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    Local 22 Kitchen & Bar

    3.9 (425 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Local 22 Kitchen & Bar Photos

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    LOCAL 22 KITCHEN & BAR ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Local 22 Kitchen & Bar

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    Susan S.

    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!

    Warm Bread Pudding
    Ray L.

    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.

    Local 22 Angus Burger*
    Sara L.

    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.

    Grilled Salmon
    Sydney H.

    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.

    Mushroom pesto pizza
    Amy F.

    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.

    Fried chicken sandwich
    Annie W.

    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.

    Local Cheeses Smoked Trout Dip Prosciutto
    Ivory E.

    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.

    Short ribs and cocktails, and an interesting pizza
    Paul M.

    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.

    Ervin S.

    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!!!

    Burger and tots
    Karen T.

    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!

    Tricia T.

    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!

    Local Shrimp & Grits

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    5 years ago

    So good. Huge portions on charcuterie. Highest quality local ingredients. Try the Barcelonette cocktail and thank me later

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    Business owner information

    Photo of Shannon K.

    Shannon K.

    Thanks for coming in, Randy. We're glad you enjoyed it again! Cheers!

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Good service and environment. I ordered scallops but it is too salty for me. Good place for business gathering

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    3 years ago

    Wonderful food and atmosphere. Definitely recommend this restaurant and will be back when passing through Durham.

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    Page 4 of 11

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    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge - FARMERS ONLY - as smoky and delicious as a rancher's dating profile (Cerrissa)

    The Velvet Hippo Bar & Lounge

    4.5(109 reviews)
    1.6 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.

    Stopped by the Velvet Hippo while out in downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be a bit…read moretricky in this area as you'll need to find street parking or park in a nearby lot. When you walk in you'll need to either take the elevator or stairs up to the third floor. Once inside the bar you'll feel like you've been transported to an upscale, tropical bar. To order you'll need to walk up to the bar to place your order. I ordered the Hot Girl Summer (Olmeca Altos Reposado, fresh watermelon, Gran Gala orange liqueur, house-made habanero syrup, lime, salt half rim) which was so good. I also ordered a cheetahs do it in the dark (Astral Añejo tequila, Licor 43, Caffè Borghetti liqueur, espresso, orange twist) which was also excellent. I'd recommend walking out to the rooftop if it isn't too hot. There are several tables and the views of the city are nice. Definitely will come back to the velvet hippo next time I'm in Durham.

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    Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

    Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

    4.7(44 reviews)
    1.8 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.

    We came here on a whim and at the recommendation of my friend. First off, the aesthetics were…read morepleasing and we entered to the sound of live jazz filling the space. The acoustics were amazing and it added to the ambiance. There wasn't a hostess so we weren't sure how seating worked until we were approached by a someone working there who advised us that we could sit anywhere. While the ambiance was pleasant, the literal chairs that we were sitting in were falling apart and actually hazardous to the point that we advised the manager that the chairs had dangerously wobbly legs. Our server seemed pleasant and we ordered wings, a chicken sandwich, the Main Street old fashioned and the Ehh what's up doc. The drinks took a while to come out but they were delicious. Our food on the other hand took about 40 minutes to come out. The menu indicated that my sandwich came with kettle cooked chips but l didn't expect that it would be a literal bag of chips. I actually expected the chips to be made in house so it would be good if the menu actually said "bag of chips". Our server stated that the delay was because there was a large order that came into the kitchen but the large party that was there was actually leaving and didn't leave with a large food order. As it turns out, the food that came out before ours belonged to our server and her friends who were eating at another table close to the bar. We declined the free drink we were offered as an apology and had beignets to-go instead but being lied to about the reason for the wait on what appeared to be a slow night was unacceptable. Do better.

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    Weldon Mills Distillery Durham
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    Killer Queen

    Killer Queen

    4.9(33 reviews)
    1.7 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
    Killer Queen - Seating

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    Liberty & Plenty Distillery - The Liberty & Plenty Distillery lounge is situated in the front of the distillery, and features a full cocktail bar and patio.

    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

    4.8(17 reviews)
    1.4 mi

    Five stars for Liberty & Plenty, a true gem that we didn't even plan on visiting. We were headed…read moredown the street to somewhere else, saw the sign, looked at each other and said, "Let's check this out" and I am so glad we followed that impulse because it turned into one of those stops that completely makes your afternoon. What was supposed to be a quick pop in turned into two full hours of socializing, tasting, talking and working our way through a lineup of spirits that dhows just how much care and craft is happening inside this place. I need to say, Stephanie is a darling. She's not a bartender. She's a proper mixologist, the kind of professional who knows her spirits, knows her history, knows how to read a customer, and somehow manages to be both entertaining and deeply knowledgeable at the same time. She walked us through their menu with the kind of confidence that makes you trust every recommendation, and every drink she made had that extra flourish that tells you she actually loves the work. It's rare to find someone who can make you laugh, teach you something, and hand you a drink that's better than what you expected all in the same moment, but she does it effortlessly. Somewhere between the rum and the vodka, we learned that they're gearing up for a big move to Wilson, expanding from two stills to a dozen, which is wild and honestly well deserved because the quality here is already top-tier and the idea of them scaling up that much is exciting. You can feel the ambition from the crew here, the sense that they're on the cusp of something bigger, and it made every sip feel like you're getting in on a story that's about to blow up. That said, I'm begging. Please, please, please, find a way to keep a tasting room in Durham. You're awesome, the vibe is awesome, the people are awesome, and this city needs places like this where you can wander in on a whim and end up staying for two hours because everything feels and tastes just right. Expansion is great, growth is great, Wilson is lucky to have you, but Durham will really miss you if you disappeared completely. Liberty & Plenty is the kind of spot you stumble into once and then start recommending to everyone you know. If you're anywhere nearby, go. And if Stephanie is behind the bar, settle in, because you're in very good hands. [Review 1073 of 2026 - 4782 in North Carolina - 26252 overall]

    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!

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    Liberty & Plenty Distillery - Front of Liberty & Plenty, Durham

    Front of Liberty & Plenty, Durham

    Liberty & Plenty Distillery
    Liberty & Plenty Distillery

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    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Bacon egg and cheese

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar

    4.5(181 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    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.

    I have frequently gone here as it's my favorite place to grab curry mussels. With that being said I…read morecame here today to celebrate my girls birthday and it was one to remember for all the wrong reasons. 3/4 of us ordered the same exact meal and I never received my dish. By the time I was able to waive down the waiter , the table was finished eating and they brought out my meal 25-30 min after the fact. I was hopeful that management would own the mistake, but when my bill came nothing was comped. I had to raise my concern with a waitress and she got a manager. Frankly I am disappointed all around by the experience. "Worse birthday ever" was stated a few times by the birthday girl so idk if I'll be coming back. If I'm going to spend $200 on a meal I at least want to eat.

    Photos
    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced autumn blaze latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Aaktun Coffee & Bar - Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

    Iced dulce de leche latte with cold foam - lifewithhanny

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    Jerk chicken

    Local 22 Kitchen & Bar - newamerican - Updated September 2026

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