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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4 (167 reviews)
    Open 8:00 am - 8:30 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

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    AAKTUN COFFEE & BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Aaktun Coffee & Bar

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    Supreme Totchos
    Allison W.

    We visited Aaktun on a Sunday morning for brunch. We had made a reservation the week prior and were seated right away. The inside of the restaurant is gorgeous and feels like a trendy spot in Mexico. They have a DJ playing music during brunch time. We were initially concerned it would be too loud and hard to talk over, but it was actually the perfect volume and only enhanced our experience. Food was excellent! We got a breakfast sandwich, loaded tater tots, and poke. All were very fresh and well made - especially the fish dish!

    Maya R.

    Many reviews may say this but I admit this is THE Brunch spot. We came here for the first time on Sunday and I mean, seriously the vibes were immaculate. Music (that's not blasting in your eardrum) but just enough to keep the energy up. Shout out to our server Carlos for putting us on to the gems of the menu. Pan y Butter to start is a sweet n savory must try. Both of us went with the Bavette Saltado (*medium rare) and WOW, seriously can confidently say that was one of the best meals I've had in my life. The streak was cooked to perfection. I love a good blend of savory rice dishes and the tart of the sautéed tomato + fire of the peppers made it PHENOMENAL. I almost licked the plate. Easily became one of our STAPLES in the RT area to bring our loved ones visiting to. Parking is available in the area: street or lots (~$15 for 2 hrs). Cannot wait to return to try more!!

    Kim G.

    Such a cool vibe! The DJ set the mood! I loved the menu. I ordered the B.E.C. It was so fluffy and seasoned to perfection. The bread was thick soft and buttery. The sauce was a nice touch. They have a great outdoor area. The tots were delicious. My friends enjoyed their curry chicken and ceviche. I really enjoyed the cafe de olla latte. The service was great.

    Inside seating
    Jaime S.

    I visited Aaktun for this Saturday's coffee shop Saturday. There's street parking and a few nearby lots. Aaktun has indoor and outdoor seating for the coffee shop and a restaurant that I didn't see. It's super cute inside. The staff is friendly and eager to help. I asked a few questions and ordered the Churruna pastry and The Waves Latte, hot. I decided to sit outside because it was an absolutely beautiful day. I took a bite of the Churruna and it was absolutely delectable. The Waves Latte was also so perfect. I was immediately in awe of Aaktun. They have so many options, I can't wait to go back!

    Jarod N.

    Aaktun is a lovely, tiki-inspired restaurant hidden behind an unassuming cafe storefront. Upon entering the cafe, go to your left and walk down the decorated hallway to teleport yourself to Mexico. The vibes of the seating area were very cool, with plants dispersed throughout and a live DJ playing music. Our party of 4 came in for a Sunday lunch with no reservation and got seated right away. Drinks - we ordered different lattes and Cafe de Olla to try, all were good and nicely presented, and came from the cafe in the front. Food - Breakfast sandwiches were very fluffy and the brioche bread was rich: ordered the B.E.C. and Shrooms sandwiches. Also got the Totchos Supreme which is essentially nachos with tater tots instead of chips. Great breakfast item and the tots were nice and crispy! The star of the show was the shrimp and grits made with purple grain: the sauce had lots of flavor and a kick to it, and the shrimp cooked perfectly. The ambiance combined with the quality of food and drink makes Aaktun an easy brunch favorite in Durham!

    green curry chicken
    Athavi J.

    The ambience is so fun with the decorations. There is both a mini café area and a larger restaurant seating area (both indoor and outdoors) for meals. Service was speedy and well-informed. The food was overall a 4/5. The sandwich was a winner--fluffy and well-seasoned. The papaya salad left more to be desired. The green curry chicken was comforting, but would have been better with another layer of depth in flavor. The coffee and ceramic cups were beautiful.

    Cafe de Olla Latte ($7)
    Sabrina J.

    Wow. The most beautiful coffee shop I have ever seen in my life. Did not expect to find this in Durham, NC, but it beats all the ones I've been to in California. Also comes with a restaurant and bar. My Cafe de Olla Latte ($7) was delicious and came in a cute cup! I spoke with one of the partners, who told me that they want people to feel at home here, and that's certainly how I felt. Having all the options to drink coffee, eat, study, charge my phone, drink alcohol really does make you feel comfortable. He also shared that Aaktun means "cave" in Mayan, which certainly inspires the setting. And what a setting this is. The front area is where you order coffee. It's cozy and cute. Then, you go through a beautiful walkway with string lights hanging from the top to where the restaurant and bar area is. You can bring your laptop and study in the restaurant area too though. The bar is nicely lit and decorated. Overall a very relaxed, spacious atmosphere.

    Chicken skewers and rice
    Tiff T.

    The ambiance is beautifully decorated with a Tulum inspired theme. The food was absolute delicious and the presentation was impressive. My group and I ordered a variety of items and we all loved our dishes. I'll gladly say that was the best calamari I ever had. The iced mango matcha was one of the best I've had as well. I'd definitely return and try the coffee shop in the front of the building.

    booth
    Melissa Z.

    I love Aaktun and have been here many times since it has opened. The place is so beautiful and unlike any other restaurant in the area- it feels like you're dining in a beautiful cave out of town. The entrance starts with a small and cozy coffee shop then leads you down the hall to the main restaurant. The inside is so pretty and the menu + atmosphere makes this a great spot to choose for basically any occasion. You can also order coffee shop items in the restaurant. The coffee is so good- I often get two coffees when I come because it's always made so well. The breakfast sandwiches are a MUST. It's hard to want to order anything else when they exist. If you are familiar with the famous egg drop sandwiches from Buldogis in Las Vegas- then you get a chance to have them here! They are so soft and delicious, and melt right in your mouth. I crave them SO much. The tots it comes with are also good and I usually don't care for tots. My friend says their burger is one of the best burgers she's had. The huli chicken skewers are also delicious and I have ordered this twice. The prices are great, restaurant is gorgeous, and every dish has been a hit. This place will always be one of my favorites!

    Gracias M.

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar is a great spot for coffee, cocktails, or just relaxing. The atmosphere is warm and unique, with a beautifully designed interior that really stands out. Drinks are well-made, food is fresh and flavorful, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Great service, great vibe, and reasonably priced--highly recommended!

    Danielle C.

    I went for brunch on a Sunday. The restaurant is gorgeous and the food was delicious! The staff however, not so much. It took 40+ minutes from being seated for someone to come over and offer my friend and I a water!!! The only reason it did not take longer was probably because my friend and I were loudly stating that we were about to leave. We were found to speak loudly because the music was extremely loud (not the vibe for a Sunday brunch before noon)! I wanted to love this place because of the owner and the gorgeous atmosphere, but honestly I don't think it's worth it to over pay for the horrendous service. If you decide to order from there, I recommend you order from their coffee shop in the front or just do a pick up/to go order but don't expect your food to be on time!

    B.E.C. Sando
    Holly K.

    Scrumptious coffee and breakfast sandwiches!!! Stopped in for brunch on a Sunday and ordered the "B.E.C. Sando"- scrambled egg, American cheese, Benton's bacon, avocado (extra), with Aaktun white sauce, on challah bread. The bread and the white sauce MADE the sandwich 10/10. Incredible breakfast sandwiches (big & messy though, be prepared!). For coffees I tried both the "Cafe de Olla Latte" and the "The Waves" latte. I thought both were delicious and I love the decorative foam art and the beautiful clay pots that came with both. Loved sitting outside, it was perfect weather, they have a beautifully decorated space (with lots of Mexican decor and plants galore), that is dog-friendly, but it was REALLY frustrating they decided to do construction work on a Sunday (on the entrance to the patio). The drilling and hammering was SO loud; everyone that stepped foot on the patio, turned right back around to sit inside (we didn't have that luxury because 1. It started after we sat down, and 2. We had our dog with us). REALLY would recommend reading the room, and doing construction during the week (way more appropriate). I had even called earlier that morning to inquire about seating with a dog, and it would have been nice to get a heads up on the current construction situation. I was there for an entire hour and it didn't stop once. Would definitely return for the food again- assuming the outside atmosphere was less noisy! Lovedddd this spot for brunch and coffee.

    pork belly
    Jessica G.

    Visited Aaktun and it was a really cute spot with a great aesthetic! It's a little loud inside though, so it can be hard to hear people at your table, but it's pretty solid as a date night spot. Our server was very attentive, and explained the menu to us with a lot of detail since we were new. She went through almost every dish even though we didn't ask for that much detail, but it was helpful. The food itself came out pretty quickly. I got the pork belly, and it was especially good. Their menu is also tapas style which makes it easy to share if there are a couple of things you want to try. Parking is tough since the area is always busy, so plan a few extra minutes to find a spot. Overall a fun place with great food and a charming atmosphere.

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    12 days ago

    amazing! I love this location, food is always good and coffee is always great! the service is amazing too!

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - coffee - Updated July 2026

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