OpenTable may have dropped the ball on our Easter Sunday reservation, but Local 22 turned it into a great experience. When we arrived, the restaurant was completely full, yet Paul handled the situation with genuine kindness and calm. He asked us to hang tight and, true to his word, had our party of four seated within five minutes. The food absolutely delivered. The standout was the apple cinnamon hush puppies, crispy, warm, and just the right balance of sweet and savory. Truly delicious. A huge thank you to Paul for his outstanding hospitality. He made what could have been a frustrating situation feel effortless and welcoming. We'll definitely be back. read more

My first time visiting Local 22 Kitchen & Bar and it was sooo good. I cannot wait to return. Our server Matthew was awesome and very nice and knowledgeable. We ordered the charcuterie board with local cheeses, prosciutto, and the smoked trout dip . Freaking delicious would definitely order again. We also ordered the skillet cornbread with honey bourbon butter (I think). Soooo goood. I ordered the quinoa salad with blackened shrimp. Super amazing so glad Mat recommended the blackened shrimp to go on top. My date ordered the spicy chicken sandwich with tots. Definitely spicy but delicious. We ordered drinks as well and let me just say they were delicious and STRING. For dessert we got the pecan pie bread pudding. That was just okay for me not to sweet. I can't wait to go back and try other items. Oh and the vibe was good we dined outside. read more

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Had a little time for a late meal and stumbled (with Yelps help) across this unknown to us restaurant & bar near our daughter's place (near Duke's campus). My wife and I had two nice cocktails plus great food! Bonus was a nice outdoor dining area near everything but yet out of the way at night. This really showed us the benefit of Yelp for a last minute dinner in an unfamiliar area, Thanks! read more

Local 22 was a perfect casual spot to grab dinner while in Durham. The menu had a little bit of everything from different salads, pizzas, burgers and other entrees. There was also a huge drink selection as well! I order the wild mushroom pizza and my husband ordered the patagonian salmon (blackened) and a craft beer. My father in law ordered a pepperoni pizza with andouille sausage and a cocktail. The truffle oil on my mushroom pizza was the perfect touch and if you love mushrooms, this is the perfect meal for you! It was loaded with mushrooms and arugula. I ate half my pizza and left with leftovers. Our waitress was very nice and attentive. We made a reservation same day and were seated immediately. They also had lots of outdoor seating too. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Grilled Salmon - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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The food here is delicious. The staff were attentive (almost too much so). The decor is nice and cozy. We went on a Friday night which I feel like was a bad idea. It was really busy and made both my partner and I feel clostrophobic. We want to go back again when it isn't so busy so we can actually take in the vibe more. Definitely recommend trying it. read more

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What a hidden gem! Amazing bar, sorry no pics of the food. Too hungry to stop and take a picture. The deviled eggs were great, the sauce was so flavorful. Had a side of Brussels sprouts because I needed a veggie.The angus burger was huge and very filling, loved the grilled bun. Then I had to have the bread pudding with ice cream, DO NOT try and be good GET the bread pudding!!! The staff was great and top notch! read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Service was top notch! We sat at the bar and the bartender not only made amazing drinks, but also gave great food recommendations and reviews! I got a mocktail mojito that was better than most of the mojito cocktails I've ever had. The food was unique and tasty. The lamb burger was flavorful and the short rib pizza was great, just needed a little sauce on top to balance out the bread and potatoes; I added more of the hot honey. For dessert we got the carrot cake and bread pudding. Both were good, the bread pudding was better. The carrot cake would be better warm, but it was still a good moist piece of cake. Overall great experience! 9/10 highly recommend. read more

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Met up with some friends for going away lunch for one of our coworkers. Cute little area but parking is very confusing. All the spots say one hour parking so wasn't sure if I would be OK to park or not. Food was good. I ordered loaded, tater tots and a mushroom pizza. The tater tots were nice and crispy. And the pizza was well cooked and had a pesto sauce, which was surprisingly good. Also had a parlay Vu rosé drink that had sorbet in it. I rate the drink five out of five and would definitely get that again. We had a great server who put up with all of our silliness and being loud. read more

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My family and I had dinner here and we all enjoyed our food. We shared deviled eggs for an appetizer and I had the chicken sandwich for my entree. The chicken was juicy and the sweet potatoes fries were nice and crispy. The waitresses were all very nice but although the appetizer was brought to the table in less than five minutes, the entrees took a while to come out. read more

Started off with the spinach & artichoke dip which came with pita - cheesy, creamy and served warm. The lamb and sausage pizza had a nice kick with the spiced lamb. Can never go wrong with the fried chicken sandwich either which was crispy with hot honey, plus the fries were well-seasoned. Tried one of their seasonal desserts which was a brownie with pumpkin and it was delicious - perfectly rich but not too sweet. Service was prompt and the inside atmosphere was cozy for a nice dinner. The menu had plenty of options and portions were generous. read more

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I think it's a nice spot, with plenty of variety. Some of my family had come back from the beach, so we were in the mood for land-meat. I got the short-rib (always reliable) and my dad got an interesting pizza, I was surprised he chose. But both he and I liked it. So there is plenty of variety, and cocktails available too. Parking right at the place is a little skimpy, but just wander around the large building to find a place. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Short ribs and cocktails, and an interesting pizza - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Food was pretty good but not great.,Service was incredible - warm, friendly and attentive. Made the meal. Kudos to Emily and the polite young man who assisted her. read more

I have been here several times and let me tell you this, this place legitimately serves some of the best food in the area. From their deviled eggs, Caesar salad with shrimp to rib eye! Everything I have always ordered here is cooked and prepared so it is freaking delicious! I have never been disappointed. Food is one thing but they also make fantabulous drinks. My rib eye was cooked medium rare and my Brussels sprouts yummy!!! I had the waiter pick my drink as long as it was mixed, cold and fruity. I sorta wish I remembered what it was called but it was incredible! One of the smoothest tasting drinks I have ever had! Service is always good. Enough attention to never feel neglected nor bothered. She made great recommendation and made sure our tables were clean, soda and water topped off. Ambiance is a one level too dark. A little recommendation is to raise the level of light one level. It is not a score breaker tho. If you are near Durham, swing on by, you will not be disappointed! Not sure why it has taken me so long to review Local 22...I have been here at Least 4 times and it never gets old and it is the first place we go to eat! Added pics of yesterday and this past June when my brother graduated from Duke with an MSQM degree from Fuqua their school of business. My aunts and cousins loved Local 22 as well!!! read more

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Three of my closest friends and I had a spectacular experience on February 6. Caroline, our server was truly amazing as was her support staff. She was also our bartender and made the most delicious cocktails. The food was top notch, I had the daily fish special and the Brussel sprouts, both totally yummy. They made both GF and dairy free for me. We all had interesting cocktails that were fabulous. We sat at a tall table in the bar, which we enjoyed. We normally sit outside, where it feels like a beautiful garden, though in February it was not enticing. I highly recommend Local 22 Kitchen and Bar!! read more

I just woke up from a two-hour food coma caused by a fabulous Sunday brunch at Local 22. I went with a couple of friends who are regulars every Sunday and I am so glad they invited me along. We started off with tater tots and dipping sauces. They were addictive. I'll definitely be getting those again. I had one of the specials for my main - Crab Cake Benedict - and it was delicious and filling. The ambiance is casual and maybe a bit on the loud side but we were quite comfortable in our booth. The service was exceptional. I highly recommend checking them out; I know I'll be returning. read more

found multiple bugs in my salad, restaurant refused to comp meal and blamed on farmers read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Came here for Father's Day/Sunday brunch around 1:30pm and it was definitely boomin'! We were able to snag a parking spot right up front but there is more parking to the side of the building. If you're like my family and need wheelchair/walking accessibility, I recommend waiting somewhere for 10 minutes or so and circling back - the spots out front open up in waves. We ate outside on the patio which was perfectly covered but still had views and a nice breeze. All of the employees are so friendly and seem to work together well. We started with the hush puppies and sweet potato fries - both amazing. The hush puppies are like little fried cakes that pair so well with the apple butter; they are sweeter than the sweet potato fries but the fries are solid and some of the best I've had. I ordered the smoked salmon tartine and enjoyed it. There was a slight sweetness to it that I wasn't a fan of, not sure if it was something in the goat cheese but I just wasn't expecting it. Their parlez vous frozé was refreshing and stronger than expected - not mad about that. I enjoyed how they emphasize local items in their menu and the prices are reasonable for the quality you're receiving. Would definitely come back here! read more

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I enjoyed the shrimp & grits a lot, only thing is I felt like it was a little too much tomato. I went here with a party of 7 last minute & they were extremely accommodating. If you're looking for a place to have a good bite w/ affordable prices this is your friend ! read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Local Shrimp & Grits - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Food was good, but the the ​ambiance (patio) and the service were exceptional. Made for a lovely lunch experience.

We stopped in here for dinner. Restaurant was very busy, but we were seated immediately. Our waiter was very helpful and friendly. We ordered the corn bread skillet, a burger, and the Hawaiian chicken farm special. The food was delicious. They have a nice variety of farm to table options. Really want to try the meatloaf next time. I also saw a vegan Sheppards pie go by that looked delicious! read more

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This review is solely a drink and waitress review. I met a few friends here before a show. I got there late after my friends had already ordered. The waitress quickly brought a menu and went over their specials. I let her know I'd only be ordering a cocktail. She recommended her favorite (I wish I remembered the name). That drink was delicious!!! She was very attentive and such a nice person. If I'm ever in the area again, I'll return and make sure to sit in her section. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Local 22 has all the right "local" vibes and food. Their hushpuppies are THE BOMB, and I'm obsessed with the Pink G&T. The burger is a go-to, but honestly, I love all their food. They usually have daily socials, and they're always something unique. There's always local beer on tap, too! My friends and I come here at least once a season (if not more). The bartenders are always super friendly. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Gin drinks - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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If you're looking for a great Southern-style restaurant with delicious food and excellent customer service, this is the spot! The restaurant is clean and has a welcoming vibe. I highly recommend trying the chicken and waffles--it was fantastic, with perfectly seasoned, crispy chicken on top of a Belgian waffle drizzled with syrup. The crispy bacon was also delicious, and the seasoned sweet potato waffle fries were excellent and crispy. Whether you come for brunch or dinner, you won't be disappointed! read more

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"Good food, trendy setting, next to Parizade" I was surprised to notice that I had not reviewed Local 22 before despite having been there a few times over the years. This small restaurant sits beside Parizade off Main Street in Durham. Most recently, we showed up at 6:15pm on a Friday evening without a reservation, party of 2, and I was pleasantly surprised that we could get a table (albeit with an ask to try to finish by 7pm to make room for a reservation then). The restaurant basically is a suite of tables around a large bar. It is surprisingly dark, and was very loud the evening we were there-- my wife and I had trouble hearing each other. The menu has sandwiches and a few plate dishes, with the vegetables/ sides not included but served separately. That does mean it can get a little pricey. There's no "free bread" or the like either. Although tempted by the shrimp & grits, I ordered one evening special which was a sort of shepherd's pie ($26), and my wife ordered something that was a veggie mix (lots of squashes and eggplant) with some chicken (I think $23). Given our time constraint, we were fortunate that our food came out quite quickly. The shepherd's pie was quite tasty, but it was not an especially large dish (and somewhat shallow). Fortunately, I wasn't very hungry, so it was sufficient. I will give them an A for presentation of it, though. My wife's dish was a bit larger, but it was rather spicy, which she didn't like though I enjoyed the bites of it I had. I will say that the service was excellent. They were ON TOP of filling our water cups-- I felt like water was added almost after every time I took a sip, and that was despite the restaurant being packed. Different folks would come check on us to make sure everything was OK or to clear plates, too. And we got our check very easily without having to flag anyone down. This feels like an excellent place for a casual "work dinner" when the company is paying, and assuming that you're OK talking a bit loudly (and not having to read much). I'd come back, but probably less likely if both on my own dime and really hungry. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Shepherd's pie. Tasty, great presentation, but not a ton of food (plate is shallow too). - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Popped in here because we were in Durham for a quick girls weekend. My friend found this little gem, tucked away in a complex that was surrounded by some office suites and bordering a residential complex. Super chill, with outdoor seating. We had come at a weird time (it was empty), but were greeted at the hostess stand and chose a high top near the bar. John introduced himself and gave us a little intro on the beverage list, the food menu, and told us to take our time. I ordered a Dirty Martini (not too dirty) and my friend ordered an Aperol Spritz. For an app, we chose the brussel sprouts and for entrees we chose the Greek salad with grilled chicken and mussels in white wine sauce with chorizo. Everything was seasoned perfectly and full of flavor. As our meal went on, people started filling up tables outside and inside. While chatting with John, we found out the establishment was here for 10 years. If you're in the Raleigh/Durham location, stop in. You won't be disappointed! read more

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We met friends for dinner. Seated and promptly interacted with our server. Everyone here is so friendly. The food is amazing. We love the coziness and the vibe. read more

First place we went to when we moved to the area and has remained a staple. Up-scale cozy bar vibes with a fresher take on bar food. Have had excellent salads, chicken sandwich, and pizza here. Really cute place with excellent service. read more

Visited a couple times for drinks and apps and love the cute and cozy atmosphere. Drinks are incredible and bartenders are great at recommendations based on your taste! read more

We LOVE Local 22! Never had a bad dish there. Mushroom pizza, beet salad, skillet cornbread, black bean burger ... you name it, everything we've tried is fantastic! And the staff is great! Super friendly, great with our pup (great place to eat outside with your dog, btw!)! Can't say enough good things about Local 22! Don't miss out! read more

Thanks for poisoning my kid with bad seafood. Spent Thanksgiving 2024 in the ER, and had to fly back to CO with a food-poisoned kid. Not fun. Reached out via e-mail and was told it could not have been from their restaurant because they are simply fabulous. Wish I could have bottled the smell because it was undeniably the mussels, my guy! If you know you know. Keep being so great tho. read more

Oh boy, when I say this place is an underrated gem of Durham I mean it!! I avoided this spot for years because of subpar yelp reviews. Started coming here on a whim with the wifey when we moved into a nearby neighborhood and we are regulars now! Great service, food is what they say it is, and we both love the Greek salad with shrimp! Love the rotating specials everyday. Don't sleep on this spot! read more

We had a great dinner at Local 22, and while the food was fantastic , the service really was what stood out to us! Our waiter was so friendly, always there if we needed him but not intrusive, and because of that we ended up getting a bottle of wine to enjoy the meal a little longer and dessert too! The hush puppy appetizer was delicious and the pecan pie bread pudding was amazing. read more

Came for Sunday morning brunch. Service was excellent even as they got busy. The Bloody Mary mix is great (and there's a vegetarian option!). We had the cast iron pimento cheese which was my favorite dish, the veggie burger, vegetarian quiche. The waffle was my favorite part and would highly recommend it. Really elevated bar brunch menu and we will definitely be coming back. The vibe is great and has a great Sunday brunch energy. read more

Didn't think I needed to ask for my food to be hot- even warm would have been nice. Grits should be hot not cool and poached eggs for ( eggs Benedict) are not inviting when lukewarm. My husband's grits and bacon held no heat. Perhaps it was an off day for this establishment, but it's challenging to be understanding when you are all set to have a nice brunch and you get the cool plate special. Also avoid tables with slats on them. If you look between the slats you will find an unpleasant collection of foods from previous meals: not an appetizing sight to behold. read more

Our go-to when visiting our son and his wife in Durham. Consistently excellent! Vibrant and vital. read more

Went last night with a really large group. I Had been once a long time ago but couldn't remember if I liked it or not. We were sat outside in the pouring rain but stayed completely dry so that was awesome. Had a bit of the appetizers the table got and all were solid (hushpuppies, pimento cheese and deviled eggs). I got the quinoa salad with blackened salmon and my wife got the shrimp and grits. The rest of the table got burgers mostly and everyone seemed pleased. I really liked the blackened salmon and the salad was fresh. My wife enjoyed her shrimp and grits (though she liked my salad better too). I also have to add that I'm ashamed I didn't catch the name of our server but he was excellent. We were a large and picky table and his service was fantastic. We didn't order that much for such a large group yet he was really patient and kind with all of us. Chapeau read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Local Shrimp & Grits -- my wife found it just fine - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Just went here for my birthday dinner, reservation for 7 on a Tuesday was easy to get a few days prior, we were seated right away even though we came early (never been early anywhere in my life, so that was a sweet reinforcer). I've been here before but only after a pretty hefty pregame, so I could not tell you what the food tasted like. But alas, here we are with an updated visit review: Drinks: Pretty delicious, a little on the pricier side and somewhat heavy on the ice Service: Wonderful! Was checked up on many times, got some great recommendations from the server, everyone was lovely, shoutout Kendal Ambience: I like the intimate atmosphere, pretty dimly lit which I enjoy so it's harder to see me stuffing my face Food: most of my party got burgers, they all enjoyed their meals and obv I stole a fry of every kind of the various plates--fries were amazing (tots, regular, sweet potato and all). I had the Patagonian salmon, which I will say was salty. Like really salty. I love a good salty dish but it took away from some of the flavors in the plate. Thank god for the blandly seasoned corn on my plate :| Maybe I'm being a little harsh but what can I say, I have a toxic trait of finding the bad in everything good. Overall not enough critique to warrant 4 stars, I thought the meals were fairly priced and I had a great birthday dinner. See you later, alligator read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Patagonian Salmon - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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My friends and I went here for brunch and loved it. Their outdoor patio seating is super nice, service was fast, and our waiter was so friendly. My friend and I split the vegetarian quiche of the day and the eggs florentine and both were delicious! read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Eggs florentine - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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I do recommend this place but our visit was horrible!!! We didn't wait that long for a table which was great, but once seated took a while for a server. She was friendly at first but after the kitchen made the wrong order, she avoided us and we weren't even mad! Took at least 20+ minutes for the one correct meal to come out while others with me finished eating. (I ordered a local22 burger and they made the lamb burger by accident which looked totally different!!) Cocktails are expensive and cups FILLED with ice. Just disappointed, will try again because menu and atmosphere was nice but hoping for better service next time. read more

Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - Empty cocktail glass full of ice and after 3 sips! - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Very good food , everything was prepared well , service was excellent, clean and a great atmosphere