Durham has been a culinary destination for years — long before the national media arrived.
Since then, Durham's been hailed as the “Tastiest Town in the South” by Southern Living magazine and “America's Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appétit, among other titles. Many Durham chefs and restaurateurs, including Matthew Kelly of Nanas, Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Vin Rouge have been nominated for major awards, including the James Beard Award and, as of 2025, the internationally prestigious MICHELIN Guide American South. You can also find James Beard Award Winner Ricky Moore serving some of the freshest seafood around at Saltbox Seafood Joint. Many of the locals’ favorites started out as food trucks or vendors at the Durham Farmers’ Market and today stand tall as brick-and-mortar hot spots with lines out the door. National praise only confirms what locals have known all along: Durham is brimming with innovative restaurants, skilled chefs, and unique flavors.
And Durham's culinary scene is not only about chasing the highest acclaim; some of our best-loved places are family-owned, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that welcome guests to the table to connect over shared culture, tradition and authentic flavor.
What are you waiting for? Discover Durham's culinary treasures for yourself.
Hear it From the Pros: What Top Bull City Chefs Love about Durham
