Barbecue$$old-west-durhamWed-Mon 11:00-20:00
A nationally recognised whole-hog barbecue on Cole Mill Road where pigs are smoked overnight over hardwood. The banana pudding is as celebrated as the pork.
Signature: Whole-hog pulled pork, Banana pudding, Brunswick stew
Barbecue$downtownTue-Sat 11:00-20:00
Open since 1952, Bullock's is Durham's longest-running restaurant and the centre of Eastern NC barbecue culture. Cash only, family-run, unchanged in method.
Signature: Eastern NC whole-hog barbecue, Brunswick stew, Hushpuppies
Chinese$south-durhamApprox 11:00-20:45; call ahead as hours vary around dumpling prep
Bon Appetit Best New Restaurants 2019, a strip-mall Sichuan kitchen in South Durham. Handmade dumplings, dan dan noodles and scallion pancakes made daily.
Signature: Handmade dumplings, Scallion pancakes, Dan dan noodles
New American$$$downtownMon-Fri 07:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00; Sat-Sun 08:00-14:00 and 17:00-22:00
The restaurant at the 21c Museum Hotel sources from NC farms and fisheries. Weekend brunch among rotating contemporary art is the best hotel-brunch downtown.
Signature: NC shrimp and grits, Smoked salmon benedict, Local vegetable sides
American diner$ninth-streetMon-Fri 07:00-15:00; Sat-Sun 07:00-15:30
The reliable Ninth Street anchor since the 1980s, Elmo's serves breakfast and lunch seven days. The pancakes are house-made and waits on weekends are earned.
Signature: Pancakes, Biscuits and gravy, Huevos rancheros
Southern$$downtownSun-Mon 10:00-14:30; Tue 09:00-15:00; Wed-Thu 09:00-19:30; Fri-Sat 09:00-20:30
Durham's celebrated brunch spot lets you build your own plate: choose the bird, the waffle style, the schmear and the drizzle from a list of creative options.
Signature: Chicken and waffles, Sweet potato waffle, Oatmeal waffle