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La Casita Restaurant

4.8 (36 reviews)
ModerateDominican
Open • 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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LA CASITA RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

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Outdoor seating
Happy hour specials

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Recommended Reviews - La Casita Restaurant

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Jugo de Chinola
Evelysse V.

NYC Born & raised and child of immigrants from DR. I moved down to Durham to get my MBA and my wife and I decided to stay. This is a must try. Their tres golpes tastes like home and los jugos naturales are 10/10. I like the chinola but tamarindo is good too. Plus the vibes in there are immaculate like a trip back to the motherland

The Shrimp "Canoe". Very tasty.
Smythe R.

Met a friend there at 9 pm on a Friday. They had their phone stolen the day before returning home from the Caribbean, and I had one I was selling. Not a tech person. We met there because it's a good location between houses and work. A bright smile from the hostess greeted us at the door, even though they closed in only an hour. I have been here several times before and only ordered empanadas (which are amazing!) but I wanted more. This is a Dominican place, and my friend got excited because a former work colleague/roommate was Dominican, and they have actually visited the DR. The dining room is brightly lit, very neat and tidy. 2- and 4-top tables, as well as a few tables along a banquette on the right as you enter. There is also a very small bar to your left (maybe 6 seats.) A futbol match is usually playing, closed captioned. It's the only TV in the place. Few on the staff are fluent in English. Everyone on the staff wants to understand you and get you something you'll love. We gringos have horrible language skills, but we tried. I wanted a sampler plate, and we finally got that across with Apple Translate and Google mostly agreeing. (Una plato con una pequeño de todos cosas) It was too late to get anything like that. I wound up ordering something called a Conoa (I think) which is a deep-fried plantain split open (before frying!) and filled with a hearty meaty cream sauce. I got one with Shrimp, but they also have chicken and other flavors. Ten minutes later, it arrived. It was great, maybe a bit overpriced for what it was, but it was late, my friend got their phone, we made new friends from other places, and all learned about each other. Mission accomplished!

Mango con pollo asado
Priscilla R.

So happy this place exists! A little piece of home. Coming from NYC one of the things I miss is plentiful diversity in food options. Another is home cooking from mom. This place is authentic Dominican cooking! The decor is definitely something you'd see back home down to the type of cups they use. Service was good but the English is not very strong which was fine for us and feeds into authenticity of who's making the food. I ordered the mini mofongo, Bolitas de yucca and cheese and a guava/cheese pastelitos. I am not accustomed to mofongo with white sauce and don't love the sauce but otherwise it was good. And the pastelito was delicious and full of cheese (yes that important). My sistered ordered the mango tres golpe which was amazing!! They even had Presidente beers! I also had the maracaya juice (doesn't have milk) which was also good. I will definitely be back.

Justin F.

We ended up at this spot because someone claimed there were no Dominican restaurants in the area. Boy, did this place prove them wrong! The restaurant is decorated in a fun, colorful way, complete with Dominican flags and paintings. Our waitress seemed to know little English, or perhaps she just found it easier speaking with the Spanish speakers in our group. Either way, I had no trouble placing my order. I ordered the Large Boca Chica Fish, and when everything arrived, there was absolutely no disappointment. Everything tasted amazing with excellent flavor. I was told it was authentic to the food back home in the DR, but all I know for sure is that it was good to the last bite. I could eat here a hundred more times, and I probably will!

They bring your check to the table in this little casita with candy inside. Nice Touch
Shelley B.

Good Food, Great Service, Nice Ambiance ‼ Our Servicer was great and the restaurant was empty, but the food was hot and fresh. Presentation was nice. I had the red snapper, my wife had the beef, flavorful but a little tuff, my daughter had the chicharon de pollo, good pick, an also the empanadas were good . And the prices were good too. All around great experience

Spicy Oxtail
Christi N.

Ohhhh buckle up, because La Casita's spicy oxtail stew deserves a standing ovation, a slow clap, AND maybe a small parade down Main Street. Here's the vibe: Walking into La Casita in Durham feels like stepping into someone's abuela's kitchen--warm, lively, and full of aromas that make your stomach do that little "hey there..." shimmy. But the real star of the show? The spicy oxtail stew. My goodness. The bowl arrives looking innocent enough... until the steam hits your face and whispers, "Hope you stretched first." The broth is deep, rich, and full of that slow-simmer magic that only happens when someone is cooking with both patience and ancestral approval. The heat isn't a slap--it's a perfectly choreographed dance: a little tease, a little tingle, and then a warm, flavorful hug that says "don't worry, I've got you." The oxtail itself? Fall-off-the-bone tender. Like, don't even bother with a knife tender. It's the kind of meat that makes you pause mid-bite to reflect on your life choices and wonder why you haven't been here sooner. The spices are layered so thoughtfully you'd think someone with a PhD in Flavor designed it. The best part is how everything plays together--spicy, savory, slightly smoky, all soaking into whatever carb vessel you've chosen: rice, plantains, tortillas... honestly, I'd pour it over a flip-flop and still be delighted. If comfort food and bold flavor had a baby, and that baby grew up to be a fearless overachiever who aces every test, it would be this stew. Final verdict: La Casita's spicy oxtail stew isn't just a dish--it's an experience. A flavorful, fiery, soul-warming experience that will have you planning your next visit before you've even finished the bowl. If you're in Durham and you skip it? I'm not saying it's a crime... but it should be.

Arroz con habichuela y carne asada
Christina B.

La ubicación del restaurante engaña por que por dentro está muy bello y bien cuidado. Vine con mi familia por primera vez y quedé encantada con el jugo de chinola y la habichuela definitivamente volveré!! Me gusto mucho la energía de la chica que nos atendió. Bien tranquila y paciente! Whoever is managing this location Keep it up yall doing amazing!!

Camarofongo - Classic Mofongo topped with shrimp and butter garlic sauce. Muy Delicioso!
Scott G.

If you are near Duke University, you need to check this place out. It's a very quaint, highly stylized little Latin restaurant with surprisingly excellent food. The atmosphere is friendly, but there were not many patrons (I was the only one). The music was light Latino, not unpleasant at all. The waitress was very friendly and attentive - and I got to practice my Spanish which was rusty at best. I ordered Camarofongo - their take on Mofongo con camarones, a Dominican/Puerto Rican dish made with garlicky mashed plantains mixed with pork, topped with shrimp and a delicious white butter sauce. It was very good, and reminded me of a long ago vacation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. That plus a couple of cold Negra Modelo's left me feeling full and satisfied. I highly recommend La Casita restaurant. You won't be disappointed!

Fried Chicken Lunch order with red beans and rice, cabbage salad and a side of tostones.
Johnnie W.

C'mon Durham, why aren't you all at this place?!?!? Walked in on a Thursday at 1pm and it was empty. Boy was I glad I stopped here. The young lady attending me was very nice, polite, and had a great smile. She recommended the lunch portion of fried chicken, to which I added an order of tostones and a beef empanada as an appetizer. Everything was SOOOOO delicious. The fried chicken was flavorful, juicy, hot and crispy. The beans on the rice were phenomenal. Washed it all down with a cup of mango juice. Don't walk, RUN to this little gem in Durham. The food is incredible!

Travis T.

The food was delicious especially the chicken stew with rice and black beans since the chicken was tender and flavorful. Overall, it's a hidden gem for Dominican food in the Durham-Raleigh area.

Inside Vibe
DON C.

5 Stars!....Across the board & more, if I could give it!! Outstanding Dominican cuisine in a friendly, comfortable environment. Excellent service too. The food is the real deal here and the taste is very authentic. Took me back to my many trips and business visits in the DR. From the Mofongo, Empanadas....to the Oxtails, Churrasco, Chicharrones...to the Sancocho Soup & Latin-Caribbean version of Pollo Frito (Fried Chicken).....Everything was cooked to perfection. I highly recommend the Sancocho soup with Rice on the side. The taste, seasonings, and flavors ranged "bells of heaven" with each bite. I couldn't get enough of it. A feast and food moment at its best! The fresh squeezed juices are well worth a try too and the price. Hands down!....The best Dominican restaurant in Raleigh-Durham!! And, so glad to see the food landscape changing and shift in the diversity of cuisines/offerings coming to this southern region of the US --which has always had a long history of being known mostly for BBQ and southern comfort food-eats. A special shout out to Erica for helping us understand everything on the menu and making us feel like family. I stamped this place as a "Foodie-Experience" and worth a try! Will definitely be back on my next visit to the area.

Pollo / Chicken
Katharine B.

I forgot to post from the last time we were here. The empanadas are the best! We got ham and cheese and they are really some of the best we have had. We always get our orders to go but we have enjoyed the morir soñando juices, empanadas and rice and chicken dishes. We saw there was a special for Dominican Independence Day so we git the dinner platter. Prices are reasonable and staff is friendly.

Marianny M.

Great food and drinks. This is authentic Dominican food. You must try. Customer service is great.

Chicharron de pollo, frijoles, arroz, maduros

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9 months ago

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3 years ago

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4 months ago

Outstanding food and very authentic. We were traveling and found this restaurant by accident! The food is very good.

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1 year ago

From el patio to Durham! Authentic Dominican food. Very traditional, nice people, and tasty.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Excellent experience all around -- good food, outstanding service, comfortable atmosphere. Will dine here again when visiting Idyllwild.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

The chicken was extremely dry! I ordered the roasted chicken and rice and beans. I wasted my money!

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

La comida deliciosa y Un sabor tipico dominicano.Buen servicio y un ambiente agradable.

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La Casita Restaurant Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - La Casita Restaurant

Boricua Soul

Boricua Soul

4.4(252 reviews)
2.6 mi
•$$
Outdoor seating
Catering service

Just go!!! Haven't had anything like this before, it's a perfect fusion. Service was fantastic too…read more:)

My Afro-Latina heart was so happy…read more I've been searching for really good Latin food since moving to North Carolina, and Boricua Soul absolutely delivered. From the moment we walked in, the vibe was on point. They were playing great music that made the whole place feel lively and welcoming, and I loved that you can choose to eat inside or enjoy the outdoor patio. My husband and I both ordered the Boricua Soul Bowl. He got the chicken, and I got the pernil. The pernil was incredible it was tender, juicy, and packed with flavor. The bowl came with arroz con gandules, collard greens, mac and cheese, and I chose the tostones. I had honestly given up on finding good tostones that I didn't have to make myself, but these were exactly what I'd been craving. Crispy, perfectly cooked, and absolutely delicious with the Guava Lava sauce. Since, I couldn't pass them up, we also ordered a side of maduros, and they were perfectly caramelized and sweet. The empanadas easily made my top five. Crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and gone way too quickly. Also don't skip the watermelon lemonade, it was so refreshing and paired perfectly with everything we ordered. We'll definitely be back. There are still so many things on the menu I want to try, but I already know I'll be ordering the Boricua Soul Bowl. One tip for first-time visitors: if you're sitting inside and trying to get back outside , the exit is the same door you originally came in through on the far glass door. There is a sign, but we watched three different people accidentally try every other part of the glass first, so hopefully this saves someone a little confusion.

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Boricua Soul
Boricua Soul - Entrance, and outdoor seating.

Entrance, and outdoor seating.

Boricua Soul - Coquito French toast, pimento cheese deviled eggs, sweet plantain chicken and waffles, cheese hash brown waffles, sausage and mixed fruit.

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Coquito French toast, pimento cheese deviled eggs, sweet plantain chicken and waffles, cheese hash brown waffles, sausage and mixed fruit.

Casa Cubana - Bar

Casa Cubana

3.5(228 reviews)
21.9 mi
•$$

We decided to give this a try on a Saturday night, the location is unassuming and it's clear that…read moreit's a converted fast food spot as some of the infrastructure still remains. (I think they are trying to get a drive through going?). As we walked to the front door the live music was blaring outside and it was a great night for it..it was a little early so it wasn't too crowded yet but people were enjoying the party. Once inside it was much more quiet, we were actually shocked at how well insulated it was from the music, which is great for those that was a little more cozy experience. We were greeted right away by a very friendly man in a great hat! We had our pick of tables and I would describe the decor as a casual vibe. I'm assuming as the name suggests, it's supposed to feel like you are at someone's home for a party. They had a good bunch of people working and everyone was really nice but they also were clearly family and had some kids running around and just basically enjoying themselves, I really enjoyed the atmosphere. The menu was great, loads of options. The drink selection was also good, classic Cuban favorites and others. I chose the coconut mojito and it was fresh made and SO good. For an appetizer we had the guacamole and tostones which were really good, and fresh. For dinner I had the arroz con pollo, which was seasoned really well, the rice was a little under for me but still really good. My husband had the ceviche which he said was the best he's ever had and could have had three more bowls. Overall, great spot. We might come back for the music and drinks on another warm night. They also have a good looking breakfast menu!

Unfortunately our last visit to Casa Cubana was not great. Service was slow, it took over an hour…read moreto get our food and when we did get it, it was disappointing. My friends asked for steak sandwiches and they had more bread than steak. The steak was so small they could barely taste it. My friend and I asked for palomilla steak and got a churrasco cut. Staff was somewhat friendly.

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Casa Cubana - Tables

Tables

Casa Cubana
Casa Cubana - Rumba Sampler

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Rumba Sampler

La Casita Restaurant - dominican - Updated October 2026

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