Equally enjoyable for adults and kids, Jean's "By the Sea" in Old West Durham has ample outdoor space and serves up sea food classics like ceviche, chowder, oysters and more. Take in the laid-back fish shack vibes while your kids color away on their menus.
Share
Hours:
Monday: Closed Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: Closed
Could not be more obsessed and excited for this new addition to Durham’s food scene. The restaurant has the most friendly, community feel and the outdoor space is a dream for kids. The food was 10/10 no notes perfect plus they have EXCELLENT options for gluten free (plus reliable attention to it). Fair to say this is our new go to for when the weather is good.
Jason Eden
Mar 2, 2026
5
Absolutely loved our visit to Jean's this weekend. The seafood was fresh, and delicious. The menu had plenty of options to choose from: from fried baskets, salads, and sandwiches - we opted to go for one of the tackle boxes which had shrimp, crudo, fresh raw oysters from Hatteras, NC and some other snacks. Cocktails were also really good and came out quickly. Everything was truly wonderful.
Rack Slabbath BBQ
Feb 28, 2026
5
Holy moly! This place rocks! My pics speak for themselves. Perfect experience. Interior transforms you to the beach. The staff was knowledgeable and super helpful. Bonus points were earned by serving an oyster topped michelada!
Jessica Washington
Feb 28, 2026
5
Had the SS Minnow Tacklebox which included their ceviche (flounder), crudo (lemon and gin cured blue tilefish), and fish dip. Also got a side of hushpuppies. Everything was fresh and absolutely delicious. Will be returning to try their other menu items ASAP. The only thing that would have improved the experience would be butter for the hush puppies but they were still awesome.
Such a great addition to Durham!
Zaneta Reid
Feb 26, 2026
5
Jean's by the Sea is the kind of place that makes you do a double take and say, wait... are we still in Durham? Tucked into Old West Durham, this brand new seafood shack feels like it was plucked straight off the Carolina coast and dropped right into the neighborhood.
From the outside, the cedar siding and big painted fish logo set the tone. Inside, it is bright, casual, and nostalgic in the best way. There are wood paneled ceilings, checkerboard floors, minty green accents, and cozy booths lining the windows. The open ordering counter gives it that classic fish camp feel, and you can see the kitchen in action. It is unfussy, charming, and very intentional. You order at the counter, grab a seat, and settle in. Ordering in is easy, with great attentive, friendly service that you would expect.
Now let's talk about the food because Jean's absolutely delivers.
The Crispy Cod Sandwich was AMAZING. Perfectly golden, perfectly seasoned, crunchy panko crust on the outside, flaky and tender inside, topped with melty cheese and piled onto a soft bun. The side of coleslaw was fresh, creamy, and balanced the richness of the sandwich beautifully. Their tartar sauce needs a standing ovation as it was also well-balanced and really enhanced the flavor of the fresh fish.
We also ordered the Calabash Platter with grilled flounder, and wow. The flounder was seasoned well and cooked perfectly with a nice char. The homemade cocktail sauce deserves its own shoutout. Tangy, punchy, and clearly made with care. The crinkle cut fries were dusted in Old Bay and fried just right, and the hushpuppies were golden, slightly sweet, and dangerously snackable.
For drinks, the Spicy Margarita was crisp and refreshing with the perfect salty/spicy rim and just enough heat. You can tell the mix was homemade and not the pre-packaged stuff! The Arnaldo Palmer with tamarind Jarritos and lemonade was such a fun, bright twist. Sweet, tart, and incredibly refreshing.
Jean's feels like a love letter to coastal fish shacks, but elevated just enough to feel fresh and exciting. It is casual, thoughtful, and absolutely delicious. This is exactly what Old West Durham needed. We will 100% be back and glad to be within walking distance of this fabulous establishment!
