Bull and Bean

It's always a wonderful experience at Happy and Hale! Every location is consistent with their…read moreservice and care. My go to is the coco curry bowl, loaded with kale, rice, protein (I get the tofu), cabbage, chickpeas, and green curry. It's always fresh and delicious--not very spicy. And it's always filling--I typically eat it in one seating. Parking at this location is easy. Bonus for plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Worth checking out one of their locations!

Quite literally the best bowl I have ever had! The ingredients were fresh! The eating area, food…read moreline, and drink/condiment area was extremely clean. Staff were welcoming and extremely patient with my sauce experimenting. Ultimately my dining experience reminded me of a perfect summer day. I can't wait to go again!

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Entrance

Bul Box

3.8(24 reviews)

The poke is very good, they have plenty of options of other non poke boxes too. Very flavorful. And…read morethe banh-mi sandwiches are great options too

Overall alright spot. Order was fast, they have a big area with tables and benches to eat inside,…read morebut I got my food to go. I'm not used to having eggplant in a bibimbap inspired dish, but it was cooked well and the sweetness balanced out the sourness of the kimchi. My egg was undercooked (the egg white was still runny). Overall I could see myself coming back, but I wouldn't go out of my way to come here.

Malibu Poke bowl

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Dino's Pizza

3.7(46 reviews)

Tasty pizza, but pretty $$$ for what you get…read more We came here for a late lunch. My husband got the lunch special, which was half a margherita pizza plus a salad for $10. If you add a topping, you pay the full upcharge, even though it's just half a pizza (though maybe they put a whole pizza's worth on half?). I got the calamari, thinking that for a $15 app, it could just be my lunch. Alas, the portion was quite small (see photo; several of the fried bits were fried pepper, not even squid), and it was just okay. Some pieces were pretty rubbery. I also tried a bit of my husband's pizza. The crust is lovely, and the sauce was very flavorful and complex. Service was friendly but a bit lacking. They forgot to bring out my husband's salad until after his pizza came out, and when we were done, I had to go find a waitperson to get our check. Also when I googled up the lunch special price to double-check, I learned it's also supposed to come with a drink, which I guess they forgot to tell us or offer us. It was nice to sit outside and enjoy the spring weather. If a friend suggested meeting up here to grab a drink and share a pizza, I'd say sure! But I wouldn't waste my money on the calamari again.

Delicious and a great place for kids to play outside! Loved the wings! The pizza was delicious.read more

Dining area from the bar.

Margherita with meatballs and side salad

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View from the bar.

Lakewood Social

4.4(45 reviews)

2.7 mi

I have been to the spot several time in various guises. It's a great location. This iteration seems…read morelike the best for the area: it's very family friendly, with tons of games and playground area for the younger set. I came at 5:45 on a Monday (because no other places are open on Mondays!), and was one of maybe four me. In the place. The rest were moms with one or two (or more!) kids, some waiting for dad to join them after work. I ate in a covered patio that in a few months will be too hot to endure. But tonight, mid-March, it's a sunny delight. I ordered a smashburger and a Kingstown Negroni. Drae stirred my drink and out the order in, and it arrived with fries just minutes later. Juicy double patty burger, caramelized onions, cheese, salt & pepper fries. Fresh and very tasty. WiFi was fast, music was smooth but subdued. (Think Sade and Barry White dueling. Wish I wasn't alone!) Kids were everywhere, but very well-behaved and in explore mode, which I find adorable! There are outside areas covered in open or tarps, clear flexi-glass walled off areas, and true "indoor" places you can watch TV in. Everything from Top Gear to REN & Stimpy. A great way to spend an early dinner/very late lunch.

A decent spot, but caters more towards the crowd that wants to drink while their kids run around…read more Lakewood Social is a nice casual spot with a decent drink and food menu that really caters to the day drinking millennial crowd with kids. It's kind of a bug and feature. They have the order from your table QR code set up where you can get drinks and food served to you either inside or out. The service is always quick and prompt. This place is great on a nice day. It's not somewhere I would typically seek out myself unless with friends (with kids) or hosting a small party (where there might be friends (with kids) attending.

You look great today!

Kimchi grilled cheese!

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Aperitif

4.4(57 reviews)

This is a great little bistro/wine bar/neighborhood spot. It's definitely upscale in feel, but…read morestill reasonably priced. Most of the seating is on a second-floor covered terrace, though there are tables inside as well. It has interesting city views of the University Hill area over South Square towards the "hypodermic building." There are parking options on all sides. The wine list is nice, but I like trying their specialty cocktails. These tend to have interesting additions such as tea-infused syrups and other creative ingredients. I've always had great sandwiches here at lunchtime, particularly the Santorini (a take on a gyro) and the Yacht Club, which is similar to a club sandwich but brightened up and made scrumptious by apricot jam. Their side of Caesar salad is always nice and crisp, with just the right amount of dressing and flavorful cheese shavings. The staff is engaged and attentive without going overboard. There's really no better lunch experience in the area on a nice warm day when you can just hang out and relax with a varied, delightful menu.

Located in University Hill, this bar offers a host of daily drink specials, charcuterie and…read moresandwiches. We visited on a weekend evening and seating was plentiful. We sat outside since the weather was nice - they have comfy lounge chairs and an aesthetic setup with string lights which really add to the ambiance. We ordered a couple of sandwiches - mine came with chicken, bacon, and plenty of cheese. The food was tasty but average. The service was a bit slow and we unfortunately ended up having to go inside the restaurant to request the check to get to our next destination in time - however, staff were super friendly. Overall, the vibes outside were amazing and I would consider returning for drinks on a warm evening.

Inside seating

Ch ch ch cherry bomb, boozy tiramisu, expresso martini

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Bar and inside sitting area

Saladelia Cafe & Catering

3.7(234 reviews)

1.2 mi

Very nice lunch. Conveniently located next door to Safelite so as we waited for our windshield…read morerepair we grabbed lunch. I had the Greek chicken salad wrap and my daughter had the beet and arugula salad with grilled chicken and avocado. The food was fresh and flavorful! We were both very happy with our meals. The staff were pleasant, helpful and quick. The large community tables outside were easy to deal with. Met a nice local guy, so pleasant all around.

I have loved Saladelia since the first time I tried it several years ago. I'm glad to say that…read moreafter having it this weekend, I still love it just as much. The salmon was just as flaky and flavorful as always, the basil rotini was as amazing as usual, and don't get me started on the hummus that I could eat with a spoon (and did). There is only one long bench seat inside and several seats outside, but I always get my food to go. No one needs to see me scarfing down my food like I've never eaten a decent meal before. If you are thinking about trying it, I would suggest the chicken salad, salmon, hummus, both pasta salads, grape leaves, and spanakopita.

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Pure Soul

My experience at Pure Soul was excellent. From the moment our group walked in, we were warmly…read moregreeted by Andrew, who was friendly, welcoming, and provided a true sense of hospitality. The food was outstanding. It was refreshing to enjoy delicious vegan soul food that genuinely captured the flavor, comfort, and authenticity of traditional soul food in a fully plant-based form. There are so many delicious options, it's hard not to order everything on the menu. It was nice to enjoy authentic plant-based soul food while visiting from California. I was also impressed by the wide variety of dessert options available, which made the experience even better. It's not always easy to find vegan desserts with both quality and selection, but they definitely delivered. This place is truly a gem, and I will definitely be back again.

Seriously one of the best restaurants I've eaten at, EVER. In my life! As a lifelong vegetarian, it…read morewas overwhelming to look at a menu and be able to order literally anything I wanted. I was also happy to see that, on top of that, there are lots of gluten free options--it can be kinda hard to find vegetarian AND gf at a restaurant, so that's a big bonus! I was with a group, so we tried a lot of different menu items, and everything we ordered was, like, the best thing we'd ever eaten. I dream of the soul rolls! And wouldn't be right not to order sweet tea. Andrew and his staff treated our table like we were royalty, so not only was the food incredible, we had an amazing experience, too. You can really tell the love and care that has been put into curating such an authentic, cool spot. Impeccable vibes.

Vegan Shrimp Po'Boy Oh My!

Chicago Burger and a Sweet Tea on a nice day

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Vegan Fried Fish, Sandwich & Plate! Need Gluten Free? Go for the Cheese Fries or the Gluten Free Soul Mac!

Eastcut Sandwich Bar - Durham

4.4(379 reviews)

0.9 mi

"Sandwich shop just off University Dr in Durham"…read more Came here for an evening dinner with a friend. We arrived around 5:45pm, and there was ample parking, but I will say the place was HOPPING by the time we left at 6:30pm. The decor is very cute-- old-style, good seating and a bar area as well. You order at the table, and food comes to you. My dining mate got the Cypriot (Halloumi, Fig, Arugula, Tomato, Pesto) with a side of curly fries, and I wasn't very hungry so I got the Beyond Meat Chicken Tenders kids meal with a side salad. I also got a delicious bottled sparkling lemonade. Service was fine-- food comes after order, but you're mostly on your own once food is delivered, as expected. We got a couple of napkins with the food, but there are more self-serve up in the counter. Just don't expect someone to check on you or anything. The food was GREAT. My dining partner loved her sandwich (commented especially on the fig spread) and fries, and I really liked my meal as well. The side salad was surprisingly delicious, especially the addition of pickled red onion. The place was clean-- I went to the restroom, too, and everything was stocked well. Price was very fair. Overall, I'd happily come back. Easy, priced well, delicious. Not a place where you get a lot of "attention", but great for a simple meal.

This is great spot for a brew and a sandwich. The food was really great, with lots of options. I…read moreenjoyed having so many great things to choose from. I had the Balboa and it was decadent. The only things I didn't love were the parking and the service. Parking was weirdly tight and difficult to navigate. The folks working were efficient but not overly friendly. Maybe they had an off day; it happens. Even so, I'd go back- the food was worth it and again- lots of fantastic choices.

Taylor ham egg and cheese - lifewithhanny

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Housemade Mozz Sticks

Happy + Hale

4.0(333 reviews)

4.0 mi

I've been to three Happy + Hale locations and while the menu is the same at all of them, the Ninth…read moreSt location consistently makes the best bowls! Employees seem genuinely happy to interact with you and in many instances, have made awesome suggestions for modifications if an ingredient happens to be out of stock. If the weather is nice, I love eating on the patio to get in a little sunshine and a little people watching. Their rewards program is pretty great--I don't feel that it takes an obnoxiously long time to earn rewards. The app is also super convenient in that you can order ahead and offers curbside pickup (clutch when swinging by during peak times as Ninth St parking can get a little dicey).

Pretty good with a shoutout to one of the girls working on the line. When my friend asked if it was…read moretoo late to add the crunchies after she had paid and brought the bowl to a table, the girl took a small container and put some seeds and tortilla chips for her. I also like that they have basmati rice and as bases. Hot honey chicken is good, regular grilled is fine, and don't get the tofu. I think they need to work on what seasoning and prep method to use for the tofu.

Thai chicken and chimichurri steak bowl

Med Bowl

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Build Create Your Own Bowl

The Boot Room

4.4(137 reviews)

2.2 mi

The food was delicious! I had the zagorakis a lamb burger so good! The cheese curds fabulous…read moreespecially the pepper jelly and ranch! The kloop was good with the house smoked pastrami! Will totally be back The service was great and I love that it is connected to the beer study and there is a bar in back as well! More na options would be nice. The vibe is also good it is a soccer sports bar which is a nice change from everything being American football.

The Boot Room is the adjoining restaurant to Beer Study Durham so it's a great spot if you're…read morelooking for a casual spot to hang out with friends! While the majority of their menu consists of sandwiches and burgers, my most go-to and recommendation is their Cobb salad which is hearty and delicious! I also often order their tots and love the sauces they come with.