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    Aaktun

    4.1 (49 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 10:00 pm

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    AAKTUN ATMOSPHERE

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    Recommended Reviews - Aaktun

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    Front signage
    Cheryl L.

    Stopped in for brunch with a friend. Amazing service, great food and beautifully decorated. The ambiance and decor were absolutely amazing. Loved the cozy cubby like seating and large plants that adorned the restaurant. The food was delicious and fairly priced. Our waitress was amazing and provided great recommendations. She suggested we return for dinner and I will definitely visit again.

    Amanda R.

    Me and my husband come here often. The ceviche is to die for and the classic burger is supper good! It's pretty busy most of the time but the wait is never too long. Portions are great and staff is friendly.

    Joel J.

    This place was great! The service was friendly, with workers consistently checking in on you. A wide variety of menu options and drink options as well. I enjoyed my Jerked half chicken and recommend it! The place is also visually appealing! Beautiful decorations and ambient lighting make for a nice atmosphere.

    Espresso Martini
    Athena P.

    Me and my husband love coming here for special occasions and just for date nights. We have gotten something different each time we've visited and everything has been great - cannot recommend enough ! Waitresses are always so sweet and accommodating and food is always great. Def a spot I love to bring people to who haven't found out about it yet

    Stephanie J.

    We dined in at Aaktun's Clayton location and had a good experience. It was the passion fruit/mango juice then the island getaway mocktail (this drink is served in a cute seahorse glass) for me and the cafe de olla latte for my husband for drinks. The rolls (pan y butter) are a must order, they are so delicious topped with the sweet chili butter. For our meals it was the vegetarian totchos for me and the B.E.C. breky sando for him. We enjoyed the drinks and food. I can't wait to try their Durham location. *This location was not serving alcoholic beverages yet when we visited and a reservation is recommended.

    Cafe de Olla Latte
    Onvara A.

    Aaktun is a Clayton gem! We went with some friends for Sunday brunch. We really enjoyed their menu and the beautiful ambiance. It's a very modern, colorful space with cozy alcoves and lots of live plants. I got the vegetarian totchos (tater tots covered with a delicious white sauce, scrambled eggs, avocado, and sauteed mushrooms) and the Mami Kiss Latte (strawberry rose, oat milk, and espresso). My husband got the Chorizo Papi breakfast sandwich (chorizo, eggs, escabeche carrots) and the Cafe de Olla latte (traditional Mexican latte). Everything was tasty and beautifully presented and the drinks were both next-level. We felt that it was really good value as everything was reasonably priced and decently portioned. There's something for everyone on the menu! Really glad they opened up in Clayton and we can't wait to go back for another brunch or to try out the dinner menu!

    Britt B.

    I was finally able to try Aaktun today, and had a great experience! My husband has been hyping this place up for awhile, as when I work during the week him & our daughter have had a few adventures here. I will say, it did not disappoint! Nestled in downtown Clayton (there is another location in Durham, as well), the spot is conveniently located and cozy. The decor is incredibly pleasing and lovely. We sat at a table which resembles a "cave." So unique and fun. The bar area is also really neat, if we were to go back for a date night, we'd sit there. We made a reservation one day prior for a 12:30 lunch reservation for the three of us on a Saturday and were seated right away. The staff is very friendly, and our server was stellar. The lunch menu is extensive: delicious dishes, fun cocktails and coffee drinks, and a decent wine list. We were provided waters to start and I opted for a glass of the Napa Cabernet. I really wanted to try their iced banana latte for a to-go drink after, but I surely will next time! We started with the appetizer of Brussels Sprouts. We were hoping the Coconut Shrimp was on the lunch menu, but unfortunately, it was not. Hopefully we will get that for a dinner appetizer next time. We are a huge fan of trying Brussels Sprouts at new restaurants and these were great! Served charred with tropical chili crisp, pickled pineapple, and a coconut salsa. They were a little bit sweeter than my liking, but still delicious and we both enjoyed them! For our entrées we went with the Lomo Saltado and Jerked Half Chicken. Both of these dishes were incredible. I ordered the Lomo Saltado and it was delicious, and recommended by my husband. Perfectly cooked steak atop rice and served with grilled tomatoes and Yuka sticks, which were amazing. Although this dish was delicious, I loved my husband's even more. The Jerk Half Chicken was perfectly cooked and flavored, and had the perfect amount of kick! UPDATE: We ended up stopping by the next day to pick up a breakfast sandwich & my Banana Pudding Latte! OH SO GOOD. We got the Bella mushroom and egg breakfast sandwich, so delicious, so flavorful, and huge. Hands down would order again. The Iced Banana Pudding Latte with Oat Milk was stellar: 10/10! I can't wait to have it again! I can't wait to go back to Aaktun to try more dishes and see what the dinner menu offers! Great experience and highly recommend.

    Delicious cocktail
    Gabe P.

    The wifey and I tried out a new-to-us place last night, the Aaktun restaurant in Clayton NC. We had talked about it for a while but last night went for it. It was not disappointing. Her papaya salad was delicious, although spicy so if you're not into that you might want to try something else. The calamari was a tiny bit chewy but combining it with the chili aioli and a bit of their red spicy sauce made it quite a treat. And the burger? Great, but it comes with tater tots which makes everything even better, and we split it so we got an extra side of tots since we both love them. Great food, great drinks (I loved my Rebook With The Straps cocktail) and great atmosphere. And we got a curbside parking spot right in front of the place, which told us right off the bat that it was meant to be!

    Huli huli chicken
    Bronwyn C.

    The decor and staff are very nice! Food was delicious and served very quickly. Coffee drink also delicious. I had asked for no cheese on my sandwich (intolerance) and realized after eating the whole thing that there was still cheese on it. Sandwich was still delish and definitely will be going back.

    Scott S.

    Had lunch her today and our meal was delicious again. We went with the waiters recommendations and they were excellent. I had a great chicken sandwich with collards, pickled pineapple and spicy drizzled dressing on it. OMG it was good. My friend got the steak over rice dish and it had amazing flavor. Aaktun is quickly becoming one of my favorite Clayton restaurants. I love the atmosphere also.

    Cocktails
    Gina S.

    Had a lovely dinner at Aaktun with some girlfriends! We loved the interior decorating which made for really cool ambiance. The food was amazing and although our server was very kind and helpful, our drinks and food took a really long time to arrive. It didn't greatly affect our experience; however, seems to be a trend per other reviews. I definitely would like to go back for brunch and see how that menu tastes!

    adobo pork belly
    Nichole M.

    Immaculate Vibes. Starting off, the location on main street is great, it's super close to the free parking. You walk in, and the host stand is kind of on top of you. I really loved the décor. The little alcoves were so cool. The bar with the starry lights overhead are fantastic. I loved the almost art deco meets desert style. It looks like just a very cool place to hang, to get brunch, to go on dates, or to get drinks after work. I love that Clayton is finally getting a space like this. My only hang up about Aaktun was how cramped it was. I felt like the people seated at either side of us were right on top of us. The couple directly to my right kept making very rude comments about us that we just ignored as best as we could, but at one point the man was belching very loudly and pretty much doing it right into my food. That's more bad manners from a guest though, so I can't take points away from the restaurant. I do wish they gave guests a little more room. Service wise, our server was a very nice young woman. She was hard to get over to our table, but that was mostly because she was very busy. If you're that packed on a Tuesday night, you must be doing something right. When she was at our table, she was a sweetheart who seemed to know a good deal about the menu. I will say that my husband did order his burger without the house sauce and it still came with it. My husband hates mayo, and apparently the sauce was primarily mayo. Our server said she specified not to include it, and he ate it anyway, but that was a bit of a missed opportunity I think. For the food... My mother and I split the tostones cups with the crab salad. My mom got the fish tacos, I had the adobo pork belly, and my husband got the burger. I also got a mocktail that I can't recall the name of but it had watermelon in it as a base. Anyhow, the food was spectacular, at least mine was, and I know my mother was very happy with hers as well. Being Puerto Rican, I was expecting a different flavour profile when I read "adobo" on the menu, but I was not in the slightest bit disappointed. The pork was incredibly tender, the fat was rendered perfectly so it melted into the rest of the plate. The sauce was so incredibly fragrant. My dish was rich and decadent. My drink was as well. You can tell that an artist had hands on every minute aspect of Aaktun in Clayton. When I saw "sancocho" on the menu, my standards shot through the roof, and the chef delivered like a master of his craft. I sincerely hope that Aaktun survives the curse of this location on Main Street, because their menu is the sort of thing an up and coming city like Clayton needs. The mix of island cultures was done very respectfully, and I appreciate the hell out of that because I don't see it very often. Beautifully done. Thank you for the experience. I will be back.

    Orvina W.

    The food here was really good! I just moved to Clayton and my fiancé saw this place ok TikTok. The food is delicious and fresh. I tried the Mexican Hot Chocolate and it was soooo good. The only downside side is the flies. I believe the door was open but there has to be a way together keep the flies away. Other than that it was a great time!

    the og burger

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    21 days ago

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    2 months ago

    We were in Clayton for less than 24 hours and ate here twice. Need I say more? It's WONDERFUL!

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    2 months ago

    Food is delicious, staff is great. Drinks were so good. It's a bit pricy but worth it for a special occasion or nice dinner.

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    11 months ago

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    10 months ago

    Great food and service. Loved the charred Brussels appetizer and main courses. Ate outside.

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    7 months ago

    The food was delicious. The Brussel Sprouts were probably the best I've ever had. The service and the drinks were also good.

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    Elixir VI

    Elixir VI

    4.2
    (5 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Walking into Elixir VI and the world outside exhales behind you, the air shifts--with perfumed…read morescent of warm spice and citrus. The warm edison bulbs flicker to life as if they've been waiting just for you, casting lazy shadows across blue walls and gilded mirrors. A hush of soft laughter drifts from a nearby corner where friends lean close, their glasses catching light like captured constellations. Velvet armchairs and couches cradle quiet conversations, while behind the bar, bottles gleam with impossible colors; one even glows, ever so slightly, when the bartender passes. You can't tell if it's the lighting or a trick of magic--and you don't really want to know. They call it whimsical, but really--it's their Old Fashioned. The kind of drink that feels less made and more summoned. When they craft it, there's a ceremony to the motion: sugar stirred just so, bitters dashed with the precision of a spell mark, a single twist of orange releasing its perfume like a secret. The bartender doesn't rush. She moves with the calm assurance of someone who knows time bends for good cocktails. You will find your seat in one of the several cozy alcoves, each space hums with quiet enchantment. Don't forget the food out back, part settled, part wizard of flavor, the food truck delights with gluten-free magic for everyone. Every dish is crafted so well, you'll forget it's "free" of anything--except compromise. Clayton is lucky to have this upscale hideaway where alchemy meets ambiance and every sip feels like a small enchantment. Cheers!

    We went in here as our last stop. It's very dark inside with older couches. The couches reminded me…read moreof something from my grandmas house. They had some live music which was nice. The drinks seemed a bit off. Not our favorite for sure. But the vibes were nice.

    Photos
    Elixir VI
    Decor
    Decor
    Elixir VI

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    Fiori Italian

    Fiori Italian

    4.2
    (63 reviews)
    6.1 mi
    $$

    Our experience at Fiori was wonderful. Alejandro, our server, provided top notch service from start…read moreto finish. He was attentive, friendly, and explained menu items when we had questions. As for the food, our items were delicious and filling! I recommend the "Rollatini A La Fiori" as an appetizer. Our sangria cocktail was also very refreshing. Fiori Italian is nicely decorated and the Italian Oldies playing in the background make for a beautiful mood. I definitely recommend you stop by if you can!

    This play was amazing! I've put off eating here because I heard it was overpriced. We went in with…read moretempered expectations. The ambiance was very nice. It was a little more upscale than I expected but I was welcomed with my sweatpants and hoodie on just the same. The staff was very nice. The owner (wife) was cleaning tables and spent some time answering my questions about the menu. The owner (husband) was in the kitchen running service. Our server was very knowledgeable and helpful. We got several different items to try. I was surprised that the prices were not what I was made to believe. The portions are very good for the price they charge. Now let's talk food: The meatballs were amazing. Surprisingly very juicy. Most places are damp to dry and you need the sauce. These were juicy enough you don't need the sauce, but the sauce was delicious. Not too acidic and not too sweet. That could be a meal itself with a side dish. The risotto was perfectly cooked, the scallops were the best I've had outside of a Gordon Ramsey restaurant. The Alfredo was better than mine that make at home (mine is really good). The Fiorentino is possibly my new favorite dish. Crispy and juicy chicken, great sauce and delicious polenta, and I don't even really eat polenta. We were impressed with all of it. The desserts were really good. The cannolis are awesome and the tiramisu is always a favorite. The chocolate chips in the tiramisu threw off the texture a little bit but it was delicious. I like a heavy espresso flavor in my tiramisu and it could use a bit more for me, but I'd still give it a 9.5/10. When the meal is this good, you nitpick every little detail. Overall, this is our new favorite spot. This meal was outstanding and I highly recommend it! 10/10 and WORTH EVERY PENNY!

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    Fiori Italian
    Chicken Parmesan with Alfredo noodles
    Chicken Parmesan with Alfredo noodles
    Fiori Italian

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    Aaktun - coffee - Updated July 2026

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