Wood-fired pizza$$downtownDaily 11:00-23:00
Pizzeria Toro has set the downtown Durham pizza standard since 2011, serving Neapolitan-influenced wood-fired pies with locally sourced NC toppings.
Signature: Fennel sausage pizza, Stracciatella antipasto, Seasonal wood-fired vegetables
French bistro$$$old-west-durhamTue-Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 10:00-14:00 and 17:00-21:00
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
Italian pasta$$$old-west-durhamTue-Sat 17:30-22:00
Gocciolina is Durham's handmade-pasta destination with fresh and dried pastas, a natural-wine list and precise cooking. Named Best Italian by Indy Week 2024.
Signature: Cacio e pepe, Strozzapreti with lamb ragu, Tiramisu
Italian$$$downtownMon-Thu 17:00-21:30; Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00; Mon-Fri 11:00-15:00; Sat 09:00-15:00
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
East Asian$$downtownThu-Fri 11:00-21:00; Sat 11:00-21:30; Sun 10:00-17:00
Rose's builds East Asian noodle and dumpling traditions using NC ingredients. Local pork dumplings and seasonal vegetables fill the compact menu.
Signature: XO sauce noodles, Pork and chive dumplings, Mango ice
Zimbabwean$$american-tobacco-campusTue-Fri 11:00-14:30 and 17:00-21:00; Sat 17:00-22:00; Sun 11:00-15:00
One of very few Zimbabwean restaurants in the US, Zweli's Ekhaya is at American Tobacco Campus, serving sadza, nyama choma and Southern African wines.
Signature: Sadza, Nyama choma (grilled meat), Matemba (dried fish)