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    Littler

    4.5 (150 reviews)
    PriceyBars, New American

    Littler Photos

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    LITTLER ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Casual
    Intimate
    Romantic

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    Recommended Reviews - Littler

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    Pork collar steak
    Annie W.

    Glad I was able to check out Littler before they close soon! Reservations are a must. Started off with the Saint Olmstead cocktail which was delicious. Very smooth and balanced, slightly sweet and fresh (and a fun, spring-y green color). The daily bread with butter was soft and fresh. We ordered multiple plates to share between the group - be aware that portions are small and certainly not an inexpensive menu, but relatively in line with what would be expected for a dining experience focused on crafting intricate flavors. - Carrot cavatelli: creamy with nice acidic notes. The toasted hazelnuts were a nice touch. Overall yummy but as elevated pasta, just did not quite live up to the hype. - Roasted eggplant: marinated in miso flavors and great on the umami, but wish it was just a touch more tender. - Celeriac au poivre: a favorite - the sauce was rich and creamy and the celery root was tender. Paired with the lentils, absolutely a stellar combination. - Pork collar steak: a close second - juicy, tender with a bright salsa verde sauce (and more veggies! green beans). - Blueberry olive oil cake: the cake was moist, dense and filled with blueberries. Topped with olive oil and the most luscious frosting that was only slightly sweet and even almost a touch savory which I loved. Great if you're searching for thoughtfully made veggie-forward dishes full of contrasting textures and flavors in a small plate dining experience but be aware of your expectations going in! The vibes inside were cozy and rustic and the service was on point. The restaurant is relatively small so the tables are quite close to one another. 20% gratuity is included in the bill.

    Blueberry olive oil cake
    Andrea A.

    Littler-ally (I had to lol) so happy I managed to snag a res at this Durham institution before it closes. This was a wonderful dining experience, paired with great service and a cozy, rustic ambiance. In order of my favorite to lesser liked (bc I didn't not like anything haha) things that I tried: - Blueberry Olive Oil Cake: Absolutely divine- the cake was super moist with whole blueberries inside and topped with olive oil, a light cream icing & blueberry glaze. Will be dreaming about this. - Celeriac au Poivre: Definitely my favorite entree- I've never had celery root before, and it has such a great texture. The sauce was creamy and delectable; even the lentils underneath were tasty. This dish was so pretty- reminded me of a forest floor lol. - Pork Collar Steak: Thoroughly enjoyed this- the pork was tender with a good balance of lean & fatty meat. The green beans were perfectly crunchy. I could drink the broth by the spoonful. - Daily Bread: Can def tell the bread is freshly made & that butter was amazing? Slightly citrus-y with little salt flakes. - Carrot Cavatelli: Don't get me wrong, this was tasty but perhaps my expectations were too high from all the hype... I appreciated the the fun texture of the pasta, creaminess of the sauce, and crunch from the nuts on top. - Roasted Eggplant: I liked the miso glaze, but the eggplant def needed a lot more of it; also needed a touch more cooking. Again appreciated the textural diversity from the nut topping. - Summer State: I liked the rice milk, but unfortunately could not taste the pineapple essence much. 10/10 would recommend! 20% gratuity is included. Free parking in nearby City of Durham garages on weekdays after 7pm & weekends. If you spot an open res before they close on June 21, do yourself a favor and take it!

    Onion Tart
    Rob G.

    What do you want? That's a good first question when you start the hunt for the next spot to enjoy a dinner out. There are times when you want what is familiar fare, but a different twist or style that delivers something comforting that still gives you a new experience. There are other times when you are after something completely different. If you want something totally new and refreshing, but want a curated experience, Littler might just be your spot! It was for me on this Tuesday evening. I was in RD on business, but I always want to try something new and local. I wasn't ravenous for food, but knew that I wanted to experience something local and fresh from a culinary perspective. I sat at the bar and enjoyed Julia's help with understanding and navigating the options. The cocktail list is not extensive, but had just the right thing for me. The food was amazing, interesting, unique; a fun take on some familiar themes. I had the onion tart, scallops, and raspberry chiffon cake with pistachio buttercream. They were all subtle, but delivered that nuanced and differentiated experience that I was looking for. The portions are not large here. You come for the unique taste and fresh approach. Want some Linda Ronstadt played from a reel-to-reel while experiencing pistachio buttercream for the first time? This is your spot. Not an inexpensive meal, but a culinary introduction in an unexpected place!

    Priscilla R.

    Came here for a birthday dinner. Food: beware the portions are very small. Tapas style dishes. The food itself is delicious and very thoughtfully prepared as are the drinks. Ambiance: it's a small place. Gives date night vibe and a more upscale feel. The seats are very close together though giving very little chance for privacy. And tables are a bit small for all the plates you end up ordering. But it is appealing and great if you are trying to impress a date. Service: very helpful and informative. I guess because of the upscale vibe they are going with I wouldn't say they are friendly but definitely attentive to the point of hovering a bit. They clear plates as soon as they think you are finished and continuously check to make sure everything is fine maybe a little too much. The couple next to us had their drinks explained to them by the bartender... not sure what you have to do to get that service. We did eat enough of the menu to say everything on the menu is probably amazing and ordered enough to feel satisfied but it came at a pretty penny as the dishes are pricy for the amount of food you get.

    Short rib
    Simone S.

    If I could give the service, ambiance and drinks 10 stars I would! Out of this world! We did 4 of the bartenders choice last night and they were all phenomenal. It was like the bartender had known us for years I loved how intimate the space was. It was the perfect date night. The food was overall pretty good. We had the hamachi appetizer and that was great. We then had the carrot cavatelli which was good. I had the striped bass and my husband had the short rib. We didn't love the short rib, but that was our only complaint. We then had the olive cake and chocolate mousse. We loved both. The olive cake was a little dry but that seemed like it was on purpose as there was glaze on top. Overall, definitely a place to check out!

    Scallops
    Benjamin H.

    A wonderful, intimate location for any special occasion. The first thing you notice when you enter, is the classic music, Play ed on LP's, over a high fidelity sound system. The menu is always seasonal, and always inventive. Local food is usually featured, and perfectly prepared. I ordered scallops, and they were perfectly done, with a crisp outside, and a melt in your mouth inside. The greens were crisp and flavorful, with a mash that added the perfect juxtaposition of texture for the dish. The dessert featured fresh berries on a passion fruit puree, with crispy toasted coconut to add the perfect texture. I've been here twice, and every time, they adhere to the French style of cooking where each dish contains a variety of textures and a perfect balance of flavors. The seating is very intimate, which ensures that the service is always impeccable.

    Watermelon salad
    Felicia M.

    The food is truly delicious at this restaurant.it is small plates and presented lovely. We started with the oysters, had the watermelon salad that was outstanding and finally shared the octopus. My daughter had the gnocchi and I had the eggplant, both dishes were excellent. The only thing I would say on the negative side is I felt although the food was delicious I do feel it was on the pricey side for what we received. However I do acknowledge these dishes take time.

    Counter seating
    Christopher N.

    No frills but just great tasting dishes that make you want to come back again and again. That's precisely what happened to me. The small dinning area can be busy very quickly. Thanks to the bar top, for single dinners like me, we are lucky to always be able to fit in. The menu is interesting without being fussy. You will have to debate a little with yourself on what to get each time. But it won't be long. Haha. The dishes are savory, reflects the region, beautifully plated, good portion.

    Delicious Seabass
    Jim M.

    The only thing better than the MasterChef who prepares your exquisitely delicious food is the incredible service. Be sure and try something completely different. There are only about 40 seats in this place so be sure and make reservations. If you cannot get a reservation, it will be worth the wait. There are a few seats at the bar.

    December menus
    Brian K.

    We literally tried one of everything on the menu and it was an incredible eating experience. Classy service, amazing food, and they spaced it out like a 15 course meal. There were only 3 of us, and we found that one of everything on the menu is a lot of food. But we muscled through it and finished just about everything. (We shouldn't have ordered that second bread course).

    At the bar area
    Lexi M.

    We stumbled upon this place to jump in for a cocktail. We weren't really looking for food at the moment, but WOW they have a phenomenal food menu. They have an elevated menu that has something for everyone. The prices were a tad high, but for the quality and what you are getting it's worth it. My mouth was watering everyone someone would bring in an order fro the kitchen. I would LOVE to come back just to try the food. So their cocktail menu was small since it was seasonal cocktails, but again quality not quantity. We tried the Vesuvio Fresco and the Falling Leaves. Lived them both. And their glasses were very retro. Great place! Can't wait to try the food!

    Currant Mouse - great
    Thuy H.

    I'll start off by saying the service was exceptional and is not considered in the review. The review is only for food. Appetizers: Oysters, Latkes, and Bread. The oysters were extremely extremely salty! I am not sure if anything else was done to them but it was almost unbearable to eat. Our friends ordered the Latkes and said they were salty but the flavor was still very very good. I really loved the bread, which was fluffy and had such a delicate taste. Main course: Hanger steak, Striped Bass, Lamb Burger, Southern Fish Cassoulet, and Lima beans. The Hanger steak was juicy and cooked perfectly medium. Our friends ordered the Lamb Burger and also really liked it, but I tried the potatoes that came with it and it just tasted really funky. The sauce that came with it just did not make sense. The Striped Bass had a nice crispy skin on some parts and salted well, but overall the dish is underwhelming. There was nothing to really bring the dish together and the pickled cabbage and mousse did not make it better. I did love the oyster mushrooms, which was cooked well. The worst entree was the cassoulet, which was just a bowl of salt. If the seafood is already so salty, it is better to watch any additional salt added to this dish. It is overwhelmingly salty - and gets worst as you make your way down the bowl. Dessert: Chocolate Coupe and Currant Mousse. Wow! The red currant granita was packed with flavor and the strawberries really shined through! I was very impressed at how well the flavors were packed into this dessert. The chocolate coupe was also made well for any chocolate lover - really nice textures and contrasts of sweetness that made the dessert special. Overall, I left not feeling very impressed by the entire experience. I've been to Littler before and had a nice experience and was excited to return when they reopened. I think there were definitely moments where Littler shined and others where it dimmed. The cohesion of overall dishes remain questionable. Taste: 3/5 Presentation: 4/5 Recommend to a friend?: No Consistent: ehhh Cost: $$$ Expensive for tiny portions Parking: Plenty of parking in a deck nearby (1 block away)

    Bread, pickled shrimp

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    I love the atmosphere and the food was terrific. Great service. A good place for a date or dinner with friends.

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    2 years ago

    Amazing food. Amazing cocktails. Incredible ambiance. Service was on point - attentive but not overbearing. Our new date night spot.

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    Page 1 of 4

    Ask the Community - Littler

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    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    4.5
    (106 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Great small bites. I recommend you trying the Elote dip it was AMAZING and perfect for sharing with…read moretwo or more friends! They have great drink specials for different days of the week! Very speedy service all of their bartenders are very sweet and will fix whatever drink to your liking The vibes are disco balls on the ceiling very open very Miami Beach vibes they have an indoor and an outdoor seating area not only that they have fireplaces. If you get a little too far from their heated porch area! The vibes just don't stop. They have an aesthetic fireplace in side as well as a fake tree in the middle beautiful for taking pictures Their bathrooms are adorable, but you might have to wait a little bit on a busy day. But this is the same problem with every bar. Very glad that they have more than one bathroom.

    Okay, so wow. Durham has upped its game in terms of its social scene. We got to the VH at like 9?…read more9:30? on a Friday night and the line to get in was down at least one flight of stairs to the second floor. It did move fast for us so we were able to get in about 10 minutes later or so. It was latin night so the music was tailored to that so I won't comment on what that was like. The outdoor patio was wonderful. Not too loud. Some good seating options. You can access the bar from out there too. Took awhile to get to order while waiting in line. I had something purple... french 75? It was just okay. Jell-o shots were made with MEZCAL that night which my group found sooo gross. So beware. Overall I see the hype. But when we left around 10:30 or so the line was down the stairs, out the door, and down the block. I don't know if it was worth THAT.

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    Avocado toast with chopped egg, tomato, onion, and pepitas

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    Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

    Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

    4.8
    (43 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$
    Veteran-owned & operated
    Locally owned & operated

    Came here for lunch on a Sunday. Did a flight and had some lunch. The staff were nice. Not many…read morepeople in there. Nice location and nice bar. Plenty of seating. The apple flavor whiskey was not good. Too syrupy and the peach flavor is insanely sweet; may be good in a mixed drink. The sweet potato was good. I could sip that easily. For food I had deviled eggs and brisket nachos. The deviled eggs weren't that good. The nachos tasted good and a nice portion. Though it's not bad, it also wasn't good. Glad I tried it off my list, but won't be back.

    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.

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    The Tasting Room
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    Killer Queen

    Killer Queen

    4.9
    (33 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    I was excited to try Killer Queen for a downtown girls' night. We don't make it downtown very…read moreoften, so I've been enjoying exploring some of Durham's newer spots -- and this one was absolutely worth the visit. The wine list is broad and thoughtfully curated, with options that feel approachable whether you're a casual wine drinker or someone looking to try something new. The sommeliers were welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about helping us find something we loved. The space itself is adorable, with eclectic décor and cozy lighting that makes it easy to settle in and stay awhile. It's a great spot for conversation and a relaxed evening with friends. The only downside is that the space is fairly small, and I would have loved to see one or two more lower seating options for small groups rather than mostly high tops. That said, I could absolutely see us coming back for a pre- or post-theater glass of wine or an easy catch-up night.

    Love this place! It's definitely a bit on the pricey side when it comes to the wine, but the…read moreoverall experience makes up for it. The service is awesome--our server was super friendly and gave me a great drink recommendation when I wasn't sure what I wanted. It ended up being perfect. My friend and I shared a glass of the 2023 Cederberg Bukettraube (sweet white wine) and got the charcuterie board for one with the truffle salami. That board was so good--I can't stop thinking about it. The toasted baguette slices with truffle salami and mustard? Unreal. It was the perfect little snack to share. We also had the citrus lavender crème brûlée, which was surprisingly delicious. I don't usually go for crème brûlée, but this one was light, not overly sweet, and just had a really nice flavor. I've also tried their shepherd's pie before and loved it--wish it was still on the menu! The vibe inside is moody and cozy, and they've got a cute outdoor patio too. Overall, such a great spot. A little pricey, but I'll definitely be coming back. Highly recommend checking out Killer Queen.

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    Killer Queen
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    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

    4.8
    (16 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

    Really fun cocktail bar- that specializes in rums! First impression- I called ahead to see if our…read moredog was allowed to sit on the outside patio, and they told me not only is she allowed, but we aren't allowed to come without her. That response will get a smile every time. Super dog-friendly, to say the least, both outside and inside. Outside has several tables under a covered area, and inside has a few couches (with tiny tables) and a long bar you can sit at. We've been a few times now, and the service is super friendly and helpful, every time. It's small and intimate inside, but we never have a problem finding a seat! I love that they have snacks you can help yourself to, in airtight jars at the bar (peanut butter filled pretzels, sour worms, etc). Also important to note- the inside is NOT air conditioned. We stopped in on a HOT day, and it's brutal inside, with cloth couches and just one small fan. Love this bar, all of their cocktails (wine available too), and all of the staff! Will be back (a lot)!!

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.4
    (169 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$

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

    If I could give this place 100 stars, I would! From the…read moreoutside, you would never guess what awaits inside. It looks like a small neighborhood spot, but the moment you walk through the doors, you're immediately welcomed by a charming bakery counter filled with fresh pastries, coffee, and sandwiches. Then, as you make your way to the restaurant in the back, the entire experience transforms into something truly special. The ambiance is absolutely stunning--warm, inviting, and thoughtfully designed. I honestly spent half the meal just taking it all in because every detail was beautiful. Now, let's talk about the food... phenomenal doesn't even begin to describe it. Everything was incredibly fresh, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. Our brunch came out surprisingly fast without sacrificing quality, and every bite was bursting with flavor. The service was equally impressive. Everyone was welcoming, attentive, and genuinely seemed to enjoy making sure guests had a great experience. You could tell there was pride in both the food and the hospitality. If you're anywhere near Durham, this restaurant is an absolute must-visit. Whether you're stopping in for coffee and a pastry, grabbing a sandwich, or sitting down for brunch, you won't be disappointed. I'll definitely be back, and this has quickly become one of my favorite restaurants in the area. Five stars isn't enough--this place deserves 100.

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    Jerk chicken

    Littler - bars - Updated July 2026

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