This is a decent four-star Southern bar near the Duke campus. We were driving through town, and we…read morestopped here before visiting the local botanical garden. There's plenty of paid street parking in the area. The interior is a bit dark inside, minimal ambient light from the outside, TVs around the bar. Lunch arrived quickly, I had the patty melt which was a bit over salted, but not too bad. Service from Makena was overall decent, nothing exceptionally bad or good. Pricing for lunch averaged just over $20 per person, including the "included gratuity." It's a fine Place to get standard bar food.

So I asked yelp to recommend a place for a birthday dinner. This was the first on the list. So…read moresince I couldn't get a reservation on my birthday to the place I originally wanted to go, we decided to come here. There is plenty of parking on the backside of the building, paid parking out front, and be careful not to park in the apartment spaces on the side...they sounded pretty serious about towing. I had made a reservation but it was probably unnecessary as it was pretty empty when we arrived (it was about 5pm on a Saturday.) The waitress brought a bottle of water to the table and took our drink order. And I know that this place is literally call it's a Southern thing but can I mention how much I dislike drinking out of mason jars? I ordered the chicken n biscuits, my husband got the country hamburger steak plate, my BiL got wings, and my SiL got the crabcakes. We also orders charred jalapeno & sweet corn hushpuppies and frickles as an appetizer. I was VERY excited about my food. Y'all...the only thing that impressed me were the Frickles. Everything else was distinctly underwhelming. I also ordered Blackberry Betta Have My Money which was not that great. My SiL ordered a espresso martini that they said didn't come from a mix but she said it tasted like it was. The bathrooms were very clean. The decor and the vibe were great. Cute even. I really enjoyed that part of it. After dropping off our food, we never saw our waitress again unless we flagged her down for drink refills. It was especially frustrating since there was automatic gratuity added. And since the place wasn't that busy, it felt like she didn't feel the need to earn her automatic tip. Overall I was disappointed in my birthday dinner. I won't be coming back here.

I took my family to Dames for the first time and everyone was pleased and haven't stopped talking…read moreabout their food since. We drove from Charlotte NC to try them and they had a line out the door. Of course we waited and it was worth every minute. I had the chicken wings with sweet potato waffle and almond vanilla schmear. I almost ate the plate But seriously if you're thinking about trying Dames don't think any longer, Go. Just make sure you make that reservation

Although I'm not a fan of sweet with savory, I finished everything on my plate : )…read more We had never tried chicken with waffles before and our server took us through the options and even brought out tasting samples of the different types of butter which were all amazing. It does seem like I'm mixing up brunch and dinner food items though in terms of the flavor profiles. However, the waffles were excellent and the fried chicken had incredible flavor. I'm still not completely sold on the combination but everything on the plate tasted perfect. Highly recommended.

Monuts was the perfect quick stop on a busy day. I ordered online and was pleasantly surprised by…read morehow easy pickup was, they have a dedicated side door with a doorbell, so you can skip the line and be in and out within minutes. Everything was ready when I arrived, and they even pre-cut the bagels, which was a small touch that made a big difference. I ordered the everything bagel and the jalapeño cheddar bagel, along with an orange poppy seed donut and a vanilla glazed donut. Everything tasted fresh and well-made, and it was easy to see why this place has such a loyal following. The only downside is parking, but there are plenty of nearby street parking options, so it's manageable if you're willing to walk a minute or two. Great food, convenient pickup, and thoughtful service. I'll definitely be back the next time I need a bagel or donut fix in Durham.

Lovely outdoor eating area, great for a warm day. Had the Turkish eggs, a biscuit and chicken…read moresausage and split a salad. The food was great and very tasting and filling. Tip is included. Would return!

Stopped into Parker & Otis on a Saturday morning while exploring Durham, and it was absolutely…read morebustling! It's a really fun store to wander through if you enjoy browsing. They have a huge variety of items--from home goods and specialty foods to books, toys, kitchen items, and unique gifts. If you're specifically looking for locally made Durham souvenirs, there aren't a ton of local artisan items, but there are still some fun Durham-themed finds. I picked up an adorable "Meet Me in Durham" sticker that made the perfect keepsake from my summer here. Definitely worth stopping in if you're downtown and have some time to explore. Plan for a crowd on Saturday mornings, but it's part of the lively atmosphere!

Great spot for sandwiches in Durham! I got the turkey, pepper jelly, herb dip sandwich and all the…read moreflavors worked so well together. I also tried the BLT with pimento cheese but it didn't have enough pimento in my opinion. The price matches the size of the sandwiches which I appreciate. Be sure to set aside time to browse their store. It feels like being in Cracker Barrel in the best way. Lots of puzzles, cards, candles, cook books, and so much more.

Some of the best biscuits you'll find anywhere! Better yet, they have an amazing biscuit cinnamon…read moreroll. So amazing that I had to eat one on New Year's Day despite my plan to eat healthy. I blame Rise for the demise of my NY resolution! My nephew loved the chicken basket, including biscuits, that he requested to go back the next day before heading to the airport. The fries were perfectly seasoned and cooked. The 2 egg biscuit sandwich was tasty and protein packed with 2 scrambled eggs. I had it on a cheddar biscuit, which was wonderful. Bottom line: Eat at Rise! Every morning.

Amazing breakfast sandwich. You HAVE to get one with chicken in it- I first tried the bacon and mac…read more& cheese on a biscuit sandwich, and it tasted bland (lacked flavor and seasoning). Next I tried the famous "righteous chicken sandwich"- fried chicken, with pickles and "Boom Boom" sauce- and was thoroughly pleased. The bread was fresh and fluffy (as was the biscuit on the first sandwich), the chicken was lightly breaded, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and the flavors popped. Easy to see why this is their most famous sandwich. I would definitely return for breakfast/brunch again! Note- location in downtown Durham is to-go orders only! (Online or at the kiosk inside the store.)

Keep coming back to the Grub because food here is consistently delicious and you can't go wrong…read morewith The Rocket breakfast! I love that they don't just give you crappy melons and grape like in other places for fruit. Here you get fresh blueberries, strawberries and pineapple. Also, that biscuit I will add, depending on when you go, get ready to wait. The line is sometimes out of the door. The service and the prices are good. Also, there's plenty of seating downstairs, outside or in the deck upstairs. Hope you check it out!

If 6 (or 7) stars was an option, Grub would get them all!…read more Stopped by on our way back to our cars after running the Garmin 10k, and this place was an absolute delight!!! Great menu, friendly service, and the food was incredible!! All the breakfast favorites, and a biscuit I am STILL thinking about!! Lots of seating, indoors and on a covered patio. Quick service, even on this busy Saturday race morning. I wish I lived nearby, seems like it would be a fun place to be a "regular."

The food was sooo good. I love the esthetic of the diner I like old school diners so it was very…read morethat. 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!

I was visiting the Duke Gardens and searched on Yelp for a nearby place for lunch using the AI app…read moreon 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.

amazing! I love this location, food is always good and coffee is always great! the service is…read moreamazing too!

If I could give this place 100 stars, I would! From the…read moreoutside, you would never guess what awaits inside. It looks like a small neighborhood spot, but the moment you walk through the doors, you're immediately welcomed by a charming bakery counter filled with fresh pastries, coffee, and sandwiches. Then, as you make your way to the restaurant in the back, the entire experience transforms into something truly special. The ambiance is absolutely stunning--warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. I honestly spent half the meal just taking it all in because every detail was beautiful. Now, let's talk about the food... phenomenal doesn't even begin to describe it. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Our brunch came out surprisingly fast without sacrificing quality, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy making sure guests had a great experience. You could tell there was pride in both the food and the hospitality. If you're anywhere near Durham, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a pastry, grabbing a sandwich, or sitting down for brunch, you won't be disappointed. I'll definitely be back, and this has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Five stars isn't enough--this place deserves 100.