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.

The smoked wings were delicious. They tasted more air fried or baked than deep fried which was a…read moreplus. The sauerkraut sausage with pretzel bun wasn't my thing. Super flavorful and huge and juicy but just wasn't into the flavor profile. My husband loved it. The pimento Mac and cheese is definitely more of a preference thing because my daughter said it tastes very "different", my husband thought it tasted like how his mom used to make it which he loved, and I wasn't a fan. It wasn't objectionable but just not my cup of tea. Something to note is that the pimento taste is very mild and not spicy whatsoever for those who may be concerned. Service was good. Great spot to bring your pup. The outdoor area is VERY dog friendly and they have a tap at the end of the bar specifically for filling dog water bowls which they provide. Cool spot with good food. Would return.

We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

Yum! My boyfriend and I split some dishes at the Federal and thoroughly enjoyed our experience. We…read morechose the classic cheeseburger with Swiss cheese and sauce on the side, a cubano, and the fried artichoke salad. Both the cheeseburger and cubano came with hefty servings of French fries fresh out of the fryer. Despite being a little salt heavy, they were flavorful and complimented the sandwiches well. The cubano and burger were both 3/5 for me but I enjoyed both. I'm not a huge meat fan... My boyfriend said they were excellent though! The fried artichoke salad is where I feel like I found my peace. The olives, tomatoes, salad dressing, and all other salad components were awesome. It tasted fresh and the ingredients complimented each other. The fried artichokes were a nice crunch too! I would be back to the Federal for the hot food and good vibes. Service was excellent here as well.

Bartender tonight was so accommodating. I came to watch the Duke UNC game and it was standing room…read moreonly. I'm 7 months pregnant and my feet started to hurt. There were customers at the bar who ordered a drink and thought that was enough to sit there the entire time. The bartender nicely asked them that if they weren't going to order more food or drink it would be polite if they gave up their seats to paying customers. I finally got to sit down and rest while I enjoyed the game. Great food and even better service!

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.

I've been hearing about this Bull City Burger spot for over two months, (noted for their tasty…read moregrass-fed beef) and in watching the reviews -- I figured that the experience should be very pleasant; to the eyes and the palate. I was hoping I would not be disappointed. Downtown Durham on Parrish Street I do believe. I went there midday and there was a sparse lunch crowd already seated when I arrived. The warmly lit space presents nice aesthetic as you walk into the restaurant. A very chill and comfortable atmosphere. I love the bar and the mirrored wall nestled behind it. The spot is pretty laidback and very clean, but has a bit of a rustic nuance to it as well. I like that. The serving staff were extremely nice and helpful towards advising me in making my selection -- with me being a first-timer and all. I kept it simple...I chose the Classic Burger (pink) with pepper jack cheese, bacon marmalade, and as a side, I had to go with the Dirty Fries -- 'cause that's how I roll y'all. About the food: I have to say, the burger was staunchly built and crafted with artistry. Nice and tall with a seriously tasty bun encapsulating everything. Perfectly well-seasoned meat and the first bite was simply delightful. I noticed as I got towards the center of the meat, it was bit less juicy than the surrounding parts of the burger, but nevertheless still tasty. My Dirty Fries were delicious In the end; the experience as a whole was quite delightful and I would definitely like to go there again -- perhaps try a different burger to expand upon my experience with this place. Gotta try out That Bar y'all! I do recommend it for those who haven't had a chance to go by there to check it out.

I'm going to open by saying that the fun and humor of this restaurant is amazing. The interior is…read morenice and vibrant, with a perfect mix of minimalist and maximalist designs in the building (especially with the brewery apparatus being visible--which is awesome!!). Even before me an my party entered we could hear music playing from the building, which kept the vibes up! Moving onto the food, a certain menu item caught my eye. Something that I'm legally obligated to keep quiet about... but let tell you- this burger was Gooood. This "Signature Secret Burger" was rather unique, as it was like you took a pretty simple egg burger, and just ramped it up. My initial thought when I first tried it was that it was a burger squared, the mystery ingredients amplified the flavor to make such a savory meal. It wasn't to overbearing like many other burger places that I've visited, not immediately making me feel fat and full after taking a few bites. Our party also ordered a whole quart of fries, and they were SO GOOD!!! I'm a sucker for good fries, and you knocked this out of the park! Your fry soft was nice and mellow and complimented the fries perfectly. (And even afterwards, the fries warmed up really well and were still Really freakin' good!) Finally, during my visit, their anniversary event (Happy 15th By The Way ) and they were offering FREE DESSERT for someone who happened to sit in a randomly chosen seat. And by the luck of the gods my little brother found his way onto the seat! It was just really awesome to see a restaurant doing such awesome things for their birthday, y'don't see that every day! Overall, this place is definitely a place to stop by if you're in Durham. If you're in the area visit IMMEDIATELY if you love good fun food!

Listen... Was I forced to carb load this meal? Yes. But did I have a good time while doing so? Also…read moreyes. As a vegetarian, there were admittedly pretty limited options, but I was aware of that going in and still wanted to try out this Durham institution. You get complimentary Focaccia (not once, but twice!), with perfectly crusty outside, bouncy inside, and a wonderful olive oil. If I had known this beforehand, probably would not have ordered the Dinner Rolls- nonetheless, they were delightful (pillowy soft and came with an airy butter). As an appetizer, we got the Little Gem Lettuce, which was a little too salty for my taste, and I felt the citrus accentuated the saltiness even more. However, my friends thought it was seasoned well so take this with a grain of salt lol. But I did enjoy the creaminess of the dressing and the crunch from the topping; also, it was pleasant to eat along with some bread. For my entrée, I got the Spaghettini. This was my first time trying shaved black truffle and I was underwhelmed, but I loved the pasta itself, which had a really unique bite to it and was rich but not heavy. The pasta dishes are on the smaller side with regards to portion. Last but definitely not least: the Hot Chocolate Soufflé. Oh my gosh. When I say this was heavenly, I could literally hear angels singing as I took my first bite. The hot fudge was velvety but not overwhelming, the soufflé soft, and perfectly balanced by the cool bourbon-caramel ice cream. This is assembled table side so you get a fun little show as well haha. We were taken on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster because apparently they were having trouble with the oven, but so grateful that could be fixed. Service was amazing (shout out to Beza!), very friendly and appropriate timing. Ambiance is superb, literally the epitome of modern elegance and probably the best in Durham for a fancy night out. Highly recommend getting a reservation. I could see parking being tricky on busy weekends, but I was able to snag a spot in front of the restaurant. Overall, I had a good experience with some minor room for improvement with dish execution but definitely would appreciate more vegetarian and vegan-friendly options (although, I suppose I didn't ask if modifications to dishes was possible). 9/10 would recommend!

Food: excellent. The food is delicious, expert chef. It is expensive. Plus they add a surcharge for…read moreuse of credit card, which is surprising given the premium pricing which averages $100 per person. Service. Poor. Waitress Broke the wine cork, forgot to serve bread (blamed an ongoing wine dinner) and did not serve olive oil, when bread was served after making request. Ambience: Cozy with tables close. I came away annoyed. There are few restaurants of this quality in Durham, but they need to do better for me to return.

Landed on this place while on a short trip in Durham and the food was so good! I ordered the…read moremolletes with a cilantro pineapple marg. Solid combo! I loved the vibe inside and wish I could take a dive like this back home with me. The food also came out super fast and the workers were really cool!

This place is super cute!!!!! I was a group of friends at…read moreanother bar that doesn't serve food, so I knew I needed to have something on my stomach before consuming libations! When you walk in, you grab a menu at the door - order at the bar - and have a seat! I could not tell you what I ordered, I took the bartender's recommendation (since it was my first time there) I can't remember the name (I think it's called Mollette or something close to that - sorry), but it was like chicken tacos in bread (if that makes sense). You can order another meat type, I just ordered the chicken! I ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT!!!!! And the ladies that were working the bar - GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE! I will definitely go back again!

We visited Aaktun on a Sunday morning for brunch. We had made a reservation the week prior and were…read moreseated 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!

**Update 5/12/2026 - I made a reservation to take my mom to brunch on Sunday at 10:15. When we…read morearrived, the hostess said the reservation had been made for outside. I explained and showed her that I booked standard seating and she said that meant outside, which I thought was strange because I was very careful not to book either option that was clearly labeled outdoor. I told her that we wanted a table inside and she said "I have a table that has a reservation for 11:30, can you be done by then?" I laughed and said "sure" but thought to myself that would be up to them! She asked another hostess to seat us, and after we were seated, we waited about 15 minutes and watched staff walk by our table multiple times and no one came by. The original interactions had already put a bad taste in my mouth, so I called another restaurant downtown and asked how long the wait would be for two. They could seat us in the bar area right away, so we got up and left Aaktun to head there. The first two experiences that I had at Aaktun were great. I'm glad I got to try their food because I won't be back after Sunday's experience.

You must visit this place. I spend a lot of time on the road and boy was this place a sight for…read moresore eyes. The flavors were absolutely amazing. I only got to take a picture of just a couple of what we ordered. My favorites: Little Asada - so flavorful and cooked perfectly Octopus and butter beans- prepared perfectly not rubbery. Great choice DIY hand roll - really fun and inventive way although had to fight to make my own roll NC Crudo - this tuna was really fresh. I mean it didn't taste like fish. It tasted like steak. Love the flavors they added to it. ceviche - great choice with the plantains Gambas à la plancha - the OG. Highly recommended. Shrimp cooked perfect. Overall it was so amazing. Service was great also they had a fun little wine list. Pro tip: in the spring get a spot out in the patio or outside. Highly recommended. Will be back!

Mexican-American Cuisine with a Vibrant Ambiance and Flavorful Complex Cuisine…read more You step right into a vibrant ambiance, with a beautifully decorated main dining room and a curated outdoor dining space that defines the evening as a place to bring family, friends, and professionals to enjoy lively conversations while savoring the Chef's cuisine. From the amazing service and the curated bar menu, with a bar staff that can create drinks based on your specific taste preferences, to an extraordinary selection of bold and flavorful cuisine, Little Bull is a Huge Gem in the Durham area. __ I have had the opportunity to travel the globe, 6 continents, 62 countries, and 33 US states, tasting some of the most memorable and sometimes not memorable culinary experiences. When looking at a restaurant, it is important to consider the entire dining experience, including ambiance, service, and food. Little Bull achieved excellence in all these categories. __ Tom Kha Ceviche - Snapper, coconut leche de tigre, mixed peppers, sweet potato, choclo, peanut, salsa macha, onions, and plantain chips. The snapper was incredibly fresh, which paired perfectly with the coconut leche de tigre. The broth was well balanced with richness from the peanut butter and salsa macha, sweetness from the sweet potato and choclo, and spice from the peppers and onions. The plantains were the perfect way to bring all the ingredients together. __ Gambas a La Plancha - Shrimp, salsa piquin, onion, and ciabatta. The shrimp was well-cooked and tender, delivered with the perfect char, bringing the right sweetness while pulling in the spicy and smoky flavors from the salsa piquin. The ciabatta was a nice accompaniment to this dish, helping you soak up the amazing base sauce. __ Winter Cabbage - Charred NC Cabbage, Salsa Malcojeta, Beans Mousseline, Cumin Vinaigrette, and Salsa Macha. This was a complex dish, with the creaminess of the mousseline, the charred flavor of the cabbage, the nuttiness of the salsa macha, and the earthiness of the cumin vinaigrette. While I figured this dish would have a little spice, this dish was super spicy. I would have liked the waiter to have advised us of this before we ordered the dish. __ Arepas - Cheese arepas, chicken guasacaca, cilantro and avocado aioli, avocado mousse, sour cream and pickled onions. The cheese arepas were cooked perfectly, with a nice, crisp exterior complementing the soft interior and pairing nicely with the chicken, cilantro, and avocado flavors. The pickled onions and sour cream added a nice balance to the dish. My only complaint would be that I would have liked a little more flavor. It seemed to be lacking something, making it a little bland. __ Presentation was impeccable. I love how they curated each dish and really highlighted all the ingredients. It definitely represents why they were mentioned in the Michelin guide. __ Overall, this is a must-visit restaurant for any occasion. This is the second time I visited the restaurant and have officially made it one of my go-to restaurants for different occasions.

During an event at the convention center five feet away, I decided against the meager food and…read moredrink offerings there to eat at TableSouth. May have been the best decision of the weekend. I had a few drinks earlier in the weekend here with a friend, so I knew the bartender wasn't foolin' around. His recommendation of the Bull City Brisket was a ringer: a huge portion of smokey beef brisket (I know, pork is the only official NC barbecue, but this cow slaps!), creamy mac and cheese, not nearly enough grilled corn on the cob, a dab of Cole slaw, and deep fried jalapeño cornbread. All was presented nicely (this _is_ the lobby of the Marriott, right?), at their bar or table service. There was a small pitcher of sauce for the meat (and you'd be forgiven for using the cornbread to sop up a bit), which was thick and smoky. I was able to finish it, but it was touch-and-go at the end. Sitting in the bright, shiny gleam of this modern hotel lobby, I still felt I was dining with someone's MeeMaw on the back porch. A word about the bar: there are the requisite purse hooks, but also power outlets spaced under the bar. A sad but needed commentary on our connected society, but Table South made it feel normal.

I always love staying in this hotel, but I especially look forward to breakfast. They have THE…read moreABSOLUTE BEST staff. Morgan and the other wait staff are super friendly and accommodating, and the bacon (cooked by Larry, I am told) is perfection!