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. 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
Amenities
- Locally Owned
- Minority Owned
Hours
Monday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 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. -
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. -
Excellent restaurant experience. Gem of Durham. The Michelin guide recommendation was spot on with this one and I feel lucky we were able to get a table. We sat outside, but it was enclosed and conditioned. Every dish was delicious and we enjoyed a lot of them! We ordered all small plates, from octopus to some sort of lamb dumpling. I wish I knew all the names of the dishes we ate to recommend, but I am told the menu changes often and based on our experience, I think whatever you order is going to be a hit. Service was friendly and efficient. I wish I lived closer just so could visit again.
-
Had a lovely time visiting little bull while near downtown. In general, I would recommend this place for most people! The service was kind and helpful and the vibe of the place, especially upstairs was perfect. Good music taste, good views.
The ceviche was perfectly colorful and tasty with a nice variety of fish and veggies. Keep up with killer dishes was the duck chilaquiles! The tortillas were perfectly cooked in the salsa and topped with some tasty crispy duck. The only knock from my friend is wishing the meat was a little softer but we are also used to Peking duck.
The birriamen was so-so, the goat was missing something in flavor and really needed the sauce. The sauce on the birria was less flavorful that what I make at home and not as good as strictly Japanese ramen. The noodles felt like what you get from an Asian grocery store.
The horchata was good but very coconut forward instead of cinnamon.
I will be coming back for their dinner and brunch menus!
Nearby Businesses
.03 Miles Away
.08 Miles Away
.08 Miles Away
.09 Miles Away
Related Stories
The Durham FRINGE Festival Guide
50 Durham artists. Over 20 downtown Durham venues. Performances you cannot see anywhere else. Durham FRINGE runs Friday, Oct. 30 through…
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 contestant, to talk…
Heaters Gonna Heat: Durham’s Best Heated Patios
The temperature is dropping, so it's time to raise the heat. We fired up a list of restaurants in Durham, NC…
Ciudad del Toro: The Best Latino-Owned Restaurants in Durham, NC
Durham’s Hispanic and Latino community has made many contributions to the Bull City, from authentic Mexican tacos to Colombian arepas, take…
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.
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…
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…
Durham’s Best Date Ideas Got us Fallin’ in Love
Roses are red. Violets are blue. Discover these romantic spots in Durham for you and your boo.
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?
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 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.
