There are plenty of stalwart, go-to restaurants like Mateo Bar de Tapas, a Spanish restaurant with Southern influences – a place that has impressed celebrity personalities like Alton Brown and Carla Hall, and Alley Twenty Six, the first cocktail bar in the state to be recognized for the James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Bar Program category. But the scene is constantly evolving, with new concepts and flavors always emerging to keep things fresh and exciting. In the morning, fuel you day with coffee and brunch at The Durham Hotel or treat yourself to pastries and sweet treats from Loaf Bakery or Ninth Street Bakery.
City Center is also full of international specialties. Dashi, a Japanese ramen shop and pub, will make all your ramen dreams come true. Don’t forget to ask for their pages-long menu of options for whiskey lovers as you try to snag a seat at the upstairs izakaya.
Sharing a back door, M Sushi and M Kokko are two treasured spots where you can order sushi and casual Korean-inspired chicken dishes respectively. A few blocks away, sit at the counter at M Tempura, where the traditional kaiseki and omakase options allow guests to experience the full tasting menu and a la carte options make it possible to stop in for a quick bite. Chef Mike Lee is the talented and visionary owner and chef behind M Restaurants, bringing distinctive concepts and exceptional execution to each location.
Fans of Indian food are satisfied by the seasonal, regional Indian dishes served by James Beard nominee Preeti Waas at Cheeni. Bar Beej, the Bollywood-themed speakeasy tucked to the right inside the restaurant’s front door, was a semi-finalist for the James Beard Best New Bar the year it opened. The area offers a variety of other Indian spots showcasing a diversity of experiences and traditions, including Barsa Modern Indian, Viceroy for modern Indian and cocktails, plus South Indian dishes at Anjappar near the Government Services district.
Pizzeria Toro is a local favorite serving wood-fired pizzas and a beloved kale salad. If you see a line spilling out onto Chapel Hill Street, use a local secret and enter through the bar around the corner on Morris Street to snag a seat or grab a drink while you wait for a table.
For the community they've built and their one-of-a-kind vibe, check out Queeny's, complete with a podcast studio and lending library, plus perhaps Durham’s most popular chicken tenders. Bull McCabe's Irish Pub offers the most expansive patio in the district – is downtown’s classic sports bar in the heart of Tobacco Road. Another place to catch the game, with a focus on women’s sports, EO's Sports Bar, will be opening in 2026.
City Center will easily satisfy your sweet tooth, too. Save room for artisan ice cream from The Parlour or soft serve ice cream with toppings like crystalized cookie butter rocks from Simons Says Dip This. For more sweet treats, stop by Sweets by Shayda, a woman-owned business with an array of French-inspired macarons.
For those adults looking to continue on for a nightcap — incredibly, there are 10+ world-class cocktail bars or programs within just a few blocks from each other in downtown’s core. Beyond those that have already been named, sip on Bar Virgile’s hand-shaken Ramos Gin Fizz, ground-to-glass seasonal cocktails at Kingfisher or a more classic hole-in-the-wall offering at 106 Main. For excellent cocktails, late night small plates, and rooftop views, take the steps up to The Velvet Hippo Bar and Lounge. Keep the party going at LGBTQIA-owned spots like Arcana Bar & Lounge and The Pinhook.
