I was excited to try Killer Queen for a downtown girls' night. We don't make it downtown very…read moreoften, so I've been enjoying exploring some of Durham's newer spots -- and this one was absolutely worth the visit. The wine list is broad and thoughtfully curated, with options that feel approachable whether you're a casual wine drinker or someone looking to try something new. The sommeliers were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about helping us find something we loved. The space itself is adorable, with eclectic décor and cozy lighting that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's a great spot for conversation and a relaxed evening with friends. The only downside is that the space is fairly small, and I would have loved to see one or two more lower seating options for small groups rather than mostly high tops. That said, I could absolutely see us coming back for a pre- or post-theater glass of wine or an easy catch-up night.

Love this place! It's definitely a bit on the pricey side when it comes to the wine, but the…read moreoverall experience makes up for it. The service is awesome--our server was super friendly and gave me a great drink recommendation when I wasn't sure what I wanted. It ended up being perfect. My friend and I shared a glass of the 2023 Cederberg Bukettraube (sweet white wine) and got the charcuterie board for one with the truffle salami. That board was so good--I can't stop thinking about it. The toasted baguette slices with truffle salami and mustard? Unreal. It was the perfect little snack to share. We also had the citrus lavender crème brûlée, which was surprisingly delicious. I don't usually go for crème brûlée, but this one was light, not overly sweet, and just had a really nice flavor. I've also tried their shepherd's pie before and loved it--wish it was still on the menu! The vibe inside is moody and cozy, and they've got a cute outdoor patio too. Overall, such a great spot. A little pricey, but I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend checking out Killer Queen.

I absolutely loved my experience at delafia! The vibes of this place just drip cool, and…read moreunassuming- I felt like I was back home in Brooklyn coming here! The fascade of the wine bar is hidden so be sure you don't walk by the "barber shop" when you're looking to get in. This bar focuses on natural and biodynamic wines aka my absolute obsession, so I was happier than a pig in mud by the drink selections. The food menu is small, but takes care of business. I recommend a nice tinned fish, giant beans, and the chocolate budino for dessert! The vibes are dark, hip, with an outdoor seating option as well. All in all, a cool destination to check out some fantastic wines.

Casual but hip wine bar just south of downtown Durham, Delafia feels like an intimate and hidden…read moregem. Inside this old barber shop is a weathered space and crowd of locals in the know. Short list of wines along with some snacks, enjoy a nice glass of vino and conversation when visiting. Friendly and knowledgeable staff for wine-lovers!

I would like to share positive feedback regarding a recent trip to the Oak House. The customer…read moreservice is always top-notch, but today was especially great. I was helped by the nicest young man named Kolten, he was pleasant, and it's nice to see a smiling face when you order! I normally order the strawberry matcha, but today I tried raspberry matcha; this will be my new go-to drink!

The lavender latte at Oak House was delicious and perfectly sweetened. My friend got the vanilla…read morecold brew, and it was also delicious. Inside with plenty of seating and lots of choices for coffee and other drinks. Was great and the inside was great.

Where is the wine??? Cool atmosphere...lots of spirits available but lackluster wine list.read more

They were out of most wines? Come on, for a wine bar? Food sounded okay but honestly was nervous…read moreto order because I didn't want to have my heart set on something they didn't have. It's a very cute place but how are you out of all your wines?!?

We live right next to Louella, and absolutely love this wine shop! Service is always very welcoming…read moreand friendly, and there's a pretty large selection of wine! You can sample wine at the counter, or buy bottles from the shelves (to drink there or to go). They also offer free wine tastings every Saturday! We often pick up wine bottles to go- they have a decent selection of wine from many different countries. Favorite part about Louella? It's dog-friendly! Both inside and outside (making these hot days more bearable for us and our fur baby). It can get crowded here, but have never had a problem finding a table- and we've made several friends at this shop! Would highly recommend stopping in for some wine!

Really popular place amongst locals. The staff are very knowledgeable about the menu options which…read morechange quite frequently. I had the moscato. It was sweet and had a nice lychee taste. I also really like the ambiance. Very classy and perfect meet up place to catch up with friends.

A really nice wine bar in downtown Durham to grab a drink before or after a show. The seating can…read morebe a little tight if the bar is packed, which it was when we went a couple of Saturdays ago. The bartender gave some really good recommendations regarding wine selections. You can order either by the glass or bottle. Nice spot, check it out.

Brunello Wine Bar is a cool spot. The staff members are knowledgeable and the selection is unique…read more My husband and I tried a few different pours and enjoyed them all. It is a smaller spot but luckily it was not busy when we visited. If you are in Downtown Durham then check it out.

What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

Really fun cocktail bar- that specializes in rums! First impression- I called ahead to see if our…read moredog was allowed to sit on the outside patio, and they told me not only is she allowed, but we aren't allowed to come without her. That response will get a smile every time. Super dog-friendly, to say the least, both outside and inside. Outside has several tables under a covered area, and inside has a few couches (with tiny tables) and a long bar you can sit at. We've been a few times now, and the service is super friendly and helpful, every time. It's small and intimate inside, but we never have a problem finding a seat! I love that they have snacks you can help yourself to, in airtight jars at the bar (peanut butter filled pretzels, sour worms, etc). Also important to note- the inside is NOT air conditioned. We stopped in on a HOT day, and it's brutal inside, with cloth couches and just one small fan. Love this bar, all of their cocktails (wine available too), and all of the staff! Will be back (a lot)!!

Stopped by for just a quick drink. Was able to have one of the best Manhattan drinks ever. Also…read moreenjoyed the conversation with the bartenders as well. Looking forward to returning to check out the food and desserts! I even know which table we will sit at!

In this small, unassuming yet elegant restaurant, lives a true Italian tradition, and food just as…read moreyou would expect in Italy. We had a lovely dinner tonight, our server Rafael was an absolute delight! Every bite was delicious and worth every penny. I highly recommend this amazing establishment. It seems people haven't yet realized its presence. The wine selection was remarkable. We had a lovely orange wine from Calabria. 10/10 don't miss out on this great spot!

We came here for brunch to celebrate my wife's birthday with a couple of friends visiting from out…read moreof town, and it was a great choice. We arrived a little early and were seated quickly. Parking worked out for us, but I'd recommend arriving early unless you plan to use valet. Street parking nearby can be tight. The interior is charming and relaxed--exactly what you hope for in a French bistro. Our server was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the service throughout the meal was excellent. They also had a nice range of gluten-free options, which we appreciated. I had the Croque Madame and it was delicious. The mornay sauce was the standout--perfectly creamy with a smooth texture that didn't feel heavy. It's not cheap, but you get what you pay for. Overall, a really enjoyable brunch and, so far, our favorite French restaurant in the Triangle.

I debated leaving 2 stars but settled on 3 because the food was really tasty. We came in on a…read moreSunday at 5:45 pm. We ordered the lobster bisque special and shrimp to start and placed our order for dinner fairly quickly after sitting down. The two appetizers came out right away and were very unique. We then waited an hour and a half for our entrees. Our server checked in multiple times saying they were on their way/ coming soon. We were just two people and ordered steak frites and mussels. No special order or anything complex. These are two of the most popular items. We watched tables get served and flip to new people in the time it took to get our entrees. When the food did come out, we really enjoyed it. It was well made but this was a disappointing experience overall.

The owners of Rocks & Acid care very deeply for wine and their passion shines through when engaged…read morein one-on-one conversations with them about a particular bottle, grape, region, country, situation... they're terrific in that way. However, they're also wonderful because they put on a wine tasting featuring several regions of wine makers in France and not only was it informative, it was fun! (It may sound like a foregone conclusion that bringing a bunch of people together and serving them a lot of wine is bound to be fun, but Rocks & Acid took it up a notch!) We came away with a new appreciation of the wines we drink and what to drink them with. And we can't wait for the next event Rocks & Acid puts on!

This is a cute place in Southern Village located on the Square. I had been wanting to check it out…read morefor some time and new when my sister was here visiting we had to investigate. They have a nice table set up inside where you can enjoy a glass of wine with a group or you could sit outside with multiple tables and enjoy the outdoor atmosphere. They have a really nice wine, selection and an area where you can buy light bite snacks type of food. They have a lot of information on all the wines and it seems like it's thriving. They're always planning different activities and special events which is super nice to give back to the community.