Located inside the Durham Food Hall, the ready-to-eat menu highlights fresh seafood items like oysters, shrimp rolls, tuna melts, Calabash baskets and much more. With markets across the Triangle area, the Durham location is considered to be their restaurant -- while also a place for folks to pick up fresh fish to make at home. Ask the nice people behind the counter for advice on how to best prepare their offerings as well as details on how they celebrate the heritage of our bountiful coastline.
Share
Hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
The first thing that hits you at Locals isn't the menu, it's the sharp, briny perfume of freshly shucked shells mixing with the savory steam drifting from the fryer. The Carolina Flight ($36 for a dozen) arrives on crushed ice, each oyster glistening with that unmistakable NC coastal salinity. At $3 a shell, it's fair market to table pricing that reflects the reality of getting quality shellfish to the Triangle and into your belly. The Fried Catfish Po Boy ($16) has the right heft, a proper French roll with enough give to absorb the remoulade without totally collapsing, the fish itself crisp edged and flaky underneath.
The room works against you if you're chasing peak intimacy. High ceilings, exposed ductwork, metal stairs, stone counters, every surface is hard and reflective. When the hall fills, the sound pressure climbs into that familiar urban market hum where you're performing conversation rather than having it. But that's not really the point here. The bar is the command position, and from it you get the full theatre: the rhythmic crack of shells, the shucker's easy efficiency, the parade of small pricey plates heading out to the floor. The open kitchen telegraphs honesty, even if the visual clutter of prep stations keeps things real utilitarian rather than properly polished poetry.
This is a pretty cool choice, not a romantic one. It rewards the foodie who wants to see the craft and taste the sourcing, who doesn't mind competing with the ambient energy of the hall. For deeper conversation, you'll want a quieter follow up, a walk through the American Tobacco Campus or coffee somewhere with them sweet soft surfaces.
Good day to be back in the Bull City. Foster Street still has exactly the right energy for a return to old stomping grounds.
Amily G
Jan 5, 2026
5
Picked the fish of the day and fried shrimp. Both are all very fresh and tender, just that the fish portion is a little bit small. Overall great experience:)
Brian James
Jan 2, 2026
5
Highest quality fresh seafood you’ll find in the triangle. Don’t sleep on the prepared items you can enjoy in person. Staff are all super friendly and kind.
Zoe Smith
Nov 15, 2025
5
Delicious! All Calabash platters are
Made gluten free with corn meal!
Kevin Jacobsen
Oct 15, 2025
5
So glad I found this place as there aren’t many fresh seafood options available for lunch. Everything was delicious and made to order. Took full advantage of the $2 oysters on the half shell Wednesday special. I’ll be back!
Laura Jimenez
Jul 5, 2025
5
Loved the oysters here...great vibe and atmosphere from the team!
Liz Levy
Jun 22, 2025
5
A Hidden Gem Inside Durham Food Hall
What a surprise! We came for the seafood and had no idea Locals Seafood was tucked inside a full-blown food hall. with so many other delicious distractions (crunch wraps, Boba, curry-spiced Indian wraps, chili chicken wontons… we got a little carried away). But trust us, Locals Seafood is a star not to be missed.
The tuna melt was outstanding. They smoke it in-house, layering with banana peppers and pickled onions, and perfectly pressed. Add a side of waffle fries (my personal fave) and you’re golden. The fresh oysters were amazing too. Super briny and fresh (though here’s hoping oyster prices drop one day… we can dream). The coleslaw was crisp and lightly dressed, just right.
Prices were fair, portions generous, and the team at Locals couldn’t have been friendlier - cheery, helpful, and clearly passionate about what they serve.
Bonus: we wandered over to the Saturday farmers market just a block away for lemonade, live music, and more good vibes. An unexpectedly perfect weekend food adventure. Don’t skip it
Adolfo Lambert
May 25, 2025
5
We had the best 🦪 oysters that we ever had, this establishment gets fresh oysters every Week
My wife and I had a variety of the oysters that they are delicious, we also share their grilled fish and it was delicious, it comes either fries and a choice of shrimp. The staff is very friendly and efficient
Sascha
Apr 25, 2025
5
Superb soft shell crab sandwich, oysters, and roasted clams with ramps. All fresh and alive seconds before eating (and got to watch the transition). Nice guys prepping. Delicious.
Madeline German
Mar 22, 2025
5
10/10 no notes, but I'll add some because it's a review. These may be share plates, but it was hard to share, because they were insanely delicious. So fresh and flawless. You need to check this place out the next time you're in the area.
