151 Elion Dr.
Drift's newest location in Hub RTP offers guests amazing coffee and healthy, nutritious menu items. If you're looking to eat on the lighter side, order the Açai bowl or chia pudding, or beef up your breakfast with a breakfast burrito or a classic bodega breakfast sandwich before hitting the trails around Hub RTP.
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.
Isaac's Bagels
1003 W. Chapel Hill St.
For some of the best bagels in town, you'll want to head to West Chapel Hill Street. Isaac started making bagels by hand in his own kitchen back in 2021, and his business still does things the old fashioned way now that they have their own kitchen. Order a dozen bagels to go or get a lox sandwich and a coffee to eat outside on the sidewalk tables.
Little Bull
301 E. Chapel Hill 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.
Lutra Bakery
312 Blackwell St.
What originally began as a pop-up bakery is now a full-on brunch spot, with eats to satisfy both sweet and savory breakfast lovers. Stop by their brick-and-mortar store for a latte and a sweet bun for a quick breakfast or sit down, take your time and enjoy a breakfast sandwich or a plate of biscuits and gravy.
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.
Nasher Cafe
2001 Campus Dr.
Fancy some art with a side of brunch? Head to the Nasher Museum. The Nasher has its own cafe, run by the folks behind Nikos, Local 22 and Vin Rouge, so you know its good. Eggs Benedict fans rejoice, this cafe has four Benedict options to choose from. They also offer a variety of other options from sandwiches and salads to full platters and classic plates. Head to the museum early and relax afterwards with brunch, or plan to fuel up at the cafe before a full day of art appreciation.
Nerra
506 Ramseur St.
This seasonal, seafood-forward kitchen now offers not one but two types of brunch options for Durham visitors. Come on Saturday for made-to-order brunch or show up on Sunday for a full brunch buffet. Enjoy waffles, eggs, breakfast veggies and more. Don't forget to order a mimosa or sangria carafe for the table.
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.
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