Coffee and breakfast were so good. Was visiting for a week or so and this was memorable. The sandwiches were so flavorful

Our experience at Aaktun was bittersweet. After being recommended by friends to visit Chef Diaz' newest restaurant, we were treated with great service at reception and at the bar. The music took us a bit off, since it sounded more like a club vibe, rather than fine dining (the DJ booth near the entrance didn't help convincing us otherwise). We ordered the Bavette saltado and the Jerk Half chicken. The chicken itself was really good and moist, but the plate would've benefitted of having an additional side to contrast with the textures. The saltado was a bit disappointing, as it seemed overpriced for a neutral-tasting steak and bland tasting white rice and fried yucca. Had the rice had more flavor, and the yucca set on the side of the dish with a dressing, it would've received higher praise. It is definitely not a $40 dish, however. The drinks were good, especially the rum-flavored ones. Following the club-like observation, it reminded me a bit of Wonderland, which is not necessarily a good comparison for what Aaktun is trying to aspire to look and be. Finally, for desert we had the goat cheese cheesecake. It was delicious, with a great contrast between the tartness and the sweet flavors from the cheese and the fruit. Overall, Aaktun has potential to be a great spot for regulars in the area, but it needs to revise on what exactly it wants to be, as well as reconsider the pricing of some of their dishes, either by elevating the dish further or bringing the price down. read more

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Came here for brunch and the service was awful. When we were first greeted, we were still missing a couple people and the waitress asked if we wanted anything to drink besides water but we weren't ready yet and she said she'll be back in a couple minutes. Our friends arrived maybe 10 mins later and then the waitress still hadn't come back until maybe like 30 minutes later and asked us if we were ready to order drinks and food. She didn't write anything down when taking the order and got one of the drinks wrong, she wasn't friendly at all and was kind of rude. The food was pretty decent in flavor. Everyone walking around looked rude and unhappy. They charge for sauces, even ketchup, and don't tell you about it. They do automatic gratituty for large parties and don't tell you about it, probably because they wouldn't get a higher tip with how awful the service was. When all the food was dropped off, my partner was missing his but they just walked away without saying anything and left us wondering if they even rang his in. Probably like 5 -10 mins later it came out. Never once apologized for taking long to get to us or for his food not coming out. The inside looked really cool and the menu looked great and food was good but the service was so unpleasant I'll never come back or recommend. read more

Went for dinner. Very cool vibe and atmosphere. Also inventive food and delicious cocktails .

This place is such a vibe! You walk to the left and down a little hallway to the back to the restaurant. The breakfast sandwich is super good. The tots were also good. I was got the panterra brown espresso and it was delicious. Service was great and super quick. Highly recommend trying this spot out. It seems like they have a lot of fun cocktail options as well. read more

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Ok I went back a year later and they don't charge you for ketchup with your tots anymore. But they did charge me extra just to put half and half in my cold brew!!!! I'm DONE WITH THIS PLACE! read more

We went for brunch on a weekend and there was a speakeasy vibe as the restaurant is through the coffee shop at the entrance. We absolutely loved the egg sandwich. The bread was so fluffy. Our server was very kind and helpful and kept checking in on us. We would like to go back in the evening some time. read more

This place is an absolute gem!! Highly recommend giving it a try. We were in Durham for a concert and wanted some brunch and to grab a coffee and a tea. We were pleasantly surprised that this place was much more than a "cafe". They have a beautiful spacious restaurant, and a small coffee bar. We chose the restaurant- which houses a beautiful vibey bar and a spacious seating area. The coffee was great and I was able to "create" a custom crafted tea latte that I've been craving ever since! Told our waitress they need to add it to their tea menu- she asked me to come up with a name for it and she would have it added. So maybe next time we go I'll see my creation added permanently to their coffee bar menu. I suggested Coco Sol Our waitress was incredible, sweet, very friendly and extremely attentive and accommodating! We ordered the Totchos (loaded tots and Pork Belly Adobo Bowl. Both of which were so delicious! The Pork Belly bowl was by far the best I've ever had!! The Chef here is top notch for sure!!! I wish we lived closer because this would be a regular for us!!!! If you are in the Durham area please give this place a try, you will not be disappointed!!!! Definitely a 10 out of 10!!! read more

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It's been a while I have enjoyed a restaurant in the area, but was very happy with the dinner at Aaktun. I understand this is a fairly new establishment so a lot of hype around it, but surprisingly this one lives up to that. The restaurant is done beautifully the ambience and vibes are spot on. We ordered a few things off the menu and neither one disappointed. The flavors were great, just the right mix of seasoning nothing overwhelming. Where you can eat each dish and taste the different components because the previous one did not overwhelm your palate. I am not a seafood eater but I did eat up the ceviche they served and am definitely going back to try more seafood dishes there. Papaya salad had the right spice to it, Brussel sprouts tangy, crispy, sweet and salty. Bread was soft melt in your mouth with chili butter. We also had pork belly, first time for me tasting it and will try again. Jerk Chicken, Brisket and The OG burger. They are still developing their menu and will have more vegetarian options. Also when we went here was no kids menu but The OG burger was recommended for the kids. The staff were friendly and attentive, explained the menu and how it works. The drinks were good and interesting taste flavors. I am looking forward to going back to this place, giving it a four for now as am afraid it might change as it gets busy. Will change to five if second time is just as good as the first. This one I do hope gets the James Beard it is aiming for, you know when the food is coked correctly when it speaks for itself. read more

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The ambiance is very dark with lots of fun plants and some cove booths. The vibe is very Tulum or Miami. The cuisine was described by our server as influenced by Asian, Latin, and Caribbean. We got the coconut shrimp which was good, the shrimp was maybe a touch overcooked, but the ratio of shrimp to breading was good. The pan y butter was also good. We didn't try the drinks but they looked very fun. The short rib was definitely the highlight of the meal. It had tons of flavor and was very tender. I would 100% get that again. The fish tacos were good. I felt like they were missing something. Maybe some more spice or a little heat. Either way, a great addition to the Durham food scene! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Short rib - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Very nice space and amazing dishes! I highly recommend the ceviche de coco and curried mussels. It's also a popular spot, so make sure to make a reservation ahead of time. read more

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So we were really excited to try this place after seeing it on Instagram. Upon arrival, we let them know we had a 2pm reservation. They told us our table was not ready yet. I asked if there was an area for us to wait, since we didn't want to be in the way (it's a very tight space). I was told simply "No" with a deadpan stare. Okayy, no problem, we just hung out in front of the bathrooms and tried not to be in the way. Spoiler alert: We were very much in the way. About 10 mins of awkwardness later, our table is finally ready. The place is beautiful with green palm plants and pink velvet upholstery. We order our drinks, coke and iced coffee. The coffee was great, served in a fun glass, but for the soda I was handed a can of coke. Not really what I was expecting but whatever. We got fish tacos and a bacon egg sandwich. Both were very good and well made. Service was very slow. Waitress was rude, actually questioned the tip I gave her, implying it wasn't large enough. Food and ambiance were great, service not so much. The hosts and servers need additional training on how to treat customers. read more

The vibe is amazing! Cute for a first date and a night out with the gals. The servers were nice and helped us through the menu since it was our first time. The food was great for a picky eater like me. I got the fish tacos and they were delicious and paired great with a little drink that came in a cute conch shell. read more

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Food was 10/10. Service isn't too efficient, greetings take a while and there is no host. We didn't get our order taken until 15 minutes after being seated, it was not busy. The interior is gorgeous. Also if you're trying to celebrate something, they don't give you anything. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Huli Huli Chicken Skewer - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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love: egg sandos, shrimp & grits, mama coco iced matcha latte, design/decor/vibes not my fave: parking, tres leches read more

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The food and service were fine but they they gave us every possible additional charge that they could find. They told us that a party of 10 would be an automatic $45 per person charge. So we asked if we could just split up the party and they, with extreme hesitation, let us do so but made us split into 2 groups of five. We asked why we couldn't split 6 and 4 and they gave us a bogus excuse. To come find out, it was so they can charge us a large party gratitude fee of 20% (which are applied to groups of 5 or more). Ridiculous experience. Don't come here if you have friends read more

The eggs are perfect! The fish tacos were also the best in Durham - easily as good as White Duck Taco in Asheville. Finally, our waitress Joanna provided us with ideal service: considerate and well-timed without ever being intrusive. Highly recommended. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Bar in the back of the restaurant. - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Really loved the breakfast sandwich here. I can't think of somewhere else in Durham where I can get it. The cafe staff were also nice and welcoming! We took a peek at the dining room since it isn't open during morning hours and decided that we def need to come back and check out the dinner experience read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - BEC breakfast sandwich and cappuccino - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I have been to this restaurant for dinner two times and brunch once and I have loved every single time. The atmosphere of the restaurant gives a tropical soothing element with an element of trendy vibes. Sunday brunch had live music and the DJ was amazing, played a lot of Latin music. The staff is very friendly and super helpful when it came to trying to decide what dish to get. If the staff, music, and look of the restaurant did not entice you, then I know the food will. OH MY GOD the food! The food is soo good! My favorite appetizer is the Tostones with crab salad, the plate brings 3, but the size of them make it so that they can each be cut into two. For the main dish I have had the Encocado Del Mar and Sancocho, both were wonderful and full of flavor. The Encocado Del Mar has a large piece of salmon, jumbo shrimp, and calamari in a coconut sauce with rice and collard greens. To complete the meal, I always get the voodoo vibes drink which has mezcal. Overall, this place is absolutely wonderful, and I hope that it remains a staple in the Durham food scene. read more

What an amazing place. You walk into a coffee shop, turn a corner, walk down a gently illuminated dark path and enter an bright oasis that feels like you are on vacation. It made me instantly happy and excited to be there. The decoration is so beautiful, the food is amazing and the cocktails different from the usual classics and delicious. Our waiter was friendly, knowledgeable and fun. I'll be back- with more friends and family! read more

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Bit of a crap shoot, since as of 6/28/2025 they still do not have their menu on their web site. Luckily the food was pretty good. We had chicken skewers, steak and (rather fatty) short ribs. The wine list is small, but the Cotes du Rhone was good. The restaurant is attractively decorated, but VERY NOISY. Things quieted down slightly, and they were taking walk-ins, by 8:30 on a Friday night. read more

The inside is very cute and has a wonderful ambiance. We went at night and there was music, but it wasn't too loud. I was still able to catch up with my friends. The waitress was so attentive and all workers were too. The food was **chefs kiss** Everything was amazing. We actually ordered the bread appetizer too, the butter was different than I was used to but it added a small different flare from a normal restaurant bread and butter (I forgot to snag a photo). We ended up ordering 2 shrimp appetizers because the first one was that good. I will admit the portion sizes should be made known. For the 3 of us, it was hard to split which is another reason we ordered more than one. If anything, I'd stick to ordering other apps and could've done without the bread. My friends both got the salmon and said it was well cooked and seasoned great. They both finished their plates. I got the burger, the other options caught my eye but currently on dietary restrictions so had to keep it simple. That is one of the best burgers Ive had (lol it's just a burger, I know).I compare it up there to the one at "Bar Virgile" in Durham (a spot known for their burgers). Even the tots were great - ate all of them. You shouldn't mess up a potato but you'll be surprised. Aaktun had them perfectly crisp. Not too fried. I will be back to try the brunch menu! read more

It was really good, but honestly, I got full off of most of the appetizers. I loved the ambiance it felt like you were in a cave. In the service was amazing, our server was very nice and came very quickly read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

I didn't like my omelette and they put some sauce I had no idea was included in the omelette. Not just that, but they put cinnamon my brothers hot chocolate. He's allergic. We're lucky he's not already in the hospital. They charged me 2 extra dollars for strawberry boba I didn't even get in my drink. The drink I ordered tasted good to my cousin. However, I'm the one who ordered it, not her. I gave it up because it tastes horrible and I had no clue there was going to be matcha in my MAMA MANGO drink. The server was okay but this place just absolutely sucks. read more

What a great find in Durham, North Carolina. Had the OG totchos and they were delicious. Crunchy tots , Fluffy eggs and fresh Avocado slices. Yum! the vibe inside is so laid back. and the back room has a sexy feel to it! Staff were so kind and friendly! Great find! We ate outside with our pup, but was cute outside as well. read more

Pleasantly surprised with this place. Looks small from the outside but big and beautiful in the inside. Would love to come back to try the chicken! read more

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Had a great girls night. Very nice vibe with excellent music. Food was super tasty and flavorful. I loved all our dishes. The mussels blew me away. Our waiter suggested that we get bread next time to soak up the curry which sounds like a stellar tip. Overall very impressed. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Encocado and short rib - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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This was my first time trying Aaktun, and my expectations were totally exceeded. Best ceviche I have aver had, coconut shrimp, salmon and steak were all excellent. Very fresh ingredients! I look forward to coming back read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Fantastic coffee with a great ambiance! The front of house coffee area has a cozy esthetic and the main dining area in the rear opens up with modern colors, design, and unique style. We would definitely come back for drinks and food! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Coconut vanilla latte. "The Waves" - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Been here a few times for coffee & food. -Ambience and vibes are 10/10! -I have experienced decent service throughout, but my one experience ordering drinks at the bar was incredibly slow. -Food: Found the actual food and coffee could be a bit better - nothing wow-ed me. For breakfast options, the sandwiches are a good portion; just rather rich & fatty. For dinner dishes, the seafood - ceviche, crudo, mussels, calamari were good ; the lomo saltado was decent; and everything else we tried (fish tacos, papaya salad, jerk chicken, bread) pretty flavorless / underwhelming / subpar. Especially for the price range, they could do better :) read more

Yummy coffee!! I had the Pantera Brown Espresso. It was delicious. Lovely ambiance! Will definitely return.

My partner and I came here very excited and were extremely disappointed. The service was so bad that we didn't even get to try the food here. We are extremely patient when it comes to service being a little slower than we'd like but this was beyond slow. Our server, Isabel, took our coffee order/appetizer order and then was gone for about 25 minutes. Someone else brought out our appetizer 20 minutes after we ordered. Isabel then came back 5-10 minutes later with our coffees. My boyfriend ordered a cold brew and was given a cup of hot coffee. About 15 minutes later when we had to call our server back over, we told her the issue and she said that it was a cold brew served hot....this was about 40 minutes after we had been sat, our water glasses were empty, and there was no attempt to even take our or read more

How do I buy a subscription to everything Oscar Diaz is involved in? This is the best new spot in Durham. Please let this group just take over the city. Little Bull is our favorite restaurant so we were excited to try this. I was just in another town with so many cute decorated restaurants and cafes and wondering why we don't have similar in Durham. We do apparently! This place is gorgeous inside. Service was awesome at both the coffee counter up front and the back restaurant. We've had the churro donuts things (amazing), breakfast sandwiches (so good), and a couple lunch items across several visits. We've also gone with laptops for coffee and all the coffees are tasty and unique. Seems great for night too but haven't been there to see. Will probably be a weekly spot for me! read more

AAKTUN is the place to be in Durham. *The things to know before to come : -The portion sizes are generous -The prices are reasonable -Free parking in front of Ponysaurus -Book for a reservation as it fills up quickly -Perfect to come during the day too -Good service, servere always ask if you need anything -It gets busy quickly Let's start the review! We were there on Wednesday during Restaurant Week. The music was a part of the ambiance, I felt like they created something different about the architecture. The concept is different to other spots. First, at the entrance the Coffee Shop and on the left side the entrance to the restaurant with a bar. It feels like a Speakeasy to me. The restaurant is incredible for many reasons. The decoration was fantastic, the tropical vegetation with the pink pillows make me think about the kind of place you see in Miami. We were a big group, we tried a couple of things. I took a coffee with Cinnamon Stick served in a authentic mug from Tulum. Small plates to share : the ceviche was so tasty and unique. The chicken kebab was very tender. Entrees was spectacular, we tried the Adobo Pork Belly served with veggies (bok choy, muchrooms) and rice. The Pork Belly was melt in your mouth good. Anyway everything was perfect. Definitely a place I recommend, I can tell this restaurant will be a James Beard Winner. read more

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The ambiance is absolutely amazing the waitress and waiters are very friendly the food was extremely delicious plus they have the best hot chocolate I've ever had I recommend this place for a five star experience read more

Super cute!!! This may be a little deceiving but I'm giving this place a 3.7, not a whole 4! The best part about this place is the ambiance, decor, live DJ at brunch, and the pistachio latte! I'm sure their other lattes are just as delish, but omg! This latte was so rich with both the espresso and pistachio flavors. That alone will have me coming back! I tried their red snapper tacos, they were pretty good, had a bunch of interesting flavor, and are a bit spicy (which I liked). My date had the pistachio latte and totally agrees with me. She also had the salmon dish with calamari and shrimp, over rice. Overall she said the dish was okay, the calamari was a bit overcooked (some pieces, not all). Service was great, our waitress was very attentive, even when it got busy we still felt seen. I will be back to try other items on the menu. read more

All you need to know about this place: GET THE WAVES Creamy coffee perfection and the coffee area is so so cute!

Wife and I are here before a Duke BB game. We had the ceviche, charred brussels, and seafood stew. Everything was great. Decor and ambience is interesting and service was good. Worth a visit. I suspect we will return. read more

I came in for my sisters birthday. the service wasn't awful. but it leaves more to be desired. In fact, it was utterly pathetic. When we first arrived, we had a party of 10, for which thy then proceeded to tell us that for such a large party we must all order the equivalent of $45 worth of food each, which is insanity. Then, after we decided to split our party into 6 and 4, they told us we couldn't do that for some reason, only for us to figure out they were plotting to have us be charged a large party fee of 20% for EACH table. And even after having used such underhanded tactics to squeeze the maximum amount of money out of a working class family, they still had the gall to charge us for items they didn't even give. My cousin ordered the Mama Mango with strawberry boba, they don't give it to her with the boba in it, and they still tried to charge her for it. They claimed they were out but she SAW people around us with the same drink. Our other member of our table ordered a drink and they put cinnamon in it and it and it nearly killed him. It's safe to say I will never come back to this place. My sisters birthday party was ruined. read more

I went after seeing Les Mis and I'm so happy I did. I didn't get to eat at the restaurant part, but the cafe is great. They have great coffees and other drinks and some amazing deserts. My favorite is the golden mai latte with caramel and biscoff. My server was super nice and the whole place looked so pretty. Only complaint is that there isn't that much parking. read more