Nzinga's Kitchen
Phone: (919) 680-2219
Overview
Chef Zuri Hester serves up the Creole-inspired food you’ll be dreaming about long after you’ve taken the last bite. Nzingas Kitchen serves breakfast every Thursday-Friday until 2:30 p.m. Stop by for an in-between meal of cheese omelets, pancakes, waffles, warm melt-in-your-mouth breakfast biscuits and more. You can thank us later.
Cuisines
- American
- Casual Dining
- Coffeehouse/Café
- Southern/Cajun/Creole
Amenities
- Publish on Visit Widget
Hours
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Map
Google Rating
-
I'm so sad I have lived in Durham all these years and never ate here before. The food was PHENOMENAL! Sometimes good food is salty food, NOT HERE! Flavor on top of flavor, spices and seasonings ...DELISH! The food is made to order so it is fresh and hot when you receive it. And the plate is FULL; there will be leftovers. Their customer service goes above and beyond. They love their customers and they want you to know it. I will be back! -
First time eating here after years of awareness and she didn’t miss! Food was excellent, tea was sweet and well balanced which is essential here in the dirty south. Had my dad with me and I think she done made a paying fan of the future. Great job!
-
I visited Nzinga’s Breakfast Cafe today for the second time.
The first visit was mediocre, so I honestly never gave it much thought again. But this morning, my husband and daughter found it on their own and were excited to try it. I didn’t mention my previous experience because I wanted them to form their own opinion.
Unfortunately, this second visit was worse than the first.
We got up on a Sunday morning wanting breakfast. I’m not really a breakfast person, so I let my husband and daughter take the lead. They chose Nzinga’s, and I immediately checked myself, second chances matter.
We ordered:
Fish plate with two sides
Plain grits and potatoes
Cheesy grits and potatoes
Pancake, bacon, and egg plate
Total: $54. No issue there.
We ordered through their seamless pay system and left the house about 20 minutes later (10-minute drive). It was Sunday around 10:30 AM, so we expected a bit of a wait.
When we arrived, 30 minutes after ordering — the food wasn’t ready.
We went inside and I’ll say this clearly:
The restaurant has a VIBE.
Jamaican music playing.
Clean dining room and entry.
Books available to read.
A wall full of local businesses highlighted while you wait.
So much potential. I genuinely loved that part.
Now, customer service? 3/10.
There was no greeting when we walked in. The tone felt like the staff didn’t want to be there. My husband was initially told he might as well not wait because they were backed up (it seemed like they assumed he was a DoorDash driver). Once he clarified it was our personal order, the tone shifted and they said they’d take care of it.
We then waited another 45 minutes.
While waiting, I observed:
Rude or dismissive interactions at the front
Customers being turned away
Confusion around online and third-party orders
Staff mentioning they couldn’t see certain tickets in the POS system
As a consumer, backend issues are not my responsibility. As an entrepreneur and service provider, I understand systems fail; but what matters is what you’re doing to fix them.
Now let’s talk solutions.
Here’s what they could implement immediately:
A clear front-of-house leadership presence during peak hours
Mandatory greeting protocol (“Welcome in, we’ll be right with you”)
Basic customer service training for tone, posture, and communication
A POS audit to ensure all online ordering platforms integrate properly
A ticket-time board so customers know expected wait times
A Sunday brunch workflow plan (separate online vs. in-house order flow)
A designated expo person to manage order accuracy and timing
Energy balance at the front counter, someone personable, warm, and composed
The food was actually good.
They have:
The location
The aesthetic
The concept
The product
What they need is:
Structure. Systems. Service standards.
I truly believe this place wants to do better. I could feel it. There is potential here to become one of the next big brunch spots in Durham, with the right guidance and intentional execution.
As an entrepreneur, I don’t just review businesses, I evaluate them.
I will return and provide an update.
For now, 3/10. -
I have been wanting to try this spot since moving to the area. I finally had the chance today and was pleased. I was greeted immediately upon entry by a nice man, who even asked if it was my first time and provided instructions on how to order. He was very welcoming! I then placed my order with another man who was also nice. He came to check on me and even offered a sample of their version of cabbage, made with spices from his home country of Zimbabwe. I appreciated that especially since the cabbage was vegan and tasty! I decided to get the shrimp and grits, a side of eggs with cheddar and a strawberry lemonade. The eggs were scrambled well, hot and exactly how I like them. The shrimp and grits were hot, seasoned well, and the perfect consistency. The lemonade was delicious also. If I had to leave one critique I would omit the additional season salt sprinkled atop the shrimp. It made the dish a bit more salty than I like but without it, chef's kiss! The restaurant itself was clean, had afobeats playing and an overall great atmosphere. I would definitely be back to try their other selections because their soul food looks delicious also!
-
My 1st experience & it was awesome! There were a lot of tasty choices on the menu. The customer service was great. It was a very clean & warm welcoming feeling atmosphere. They even have books to read! I ordered the waffle and fish...Delicious! My brother & nephew enjoyed their plates as well.
Nearby Businesses
.03 Miles Away
Performing Arts Venues
St. Joseph’s Performance Hall at the Hayti Heritage Center
Phone:
(919) 683-1709
.04 Miles Away
.04 Miles Away
.04 Miles Away
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