M Tempura ★ 4.5
Michael Lee's tempura specialist earned a Bon Appetit Best New Restaurants spot, with former Top Chef contestant Savannah Miller leading the kitchen.
Signature: Vegetable kakiage, Soft-shell crab tempura, Dashi broth
M Sushi is a japanese omakase restaurant in Downtown, Durham.
The Triangle's first omakase counter, M Sushi brought Japanese precision to downtown Durham using domestic and sustainably sourced Japanese fish.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Omakase nigiri, House-made tofu, Seasonal sashimi
Address: 311 Holland St, Durham, NC 27701
Michael Lee's tempura specialist earned a Bon Appetit Best New Restaurants spot, with former Top Chef contestant Savannah Miller leading the kitchen.
Signature: Vegetable kakiage, Soft-shell crab tempura, Dashi broth
Pizzeria Toro has set the downtown Durham pizza standard since 2011, serving Neapolitan-influenced wood-fired pies with locally sourced NC toppings.
Signature: Fennel sausage pizza, Stracciatella antipasto, Seasonal wood-fired vegetables
An Italian trattoria on W Chapel Hill Street with generous portions, housemade bread and a lively weekend room featuring ingredient-led cooking.
Signature: House-pulled mozzarella, Wood-roasted chicken, Ricotta gnudi
Rose's builds East Asian noodle and dumpling traditions using NC ingredients. Local pork dumplings and seasonal vegetables fill the compact menu.
Signature: XO sauce noodles, Pork and chive dumplings, Mango ice
Michael Lee's tempura specialist earned a Bon Appetit Best New Restaurants spot, with former Top Chef contestant Savannah Miller leading the kitchen.
Signature: Vegetable kakiage, Soft-shell crab tempura, Dashi broth
Pizzeria Toro has set the downtown Durham pizza standard since 2011, serving Neapolitan-influenced wood-fired pies with locally sourced NC toppings.
Signature: Fennel sausage pizza, Stracciatella antipasto, Seasonal wood-fired vegetables
Giorgios Bakatsias's French bistro has anchored Durham since 2004, with steak frites, moules and a well-edited wine list; Sunday brunch adds crepes.
Signature: Steak frites, Moules mariniere, French onion soup
Gocciolina is Durham's handmade-pasta destination with fresh and dried pastas, a natural-wine list and precise cooking. Named Best Italian by Indy Week 2024.
Signature: Cacio e pepe, Strozzapreti with lamb ragu, Tiramisu
An Italian trattoria on W Chapel Hill Street with generous portions, housemade bread and a lively weekend room featuring ingredient-led cooking.
Signature: House-pulled mozzarella, Wood-roasted chicken, Ricotta gnudi
Rose's builds East Asian noodle and dumpling traditions using NC ingredients. Local pork dumplings and seasonal vegetables fill the compact menu.
Signature: XO sauce noodles, Pork and chive dumplings, Mango ice