Cheap Eats in Durham

Counter Culture Coffee ★ 4.7

Counter Culture Coffee, one of the most influential US specialty roasters, is headquartered in Durham. Public cuppings at Mallard Ave run Friday mornings.

Bullock's Bar-B-Cue ★ 4.5

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.

OrderEastern NC whole-hog barbecue, Brunswick stew, Hushpuppies

Cocoa Cinnamon Old North Durham ★ 4.5

The original Cocoa Cinnamon in Old North Durham blends specialty coffee with West African and Latin American chocolate drinks. Sourcing ties to Little Waves.

Little Waves Coffee Roasters ★ 4.5

Little Waves is Durham's most visible specialty roaster, powering the three Cocoa Cinnamon cafes. Direct-trade sourcing runs through Colombia and Ethiopia.

Sister Liu's Kitchen ★ 4.4

Bon Appetit Best New Restaurants 2019, a strip-mall Sichuan kitchen in South Durham. Handmade dumplings, dan dan noodles and scallion pancakes made daily.

OrderHandmade dumplings, Scallion pancakes, Dan dan noodles

Loaf ★ 4.4

Loaf on W Parrish Street is a Wednesday to Saturday bakery of naturally leavened breads and laminated pastries with genuine long-fermentation discipline.

The Parlour ★ 4.4

Durham's most beloved ice cream shop makes small-batch flavours from whole milk and seasonal ingredients since 2013. Walk-in only from noon on Market Street.

Chirba Chirba Dumpling Truck ★ 4.4

Durham's big yellow dumpling truck has hand-pleated Taiwanese and Chinese style dumplings since 2011, led by pork Juicy Buns and chili-oil chicken minis.

Sister Liu's Kitchen ★ 4.4

A Sichuan strip-mall kitchen in South Durham. Ma po tofu, dan dan noodles and hand-torn noodles deliver spice depth rarely found elsewhere in the Triangle.

Banu Vegan ★ 4.4

Durham's most beloved vegan counter: the Skrimp Po Boy, Philly Fake Steak and Cajun fries. Consistently among the best-value meals in the Bull City.

Chicken Hut ★ 4.4

Open since 1957, Chicken Hut is weekday lunch only and sells out by noon. Eater named it the best fried chicken in America in 2022. Arrive before midday.

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.

OrderSouthern fried chicken

Monuts ★ 4.3

Monuts built a following on Ninth Street with seasonal-glaze donuts and quality dairy. Bagel sandwiches and coffee round out a morning menu that sells early.

Cocoa Cinnamon Old West Durham ★ 4.3

The Hillsborough Road Cocoa Cinnamon brings the same drinks programme to Old West Durham. Duke proximity makes it a weekday study spot and post-market stop.

Liturgy Beverage Company ★ 4.3

Liturgy Beverage at the Durham Food Hall serves single-origin coffee and drinking chocolates with a sourcing philosophy as serious as the food tenants.

Joe Van Gogh ★ 4.3

Durham's original specialty roaster since 1994, Joe Van Gogh runs three Durham cafes with the same direct-trade espresso and single-origin filter programme.

Boricua Soul ★ 4.2

Boricua Soul at American Tobacco Campus fuses Puerto Rican cooking with Southern soul food. Empanadas, pernil and rice-and-beans are made from scratch daily.

OrderPernil, Tostones, Empanadas

Ninth Street Bakery ★ 4.2

Downtown Durham's original artisan bakery on E Chapel Hill Street since the 1990s. Sourdough loaves supply local restaurants; walk-in only, seven days a week.

La Recette Patisserie ★ 4.2

A weekend-only French patisserie in South Durham baking to sell-out each Saturday and Sunday. Croissants, tarts, eclairs and seasonal specialities made fresh.

Beyond the French Corner Bakery ★ 4.2

A French-trained bakery in North Durham making croissants, kouign-amann and brioche with classic lamination. Draws customers from across the Triangle.

Joe Van Gogh Broad Street ★ 4.2

Joe Van Gogh's Broad Street cafe opens daily from 06:30 near Ninth Street. The single-origin filter coffee is the flagship of the roastery operation.

Boricua Soul ★ 4.2

Puerto Rican counter at American Tobacco Campus. Empanadas, pernil and rice-and-beans made from scratch daily. Durham's best immigrant-kitchen lunch counter.

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.

OrderEmpanadas, pernil and rice-and-beans

Elmo's Diner ★ 4.2

The Ninth Street brunch anchor since the 1980s. Scratch pancakes and bottomless coffee from 07:00 daily. Weekend waits are real; arrive before 08:00.

OrderPancakes with maple syrup

Fonda Lupita ★ 4.1

Women-owned Mexican kitchen at Brightleaf Square pressing fresh corn tortillas in-house daily. Named Eater Carolinas Restaurant of the Year 2021.

OrderTacos al pastor, Tamales, Agua frescas

The Mad Hatter's Cafe & Bakeshop ★ 4.1

An Old West Durham bakeshop on W Main Street with a front porch and all-day scratch-baking. Scones, muffins, quiches and layer cakes fill the morning case.

Miel Bon Bons ★ 4.1

A French-influenced patisserie on W Main Street specialising in bon bons, macarons and seasonal pastries. The Brightleaf location draws a neighbourhood crowd.

Omie's Coffee Shop and Roastery ★ 4.1

A neighbourhood roastery-cafe on N Roxboro Street that roasts on-site and serves a short espresso and filter menu at a pace that rewards anyone unhurried.

Omie's Coffee Shop and Roastery ★ 4.1

Omie's roasts its own beans in an on-site roastery and serves a short programme of direct-sourced coffees. Whole bean bags are sold at the N Roxboro counter.

Bulkogi Truck ★ 4.1

A Korean-fusion truck wrapping bulgogi in burritos with house kimchi and gochujang sauce. The bulgogi burrito is the flagship; kimchi fries are popular.

Taqueria La Vaquita ★ 4.1

The large bovine statue marks Durham's best taqueria: $4-5 tacos to order with al pastor and birria the standouts. Corn tortillas pressed daily, four salsas.

King's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.1

King's Sandwich Shop on Foster Street has operated since 1942. Nothing exceeds $10; grilled sandwiches and burgers prepared the same way since founding.

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.

OrderTacos al pastor and tamales

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.

OrderGrilled 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.

OrderTacos and burritos

Elmo's Diner ★ 4.0

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.

OrderPancakes, Biscuits and gravy, Huevos rancheros

Afters Dessert Bar ★ 4.0

A dessert cafe at Brightleaf Square serving seasonal pastries, cookies and dessert-forward drinks. Friday and Saturday evenings serve the post-dinner crowd.

Bean Traders ★ 4.0

A Triangle-area roaster from south Durham since 2002, Bean Traders is among the longer-running specialty roasters in NC. The HW 54 cafe opens at 06:00 daily.

The Pinhook ★ 4.0

Durham's live music anchor with local bands, touring acts, DJs and karaoke through the week. No food, cheap drinks and whatever is playing on the small stage.

Common Market Durham ★ 4.0

A deli, bar and bottle shop hybrid near Ninth Street. Craft sandwiches, rotating draft beer and a curated bottle shelf from early morning until late evening.