This is a very cool little date night spot. The menu is very limited but their food is really good! My only complaint is their cocktail prices are a little bit outrageous! Parking here is very difficult, probably best to take an Uber if you're going on a weekend. read more

We ate at Aaktun for the first time today. What a great place! The miso maitai was delicious notes of sweet, with a hint of peanuts. We also had the O.G Ritchie, the Tempura fish tacos, and the Aaktu Un pancakes! One super amazing treat all around! read more

Came back for dinner and was just as pleased. Seems like they specialize in sauces. Anything that comes with a sauce has an elevated flavor. The calamari wasn't quite fried hard enough, most of the breading was falling off, but the sauce made up for it. The braised beef dish was good, but tastes like beef stew, great, just nothing special like the other dishes. Great service and absolutely beautiful restaurant. A vibe for sure! read more

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The vibes are immaculate. This place is seriously so cool. It's giving tropical. It's giving Caribbean. It's giving brunch lounge. When you first walk in you'll see the tiny cafe but when you walk in to your left and down the hall you're greeted by an absolutely stunning dining room with live music (at least on 5pm on a Sunday anyway). They do all day brunch and I believe it's just on the weekends along with the dj show who was so much fun and freaking hilarious begging people to make requests. You could tell he was bored but still having a good time and interacting with the crowd every like, 20 mins telling people to make requests. "Total request live people!" For my follow millenials, IYKYK. Our server was a sweetie and the drinks were pricey but gorgeous. They also have an option to buy beers for the kitchen for $7 which is a great idea. Seems like a fun place to work. Highly recommend the bread and butter and the green curry mussels. My friend also had the grilled salad and vegetarian lomo saltado both of which she said were excellent. I ordered the pork belly which is skippable. The flavors were on point but the meat under the fat was on the dry side which I feel like shouldn't happen considering it's such a fatty piece of meat! So yeah, the veg and seafood dishes are great but skip the land animals haha. This place is perfect for brunch, dinner with a girlfriend, a baby shower in the outdoor area, or a cool date night. Being here just makes you feel happy. Def go for the atmosphere because it is a 10/10 in that regard. read more

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A+. What an amazing restaurant! All of the food is freshly made and tasted amazing! I will absolutely coke back here! Our waitress Rosie- was the star explaining the entire menu to us and taking care of us. read more

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We went here for a brunch breakfast with my sister. The coffee bar was fabulous. I tried the de out latte, it was delicious. Very cinnamon forward. We also shared the churrona pastries. Not overtly sweet but light and scrumptious. I had the fish tacos. They were light and crispy with the coconut slaw. It definitely was a great fusion South American food experience. Very casual and cozy. Service was spot on. read more

This was the cutest breakfast spot. I got the cortado and vegetarian tochas to go. The environment is really cute, clean, well decorated and perfect temperature. Service was great - hostess and waitress were nice and attentive. The cortado was the best I've had in Durham. I think I might become a regular here. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Cortado with almond milk was delicious - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This was the closest I could get to a Tulum vacation, from the moment I walked in the door I was transported to a new land. From the lively atmosphere to the creative dishes, I loved my experience at Aaktun, I'm also a girl who loves a bathroom photo opp so the decor and vibe matched my night beautifully. I'm not an Aperol spritz fan so on my next visit i'll try a different cocktail but their fresh and bright flavors for each dish I tried was enjoyable and different than my usual cuisine!!! I'll definitely be back read more

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I came here for breakfast and it was absolutely beautiful outside! We went inside to the cafe and ordered a breakfast sandwich and some coffee. The breakfast sandwich was so big and delicious. I would definitely come back! There were a few picnic tables outside that you could eat at. Otherwise, you can be seated and served but we opted to get our food to go read more

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After having lunch at Mezcalito and walking back to the office I decided to poke my head in to get a beverage to help me survive the remaining few hours of work on a Friday afternoon! I learned they are a sister restaurant to Mezcalito. The outside fall decor was adorable! I must say I got a bit nervous when I didn't see chai on their drink menu, but was relieved when it was confirmed that they actually did have it. The service was pretty good-efficient and friendly. The pricing was reasonable. I was also very happy with my iced chai! I'm confident that I will be back on a more regular basis bc it's so close to where I work. read more

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

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Exceeded all expectations. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic. We ordered coffees, food & dessert and every single thing was tasty. The restaurant in itself is super cute & really feels like you're not in Durham. I will definitely be back VERY soon! read more

Fun tropical vibe, with quirky cave like booth tables. The waitress talked up the ceviche, but it looked prettier than it tasted (and I spotted maybe 5 small pieces of fish in the dish that cost $25!). The fish tacos were a generous size plate with a tasty sauce and fresh slaw on top, and reasonably priced at $22. The fish was nicely crunchy but a tad dry and overcooked. Our waitress was nice, but my coworker had to ask for her drink at least 3 times and it didn't show up until her meal was almost over! read more

The food and service was excellent very good atmosphere and aesthetic will be back again . read more

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What we loved most about this spot was the ambiance--hidden behind the coffee bar is a spacious, well-decorated area (complete with a dance floor on weekends!). The cozy decor, combined with large leafy plants (Oscar-style), created a warm and elegant atmosphere. The orange and green color scheme was surprisingly tasteful. We were seated as a group celebrating a friend's birthday, and the acoustics of the space made it easy to hear conversations across the table--a thoughtful design touch! Unfortunately, the food didn't impress us as much. While everything was tasty, the steep prices raised our expectations, and the dishes didn't quite deliver. The $19 burger was underwhelming (and nothing special or creative about it), the $40 steak lacked seasoning, and the $23 ceviche tasted almost identical to what's served at Mezcalito (not surprising)--except that it was maybe 1/4 the portion for the same price. Another thing about this place was the service was extremely slow when we were there. Our server was friendly and gave us a heads-up about the wait, but our dinner stretched from 7 PM past 10 PM due to long gaps between courses and the check. If you're considering this place for a first date, be careful because waiting this long could be so awkward if the chemistry is off! Though, would be a nice place for an intimate date night or relaxing dinner with close friends!! Overall, it's a beautiful space with great ambiance (5/5), but given the price(2/5), food quality (4/5), and slow service(2/5), it's not at the top of my list for a return visit. read more

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

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I have been here for the cafe offerings but not the brunch/lunch options. I heard this place fully opened up over the past year here in Durham and had to give it a try. Overall it was good but definitely can be better. We specifically wanted the sandos and tots. We started off with the bread and butter and have to say that was a table favorite. Then got the vegetarian totchos and we liked how everything came together in this one (especially the sauce). Finally got the shrooms sando and although it was good it was very oily which we were not a fan of. Also we were expecting more to the sandwich from a spicy and/or flavor perspective which was missing. We also got coffee from there and I will say that was great. Atmosphere inside is great and really feels like you are stepping into a restaurant in another country. Staff was efficient and friendly. I will say our waiter took our dishes before we were finished with it and we didn't even have a chance to respond so be prepared. Prices for the sandos and tots are good but if you go for their main meals be prepared to pay a lot more. Parking is sparse so come a little early to find parking. Overall, I think this is a good cafe and would come back for the cafe offers. Unsure about the dinner options but may give it a try in the future for a special occasion. read more

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Excited that I finally got to try Aaktun! This is such a wonderful new addition to Durham's coffee shop / cafe scene. The front of the building is the coffee shop which is relatively small, but there's more seating in the back which is the sit-down restaurant. I got the Cafe de Olla Latte hot (traditional latte with Mexican coffee in a clay pot, cinnamon, and piloncillo), it was delicious! Also got the Vegetarian Totchos (fluffy scrambled eggs, tater tots, Portabello mushrooms, hot sauce)- so tasty & large portion size. There's a parking lot next to the restaurant, street parking, or on Ramseur & Newnan. Great spot to study, super aesthetic ambiance, fast service. 10/10 would recommend! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Cafe de Olla Latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I have been to this place twice, and both visits meet my standards. The staff is very supportive and give great recommendations. The interior design is great, and depending on the weather you can sit outside. They have a cafe connected which i've yet to try. The restaurant is great. The food is delicious. A staff member recommended coming on Sundays, before business. overall this place had great options. I tried a blueberry matcha which was a great suggestion, and it was delicious. I enjoyed everything. I will be coming again. read more

Amazing dinner! Can't wait to come here again! Came here to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday. Made a 5 pm reservation. We were seated promptly by a friendly and very attentive staff. Ordered a few items from the menu and all were amazing! Service was emasculate. It seemed like we had multiple people attending to our needs and making sure everything was okay. But our main server showed extreme knowledge of the menu and gave great recommendations based on our food preferences/allergies. The space and ambiance is amazing. Such a pretty and upscale looking location and seating. Spacious and welcoming. Great music, semi loud but still able to hear conversation. Gives a party vibe. read more

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I was excited for my first experience with this next-door neighbor of Mezcalito. You enter, and it looks like a small-ish coffee bar. When I told the hostess I was here for lunch with a group, she had a server guide be off to the left, down a little passageway, and into a huge open expanse, filled with plants, tables, and SUNSHINE! There are a few skylights cut into the peak of the pitched ceiling, which bring in Summer - but without the heat. The walls all look like there are little pockets and caves cut into them, like it's a sandstone cavern. Behind the bar (which was physically on the opposite wall from the coffee bar where I entered), cutouts of various sizes hold the bottles of liquor and other ingredients. The table we were at was a round 8-top, with three chairs and the rest on a banquette that circled the smooth-walled cave we were in. It was great at preventing us from being disturbed by the conversation of others - sorta. More on this later. Katelyn kept the eight of us fed, hydrated, and happy. This was the first time several of us had met, and many of us had never eaten here before. There is a great drinks menu (changes seasonally and not available online - sorry!) We were ordering from the Lunch menu, and everyone was quite pleased with their food and drinks. I had the OG Smashburger (two patties and fixin's, wrapped in a little diaper to keep the goodness in! Tots and a dipping sauce on the side.) Several folks had the Tempura Fish Tacos and loved them. The Green Curried Chicken was a hit as well. When a few folks had to leave, and those of us with more time chose to stay, we noticed a change in the acoustics of the cave as we rearranged our seating. I had noticed earlier that I could hear some folks across the table well, but some nearby not at all. I'm not sure if it's the hard, smooth walls or what, but it's very noticeable. One person mentioned that they could hear a private conversation from a table a few feet away, and then noticed that the folks at that table changed the direction and level of their conversation, so they obviously had heard my dining companion as well. Interesting phenomenon, just for your situational awareness. Don't discuss your plans for world domination in the caves! read more

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Visited again for dinner on a Friday and were able to get an outside table without a reservation! Food was excellent and service was quick and attentive. read more

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

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amazing! I love this location, food is always good and coffee is always great! the service is amazing too!

Food was so good, vibes inside were very cool, and coffee was delicious as well! Really neat local spot.

Love this place for brunch. Been a couple times now. Food is yummy, reasonable price, great atmosphere. Friendly service. Good restrooms. Will definitely be back again read more

Aaktun is a must-try for Durham brunch afficionados. My boyfriend and I had our lives changed today by the cafe's bacon egg and cheese. Light, fluffy eggs and crispy bacon are packed in a brioche roll and topped with a generous drizzle of Aaktun's special sauce. It's the definition of a hearty, buttery, indulgent sandwich. I would come back for that alone, but the coffee was also pretty good. I ordered an iced horchata latte and my boyfriend got a brown sugar marshmallow iced latte. Both were prepared quickly. I will note that Aaktun is not an ideal work environment (at least not on weekends). The music is loud and the hustle and bustle of the dining area make it a better place to socialize than to lock in. read more

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

Let me start out with saying we came on a Thursday night, and we had a 6:45 reservation. The space was very beautiful and well appointed with a beautiful bar. The food was good but I feel was overpriced for the quality. The service started off good and quickly became nonexistent, as the night went on the place became very busy and the wait staff couldn't keep up. We never even got one of our dishes but we said forget it bc it took so long to get the rest of the food we didn't want to wait any longer. The cocktails were very good and I think it would be a good spot for small plates and drinks with friends, if you can get a reservation, because you won't be able to just walk in and get a table without a considerable wait. I don't think I would recommend this place over several others that are far better for the price point. read more

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We went for breakfast over the holiday break. The lattes were great and the meals were delicious. Really great portion sizes. I got a breakfast sandwich and the challah bread was incredible. Service was a little slow at first but I think they had a light crew at the time we went. Very friendly staff though and the ambiance is very cool! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - The OG breakfast sandwich and the Totchos - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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Excellent coffee :) they have a lot of different flavors and signature drinks, as well as pastries made in-house. The drink composition is consistent :D They have a nice small seating area up front I love to relax in, and the music and plants are very lovely. Friendly staff too, overall a wonderful experience every time. Pricey, but nice. Regular latte/espresso is cheaper, but Signature drinks are $6-$7, pastries are usually $5 but they are kinda small for the price in my opinion (still yummy though worth the try). I recommend the horchata latte, very nice. The panther is good too, but definitely on the sweet side. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Chocolate concha, Horchata latte - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Came for cocktails and stayed for live music! We were lucky to encounter their Cinco de Mayo celebration. Such a fun place with knowledgeable wait staff to give great recommendations on drink menu! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Ricky's Ruby & Voodoo Vibes - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Fantastic atmosphere, delicious food, good service, and reasonable prices. I would add real shrimp to the papaya salad for more protein. The scrambled eggs are the best ever! read more

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This was our second time at Aaktun coffee and bar at Durham, and we fell in love with the food all over again. There was a little confusion about seating although we had a reservation. Initially we decided to sit outside but within a minute we felt a little chilli and wanted to come inside, but they said they gave the seats to someone else and if we want a seat inside will have to wait for another hour which was a little odd since the seats were empty the whole time we were sitting outside. Anyway, we ordered their interesting cocktails which tastes really good, vodoo vibes is highly recommended. We ordered most of their appetizers since they all looked delicious. Papaya salad was a little disappointing, but the Romain salad, curried mussels, chicken on a stick, coconut shrimp were really good, the mussels and the shrimp gravy were so refreshing and full of flavors. For main course we ordered their chicken, pork and salmon that came with white rice and gravy, the pork was super tender and tasty, it literally melted in mouth. Chicken was tender and was well marinated. The salmon, was well cooked, skin- pan seared, and perfectly spiced. For desert we ordered churros with their in house chocolate sauce, which was a perfect end to a perfect evening. The indoor ambiance is perfectly lighted for taking good pictures but outdoors was beautiful too with all the hanging lights and the personal heaters. The servers were so kind and brought our orders timely which made the whole experience smooth. Definitely coming back for their food, ambiance and service again. read more

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This is a review for the coffeeshop not the sit down restaurant space: Consistently great coffee with high-quality, homemade-feeling sweeteners. The Barista does not cut corners in the presentation of the coffee no matter how busy it gets. It's the perfect spot for a quick breakfast--whether you're in the mood for a sandwich or a burrito, you can't go wrong. And definitely don't skip the side of tots. Outside seating is always blissful and their plant selection creates a warm ambiance. read more

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This was a fantastic experience, it was very clean and at the same time warm and inviting. They must have done a great deal of work to make it so nice and unlike other places I've been to. The staff were friendly, inclusive and comfortable with themselves and us, as customers. The food was great, I will be back soon. read more

Went back for both brunch and dinner service and had a much better experience! The service and quality have definitely improved since my first time being here. It's a beautiful restaurant, although I'm still a bit iffy on the pricing. read more

Dropped in during their soft open and it was fun! The space is big, at the entrance you'll find a coffee bar but head to the left and you'll enter a tropical paradise and their main dining room. The space is very organic, curvaceous and a bit sexy. The main bar with white-red top and curves is beautiful. Plants are spread out throughout the dining room giving a jungle feel to the space. Menu is Latino-Asian, some killer items are the rolls with chili butter along with the shrimp toast (fried bao buns, shrimp-chive paste). The tiki cocktails are a ton of fun, featuring fruity flavors in a cool receptacle. My Conch Out was served in a large, ceramic conch, lovely. Overall I'm impressed with Aaktun is trying to do: coffee bar, cool space, dinner with tropical vibes. And from what I gather, they will be hosting live music coming soon! So enjoy the latest concept from Chef Oscar Diaz (Little Bull) Durham. I think you'll be very pleasantly surprised... read more

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

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Let me just say that everything was phenomenal! The atmosphere was to die for, the food was absolutely amazing, and the service started a tad rocky but they made up for it. Definitely recommend this place. It's so refreshing to see this in the area. And there's a dj! read more

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I went with my fiancé last week and it had an incredible ambiance surrounding great food. We got the following: Charred Brussels: 8.5/10 Huli skewers: 9/10 Pork belly: 8/10 All round a solid place that I would go back to especially during their holiday season when they have their lights set up. read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Charred Brussels and Huli Huli Skewers - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Amazing atmosphere. So cutesy and decorated nicely. Not much seating on the inside but still worth a trip. Space is limited in the coffee shop but you are more than welcomed to grab something from the cafe and sit down in the restaurant. I only tried the cafe today and it was so yummy. I ordered the gingerbread latte with cold foam, 10/10!!!! It was sooooo good I literally couldn't put it down. I also ordered the churrano (?) and it was delicious but messy. Extremely flakey, it got everywhere but still good nonetheless. read more

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I haven't had their dinner yet but oh my goodness their breakfast sandwiches are absolutely amazing. I've had their classic blt sandwich that has this amazing sauce on it and I've had their chorizo breakfast sandwich and my lord they are good. I also had their Rosemary Brown Sugar Tea Latte that was perfect! read more

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

We came for brunch after seeing this place on Instagram. We just returned from a trip to Playa Del Carmen and Tulum, Mexico a couple of months ago. Having said that, this place really catches that Yucatán/Aztec/Mayan vibe you get when you visit that part of Mexico. Our server was friendly and so was the rest of the staff. It was our first time so she took her time to explain the menu to us. The food we got was really tasty although the portions seemed a bit small for the price. However, the flavor was great and you can tell that every detail has been thought out. We will probably be back again. read more

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My favorite strawberry matcha! Ordered Sunday brunch from the front, super quick service and great chorizo burrito! read more

Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Strawberry matcha & iced coffee - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Durham, North Carolina