Craving a satisfying lunch in downtown Durham? For something on the lighter side, head to legacy restaurateur Toast for handcrafted, gourmet paninis, seasonal soups and salads. The beloved neighborhood Italian sandwich shop serves farm-fresh produce – don't skip the specials that are always delicious and based on whatever's in season.
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Hours:
Monday: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 2:15 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:15 PM Sunday: Closed
My absolute favorite place in Durham. Food is delicious, service is great! When I lived downtown it was a weekly staple, and I still make it a habit to eat. Everything on the menu is delicious and fresh. Perfect to eat in or take to go!
Derrick Brown
Jun 6, 2025
5
Amazing atmosphere and service. The food is absolutely delicious. Everything tasted fresh. I had lentil soup and chicken salad. Amazing! Absolutely recommend
ginger downey
May 7, 2025
3
For lunch, outdoor dining was extremely noisy with street traffic and dust from construction across an intersection. Soup was good, liver pate, too spicy, grilled cheese was too oily on the bread/toast and the mozzarella was tasteless.
Ethan Case
Apr 26, 2025
5
My wife and I have been coming here for years. Just had a mutual realization that we've never had a bad meal here. Toast is consistently good because the meals always include quality ingredients. Today, for instance, the broccoli had some kick and the caponata was excellent. Thank you all and hope you keep it up.
Alexandra DiMuzio
Mar 14, 2025
3
I hate to leave a bad review, not sure if they were having a bad day, but my food - the crostini sampler (goat cheese, Merguez Sausage, & chicken liver) + cup of soup (lemon potato), was not good. I was super surprised as I’ve read rave reviews about this place and had it saved in my list of places to try, but I couldn’t even finish it. Would still be interested in trying one of their sandwiches because of their reputation.
eric h
Feb 22, 2025
3
i have been coming to toast since around 2006, right around when they opened. kelli was always super friendly and always remembered me from visit to visit, no matter how long the interval. sandwiches are always great and the soups the best i’ve had. however pandemic-era and after the front-of-house has been run by this unfriendly guy who seems like he is always having a bad day. today he effectively twice told us to leave, as others were waiting for tables, even though one of us was finishing a drink. and we weren’t camped out- just a normal lunch pace, and there might have been two or three people waiting for tables but none had their food yet. i used to live in new york where places were way busier and turning tables a priority, and have never- not once- been asked tp leave the way i was today. i miss kelli.
Aneela Kumar
Feb 15, 2025
4
Chicken panini - chicken was a little cold but the hot sauce made up for it
Kids loved the goat cheese & honey crostini but ask them not to drizzle the honey on the napkin! (Such a sweet thing to waste!)
Garlicky mushroom crostini - so good we ordered it again.
Dessert - skip the crunchy brown butter choc chip cookies and opt for the brownie with sea salt if available!
Jack Marone
Nov 11, 2024
5
The place:
A small place with patio seating and a few tables inside but it's primarily been a place I've gone for an easy takeout lunch. Staff are always warm and helpful.
The food:
I love the sandwiches from here which are filling and delicious without making me feel a need to take a 2 hour nap. A small cup of soup and a sandwich from here is likely my ideal fall lunch. The Tuscan Kale sandwich is my favorite and something and even just thinking about it makes me want to drive downtown and get one.
L Fried
Oct 28, 2024
5
There is literally nothing better and more delicious than a panini and soup from Toast. It is not overpriced, but overly delicious. I cannot say enough good things about toast. I go there at least 4
