Cosmic Cantina ★ 4.0
Open until 04:00 every night since 1995, Cosmic Cantina on Perry Street near Duke is Durham's definitive budget late-night. Burritos and tacos under $14.
TryBuild-your-own burritos and tacos
Eat well in Durham for under €15 a plate: the places locals on a budget actually use.
Cheap eats worth seeking out
Elmo's Diner ★ 4.0
Ninth Street institution serving the full Durham demographic since the 1980s. Pancakes, eggs and sandwiches at honest diner prices; coffee is bottomless.
TryPancakes, eggs and sandwiches
Fonda Lupita ★ 4.1
Hand-pressed corn tortillas fuelling tacos and tamales at Brightleaf Square's best prices. Named Eater Carolinas Restaurant of the Year 2021.
TryTacos al pastor and tamales
Saltbox Seafood Joint ★ 4.9
At $14-22 for a James Beard winner's fried fish plate with signature Hush-Honeys, Saltbox offers the best value-for-accolade ratio in Durham. No reservations.
TryFried fish plate with Hush-Honeys
Boricua Soul ★ 4.2
Lunch pricing for Puerto Rican food made from scratch at American Tobacco Campus. Empanadas and pernil under $12; the lunch crowds say it all.
TryEmpanadas, pernil and rice-and-beans
Hatch Burritos ★ 4.0
New Mexico green chile burritos in a city of BBQ and tacos. Hatch Burritos on N Mangum has quickly become a weekday morning-to-lunch favourite downtown.
TryHatch green chile breakfast burritos
King's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.1
A Durham institution since 1942, King's on Foster Street holds a menu where nothing exceeds $10. Grilled cheese, burgers and sandwiches without any fuss.
TryGrilled sandwiches and burgers
Taqueria La Vaquita ★ 4.1
Marked by a bovine statue, Taqueria La Vaquita is one of Durham's best-value taqueria counters. Tacos at $4-5 each; al pastor and birria are the best choices.
TryTacos and burritos
Pie Pushers ★ 3.9
A by-the-slice pizza counter on W Main Street at $3-4.50 per slice. Rotating styles and toppings from classic to creative; Wednesday is 50-cent wing night.
TryPizza by the slice
Chicken Hut ★ 4.4
Open since 1957 and Eater-named one of America's best in 2022, Chicken Hut does weekday lunch only and sells out before mid-afternoon. Arrive before noon.
TrySouthern fried chicken
Book food experiences in Durham
Private tour · 2 hours
Durham Walking Tour and Tales of Crime and Punishment
Take a walking tour around historic Durham. Visit the city's attractions while also hearing intriguing stories of crime and punishment through the ages from your guide.
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Private tour · 7 hours
Durham: Private Full-Day Guided Walking Tour
Discover the history and culture of Durham on a guided walking tour. Visit the Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local café and a beer...
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Private tour · 4 hours
Durham: Private Half Day Walking Tour
Explore Durham on a private walking tour. Discover the city's history, visit the UNESCO-listed Durham Cathedral, and enjoy coffee and cake at a local cafe.
from$118 Check dates