Tasting menus, Michelin stars, and the kitchens redefining what fine dining means in Durham.

Top tables

Mateo Bar de Tapas ★ 4.8

Spanish tapasChef Matt Kelly$$$$75-120downtownTue-Sat 17:00-22:00Book 2-3 weeks ahead

Multiple James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist Matt Kelly built his name here. Mateo is NC's definitive Spanish tapas restaurant, driven by wood-fire.

109 W Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701

NanaSteak ★ 4.6

American steakhouseChef Matt Kelly$$$$$60-150american-tobacco-campusMon-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 16:00-21:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead

Matt Kelly's steakhouse at American Tobacco Campus has a tobacco-leaf bar inlay. Prime and dry-aged beef anchor a celebration-restaurant room.

345 Blackwell St, Durham, NC 27701

Cheeni ★ 4.7

Upscale IndianChef Preeti Waas$$$$55-90downtownSun-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 16:00-22:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead

Eater NC's Restaurant of the Year with two James Beard Best Chef Southeast semifinalist nods for Preeti Waas, crossing South and North Indian traditions.

202 Corcoran St Ste 100, Durham, NC 27701 Book →

M Sushi ★ 4.6

Japanese omakaseChef Michael Lee$$$$$130-180downtownTue-Thu 11:30-21:30; Fri 11:30-22:00; Sat 17:00-22:00Book 2-4 weeks for omakase ahead

The Triangle's first omakase counter seats guests for a precision Japanese tasting. Tables offer a la carte as a more accessible entry to the programme.

311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701 Book →

M Tempura ★ 4.5

Japanese tempuraChef Savannah Miller$$$$65-95downtownTue-Thu 17:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 11:30-15:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead

Selected for Bon Appetit's Best New Restaurants, M Tempura is the most focused of Michael Lee's concepts. Savannah Miller leads precise tempura.

111 Orange St, Durham, NC 27701 Book →

Seraphine ★ 4.4

Cajun$$$american-tobacco-campusTue-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 16:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead

A Michelin-recommended Cajun and Creole restaurant at American Tobacco Campus. Louisiana flavours and NC sourcing; the terrace view is the best seat.

324 Blackwell St, Ste 402, Durham, NC 27701 Book →

Little Bull ★ 4.5

Mexican fusionChef Oscar Diaz$$$downtownMon+Wed-Thu 17:00-22:00; Fri 17:00-23:00; Sat-Sun 11:00-23:00Book 1-2 weeks ahead

Michelin-recommended Little Bull is Oscar Diaz's creative Mexican kitchen built on birria dumplings and a BBQ mole pork chop as the house signature.

810 N Mangum St, Durham, NC 27701

Vin Rouge ★ 4.4

French bistro$$$old-west-durhamTue-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead

Bakatsias's French bistro has kept classical French standards on Hillsborough Road since 2004. Steak frites, moules and French wine anchor it.

2010 Hillsborough Rd, Durham, NC 27705 Book →

Nikos ★ 4.3

Greek$$$brightleafMon+Wed-Thu 17:00-21:00; Fri 17:00-22:00; Sat 11:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead

A Michelin-recommended Greek restaurant at Brightleaf Square. Small plates, grilled meats and curated Greek wines from the Bakatsias group on W Main St.

905 W Main St, Unit 21B, Durham, NC 27701

Zweli's Ekhaya ★ 4.4

Zimbabwean$$american-tobacco-campusTue-Fri 11:00-14:30 and 17:00-21:00; Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-15:00Book Days ahead ahead

One of very few Zimbabwean restaurants in the US, serving sadza and nyama choma with a wine list featuring Southern African producers rarely seen in NC.

406 Blackwell St, Ste 100, Durham, NC 27701

Gocciolina ★ 4.6

Italian pasta$$$old-west-durhamTue-Sat 17:30-22:00Book 2+ weeks ahead

Indy Week's Best Italian 2024 and consistently booked weeks ahead, Gocciolina operates a short handmade pasta menu in a natural-wine room that seats under 30.

3314 Guess Rd, Durham, NC 27705

Fairview Dining Room ★ 4.3

New American$$$$$75-125downtownMon-Sat 11:30-14:00 and 18:00-21:00; Sun 10:30-14:00 and 18:00-21:00Book 1 week ahead

The AAA Four Diamond dining room inside the Washington Duke Inn serves refined New American cooking with NC producers. Sunday brunch is an occasion.

3001 Cameron Blvd, Durham, NC 27705 Book →

Fine Dining in Durham, FAQ

Where should I eat fine dining in Durham?

Editor picks in Durham include Mateo Bar de Tapas, NanaSteak, Cheeni, plus the full fine dining chapter on TableJourney.

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