If you're looking for a fun weekend date that feels cozy, elevated, and a little different, Weldon…read moreMills in Durham is such a standout. My husband and I visited recently for a bourbon tasting, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. Our mixologist, Berkay, was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He shared the history behind each spirit and walked us through the tasting notes in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely enjoyable. The food menu was another big win, especially as someone who eats vegan. They offered vegan options, which made the experience feel inclusive and well thought out This is a fantastic spot for date night, a girls' night, or celebrating something special. They also host tastings, cocktail classes, private parties, and bachelor or bachelorette events, which makes it a great option for future plans. Highly recommend if you're looking for a memorable experience in Durham that feels both fun and thoughtfully done.

A new, unique spot in Durham! Highly recommend. We usually go to the Thursday night Salsa events,…read morebut the lunch menu is just as good! My husband and I had the street style egg smash, shrimp tacos, chick on a stick and gyoza. All excellent! The princess peach peach cocktail is

English: TL;DR: Beautiful atmosphere, fantastic coffee and…read morefood, thoughtful modern Latin flavors, amazing breakfast/dinner spot, and Fernando, the manager, is awesome. We've been to Aaktun in Durham multiple times for both breakfast and dinner, and it's honestly become one of our favorite spots. I'm Peruvian and grew up with Peruvian cuisine, so seeing lomo saltado -- a classic Peruvian dish -- on the menu immediately made me happy. Having also grown up in Mexico and lived in places like Miami, I really appreciate what they're doing with the menu: a modern, delicious take on Latin flavors that feels creative without losing what makes those cuisines special. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful. You walk in thinking it's a stylish little coffee shop, then head toward the back and the whole place opens up -- gorgeous bar, tropical touches, cozy alcove seating, really cool vibe. One time we went with friends for a special dining experience they were offering, and it was excellent. The food, drinks, and whole experience were made even better by Fernando, the manager, who has always been incredibly warm, helpful, and accommodating. Highly recommend Aaktun for breakfast or dinner. Still haven't made it there for lunch somehow, but at this point we'd be shocked if it wasn't great too. Spanish: TL;DR: Lugar precioso, café y comida excelentes, sabores latinos con un toque moderno muy bien logrado, y Fernando, el gerente, es increíble. Ya hemos ido varias veces a Aaktun en Durham para desayuno y cena, y sinceramente se ha vuelto uno de nuestros lugares favoritos. Soy peruano y crecí con la cocina peruana, así que ver lomo saltado -- un plato clásico peruano -- en el menú me hizo muy feliz. Además, habiendo crecido en México y vivido en lugares como Miami, me encanta reconocer cómo integran sabores latinos con una propuesta moderna y de fusión. Se siente creativa, diferente y sobre todo riquísima. La atmósfera además es espectacular. Entras pensando que es una cafetería bonita y acogedora, pero luego caminas hacia atrás y el lugar se abre por completo: un bar hermoso, detalles tropicales, mesas tipo alcove... una vibra buenísima. Una vez fuimos con unos amigos para una experiencia especial de cena que estaban ofreciendo y la pasamos increíble. La comida, las bebidas y toda la experiencia fueron aún mejores gracias a Fernando, el gerente, que siempre ha sido súper amable, atento y servicial. Recomendamos muchísimo Aaktun para desayuno o cena. Todavía no hemos ido para almorzar, pero honestamente nos sorprendería mucho que no estuviera igual de bueno.

**Update 5/12/2026 - I made a reservation to take my mom to brunch on Sunday at 10:15. When we…read morearrived, the hostess said the reservation had been made for outside. I explained and showed her that I booked standard seating and she said that meant outside, which I thought was strange because I was very careful not to book either option that was clearly labeled outdoor. I told her that we wanted a table inside and she said "I have a table that has a reservation for 11:30, can you be done by then?" I laughed and said "sure" but thought to myself that would be up to them! She asked another hostess to seat us, and after we were seated, we waited about 15 minutes and watched staff walk by our table multiple times and no one came by. The original interactions had already put a bad taste in my mouth, so I called another restaurant downtown and asked how long the wait would be for two. They could seat us in the bar area right away, so we got up and left Aaktun to head there. The first two experiences that I had at Aaktun were great. I'm glad I got to try their food because I won't be back after Sunday's experience.

We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

It's always exciting to go to Alley26, namely for their food. Out of all the options in a block…read moreradius (with the exception of sushi nearby), I will always chose Alley26. Over burgers, over French food, over ramen, over Indian. Why? Because Alley26 serves delectable oysters, succulent burgers, and incredible tin fish. Yes, tin fish. If you haven't seen their extensive menu of fish, you must! While it's not for everyone, it is a tinned fish enthusiasts heaven! I go here to celebrate milestones with a good friend and we always have a mini feast, paired with a glass or two of wine. My favorite time to go is when the weather is comfortable and we can sit in the alley way, it's soooo chic that it feels like you're sitting outdoors at a meal in Italy of France. Service is always on point and I forget the bartenders name that is super knowledgeable and super kind. When I remember, I'll circle back to update this review. If you're thinking about this place, definitely check it out! The only inconvenience though is that I believe is 21+ over, at least at night it is.

Can't wait to try this place again . Every bite was amazing…read more My favorite was definitely the Mongolian beef and the crab fried rice very flavorful filled with aromatics. Perfectly seasoned. The beef was crispy. The waiter checked in frequently to see if we were enjoying the food.

Food: 4 Service: 1…read moreWent in for lunch. Place not busy at all -- maybe 6 small tables of 2 or 3. Server interrupted...and interrupted...and interrupted. Friend ordered the Midnight Clove cocktail and I ordered a G&T with Conniption gin. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were "out of" the Midnight Clove cocktail. Friend ordered something else. Server returned to interrupt us and say they were out of Conniption gin-- which is made literally a mile and a half away. Another server interrupted our conversation to deliver something we hadn't ordered.... They just seemed surprised and completely unprepared to be in business. Food was great, though, especially the soup and the best tofu I've ever had. Bahn mi was served on soft bread a bit like ciabatta --I'd have preferred the more traditional crusty bread.

An amazing environment involving a garden, cafe and beer hall. Price is good, portion is a lot, and…read moreit's tasty. One suggestion: could you offer soup options?

This is a seat yourself spot with QR codes at the table to order food and drinks. They have few…read moredifferent sections to sit with lots of tables. This was my first time sitting inside since it was such a cold day. Food came out very fast and was good. The Burrito Bowl is a lot of food, and I had plenty for leftovers.

Always a thoughtful, tasty and memorable experience. From the warm and inviting atmosphere,…read moreattentive, responsive and respectful customer service, sublime libations and delicious food, Bar Virgile never disappoints.

Bar Virgile is a must-visit in Durham. The drinks were top notch--crafted really well and…read moredefinitely stand out. The burger is easily one of the best in town, cooked perfectly and full of flavor. We also tried a couple appetizers and they were amazing, especially the deviled eggs--honestly some of the best I've ever had. The overall vibe is great too, just a really solid atmosphere to hang out and enjoy a good meal and drinks. Definitely recommend checking this place out if you are in durham

We stopped by to watch the Army-Navy game. Prices were reasonable. Our bartender, Ryan, was…read morefriendly. My nachos were delicious. It is really low-key and gives off a dive bar atmosphere without the smoke. It looks much smaller from the outside it actually is. I also e joyes their selection of local beers/ciders/seltzers. Only Suggestions that I could think of for improvement was the amount of toppings on the nachos. The ratio of toppings was way too large for the amount of chips you got. I had to leave half of my toppings because I ran out of chips. This is super close to our new house though so we will be back for sure.

I came here last night for the first time and I think I found my new hangout spot. This place stays…read moreopen until 2am. Don't be fooled, it looks a lot smaller from the outside but on the inside it is spacious and has it all. Plenty of parking spots right next to the entrance. I sat at the bar and as it was my luck, they had Karaoke . They have pool tables on the main floor with some arcade machines near the stairs, which lead you to the second floor. The second floor has more games including darts. Everything is spaced out great, so no one is on top of you as you are enjoying some games. I ordered some drinks and food. Got the cheese curds and the fried pickles. They were pipping hot and yummy. Got to chat with some of the locals and the bartenders were hilarious. Plenty of options on the beer and drink menu. The prices are super reasonable. May this be why this place was happening last night. Oh, and I got up and sang 2 karaoke songs. One with a regular patron who I just met there. Why not, right? Everyone was having a great time. Definitely will be coming back. Worth checking out!! Karaoke is Thursdays and Saturdays!

Great vibes, great food, very chill and comfortable atmosphere. Will definitely be going back…read more Also thanks Fawn for always making me good drinks, definitely check her out when you go.

Love this place! Great management and great staff! Always get treated like family when I'm there!read more

This fabulous Asian fusion restaurant on Franklin St is one of Chapel Hill's hidden culinary gems…read more-- an unparalleled blend of service, atmosphere and taste that makes it worth the drive from anywhere in North Carolina. On a recent visit, our family started off with an delicious order of Pork & Chive Dumplings, while I enjoyed a perfectly prepared Old Fashioned from the bar. For our entrees, we shared plates of tender Shaking Beef tasty Sticky Rice and succulent Pork Ribs, all paired with a fabulous Pinot from the restaurant's impressive selection. Service was outstanding throughout our visit, and Lantern's softly lit, intimate setting makes it the perfect spot for a date night or just to escape the Carolina heat. Everything about our visit was wonderful, and the prices were more than reasonable for a meal of this caliber. An amazing find in Chapel Hill!

Not for me. Visited last evening and had pleasant service. The food and flavors were not to my…read moreliking. The salt and pepper shrimp were battered and cooked with the shell remaining. That didn't work for me. The dumplings were ok. The wontons had a flavor not to my liking. Expensive for the experience.

Absolutely loved this coffee shop!…read more It is unique in its aesthetic and I loved all the greenery. It's small inside, but every corner is carefully decorated. They use homemade syrups and that made a big difference. The mocha latte was delightful! Minimal communication with baristas, but overall they were nice. Definitely recommend this coffee shop if you're in the Durham area.

Small coffee shop tucked inside an office building with very limited seating. The space has a bit…read moreof greenery, which I liked, but service was cold and inattentive from both baristas. Ordered the Vietnamese-inspired coffee and it was a miss--watery, overly sweet, and undrinkable. I ended up throwing it out. Rough start to the morning.