Best New Restaurants & Bars in Durham: Fall 2026 Edition

In 2026, two main trend-lines have appeared in Durham’s food and beverage scene — niche, focused interest and casual, come-as-you-are spaces. That makes it easier than ever to discover something new, whether you’re trying a jasmine hojicha latte or a Portuguese wine. Cafés are booming across the city, with new spots offering cold brew from inside a yoga studio and lattes from within a bank branch. Everyone seems to realize there’s a growing desire for third spaces, especially ones that are inclusive and accessible. 

This year, North Carolina-based chains like Drift Coffee and national ones including Japanese BBQ restaurant Gyu-Kaku saw Durham for the growing market that it is. But just as significant, we saw local purveyors extend their reach — like chef Oscar Diaz’s new airport outpost and expanded Little Bull footprint — while grassroots phenoms moved into their first brick-and-mortar homes, including Lutra Café & Bakery, Ashleigh Bakes Daily and Dosirak.  

If 2026 has shown us anything, it’s that Durham continues to lead the South when it comes to great cuisine. And I’m not just talking about the recent MICHELIN awards, either. Grab your phone and be prepared to start making dinner plans, because this list is sure to make you hungry. Here’s the list of almost three dozen restaurants, cafés, bars and markets that have opened in the Bull City this year. 

New Casual Restaurants in Durham, NC

Jean’s By the Sea 

617 Hicks St. 

Access to fresh seafood is one of the best things about being in North Carolina, and Jean’s By the Sea takes full advantage of our proximity to the coast. The new seafood spot calls itself a “fish shack,” but with such intentional and tasteful design choices, it manages to be casual-yet-refined. Most of the seating at Jean’s is outdoors — including a covered lawn area and some fenced-in green space for kids to play with a collection of toys available — though there is a short line of booths indoors from which you can see into the kitchen.

The menu offers a trove of seafood choices that veers from Crab Louie Salad to ceviche to Calabash-style baskets with fries, hushpuppies and slaw. It’s worth trying the Crystal Coast shrimp roll and fried oysters alike, but don’t overlook the seasonal specials board inside. Jean’s also offers a drinks menu that includes a signature martini, michelada with oyster and several non-alcoholic options. 

East of Texas 

318 Blackwell St., #100

A new Tex-Mex-style barbecue joint has landed in the American Tobacco Campus, by way of Winston-Salem. It’s run by popular restaurateur Claire Calvin, a sixth-generation Texan who’s opened several beloved spots in the Camel City over more than a decade. East of Texas Durham is her first time taking the show on the road, using a proven concept that’s already drawing a steady crowd to the indoor and outdoor dining area.

The Brother + Sister Tray might be the ideal place to start, allowing you to mix and match items like sliced brisket, smoked turkey breast, and burnt ends alongside tortillas, sauce and toppings. Classics like the hot chicken sandwich or taco salad with salmon are perfect for lunch, and the brisket-stuffed, bacon-wrapped jalapeños known as “Texas Twinkies” are a crowd favorite. 

Tang 

4015 University Dr.

Located off University Drive in western Durham, Tang is a modern Asian bistro offering a mix of cuisines, including a strong sushi lineup and a fusion of southeast Asian options. The menu bounds from kung pao chicken to Thai green curry to Hokkaido scallops, but reserves premium real estate for nigiri, sashimi and maki options.

The drink menu is similarly adventurous — you’ll see ingredients like mezcal and yuzu or Nicaraguan rum and lychee next to each other in a cocktail, a refined sake menu and several choices of a Japanese steeped plum liqueur known as umeshu (plus wine, beer and zero-proof options). 

Woody’s Bar-B-Q 

3500 N. Roxboro St. #2

Barbecue chain Woody’s just landed in Durham — and already has a second location in the works. Open now in Braggtown off North Roxboro Street by Duke Regional Hospital, Woody’s specializes in providing a range of barbecue styles. That includes Carolina pulled pork, Texas brisket and Memphis-style ribs. You’ll find Southern fried catfish, mesquite grilled chicken and a heap of appetizers.

The Florida-based company’s website already lists “Durham #2 (Coming Soon),” a sign that things are off to a strong start at their first location outside the Sunshine State. 

Timber Pizza Co. 

501 Washington St.

DC-based and Michelin-recognized Timber Pizza Co. just opened a pizzeria in Durham’s Warehouse District neighborhood, bringing its Neapolitan-adjacent pizzas to the heart of the Bull City.  

Timber — which earned the coveted distinction of Michelin’s Bib Gourmand — slings classic pies like the margherita or pepperoni, but the real fun begins with some of the more creative offerings and unique finds. Where else can you find three pesto-based pizzas including The Eddie C with ricotta and chili crunch, and three white pizzas including The Norman with nectarines, bacon, jalapeños and strawberry jam?

If that’s not enough to fill up, the menu also offers two salads and two empanadas (corn or pork), and Timber encourages visitors to order ahead for pickup to cut down on wait times. 

KatSushi

900 Park Offices Dr., Ste. 200

Riffing on owner Katsuji Tanabe’s first name, KatSushi is the latest project from the “Top Chef” alum and business partner Anthony Rapillo, who together operate a string of restaurants including La Taqueria at Boxyard, Flour and Barrel in Raleigh, and a reimagined High Horse in Research Triangle Park.

As the name suggests, sushi is the star of the show here, with a selection that includes passionfruit shrimp with wasabi aioli or a crab salad hand roll with Japanese mayo and pickled cucumber.  

Several rice bowls and cocktails like an Aperol spritz or yuzu lemonade with vodka complete the menu, catering to both the workforce surrounding Boxyard RTP and lunchtime or evening visitors looking for a straightforward way to relax. 

Bubbakoo’s Burritos 

8202 Renaissance Pkwy, Ste .103

Conveniently located by Southpoint off Renaissance Parkway and near an I-40 interchange in South Durham, Bubbakoo’s is a national Mexican fusion chain with options like General Tso’s tacos, a Nashville hot chicken burrito and a hibachi steak quesadilla.

The Durham restaurant is the company’s second North Carolina location, open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. Bubbakoo’s is a popular carryout shop with several online order-only options, like the Keto bowl or Pineapple Express Burrito.   

Gyu-Kaku 

214 Hunt St.

Popular Japanese BBQ chain Gyu-Kaku recently landed in the Bull City with this outpost just steps from Durham Central Park. Known for its in-table grills that create a memorable and interactive dining experience, Gyu-Kaku prides itself on premium beef like the wagyu ribeye and Kobe short rib.  

Meats — which also include seasoned chicken and pork options like Japanese sausage and pork belly — come at a discounted price during happy hour and are served with your choice of marinades.  The menu isn’t limited to grill items; Gyu-Kaku also offers sushi, takoyaki, soup, salad and small plate options like miso chili wings and yuzu shishito peppers. 

E.O.’s Athletic Club 

341 W. Main St.

Downtown Durham’s new “sports bar for (E)very(O)ne” feels like if a ’70s basement and neighborhood pub teamed up. A flight of TVs that consistently (but not exclusively) shows women’s sports dominates the bar area, while in the back, a retractable projector screen hangs in front of a wood-paneled wall where patrons can watch marquis events from a purple couch and surrounding chairs.  

From the team behind local favorite spots like Kingfisher cocktail bar and Queeny’s restaurant and bar, E.O.’s is known for its bar bites including truffled potato pizza, all-beef hot dogs, a fried chicken parm sandwich and 99-cent wings on Mondays. Drinks range from the $4 PBR to a $12 frozen blue margarita. The bar also serves weekend brunch and daily late-night slices. 

Adios by Oscar Diaz at RDU 

2400 John Brantley Blvd.

You might recognize Oscar Diaz from a recent season of “Top Chef.” Locals know him as the Michelin-recognized and two-time James Beard Awards semifinalist chef behind Durham restaurants like Little Bull, Aaktun and TaTaco. Now, Diaz is operating a Southern-inflected Mexican restaurant to Terminal 2 of the Raleigh-Durham International Airport.  

Arrive early for your flight to try one of “Oscar’s Favorites” on the menu — like the arroz con pollo bowl with guajillo chicken or the marinated ribeye carne asada and salsa molcajete. Early morning travelers can take advantage of the robust breakfast menu including the chilaquiles, and the signature tacos include a vegetarian sautéed mushroom and pineapple-braised collards option that will tempt the most carnivorous frequent flyer. 

Kahlovera Mexican Bar & Grill 

2812 Erwin Rd. #101

Kahlovera has built a name for itself with street tacos, burritos, carnitas, and its hallmark Skinny Marg, and now the business has expanded to Durham. Located at the busy intersection of US-70 and South Miami Boulevard in southeast Durham on the way toward the airport, Kahlovera offers birria tacos and fries — as well as taquitos Mexicanos — on weekends only, making the case for an excursion with the whole family. 

New Upscale Restaurants in Durham, NC

M Hansik 

501 Washington St., C.

Mike Lee is one of the region’s most celebrated chefs, and M Hansik may be his most personal project yet. Korean restaurant M Hansik is part of the M Restaurants empire that includes hot spots like M Sushi and M Kokko.

Here, at the restaurant alongside the Historic Durham Athletic Park at the edge of downtown, “minimalism meets mastery,” from the very first dish on the menu — kongaru and caviar with house-made sourdough. It might be hard to decide between the broiled mero seabass with ssamjang marinade and cauliflower or the Korean paella, so come with a group and order an assortment of dishes including steamed kimchi mandu dumplings, pork belly in a gochujang marinade with ssam vegetables, and the Hokkaido scallop tiradito. 

Delancey Tavern 

408 W. Geer St.

After finding success with Bull McCabe’s and neighboring pizzeria Hutchins Garage, owners Tracy Hancock and Malachy Noone launched Delancey Tavern. The modern American restaurant occupies a former car showroom in the trendy Geer Street neighborhood, abutting Old North Durham Park on the edge of downtown.  

Expect upscale elegance and creative mashups from the décor and a menu to match, from the very first item — fried lobster and shrimp dumplings — to the last — pineapple upside-down cake with miso caramel. Vegan and vegetarian options dot the menu loaded with dishes aligned with the “tavern” name, like the steak frites, double-patty smash burger, and pork ribeye. 

Melao

810 N. Mangum St.

Now open in the Little Bull's original location in Old Five Points, Melao brings Colombian flavors to Durham. Friends Sebastian Salinas, Miguel Cantor and Diego Baron, are bringing their culture and hospitality to a space that introduced Durham to a new level of cultural cuisine. The menu fits the standard set by Little Bull: elevated dishes, creative cocktails and stories told through the food the chefs remember growing up with. Along with the food, the aesthetics add to the sensorial experience. Plastic crates in a monochromatic chocolate brown create a large accent wall above plush banquette seating. A custom, hand-made floral mosaic marks the back wall. Food is expertly plated on handmade ceramics that showcase Colombian craftsmanship. Colombian-style ceviche transports you to coastal Cartagena while empanadas and arepas take you to the streets of Bogotá. Get into the party atmosphere with a cocktail featuring Colombia's famous aguardiente, a liquor made from sugarcane and flavored with anise.

Little Bull  

301 E. Chapel Hill St.

Durham already loves Little Bull, the flagship restaurant from local star chef Oscar Diaz. And so does the MICHELIN Guide, which recommended Little Bull its first year including the American South and referring to the “judicious spicing” and the “allure” of its menu.  

Now, Little Bull has reopened in its new home, swapping its original location after three years for a larger and more central space in the center of downtown — which comes with rooftop dining and a second-floor bar, among other draws. The menu is personal to Diaz, inspired by his experiences as a first-generation American with roots in Mexico, Chicago and North Carolina and refusing to be constrained by tradition or expectation.  

The menu oscillates from birria dumplings to tom kha ceviche to gambas a la plancha, which is to say there’s a little bit of everything from the mind of this celebrated and eccentric chef. 

Uwa Sushi & Grill

620 Foster St., Ste. E

Durham’s latest sushi restaurant is a sleek, modern affair in the Geer Street neighborhood. Uwa Sushi & Grill, located next to Motorco Music Hall, offers Japanese and Korean favorites and some riffs of its own, including a lunch bento, sizzling bibimbap, bulgogi spring rolls, and a tuna and guacamole small plate with truffle aioli.

Named for the Japanese term for “wow,” Uwa aims to dazzle visitors with its colorful and carefully plated dishes, luxe setting and signature sushi rolls with premium ingredients. 

New Bakeries and Sweets in Durham, NC

Lutra Café & Bakery 

312 Blackwell St., Noell Building #102

Already one of the most talked about openings of the year thanks to the following it built through various events leading up to its brick-and-mortar, Lutra has become a must-visit destination inside Durham’s American Tobacco Campus. 

Open until mid-afternoon seven days a week, Lutra may be most famed for its sweet buns, which come in an assortment of flavors including cinnamon vanilla, earl grey and orange. The Big Chip cookie is massive, and patrons are just as drawn to savory items like the biscuit & gravy or breakfast sandwich with sausage. A side of the 100-layer hashbrowns is practically mandatory with every order, and naturally the café offers a suite of coffee options. 

Ashleigh Bakes Daily 

111 W. Main St., Upstairs Ste. 201

Decadent dessertery Asleigh Bakes Daily now has a permanent home at a second-floor location on West Main Street downtown. Ashleigh Ratchford built her business through popups and markets around the Bull City, and Durham has quickly welcomed her center city shop.

Cookies steal the show here, loaded with gooey chocolate, sprinkles and Fruity Pebbles alike. Whether you’re craving the cookies & crème “Tuxedo” or chocolate chip birthday cake cookie “Party Animal,” the bakery’s treats are ideal for a sweet treat after dinner nearby or to pick up a pack for a gathering. Just plan ahead — Ashleigh Bakes Daily is open Wednesday through Saturday and is popular enough that it’s been known to sell out. 

 JP’s Pastry Durham 

7072 NC-751 #108

JP’s Pastry might not be a household name, but the bakery is arguably the backbone of gluten-free and vegan desserts across Durham and beyond. With a client list that includes Whole Foods, Happy + Hale, Joe Van Gogh, Durham Coop Market, UNC Healthcare, Sysco and countless others, JP’s Pastry cranks out a seemingly endless supply of treats like its blueberry blondie, pumpkin spice waffles, vegan date bar and lemon poppyseed muffin.

Run by San Francisco Baking Institute alum Joe “JP” Parker, the bakery also operates a new brick-and-mortar shop off Highway 54 in southwest Durham. Stop in for a range of seasonal specialties and classics you might recognize from across the Triangle. 

Tous Les Jours 

744A 9th St.

French meets Korean at this franchised bakery with hundreds of locations — and now one in Durham. You’ll find milk cream red bean bread, an ube cloud cake, yuzu pie and a croque monsieur among a wide assortment of pastry, bread, sandwich and cake choices. That includes a spread of more standard fare like the chicken club sandwich or egg salad sandwich.

In addition to the fresh goods baked daily, Tous Les Jours also prides itself on an extensive drink menu, from the tricolor iced strawberry matcha latte to orchid oolong tea. Its new Durham digs are right on Ninth Street, just up the block from The Regulator Bookshop and steps from Duke East Campus. 

New Coffee Shops and Cafes in Durham, NC

Soif

331 W. Main St.

Welcome to the latest cult-favorite watering hole from Jesse Gerstl. Soif (pronounced “swaff”) is a café by day serving coffee until 4 p.m. before switching over to an intimate cocktail bar. And we mean intimate — with less than 600 square feet, Soif is smaller than Gerstl’s beloved Delafia natural wine bar, offering just 13 seats. The all-day drinks spot eschews wifi, which is another way the bar and coffeeshop encourages closeness and connection. 

By day, Soif is known for its $2.50 espresso and other similarly priced drinks. By night, unfussy cocktails like Manhattans and martinis take center stage alongside rare fortified wines and vermouths. Find Soif in the heart of downtown, inside the art deco Snow Building. 

Montwood Café 

123 Market St., Ste. A

“Once upon a time, a singer and a stilt-walker fell in love while dancing together in a magical land.” So begins the intro to Montwood Café’s website, immediately a glimpse of the sort of curated joie de vivre you can expect to find within.  

The coffee shop across from the Marriott downtown overlooks the city’s central plaza and iconic bronze bull known as “Major,” making it both convenient and a prime people-watching location. Seasonal favorites accompany year-round specials like the masala chai and rose syrup latte, and Montwood offers all the caffeinated stalwarts you’d expect from an inclusive coffee shop. 

Bean Traders RTP

4001 NC-54, Ste. 2150

Sandwiched between I-40 and Highway 54 near the airport and next to a Fusion Fitness, Bean Traders is Research Triangle Park’s newest caffeine fix.  

The RTP location marks the second shop for the Durham coffee shop, which also runs out of Homestead Market. In RTP, the café is open through mid-afternoon on weekdays and closed on weekends, focused on the commuter crowd for its pie slices, build-your-own bagels, and drinks that range from the Apple Cider Energy Soda to cold brew with toasted marshmallow syrup. 

Drift Coffee Shop & Kitchen RTP 

3151 Elion Dr.

Carolinians have been drooling over the food and drink menu at Drift Coffee for years as the homegrown brand grew from coastal haunts to an inland empire. To our delight, Drift has landed in Research Triangle Park with its breakfast delights, lunch favorites and expertly made drinks from the flash cold brew to the flat white with a double shot of espresso.

Already a popular stop for a morning bodega breakfast sandwich or chia pudding, Drift’s lunch menu is dominated by quick bowls that are just as good enjoyed on site or taken with you en route to a meeting. 

Dose Yoga and Café 

115 Morris St., Ste. 141

Yoga and smoothie bowls seem like natural partners, which is why Dose Yoga has decided to offer both. The new location between the Carolina Theatre and the Museum of Durham History downtown features a café with smoothies, bowls, toasts, wellness drinks and a few grab and go beverages to pair with breathwork classes, hot yoga or a guided sound bath.

Drinks like the PYT smoothie with pitaya, pineapple mango, honey and coconut water or bites like the burrata toast with heirloom tomatoes, ricotta, and basil can be ordered for pickup or limited delivery too, and you don’t have to be attending a class to stop in. 

Dosirak Outpost 

307 W. Main St.

Visiting Durham’s first Korean convenience store, it’s easy to see why owner Kristine Suh landed on the cover of Durham Magazine shortly after the shop opened. The downtown storefront may be compact, but Suh has stocked it to the brim with snacks, pantry items, ramyun, desserts and much more everywhere you look.

Suh is a welcoming and supportive guide through Dosirak, offering a sample of the latest bag of chips that’s come in, sharing advice on something that’s particularly worth taking home, or pointing you toward locally made kimchi in the shop’s refrigerator. 

SoMii Café & Gifts 

810 9th St., Ste. 128

There’s a whimsical nature to SoMii, a new café on Ninth Street with artisan soft serve and specialty drinks, many with ingredients sourced directly from Japan. Arguably the most magical component is the shop’s “blind boxes,” which contain collectible figures that remain a surprise until after you purchase one.  

Plush toys, snacks and other collectible characters round out the store. Grab a tropical fruit boba, black sesame fermented rice latte, caramel macchiato, matcha cloud latte or jasmine hojicha latte to sip while you browse. 

Capital One Café Southpoint 

6910 Fayetteville Rd. #154

You’ve attended music venues and sports arenas where banks bought the naming rights to the property — Capital One Café at The Streets at Southpoint is different. The coffee shop is operated by the bank, offering everything from avocado toast to free wifi. Cardholders get 50% off drinks like the caramel apple latte or a cortado, but the space is open to anyone to come in for a bite or plug away at their laptop. Located next to Pottery Barn and Altar’d State, it’s one of more than 60 locations like this that the bank runs nationwide. 

New Bars in Durham, NC

Eve 

108 E. Parrish St.

What if Eve — yes, that Eve — ran a sultry cocktail bar in the Garden of Eden? That is the implicit question behind downtown Durham bar Eve, an inclusive, feminist space where the interior design conjures a lush garden mixed with an after-hours library. Owned by retired WNBA player Jessica “Bre” Breland and event planner Uma Ramiah, the East Parrish Street bar can be found across from Bull City Burger & Brewery.  

The cashless bar specializes in clever cocktails like Eve’s Alibi using local vodka with cucumber and Asian pear hard seltzer or the Serpentine with mezcal, basil and green chili liqueur. A few beers, mocktails and a robust wine menu round out the options. 

Pinheiro Vinho e Vida 

304 S. Driver St., Unit 103

Old East Durham’s new wine bar is exactly the kind of neighborhood haunt that doubles as a date night destination. Pinheiro is a Portuguese wine shop and bar run by Sergio Ramos, who worked in the music industry before becoming a Certified Specialist of Wine. Growing up in a very Portuguese-influenced town on Long Island and tracing his family roots to Portugal itself (as well as Brazil), Ramos invites patrons to explore the broad range of wines — ranging from vinho verde to port —  available from the sometimes-overlooked nation neighboring wine heavyweight Spain. Check the shop’s Instagram account for a full lineup of events, often including tastings, live music, and popups.  

Barbaro 

708 Ramseur St.

Private karaoke rooms, mini golf, a wall of neon lights, big games on big screens, a popular lotería night and outdoor seating all in one spot. That’s Barbaro, the latest concept from the group behind Mezcalito — which is located next door, along with Golden Belt neighbors Aaktun and Ponysaurus Brewing here on the east side of downtown.  

The food menu focuses on doing a few things well — burgers, dogs, wings and tacos. Favorites like the al pastor taco are prone to sell out, and the bacon dog is a late-night essential. 

Saint Mars 

105 S. Mangum St.

Imagine a basement bar that only plays vinyl. There’s carpet on the floors, the lights are dim, and the drinks are stiff. If that sounds like your vibe, you’ll love Saint Mars, the latest concept from the team behind Bar Virgile, which is located upstairs. It replaces Annexe, which offered much more nightclub energy, whereas Saint Mars is the kind of place where you could sink into a leather lounge chair and lose track of time.

It’s an ideal stop before — or after — a show at the Durham Performing Arts Center just across the train tracks or at the end of any night out downtown. 

Hops & Flower 

2014 Hillsborough Rd.

The newly opened Hops & Flower has “a little something for everyone.” Describing itself as “a modern twist on the classic bodega” on its website, the text painted on the front of the building is more direct — “Deli, Market, Dispensary.” Hops & Flower is a sandwich-driven café, taproom, gourmet market and hemp-derived product vendor.  

Just beyond Duke’s East Campus and next to popular French restaurant Vin Rouge, Hops & Flower reimagines the Moe’s BBQ space as somewhere to find a cortado, Philly cheesesteak with salsa verde, or grapefruit hibiscus seltzer. Founder Shawn Stokes has spent more than 20 years in the industry, and his spots Luna Rotisserie, Rubies on Five Points and Remy’s Lounge are local favorites. 

Betty & Vi’s Cocktail Bar & Lounge 

491 S. Driver St.

Owner Perry Davis pays tribute to his great grandmothers — both of whom were professional caterers or cooks — with the name of his new cocktail bar in East Durham. After a career of his own as a chef, Davis began exploring the world of mixology. At Betty & Vi’s, he offers several cocktails that pay homage to local Black history including Mama Dip, NC Mutual Life Insurance and Black Wall Street.  

Located inside the former location of Proximity Brewing and next to Dames Chicken & Waffles, Davis is eyeing adding food to the lineup as well. 

With such a dizzying array of options opened just this year, Durham has again proven why it’s such an exciting and alluring place to eat and drink. It’s a trend that started at least a decade ago and that we know will continue in 2027 thanks to a thriving local scene made up of genuine, determined and creative entrepreneurs. It's a great season to slow down and spend time exploring what’s right here in our own backyard: enjoy an evening of music while trying a new restaurant in RTP, stop by a new storefront for a fresh-baked cookie with your kids, or grab a nightcap with friends at a new local bar.