One of the best things about traveling is discovering great places to eat. They're usually not very…read morebig, not part of a large chain, but they're full of magic. Mateo, a Spanish tapas bar in Durham, NC, has everything you could want in a good restaurant. You can't miss it!

Interesting place, I would say it's a great date night type of place. We went as a group and had a…read morefixed menu so our experience was not the standard but the food was good and the service friendly. They don't have a lot of Gluten Free options (aside from the stuff that is naturally GF of course) but they did try to accommodate the need and they do have the Estrella GF beer which no one ever has - on draft even. It's a bit of a twist on an actual Spanish restaurant/tapas with some embellishments that aren't authentic but it isn't a bad place to have a meal.

We chose Tabernas for our son's 16th birthday…read more We made reservations and we seated immediately. It was a slow night and we were one of a few tables. Not the norm. Our service was lack luster, rished, and we didn't get everything we ordered. We would have asked about the missing dish and ordered another round of drinks but no one checked back on us. They were just hanging behind the bar. We've waited tables since highschool and know a slow night doesn't usually equate with hmgreat service because people get too relaxed but I expeted us all to at least get the items we ordered. Heading home to feed.mynwofe.a tomatoe sandwich. She's vegetarian and her item was missing. No apology from the server. Just dropped the check. The wings and potatoes were good. The Shrimp were fine. The Cauliflower dish was eh and lacked something, or salt perhaps also where there brussel sprouts in there cause I saw like three leaves. I really wanted to try desert but just left in frustration.

I really wanted to love Taberna Tapas in Durham. The space has potential,warm, rustic charm with…read moreexposed brick, cozy lighting, and a few traditional Spanish design elements sprinkled in. On first impression, it feels like the kind of place that should deliver big on ambiance and flavor. The service was friendly and attentive, and the team clearly wants diners to enjoy the experience. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the setting. Let's start with the overall vibe of the menu. While it markets itself as a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, the dishes felt more like Americanized small plates than true Spanish tapas. What was most noticeable across the board was the lack of seasoning and depth. These dishes were fine, but none of them left a lasting impression. We began with the Croquettas de Jamon, which were more creamy-fried than filled with ham. They were crispy on the outside and soft inside, but without that satisfying salty bite of jamón you expect. Nothing about them felt particularly special. Next up were the Albondigas in Savory Tomato Sauce. These meatballs were tender and cooked well, but the tomato sauce didn't bring much flavor. Again, it was just fine. It didn't offend, but it didn't excite either. We also tried the Calamares Fritos, which were fried properly with a light, crunchy coating. But it's tough to mess up fried calamari. There was nothing memorable about the seasoning or presentation. It lacked the boldness or creative twist that could have made it stand out. The highlight of the meal was the Empanadas de Carne. These were genuinely good. The puff pastry was buttery and crisp, and the filling had actual flavor, steak, potato, and shallots came together in a hearty, satisfying bite. This was the one dish that felt like it had been prepared with intention. Overall, Taberna Tapas has a great look and an inviting atmosphere, but the food feels like it's playing it too safe. Tapas, when done right, should be bold, flavorful, and transportive. Instead, we left feeling underwhelmed and wishing for more seasoning and personality on the plate. With such a charming space and a great location, it has all the ingredients to be great , it just needs a bit more soul in the kitchen.

Stopped by Little Bull when visiting downtown Durham. When you arrive parking can be difficult in…read morethis area. I'd recommend parking a few blocks away and walking if needed. Unfortunately, we happened to be in downtown Durham when an event was taking place at the DPAC. Walking into the restaurant it's beautiful with the exposed brick, the decorated dining room, the sassy and unapologetic identity of the restaurant, and the "pocho" cuisine. To be seated you'll check in with the host and then be shown to your table. You'll either be seated on the first/second level or on the second level rooftop. I highly recommend a reservation as we still ended up waiting for our table even with a reservation. For drinks, I started with the Mezcal old fashioned and later ordered the she was a fairy (with sea foam). Overall the drinks were excellent and perfectly balanced. For appetizers, we ordered the "Super Fancy" Devil Eggs, Chirashi, Ceviche, Octopus Al Pastor, Shorty Pan, Butter Beans, and the Ay Papa. Each appetizer had a great presentation and they were all excellent. I really enjoyed the Chirashi as you could essentially make your own sushi with the seaweed on the side and just the overall flavors were so good. For entrees, we ordered the Lamb & Mole and the Carne Asada. Again, the presentation was excellent and both entrees were excellent. The carne asada was well seasoned and in an extremely tasty sauce. The Lamb & Mole you could tell the Mole had several flavors within it and really enhanced the dish. Also the Lamb cut like butter and was so good! For dessert we ordered the Churro Clouds, Capirotada, and I believe the Crepe Cake. Great presentation and by far the churro clouds were my favorite. I highly recommend stopping by Little Bull if you are in the downtown Durham area looking for a good Michelin Star/James Beard nominated restaurant.

Little Bull makes a strong first impression, the kind where you step up to the host stand and…read moreimmediately wonder if you should have dressed a little nicer for whatever is about to happen. We weren't looking for fancy on this self-directed Durham food tour, but we decided to roll with it, and once the hostess walked us upstairs, the whole space opened up into something genuinely beautiful. The decor is polished without feeling stuff, the kind of restaurant where you can sit down, take a breath, and feel like you made a good choice even if you weren't planning on a big night out. We kept things simple. My friend had a customized mimosa, I went with tequila and soda, we shared the brunch ceviche. It arrived looking absolutely stunning and tasted every bit as good as it looked. The plantain chips were a delight and added just the right texture. One small note for anyone ordering drinks upstairs (and maybe downstairs too?), there's no soda fountain, so the ginger ale that came with my drink was a separate $3.00 charge. Something worth knowing before you order. If it's a nice day, consider the upstairs outside patio. It's a delight! [Review 1165 of 2026 - 4814 in North Carolina - 26344 overall]

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.

Juju (9th Street - Durham) Although we live in North…read moreRaleigh, we've been spending more time exploring Durham's restaurant scene. This time we tried Juju on 9th Street for lunch. Parking couldn't have been easier. We found a space right out front in the lot off 9th Street and walked straight in. It was a quiet Thursday afternoon, so we were seated immediately. The dining room has an elegant, relaxed feel, and with only a few other diners it made for a peaceful lunch. Lunch for two came to about $80 plus tax and tip, making this one of the more upscale lunches we've had recently. We ordered: * Crispy Brussels Sprouts * Shrimp Dumplings (6) * Mongolian Beef * Grilled Lemongrass Hanger Steak Salad * Unsweetened iced tea The Food The Crispy Brussels Sprouts were a great start. They were crisp on the outside without being overcooked, and the mint, peanuts, and pickled onions added both texture and freshness. It was also a large enough portion for leftovers. The Shrimp Dumplings were excellent. The flavor was outstanding, and the Thai chili oil, garlic, scallions, and sesame worked beautifully together. My only criticism was the portion size. At six small dumplings, they felt a little pricey for what you receive. The Mongolian Beef was probably the best value of the meal. The beef had a nice sear while remaining tender inside, and the portion was generous enough that we had leftovers for another meal. It had a nice overall flavor as well. The Grilled Lemongrass Hanger Steak Salad was good, but not quite at the same level. The steak had good flavor, but the cut itself was somewhat chewy. The accompanying rice was simply prepared and didn't add much to the dish. The flavors were enjoyable, although slightly sweeter than my wife prefers. Service Service was excellent. Our server took the time to walk us through each dish, explaining ingredients, spice levels, and preparation so we could choose items that fit our tastes. We especially appreciated her knowledge of the menu and her attentiveness throughout the meal, my iced tea was never empty. Overall Juju offers an attractive setting, excellent service, and several very well-executed dishes. Our biggest challenge was simply that much of the lunch menu leans toward spicier offerings than we typically enjoy. While we probably wouldn't return specifically for lunch, the dinner menu appears to offer a much wider variety of choices that fit our tastes. We'll likely be back to give dinner a try.

Everything at Bar Virgile was amazing! I ordered a cosmopolitan, while my date ordered the…read moreelderflower cocktail. I liked my drink a little more since it was sweeter. We also ordered three small plates to share: the Mac and cheese, brussel sprouts with bacon, and the fried oysters. The Mac and cheese was absolute perfection and I probably ate the most of that dish. It was hot out of the oven and I enjoyed the crunch from the breadcrumbs. It was perfectly creamy but not too indulgent. The Brussels and fried oysters were also really great. Both were perfectly seasoned and tasted fresh. My date said the oysters were one of the best he's ever had! I'll be back for their drinks and food ;)

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

I thought my visit here was great! I sat at the bar and the bartenders were wonderful. I started…read morewith the coconut shrimp and I absolutely cannot stop thinking about it. It was absolutely one of my favorite dishes I've ever had. I got the spam burger for my entrée and I thought it came with fries and salad but the bartender kind of confused me about it. Otherwise I felt like it was a little dry, but otherwise he was decent. Then I ended with the Keylime pie and I still think about it to this day. It was absolutely one of my favorite Keylime pies I've ever had.

Lovely vibe. Fantastic cocktails. Excellent service. Delicious burger. The shoestring fries are…read morekiller.

Such a gem! I loved having cuisine I've never had before…read more I made a reservation, but when I arrived, i realized there would of been availability without reservation. They had my table ready and were very warm in their welcome. I hadnt had food like this before and the staff was kind in taking time to explain the dishes and make recommendations. I have the dova rice and pili piri chicken wings. The wings were spicy, nutty, juicy. So delicious! The rice dish went so well with the chicken. It had peanuts in it and the texture of the rice was so unique. It was a match made in heaven. The ambiance is so elegant and calming. I'm glad i was able to come in casual attire and not feel out of place. It was nice to see people outside the restaurant peacefully staring at the waterfalls. I'm so glad i got to try this restaurant during my trip in Durham I was so memorable.

Place has good ambience and nice feel to it. Service was average…read more It is a tapas kind restaurant so service is different than regular places. Food is served as it is cooked. We made reservations for four and it was easy. Though when we reached it was not busy at all Unfortunately the two tapas that we wanted to order were not available may be because we were there around 7, but that is not a justification because our choices got very limited Cauliflower was mediocre with a large floret on the top of peanut/coconut sauce, and vegan crab cake was average with a peri peri kinda sauce at bottom, but corn was really good though I had to use my hands to eat because cob was attached. Goat was good with tomato based curry and have bits in the curry and pieces as well but the qty of pieces was too less, chicken wings are extremely good, they melt in your mouth..mocktails were yummy but I found the quantity very less with lot of ice in the glass... my husband enjoyed his old fashion tamarind drink with bourbon, though we could not taste the tanginess of tamarind... water was at room temperature ...overall a ok place for a relaxing dinner but not compelling enough for me to drive again 40 minutes. Place definitely felt overpriced for the amount of food ...

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.

I would say the service here was average to poor. The sweet tea had a strong chemical/artificial…read moretaste to it; I recommend they simply take it off the menu. The food is decent!

Came here after the Durham Farmers Market with a friend and wow this place was a surprise. …read more I went with the grain bowl and honestly it is one of the best I have had in downtown Durham. It is built on quinoa and rice with black beans and kale, then layered with corn salsa, tomato cortido, guacamole, and a creamy acevichado style sauce that pulls everything together. It is finished with a crunchy mix of pepitas, nuts, and grains. The balance is quite ideal in my view. My friend had the rotisserie chicken with two sides, kale and slaw, and it was just as impressive. Crispy skin, juicy inside, and really clean flavors. Simple food done right and GF friendly. Everything felt thoughtfully prepared. Prices land right where you would expect for the quality, roughly 16 to 21 dollars depending on what you order, and it feels worth it. My bowl plus side of dark chicken was plenty. A few notes. Parking is what you would expect for downtown, so plan accordingly. Service was solid and friendly, but nothing that stood out. The vibe inside is festive and relaxed, bright and open, and just a fun place to hang out for lunch. Porbably not a special occasion. I also suspect it could get loud when full. This is definitely going into my regular rotation. That grain bowl is going to be hard to pass up next time, so instead of replacing it I will probably just add a side or an empanada and start working my way through the rest of the menu.

Outstanding. Order whatever. It won't disappoint. Typical good service you'd expect of a restaurant…read moreof this calibre in Durham :)

Littler is one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Durham! The menu is New American with a focus…read moreon seafood and seasonal delights. The restaurant itself is cozy with warm accents, brick walls, and wood paneling. I feel like I'm visiting a good friends home whenever I visit here. As for the menu, and I say this without exaggeration, the carrot cavatelli is one of the best dishes I have ever eaten in my life. I seriously dream about that carrot cavatelli. Here's some of my other favorites: Smoked Hamachi Puree- the toaste brioche goes perfectly with this pate-like fish dish, so insanely delicious Caramelized Onion Tart- the robiola foam is a dream and pairs perfectly with the apple Carrot Cavatelli- I would literally write the chef personally if this item was ever removed from the menu. Trust me, just order this for the table. King Trumpet- there's not much better than a grilled trumpet mushroom Seared Scallops- such a fantastic dish that comes with creamed greens and little pasta to accompany it Braised Beef Short Rib- meaty and delicious, exactly as you would expect Chocolate Mousse- a delicious, decadent dessert that's the perfect way to end a meal All in all, you can't have a bad meal at Littler. Plus the service is always excellent and they pay their staff a living wage! Definitely a do not miss in Downtown Durham