The food was sooo good. I love the esthetic of the diner I like old school diners so it was very that. had received several compliments from the employees who were all lovely including Megan (not sure if it is spelled different) our server. The service was so quick I felt like we ordered and food was there within minutes! I will totally be back! read more

I was visiting the Duke Gardens and searched on Yelp for a nearby place for lunch using the AI app on Yelp. Elmo's Diner came up nearby and with solid reviews. They also have a kid menu which I searched for. There was a long line plus it was grad weekend. Service was nice even with it being slammed. Parking took a bit. I settled on a Cobb salad with thousand island dressing. I really loved my salad and the price was just around $10.00 which was a pleasant surprise these days. This is a cute place and the locals seem to know all about it. read more

Elmo's Diner - Cobb salad - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We ended up at Elmo's Diner as we were traveling through Durham, and the place we originally intended to go had a massive wait, so found our way just up the street here. Even though there were people waiting, it's a large place and people were being taken care of very efficiently, so it was only about 15 minutes for us. Walking in, you can tell Elmo's Diner is steeped into the fabric of Durham's culture, and particularly Duke University. Has the vibe of a place that has been long enjoyed but multiple generations. Once we got seated, service was very efficient and we had hot food in front of us within 15-20 minutes which was excellent, since we had a road trip ahead. We both ordered specials, and I can't 100% remember their names for each. Hers was a lemon blueberry pancake platter, which she would have liked with a strong lemon flavor, but I thought was just right. Mine was a breakfast bowl, but unlike any I've been served before. The base was cornbread, sweet potatoes, and black beans and from there you had eggs, sausage, avocado, red chile sauce, sour cream, and pico. It was truly delicious, and a flavor combination I wasn't sure about when ordering, but after the first bite was totally ready to devour. Nary a bite was left. I would definitely recommend this spot! read more

Elmo's Diner - Lemon blueberry pancakes a la mode - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Elmo's is the diner you have been looking for. We stopped by on a Saturday morning for breakfast. We were lucky, because a line formed after we were seated, so get here early. Our server, Megan, made sure we had hot coffee and tea in a flash. She also checked back several times to keep our cups topped off and hot. She was wonderful. I had the Greek omelet, with spinach, feta, kalamata olives and tomatoes. I also had a side of home fries, grits and a beautiful biscuit. My wife selected the farmers omelet and my daughter had the gorgeous biscuits with gravy. Everything was served hot and fresh. In fact, I have to say that this is one of the best diner breakfasts we have ever had. I hope to return to Durham, because this will be on the top of my list. Well done Elmo's. You have set the diner bar very high. Your food and service is top notch and made our visit to Durham that much better! read more

Elmo's Diner - Biscuits & Gravy - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Such a great spot in Durham! Our family who lives in Durham were so excited to bring us here for breakfast and it did not disappoint. Elmo's Diner is located in the Ninth Street Shopping District and has a classic homey diner feel. They have classic breakfast food and comfort food that is served all today. We went on a Monday morning and I got the Breakfast Burrito and it was SO delicious. It was made with scrambled eggs, sausage, and sautèed onions. It was topped with Elmo's Diners own red sauce and melted cheese, then garnished with sour cream, scallions, and tomatoes. It is served with frijoles and your choice of one breakfast side. I did the home fries and they were so nice and crispy! Looking forward to visiting on another trip! read more

Stopped in this restaurant while traveling through North Carolina, using Yelp as a source. Turned out to be a great place for light lunch or possibly a bigger meal if so desired. Menu was extensive, service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable. They have an adjacent parking lot, which can get full during the day. Located a short distance off the interstate, which makes it convenient. Definitely worth checking out. read more

Stopped in for a quick lunch and was pleasantly surprised. An expansive diner menu that is very reasonably priced which is non almost nonexistent these days. I had a delicious avocado, strawberry chicken salad. The staff was super kind and attentive! read more

My child's school had a "Mursday" fundraising opportunity so we went for breakfast. Such large portions at such great prices! Service was quick on a Thursday morning. Our server was friendly and attentive. I had the California omelette which was good but I think next time I'd add some cheese in it. My omelette also came with home fries and toast - I was stuffed by the time we left! read more

Elmo's Diner - California omelette - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

At this point, is it safe to say that Elmo's is considered an institution? The only thing that makes me sad is that they no longer open at night, after 3pm. The servers are nice, they make great breakfast food at reasonable prices, and it's that community diner that every place needs. The side of oatmeal was a pleasant surprise. Instead of packaged or haphazard, they really put in the time to cook and make the oatmeal creamy. Big kudos to them for that. Came in on a Friday 830 and there was no wait. By 930 there were already groups of people waiting. read more

We intended to go elsewhere for lunch, but that place was closed for vacation, so we hit up Elmo's. We hit it at the right time and got parking and a table immediately!! Our waitress came over promptly for the drink orders. I got the chicken burrito and my spouse an omelet with taters and a massive biscuit. Everything tasted great and we both had a ton of leftovers. Yes, I'll always miss Ninth Street Bakery in this spot and their menu and wish Elmo's hadn't redesigned the main dining area when they moved in, but what can you do. Time changes almost everything. read more

Elmo's Diner - Chicken burrito. - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I'm pleased by Elmo's Diner but not pleased enough to go here very often. The portions are not big and the menu is not very interesting. read more

Elmo's Diner - One seat at the back can see all! - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Elmo's is one of my favorite diners on Ninth Street. They serve great breakfast and lunch at reasonable prices. I don't get to go often though when I do I leave satisfied every time. The dining room staff take good care of you and are ready to make your experience memorable. They have a countertop dining area behind the host stand if you're looking for a view into the kitchen. Otherwise you have tables near the street or tables / booths in the main dining room. You can choose where you want to sit. Elmo's does not take reservations or call-ahead seating. Be prepared for a wait during peak hours and weekends. They have gravel parking in the back of the restaurant building. I'm usually able to find a spot, but I recommend carpooling on busy days. read more

Everyone I've spoken to loves this place. They say it's the best breakfast spot around. We couldn't wait to try them. Parking is horrible but it's free. We parked on the street and walked. Once inside it was packed. It's cozy and charming inside. They have a lot of options. We had pancakes, sausage, grits and a breakfast bowl. The bowl had a lot going on. Cheese, sausage, eggs, beans, avocado and more. It was okay. My grits were thin and the pancakes were okay. Overall everything was just okay nothing amazing. read more

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A great diner with a bit of a wait time on the weekends but fully worth it. They have so many great options and it's truly such reliably good food. The staff was very nice and they have cute coloring pages too! read more

Elmo's Diner - Corned beef hash Vegetarian hash 2 Piece Chocolate Chip Pancakes 2 Eggs All the Way - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place was great! The large portions of food were delicious and served pretty fast. Also our waiter was sooo attentive!! Really appreciate the hospitality despite how busy the restaurant was! The pumpkin pancakes were fire read more

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Elmo's is worth it! My man and I went here on a busy Sunday afternoon. We thought the wait would surely be at least an hour. To our surprise it was only about 15/20 minutes. Our server, Megan was nice and attentive. She was knowledgeable about the menu and helped us make selections. We ordered the blueberry compote waffle, shrimp and grits and chilaquiles. The shrimp and grits came with scrambled eggs and a biscuit. The grits were yummy and cheesy but the shrimp could have been more seasoned for my liking. The biscuit was tasty. The chilaquiles were good. A sauce over top would have enhanced the dish. The blueberry compote waffle was the standout dish for us. I wouldn't recommend definitely come back and try more of their sweet brunch options. We also enjoyed their mimosas! They were strong in the best way. Ambiance gives typical diner. The place has charm and the staff is very nice and friendly. It's a Durham staple! read more

We went in for Sunday breakfast and walked out well fed. Three things I like: 1. Cool family atmosphere. Not a greasy spoon. 2.Amazingly good prices. $10 for a delicious breakfast. 3.Friendly staff. And the food was great. Portions a bit too large. Pancakes with berry compote a standout. You could have a long wait. Get there early. read more

Very busy on weekends, great service, terrible food. Bland everything. Clean bathrooms.

The vegetarian chili was excellent today. I got mine to go with the sour cream, scallions and grated cheese on the side. When I got home, I ate mine with some tortilla chips. Whew, that was good, probably the best I've ever had in a restaurant! I'll be back... read more

Food is classic Diner food and I don't understand the 1 stars. You go to a diner expecting 5 star service. Let's not do that anymore. It's an old style diner and the feel gives exactly that. The staff are often tired and understaffed but they always do their best to put a smile on your face. It's not fair to these people for you to come in expecting a five star experience at a good old fashioned diner. Don't let these low stars lead you astray. read more

This was an interesting place! People were lined out the door, but folks were in and out! We were several guests down on the list and were sat within ten minutes. We had our order taken quickly and were treated well the whole time. My home fries were accidentally left off (missing in photo) but the server quickly got an order from the kitchen and brought them to me piping hot. We loved the eggs, bacon, home fries, and waffle. The biscuit was a bit different. It was sliced in half and had been grilled I think. Would definitely eat here again if in Durham again! read more

Elmo's Diner - Eggs, biscuit, toast, bacon, home fries, and waffle - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Yummy food, Greek omelette for lunch! Service was quick and friendly. I always enjoy lunch with friends and colleagues there read more

Elmo's Diner - Greek Omelet - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I've been several times for lunch and breakfast. The lunch was OK, breakfast not so much. The last time I was there, I had scrambled eggs which were not hot, breakfast potatoes which had a greasy mouthfeel and a biscuit which was terrible. Looked like ones that came out of a can. (I know from years of experience that biscuits are a very easy bread to make.) I also have mobility issues (BAD knees and have to use a cane. There is ONE parking spot for the handicapped. Service was very good, pleasant, efficient and accommodating. And since this is a popular place to eat, you cannot linger after your meal to talk. I completely understand but is another reason I probably will not go there anymore. read more

Fast, friendly service. Great food, clean, neat tables and service. The waiter was welcoming and helpful. The only surprise was the soup of the day was not Portobello Mushroom but chicken and rice. Despite the change, I was pleased with the flavors. My husband had the French Toast and said it was wonderful! We didn't wait more than 10 minutes for a table on a Friday at 1130am and our food arrived in less than 10 minutes. I want to go back and try the pancakes or waffles! read more

I love the vibe in this place, and they have the best apple pie I've ever eaten. If it's on the menu, I always get the shrimp burger, which is delicious. read more

The parking situation on a Saturday morning was not bad at all. I was able to find on street parking 100ft from the front door. The place was packed and there was a wait, luckily I was solo, so the counter was perfect. The Coffee was just OK. (I'm a Coffee snob). The pancakes were light and fluffy, the sweetness of the peaches were not quite what I was looking for, I think that was because they were fresh peaches. The Eggs and bacon were cooked just the way I like it. I plan to go back to this spot again to try something else. I give this place a 4.5. read more

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Food and service is almost nearly always outstanding ... quick in terms of turnaround and the waitresses are always very cheerful and kind (unfortunately that's a lost art in today's hospitality industry)! read more

My friend and I came for brunch on a Friday morning, and although it was a little busy, we were seated right away. The host and servers were friendly and I liked that the menu had tons of options - and that they were decently priced too! I ordered the custom 4 omelette with potatoes on the side and it came out quick. I wished that the add-in items I chose had been cooked into the omelette rather than just placed inside, but it still tasted good regardless. I wanted a latte, so I was a little disappointed when the waitress informed me that they don't serve specialty coffee drinks. I ended up ordering a black coffee with soy milk on the side instead which was fine, although I would've preferred a latte. If you want a good, quick, inexpensive meal this is the place to go, just keep in mind they don't do fancy coffees! read more

Elmo's Diner - Custom 4 Omelet - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This place was hopping. It was lunch hour and the wait was about 10 minutes. We were served right away. The food was good. The chicken and dumplings could have better hotter. The French toast was like a dessert. The grilled chicken was basic but the okra was yummy. The broccoli casserole was pretty good too. The cornbread was on the dry side but tasted good. The place was loud when it was full. Once it cleared out a little bit the noise level dropped significantly read more

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Elmo's Diner has become one of my go‑to places for breakfast, and it never disappoints. I've been here multiple times, and every visit has been consistently great. The food comes out hot, fresh, and flavorful, and you can tell they put real care into what they serve. The biscuits deserve a special shoutout -- they're the kind you remember long after the meal. Warm, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. Pair them with anything on the menu and you're in for a good morning. What really makes Elmo's stand out, though, is the staff. They're always kind, welcoming, and attentive in a way that makes the whole experience feel relaxed and enjoyable. It's the kind of place where you feel taken care of from the moment you walk in. If you're looking for a reliable, hearty breakfast with genuinely friendly service, Elmo's Diner is the spot. read more

Delicious food, great prices, and very friendly waitress! we were visiting from out of town and were so hungry and were so happy to find elmo's diner. the menu is very large and diverse. we especially enjoyed the malts read more

The Food was great, I tried the French Toast, a different spin on the classic French toast so I tried it. Delicious. Soy Sausages were not to my liking, but they had vegetarian and vegan options which is amazing for me. Service was top notch, everyone work as a team. So if anything was needed, each staff was there to cover for each other. You can purchase real maple syrup too ‼ I love that option. The ambience was casual and welcoming to all , very LGBTQ ‍ Friendly. I will definitely visit again with friends and family. read more

Fantastic, classic diner option that is usually very busy with locals, and for good reason! Very good breakfast, brunch, daily specials, and classic sandwich options. This has become a regular stop for us when we are in Durham. Wait staff is great too. read more

Elmo's Diner - Back to basics breakfast - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The food was totally fine. The chicken Caesar wrap was different in that it had plentiful cabbage and nearly no chicken. The Greek salad was as usual and customary as were the eggs. Overall, average. The service was good, maybe a little shy in some instances but pretty much ok. The ambiance was quintessential diner. Good lighting and comfortable bench seating plus some countertop bar style chairs. read more

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Elmo's is as good and consistent as it gets. From the great and friendly service to the delicious food. They always deliver!

Affordable tasty breakfast They have all the diner staples and they do it right. Fast and efficient service. Sit down in 5 and get your food within 10 minutes. We got some eggs and a cali omlettte. For the sides, got fruit (very melon heavy unfortunately) and sausage. Homefries were excellent. Very affordable prices, overall great spot read more

Elmo's Diner - Cali omlette - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Elmo's is one of my Durham favorites. There is plenty of parking, be sure to follow the signs in the back. During this visit there was a short wait, but they move quickly. The staff is always great and friendly. They offer a mix of booths, tables and counter seating. A small group of 4-6 people should be comfortable. I wouldn't get much bigger than that, especially in the weekends. They have a big menu but not whelming. It includes the classic diner menu plus some specialty items. Their breakfast is all day and I highly recommend it. This time I had the Baked French toast (kind of like bread pudding) which comes with eggs and a meat. Everything Tasted great and was delivered quickly. read more

Elmo's Diner - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Yes. So much yes. Casual local diner with great food. We ordered breakfast this time and the Baked Apple French Toast was just so fun. I love that there is plenty of parking available. A large lot in back as well as street parking. There is likely going to be a wait, especially on weekends. We waited about 20 min. They are absolutely kid friendly. The kids menu is well priced with plenty of options. read more

Amazing food. Great place to eat. The service was so fast , I was shocked considering how busy they were. read more

Elmo's Diner - Chilequiles Spicy was delicious!!! - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We heard this diner was a must-go-to place for breakfast so we checked it out for a little weekend brunch. The wait was not too long and the servers were very attentive when we were seated. They were very helpful in answering any questions we had. The diner itself definitely has that authentic vibe in terms of the interior. The food was very good as well. We tried the baked french toast with apples and the Santa Fe scramble. Wow, that scramble was delicious and the perfect bite of flavors! It had black beans, sweet potato, corn fritters, eggs, feta, and tomatoes. It was so tasty. I highly recommend it. I would come back here again! read more

Elmo's Diner - baked french toast with apples and santa fe scramble - Diners Near Me - Durham, North Carolina