Hottest New Restaurants in Durham – Fall 2025 Update

It’s a new year, which means it’s a perfect time to catch up on all the new restaurants and bars that have opened in the Bull City recently. It’s also probably time for me to introduce myself—hi! I’m Matt, I’m a longtime Durhamite and writer who will be taking over the New Restaurant beat for Discover Durham in 2026. I’m always on the look-out for new spots, and luckily for us here in Durham we’ve had plenty in the last six months.

There are some long-awaited spots form beloved local chefs. There are spots that play hard on nostalgia, serving up memories alongside great food. There’s a miniscule new mini mart right downtown that’s small on square footage and big on quirky vibes. If the past six months have shown us anything it’s that Durham continues to lead the South when it comes to great cuisine, and I’m not just talking about the recent MICHELIN awards, either. Grab your phone and be prepared to start making dinner plans, because this list is sure to make you hungry.

New Restaurant and Bar Openings

Nerra

506 Ramseur St.

Located just east of downtown in what is rapidly becoming a new hub for dining and nightlife (neighbors include Aaktun, Ponysaurus, Fizzwerks and more), in the former Krill space, Nerra is a new Southern, seafood-focused concept led by Durham native Alexis Lawson, aka Chef Lex. Lawson’s creative, seasonal approach to cooking emphasizes community and hospitality and has already been garnering rave reviews. The restaurant offers a rustic nautical atmosphere and a menu featuring small plates like ceviche, tuna crudo and salmon cakes, alongside larger entrées such as braised beef short rib and red snapper, plus fresh catch selections of tuna and salmon. Diners can also enjoy vibrant cocktails and rotating desserts.

Max Jr Mini Mini Mart

1009 W. Main St.

Tucked away just off Main Street, behind NYC Halal Eats and Miel Bon Bons, Max Jr Mini Mini Mart offers a curated selection of wine, beer and other nibbles. Think of it like a convenience store but bite-sized. Well-suited to serve some of the surrounding apartment complexes, you can swing by and grab some snacks on the way home or dip in and stock up on some beer, a bottle of wine and some cheese and bites for an impromptu party or picnic. Visiting from out of town? Grab some supplies for late night bites in your hotel room or Airbnb, or make sure you’ve got some elevated road trip snacks for the drive home. This tiny bodega is already becoming a big part of the downtown scene.

Cucciolo Famiglia

5850 Fayetteville Rd., #106

From the same folks behind Cucciolo Osteria and Cucciolo Terraza, Famiglia serves up a refreshing take on the classic red-sauce restaurant. You’ll find all the comforting classics—chicken parm, veal marsala and plenty of red‑sauce favorites, but kicked up a notch. There’s also a vodka tomato cream rigatoni and a white ragù pasta, which seem to be house favorites. It’s basically the laid‑back sibling of Cucciolo Osteria, serving classic Italian-American dishes with a little extra flair. Located near The Streets at Southpoint in South Durham, Famiglia is bringing big family-style Italian vibes to South Durham.

Big Lex Bodega

1224 Fayetteville St.

Hayti just got a bit tastier with the opening of Big Lex Bodge and Cornerstore. This former food truck traded wheels for bricks but still serves some of the best chopped cheese grinders south of Harlem. There’s the OG for chopped cheese purists, but locals and visitors alike will want to give The Bull City a chance–it comes with melted American cheese, mozzarella, provolone, crispy bacon and their signature Bodega sauce. There’s also a selection of fries (the Bodega Fries are essentially a chopped cheese served atop fries), wings and the Big Lex Empanada, a chopped cheese that’s gone to Buenos Aires.

LRB Provisions

2009 Guess Rd.

LRB Provisions, the much-anticipated sandwich spot from longtime Durham chef Amanda Orser (who cooked at places like Magnolia Grill and Littler) is now open on Guess Road. Orser turned a former Dog House hotdog stand into a place for scratch‑made sandwiches, fresh bread and house‑smoked pastrami. It’s the kind of neighborhood lunch joint that sells out fast because everything’s made the same day, but, luckily, staples like Orser’s pastrami and smoked trout are available to purchase by the pound to enjoy at home later.

Soul Forking Good

2500 Meridian Parkway, Suite 135

This beloved soul-food spot has graduated from catering and a food truck to a brick-and-mortar location serving hearty comfort classics like smothered pork chops, turkey wings, fried fish, mac and cheese, yams, and rice with gravy. Known for their generous portions and home-cooked flavors, it’s the kind of place where the food is rich, soulful and made to make you smile. Got a crowd to feed? Don’t worry, catering is still available.

Sage Vegetarian Restaurant

2812 Erwin Rd., #104

Sage Vegetarian Restaurant is a women‑owned spot located right across from Duke that serves nourishing vegetarian dishes with a Middle Eastern and Persian lean, like Budem Joon (a hearty eggplant dish), Saka (slow cooked greens with potatoes and spices), samosas and hearty soups. The menu is full of comforting, plant‑forward plates—everything from gnocchi arrabbiata to vegan chocolate cake—all made with a “food is medicine” philosophy.

Dino’s Pizza

3109 Shannon Rd., Suite 100

Dino’s Pizza is led by chef Tom Cuomo, who previously cooked at places like WD‑50 and Carbone in New York City and the now-closed St. James Seafood in Durham. It’s part of Matt Kelly’s restaurant group, joining local favorites like Mateo, Mothers & Sons and Nanas. The vibe is classic Italian‑American—think checkered tablecloths, Tiffany lamps and a menu that feels like a throwback in the best way. With Western NY-style pizza (think thin, crackly crust), a chicken parm that is out of this world, and more, Dino’s has quickly become a spot for everyone from the kids to the grandparents.

Old North Bar

316 West Geer St.

Fans of the late, much-loved local haunt Accordion Club will be glad to know that the space has taken on new life as Old North Bar. The mix of dive‑bar charm with genuinely great cocktails keeps a lot of the old Accordion Club vibe alive. There are fun touches like the “Low Life” special (a Miller High Life pony with a well shot), plus the occasional hot‑dog pop‑ups from Hawk Dogs (another nod to the past). In a rapidly changing neighborhood it feels like a bit of old Durham, but with a fresh coat of paint in the bathrooms (IYKYK).

Narrative Coffee

300 Morris St., Suite 101

Narrative Coffee is now open downtown, serving some of the best specialty coffee in the Triangle in a bright, welcoming space.. Known for their beautifully crafted lattes and community‑focused vibe, they’ve brought the same warmth and quality from their popular coffee truck into a polished brick‑and‑mortar café. It’s the kind of spot where you can settle in with a thoughtful drink, meet a friend or just enjoy a calm moment in the middle of the day.

Nanny Goat

620 Foster St., Unit G

Nanny Goat is a fun little “boutique bodega” in the Central Park District that mixes everyday essentials with local goodies, grab‑and‑go eats, and specialty pantry items from local businesses. It’s meticulously curated by James Beard–nominated chef Preeti Waas and her daughter, Amy Waas (Cheeni, Bar Beej), who also operate the original RTP location. A stated goal of the pair has been to offer retail space to small makers and local food artisans who might otherwise have a hard time finding an outlet for their goods. Think of it as a neighborhood market with personality—part grocery, part gift shop and part chef‑driven snack stop.

Hatch Breakfast Burritos

723 North Mangum St.

This ultra-popular Durham pop‑up has turned brick‑and‑mortar, serving fresh, New Mexico–style breakfast burritos packed with their signature Hatch green chiles. They’re known for made‑to‑order burritos, green chile stew and fun extras like green chile pimento cheese. After years of building a cult following around town, they now have a permanent home where fans can get their burrito fix any day of the week.

Sol House Wines

905 W. Main St., #20D

Tucked away inside iconic Brightleaf Square, Sol House Wines offers a bright new take on the classic wine bar. This woman-owned spot focuses on natural and low-intervention wines, a category that Durhamites know well and have supported for years. The frequently changing menu offers wines by the glass, bottles to enjoy there or take home and a small selection of gifts and snacks. It’s the perfect place to end a day spent shopping in Brightleaf, or the ideal pre-dinner meetup before hitting the town.

Recent Re-Openings and Expansions

Cheeni RTP

3151 Elion Dr. , #101

Preeti Waas and her unique take on Indian food continue to take the Triangle by storm and the recent opening of a new RTP location of her flagship Cheeni restaurant has cemented her as one of Durham’s most-sought-after chefs. Cheeni RTP hearkens back to the original Cheeni in North Raleigh, which in addition to serving lunch and dinner also offered Waas’s incredibly popular cooking classes. The RTP location will continue to offer Waas’s homestyle take on Indian dishes while allowing her to lead classes in topics like Homemade Chutneys and At-Home Spice Blends. Daughter Amy will continue to craft the beverage menu, and while they are only open for lunch at the moment, there are plans for more events and expanded dining hours down the road.

Dame’s Chicken & Waffles

455 S. Driver St.

Same great menu, brand new location. Dame’s Chicken & Waffles has moved to East Durham, occupying the former Mike’s BBQ location in the Garland Development on South Driver Street. What hasn’t changed, however, is one of the Bull City’s most popular breakfast and brunch menus. They’ve got their signature waffles topped with fried-to-order chicken, steaming bowls of cheesy grits, a fried chicken sandwich that puts Chick-fil-A to shame, and enough delicious sides that you’ll wish you invited them to the family reunion instead of Aunt Mabel and her unseasoned greens.

Flavor Hills

107 W. Main St.

Started in Jacksonville, popped up as a second location in Raleigh, and now firmly anchored in the heart of downtown Durham, Flavor Hills is serving up sought-after soul food with the volume dialed to eleven. Like deviled eggs? Well, theirs are both deviled AND fried, then topped with crumbled bacon and a hot honey glaze. The short rib meatballs in a coconut jerk sauce are like an Italian vacation with a Jamaican twist, and the catfish and grits features a crispy catfish filet, cheesy grits, smokey turkey collards and a Cajun cream sauce that will leave you scraping the bottom of the bowl for a final taste.

Timber Pizza

501 Washington St., H

This beloved DC-area chain has set its sights on Durham with a new location in the Central Park neighborhood that is sure to delight pizza lovers across the Bull City. They call their wood-fired pizzas “Neopolitan-ish,” so imagine a New York slice married to a delicate Neopolitan pie. The original food truck earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand award, and they’ve brought that same energy to their menu here with varieties like The Bambino (spicy honey marinara, cheese, meatballs, pesto, fresh mozz, garlic oil) and The Lot (a white pie with provolone and mozzarella, Bread and Butter jalapeños, braised pork, pineapple,and cilantro). There are also salads, empanadas and a seasonally rotating ice cream platter for dessert.

Baker’s Dozen Donuts

3825 South Roxboro St., Unit 150

The Shoppes of Hope Valley got a little bit sweeter with the much-awaited reopening of Baker’s Dozen Donuts. They’ve got their classic cake donuts in flavors such as plain, cinnamon sugar, and Devil’s Food Cake, as well as apple fritters, glazed donuts, Bear Claws, donut holes and filled donuts. What morning couldn’t be made better with a cinnamon roll, a French cruller and a Bavarian Cream filled donut?

Conniption Cocktails and Cuisine at RDU

Terminal 2, Raleigh Durham International Airport

It wouldn’t be stretch to say that RDU punches FAR above its weight class in terms of food offerings to airport size. Over the past few years, the airport has recruited heavily from local restaurants and bars, and the latest opening sees the much-loved Durham Distillery packing its bags and breezing through TSA to open Conniption Cocktails and Cuisine in Terminal 2. Featuring handcrafted cocktails that lean heavily on the distillery’s line of award-winning spirits, Conniption gives travelers a chance to experience one of the Bull City’s most iconic brands before they depart. Who wouldn’t want steak frites and a Navy Strength gin martini to ease the pain of modern air travel? Or perhaps a Damn Fine espresso martini ahead of that red-eye flight to the West Coast? Whatever your choice, you’ll find elevated Durham dining is the perfect travel companion.

Other Recent Openings

Afters Dessert Bar

905 W. Main St.

Fear not, dessert lovers, Afters Dessert Bar only took a short hiatus to move into an even bigger space at Brightleaf Square this winter. With an ever-growing, seasonally-inspired menu containing both sweet and savory treats (including gluten-free options), Afters is a great downtown stop for satisfying your sweet tooth. For morning pastries, enjoy muffins and scones, or pick up a scratch made cookie cream pie or chocolate as an afternoon treat or after a meal (get it?).

AJ’s Cheesecakes

2506 Fayetteville St.

Looking for another way to satisfy your sweet tooth? This local, Black-owned business has both a small storefront of its own as well as a presence at many local grocers like The Durham Co-op and Weaver Street Markets throughout the Triangle. Drawing inspiration from favorite childhood desserts, this local baker puts her own spin on classic recipes, honing her skills to make the perfect cheesecake. You will even find a variety of vegan options.

Anjappar Indian Restaurant

201 East Main St.

We’re excited for Cettinad Indian restaurant Anjappar to open in the Durham County Register of Deeds building. Anjappar has everything—and I mean everything—the menu is thick and filled with all the classics, but it also specializes in South Indian cuisine, which is harder to find. Items like dosa (they have over 20 varieties) and Parotta (Tawa breads) are headliners. The Biryani rice is cooked in curry, and its flavor and spice profile is off the charts. The original Cary location is very popular, and we’re sure the Durham crowd will love it as well.

Ashleigh Bakes Daily

307 W. Main St.

There’s nothing more inspiring than the success story of a small, local businesswoman who’s worked hard to achieve her dream. Case in point: Ashleigh Ratchford, local baker/cookie connoisseur behind Asheleigh Bakes Daily. From home baking, to selling at markets and in local eateries, to opening a small pop-up shop in North Durham, to now running her own storefront in downtown Durham! Check out this sweet new spot for soft, thick, scratch made cookies chock full of cookie bits, chocolate chips and sprinkles, and a rotating list of other irresistible treats.

Baekho

900 Park Offices Dr., RTP

The creators behind Namu, Bulkogi and The Can Opener are at it again with a new craft coffee and ice cream shop, Baekho, located inside The Makery at Boxyard RTP. Specialty teas, handcrafted drinks and local ice cream (starting July 2025), give this destination additional appeal for those working or visiting this lively area of RTP. Bonus: Grab delicious Korean BBQ from Baekho’s sister spot, Bulkogi, upstairs, or any of the other local eateries in the vicinity.

Barsa New Indian

105 W. Morgan St., Ste. 100

The space that currently houses Barsa New Indian was another Indian restaurant before (Indian Monsoon), but what makes Barsa different is that they’ve designed the menu with a modern, upscale dining experience in mind. You won’t find pages and pages of options but, rather, a concise and focused list of dishes so that everything can be made fresh and prepared with precision. Barsa grinds up their own spice mixes in house, creating a freshness you can taste on the rubs and in the sauces (Indian spices are even used in the cocktails). While you’ll find both modern and unique signature dishes like lobster moilee alongside classics like tikka masala, even the classics will taste like something entirely new due to the cooking techniques and spices. The kitchen is led by chef Vinod Kumar who previously worked at the Michelin-starred Semma in New York. As word spreads, so does its popularity, so reservations are a good idea.

Baryo at DBCo

506 Ramseur St., back suite

Located directly behind Nerra is a new gathering spot: Baryo—a coffee and espresso bar by day and craft beer and signature cocktail (including hemp-infused THC zero proof cocktails) lounge by night. Baryo means “village/neighborhood” and that’s exactly the vibe you’ll find here as this area of Durham continues to grow and flourish with local businesses.

Bright and Early Vegan Bakery

321 E. Chapel Hill St., Ste. 100

A Black-owned, vegan bakery is slated to take Lutra’s place offering pop-ups at Queeny’s, beginning in late July, sharing all kinds of plant-based baked goods you’ll love! From flaky sweet and savory croissants to seasonal danishes, gooey cookies, cakes and more. You can also find them at area farmers markets (including North Durham), and at Omies Coffee and The Daily Beer Bar. Customers can also place orders for custom cakes online. We can’t wait to see this business continue to grow!

Clean Eatz

5320 McFarland Dr., Unit 110

Clean Eatz has 17 spots throughout North Carolina and aims to help people achieve their healthy lifestyle goals. They are breaking into the Bull City, offering healthy food and meal prep options for busy professionals, families and people on the go. They specialize in a rotating variety of portion-controlled, nutritionally balanced weekly meal plans, frozen meals you can easily take and heat up at home and fresh-made items from the café like smoothies and wraps.

Coupe & Stein Champagne Bar

800 Taylor St., Ste. 8-100

A chic and feminine champagne bar in Golden Belt is the latest addition to the family of businesses that also own Triangle Catering and The Cotton Room. Coupe & Stein is sophisticated and charming—a restored historic space that offers a pleasing atmosphere for a girls’ night out or a place to plan a special event/celebration. The menu, naturally, focuses on fancy bubbles, but also has an impressive selection of mocktails for those taking part in dry January. There’s food, too; including fun tinned fish plates, charcuterie boards, shrimp cocktail, and desserts like red velvet tiramisu.

Crank Arm Brewing

620 Fernway Ave.

A beer and bike-loving brewery that started in Raleigh a decade ago now has a second location on the ground floor of the Beckon Building in downtown Durham’s warehouse district. Crank Arm isn’t just a fun place to grab a quality craft beer, it’s also a place for people to connect with a community that likes to stay active through regular group bicycle rides, runs, dog walks, yoga classes and more.

Daughters Coffee & Books

5410 NC-55, Unit AF

What’s more inviting than an independent bookstore/coffee shop combo? Get comfy with a warm cup of freshly brewed coffee and explore the curated bookshelves. Tables in the café section are perfect for plugging in to do some work or meeting up with a friend. They even have a family-friendly children’s nook. Along with a robust menu of coffee and tea, Daughters offers specials like a cinnamon bun latte and literary-themed seasonal drinks. Baked goods, like muffins and croissants from Ninth Street Bakery, add an even sweeter reason to stop and stay a while. Daughters’ is a welcome addition to Greenwood Commons, which is also home to longtime tenants True Flavors Diner and The Glass Jug Beer Lab.

Fare & Fellow

4001 NC-54, Ste. 2150

Currently open off Highway 54, Fare & Fellow café will be opening another location soon in the NC Mutual Building downtown at 411 W. Chapel Hill St. The menu transcends ordinary coffee shop bites, offering entrees like a cornmeal waffle with brûléed seasonal fruit, crispy pancetta and whipped mascarpone cream; Reuben and BLT sandwiches on Union Special bread, and homemade pastries, such as seasonal scones. There are also seasonal drinks like lattes and lemonades and, of course, tea and coffee from Raleigh-based roasting partner, Jubala.

Fizzwerks

618 Ramseur St., Ste. 103

Not a big drinker, but still looking for a place to socialize and sip something delicious? Fizzwerks, upcoming craft-brewed seltzer bar, is the perfect alternative. Brewed hard seltzers, kegged cocktails and no/low ABV craft beverages made with fresh fruit, botanicals, teas and mushrooms, provide the same flavors of your favorite cocktails. There is a gorgeous roof patio and a kitchen onsite, serving veggie-focused bowls, sandwiches, dips and even munchies like fries and chicken tenders.

Gym Tacos

102 City Hall Plaza

Gym Tacos has gained a lot of hype in Raleigh since opening in 2019; lucky for us, they’re bringing their tasty tacos (made with handmade corn tortillas), tortas, tostadas and burritos to the center of the Bull City. Losing longtime former tenant, Pompieri Pizza, was a hit for the area, so it’s nice to see another small local business picking up where they left off. Gym Tacos’ bright, fun and casual atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for happy hour meetups or family-friendly gatherings.

HERitage Wines

5107 NC-55, Ste. 102

HERitage is a new wine brand with a mission to help include Black women and people of color in wine spaces through education, exposure, access and community. Along with a private wine label, HERitage offers a monthly membership, wine-inspired apparel and events like intimate wine tastings and paint and sip classes.

Hope Café

4711 Hope Valley Rd., Ste. 1c

We loved hearing that a new Thai restaurant opened in Woodcroft’s South Durham shopping plaza this winter as it brings another option for convenient carry-out and delivery of some of our favorite dishes like Pad Thai, Tom Kha soup, Thai curry noodles and Pho. The menu is not overwhelming, offering just the right variety of dishes to choose from in a few forms, such as salads, soups and noodles. There is a section for dine-in as well, where you can use a tray of sauces to customize the spice level of your particular Thai dish to please your palate.

Kiichi Ramen Izakaya

730 Ninth St.

A dedicated ramen shop and izakaya is a welcome addition to Ninth Street. This cozy, local joint has a vibrantly decorated dining room and bar where you can pull up a stool for a filling meal with some sake, Japanese soda or tea. Kiichi’s kitchen specializes in Japanese staples like hibachi bento boxes, snacks such as fried squid, gyoza, chicken karrage and a variety of ramen, including tonkotsu, shoyu, curry and seafood.

La Buena Vida

4416 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.

With the success of their first two locations in Raleigh and Cary, La Buena Vida decided to bring their upscale Mexican cuisine and fresh cocktails to Durham, inside the former Red Lobster along Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. Known for its hip vibe and lively energy, La Buena Vida’s spacious new spot serves up modern Mexican and fusion dishes including queso fundido, Cubana tortas, tropical ceviche, fish tacos, wings, taco salad and even a selection of sushi, like surf & turf teriyaki and salmon lox rolls, after 3pm! Come in for the food, stay for the party.

La Taqueria by Katsuji

900 Park Offices Dr.

Celebrity chef, Katsuji Tanabe has opened his latest concept in Boxyard RTP. True to his roots, he’s showcasing Mexico-city style tacos complemented by mezcal-based cocktails in a casual setting. Drawing from his knowledge of producing incredible flavorful meat from a “hot tub”—a steaming, bubbling pot filled with lard, confit and spices shared with slow-cooked meats like chorizo, chicken and brisket. The result is authentic tacos featuring tender meat and a flavor-packed broth served on handmade corn tortillas and topped with homemade salsas.

Ment Beverage Co.

312 Blackwell St., Ste. 103

Honeygirl Meadery got a major “glow up” at the end of 2024 by moving and expanding their facilities and offerings under new parent name: Ment Beverage Co. Along with continuing to craft the Honeygirl meads you know and love, the expansion allows them to bring even more tasty sips to the table, including cider, beer, sake, Delta 9 drinks and non-alcoholic options. The sake is the first produced in Durham and is made with rice grown in Eastern NC. You’ll find Ment’s new digs and tasting room at American Tobacco Campus in the heart of Durham’s social district. They have indoor and patio seating, games, a retail section and regularly host fun events.

Mirchi's Indian Kitchen & Bar

105 W. Morgan St.

When one door closes, another opens, quite literally, with the closing of Indian Monsoon restaurant quickly replaced by another Indian restaurant, Mirchi’s. With an original location in West Cary already, Mirchi’s decided to extend their modern Indian menu to Durham. Popular items include Butter Chicken Masala, Lamb Tikka Masala, Goat Fry Biryani and a rotating selection of seasonal, classic and Indian-inspired cocktails.

Nan Xiang Express & Tsaocha

1605 Erwin Road, Ste. 50

An exciting new dining option near Duke for those who love dumplings, dim sum and boba. A small chain established in New York and Boston, Nan Xiang Express brings their popular Shanghai-style dim sum, including crab and pork soup dumplings, crispy bottom buns, braised beef noodle soup and shredded beef and pepper noodles to the ground level of Durham’s Blue Light Living Apartments. In addition, Tsaocha, which has locations across the country, is on site with a robust menu of milk tea, fruit tea and boba made with natural tea and fresh fruit ingredients. The interior is spacious and modern, as is ease of ordering with the dedicated mobile app helping you rack up rewards.

Nautical Bowls

620 Rigsbee Ave.

Another healthy option is Nautical Bowls: Plant-based, gluten, soy and dairy-free acai and smoothie bowls made with organic and natural ingredients. These bowls are as beautiful as they are tasty and nutritious. Some fan favorites from the menu include the classic “Nauti Bowl” with acai, peanut butter, bananas, granola and cacao nibs and the “Paddle Bowl” with tropical layers of coconut and mango.

Nectar Café

620 Foster St.

The owners of Nectar Café know how create a cozy and welcoming café vibe because they’ve successfully done so for years with their first spot, Foster Street Coffee. Nectar, which is located on the ground level of the new Geerhouse apartments and has access to a beautiful patio oasis in front, offers more than just a good cup of coffee. There are matcha lattes, lemonades, wine by the glass, beer and pastries like frangipane and macarons from Lucettegrace in Raleigh.

North Durham Coffee Lab

5120 N. Roxboro St.

Need a little pick-me-up after your workout? This new coffee station is a true hidden gem, located inside Body Games Gym. North Durham Coffee Lab has limited hours for now: open Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 6-11am. It’s a great option for folks in North Durham who want to start their day with a local cup of coffee, or fuel up after feeling the burn at Body Games.

Primrose Bar & Louge

111 W. Main St.

A whimsical, modern lounge adorned with floral wallpaper, rose-covered facades and flower-covered glasses has opened in downtown Durham. Who knew bar vibes could be so beautiful? With a long bar and open space, there’s plenty of room to spread out and socialize. Primrose is already making a splash with their signature drinks, live music nights and events/celebrations. Add this to your next bar crawl list for a chic, electrifying vibe.

QueDogs

2020 Chapel Hill Rd., Ste. 37

In a continuously growing section of Lakewood, a once vacant stand is now full of friendly vibes, serving the community classic and creative beef or pork barbeque hot dogs. QueDogs, a minority-owned, family-run business, began operating as a pop up during the pandemic. They now have a permanent spot for folks to enjoy. Taking a nostalgic treat, QueDogs ups the ante by topping it with their award-winning chopped Que, slaw and chili. They also have pulled pork sandwiches and combo plates. It’s the perfect fast-casual place to grab a bite as you shop or drive through the area.

Redhead Hemp

413 E. Chapel Hill St.

Downtown Durham has its first Canna Cafe. The bright, comfortable space is equal parts shop, bar and homey hangout offering hemp-infused products and community events. After building a following out of a small shop in Raleigh, the Durham location is an expansion of both the space and the experience offered. Here, you can shop packaged drinks, gummies and personal care products or order a drink from the bar, with or without an added hemp-derived infusion, and enjoy house-made baked goods. If you’re new to the hemp world and want to ease your way in with guided expertise, the helpful budtenders at Redhead Hemp are ready to share their knowledge and recommendations.

Reno's Cheesesteaks

4711 Hope Valley Rd., Ste. 6A

From the folks behind the popular True Flavors Diner comes an entirely new concept with equally good food! If you’re looking for a fully-packed cheesesteak sub in the South, Reno’s has you covered. These cheesesteaks are anything but bland, with your choice of onions, mushrooms, cheese and different flavored mayo. Other items on the menu, like in-house roasted turkey and vegetarian chopped wild mushrooms, are equally delicious. Get an order of hand-cut fries to go with your sandwich. This fast casual spot, tucked in Woodcroft Shopping Center, is an easy place to grab a filling meal for lunch or dinner.

Tacos Number Juan

910 Martin Luther King Pkwy.

If you’re looking to add a little more spice to your life this winter, check out the new fast casual Mexican restaurant Tacos Number Juan located in Hope Valley Farms. With an affordable menu, including deals like .99 cent Taco Tuesdays, it could become a regular haunt. If the flavors taste familiar, it’s because it’s owned by the same restaurant group behind Fonda Lupita, which has a strong reputation for quality Mexican food. There are tortas and quesabirrias, ACPs, burritos and bowls, not to mention signature sides like chorizo queso dip, chicken rolls and loaded fries. Wash it all down with a homemade margherita or a classic Mexican beer.

TaTaco

620 Foster St.

Chef Oscar Diaz, owner of Little Bull in Durham, is at it again with the opening of a new taco shop, TaTaco, on the ground floor of the new GeerHouse apartment complex. Inside this casual taqueria, you’ll find tacos and sopes with rich Mexican flavors and handmade tortillas that are best enjoyed with Mezcal and friends.

Terrace Kitchen

2812 Erwin Rd.

Terrace Kitchen, next to Duke Hospital, has entered a new phase since its official opening last winter, now offering a brand-new brunch and lunch menu with expanded daytime hours. The menu focuses on Southern and comfort food staples (think French toast, eggs benedict and omelets) with many items, like biscuits and buttermilk pancakes, made from scratch. And featured brunch cocktails make this spot stand out from the average breakfast joint. Now, diners can enjoy breakfast and brunch all day (7 a.m.-3 m.) and lunch (11 a.m.-3 p.m.) in Terrace Kitchen’s sophisticated, yet charming atmosphere.

The Lenny

555 S. Mangum St.

Durham has welcomed another rooftop bar and restaurant – this time overlooking the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and all of downtown from the eleventh floor. This brasserie-style spot offers spacious indoor and outdoor areas to *slams laptop shut* enjoy golden hour cocktails, slurp oysters from the raw bar and share snacks or sit for a full dinner from the globally-inspired menu. Stop in on weekends for brunch with a view.

Virge Yoga

200 Morris St., Ste. 140

With the intention to encourage people to slow down, relax, and connect before, during and after their yoga classes, Virge Yoga in downtown Durham includes a beverage bar known as “Exhale & Bar.” In their new 3,000-square-foot space, Virge hosts hot power vinyasa, heated sculpt vinyasa and non-heated gentle vinyasa. The wellness-focused bar offers coffee, smoothies and other non-alcoholic beverages like zero sugar energy drinks.

Wheels Durham

715 N. Hoover Rd.

Along the lines of staying fueled while exercising and having a good time, Wheels Skate Park has officially reopened with a full-service café for snacks and beverages. (No outside food or drink is permitted.) While a roller skate park is a stretch for “dining out,” it’s a great place for families and friends to meet up for a fun outing and classic snacks like pizza, nachos, pretzels, slushies and cotton candy.

Zeitgeist Bar & Gallery

725 N. Mangum St.

If you love creative vibes, creative people and creative drinks, you’re going to love the vibe at Zeitgeist, a new gallery and bar space in Old Five Points. Connecting community through art, the space hosts partner events with food trucks, inclusive happy hours, cabaret shows, group drawing classes, gallery openings and more. If you see a piece of art you like, you can buy it and support the local artist whose work adorns the walls. Signature cocktails include house-infused liquors with layered flavor profiles like gin and green tea, whiskey and ginger, tequila and bay leaf with peppercorn, and more.

This is a great season to slow down and spend time exploring what’s right here in our own backyard: perhaps it’s enjoying an evening of music while trying a new restaurant in RTP, stopping by a new storefront for a fresh-baked cookie with your kids, or grabbing a nightcap with friends at a new local bar and gallery. Whatever your style, these local Durham spots will make your summer special.