The Lenny is a rooftop restaurant and bar experience in downtown Durham, NC with brasserie-style plates. A bold bar menu turns golden hour into late night memories with Sunset Hour specials from 3-5PM and one hell of a stellar weekend brunch to cap the week.
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Hours:
Monday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Tuesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Wednesday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Thursday: 4:00 – 11:00 PM Friday: 4:00 PM – 12:00 AM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 12:00 AM Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
This place was absolutely amazing!! Our bartender Brandon is fantastic at what he does... he's funny, mixed our drinks perfectly and tended to every thing we needed from start to finish... the head host Adrian is super sweet and she's so patient; directed us in every step of the way (called twice).
This place is a vibe! The rooftop views were beautiful (especially at night), the food and drinks were so delicious.
I ate everything, I usually have a to-go box.. not today! Perfectly portioned and flavorful. Great customer service!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
10 out of 10 recommend and will definitely be back!!!
Tarence Judd
Oct 8, 2025
3
I recently visited Lenny 555 Rooftop Restaurant for my birthday, and while there were some highlights, the experience was mixed. In my opinion, the prices did not match the quality of the food, drinks, or service provided.
That said, my server, Brandon, was exceptional attentive, friendly, and ensured we had a great dining experience. Jocelyn was also amazing, taking the food back to be plated correctly without hesitation.
However, there were some notable issues. A dish marked vegan on the menu was served with cheese. While the restaurant responded promptly when I raised the issue, it should not have happened in the first place. The hostess, Carlyn, was not very helpful. We requested railing seating for my birthday on a slow Wednesday, but she initially stated it was reserved as if my reservation didn’t exist. To make matters worse, a party behind us requested railing seating and was immediately accommodated, despite our prior request. In the end, the reservation never showed, and there were multiple open railing tables that were not pointed out to us.
The drinks were good, and the rooftop atmosphere is nice, but the experience had some missteps that need improvement. I can’t see myself return personally until the hospitality and the food is resolved.
Margalit M
Sep 21, 2025
4
Nice experience at The Lenny where we stopped in for cocktails and a snack. We mainly wanted to enjoy the rooftop views and that didn't disappoint with a gorgeous sunset. The cocktails were nice although the drinks menu was limited. The food menu definitely had appeal although we only tried some oysters and brussel sprouts as nibbles before heading elsewhere for dinner, and they were tasty, but nothing mind blowing. Overall, the atmosphere was very nice but service was hurried, a bit aggressive even (like, let me finish eating my food before trying to clear my plate). For the prices and ambience, the service should be better and a bit more refined. That being said, I would still happily come back for drinks on the rooftop outdoor section or at the very cool bar.
Sharon Jerop
Sep 10, 2025
4
Came here for a birthday dinner.The place was cozy and beautiful. Great sunset view if you seat at the balcony.The services exceeded my expectations. The servers were friendly.
The food was an 8/10. For the appetizer we did Brussels sprouts, was my first time trying and I enjoyed. The lamb chops were juicy and tender, however the flavor was unbalanced.
The steak was flavorful. Cheese cake for the desert was amazing.
The cocktails were on point.🍸🍸
Wrapped up with a limoncello and Amaro pelligrino for digestives🥂
Was on a Tuesday, the place was not crowded, orders came on time.
Overall it was exceptional. Will dine again.😍😍
Franny S
Aug 31, 2025
5
The views were absolutely amazing, but what truly made the evening unforgettable was our waiter. His recommendations were spot-on, and he elevated the entire experience.
The food was beyond impressive. The Brussels sprouts were perfectly crispy and seasoned—easily the best I've had. The potatoes were also exceptionally flavorful. The chicken and waffles were a pleasant surprise; the portion was generous, and the flavor was far better than I expected.
For drinks, I highly recommend the Raging Bull. The smoky bourbon was a fantastic flavor, and it was so good that my friend traded her margarita for a sip of it. I ended up having two!
Overall, this is a fantastic spot for a cute date night or a fun evening out with the girls. The combination of amazing views, attentive service, and incredible food and drinks makes it a must-visit.
Michael Glinter
Aug 24, 2025
5
I had the pleasure of eating at The Lenny for both dinner and brunch over the last month. As a newly opened restaurant that opened 4 months ago, there are going to be challenges in identifying great service professionals, especially with the current labor market. Today, however, I wanted to provide a different perspective, focusing more on the food than the service.
I have had the opportunity to try restaurants and cuisines from all over the world, having traveled to over 69 countries and 36 states. When I reviewed the menu, I noticed that the chef was pushing the envelope on how to combine different flavors to curate a well-balanced cuisine. Here’s what I found.
Dinner: Appetizer – Creamy Hibiscus Brussels Sprouts, Entrée 1 – Grilled Pork Chop with mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, and chimichurri, Entrée 2 – Lamb Ratatouille with Roasted Potatoes, and Demi Glace.
Brunch: Starter – Truffled Gruyère Croquette, Entrée 1 – Pork Belly Hash, Entrée 2 - Chicken and Waffles, and Entrée 3 - Fig Handheld (Flatbread) – Not a fan of the name handheld.
The Creamy Hibiscus Brussels Sprouts was a delightful combination of floral and sweet flavors, combined with smooth creaminess, taking a mundane vegetable dish to an unforgettably spectacular level. The Grilled Pork Chop, served with creamy mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and an amazing chimichurri, provides a heavenly blend of tastes and textures.
Lamb Ratatouille was tender, juicy lamb accompanied by roasted potatoes and opulent demi-glace. At the same time, the Truffled Gruyère Croquette was an indulgent, melt-in-the-mouth experience, pairing earthy truffles perfectly with nutty cheese. The Pork Belly Hash was rich but balanced with crispy edges mingling with silky flavors. The traditional Chicken and Waffles was served up to absolute perfection, with an exquisite contrast of crispy, juicy chicken and light, buttery waffles. Last but certainly not least, the Fig Flatbread represented an elegant combination of sweet and savory, with fresh figs providing each bite as a refined conclusion to the meal.
Overall, the menu was so cleverly planned in terms of flavor combination, fantastic execution, and beautifully described. Every dish was well crafted, with the presentation drawing you into the dish while the blended flavors kept you wanting more and more.
With a fantastic view overlooking the skyline of Downtown Durham, including Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the American Tobacco Campus, it creates a stunning opportunity for friends, family, dates, and large groups to enjoy the beauty of the views with the amazing cuisine.
