Great cafe for brunch in Durham! I got the smoked salmon eggs benedict and loved it. Also got the rosemary cheddar scone, which was good but wish it was heated up since I ate it at the restaurant. They were accommodating even though they were pretty busy, so we were able to get a table even though it was a Sunday brunch. My only concern was that the vegan options were a bit lackluster (for my cousin, not for me), and really just between the tofu scramble and the vegan pancakes. I would definitely come again!!
Dessie Hristov
Oct 15, 2022
4
Your local food spot! Very home-ish feeling, great outside decor. Ample parking lot. It is not your upscale white table cloth restaurant but it fills your tummy with deliciousness and homemade staples... Not my favorite tomato bisque, but the chicken and dumpling soup was good! Shrimp and grits was also creamy and delicious! The desserts are worth trying and falling off the diet wagon for a day... The chocolate mousse was silky and delicious! Lunch is what we had, but their dinner menu was also interesting! Pick up a menu upon entering, order and pay for your meal at the counter and a server will bring it to you. Give it a try!
Jasmine 'JB' Brown
Sep 9, 2022
3
It wasn’t terrible but it wasn’t great either. I expected better. I ordered lemonade and I got lemonade from a bottle. I was hoping for something more fresh or organic given its drink menu. I ordered the salmon blackened which was really good and flavorful. The fall menu just came out allegedly so don’t go expecting the salmon with orzo rice and asparagus. Instead you’ll get steamed spinach with a few carrots. Let’s hope a few don’t come out burnt like mine with the surprise asparagus in the mix. 🤦🏾♀️
I asked for their mushroom rice instead but they brought out brown rice right before dessert. At that point I had already eaten so I’m sure there was miscommunication from the back. Nonetheless, I would come back but only to try something else.
Kristina Gudovskikh
Aug 23, 2022
5
The food was very fresh. The menu has a lot of options including the choice of vegan and healthy dishes. On the pictures you see Avocado toast with bacon (would like to have a little more avocado), vegan Pancakes (Just GREAT!), Eggs Benedict(also great!). They also have good coffee and chai latte. Milk options available.
Tony Cunningham Jr.
Aug 14, 2022
5
This place is amazing! The food was cooked to perfection! The service was top notch! I felt like home when I walked in the door. It was my first time, so I asked for a quick rundown and recommendation. The food was spot on! Best English muffin I’ve EVER had! The vibe in the place was so awesome. I highly recommend this place. I’ll be back soon!
joshua bratcher
Aug 4, 2022
5
This has been one of the greatest dining experiences I’ve had in a long time. The staff were amazing, friendly, and very helpful. The food was stellar, I ordered the French toast and it was one of the best plates of French toast I’ve had. With the restaurant making all of their own food it was no surprise that the French toast was fluffy on the inside with a nice crisp outside. It was presented beautifully and was delicious with or without syrup.
The entire staff from kitchen to servers deserve a well earned congratulations on making the place not just inviting, but a wonderful place to take the whole family. David was the star of the show for my visit, I’ve never seen someone work as hard as he did during my time at the restaurant. He was able to answer questions quickly and helped guide guests through the menu. As well as helping out the rest of the staff, not to mention very sociable. He made me feel like a regular here for my first time dining.
I could not recommend this place enough, if you find yourself in the area definitely check it out. Truly a stellar place to eat.
Ambiance: 10
No harsh lighting, music at a low volume
Staff: 10
Friendly, sociable, professional
Food: 10
Homemade, quick service, delicious
Accessibility/accommodations: 10
Wheelchair accessible, staff willing to accommodate anyone.
Cleanliness: 10
One of the only restaurants I’ve seen with a 99 cleanliness rating. Something to be proud of, absolutely outstanding. It shows the place looks spotless.
Bonnie Williams
Jul 17, 2022
3
Definitely recommend getting a reservation. It's counter-order but seating via the staff. The food was pretty good; I had the breakfast bowl and my friend had the lemon ricotta pancakes. I definitely think it's overpriced for what you get. $15 for just pancakes is a lot in my opinion. I probably wouldn't go back, but no real complaints.
Oceanna Marr
Jul 17, 2022
5
I don’t understand why people rate 3 stars when they like everything? Anytime I’ve ever been here the food has been delicious! The Irish crème cheesecake we finished for desert was literally the best cheesecake I have ever had in my life! The Bite I had of my aunts sandwich was also delicious. I come back any chance I get.
Scott Kozloff
Jun 27, 2022
5
Great place! We visit this area every 3 weeks and try to do lunch here every time. Wait staff is very attentive, food is extremely decent and also delicious. We have never had an issue and would recommend to anyone in the area. Pricey but worth it!
Trevor Welch
Jun 6, 2022
5
Amazing coffee and beautiful atmosphere. Great place to sit and talk with a friend or read a book. Very friendly staff!
The food is good for cafe fare and is fit for diets of all types. No matter your allergies or preference, there's something for all.
Oh and they're very pet friendly!
Adam Howard
May 17, 2022
5
The Refectory Cafe is a must visit for anyone who is meticulous about what they eat.
The atmosphere is incredibly welcoming. Dolly, the shift manager who helped me with my order was not only willing and capable of accommodating my dietary restrictions, she was incredibly enthusiastic. From her and from the other staff I got the feeling that the people who work here are incredibly passionate about helping people like me experience the same delight of eating out that is so frequently taken for granted in the absence of dietary restrictions.
The actual food was, above all, clean. Its simplicity allowed each individual flavor to be experienced relative to the others. My simple miso and ginger marinated kale salad with salmon was thus a gustatory delight.
To any who enjoy friendly atmosphere, outdoor dining, food with a purpose, or happy staff who accommodate most any dietary specification, The Refectory Cafe is your next good memory!
Justin Burke
May 16, 2022
5
Food was delicious. It was a bit busy when we went and Tamara really stepped up to make sure she was handling all customers and making sure they were satisfied. Thank you Tamara for the wonderful service and food.
