Chef Preeti Waas's stuffed baby brinjals at Cheeni are the dish that appears in virtually every review of the restaurant: small, sweet aubergines filled with spiced chickpea and coconut, cooked to collapse in a tamarind gravy. The dish represents Waas's South Indian training applied to North Carolina aubergines sourced from local farms. It is available on both the omnivore and the vegetarian menus, making it the most emblematic Cheeni order for first-time visitors.

1 editor pick for Baby Brinjals in Durham, ranked by editorial score. All Durham signature dishes · Baby Brinjals across every city.

Cheeni ★ 4.7

$$$Upscale IndianDowntown

Chef Preeti Waas's upscale Indian restaurant was Eater NC's Restaurant of the Year and earned two James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist nods.

OrderBaby brinjals, Duck breast curry, Roasted cauliflower

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