Do you love pop-up shops, locally made products, once-a-month special events, WOMEN,…read moreboutique-thrift items, recyclable goods, sustainable cleaning supplies, jewelry, BEER, letter-press cards and oh so much more?! Then let me know you, the Durham Patchwork mini-market is about to be your new best friend! I "secretly" took my boyfriend to Fullsteam on the first Saturday of the month so we could "grab a beer." Little did he know that there was a full-blow POP-UP shop within! My eyes got wide and he realized he'd been tricked, but man oh man was it worth it [and he got a beer out of it!]. This little market is any girls dream! While you sip on a brew you can wonder between vendors [the majority female entrepreneurs and artisans] and have conversations while they tell you about their products, which they are all very passionate about. The vendors change from month to month, but the covered [non air conditioned] space in Fullsteam is filled to the tippy top. This is a perfect spot to pick up presents for friends, yourself or stock up on Christmas supplies! You can support many local business in one stop AND in a chill but popping environment. Check out their facebook page [www.facebook.com/TheDurhamPatchworkMiniMarket] for the latest vendor news and updates. And now you know where to find me every FIRST Saturday from 12:00-4:00pm.

I found out about this pop up market just the day before, lucky me! Unlike other pop up shops,…read morethis one was free admission. The event went from 12-5. There were a variety of craft vendors that were local artists. I would rather buy a local artist print, mug, ring, etc than go to a mall. I wish there was more 'walking' room though, it was very packed (which is a good thing).

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.

This is one of my favorite spots! Their coffee taste high quality and their syrups are home made…read more The folks are always super kind as well. I usually get a honey cardamom oat latte.

Been coming here for a few months, and it feels like one of Durham's best-kept secrets. My coffee…read morehas always been served quickly and with care, and they offer a nice variety of pastries as well. This isn't the kind of coffee shop you visit just to grab a drink and leave, because the space invites you to linger. It's a great spot to settle in with a book, or spend a couple of hours writing. It is located at an interesting plaza, occasionally, there is EDM music from next door drifting in, but somehow it adds to the atmosphere, making the place feel like a hidden little escape with a touch of mystery. Such a unique place to check out both day and night (becomes a wine bar)!

Honestly my favorite of the (two) M restaurants I have been to so far. The biang biang noodles were…read moreumami and hit all of the notes. Unfortunately the jajamyeon tasted burnt initially (it is wok fried so maybe it was too caramelized and charred for my liking), but the chef remade it and the remake was great! Seating is limited but luckily there was no wait for lunchtime on a Friday.

My wife and I are local to the RTP area and wanted to try a new place in Durham. Given the reviews…read moreon this place, we were looking forward to try it. However, we were utterly disappointed with our food there. The bao buns had a tender pork in it but the only sauce it included was hoisin which made it too salty. The Korean fried chicken in the 'Spicy' flavor was flavorless. The sauce was extremely bland alongside the chicken meat inside. Don't let the red bright color deceive you, we kept wondering when the 'spice' would kick it (it never did!). We each got a curry udon and added chicken to it. As frequent curry eaters, we wanted the Asian flavors we enjoy however, this udon was bland as well. The chicken we asked to be added felt like it was just chopped and put over the udon with no actual flavor integration into the dish. We left this place feeling like it was a waste of our money. Given their higher prices, I would've expected something A LOT better with some real Asian flavors.

I am a regular Rise patron and rewards member for several years. I love their selection of…read morebreakfast and brunch options. I usually order a biscuit and save half for a second meal. When I order a box, I order it plain and then add my own fixings at home. My box creations can make up to three meals. I've begun adding my own fixings to their biscuits too. I'm pleased with Rise's pricing, regular coupon offers for loyalty members, and a reward point system that's easy to track. They've recently sent out coupons in those coupon clipper mailers and I found they carry great value. This Rise location (like their location in Chapel Hill) caters primarily to takeout clients. There are some bar tables and outdoor patio seats if you want to eat on site. I'm a takeout client myself (as I hinted above) and prefer building on top of what I order. Rise's biscuits can't be beat. They are flaky, fluffy, and reheat well. My tips for reheating: - Microwave: Lightly sprinkle water on the open faces of your biscuit (not the hard crust) and cover before microwaving. - Air fryer: Use the "Reheat" setting and reheat your biscuit at 325º for 4-5 minutes.

The chicken biscuits and cinnamon rolls are always fresh and delicious. The stuff is always…read morecourteous, helpful, pleasant and professional. The restaurant is always clean and the lighting is very bright.

Just wanted to share some pictures from our recent visit. Delicious as always and fast attentive…read moreservice. Rice cakes were perfectly tender. The beef in the japchae was melt in your mouth and very flavorful. We have never had their KFC somehow but it's insanely good. Come check them out.

Loved the food we ordered. It was delicious. I met my wife during work break to grab dinner and the…read moreservice was fast! Food is delicious and will go back again.

There were so many yummy adorable looking restaurants to choose from in Chapel HIll, but Yelp and…read morefriends recommended the Lantern so I made a reservation several weeks before our trip there for my daughter and I. It was a short walk from our lovely hotel (the Carolina Inn), but started raining when we first walked out the door so we called an uber which was a very short ride. We were seated right after arriving and I had a nice glass of wine and my daughter a diet coke a few minutes later. The menu looked like a sharing type of meal so we opted for: - pork & chive dumplings: yum - spring rolls: tasty, but my stomach (as always) regretted the fried food the next day - bento box: the hit of the meal - shaking beef: i thought pretty good, but my daughter wasn't a huge fan The service was good and the food was brought out at the perfect pace. While I'm sure their dessert is yummy we opted to walk down Franklin street and enjoy some Ben & Jerry's after dinner since the weather had cleared up.

This fabulous Asian fusion restaurant on Franklin St is one of Chapel Hill's hidden culinary gems…read more-- an unparalleled blend of service, atmosphere and taste that makes it worth the drive from anywhere in North Carolina. On a recent visit, our family started off with an delicious order of Pork & Chive Dumplings, while I enjoyed a perfectly prepared Old Fashioned from the bar. For our entrees, we shared plates of tender Shaking Beef tasty Sticky Rice and succulent Pork Ribs, all paired with a fabulous Pinot from the restaurant's impressive selection. Service was outstanding throughout our visit, and Lantern's softly lit, intimate setting makes it the perfect spot for a date night or just to escape the Carolina heat. Everything about our visit was wonderful, and the prices were more than reasonable for a meal of this caliber. An amazing find in Chapel Hill!

This is one of the small businesses at Boxtop RTP in Durham. The Meat & Graze location is small and…read moredoesn't offer indoor seating, but the charcuterie is amazing and you can always enjoy it in any of the outdoor seating with wine (and, if during a live performance, that will elevate the experience to perfection). I stopped in and ordered a small charcuterie snack box because I'd already ordered a big lunch. The charcuterie box was freshly made to order. I will be back and will remember this establishment for my catering needs as well!

Another black own business that you need to check out! Simple charcuterie boards. You can build…read moreyour own, grab one or let her make one for you. May 2024. I had her make mine and it was the best decision. I had fruit, nuts, crackers, honey and much more. It was presented so cute and I only paid $12. If you're looking for a snack give them a try.