Metro 8 Steakhouse

Came back to NanaSteak about a month later, a year later, two years later...and somehow the food…read morewas exactly as good as I remembered. Everything was perfect. At this point, I'm convinced this place is being run by magic elves. I wish I could remember my server's name, but while my memory may have failed me, the service definitely did not. It was impeccable. Attentive, polished, warm, and exactly what you want from a restaurant at this level. And somehow, the food may have been even better this time. I always order the ribeye, and NanaSteak consistently gets it right. The steak practically melts in your mouth, is always cooked to the proper temperature, and has never disappointed me. I've yet to have a bad meal here. What I appreciate most is the consistency. Plenty of restaurants can give you one great meal, but coming back weeks later and having the same level of food and service says a lot. I would recommend just about everything here. Great food, exceptional service, and a restaurant that continues to deliver every single time.

Visited this spot a little bit ago with a group of friends and colleagues and it was a great choice…read morebefore the show, at DPAC ! The service was good and food was too! Here's a few snippets of my experience

Inside. View of main dining room facing curtained entrance.

Cake of the Day: Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Butter Cream over Cherry Compote. Market price was $14 for this big, delicious slice.

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Inside. Main dining room. View from host/hostess stand.

Little Bull

4.6(180 reviews)

1.7 mi

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]

Interior

Tuna sandwich

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Interior

Stoney River

4.1(388 reviews)

8.7 mi

I Always enjoy Stony River. The service is stellar and the ambiance is relaxing. They dim the…read morelights at dinner time which makes it enjoyable. What's nice here is they have partition's that are like plexiglas separating the booths so it cuts the sound down in the booth. We tried the coffee crusted petite steak and it was delicious. The creamed spinach is perfect.

Stoney River is an Upscale Restaurant that Offers the Perfect Setting for a Romantic Date Night…read moreDinner, a Birthday Celebration, or for the Ultimate Proposal! The Wine Cellar served as the Main Focal Point encased by Glass situated in the Middle of the Restaurant for your viewing pleasure! The Food was Amazing as well as Our Server Alexandria! My Glass of Sweet Tea was Never Empty! The Cheesesteak Egg Rolls were Creamy and Crispy! The Crispy Chicken Biscuits flew off the Plate as they were a Hit with My Family! The 22oz Cowboy Ribeye was Flavorful as well as Delicious! However, the Highlight of the Meal were the Oversized Slices of Carrot Cake as well as The Chocolate, Chocolate Cake! Everything was Perfect!

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Alley Twenty Six

4.3(434 reviews)

1.7 mi

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.

Pimento cheese & pepper jelly

Pimento cheese on baguette

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House-made tonic soda mocktail

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

3.7(476 reviews)

7.8 mi

Yes , yes , yes ! This was such a nice family dinner at…read morefirebirds we raved about it driving back to the house. My niece had never been here so it was a must that I brought her here. I've visited the one back in Orlando several times and knew everyone would enjoy the service , ambiance and delicious food. I'm so addicted to the bacon deviled eggs that we always get two orders because I refuse to share.

Today I went to firebirds with my friend and we were amazed by the service!!…read moreOur server Jai was wonderful and so lovely with her conversation and I would definitely sit in her section again. We ordered the filet deal and it tasted perfect, the loaded baked potato went perfectly with my steak, my compliments to the chef and our server!

Fireplace

Hot Honey Chicken Biscuit

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Ribeye steak with mushroom and onions and Parmesan mashed potatoes

Texas Roadhouse

3.0(396 reviews)

0.9 mi

I have not been to this establishment in years. The last time was when we ordered takeout during…read moreCOVID and had such an disappointing experience that we have not been back since. But this is where my MiL wanted to go for Mothers Day so my husband and I took her, along with my brother and sister in law. We got there at 11:30 on Sunday and it was pretty busy but not packed yet. Before we even entered the building, an employee handed the women in the party each a rose! What a lovely touch. My MiL is disabled and so we got her situated in the waiting area before going up and adding our party to the wait list. The hostess immediately got us a table and we were seated right away, which was also very nice. Our server was Sierra and she was delightful. She brought us SO MUCH bread and it was so deliciously warm. I try not to eat the bread before the meal so I can eat most of my entree, but this bread is amazing. And with the cinnamon honey butter?! I forgot how yummy it was. All of my in-laws got the smothered chicken with loaded sweet potatoes and house salads as their sides. My husband and I got ribeye's (cooked medium). I got my with a house salad and loaded mased potatoes, while my husband got a Caesar salad and baked potato with butter. Y'all, their salads are really, really good. They were fresh and the croutons are phenomenal. We didn't wait too long for our food which was impressive since it was so busy. Sierra waited for us to cut into our steaks before she walked away. They were cooked perfectly. I thought they were seasoned really well but my husband said his could have used more salt. My mashed potatoes were tasty but my husband wished is baked potato was warmer...he said it wasn't even melting all the butter. The smothered chicken looked good as well. The manager came over at least twice during our meal to make sure that everything was ok. When Sierra brought us our check, she told us there was no rush, which was kind but we left as soon as we could since they were packed. I'm not sure if they are under new management, but the service we received exceeded expectations. I was very pleased. My only complaint (which there is really nothing they can do about this) is the noise level. It was so loud that it was difficult to hear my soft spoken MiL. Otherwise, I will be very happy to return here!

Went for a special Lunch on Sunday. We were quickly seated…read more That's the best part A signature thing is for then once roasted peanuts. We had to ask for it.. then no rolls had to ask for it .. our salad visited other tables. Before it arrived to ours. Next we were brought food we did not order. When the steak arrived it was tasty but over cooked. Our beverage ( a beer) never arrived When a manager came by they ask how were things. And apparently it did not go any further. Because when the bill came we were still charged for it.

Bar service

Rose they gave me

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Decor

Littler

4.5(151 reviews)

1.8 mi

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

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Storefront.

The Restaurant at The Durham

4.1(21 reviews)

1.7 mi

During my recent visit to The Restaurant at The Durham for brunch, I had the pleasure of ordering…read morefrom their weekend brunch menu. The Breakfast Fried Rice that I selected, featuring wild-caught NC shrimp, roasted mushrooms, broccoli, edamame, jasmine rice in a soy-ginger sauce, omelet, and Yum Yum Sauce, was delicious. To complement my meal, I also opted for the Pomegranate Hibiscus Spritzer mocktail. The servers were great and even in passing every staff i encountered was pleasant. On a different note, I couldn't help but notice that the water glasses on the table had noticeable water stains. Given the elegant setting of the hotel lighting fixtures and the significance of first impressions for me, it was a bit of a setback to observe this. The hostess tried to find me a glass that wasn't stained but never returned. I ended up passing on water. I would suggest improving the glasses by removing the stains or getting new ones. I would also recommend a better clean-up of the seating after each guest. I saw a few crumbs. Parking was effortless. A parking deck is right across the street. It's free on the weekends.

My partner and I made reservations for brunch. The ambience of the restaurant gave retro 70s vibes…read morewhich was cozy. I ordered the Breakfast Fried Rice and my partner ordered The Full Durham. The breakfast fried rice was very flavorful and savory, and the egg was very fluffy. The full Durham included a lot of food - I found the home fries to be tasty, but I wish they were a little more seasoned. Overall, we had a great experience and would definitely return to check out the dinner menu.

Vanilla Buttermilk Sugar pie + vanilla cold brew oat latte for Pi Day - lifewithhanny

Spring Dinner Menu

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Lunch Thai Peanut Salad

The Angus Barn

4.1(2.1k reviews)

11.9 mi

•$$$$

Alex makes it even better…read more Good food and if you go ask for Alex he was great and nev neede anything

I wanted to absolutely love this place due to the history, uniqueness, and hype, but the food fell…read moreshort. I ordered the prime rib with mashed potatoes and creamed spinach. Limited flavor in the mashed potatoes and creamed spinach, which I'd expect to be done well as staples. However, the excellent customer service and AMAZING burger saved the day. I'll be returning to just get the burger.

8/16/2026-entrance

Captain's Table experience, lemon sherbet

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8/16/2026-bar just outside the main entrance

Plum Southern Kitchen & Bar

4.4(165 reviews)

1.3 mi

I came to visit Durham for the first time in a long time And was pleasantly surprised to see all…read morethe new and exciting restaurants. A friend suggested we try this place. We made a reservation and were seated upon arrival. Our host was Anthony, I think his name was, with a keen interest for ginkgo trees. He was very attentive, friendly and extremely helpful. He took her order and had some good suggestions. I was craving shrimp and grits which was probably the most unique shrimp and grits. I've had ever. Very distinct flavor and still very rich and familiar. The shrimp were large and juicy as well as remained crunchy overall cooked very well. We also had the summer tomato and burata salad which was really refreshing and delicious. My friend ordered the mac and cheese which is a hefty serving size. Definitely a shareable side or a main for one person. Our host came to check on us frequently, our Waters never went empty. Other hosts were also helping check in on us which was nice. The restaurant itself is large. Booth tables available, which made for a cozy environment. We ended the night with some brownie a la mode, which was the perfect dessert to have on a hot summer day. Overall the experience was amazing, great food and incredibly nice people. Definitely Miss miss the southern hospitality of Durham. Definitely recommend a try here at plum Southern kitchen & bar.

Stopped by for dinner and sat outside with our dog- VERY dog friendly, relaxing classical music…read moreoutside, with some cute decor- including flowers and lights. The menu had recently changed so we got to try quite a few new items. We tried the panzanella- sweet corn, red beans, heirloom tomato, patty pan squash, pea tendrills, and a roasted red pepper vinaigrette. This dish was my favorite of the night- small but shareable, entire dish was refreshing and all the flavors and textures went together so well. For dinner I ordered the roasted chicken and the baked mac and cheese with bacon. The roasted chicken was juicy and tasty, and a bit sweet with the bourbon ginger and plum reduction, but the mac and cheese seemed dry and overcooked. We also ordered the buttermilk cheddar biscuits- that taste slightly undercooked (in a good way), so the texture was soft and chewy (and amazing). The honey butter and large maldon salt granules made the biscuits perfect. They were so good we ordered a second order!! I would definitely return to Plum, for both the food and hospitality.

Big bar, small plates.

Monday night special. Honey-smoked ham, Brussels sprouts, sweet potato succotash, southern cheese grits.

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Beef stroganoff with a mushroom cream sauce, pickled onion, & mustard seed.

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Erik G.

15 years ago

This place was excellent all around! It wasn't extravagant or over done, but made me feel like I was back in Buenos Aires at a small family owned restaurant. All the food was excellent, but if you are looking for a steak restaurant where you can actually taste the meat (and not the stuff they put on it), this is the place for you. Staff: Waitress was friendly and attentive, made suggestions on food and wine. Manager was visibly available and made sure everything was taken care of including helping with the wine. Chef came out to greet each table at around 9pm and was friendly and interested. This made a huge difference to us. We had never been in before, but he talked to us and treated us like old friends. Food: As a son of an Argentinian and having been there this past year, Metro 88 has got it down. The Empanadas were good (although fried where I prefer baked). The chorizo was perfect. I had a Strip steak, and my coworker had the Churasco (skirt). Both were cooked perfectly and seasoned with just salt and pepper which is the traditional Argentinian way. The flavor of the meat was perfect, and didn't need all the over seasoning, sauces and butter that other places put on it. The fries were the closest to those from Argentina that I have tried here in the states. Decor: Simple, but perfect. No flashy pictures or noise. It truly felt like we walked out of Durham and into an nice restaurant in Buenos Aires. They have a patio out back, but the tables are not on top of each other and there is space to enjoy yourself, talk and we never felt like we were being rushed. read more

Terry O.

7 years ago

Dynamite filets perfectly cooked, best I've had in a really long time. Kudos to the chef! Our waiter, Conner, was wonderful! Everyone was very helpful and friendly (with the exception of the hostess, who was pretty chilly and not very cordial - she should take lessons from any of the staff) We'll go back! read more

Dee S.

10 years ago

For a romantic dinner for two, a party, or just meeting old and new friends at the bar, Metro 8 Steakhouse is the place to dine in Durham. Cassie's wonderful "Old Fashioned" is only matched by Frank's amazing Churrrasco. Classy and delicious, I highly recommend it! read more

Guy S.

10 years ago

My wife and I gave a rehearsal dinner last night for our son and his (now) wife. Excellent food and excellent service. You could NOT possibly ask for anything more. Guy A. Schmitz read more

Darby D.

11 years ago

I went for Restaurant week and had a wonderful server (Nia, Nai?). The food and service were outstanding! I can't wait to go back again!

Cassandra R.

2 years ago

Amazing Ambiance, an American Steakhouse with Argentinian flair. Food, drinks, & service was excellent. Definitely worth a visit! read more

Bruno N.

12 years ago

The place has a good environment, good steak and decent dessert. Not the best and that's why i give three stars.

Renee D.

8 years ago

What a great experience! Went here for our anniversary and had an amazing meal and great service

Cassandra R.

9 years ago

Love, Love this place!! Food, staff & ambiance is fabulous. Amy & Nancy make the best Cosmo's.

Metro 8 Steakhouse - steak - Updated September 2026

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Nana Steak

4.2

(319 reviews)

Farmhouse Restaurant

3.9

(79 reviews)

This is more of a 3.5...Parts of this visit were excellent but it comes down to the fact that I…read morewill probably not return. This is a little off the beaten path but if you follow the signs, you will have no problem finding it. There is plenty of parking but no marked spaces so you just have to hope that most of the guest use common sense and park well. There is a sign on the front of the building that says FARM HOUSE and a door but it's not clearly marked as an entrance and no hours are listed. When you enter, there are still no signs and you have to guess which door to open. I had been here before 20 years ago, so I knew to expect that it was dimly lit inside. We had a reservation for 8 at 6pm. There was a line in front of us but we were seated promptly. I didn't see the entire dining room as it seemed sectioned off, but it must have been large because people kept coming and and kept getting seated. It never felt crowded. Part of our party was late, which highly frustrated me and made me feel bad for the waitress (and made me completely understand why some restaurants won't seat you until your entire party is there!) But Marsha, our waitress, was so incredibly gracious and brought us drinks while we waited. The cheese, pate, and veggies were a nice change from the bread basket you usually get. The pate by itself was a bit too salty and smoky for me but combined with some of the pickled veggies, it was excellent! They had a decent selection of beer and wine and Marsha made sure to point out that they had a full bar. When we finally ordered, almost everyone got the 8oz Ribeye. The steaks come with a potato (regular or sweet), and a house salad (you choose the dressing.) I got a sweet potato and ranch dressing. The sweet potato comes with brown sugar (on the side). Butter (and sour cream and imitation bacon bits) are already on the table. I did ask about the lettuce and she said that it was from a local wholesaler and it came in heads and they chopped themselves, which I felt safe enough to eat. The salad was good and the potato was SO HOT. It stayed hot the entire time I was eating it. The steak was also screaming hot which was much appreciated. However...the website says that they cook on a charcoal grill. That may be but there were barely any sear marks on my steak. It wasn't brown on the outside...and everyone knows that brown food tastes better! It was also pretty tough for a ribeye. I was not really impressed. $33 for a 8oz Ribeye, salad, and potato would be a pretty good deal if it was all yummy...but sadly this just felt overpriced. It was my brother in laws birthday and they did bring him a free dessert which was very nice! There is 20% gratuity automatically added to parties of 6 or more. They did split checks though. It ended up being a good night to celebrate a birthday but I will not come back on my own....huge shoutout to Marsha who was the best part of this experience!

Quaint, vintage, iconic, charming... all of those could describe the comfort of eating in a…read moresteakhouse that has been in business since 1969. The Farmhouse is about as authentic as one could hope for in this modern world of constant attention grabbing media and technology driven algorithms. No app to order, no QR codes, the lighting is dimmed to create a chill setting, and it was a welcome change from the bright lights and inauthentic greetings from walking in to many modern restaurants. You walk in, wait for the one cashier/host to work down the line of guests both checking out as well as requesting a table, and sit on the log bench to await your server. The walls are adorned with historic characters of nearby UNC, along with antiques and many of the hosts and servers are chatting with locals that they have obviously known for years... maybe decades. We were there on the Saturday before Father's Day, so maybe the dining area was extra busy, but we waited no more than 5 or 10 minutes for a table to open up and we were seated. Very quickly, our server brought a plate of liver pate, a soft cheese spread, surrounded by some fresh cut veggies, and another basket of assorted crackers. The pate was a bit salty, but paired well with the veggies, and the cheese was... well, cheese. We decided to split the bigger ribeye (12oz) and the server said they would go ahead and cut it in half and serve on two plates. We had an extra salad ordered and opted for a loaded baked potato. Pretty standard fare for a classic steakhouse. No fru-fru dressings for the salad, just your standard ranch, bleu cheese, Italian, French, or Thousand Island. Back where the kitchen was located there stood the head steak chef, busily moving the cuts along the grill and transferring them to cast iron skillets as the serving plate (VERY hot... use caution with errant fingers and forearms). The potato was piping hot... literal hot potato. The server added two generous bowls of butter and sour cream to make the potato our own, and the crispy (though fake) bacon bits added some crunch and saltiness to the mix. I dolloped some of that cheese spread from earlier for a bit of a mix and it was perfect. The steaks were cooked perfectly, and the only thing I could think of that would improve them would be using some of that excellent butter on the grill while cooking. The flavor was good but just needed a bit more... umami. We added a side of horseradish to punch up the flavor and it was a perfect addition. All in all, an excellent and romantic change of pace that I was very happy to have experienced.

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

4.1

(282 reviews)

Stopped by Bin 54 Steak & Cellar for dinner while out in the Chapel Hill area. When you arrive…read morethere is plenty of parking in the lot out front. Walking into the steakhouse it gives off a classic, upscale steakhouse vibe with dark wood paneling, red contemporary lighting, and intimate/sophisticated atmosphere. To be seated you'll check in with the host and then be shown to your table. I'd highly recommend a reservation just to ensure you are able to be seated vs. just walking in. For drinks, I ordered the black manhattan (Elijah Craig Rye, Amaro Nonino, Orange and Angostura Bitters served up with a bada bing cherry) to start which was well balanced and smooth. We then ordered a bottle of the Brancatelli Valle Delle Stelle Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was excellent with a nice finish and paired great with all of the food. Later on to end the meal I ordered an espresso martini with whiskey. For appetizers we ordered the house smoked local bacon (hot honey, charred red onion), the crab cake (roasted corn remoulade, cabbage slaw), the lobster gnocchi (truffle brown butter sauce, parmesan), and the seared diver scallops (blood orange carrot puree, miso brown butter, crispy capers). All of the appetizers were excellent but by far my favorites were the crab cake and the lobster gnocchi. The amount of crab meat and lobster in each dish was great. Pro tip: ask the server for extra bread to dip in the truffle brown butter sauce once you finish the lobster gnocchi. For my entree I ordered the 22 oz. Bone-In Ribeye with the Red Wine Demi Glacé on the side. The steak was perfectly cooked and you could taste the difference of how the steak is cooked on hickory wood and over an open flame. For the sides to the steak we shared the creamed spinach casserole, onion rings, and scalloped potatoes. By far the creamed spinach casserole was my favorite side with the amount of cheese and flavor throughout the side dish. For desserts we shared the Banana Pudding (bourbon pecan crumble, banana pastry cream, torched meringue) and the crème brûlée (I believe this was a raspberry lemon flavor). Both desserts were excellent and definitely are worth trying. Overall the level of service, quality of food, and experience may put this steakhouse at the top of my list for one of the best steakhouses in the NC triangle. Definitely a must try if you are in the Chapel Hill area!

Old school ambience was my first thought as we entered. We were here for a group event. They have…read morea great space near the back of the restaurant. It was private and could seat around 25-30 people. The Caesar salad was one of the best I have ever had. I wish I had opted for just a double portion of this instead of the steak. I guess they are well known for a smoky flavored steak ? I didn't like it. When a sauce is presented before your steak arrives that is never a good thing. The steak was cooked fine although I have also never been presented with a filet that had been sliced. Sides were a dry bowl of spinach the table shared and mashed potatoes. MEH. The crème brûlée was the star !! The raspberry compote surprise at the bottom of the dish was decadent !! I loved this dessert. Maybe we will return for salad and dessert ? They have an extensive wine list as well.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill

3.7

(476 reviews)

Hawthorne & Wood

4.6

(234 reviews)

I came for dinner with my wife on a Saturday night, and even though we didn't have reservations, we…read morearrived right when the restaurant opened at 5pm and were promptly seated by the window. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable and gave us a rundown of the menu before we ordered. I decided to start with the Cheese Plate, which included 3 different cheeses, buttered baguette slices, jam, mustard, and pickles. I enjoy cheese plates, and this one was great, but I can understand it may not be for everyone. My wife ordered the Red Fish, which had a more Southeast Asian-inspired twist to it. It came over rice and pickled onions and beets, and the flavors were a blend of lemongrass and coconut. The fish was cooked well - nice and tender, not too dry - and the flavors went well together. I ordered the New York Strip, which was delicious - the meat was well cooked, had great flavor, and was a generous portion that was very filling. The only gripe I had was that the char on the eggplant overwhelmed the flavor, so most of what I ate tasted like burnt eggplant. The place is clean and fairly laid back for a more upscale restaurant. If you're looking for a nicer restaurant in Chapel Hill where you might spend a little more, but you'll get great service with interesting food options / combinations, then look no further than Hawthorne & Wood.

Beautiful spot for creative New American cuisine. Their menu…read moreis seasonal so check out their website for updates. Loved the blue-toned palette and dim lighting. Service was great, and I was impressed that the staff remembered a food allergy in our party. We started with the cheese board--quality ingredients, though I prefer sliced cheeses and flatbread for easier sharing. The jam was a standout! My short rib entree was savory, with tender (but not fall-off-the-bone) meat, paired nicely with roasted eggplant, green chickpeas, and a touch of sweetness from the pomegranate jus. The eggplant was more charred than I prefer, but the flavors worked well overall. Cocktails were well-made, portions satisfying, and while entrées are on the pricier side, you leave full and happy.

Capital City Chop House

3.3

(283 reviews)

Food was great and the service was excellent with Valorie. I got the oysters Rockefeller and a bone…read moreNew York steak- would recommend.

Everything about our experience here was good. Atmosphere, service, food quality, parking,…read morelocation. I highly recommend dining here on special occasions or for good business meetings and entertainment.

Piney Point Bar and Grill

4.0

(20 reviews)

Food was great I had to steak wife had the cob salad. Service was excellent. I was very impressed…read moreby the experience

Staying here for work. Must say that for a hotel restaurant, it has good food and great service…read more I've had worse food at expensive places. Kevin behind the bar is quick with a drink and loves to talk sports. Try the steak sandwich or the chicken Danielle, you will not be disappointed

Geo's Tavern & Oyster Bar

3.9

(12 reviews)

This was a such a good meal that I am definitely coming back…read more We didn't make reservations on Wednesday evening and immediately got seated. Our waiter showed up quickly taking order and giving some excellent reservations. I would highly recommend the hush puppies as an app. I ended choosing the flounder as my entree at the waiter recommendation and so glad I did. Portions were good all around that I was to full for dessert.

Their banana tiramisu was what dreams are made of and I am disappointed that it is no longer on the…read moremenu. It has been replaced by a banana pound cake, which while tasty does not compare. After dining on a couple of different occasions now, I can definitely say that their seafood selection/presentation/prices are worthwhile. I am highly disappointed in the quality and presentation of their cocktails though.

Taberna Tapas

3.7

(376 reviews)

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.

Rue Cler

3.9

(732 reviews)