Favorite lunch spot, high quality, delicious food. Extensive sandwich, salad menu, plus 6 or more daily hot specials like salmon and plump spanakopita. Pair with freshly made sides like kale salad and orange/beets and enjoy your feast. The NCY couple that own and run Cafe Meridian and so welcoming and set this tone for their staff to deliver friendly, excellent service. Outstanding gem with pleasant atmosphere of a lunch spot, lots of easy parking. Convenient location on Hwy 55 near entrance to 40. GO there!!! read more

I absolutely love this place! The service is great, everyone is friendly and helpful, and most importantly they are SO fast! You can order online or in person in the cafe. The cafe also has seating if you want to eat there. I've only ever done to go but I can assure you it's just as good! They have loads of different menu items from salads to more classic sandwiches and then the spanakopita which is in a whole other ball game. They make everything fresh in house with good ingredients and the flavors work beautifully together! Highly recommend the salmon, spanakopita, the orzo side and roasted veg! So yummy. read more

Went here for lunch one day and wasn't impressed. I got a chicken cutlet and it was ice cold. I'm not sure if the compartment the chicken was in wasn't warming anything up or if the employee needed to heat the chicken up before serving it, but it was topped with a pico like situation and made it so cold and not edible. The service was fast though. read more

Food is amazing, is a cafe so you get it immediately. Im assuming that for sandwiches you have to wait a couple of minutes. Service is good, staff is friendly and welcoming. Ambiance is nice, you can choose to eat inside or outside read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Everything was delicious including the Chocolate Chunk Cookie. - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Came on a weekday lunch. This spot is perfect for grab and go. Everything I've had has been fresh and hit the spot, so definitely recommend! It's buffet style so very quick. It's slightly noisy in there so good for casual settings. The owners are awesome and super friendly so glad we get to support small business owners! read more

Solid lunch spot. Quick with good options and reasonably priced overall. Got the grilled chicken chipotle sandwich which had great chicken, jalapeños, and sauce. read more

So glad Cafe Meridian is back!! They're in a new location just up the street from their old one. They're sandwiched in between Big Lots and Autozone in the shopping strip on Hwy 55 just off Hwy 54. Some tables outside and lots of seating inside. We called in our order and since we live just about around the corner is was ready in no time. Grilled salmon with two sides and bourbon chicken with two sides. It was absolutely delicious!! They still have their huge sandwich and salad menu & daily specials. I encourage you to show them some love with your business!! Note, they're only open M-F from 11A-2P. read more

See all

Every time I walk pass this place it's jumping. I was talking to someone who comes here often and they said that the burritos are absolutely delicious! I opted to get the burrito and it was on sale for $10! Not a bad price at all. I had it with everything but he jalapeños. It was very flavorful and huge. The chicken was dry...extremely dry. I don't enjoy white meat. Service was great the staff was friendly and there is plenty of parking! read more

See all

Food was excellent. Service was fast. The restaurant itself has a very friendly atmosphere. Will be back.

I love their chicken sandwich! The menu is unique too and the ingredients are fresh. Staff is attentive too... One of my favorite lunchtime spots! read more

Honestly, this is like a hidden gem that doesn't get the accolades it deserves. They relocated from Meridian Parkway to this strip mall on Hwy. 55 and they still have delicious food at reasonable prices. My wife and I popped in on a weekday toward the end of lunch service and ordered some sandwiches to go. I enjoyed my chicken pesto sandwich with a side of orzo salad and my wife enjoyed her reuben sandwich. Service was quick and friendly. Everything just tasted so fresh and yummy. In addition to their regular menu, they also have daily specials that are more along the lines of entrees, and all of their sides look soooo good. read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Chicken pesto sandwich, side of orzo & spinach - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Stumbled upon this place from coworkers a few weeks ago and I grab food from them at least twice a week. I've been trying a new item each time and have yet to find anything I didn't like. The chicken Havana sandwich smacks, especially with the sauces. The sides are all good but I gravitate back to the bowtie pesto Service is quick and staff are amazingly friendly. They build rapport with each customer and remember them, so it feels like home whenever you visit. 10/10 would recommend read more

What looks from the outside as a little while in the wall in an old strip mall. Turns out to be a nice family restraint with amazing choices and off the wall food. Fresh homemade and original sides. I had the pesto chicken sandwich with cold pesto pasta salad Borge were delicious and plentiful. My GF had the tally wrap turkey avocado veggies it was huge and also delicious. The Lemoncellp cake is fresh honestly one of the best piece of cake I've had in a long time . The service was fast and very friendly and you know when local FD/EMT are here it's gonna be good. Absolutely a great experience and I can guarantee the next time we are in the area we will be back read more

We are all entitled to our own opinions right? Well... here is mines... Location: 5Stars Parking: 5Stars Customer Service: 5Stars Quality and Taste of Food: 5Stars Cleanliness of Facility: 5Stars This restaurant makes is EASY to be a vegetarian! I absolutely love the veggie dishes. The staff is always friendly and the ladies at the registers know you by face and name. The entire ambiance in the restaurant is like no other. The food is always fresh no matter what time you come. I do have one complaint... please open up for dinner and stop closing at 2pm lol. 5 Stars for Meridian! read more

See all

Always amazing! Great healthy lunch. Stopped in at the last min on a Friday heading out of town. Had to get a cookie for the drive and they tossed in a few extra the road! Such great hospitality- cannot recommend enough! read more

Quick and fast, good for lunch during a workday. The price is decent it was $9.99 for one entrée and two sides. I like their Caesar salad and pasta the fish was also well seasoned. no complaints here read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I grabbed lunch on a Monday at around 12pm. As usual, the place was bustling with customers. They are the busiest at about 12-1pm. However, I've never had a problem not finding parking. I ordered the chicken bruschetta with roasted vegetables and corn & black bean salad. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the arugula and the pico on top of the chicken along with the herbs added a fresh "herb"iness to the chicken, which complemented the slight acidity of the balsamic glaze. This dish was a perfect lunch item- filling but not heavy. This dish and their salmon are my two favorite items on their menu. Cafe Meridian is definitely a great place to have a filling, healthy lunch read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This is my favorite place to go to for lunch in the Durham/RTP area. Everyday they have something new on the menu. The food is very fresh and healthy. They are only opened for lunch so it's always a full house here. When the weather is nice, there is plenty of outside seating and some tables have umbrellas. This is a god place to go to if people in your lunch group are picky eater or if they may be vegan or vegetarian. They also have a lot of desserts and canned/bottled non alcoholic drink options as well as Coke fountain drinks. read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Sea bass and vegetables - delicious! I feel I get healthy options here. They are friendly and quick. It's very casual seating and no table service. The price can be a little high for a typical lunch but you do get your money's worth. read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Sea bass - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

If you're trying to decide if you should visit Cafe Meridian for lunch, let me help you make the decision. One, you MUST visit them during lunch, because guess what, they're only open from 11-2p on M-F. Two, you SHOULD visit them for lunch because they have a HUGE list of delicious handcrafted, made when you order, sandwiches and salads as well as a bunch of pre-made salad, hot casserole and soup options. Cafe Meridian offers a great value; you can get a whole sandwich for $6+change and they offer a free drink when you check in on Yelp. The only negative part of my experience was the fact that I felt the "side" options were pushed onto customers. You have the option of purchasing chips or a pre-made salad bar option for an additional $1.25. After requesting no side, the line cook informed me that it came with my meal. However, when I went to purchase my meal and repeating the information to the cashier, I was still charged for it (obviously things aren't lining up there). I did have the German potato salad as a side (red potatoes, butter, sour cream and chives), which was delicious, as was the Caliente sandwich. I think Cafe Meridian could easily be a regular option weekday lunches and I can't wait to return and try more of their sandwiches! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Caliente sandwich (roast beef, jalapeños, banana peppers, tomato, lettuce and chipotle mayo) with potato salad side. Delicious! - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Quick and easy lunch! The sandwiches take a while to come out during lunch rush, but the pre made plates come right out! Primavera Pasta tortellini was delicious and the Tuscany sandwich was Sides were pretty basic -- fruit salad with canned pineapple, grilled veggies, and potato salad. Wish the egg salad was a side but it's a protein Overall a great quick lunch stop... oh, and there's free candy for a quick sweet after your meal! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Amazing food and service! I had the Frisco and it was fantastic. The roasted veggies were very tasty as well.

What an incredible lunch place! The food here is top-notch classic new American with a Mediterranean flair, served in a cafeteria style point-and-serve line that never takes longer than 5 minutes start to finish. There's varied seasonal hot entrees that change ever day, with some favorites on the menu like Chicken Burritos on Thursday and Catfish on Friday! It's a very fresh and vegetable-centric approach to the classics, like Italian meatloaf with spinach and mushrooms, or shrimp cannelloni with spinach and peppers. Basically, I can't get enough! For under $10, you can have any of their daily hot specials + 2 sides, and it's always made fresh that morning! They also have a full sandwich menu every day, seasonal rotating soups, and a steady list of cold sides like Garbanzo bean salad and pesto orzo, as well as things like Caeser and Strawberry spinach salad. I make it a point to get lunch here at least once a week, because where else can you find hot, healthy, FAST in-and-out lunch for so cheap, that never gets old! read more

See all

Cafe meridian recently move to this location in the RTP area and they are just as delicious as I remembered! Chicken burrito Thursday are back in action! The entire meal costs around $10 and the burrito is enough to share or have some for now and some later. Get it all the way to add delicious pico, extra cheese, jalapeños, and sauce for that extra flavor kick. The portion size is definitely more than worth the money spent and will definitely fill you up. The sides are a different mix of pastas, salads, and a few other different types of fresh foods. It's a smaller establishment and the friendly staff and delicious food takes the cake. Speaking of cake they also have an array of desserts such as carrot and cheese cake for any of you out their with a sweet tooth. They have recently opened their indoor dining area for customers to enjoy and also have outside seating as well for those who want to get some fresh air. A great and convenient lunch spot for those working in the RTP area looking for a quick delicious meal during their lunch break. They switch it up day to day but, you can stop in any Thursday to try that famous chicken burrito that will leave you satisfied and coming back from week to week! Pro tip: the burrito can get a little saucey especially when you go all the way! Ask for the brown bag with the handles (typically used for online/pickup orders) to keep from any of those leakages from making a mess! read more

See all

Tucked in a building that doesn't look like it'd hold a restaurant is a nice little place that features cafeteria style dishes of the day and a variety of sandwiches. I opted for a sandwich and got a very tasty reuben sandwich. It was well put together and reasonably price, and tasted great. My coworkers that came with me opted for some of the dishes of the day and were very happy with them. They have drinks by the can/bottle as well as fountain drinks. Chips, and a variety of side dish to choose from like various pasta salads, potato salads. They seemed to be doing a fair amount of pickup orders as well as people just coming in and eating. Plenty of seating there too read more

Came here to break up my RTP lunch rut, and really enjoyed it! I had the fried brie sandwich, and it totally lived up to the hype. The ingredients were fresh and the focaccia was on point. While I wasn't too impressed with the side options, I am a fan of Free Cookie Friday! Make sure to come so you can score a free dessert. read more

Absolutely wonderful and fresh food ! I stay at a nearby hotel and now because of this place I will try to be here more often for work !! Had the Tijuana lunch combo w chicken and a tamale plus two sides !! It's all on point ! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Tijuana combo - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Cafe Meridian, Why haven't I found you sooner??? You have so many delicious and healthy options that are booming with tongue jumping flavor! Went to Cafe Meridian for lunch today and the parking lot was packed and I was expecting a wait, but to my surprise the service was very quick and all my questions were answered with a helpful smile. I ordered the Strawberry salad, which isn't in season, but they make the same exact salad with pears!!! I added grilled chicken to top it off! The salad was to die for! The dressing was light and not over powering but still flavorful which added to the cranberries and pears in the salad! My friend ordered the chicken sandwich that was topped with pepper jack cheese and jalapenos and lettuce. I was lucky enough to snag a bite and WHOA... It was juicy, spicy and crunchy all in one bite! Think that will be my next order! The inside of the cafe was also surprising, there were so many people there but it didn't feel crowded at all. The building is deceiving from the outside, it is much bigger than it looks! AWESOME FIND!!! Can't wait to go back! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - The winter version of the Strawberry Salad with grilled chicken! YUM - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

It's true: this place rocks. While the food for me was closer to 4 stars, I have to say the friendly folks push it right up to 5! Went with a buddy for lunch the other afternoon and it was already buzzing with office folk -- including Jonathan H himself (haha, I guess he really :does: go there every day!). We were perusing the whiteboard offerings when the guy on the line called us over with a, "Let me show you what we've got!" He pointed out the dishes for the day and even helped me to learn how to pronounce span -- spana.. sp-spanakopita...uh, spinach puff or whatever. =) Really enjoyed my first spana-spinach-puff experience! Got it with a side of risotto in balsamic vinaigrette... which was okay, but I think I'd try a different side next time. And had to go for a brownie after Jonathan's raves (they are gooey and chocolatey. And I'll admit it -- our table of two wound up with :three: desserts, they looked so inviting!). Gal at the register was super-pleasant and chatty. We grabbed a table inside, but there are a few spots for folks who want to soak in a little sunshine during their lunch break. At the end of the meal, I was fat and happy -- and $8 is an easy price to pay for that level of food coma! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Just finished a scrumptious lunch. The special today was Sashimi grade tuna cooked to a perfect medium rare served with a delicious Asian slaw and light sesame sauce. I selected the chick pea salad and the spinach orzo salad. Everything was fresh tasting and delicious and all for $10.99. What a deal for such a wonderful platter. I love this place and have thoroughly enjoyed everything I have ordered. I wish the entire staff happy holidays. Thanks for all of your hard work keeping us satiated with such a terrific menu! read more

After noticing a crazy wave of 5 star reviews of Meridian Cafe, I knew I had to try it. After meeting Ellen and Dan at the Elite event and them telling me in person that it was really good, I knew I had to try it SOON. I came at a bad time though. If it was any other time, my review would've been a 5 star. I got the caribbean pork tenderloin with yellow rice and pineapple salsa. With a side of spinach orzo. The pork was tender and flavourful. The juices of the pork was just right to complement the bed of yellow rice. The spinach orzo was balsamic vinegar based, and delicious. What went wrong was the yellow rice. It was undercooked. I had to chew through bits of uncooked rice. I have an urge to call them and ask them to cook it a little longer before the lunch rush, which is now. It also came with a dinner roll, which was warm, soft and delightful with a slight hint of sweetness. I'm a huge carb feine. AND they had MARGARINE. They are so lactose intolerant friendly. Definite PLUS. They had a plethora of desserts. HEAVEN. Too bad they don't have lemon bars, which is my current obsession. They had 5 different kinds of cakes, 3 kinds of brownies and a 7 layer bar. The 7 layer bar was filled with coconut. Not the best I've ever had (i felt that it was a little too sweet for me) but it definitely hit the sweet tooth. YUM. The walnut brownie was the gooey-est brownie I've ever had. It was a mess eating with my hands. Fork is a must if you want to stay classy. I didn't get their cake slices because even though it's freshly baked, it was the food colouring kind. I mean the strawberry cake is straight up pink with no real strawberry bits. Maybe I'm just too much of food snob to eat pink cake. The space is very clean and tidy. You won't find a half eaten piece of chicken on the table from the person who sat there before you. They also have outside seating, which is a plus during this time of the year. The service was great - well, the counter girl complimented me on my long bangs, which she misses cuz the salon chopped hers off the other day. (pointless story). It's also really affordable. That pork tenderloin entree was only $8. That's average for lunch, but the quality and portion is good enough for dinner. It wouldn't be silly to get their hot foods and save it for dinner. It's a little hard to find if you don't have a GPS, but it's right across from Sansui (the sushi joint). read more

See all

I highly recommend Cafe Meridian! I am ashamed to say it took me a year and a half to discover this gem! It is so close to campus and my apartment, right off of NC 55 and I-40. Don't let the somewhat sterile appearance of the building fool you, Cafe Meridian will not disappoint. The menu in the actual restaurant is much larger than the menu posted on the website. The menu also changes daily, as the Cafe is also a catering company. You order by approaching the grill line and chefs. There is a cold bar with all of the salads of the day--all look delicious. I ordered the turkey-cranberry panini with the red skin potato salad. My panini was delicious! Just the right amount of cranberry and high-quality meat, cheese, and bread. The potato salad was mayonnaise based, and not overwhelming, very delicious! My friend and fiance had identical orders--the cuban and twisty-noodled pasta salad. The cubans looked so delicious I had to take a bite. Cafe Meridian's Cuban sandwich is better than the sandwiches I have at local Cuban restaurants. I didn't try the pasta salad, but it looked tasty as well. This is a dangerous place to discover so close to my routine--I am excited to keep trying new dishes. read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Loved on yelp! - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

If having a lot of choices at lunchtime is something that overwhelms you, you may want to consider bringing a brown paper bag to Cafe Meridian. Deep breaths. You really can't make a bad decision. It'll be okay. With a massive list of hot sandwiches, daily/rotating specials and more homemade sides than you will know that to do with, Cafe Meridian is certainly not lacking in menu variety. If I'm feeling like a sandwich to tame my lunchtime appetite, one of the best I've had here is the BLT+. The + is none other than avocado, as the sandwich pairs creamy slices of that green goodness with plenty of crispy bacon strips and the classic lettuce, tomato, mayo combination the sandwich is known for. Many of the sandwiches can also be made half-sized, with the addition of a side or soup. Of their daily specials (these stay the same each day, not to be confused with the rotating specials), the Spanakopita is a home-run. A traditional Greek spinach pie, its wrapped up in crisp flaky phyllo dough and stuffed with three different cheeses. Served with two sides of your choice. Oh my Goodness, the sides. Strawberry salad with feta, pesto bowtie pasta and kale cranberry salad are just a few highlights of the many choices that greet you at the ordering counter. AND I haven't even mentioned the rotating specials (including soup), that get tweeted out around mid morning before the lunchtime rush. With each new day, any number of culinary treats are possible: chicken pitas, blackened fish fillets, burritos or even pasta dishes. I've been many times for a mid day break from the office, and can say I've never ordered anything I didn't enjoy. So consult your taste buds, check twitter, and come in hungry. You won't leave that way. read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - BLT with AVOCADO and pesto bowtie - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

I have only been there once. Great coffee and atmosphere. I was not paying attention to the menu, so I don't have an opinion about food.? I did see pastry being served that looked appetizing. So, I was meeting a friend for a nice quiet conversation and really good coffee. Cafe Meridian was just the place. read more

Even better today than it was a couple weeks ago. I decided to take Pastor Rob here so we could talk about some things over lunch. The Clam Chowder (NE Style) was consistent with my liking, not too thick, not runny. The Caliente Sub was pretty darn good, but not as hot or spicy as I thought or hoped it would be. Big kudos to all the staff, from the kitchen to the cashier. Everyone was very friendly, and they were eager to explain what things were when we asked "Hey - what's that? What's in it?" Good stuff. I have to agree with Christina G - about a 4 for the food, but the people are what make this place a 5! read more

This is a great lunch option for those working nearby. I love having an option of several fresh salads to add to my entree. They have unique specials daily but also trustworthy standbys. You can always find something you're in the mood for, the portions are gracious and the prices very reasonable. Definitely check them out! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Chicken Empanadas Special - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Cafe Meridian is the perfect lunch spot! Quick, affordable and delicious! I highly recommend: - Santa Fe Salad - Vegan Wrap - Kale Salad - Pesto pasta - Ahi Tuna Salad read more

Excellent place for lunch. The food is awesome and the staff is friendly. So many great menu choices. The Savannah might be the best sandwich ever! read more

Cafe Meridian & Catering - Half Savannah with side of potato salad. - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Looks like a hole in the wall, but once you walk in "hole in the wall" doesn't do it justice. It's very clean, looks brand new inside. Simple but nice! Then you start to look at the menu options, almost overwhelming, so many good options for sandwiches. Staff was friendly and engaging. Since it was my first time visiting I naturally asked what is recommended. Without hesitation I was recommended the special for the day, Catfish! I got the Po'boy sandwich, amazing! The sides options are also impressive! I got the garbanzo bean salad, also very tasty! Definitely going to come back to try the other options. read more

Cafe Meridian is the perfect spot for lunch. Great prices and really great food. They also have a huge selection, so if you are looking to take out a coworker for a business lunch this is the place to do it, as there are options for the pickiest of eaters. They have TONS of different sandwich options. My favorite is the Paree or Caprese. The great thing about this place is that you can substitute your bread choice for anything. Not feeling a big brioche bun? Try a wrap instead! The opportunities are endless! Besides sandwiches they also have amazing salads and side options, as well as a hot bar. They have different specials every day and a rotating soup. Definitely try the Macaroni pasta salad or Kale salad sides! They are delicious. This place does get super busy during prime lunch hours so make sure you set aside some time, or order ahead with their online ordering system. Super convenient! Big fan of Cafe Meridian! read more