Nzinga&#x27;s Kitchen

3 years ago

I haven't been to Nzinga's in about 6-7 years and the food is still amazingly delicious. You can order at counter, online, or via screen inside door. I got the cajun shrimp and grits and despite some photos online that made it seem like a pool of grease, MY personal experience was contrary to that. The flavor was consistent and the shrimp were perfectly cooked. I only didn't like random onions and tomatoes garnish as I am super sensitive, not allergic, to onions. The customer service was good and the food was ready quickly. I got some of their famous banana pudding but I have to say that it was just okay. If you like straight pudding mix and vanilla wafers then you may love it. I prefer actual bananas and banana flavor. Overall great food and will definitely come get takeout more often. read more

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Jessee P.

2 years ago

I have my favorite soul food places in Durham. Never tried Nzingas til this morning. Got the Cajun grits, yams, collards, whiting. It was all seasoned perfectly. Grits were FIRE. They forgot my Mac and cheese and i was so excited about trying :( but still 5 stars. They were so friendly inside also so great customer service. But tbh one of the HUGE things that set Nzinga apart from Let's Eat, V's, Vittles, etc is that they open at 9 and serve breakfast AND lunch items. As a person who doesn't normally like breakfast foods, I was so stoked to get a square meal this early. read more

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Meilinn T.

359

300

603

8 years ago

HERE IS THE PHRASE FOR THIS AMAZING PLACE "AFFORDABLE, GREAT FOOD" will probably rate his higher on my next visit. Here's the break down of my visit: Seated immediately, got our waters pretty quickly. Ordered food with strong recommendations. I got chicken and waffles and subbed for the French toast. And holy moly people. The French toast was SO DAMN FLUFFY-- best I've had honestly. They were like clouds. I also had chicken wings with it instead of tenders. But I should have gotten the tenders! (Never make that mistake again! My boyfriend also got chicken and waffles, but got red velvet waffles. They were amazing. Overall very pleasant experience. I paid for three people, it cost about $30 for all of us. Just so you know how affordable this place is. read more

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Amber H.

2 years ago

We had ordered the shrimp and grits with the French toast plate. We never been here before. The shrimp and grits were good but the actual French toast plate wasn't good at all. read more

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Jeff D.

3 years ago

Have moved away from Durham but still remember a Shrimp and Grits breakfast that was... fantastic! I remember I used to call ahead to make sure they hadn't run out of my favorite, but soon learned to just get there ahead of the crowd for my favorite dish! Homey atmosphere and down-home cooking. read more

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Tyneshia S.

Elite 19

155

301

7 years ago

I really really enjoyed the food here! I'm in love with local places so I decided to try this. I've heard so much about it, but every time I've been on the weekend it's been too packed. I was off on a weekday and my sister and one of my friends came through and we were NOT disappointed. I got the chicken and waffles! Can you say SEASONED to perfection? The chicken was seasoned all the way through. I chose the chicken tenders instead of the wings and it was so good. The waffle was delicious and you can tell it was made from scratch. And that sweet tea was sent down from heaven! It was by far THE BEST sweet tea I've had in a very long time. I tried my friends Cajun grits and they were amazing as well. If I'd gotten a savory meal, they would have definitely been my side dish. Highly recommended and I'm def looking forward to going back! I already know what I want. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Chicken and Waffles (sweet potato waffle) with a side of grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Tracy C.

145

288

488

7 years ago

When I first arrived, I wasn't so sure about this restaurant. It's not in the nicest part of town, so I parked really close to try out this place. However, it was during the middle of the day on a weekend so I don't know if things change at night. The food, however, was great. Really comforting soul food that I did enjoy. Really HUGE portions for what you pay - I ended up getting a little over 2 meals from one serving portion. Of particular note was the chipotle grits: the little bit of spice really lifted the often bland or over-buttery grits. However, the rest of the food can be cloying or overly buttery if you're not careful, but that's the risk you take when you eat soul food. If you're in the mood for some cheap comfort food, do try here (but maybe during the day)! read more

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Jeff F.

Elite 26 All-Star

367

920

1789

5 years ago

I really don't understand all the great reviews of this place. Maybe I ordered the wrong thing, the breakfast items are probably less likely to get screwed up. But I ordered the fish with a side of fries and mac and cheese. The fries were good, but they were so salty that I couldn't finish them. The fish was definitely the best part of the meal however I didn't really care for the seasoning that they use. The mac and cheese was just completely swimming in grease and had a very weird taste, almost like a strong black pepper flavor, but I really didn't see an excessive amount of pepper so I don't know what was causing it to taste like that. I took two bites and threw the rest away. I also ordered lemonade, it was so sickly sweet that I took one sip and threw the rest of it away. They should call it diabetes in a bottle! Also this place doesn't seem to be all that clean, and the 94 health score rating doesn't make me feel well that confident. Also they don't have any indoor dining (guessing they are still paranoid about covid), but it appears that they all have their kids there playing around inside the restaurant, which I found a bit odd. I really don't know if I would return here, maybe I would go back to try their French toast, it seems like it might be tasty. But I definitely would not order the fish or the mac and cheese again! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Fish - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Mac and cheese - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Business owner information

Nzingas I.

We truly appreciate your business and thank you for the feedback!

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Just Being T.

7 years ago

I went over the weekend and my food was terrible however the prices are affordable. I decided to try them out since they have changed their hours. I got the chicken wings mac and cheese with fries. I also got the shrimp and grits both dishes I received were really salty. I got my items to go and they actually held up well until I got home. The cornbread that I received as a side was hard as a brick. I really wanted to like the food especially the wings. However the wings seem like they are the frozen pre seasoned ones and they add the additional flavor sauce of your choice to them. I also think that they should ask you if you want them to come naked or breaded. I like my wings breaded and they were not. The shrimp and grits were waaay to salty and spicy and needed more of a sauce added. The shrimp were a nice size and the grits were ok. I don't think I will return bc it's not what I thought it was going to be. Inended up throwing both dishes away. I wish them all the luck and think they also need to revamp their decor and spruce up their cleanliness as well with a deep cleaning. It was so cold and drafty in there and does not feel welcoming. I noticed that they only had 1 waitress who was doing serving and take out. If shes going to serve she needs to have a hair net on. If my heart softens I may go back and try 1 more time... read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Lemon pepper wings and fries. They would have been good if they were not too salty... - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Shrimp and grits were too salty and overly spicy. They needed a sauce on it. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Mac and cheese was terrible and bland. It actually tasted like noodles, butter and cheese only. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Lo'Fructose B.

3 years ago

My food was good, I had great service and the ambiance was nice too. And the price was right.

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Greg T.

Elite 21

127

224

7 years ago

Wow, the flavors here are out of this world. Ordered a red velvet waffle with eggs and bacon. The waffle came with cream cheese icing and powdered sugar - I could eat these all day. I've had red velvet waffles from a few places but this is hands down THE BEST one I've ever tasted. It was almost exactly like a too-notch red velvet cake, only waffleized (new word!). Seriously, if you're a red velvet nut like I am, this is a must. Surprisingly the eggs were some of the best I've tasted as well. Got 'em scrambled with cheese, but they were buttery rich and probably more like 3 eggs than the advertised 2 - on point. Wife loved her chicken and waffles. I stole a drumlette from her and I'm pretty sure they were baked, but I'm damn sure they were lightly crisped on the outside, moist on the inside and seasoned to perfection. A little hot sauce and my mouth was singing. Service was fast and friendly and this is definitely a place you want to support. Love local spots like thisb especially when you can taste the love they put into the food. Go often and tip well - I'll be back next time I'm up this way! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Red velvet waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Sharon H.

3 years ago

Delicious food. The batter on fried items is delightful! Excellent service, staff always in good humor. Has neighborhood charm.

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Joy C.

Elite 24

329

128

169

6 years ago

I went here during the summer time and the food was delicious but the wait to pick up the food was very long even with me calling in my order in advance. The French toast was insanely delicious though and the hot honey tenders were also amazing. I wasn't that impressed with the Mac and cheese, but I will definitely come back for the food again! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - French Toast - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Hot honey Chicken tenders - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Business owner information

Nzingas I.

Thank you for your support!!

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Dimitria B.

8 years ago

Very disappointing visit. Came on a Saturday morning as they opened. There was one server. Our large party was accommodated. Environment: It gave me mom n pop vibes. But once they start playing music it ruined it for me. They had a big speaker on the corner and began playing rnb soul music. Which is fine, until you play it so loud I can not hear the people at my table. It was always the same songs over and over. Food: One word. HAIR. 2 out of 5 dishes came to out table with hair which we suspect came from the server. My red velvet pancakes were burnt, a waffle was served to the table completely in crumbs. Sweet potato biscuit was dry. When asked for replacements we got no apology, just attitude. We had to ask for refills, in which our cup was removed from the table, to the back to be refilled. Needless to say we were done drinking. Only positive we're the eggs. Overall: Don't waste your time ... read more

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Jolina C.

173

5 years ago

We discovered this place in June through my boyfriend's Offline Durham membership. Really glad that Offline gets us to know more businesses in town since Nzinga's is kind of a hidden gem we didn't know before. I must say, though, we've had some of the best soul food in the area from here! We had their french toast combo (with sausage and eggs), (love the french toast! Large portions too) the best shrimp and grits we both agreed we've ever had (seriously, try em), some fried plantains and their house fries (both kinda overly greasy but that's okay since everything else we had were fantastic!). We did takeout since the place wasn't open for dine in, and we waited over 40 minutes for our food. They seemed very busy with all the pickup orders and there wasn't ample seating to wait inside. Overall, we were blown away by Nzinga's french toast and grits! Would love to come back when they reopen for dine in. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Rushed food pic-- we were VERY hungry after the long wait! Sorry! French toast combo Cajun shrimp & grits Home fries Fried plaintains - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Bev L.

151

294

122

5 years ago

OK, so I try to support black owned businesses. I was in town this weekend visiting UNC Chapel Hill with my son. Ordered pick up from this restaurant. Breakfast. Again, I say breakfast. Most breakfast items require butter. They bring up my food and tell me I'm sorry we're out of butter. How in the world can you be out of butter? You're a freaking restaurant. Then when I said how can you be out of butter she says to me, we only include butter when you ask for it. So now you're contradicting yourself. I placed my order online there was no option to add butter. I asked her how could I have added butter online? She just continue to apologize to me. I should've listen to the other reviews when they mentioned that this place is always out of some thing. I won't return. Update: the owner responded to my review to apologize. I truly appreciate it when business owners take your concerns seriously. I hate that I had to drive around an unfamiliar town looking for butter when they had some in the back. The food was good, I will admit. I may return. read more

Business owner information

Nzingas I.

Thank you for your feedback! It was a miscommunication. We were out…

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Yvette K.

Elite 19

3 years ago

It doesn't seem like people are dining inside the small restaurant although it was kept very clean and a little dark. But don't let that fool you. I was greeted very professionally. I explained it was my first time so she offered the shrimp and grits which was half off on Thursday. I also ordered the banana pudding. I took my food to go and very eager to dig in. I must say the food was delicious. I wanted to do a dance. The grits were so flavorful and creamy, I couldn't get enough. I don't like overly spicy food but the heat on the shrimp and grits was perfect. Now the banana pudding didn't have any banana in it but it had the wafers and I think they whipped the pudding because the consistency was feather like. It was so so good. I will definitely be back and if you've never been there, you must! read more

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Madow N.

354

643

8 years ago

Came on a Sunday morning for brunch. There was no wait. Ordered the shrimp & grits, which was very good. My friend liked his grill combo also. Nice to find an African restaurant in Durham serving great food. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Shrimp & grits, red velvet waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Ashley T.

Elite 19

118

8 years ago

I have no complaints about this place. The food was delicious, definitely coming back soon, and the music makes the ambience. I like that it's not overly crowded and it's not a huge space. Our server was really nice & took great care of us. There are a couple of things that hold me up from giving this place 5 stars. 1. Would be the bathrooms. Toilets barley flush and they look filthy. The ladies bathroom is out of order while the men's bathroom could use some work. 2. I'm allergic to dairy. If the menu says that you can have the eggs "any style" you should be able to order eggs cooked in oil with no butter. 3. If the place is not super busy, a to-go order should not take 20 mins or longer. Considering that the place was not over crowded and most people have already received their orders. read more

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Leia C.

2 years ago

Food is delicious. I love how the owner of the restaurant Zuri is very personable. She always remembers my name like we grew up together. Great environment! In a very historical area in Durham! read more

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Jonique M.

275

506

9 years ago

This was my first time visiting Nzinga's and when I'm back in Durham, I'll be back. The place was a little hard to find, I wasn't really expecting so many other businesses to be surrounding it. When we walked in we were greeted and seated immediately. The place is very casual and laid back. The waiter was nice, not fake customer service nice, but really a nice guy. I had the French toast and the portion size was bigger than expected. It was delicious. My friend ordered the three meat omelette and enjoyed it. Home fries were hot and fresh. This place was a gem and moderately priced. $9.49 for my French toast combo. 8.99 for a meat trio omelette. I'd recommend giving this place a try. read more

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Zainab F.

Elite 22

395

233

488

9 years ago

I CAN'T BELIEVE I HAVEN'T REVIEWED THIS PLACE YET. If you don't want to wait around and spend 20 minutes looking for parking to enjoy phenomenal brunch or pay $20+ (even +$15!!), this is your spot! This is a low key, but amazing, comfort food restaurant tucked away in the historically Black part of Durham. Highlights: one of the few places you can get Red Velvet Chicken & Waffles (or cookies and cream, or strawberry --- you name it), French toast with fried chicken, spiced shrimp and grits, SWEET POTATO BISCUITS --- oh and for a really, really low cost. I have brought friends and family from out of town here and they have LOVED it, too! My favorite is the Red Velvet Chicken & Waffle. SO SO good. I have never had chicken in the area that was so perfectly seasoned. Their cookies and cream pancakes are excellent as well. I've had friends say the shrimp and grits and the french toast are also the best they've ever had. I LOVE to start with complimentary sweet potato biscuits with honey which they offer for weekend brunch, but you have to ask for them. There are so many things on the menu that I want to try, but I'm so hooked on the above listed menu items to branch out!! Ambiance - cute, light wood and brick, well-lit, diner-like feel. There are paintings and portraits of icons on the walls. Not fancy, just comfortable, which is just what you need some weekends! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - French toast and fried chicken - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Complimentary sweet potato biscuits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Red velvet chicken and waffles and cookies and cream pancakes!!! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Jess M.

197

618

8 years ago

Great service, easy parking, and delicious food! Had the Spanish omelette and extra crispy house fries. Husband had the French toast and pork sausage. YUMMO! Definitely going to be another go-to breakfast place for us. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Spanish omelette - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - French toast with pork sausage - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Atayal T.

Elite 24

500

163

715

7 years ago

Located in a very unassuming complex in Durham, Nzinga blew all my expectations out of the park. The food here is incredible, and with some unique brunch items. This was my first time trying Red Velvet Waffles and they're soooo good! I came here for brunch on a Saturday and got a Ham, Egg & Cheese breakfast sandwich on a Sweet Potato Biscuit, with Home Fries on the side. Also got an order of Red Velvet Waffles to share. The sandwich was delicious, and at only $4.50 it's a steal. I've never had a Sweet Potato Biscuit before and I'm glad I got to try it here. The home fries were also good, albeit unexpected. They were your traditional home fries except tossed with some sauteed peppers and onions. An unexpected, but welcome, take on a traditional breakfast item! My server was very helpful in helping us decide what to order and the food came out quick, probably in about 10 minutes. With a fun ambience, great service, and delicious food, Nzinga's is a must try! read more

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Leslie H.

9 years ago

This hidden gem is surely worth every penny spent! Decided to go here for brunch after craving some red velvet waffles. After a quick Yelp search for red velvet waffles, we were quickly on our way! From the time we entered the restaurant until the time we left, we received superior customer service. Before ordering, I couldn't decide if I wanted grits or not so the waitress gave us the option of cheese or Cajun grits. Since I've never had Cajun grits before, out waitress let me sample them and OMG they were out of this world! I just knew I had to get the shrimp and grits! Btw, I'm usually a sugar in my grits type of girl, but these were honestly the BEST grits I've ever tasted! I ended up ordering a red velvet waffle, shrimp and grits and a side salmon cake. Everything, I mean everything was delicious! Of course since the portions were so plentiful, I had a good amount of leftovers to take home. The waffles even came with a cream cheese spread which made them taste even better. Everything had so much flavor, even the salmon cakes. I HIGHLY recommend Nzingas if you're looking for amazing food with awesome customer service. Looking forward to my next visit! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Red velvet waffle, shrimp n grits and a side salmon cake. So flavorful and delicious! - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Kimberly B.

9 years ago

My first time!! The service was on point!! I had the shrimp and grits, a side of bacon and a single buttermilk pancake. I am used to my shrimp and grits being a little more colorful and textured, ex:...green peppers, onions, andouille sausage, but this was delicious even with the omissions. The shrimp were perfection. They were succulent, tender and seasoned to wonderfully atop some delicious cheesy grits. My breakfast companion ordered the salmon cakes, cheese eggs, grits and sweet potato biscuit. I cannot wait to go back. read more

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Tyler J. R.

Elite 22

651

129

9 years ago

This was my first time coming here for lunch. It offered a nice atmosphere inside. We were seated by the speakers and the stage. Our server Malcolm, was great. He was really attentive to me and my friend's needs. He made the experience better.... and he was attractive The food came out in good time and I had no complaints. I had double chocolate chip pancakes, eggs, and sausage. I would recommend this spot. The prices were reasonable and the food was good. read more

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Brad W.

9 years ago

Stopped by for Sunday brunch after reading some favorable reviews. Wish I hadn't. While I was waiting for our food I noticed that there was a string of lights wrapped around a painting on the wall and some half-ass window tint job on the windows. I went to the bathroom and one light out of five was working and they didn't even bother to tape off the floor when painting, it looked terrible. Since they don't care about the appearance of their restaurant I figured the food would follow suit, and it surely did. They served the cheapest store-bought orange juice that you can buy. Very thick and syruppy. I got the red velvet pancakes. They were super thin and rubbery, like a crepe, and served with a side of what tasted like Betty Crocker cream cheese frosting. The eggs had no flavor. The biscuit was like a hockey puck and super dense. Avoid at all costs. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Nice tint job. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Taking pride in the restaurant. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Hockey puck biscuit. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Thin, rubbery pancakes. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Crepe? - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Yolanda R.

3 years ago

Great Food! The owner was very pleasant and very accomodating .The restaurant was very clean.

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Jasmine M.

Elite 21

111

152

153

6 years ago

I came on my lunch break as a group of 4, and I really enjoyed my meal and the service. The only complaint I have would be the wait time. I had gone on an hour lunch break, and had to rush to eat. I would recommend coming here when you're not pressed for time. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - French Toast & Chicken - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Anna T.

Elite 22

122

7 years ago

The location is pretty obscure, but I'm glad we came here. My mom and I ordered an omelette and shrimp and grits. The shrimp was cooked perfectly, but the grits were a little runny and under seasoned. The omelette was good, especially the side of potatoes. The service was excellent. I'd definitely recommend this restaurant for a casual and inexpensive brunch. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Omelette with potatoes and a biscuit and shrimp and grits. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Angel D.

Elite 21

198

7 years ago

Such an amazing place for a southern breakfast. My favorite was the red velvet waffle. This places also has one of the most hearty shrimp and grits dishes I've ever tasted. I love that the woman who owns place is community oriented. She was actually there when I went and came out to greet the customers. It's a cute little restaurant. I would honestly consider it one of Durham's best kept secrets. read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Shrimp and grits - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Chicken and red velvet waffle - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Nzinga's Kitchen - Chicken and waffles and a salmon cake - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Ana G.

105

149

7 years ago

I came here on a whim and i'm glad I did! It's a cute little restaurant that's a bit hidden in a shopping center. There's also plenty of parking when we got there! When we entered, we were greeted very warmly and were sat down immediately. I ended up getting buffalo shrimp with cajun grits. It was super tasty! I was sad that they didn't have mac and cheese, but overall great experience! read more

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Daniel S.

3 years ago

Good food overall. We particularly liked the shrimp and grits. Hush puppies were not our favorite style, rather small and bland flavored. Also their branded bottled drinks are way too sweet. read more

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Nikia W.

257

434

1314

7 years ago

I love supporting black owned businesses. This one was decent, the food (red velvet waffle and chicken wings) was just ok. What bothered me most was the unprofessionalism of some employees who had a loud conversation in the back of the restaurant where we were sitting. I felt the convo was loud and inappropriate for guests to hear while dining. I'm not a prude, just saying maybe take the convo to the back away from where customers are located. I will go here again, hope to have a better experience next time. read more

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Natika G.

Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

361

679

2048

7 years ago

We get brunch here often. It's usually pretty empty inside because people order out. We love the French toast! It's perfect and full of flavor. They also have good omelets! read more

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T P.

7 years ago

This food was AHHHHHHMAZING!! The service was just as good! The salmon cakes were the star of my breakfast! You don't need a waffle or pancakes if you get the sweet potato biscuits, which were beyond delicious! My girl had an omelet which was mediocre. I couldn't keep her away from my salmon cakes LOL! I would give them 5 stars, however, we both left out smelling as if we actually cooked the food. We literally had to come home and wash our clothes. So if you eat in odds are you'll walk out smelling like all sorts of food and grease! If you're in the Durham area please check out this gem! It will be well worth your time and your tummy will thank you! read more

Nzinga's Kitchen - Omelet, Fried Chicken Thigh, Home Fries, Salmon Cakes, Grits, Sweet Potato Biscuits and Eggs! YUMMMYYYY - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Greta L.

478

5 years ago

Delicious breakfast food for the soul. We had the waffle combo and an omelette with potatoes. We loved it and can't wait to try the rest of the menu. Oh, and everyone was so friendly at pick up! read more

Business owner information

Nzingas I.

We appreciate your business

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Page 2 of 5

826 Fayetteville St
Ste 110
Durham, NC 27701
Directions
(919) 680-2219
Call Now

Full menu

Hours

What time does Nzinga's Kitchen open?

Nzinga's Kitchen opens at 8:00 AM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Nzinga's Kitchen close?

Nzinga's Kitchen is closed on Monday and Tuesday.Nzinga's Kitchen closes at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Tue ClosedWed-Sun 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Nzinga's Kitchen take credit cards?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen takes credit cards.

Food & Alcohol

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have catering options?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen does have catering options.

Does Nzinga's Kitchen serve alcohol?

No, Nzinga's Kitchen does not serve alcohol.

Indoor Amenities

Does Nzinga's Kitchen allow dogs?

No, Nzinga's Kitchen does not allow dogs.

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have TVs?

No, Nzinga's Kitchen does not have TVs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have bike parking?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen has bike parking.

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have outdoor seating?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen has outdoor seating options.

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have parking?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Nzinga's Kitchen wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen is wheelchair accessible.

Does Nzinga's Kitchen have free WiFi?

Yes, Nzinga's Kitchen has free WiFi.

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At Nzinga's we are dedicated to our customers & community to provide excellent service and food.

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Nerra

4.5

(46 reviews)

0.4 mi

I keep trying to remember the last meal out I've had where EVERY bite of EVERYTHING was 150%…read more Nerra, this weekend, comes close and could perhaps exceed that benchmark. Nerra is at 506 Ramseur Street, Durham, NC. Get a reservation. Don't show up hoping. We went for a belated Father's Day, a week late, because my wife and son let the date slip past them. They'll deny it. I know better. And I'm not actually upset about it, because if they'd remembered, we'd have missed this. We started the night with the Baker's Flight (pumpernickel, cheddar rosemary biscuits, cornbread, house butters). The pastries were excellent. The butter was something else entirely. I asked for 8oz to take home, which is not a thing I do. I don't need more butter in my life. Seriously. But this butter was coming home wiht me regardless. Our entries: Shrimp and Grits (built on stone-milled grits with jumbo shrimp, spinach, seared peppers, smoked gouda and parmesan, under a Cajun cream sauce). Number two, the Sun-Fire Jerk Chicken (bone-in, braised and marinated, with fried plantains, island jerk sauce, jasmine rice, and a salsa). Lastly: The Whole Roasted Fish (Snapper this particular night, with spinach, tomatoes, citrus caper, and roasted potatoes). Each dish was spectacular. As if not enough, we still ordered dessert. Mama Made, we were told. Cheesecake and a Chocolate Brownie with ice cream. I'm not going to lie here and say either were shared. Somewhere about this time I was doing math in my head of how we could come to Nerra on a weekly basis. Seriously, I was. The Chef came by the table. The Chef's Mama came by too. Our server, Andrea, did the kind of work that doesn't get talked about enough. Andrea was attentive without hovering, present without performing. Andrea should take some time to right the manual on how to take care of a table and party, cause she's a master at it. If none of this moves you, I don't think I can do more for you here. If it does, you already know you're booking a reservation in the next 30 minutes. We are absolutely going back. The only question is how often I can make that happen without rearranging our entire budget. I'm working on it.

My husband and I went to Nerra for our anniversary. It was totally unplanned so we grabbed a last…read moreminute reservation and went at 1:30. So we were near the end of brunch/lunch and before dinner. The restaurant itself is really quaint and I just loved the decor. Staff was warm and friendly. Our waitress was Patience and she was AMAZING! We started with the vegetable tempura and we also tried the calamari. Now I will admit I wanted to stab my husband in the back of his hand with my fork for wanting me to share that tempura. It came with blackened ranch which I have never head of, but it was outstanding. I tend to be super sensitive to salt, and I found the Calamari slight salty. It is one of the primary reasons I don't opt for fried foods. Somewhere there was a memo that say if it's fried, go ahead and OVER SALT it. I will never understand. I had the Sesame Cruisted Tuna with brussel sprouts and my husband had the Golden Crusted Platter. I did not have one complaint about my entree. It was cooked to perfection, and I just enjoyed it to the last bite. I did taste my husband's dish and it was fried and it was salty. More so than the Calamari HOWEVER, he loved it and he did say it was just slightly salty for him, so ya know, it's probably me lol. His broccoli though...it had a grilled flavor to it but no grill marks. How they did it I don't know, but I had to steal a couple off his plate because he owed me for eating my tempura. ha! I rarely drink but I had a glass of wine and my tequila guy has a blood orange margarita! He loved it and that was a recommendation from Patience. Thanks Sis! All said, I only took a point off of this review for the salt. I just think chef's should know better and be careful that it's not too much. A little salt goes a long way and when in doubt, just leave some space for us to salt our food at the table, You can add, but if it's overdone, it ruins the dish. Otherwise, I will go back and try it other menu items! Tempura and then something different lol. The good news is I want to go back and sure, you go ahead and try it too. I think this one is a winner.

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Locals Seafood Restaurant & Market

This is the ONLY place we get our oysters. And their mignonette is very good! Not all are equal…read more We've been coming here for years, and the food is always fresh and delicious. They crack those oysters there and then. Lots of fresh oyster liquor. Not some dried up tasteless oyster. I never once considered waffle fries with tartar sauce. Now, it's almost an addiction. We'll typically sit at the side bar area and chat with the employees, who are always friendly and knowledgeable about what they serve. And we'll grab a beer from the nearby bar- it is a food hall, after all- and enjoy a nice meal. They have new specials based on what's good, and they always make them tasty. We love this spot. Always on our rotation.

This place never disappoints. Came here on a Sunday as a second choice but easily became one of the…read morebest meals in a long time. Plenty of seating since it's shared with all the other vendors. Being that it's in a food hall, if someone in your party doesn't particularly care of Locals, they can easily get something different. This is a huge selling point so that everyone can be happy and full. We ordered: - 4 grilled oysters - a dozen raw oysters - shrimp po boy (with generous portions of shrimp) - some huge fish, maybe snapper? - kale salad Everything about this place is so fresh. You never have to wonder how long it's sat there or if there has been enough patrons to keep the supply fresh. You know at Locals that everything is always on point. Highly recommend to anyone with a fresh seafood itch!

Fish market stocked with NC whole fish, oysters, frozen seafood, and more.

Counter near the entry

The Roasted Oysters

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Seraphine

4.6

(129 reviews)

0.6 mi

Tried this spot out that came highly recommend and it did not disappoint! The Food was amazing…read more(Oysters, Fried Fish & Red Rice, and dessert of course beignets). The parking wasn't the best on this particular day, as there was a Durhams Bull Game that evening. The decor and vibe were all present inviting as soon as you walk in!

Summertime ..and the food, service and ambiance can be enjoyed at Seraphine. We went for oysters,…read moresmall plates and wine before seeing a show at DPAC. They have indoor seating but it was a beautiful night to dine on their patio. Cocktails, Mocktails and more are available but we opted for a glass of Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé wine to pair with some Blue Crab Claws (which were on their menu additions) , Ceasar Salad (I highly recommend getting it topped with fried oysters), speaking of oysters they offer them raw but the broiled oysters should not be missed! We tried the broiled oysters with chili lime butter which were so good with their crusty bread. If you love seafood try the Tuna and Lobster Crudo and for my vegans the Fried Lions Mane small plate was tasty! We enjoyed everything and see why they got nominated from Michelin Guide and recently featured in Durham's Mag Best Of ! You must go and experience a taste of Louisiana in the Bull City for yourself .

Broiled Chili-Lime Butter Oysters

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1/2 dozen Broiled Oysters

Crab Sea

I have only been here a couple of times but each time was a good experience. The staff is always…read morefriendly and the food was great. This time I got a shrimp boil....so much great flavor! The seafood is always fresh. The restaurant is clean..that's always a plus. Oh before I forget, my husband enjoyed his oyster po boy...immensely!

Amazing food you gets your money's worth. They don't hold back portions in my opinion.read more

Fried Shrimp Po' Boy

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Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar

We visited in a Monday a little after 5pm, after whole day at Duke…read more On arrival, easy parking and then we were greeted by a big smile from the young lady behind the bar (Megan) and we sat outside. We started with a dozen oysters, and calamari- followed by tacos. The food was fresh, their coleslaw is made in house and was delicious. The oysters were fresh and tasty. I had the grilled mahi tacos and my husband had the shrimp- it was all amazing. The ambiance was relax and welcoming. Fast service too. Priced reasonably.

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar in Durham sits in a shopping center where the parking is posted as…read moreone-hour, but if you're a customer, you can stay longer without issue. That's the first thing you notice--plenty of parking. I had no trouble finding a spot on two separate visits this week. Inside, it's a cozy setup with a bar, table seating, and an outdoor patio area. It has that laid-back oyster shack feel. The patio looks like it could be dog-friendly, though I didn't confirm. The place is clean, and the staff are genuinely friendly across the board--welcoming without being overbearing. Food-wise, it delivers. On my first visit, I had steamed clams and steamed Gulf shrimp. Both were phenomenal. The clams were sweet and perfectly cooked, and the shrimp was just as impressive--simple, fresh, and done right. Second visit, I went a different route and ordered a hamburger--yes, at a seafood spot. Running keto, I skipped the bun, and it turned out to be a great call. Cooked exactly to order and full of flavor, it held its own against the seafood. Whether you're coming in for oysters on the half shell, fresh seafood, or even a solid burger, this place covers it. Make sure to check the chalkboard specials--that's really where the menu shines, with daily deals that are worth the visit.

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Red Crab Juicy Seafood - Durham

3.8

(114 reviews)

4.7 mi

Absolutely love this place!!! Their crab boil is soooo delicious!!! When we walked in the floor…read morehad been freshly mopped and there's a special secret code on the bathroom doors for the ladies. There just aren't enough words to express how good this place is.

This was my first time to a seafood boil and boy did I enjoy it!!! I hd shrimp mussels and crab…read morelegs in the garlic sauce at a hot level. Everything was cooked to perfection and was so tasty!!! We will be back!

The F4. Fried Oyster Basket. 1lb Black Mussels. S5. French Fries

Bar

Red Crab Special 1

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Saltbox Seafood Joint

My son suggested this joint, and I am glad that he did! What a great place. The service was great,…read morethe food was amazing, and I loved the atmosphere. It is completely casual, and I loved seeing the owner in the kitchen when he greeted me and thanked me for coming in. My spicy mani was great, and my son really enjoyed his drum. The sides were great too. I will be back!

I had the fried sheep's head. It was cooked just the way I remember my Grandmother cooking it. I…read moregrew up on Lake Erie, so fishing was a common activity in my family. What a great food memory. The fish here is top shelf in its preparation and flavor. The staff is very friendly. The portions are nice. Dining inside is a nice experience. It is not a huge dining area, but it is a perfect space where members of the community can gather over great fish and conversation. There are a few tables outside as well to enjoy the weather. Prices are what you would expect from freshly prepared fish meals. Not expensive but definitely not fast food prices. The fish changes daily so you should come often to experience the range of goodness! As you can tell, I highly recommend this restaurant.

Inside. Dining room. View from back of house.

Mahi Roll

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Grouper Bits

Squid's

I've always wondered about Squid's since the parking lot seems to be full whenever I drive by. Even…read moreif the front lot looks packed, there's more parking in the back. My friend and I made a reservation, so we were seated right away. Since it was our first time, our server was super friendly and gave us a few recommendations while answering all of our questions. The meal started with complimentary hushpuppies, which were a nice touch. I ordered the pan-seared crab cakes, and they were good--you could actually see plenty of crab throughout them. The mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables, though, were pretty bland and forgettable. Overall, I can see why Squid's is a Chapel Hill staple, and I think it's worth trying at least once!

My wife and I love to go to Squid's! It's a favorite dining spot for us, as we both love seafood…read more The atmosphere has a nautical theme, as you might expect. Our server on this visit was Angelina, and she was personable, polite, and professional. She brought us or drinks and a basket of hushpuppies to start. We've eaten hush puppies at many restaurants, but these are exceptionally good! I asked Angelina to bring us three dipping sauces: tartar sauce, cocktail sauce and their delicious aioli mayonnaise. We devoured it all! For our dinner selection, we split a three-seafood combo meal of fried cod, scallops, and shrimp. It came with French fries and cole slaw. The portions were generous, and delicious. We'll be back!

Spicy Fra Diavolo with Chicken

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Cary Crab House

ordering online for takeout was easy and ready exactly on the time i put down on the app. When I…read morearrived, surprisingly busy for late lunch time, greeted by the sweet hostess and provided my take out no problem. Shockingly the boil wasn't over steamed when I got home, very fresh and flavorful (no fishy taste) I got headless shrimp, snow crab legs, potatos, corn in cajun/ garlic butter "mild" with a side of hush puppies. Hush puppies were on the dryer side but not a deal breaker. I haven't eaten in-house yet but I'm sure either way it's a win win.

Three of us came here for dinner. It was my first time but the others had been here before…read more I got the calamari and oysters and potatoes and hush puppies as my sides. The oyster breading was way too thick and very crunchy. I had to ask for cocktail sauce and lemon and that took a while. Based on my meal and service I would say a 3 but the others loved their meals. One got a shrimp boil and the other a combo of shrimp and crabs. You get to choose your sauce in the bags and one chose garlic butter the other the bang bang( a combo of all the sauces. The service was slow and we had to ask for refills. It's pricey but I guess that's because it's seafood. The theme is rustic/nautical.

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Shrimp & Crawfish

The Blind Pelican

Great food and service. Awesome selection of seafood. Can't wait to go back! Loved my lobster roll…read more Very fresh

Nautical-themed The Blind Pelican has been on my bloody mary bucket list for years, so I was…read moreexcited to finally get to check them out this weekend while visiting the Raleigh area. I quickly scanned their hefty bloody mary menu and ordered the Lobstrocity, featuring veggies, shrimp, a grilled cheese sandwich and a fresh lobster tail atop a sizeable glass of the main concoction. This was definitely a meal in a glass! It was all quite delicious and filling, and I was glad I'd opted out of any of the optional add-ons like filet mignon, crab claws, or frog legs. Of course, I still had to order half a dozen raw oysters for dessert. And no, I won't be eating for the rest of the day! What made this a 5 star experience was our phenomenal server, Trevor. He was fast, friendly, and always nearby to clear empty plates or offer drink refills.

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Guglhupf Bakery & Restaurant

The line is always long and it moves relatively quickly. Love sitting outside. Great ambiance. This…read moreplace runs like a well-oiled machine. This was my third time there. I always want the fish sandwich but they don't have the fish I want (picky! ). My son got the chicken sandwich which was really great. The bun was so fresh. My FIL got the Benedict. It was huge. Fruit cups all around. Huge chunks of pineapple. My son and I got the lemonade spritz. It was too sweet me but my son enjoyed both of ours.

This spot has a great indoor and outdoor space, and it's dog friendly, which is always a plus. The…read morefood was delicious. I absolutely loved the fish sandwich. It was grilled perfectly, and the fries were crispy and well seasoned. The coffee was made with freshly ground beans, and if you're a coffee connoisseur, this is definitely your spot. They also have a fresh bakery with so many options to choose from. My least favorite part of brunch was the soup. It could have used a little more salt and maybe some fresh herbs on top. It was served with a cold slice of sour dough bread , and I think grilling the bread would have made the dish much better.

Ordering counter - June 2026

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Juju

Can't wait to try this place again . Every bite was amazing…read more My favorite was definitely the Mongolian beef and the crab fried rice very flavorful filled with aromatics. Perfectly seasoned. The beef was crispy. The waiter checked in frequently to see if we were enjoying the food.

Juju (9th Street - Durham) Although we live in North…read moreRaleigh, we've been spending more time exploring Durham's restaurant scene. This time we tried Juju on 9th Street for lunch. Parking couldn't have been easier. We found a space right out front in the lot off 9th Street and walked straight in. It was a quiet Thursday afternoon, so we were seated immediately. The dining room has an elegant, relaxed feel, and with only a few other diners it made for a peaceful lunch. Lunch for two came to about $80 plus tax and tip, making this one of the more upscale lunches we've had recently. We ordered: * Crispy Brussels Sprouts * Shrimp Dumplings (6) * Mongolian Beef * Grilled Lemongrass Hanger Steak Salad * Unsweetened iced tea The Food The Crispy Brussels Sprouts were a great start. They were crisp on the outside without being overcooked, and the mint, peanuts, and pickled onions added both texture and freshness. It was also a large enough portion for leftovers. The Shrimp Dumplings were excellent. The flavor was outstanding, and the Thai chili oil, garlic, scallions, and sesame worked beautifully together. My only criticism was the portion size. At six small dumplings, they felt a little pricey for what you receive. The Mongolian Beef was probably the best value of the meal. The beef had a nice sear while remaining tender inside, and the portion was generous enough that we had leftovers for another meal. It had a nice overall flavor as well. The Grilled Lemongrass Hanger Steak Salad was good, but not quite at the same level. The steak had good flavor, but the cut itself was somewhat chewy. The accompanying rice was simply prepared and didn't add much to the dish. The flavors were enjoyable, although slightly sweeter than my wife prefers. Service Service was excellent. Our server took the time to walk us through each dish, explaining ingredients, spice levels, and preparation so we could choose items that fit our tastes. We especially appreciated her knowledge of the menu and her attentiveness throughout the meal, my iced tea was never empty. Overall Juju offers an attractive setting, excellent service, and several very well-executed dishes. Our biggest challenge was simply that much of the lunch menu leans toward spicier offerings than we typically enjoy. While we probably wouldn't return specifically for lunch, the dinner menu appears to offer a much wider variety of choices that fit our tastes. We'll likely be back to give dinner a try.

Inside. Dining room and bar. View from entrance.

Lemongrass grilled hanger steak

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Tickled pink mocktail

Pizzeria Toro

Outstanding Service, Outstanding customer service and Outstanding food and Malcolm is outstanding…read more Thank you David Owens Operations Manager!

Pizzeria Toro is 5 stars and I'm insane for having rated it 4 stars before…read more The pizza is seriously so good. The crust is perfect, has a great char, and the toppings are drool worthy. Whenever I think of good pizza, my mind goes right here. We've come back multiple times since that first visit and while we've sampled some other pizzas, our top two are the Spicy Lamb Meatballs and the Soft Egg. Drizzle some of their fantastic chili oil on it as well and you are all set!

Pizza oven. It's hot in there.

Date night w HG. Way less black edges. Nice. 6/26 Durham, NC.

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Soft Egg White Pizza

93 Banh Mi & Tea

4.8

(38 reviews)

5.8 mi

A co-worker took me to this spot for lunch yesterday. Oh. My. Goodness!! SO DELICIOUS!! I got the…read morepork belly Bahn Mi (sandwich) and an order of fries! Everything was hot and fresh! Beautifully prepared. The bread was crispy and fluffy. The veggies were fresh and the meat was cooked to perfection. The fries were just the way I like it! Crispy/crunchy on the outside and tender on the inside! The service was good! You could make your order with the cashier or by using their large tablet to online order via Toast. Good price points. They also have tea and other drink selections but I don't try it tia time. It's a cute and quaint spot. Very clean. Not loud. Nice decor. Even the serving and kitchen area looked clean. Highest sanitation reading I've seen in a while (99.5)!!! I will DEFINITELY be back to try other options!

Great food, B1 and B3 banh mi's are excellent! Popcorn…read morechicken is great and tastes like true Taiwanese popcorn chicken. All bread is baked in house and is phenomenal! Service is great, we have been 3x and treated very kindly by staff. The restaurant itself has nice seating options with a nice light brown interior + lots of greenery.

Popcorn Chicken

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Storefront

Ninth Street Bakery

This is our favorite bakery in the area for several reasons. There is a wide variety of baked goods…read moreto choose from and nothing is too sweet. They make cookies, pastries, breads (pan loaf and hand-formed ones), soups, hand pies, and sandwiches. The variety is amazing. During the holiday season, they offer larger pies and have various seasonal goods to offer. But what's also wonderful is this bakery gives back to the community in many ways. During the height of the pandemic, they offered free bagged lunch to anyone who needed one. They also were (are?) part of the pilot project for Durham's guaranteed income. It looks to me that the owners/company are concerned about being good citizens of the community and that's a great thing. These days, so many companies get bought out by private equity companies. I hope this bakery continues to be locally owned and operated! (Also, generally this bakery isn't offering the very fancy European/European-ish style pastries which is fine by me. The prices are very reasonable, possibly in part because they aren't trying to make their baked goods a "high end" item. There are other good local bakeries that offer "high end" pastries, but they are also much less affordable and for my taste, too rich.)

Cinnamon roll...tasty, flaky, warm, flavorful it was great. There was indoor and outdoor seating…read more Staff was great, friendly, and helpful. Will def go back!