Little Bull
Phone: (919) 251-8989
Chef Oscar Diaz refined his cooking skills at Alizé, a Michelin-starred French restaurant in Las Vegas, before making his mark in Raleigh at Jose and Sons and Cortez Seafood + Cocktail. Eager to bring his unique fusion of Mexican/American cuisine to Durham, he opened Little Bull in the former Jetplane Coffee space. It now boasts a homey bar serving seasonal cocktails, interesting dishes cooked over live fire, and a sleek, cozy outdoor patio that creates the perfect ambiance for a place that aims to offer diners something special.
Cuisines
- Mexican & South American
- Restaurants
Hours
Monday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Map
Google Rating
-
We had a fantastic early dinner here. The ambiance is phenomenal, the food was all delicious, standouts were the gambas and the elotes. We also tried the ceviche and the crudo, both also delicious. The cocktails were all nice and even the pea flower mocktail was quite refreshing and festive! Make sure you get the B&B to sop up all the sauces!! -
My Wife and I are at Little Bull for dinner and it was great! The atmosphere was lovely, the food was amazing, and our waiter Cheyanne was very attentive and friendly.
We got the Diplomatic Immunity cocktail which was refreshing and delicious, then got Market Vibez, a fresh salad with great balance and acidity, followed by NC Crudo which was lovely, Arepas which were great, and then Gambas a La Plancha (Shrimp) which had the best sauce ever!
Overall a great meal and wonderful night. The Gambas did come with the shrimp shells on, which was an interesting choice, but not a negative slight against the meal overall. -
I’ve become a fan of Chef Oscar after watching him on Top Chef and I’ve made it my personal mission to try all of his local restaurants. Being a part of this fandom is truly paying off because I’m eating some of the best food I’ve ever had in my life. The service was great. We made a reservation and there was no way to be seated. We enjoyed our experience overall! -
Beautiful evening at Little Bull last night with friends.
We had an early reservation and I was immediately caught off guard by the smell of a cleaning product when we arrived—it was one of those in-your-mouth kind of smells. Thankfully, that passed before the food arrived.
Once settled, we enjoyed chatting at a cozy corner table, which made the night feel relaxed and easy. Our waitress was helpful and definitely more attentive before the room filled up, but overall we were really pleased with the staff.
We also appreciated how the small plates (ordered to share) were staggered. It gave us time to actually explore each dish instead of everything landing at once. The dance and timing of each plate coming out felt well orchestrated.
The presentation was creative, colorful, and on point. Flavor-wise, the combinations and textures were balanced and kept you curious—already looking forward to the next dish before finishing the one in front of you.
Favorites: Barbacoa, arepas, and the octopus
Standout dessert: Pastelito (so good)
Churros: sad to say, they didn’t have much flavor
Parking can be a little difficult (pretty typical for the area), but it’s worth the effort.
Overall, a really enjoyable experience—and I’d absolutely go back. -
My roommate and I dined at Little Bull for the first time yesterday and before we had even ordered dessert, we were brainstorming how soon we could come back!
We decided to go all out and order whatever our hearts desired. The staff were more than helpful with their recommendations and answering any questions we had. They were also quick to clear plates and bring out fresh ones as we moved along with dinner. And shout out to our waitress, Jennifer (apologies if she spells it differently, I forgot to note that)! She was so kind and attentive :)
For drinks, I had the Cafe Royale, a delicious espresso martini with the cutest Little Bull logo dusted on top. We shared three small plates: Ay Papa, Little Burger Tartare, and the Birria Dumplings. All three were delicious but the slider was one of the best burgers I’ve ever had! So flavorful.
For the large plates, my roommate had the Little Asada and I chose the Pork Milanesa. I will be dreaming about this pork chop for the next week. It was crusted with a delicious panko-type breadcrumb that gave the perfect crunch.
For dessert, we had the Churro Bliss and the Mexican bread pudding Capriotada, both served with a scoop of ice cream. The perfect end to one of the best meals I’ve had in recent memory. We will be back!
Nearby Businesses
.03 Miles Away
.08 Miles Away
.08 Miles Away
.09 Miles Away
Related Stories
The Ultimate Durham Spring Guide
Are you so excited for spring that you wet your plants? Here’s our ultimate seasonal guide for spring – blooming with…
What Chef Oscar Diaz Loves About Durham
We sat down with Chef Oscar Diaz, owner of MICHELIN Guide-recommended Little Bull and Top Chef season 23, to talk about…
A Durham Tour for Foodies
A native Durhamite and professional food tour operator maps out the perfect Durham day – walking between local cafes, lingering over…
What Chef Douglas Rodriguez Loves About Durham
We sat down with Chef Douglas Rodriguez to find out what he loves most about operating a restaurant in Durham.
The Ultimate 2026 Durham Bucket List
We’ve got a blueprint for a year of exploration and discovery in Durham. How will you do it in Durham?
Heaters Gonna Heat
The temperature is dropping, so it's time to raise the heat. We fired up a list of restaurants in Durham with…
13 Can’t-Miss Things To Do in Durham This Winter
The weather may be chilly, but the Bull City always brings the heat. Follow our guide to things to do in…
The 2025 MICHELIN Guide American South: Durham, NC Restaurants
The American South has always belonged on the global culinary map. We've known it. Our chefs have known it.
Ciudad del Toro: Durham Latino Eats for Hispanic Heritage Month
Durham’s sizable Hispanic and Latino community has made many contributions to the Bull City, including a tour of tasty restaurants serving…
The Best Cocktails & Cocktail Bars in Durham
Cocktails in the Bull City live up to the high bar set by our foodie reputation. Trust the pros behind the…
Cinco de Mayo: Durham’s Mexican-owned Restaurants
Come hungry for classic Mexican dishes and regional favorites.
Dine Outside at These Durham Patios
Explore Durham's outdoor dining options, full of cozy cafes, unique restaurants and great views.


























