Solid brunch spot with great service and lots of GF options -- execution needs a tune-up (4) Visited The Refectory Cafe on a busy Sunday morning. Parking was tight but doable in the lot. The space is charming inside and out; the shaded patio has a nice vibe, though foot traffic to the entrance passes by those tables. Ordering is walk-up, and food is delivered to the table. Menu is broad with clear gluten-free indicators (huge plus). Coffee was dark and delicious, and service throughout was genuinely warm, knowledgeable, and fast -- easily 5 stars for hospitality. Getting to-go boxes was effortless and we were offered refills often. Food was a mixed bag. My wife had the gluten-free smoked salmon toast with avocado. She wished the veggies and tomato were grilled; the GF bread itself was very good, but the greens/tomato ended up pushed aside. I had the smoked salmon Benedict. The salmon portion felt light, and the hollandaise leaned more toward mustard than citrus and was a bit thin. Breakfast potatoes and veggies were nicely cut and well-seasoned but undercooked; same for the bacon, which tasted more tough than crisp. (I reheated the potatoes/veg at home -- flavor was there once cooked through.) Prices felt reasonable, ingredients seemed thoughtfully sourced, and the team's earnestness shines. With a little tighter execution (fully cooked potatoes/veg, crisper bacon, brighter/thicker hollandaise, slightly more salmon, grilled tomatoes), this would be an easy 5. I'll definitely be back -- I gave it a 3.7 but rounded it up to 4 stars for the service, coffee, and GF-friendly menu options. read more

See all

What a gem! This café has a warm, inviting vibe with its colorful murals (the sunflower wall outside is stunning!) and plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors. We sat outside under their covered patio; it was drizzling when we arrived, but the space was still comfortable. When sitting outside you have to go inside to place your order but they bring it out to your table. My kids ordered the Lemon Ricotta Pancakes. They're a decent size for little ones, topped with fresh strawberries (tip: if your kiddos aren't into strawberries, just ask to have them on the side like I did). You can also add extras like chocolate chips or blueberries for a small up-charge; both of mine loved theirs. I ordered Huevos Rancheros Brunch, which was good. Crispy tostadas loaded with tender shredded steak, beans, lettuce, and cream, and ask for a fried egg cooked medium so the yolk spills out perfectly. It came with pico de gallo and jalapeños on the side (I skipped those, but if you like a kick, i'm sure they will add great flavor). I tried their seasonal S'mores Latte; sweet, creamy, and topped with whipped cream and drizzle. Their dessert case is worth a peek; cakes, cheesecakes, pies, even vegan-friendly options. Didn't have any but next time. The staff were all so kind and welcoming, smiles all around. read more

See all

Beautiful restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and quite a bit of parking. I love the outdoor wall which is painted in sunflowers. The menu has tons of delicious food offerings. You order inside and then if you sit outside, which we did, you give them the table number and they bring the food to you. We ordered the Cinnamon French toast which came with strawberries and maple syrup. The food was good, however, we received less than one strawberry with the meal (see photo) Also, no one came to check on the table until the end and we had been sitting there with no water for quite a bit and no one outside to ask. When someone came to get our plates I was finally asked, if I wanted more water. I said yes, and waited over 10 minutes with no water. At this point, we left. I guess, when paying inside and eating outside, it means, they no longer give service. read more

See all

I really enjoyed my food and experience at refractory cafe for dinner! There were plenty of spots available in the parking lot. We were seated almost immediately at a table for 2, despite walking in on a Friday evening. The waitress was very kind and answered all of our questions throughout dinner. We ordered the two vegetarian pasta items in the dinner menu (some items are seasonal i.e. the pumpkin linguini, so be sure to call ahead if you are looking for something specific) and the vegan chili as an appetizer. The chili was very hearty - and has apparently won many awards in the local area! The ricotta gnocchi with root vegetables was so flavorful, the herbs smelled and tasted very fresh and the gnocchi was well cooked. The lasagna was also delicious (I never considered putting brussels sprouts in lasagna before). The only thing I would warn you about is that the lasagna is surrounded by a pool of white sauce so if you want to go easy on the dairy, definitely request less bechamel. We each ate about half of our plates before we were full and took the rest home for leftovers. At the end of the dinner, do not be surprised if they bring a platter of all their desserts to your table to entice you to purchase one! We opted against it because we were too full for dessert, but they all looked delicious! They do have some vegan and gluten-free options as well. Overall, I loved the local, humble feel of this restaurant - they were truly staying authentic to their style and cuisine without trying to be too trendy. This was very much appreciated and is actually what made them stand out to me! I will be returning in the future to try their brunch! read more

See all

This is a nice spot for lunch in Durham. When you go in, you order lunch at the counter. They had a beautiful display of desserts and one thing they had was a Greek yogurt slice of cheesecake. YUM! But I restrained. I ordered the creamy tomato soup in a bowl as I was not too hungry. The soup was flavorful and creamy. It was a good base which I enjoyed. The soup was filling and I couldn't finish it. The other friends I was with enjoyed their lunch too. They had a lovely special ginger peach tea which was refreshing. Cute place and lots of parking and tables out front. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Creamy Tomato Basil Soup Bowl - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

We had planned to get there about 3pm for the afternoon delights, but we got there early. I was hoping that I would be able to order from the brunch menu since we were there early, but we couldn't. I was a bit disappointed. We sat down, and they brought out menus to us. I ordered the Imported Pecorino Pesto Arancini. I actually enjoyed it. The cheese plate didn't look too appetizing TO ME, so I didn't try any even though my friend got it. My other friend go the Corned beef reuben, but I don't eat that so I didn't try it either. We tried each of their pies and cakes. I didn't really like any of them just because of the flavors. They were flavors I don't really care for those flavors. My chef friend only like 1 of the cakes/pies we tried. The workers there were really nice though. They were very helpful. It's a cute little place, and I would like to go back to try other items. read more

Ordered a glass of prosecco and the waiter brought a glass of white wine in a wine glass with a bowl. It was not a flute glass with bubbly that a sparkling wine has. I returned and ask for sangria and they didn't have ingredients to make it. Ordered Lamb shank and the dish was a large shank that looked dry over a cold grain (??couscous couscous). what happened to hot mashed potatoes? Initially ordered crab salad entree but waiter said they didn't have ingredients to make it. But it was on the menu?? Ordered black rice, Bok chop and scramble tofu. The tofu looked like yellow pellets (poor presentation) the rice was dry and the bok chop with bland. I will not recommend this restaurant for dinner. What a disappointment!!! April 1, 2026...guess it was an April fools dinner. read more

Fantastic food & even better service. Everyone there was kind and welcoming. Not a local but frequently visit Durham so I will absolutely be returning in the future! read more

The Refectory Cafe - Outside menu next to the outside seating area available with strong heaters for customers. - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The brunch this Saturday morning was amazing! We both had the avocado toast with a side of egg. The service was great, food delish and nice crowd. We had reservations for 9:45, and slightly beat the crowd. Evidently, very kid friendly - there were a lot of families there! read more

Delicious brunch at this freestanding spot in Durham. Order at the counter, they bring you the food. Pro tip - remember the table number you're sitting at, they ask you when you order. Varied menu of unique and interesting choices. Service is quick, about 10 minutes from order to service. Tried an heirloom tomato and pesto sandwich. 7-grain bread is filled with slices of gorgeous ripe tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Its slathered with pesto and drizzled with balsamic. Then pressed in a waffle maker. The pesto/tomato combo is mouthwatering. The cheese is gooey, creamy and fresh. Not your standard grilled cheese Sammy - this is definitely up a few notches. Also tried eggs benedict with smoked salmon. Perfectly poached eggs perched atop thinly sliced lox on a toasted English muffin. Hollandaise sauce drizzled over the top. To me it could have used a little more hollandaise and the hollandaise could have been a little tangier. But that's minor - this was very good. Roasted potatoes and veggies to accompany the benedict.... These were great...as many veggies as potatoes, chunked and roasted. A good choice (among several in the area) for brunch. Go! read more

The Refectory Cafe - Tomato & pesto sandwich - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

My husband and I discovered this hidden spot on Valentine's Day and decided to give it a try. Since we didn't have a reservation, we opted to sit outside. While the food was good, the service was very poor. After our initial order was taken and our food was dropped off, we received no follow-up from wait staff for the remainder of the visit. We had to go inside to pay and request to-go boxes. My husband also had to go in to ask for straws for our drinks and for extra sauce that had been requested when the order was placed but was left out. Thankfully, we weren't planning to order dessert. If you aren't prepared to provide equitable service to all seating areas, I would suggest limiting seating accordingly. We still tipped the server who delivered our food -- it is Valentine's Day, after all, and our goal is to spread joy despite our experience. However, we felt it was important to leave this review since we were unable to share our concerns directly with staff. read more

I had a feeling when I arrived during Sunday brunch it would be busy. My feeling was spot on. I actually didn't have a hard time finding a parking space. As you walk in the front door, pay attention to the left. There is a small hostess station. A sign will tell you whether you should seat yourself or wait to be seated. Once you are either given a table or find a table, grab a menu and order at the counter. They have seating inside and out. I imagine if you come during a time where you seat yourself, you will need to find a way to claim your table somehow while you order your food. Luckily we were seated. They provide silverware and napkins at the counter after you order. I ordered the Rise and Shine breakfast. It came with eggs. I chose pork sausage, grits and a biscuit. The eggs were cooked perfectly. The sausage was delicious. The grits were the highlight of the meal. The biscuit was not as fluffy as I expected it to be. My daughter said her French toast was amazing. I know it was good, because she came home and told the rest of our family about it. The French toast was very thick, topped with fresh strawberries and the maple syrup enhanced the taste. They had to-go soups and desserts ready behind the counter. What a lovely place. Simple and good. This is my second time going and I will definitely visit again. read more

See all

Cute, quaint & easily accessible on 15-501, Refectory Cafe was the perfect locale for a pre-holiday brunch. All the good brunch standards--including an array of egg-forward dishes, chicken & waffles, and shrimp & grits--plus interesting lunch options like the rock shrimp burger that I opted for. Nicely crisp tempura battered shrimp tossed in a very tasty & citrusy Thai chili glaze + a side of well-cooked & salted fries=no complaints over here. Absolutely added to my list of Durham faves! read more

The Refectory Cafe - Rock Shrimp Burger - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

I can't even wrap my head around this place. I'm generously giving two stars because the food was okay. Just okay. We went for brunch this Sunday. It wasn't busy. We liked the ambiance and were looking forward to the food we ordered: Huevos Rancheros $16 Lemon Ricotta pancakes $14 w a side of eggs $4 Breakfast bowl $13 It's like diner food. The huevos rancheros were good but really just like two chalupas with eggs, black beans and meat, with a bit of pico and jalapeño on top. Lemon Ricotta pancakes were just two regular pancakes missing the blueberries we had added. The waitress even argued that the blueberries were cooked inside, although you could clearly tell that there weren't any at all. They did remedy this by bringing a dish of blueberries, about an ounce or so, then bringing out a whole new order of pancakes, which was great. The thing is, each of those pancakes cost SEVEN DOLLARS each and while they were good, they were not anything spectacular for that price. I had the breakfast bowl. It was a bowl of grits with cheddar cheese topped with two eggs and some crumbled bacon-maybe the equivalent of one slice. For THIRTEEN DOLLARS. Hey, I love good food and will happily fork over $$ for good food, but when I the food is basic and plain, I cannot justify it at all. We won't return. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Breakfast Bowl $13 - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

My friend and I came here for brunch on a Saturday afternoon around noon. It was rather busy and we didn't have a reservation, so we were ok to sit outside on the heated open patio. It was a decent day for the winter, the sun was out. You get in the line, like at a cafeteria and order your food. At the start of the line are soups and other hot prepared stuff, then there is a dessert case and a pastry case....everything looked so good. You then order everything at the register, and they bring it out to your table. Fostine at the register was great! Neither of us had been there before, so she was super helpful helping us narrow down our choices! The Signature Lemon Ricotta Pancakes were love at first bite. I had them add blueberries and omg! The presentation is basic, but as good as they were it didn't need any extra presentation. My friend had the signature breakfast and subbed the breakfast potatoes for sweet potato fries, which was awesome that she could. I couldn't resist the desserts, so I ordered a ginger snap cookie and lemon bar for later. Both were yummy. Everything was very good. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more things. They are open for dinner too. I also saw that they have wine dinners, so I'm excited to check one out! read more

See all

We had such a nice experience at lunch at the Refectory today. My kiddo (three and a half) was out of daycare for a snow day, so we spent some time at an indoor play area before coming to lunch. I got the fish & chips and ordered him a lemon ricotta pancake (he mostly ended up eating my fries). Everything was delicious. The server also offered him some crayons and a paper to color. He picked out the raspberry chocolate cake for dessert, and he liked it. (I didn't try it because I was stuffed.) We had good food and good service in a comfy environment. Thanks Refectory! read more

I can't believe I've lived in the area for so long but this is my first visit to The Refectory Cafe. We sat outside and you can order from the QR code on the table. I had the Carolina Cobb Salad and it was so filling and delicious. A little bit on the pricier side for lunch, but a great portion. Staff were very attentive and checked on us multiple times even while we were sitting outside. FYI - Their sodas are not fountain sodas. If you're like me I prefer a fountain soda, it was a bottled soda. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Carolina Cobb Salad - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

Called ahead as I was en route and the staff answering the phone was nice enough to reserve my table. The Refectory has a nice patio area and plenty of indoor seating. The restaurant is clean with plenty of lighting. The staff here are friendly and welcoming to all. I'm a sucker for anything in a bowl, so I settled for the breakfast bowl which had potatoes, peppers, onions, eggs scrambled with cheese, and added mushrooms. I couldn't resist the French toast, so I ordered one slice of the Challah Cinnamon French Toast. Everything was delicious. I love how the order system allowed me to place my order from my phone and keep my tab open for adding additional items. I enjoyed an expresso martini and a French 75. I also had the opportunity to try the Kombucha and that was refreshing. I can't remember the exact flavor but it was good! The Refectory Cafe is a Yes! read more

See all

Solid brunch spot. Always consistent with tasty foods breakfast or lunch. Making reservations ensures your table.

Decided to come here for brunch today with a friend. We made a reservation online yesterday - and if you plan to come here I would highly recommend doing so. The restaurant was very busy and almost every table was full / reserved by the time we got there. Our reservation was for an outside table, and unfortunately it was very cold and rainy. There was a heater, but it didn't provide much warmth. Although the place was busy, we didn't have to wait too long for the food to come out. I ordered the Rise and Shine breakfast, and it was tasty. The potatoes were very flavorful and not too salty, and I was able to swap the choice of bread with a side of sautéed vegetables. The food wasn't too oily or greasy, and overall I enjoyed the meal. Inside the restaurant they had a dessert case, which to my delight, contained a bunch of gluten free and vegan options! I ended up getting a gluten free vegan cookie, but I think I need to come back to try their other goodies! Final takeaway: The restaurant has tasty food and a diverse menu with plenty of allergen friendly options, however it can get very busy so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time (for an inside table if possible!) read more

I've been here several times. They consistently have great food and friendly service!

Good food and the team was very nice. Fair value and the nice atmosphere. Not overly fancy but was perfect and we'd go back.

Favorite spot to take a quick break for lunch and enjoy some quality food and great scenery. Whenever I'm craving something sweet, the red velvet cake is a must. Awesome food and even better service. read more

See all

Fun fact, I've only ever visited The Refectory Cafe for weekend brunch. This was my first midweek brunch outing. I've eaten here probably a 1/2 dozen times over a 5-6 year span. I've eaten as a two party group and with a larger group. I've often touted that I've never had a bad meal. We ordered Huevos Rancheros, Rise & Shine Breakfast (bacon fried crisp, scrambled eggs, Potatoes, Toast, Coffee, and to complete the order Spicy Chicken & Andouille Soup. While not a bad meal by any standard, not quite the level I've come to expect. I'm a realist, and I understand inflationary cost, staffing challenges, bad day .... etc. Additionally, the staff was amazing and I appreciate how the owner responds to many responses. Hopefully, this was a one off and I look forward to eating here again in the future. read more

Been on my list a while, and I was finally able to get a reservation on a DPAC night. I love all the available outside seating and the decor inside... everything is my favorite color... green! We got the special Trout dip. It was really good and meaty. Wasn't as big of a portion as I expected, but maybe because there is more meat than filler. I had the fall Walnut gnocchi and my friend had the pumpkin alfredo pasta. Both were delish! I love the combo of balsamic glaze, nuts, and seasonings. Service was great and they even let me sample the wine before purchase. I believe I would like to go back for one of their food events! read more

See all

Five of us went to the Cafe for dinner and everyone sings their praises. The ambience for dinner is lovely, our waitperson, Julie, was absolutely stupendous, the food scrumptious. I couldn't more highly recommend this place. And the desserts...YUM! read more

I don't have any pictures but I will say this place was amazing. Had a good ambiance and Sarah our waitress was amazing. Food was also very nice not huge portions but enough that I felt full and it tasted great. I had the garlic shrimp linguine. Would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area. read more

A non frill place for a quick bite. I like their order/pay by phone system, simple and efficient. The young people working there are very nice: good luck and be well The food is decent but portion is large. The grilled shrimps are delicious. The slow cooker short ribs is tender but under seasoned - just love salt - I didn't die at age 39 for the extra large sum of salt I consumed, is a miracle -:) They have a decent among of cakes on display, go for it, dessert lovers read more

See all

Came to town for a wedding in Durham. Plenty of good breakfast and lunch options. The Rise & Shine breakfast was perfect. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Chai Latte - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

Delicious breakfast spot. The lemon pancakes are so good that I look forward to ordering them again. Cozy spot with a cafe ambiance.

Refectory Cafe is a popular brunch spot in Durham with plenty of seating inside. You order at the cash register, which can take a while during prime brunch hours, and your food comes out to your table. We ordered the Shrimp and Grits, Tuna Melt, and the Spicy Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo. The Shrimp and Grits was a bit too oily for our liking, leaving a heavy feeling in our stomachs. Additionally, the shrimp was rather tough and chewy. The Tuna Melt was pretty standard, though we wish it would've come out hot/warm instead of cold. The Gumbo actually wasn't spicy but had a decent serving of chicken in it. Overall, we weren't wowed by our experience at Refectory Cafe despite its high traffic on a Sunday. read more

See all

Great food! I got the bacon avocado toast with a side of cheesy grits. The bacon was the best part. Perfectly salty and smoky. The coffee is tasty and the food was perfectly seasoned. The staff were super friendly and attentive. You can tell this is someone's love language. Will definitely be back. read more

The Refectory Cafe - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

The Refectory is a pleasant cafe with indoor or outdoor seating, great service and a varied menu that is full of surprises and all good!

Came here with friends on Easter, so glad we tried this place! Great easter brunch experience. It can get busy, but there are quite a few parking spots right in front of it. They have lots of brunch specials, and the food was fresh & awesome! The chicken and waffle had one of my favorite waffles in Durham area. Also got the mimosa flight- picking three juices to make your own bubbly drink, our favorite was the pomegranate juice! Also, they have lots of vegan, GF and leto options and they are willing to make accommodation to all their brunch on the menu (E.g., only egg whites etc). I would absolutely come back to try their vegan passion fruit cheesecake that I didn't have room for this time! read more

The Refectory Cafe - Buttermilk Chicken and Waffles Brunch - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

See all

The three of us had a reservation at The Refectory Cafe for a weekend brunch. It was a bit chaotic when we entered, but then we noticed a table with a reserved sign for us on it, so we grabbed the table and then stood in line to order at the counter. We shared the Signature Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Which Came First? Breakfast (two eggs, buttermilk chicken, cheesy grits, and toast), and Duck & Waffle, which I think was a special at the time. My favorite was probably the Duck & Waffle, but everything was very tasty. The cakes in their display case looked really good, so I might have to snag one of those next time! I do want to note that the parking was a bit tight here. They have a small lot, and we luckily managed to get one of the last spots on the day that we went. read more

See all

Was pleasantly surprised by this place and trying their brunch. The food was pretty good and service was on point. However the ambiance didn't match the price point. It looks like they tried to make a diner classy. Not sure if you did. Unfortunately their drinks were a miss. I got an old fashion and my wife got an Irish coffee. Neither were worth the price. read more

See all

Please make sure to get a reservation online. Your reserved table will be ready upon arrival. Grab a menu and the entrance and find your table. You can order on your phone or go up to the counter and order. The serve was quick and the servers were friendly. They came around and refilled the water and coffee regularly. They bused the dishes quickly and brought out to go boxes upon request. The food was really good. There are so many things on the menu I want to try. I had the huevos rancheros which was cooked to perfection. My friend raved about the kale salad, she said it tasted like Christmas (very high praise from her). We got dessert to go and the Lemon Pie was so amazing. I definitely want to come back. read more

We decided to eat at The Refectory before a show on a Saturday night. We arrived early without a reservation and the hostess was able to seat us at a hightop. We chose the Apple Braised Wild Boar Osso Bucco and the Scallop Putanesca. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The waitress was attentive and helpful. The place is small but does not feel crowded. We will definitely be back. read more

7.5/10 It took me two tries to eat here as on my first attempt there was no parking and I ended up next door at Guglhupf instead. I came back during a less busy time and was mostly glad I did. The standout dish were the shrimp and grits, which were some of the best I've had. I've long been a fan of refectory grits from when they used to have an outpost at Duke's campus and they were as good as I remembered. The texture and viscosity is thick which is just the way I like them and they're well seasoned. The indian daal was disappointing compared to what I had at the Duke location many years ago. Runnier, and too much rice. The daal from my past was thicker and more substantial and had more punch in its spice. A side of mixed veggies were solid but mostly unremarkable. The veggies retained good firmness which was appreciated. read more

See all

Food is fantastic. Service is fine. Ambience is lacking. But it's worth it for the food.