The brown sugar maple bacon pancakes are amazing! There are real strips of bacon embedded inside…read morethe fluffy decadent pancakes. The eggs and smoked sausage were good. The coffee was really good. I really enjoyed my visit. Service was great and the food was amazing.

I've been to True Flavors several times and usually enjoy it, but our visit last week was…read moredisappointing. We were a party of four, though only three of us had arrived. The hostess asked us to wait until all four were present, which was reasonable. When we realized our fourth friend might not make it, we let her know we'd like to be seated and order anyway. She was surprisingly rude in every interaction. The restaurant was not busy as there were several empty tables and no one waiting. When we were finally seated, she removed the extra chair in an exaggerated way, as if to make a point that our missing friend wouldn't be welcome. It felt unnecessarily hostile and set a negative tone for the visit. The irony is that our server was wonderful and the food was great--otherwise we likely would have left. I rarely leave negative reviews because I understand people have off days, but the level of unprofessionalism and rudeness was over the top. It's disappointing to see that kind of attitude at a place we've enjoyed for years, and unfortunately it makes us hesitant to return.

Delicious food, great prices, and very friendly waitress! we were visiting from out of town and…read morewere so hungry and were so happy to find elmo's diner. the menu is very large and diverse. we especially enjoyed the malts

Elmo's is the diner you have been looking for…read more We stopped by on a Saturday morning for breakfast. We were lucky, because a line formed after we were seated, so get here early. Our server, Megan, made sure we had hot coffee and tea in a flash. She also checked back several times to keep our cups topped off and hot. She was wonderful. I had the Greek omelet, with spinach, feta, kalamata olives and tomatoes. I also had a side of home fries, grits and a beautiful biscuit. My wife selected the farmers omelet and my daughter had the gorgeous biscuits with gravy. Everything was served hot and fresh. In fact, I have to say that this is one of the best diner breakfasts we have ever had. I hope to return to Durham, because this will be on the top of my list. Well done Elmo's. You have set the diner bar very high. Your food and service is top notch and made our visit to Durham that much better!

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

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

I had a really nice breakfast here today! I hadn't been in years, but decided to stop in after a…read morehike. My dad and I both got the two eggs- he enjoyed his with rye toast and home fries, extra crispy. The breakfast menu isn't super creative, but that's not why you go to a diner anyway. They could improve the coffee- my dad was disappointed in it. I really enjoyed the turkey sausage, and I like how the oatmeal came with brown sugar and golden raisins. The biscuit was warm and fresh. I was surprised at how dead the place was for a Saturday morning! Compared to Elmo's this place has no wait at all.

The big breakfast, that I had for dinner was sooo good. Everything hot and fresh…read more The service was good. Servers warm and welcoming, especially Chip, who took my order. Lady server came to check on me as I ate. So gracious. Last server came and picked up the plates, too quickly, without asking if I was finished. I'll overlook that. I hadn't been here in years. The place is beautiful decorated and clean and filling up quickly as I was leaving. I'd go back again, possibly with my family as the ambiance was welcoming, food delicious.

Littler is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Durham! The menu is New American with a focus…read moreon seafood and seasonal delights. The restaurant itself is cozy with warm accents, brick walls, and wood paneling. I feel like I'm visiting a good friends home whenever I visit here. As for the menu, and I say this without exaggeration, the carrot cavatelli is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in my life. I seriously dream about that carrot cavatelli. Here's some of my other favorites: Smoked Hamachi Puree- the toaste brioche goes perfectly with this pate-like fish dish, so insanely delicious Caramelized Onion Tart- the robiola foam is a dream and pairs perfectly with the apple Carrot Cavatelli- I would literally write the chef personally if this item was ever removed from the menu. Trust me, just order this for the table. King Trumpet- there's not much better than a grilled trumpet mushroom Seared Scallops- such a fantastic dish that comes with creamed greens and little pasta to accompany it Braised Beef Short Rib- meaty and delicious, exactly as you would expect Chocolate Mousse- a delicious, decadent dessert that's the perfect way to end a meal All in all, you can't have a bad meal at Littler. Plus the service is always excellent and they pay their staff a living wage! Definitely a do not miss in Downtown Durham

Incredible service from the staff + a cozy ambiance (perfected by the unique napkin rings and…read moredishware)! We were pleased with all the items ordered - especially the carrot cavatelli and escarole. We had the early spring 2025 menu to choose from. Entrees were delicious but slightly smaller than expected, which was the only downside. The bill definitely adds up if you have a drink with entrees

I love this place for consistently tasty food and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Every visit feels…read morerelaxed and welcoming, and the service is always on point. It's one of those spots where you can walk in anytime and know you're going to have a good experience. If you're looking for recommendations, the wings are a must‑try, and pairing them with a Bloody Mary never disappoints.

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.

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

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

We were looking for late night bite to eat and stumbled upon this start up mom and pop diner called…read moreMa's. We thought it was your stereotypical diner so decided to check it out. When we arrived we realized it was just for takeout/delivery. So we ordered a few cheeseburgers and fries from the very nice gentleman manning the place. It took a few mins to cook but it was worth much more than that short wait. These were by far the best, perfectly prepared, seasoned and presented burgers we have ever had. They were so good we went back the next night for more. Rumor has it they may move into a sit down dining location soon so be on the lookout for the absolute best food in Durham, NC. They are a late night stop. Just open Thursday, Friday, Saturday from 8pm to 3am but if you want to bite into food that would make Ramsey weep for joy stop in Ma's for some take out!

From the owner: We are a ghost kitchen delivering generational recipes late night!. Open Thursday thru Saturday…read morefrom 8pm to 3am. Fine dining food, diner prices.

Great food! Love the open air environment. The walk up service and food delivery was on point…read more Will be back!

The Boot Room is the adjoining restaurant to Beer Study Durham so it's a great spot if you're…read morelooking for a casual spot to hang out with friends! While the majority of their menu consists of sandwiches and burgers, my most go-to and recommendation is their Cobb salad which is hearty and delicious! I also often order their tots and love the sauces they come with.

A very friendly atmosphere and it has rooftop sitting. The…read moreburger was delicious! Great beef quality. Will be back!

What a cute little brunch spot in the heart of Durham! The concept is one where you order at the…read morecounter and then the servers bring out your items. This worked well until we were asked to wait several minutes for drinks because they were busy with food orders. The food itself was very good. We were all pleased with our meals and especially with the smoked wings. They have a house made ranch that is also top notch. I tried the cinnamon roll and wasn't impressed. The flavor was almost like it had a citrus hint to it. It says there are nuts in it on the menu but when I asked the server she shared there are in fact no nuts in the roll. Parking here can be a challenge due to the tiny lot but there is street parking available as well. I will definitely be returning here when in the area.