AMAZING, AMAZING, AMAZING all around. All around great food and great service! The hot hunty…read morechicken sandwich is a MUST try!!! Andrew guided us through the menu and treated us like family! We can't wait to come back!

One of the top meals that I've had in the Triangle, and it was 100% vegan! The food was awesome,…read morebut what stood out even more was the service- the epitome of Southern hospitality. Since it was our first time at Pure Soul, the host gave us drinks on the house (we got Sweet Tea, Lemonade, and Root Beer). The tea and lemonade were on the sweeter side, but I enjoyed both. My sister liked the root beer, which was from Uncle's Scott's, a local NC brand. They also offer a discount for teachers, students, and veterans. For entrees, we got the: - Drumstix plate (BBQ, buffalo, or fried- included rice and a sauce): We chose fried- it was perfectly crispy, so tasty. Couldn't choose between hot honey and honey mustard, so they gave us both, again so nice. Rice was well-cooked. - Chicago burger (grilled onions, cheddar, pickles, tangy aioli): Classic! Enjoyed this overall. - Fried fish plate (includes rice, slaw & tartar sauce): This is funny, but this dish was a bit too fishy for me lol. But crazy how well they do their vegan alternatives. - BBQ plate ("pulled pork" in a sweet BBQ sauce, served with slaw): Probably my least favorite entree, I think the pork was too sweet for me, but it did balance with the slaw. We tried a bunch of sides, which from my most to least favorites were: Soul Mac (not too cheesy), Hushpuppies (crispy outside, pillowy inside), Rob's Favorite Cornbread (so moist), Sweet Potato Fries (classic), Bilbo's Greens, Blackeyed Peas & Veggies, and Nik's Candied Yams (too sweet for me). Ambiance is nice with both indoor and outdoor seating. Lots of parking available. 10/10 would recommend!

Clean welcome area with plenty of seating. It is bright with modern touches…read more It was our first time there, we tried almost everything we could from the menu. Our overall favorite were the cauliflower wings, the chili cheeze fries and roasted Brussels. The cooks and server were accommodating and kind enough to give us recommendations.

I came here for the High Tea I'd seen advertised on Instagram. I'd attempted to make a reservation…read moretwice- the first time I called and the person who answered the phone told me I could make an reservation online. I tried this, but the system wouldn't even let me try until 30 days in advance, which I did, but was told I wouldn't need a reservation on a Sunday afternoon at 3pm for two people. I showed up and half the staff seemed really confused until I pointed to the tiered plates on other tables, then they said "ohhh the tea party!" lol. They got someone else, who said she wasn't sure she could accommodate us because we didn't have a reservation! I showed her the email on my phone which said "your reservation request was denied" because we supposedly didn't need one. I wouldn't usually have been so insistent but my friend had driven like 40 minutes to hang out and have this plant-based experience. She ended up relenting and bringing us the "tea party." The tea cups were the size of a shot glass and the tea bag selection included Lipton. I think it would have cost them basically nothing to give everyone their own teapot so you could actually seep your own flavor of tea, or even a bigger mug. It was just a little silly. They also start you off with a cute little labeled pitcher of lemonade- so cute but I wish they would have continued with this theme of labels or else just given us a pitcher of water because I was really thirsty by the end. The food that was made in house was delicious- the vegan pimento cheese sandwiches (bread tasted kind of stale though), the samosas and other savory pastries were delicious. The star of the show for me was the flatbread- veggie with some sort of aioli on it- I just loved it! Then there were store bought crackers and jelly (not chutney as we'd hoped/thought) and some store bought cookies. They had homemade vegan baked goods there, so I wish they had just tried a little harder to have some on hand for the high tea experience. The ambience was not great for a high tea experience. It's fast-casual so you order your high tea at the counter. Also they had the door open so it was really hot and the pollen was coming in. All in all, I would return but definitely for take-out, never for the high tea. The cost per person was not commensurate to the experience I had. That's a bummer because with some very small tweaks they could have a great niche!

Wow. I was…read moreco-working in Durham and starving and really wanted a vegan option. This place did not disappoint. I got the OG chicken sandwich. Come through oyster mushrooms! Hands down the best I've ever had. Crispy and well seasoned, the aioli set it off and the veggies were fresh. I devoured it...hence why there's no pic. Got the chips and sofrito on the side. The vibe is very Ital inside. Think mudcloth, ankh symbols, and a table outside of crochet goods and loc jewelry. Red, black and green all day.It's a vibe. The storefront isn't much to look at, not gonna lie. It's tucked away between a gas station and an old auto body shop, but the best gifts come in unassuming packages. Humility and seasoning for the win. This place made me feel like I was in the middle of Crown Heights and I ain't mad at that. Not at all.

This place is definitely tucked away--I've driven by many times without noticing it until recently!…read moreThe food was good, though not quite amazing. I ordered the Powerhouse Bowl and Cajun fries. The bowl was flavorful and satisfying, but the fries were disappointing--bland and tasted like they had been refried from frozen. Our friend ordered the OG chicken sandwich, which she felt was lacking in seasoning and could've used more mushrooms. I tried a bite myself and actually found it pretty flavorful, especially with the pretzel bun, which was a nice touch. The restaurant was a bit warm when we arrived, but the staff was quick to adjust the air conditioning when we asked--much appreciated! Overall, I'd consider coming back to give it another shot, especially since we came in about an hour before closing. That might have impacted the food and experience a bit.

Love hitting up parts and labor before a show at motorco. Their beer/ na options are great! Love…read morethat they show you what regular and ba option are in their main board to make things easier! The food is always tasty! The service has always been quick with plenty of staff on hand if they get busy! The location and set up is great allowing the inside outside environments to allow a lot of seating and room.

What a cool place! I visited with some girlfriends for drinks and lunch. I love the open concept of…read morethe space, it feels really inviting. We placed our orders at the bar, got our drinks, and they brought the food to our table when it was ready (which didn't take long). They have tons of outdoor seating which is great to enjoy with nice weather. I'm not vegan, but I love that they have so many vegan options! Cauliflower Nugs: delicious fried bites of cauliflower. We paired them with the ranch and motor-oil sauce, I loved the dual sauces! Moto-Bahn: yum! I loved everything on this sandwich, it was perfectly balanced. Each bite was crunchy & delicious. I loved the spice I got when I got a bite with jalapeño.

After my GI procedure at Duke, we stopped for lunch before heading home. Saw the great reviews and…read moreit was not far off our route home so chose this place. Glad we did. Food was great. My turkey melt was perfectly prepared and tasted great. My wife's pancakes and sides were very good as well. The coffee drinks were tasty and well prepared with that good deep espresso flare. Not wanting to overeat on a freshly purged system, we ordered a couple of cheesecakes to go. My wife's lemon ricotta, mine chocolate. Both very different, both very good. Probably the best home made tasting desserts we've had in our 2 yrs in the triangle. Will definitely return after the next trip to Duke med.

A friend suggested we meet here because she knew it was vegan friendly - and it is. I got the…read moreChorizo Bowl - which I ate for 3 meals between the brunch and the leftovers. I also grabbed the vegan cheesecake - I got both the chocolate and the passionfruit and put them together - absolutely tasty. The service is kind and on point. They even brought me my leftovers outside while I got a little sun in the outdoor seating. I went back the next day for the dal to go - which is also great - very hearty - filled with carrots and chickpeas along with the red lentils. So nice to get protein and flavor!

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.

This place was very easy to find and very easy to get to...super close to Southpointe. We got there…read moreearly on a Sunday afternoon. This was my first time but my friend's hundredth (her words!) There was plenty of parking. We were greeted upon entry and informed that we could choose where we sat and just to scan the table QR code when we were ready to order. We chose a high top and a server brought us water. The vibrant colors and decor gave off excellent vibes. I ordered the Karaage Bowl (on greens instead of rice AND all the sauces on the side) and a side order of seaweed salad. A server brought them to our table. It was not necessary for us to get up once we were seated. Everything was SO GOOD. Like, "I'm mad at myself for not coming here before" good. All of the sauces were amazing too. I ordered them on the side since I wasn't sure how I would like them all, but I think I'll leave them on next time. The "greens" were a mix of lettuce and cabbage. The side of seaweed salad for $2.50 seemed a little small when they brought it out but it was packed in there and was plenty. The server came around a couple of times to check on us and top off our water. We bussed our own trash. There was only one unisex bathroom that I saw. There seemed like a lot of takeout orders going out (it was a little separate from the dining area which was nice). There was also a lovely outdoor area that would be nice if it wasn't 100 degrees. I will definitely be back to try more menu items!

Loved the guys who opened this place as a food truck, then a small store off rt 55 and finally…read morehere. Unfortunately the new owners deleted the famous delicious bah mi sandwich that made their fame. They have "burnt ends" with corn chips. Nope. Good bye Kokyu. Farewell.

The restaurant is located just across from Brightleaf. There is a small parking lot, but check…read moreinside (before you pay) as they can validate in the restaurant. Ambiance is simple but nice, and seating is comfortable. It's a pleasure to sit in a space without being in a huge noisy echoing box. Food and drink offerings are excellent, including well made mocktails, and service is attentive, knowledgeable and cheerful. We'll see you there, again.

I was thrilled to learn that Ethiopian was on the menu in Durham given I miss having it at every…read moreturn while living in the DMV. And when I last lived in Durham 30+ years ago, having Ethiopian on Main Street Durham was unimaginable. But Durham on so many levels is a completely different universe. Goorsha is a very pleasant small dining room off a welcoming bar area when you come in. It was overcast and cold this early March day but the outside dining must be lovely later in the spring. We had a very helpful waitress answer a few questions and the food came quickly. The Sambusa appetizer should have perhaps taken a bit longer. The edges were crisp and tasty as was the Deko sauce it came with. But the center was still a bit cold so a bit more time was needed. I wanted beef tibs and went with the Zilzil tibs knowing there would be less sauce and danger of staining my work clothes. They were plentiful, well-cooked if not powerfully seasoned. They were quick to bring ample powered pepper so I could give it some kick dipping each injera enveloped bite for some added heat. The winner was my vegetarian dining companion who went with the very flexible pick three from many vegetarian options. They were a distinct yet complimentary troika of richly favored dishes. At least for lunch, Goorsha goes with individual plates rather than the traditional round platter family style so familiar in Ethiopian cuisine. It definitely worked for us given one of us was a vegetarian and the other all tibs all day. Definitely very glad to see it just across the street from Brightleaf Square and one of the earliest areas converted from tobacco warehouses to fashionable eateries. Glad it is part of the Durham eating scene.

We came here one evening for dinner. It was pouring down raining outside and we'd had a long day…read more We'd seen photos of the burgers but hadn't tried it so we got to check another restaurant off our list. I had the double classic burger. I wasn't really impressed. It lacked the flavor and seasoning I thought I'd get based on how good the burger looked. I needed to add ketchup and mustard to the burger to get a decent taste from it. The fries were great. I got the spicy seasoning that they offer. Now that I think of it, they should have cooked my patties in the seasoning they put on the fries and it would have been a lot more tasty. There was a good amount of people at the restaurant, so they may have had a difference flavor experience than I did.

What a nice burger restaurant in downtown Durham! The spicy burger was tasty and not overly spicy…read more I got the fire tots and they were nice and crisp. The fire seasoning was more salty than spicy, but it was nice. The restaurant looks welcoming with bright colors. I got great service and recommendations from the staff. The food came out pretty quickly too. Their unsweetened tea was pretty weak (it came out yellow instead of brown) so I dumped it and got soda instead.

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.