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. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The place is small but does not feel crowded.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] We will definitely be back. read more

To start this place is Vegan & gluten free freely. This is a cafe which means it's only open for breakfast and lunch so check the times before you heads that way. There is an option to make reservations on their website, which I would recommend if coming during prime eating times. The concept behind this place is a little weird which is why I am only giving this place 4 stars. You don't have an assigned waiter. You can either scan the QR code on the table and place your order, or you go inside and place your order at the register. Someone eventually brings you your drink and food, and then cleans the table for you. They don't offer fountain drinks (only bottled 16 oz sodas), so there are no free refills on soda. We ordered the Crab Cake burger with a side of vegan chili, and the corned beef Reuben with a side of spicy chicken & andouille sausage gumbo. We chose the seasonal pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. The place is apparently known for their huevos rancheros, but unfortunately they ran out of the short ribs they put on it, so we were not able to fry them. I would highly recommend the crab cake burger, it alone deserves a 5 star. It was a fresh crab cake that was perfectly cooked and balanced with just the perfect ratio of breading to crab and seasonings. I wouldn't have thought to add avocado to a crab cake, but being we eat it with sushi, figured we would give it a try. This burger melted in your mouth when you ate it. I wish I had ordered 2 of them honestly. The vegan chili was very good, not too spicy, but I will admit I am a meat girl tried and true. The do use TVP (textured vegetable protein ) to try and give the texture of meat, but I Stijl prefer meat in my chili. The Corned beef Reuben was your standard Reuben, cooked perfectly with the right amount of sauerkraut and a beautiful toasting on the bread. The gumbo I would give a 5 star as well. I normally don't like andouille sausage because it tends to be very spicy. I think this may have been a chicken sausage because it was not over bearing at all. Everything about it was perfect and it had just a hint of spice on the back end. It was creamy and had lots of vegetables and meats. We weren't sure if we were going to do desert but we were told we had to try the pumpkin cheesecake. We asked if it was like a New York style and we were told it was the closest you would get to one in NC. On appearance it looked a little dry, but looks were definitely deceiving. The cake was delicious and moist, and had just the right amount of spice. The crust was made of what seemed like ginger snaps and was perfectly matched with the cake. This cheesecake was not made with ricotta, which I loved because I' am not a fan of ricotta cheesecake. read more

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I miss the previous hostess manager! She was great and played a part in The Refectory being one of the best places in town to eat brunch. I'd eaten there for years, and she had the best approach and always seemed to be enjoying herself, and it was contagious!! Tragically for The Refectory, she's left, and so has her enthusiasm. The new hostess/manager has a completely different demeanor, and I have to say she falls short when it comes to pleasantness and concern for customers. The service has declined, with forgotten orders, and poor attitudes from staff, and somehow the food isn't as good. I recently had chili that I swear came from a can - wasn't even chili really. Maybe the staff misses her too. I've gone back three times in the hope that it was just a coincidence, but it's just not as good as it was. What a shame. read more

Casual dining experience with very tasty/gourmet food. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Quiet date night out with amazing food![[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

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

The Refectory Cafe aims to bring local food to table in unique menu items. We have been there several times and while the food is good, it never rises to the level of fantastic in this foodie town. This visit, we went for brunch on a weekend. I can't even remember the items we ordered, just the disappointment. As we were leaving, my dining partner said, "Let's remember to never eat here again." read more

The Refectory is an unusual place, a wide open dining room with some sheltered outdoor seating. The menu features a good variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees, with a mild Italian theme and low prices. The wine list is all Italian, except the one California Chardonnay that we chose. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but waited quite a while before the server arrived. We ordered drinks that were delivered about 15 minutes later. We ordered the Arancini appetizer which came about 30 minutes later. We ordered our dinners, cups of soup and salads, that took another twenty minutes. All of the food was very good, but we were there for almost 2 hours for a dinner that didn't even include an entree. Way too long. They recognized the service issue and did not change us for the soups and salads. It's a nice gesture but not enough to entice us to return. Too bad because the food was very good. read more

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

My friends and I wanted to try a new, cute brunch place and this was the perfect spot! We came on a Saturday morning and although it was busy, the service was still very efficient and the staff were kind and accommodating. We ordered a mimosa flight, black bean burger and the challah French toast and everything was delicious and filling! I definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice brunch place!! read more

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I've lived in Durham since 2008. This place has the 'best' food in Durham. I haven't had anything bad here. read more

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

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A surprisingly fabulous spot. Interesting and varied menu of superlative items. Our party of five all loved their selections. Equally great service. Morgan, ask. read more

Wonderful! Great service! Anthony and Kyle were fantastic and fun! The food was delicious, creative, beautiful and fresh. This was our first time here but we will be coming back tomorrow to try the brunch. The place itself is cute with twinkle lights and fresh flowers. read more

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So... we went here because Guglhupf and Saltbox were closed. And because of the great reviews here on yelp. But so many things were wrong about the dinner and experience that we have to leave a review to warn others. The photos here on yelo look good but the food is not. This place is priced like a high end restaurant, but the food quality is like a poor diner. The exterior is cute and the ambiance is that of a diner as well. Probably the worst thing was the rancid whipped cream in the mousse...it had a slow build, but then took my face through at least 4 different never-experienced-before expressions...wow, what an unexpected, unpleasant experience haha. then I spent 15 minutes trying to get the aftertaste to go away. It still lingers even now, as I type this to you. not good. very bad. I don't know, though, beyond the mediocre food, maybe it was the service that was second worst. Our waiter, a young gentleman, was very nice, but such a novice. We did like his friendly demeanor and positive attitude. We didn't like how he didn't listen to us, didn't understand things, mixed things up and just was not a good waiter as specified below. For example, 1. he sat us and did not give us menus. My daughter eventually had to go and get them from the stand. After taking our order, he sid not take the menus. So she had to return them to the stand. So odd. haha 2. He could not describe the dishes, didn't have an understanding of the menu. What some of the words meant, no there's no okra in the dish we are asking you about. 3. He forgot the cheese plate we ordered with our Caesar salad for an appetizer. 4. He brought out the food without clearing any of our dirty plates beforehand. There was nowhere to out the nee food, and he just stood there with the food plates as we wondered what to do with the old, scrambled to get them. 5. Even though he double-checked which 3 desserts we ordered, he still brought us the key lime pie instead of the cheesecake. 6. When we sent the mousse back (because of the spoiled milk in the whipped cream) and asked him ti take it off the bill, he tried to bring us another. When I explained to him that the whole batch would be bad and that he couldn't serve this to other people, he didn't seem to be able to process the concept. He left the mousse there for us and my daughter was brave enough to try it and yes it was definitely also spoiled. I am not talking a little bit spoiled...spoiled like a memory you will not forget. 7. He didn't seem like a new employee. More like someone who just doesn't have the capacity to be a competent waiter. So this sounds like the negative review is all about him, but if the food had really been good, we may have returned in the future, even if the server were inept. But every dish had a problem and was not good. Sounds like an amazing meal, right? nooo, it just wasn't. so many different things were wrong. maybe the salad and the cheese plate were the best, also the chicken marsala was good, as was the truffle carbonara, but not the mushrooms they had to substitute in for the truffles because somehow truffles are out of season but they have it on their seasonal menu the shrimp were overcooked and the garlic flavor you expect was just not there the salmon was requested as medium rare but was overcooked, and the gnocchi had raw apples in it with cooked mushrooms. the trio just did not go well together. the dal was good but very small for am entree the red velvet cake was just not at all good. the cheese plate we did like the cheeses and the olives, but it came with just a few tiny pieces of bread and the toasted almonds were not fresh, were old. it should be call The Defectory instead if the Refectory. Oh, I forgot about the soup!! They were out of the leek soup, so we got the chicken and dumplings soup---and--I kid you not--there was not a single chicken or dumpling in it! And it didn't taste like chicken and dumplings. We even asked the waiter if he was sure it was chicken and dumplings soup and he said yes and brought us more--and it had one corner of a dumpling in it. like the size if a nickel. The restaurant was mostly empty on a Saturday night at 7pm. read more

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​ I don't think this place is going to stay in business, but if they want to they need to try a lot harder! My first bite of brunch was a cold potato. You know how last night's baked potatoes taste when you try to fry them up for breakfast potatoes​​? That's how everything tasted. Seriously, at this price point you can afford to throw away last night's greasy cold straight out of the walk-in baked potatoes . Have you ever run a restaurant before ? I mean a good one ? I have and I can tell I don't ​ like having to stand in line to place my order unless I'm at ​ ​ McDonald's or something. If I'm paying $22 for french toast I'd like someone to take my order at the table and bring it to me for their 20% tip. Not just take my cash and I never see them again. They drop off cold food and never even come back to ask if it's okay. [[HIGHLIGHT]]The atmosphere is really unimpressive, especially when it's next door ​ ​ to one of the best restaurants in Durham, Guglhupf[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]] ( you still have to stand in line to place your order there but the food is way better the atmospheres incredible and the wait staff are okay). When I arrived at Refectory the neighbors' lot was overflowing and spilling into the street and they were on an hour and a half wait , but we had no problem parking or getting a table because we were the only people there . I got eggs benedict and I don't know how you mess​ that up , but the English muffin tasted like one of those frozen ones , and it was very dry. The hollandaise hadn't broken but I am confident that that's because it wasn't made from butter and egg yolks. It must be some kind of mix because it is thin and it had no flavor. Oh! You know how at good restaurants they don't have to ask who got what when they deliver the food because they made a note of where you were seated at the table ? Well obviously they can't do that here because after you pay them and tip them before you have the first bite of the meal , you wander off and pick a table. So every time they drop off food at a table they have to interrupt whatever ​ conversation is going on to say, who had the Ruben? Or who had the spinach salad? It's such Amateur hour. You will spend at least 25 bucks with the 20% tip... which would be a fantastically low price if you were getting good food at a good restaurant, but such is not the Refectory way. You will get much better food, atmosphere and service at Waffle House.​.. ​​​​​ for a fraction of the price . read more

Staffs are friendly and seated us, a party within a couple if minutes if our arrival, without reservation. Their menu contains a large variety if interesting and intriguing dishes. Coffee was served hot and refiiled whenever necessary. Do not for get their delicious dessert choices. read more

Loved our pre show dinner here! Read wonderful things and the refractory cafe lived up to it! They made the husband a delicious motel and I loved my wine. He started with the Arne teeny and crabcakes which were delicious and had the vegetarian ratatouille and the short ribs for entrées. Each item was full of flavor and memorable. Service was friendly and speedy but not rushed. We recommend this to anybody looking for a delicious dining experience in Durham read more

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

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Food was fresh, and the desserts rich and satisfying. The chef really creates complementary flavors. The ratatouille with lavender oil was wonderful. The arancini plump and tender. The espresso rib eye tender and matched well with wild mushrooms. Service was attentive, but allowed for a relaxed and leisurely dinner. Fabulous food in a casual environment. Will definitely be back. read more

How have I never been here before? My pals and I walked this way after missing out elsewhere, and man am I glad to know this exists. We had the specials, which involved some tasty smoked salmon, and I was appreciative of all the veggie entrees! Service is fast, staff is friendly and they take reservations. Also plenty of seating inside and out. Can't recommend it enough for brunch! Enjoy! read more

Looking for a freshly made scrumptious breakfast/brunch? Look no further. This cafe is a delight. The meat quiche is one of the best. The filling is fluffy with perfect blend of meat, veggies and the crust was perfectly not so thick and crispy on the edges. My teenagers tried Huevos Rancheros and Challah Cinnamon toast. Both gave me thumbs up. Definitely not a pop in the oven foods restaurant. The service was pleasant and there is ample seating and parking. read more

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My party and I enjoyed our meal and there are plenty of menu options. Parking was kinda of stressful because the lot and street parking were both full, so we were late because we were trying to find a parking spot. We made a reservation but when we arrived, our table wasn't ready and we completely missed the sign that said grab a menu then get in line to order. It was our first time there so we were unaware of that. It would've been helpful for the hostess to explain that when seating us. All of the staff were helpful if we needed something. The food arrived fast as well. I would return again for brunch or to try lunch or dinner. read more

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

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We ate dinner here and it was excellent. They had lots of gluten-free options and even a few desserts. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for dinner in the Durham North Carolina area. On a Saturday night, reservations are a good idea read more

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

The turkey Reuben was a little spicy. The challah cinnamon French toast was delicious, my child ate all 3 large pieces. The baked oatmeal, which looks a muffin, was a little dry. Service was friendly and they checked on us often, although the food did take a little while, but it was Sunday brunch. The pastries looked delicious and some great vegan options but we didn't try any. Next time! read more

This place was very underwhelming for the price. The tofu scramble with Avocado and mushrooms added (15$) was essentially the listed ingredients thrown together and warmed, not a lot of flavor to be found. It lacked freshness. My wife had the vegan blueberry pancakes and found them to be overly sweet and severely undercooked. They were somehow thin and flat with a mushy center. They came topped with rotten strawberries (see picture) and with a side of fake maple syrup. The breakfast potatoes were way over cooked and were dry and chewy. They lacked crispiness and came topped with an Arby's style seasoning (the lone highlight). Highlights of the visit were friendly staff, decent coffee with refills, and a nice patio. They are also allergen conscious and have a clearly labeled menu. We saw people working on their laptops so they must have WiFi. We didn't try any deserts but they looked pretty good as well. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Vegan Pancakes with gross strawberries - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

This was absolutely awful! I got a veggie burger that was inedible. Friend ordered fish and chips, which she could not eat. I do not know how this spot stays in business.You serve yourself and they try to get large tips for nothing. It is telling that it has parking while the adjacent restaurants never do. read more

Despite it's place on the Durham brunch top contender list, this was my first experience at The Refectory Cafe. I have heard the name time and time again, and honestly, I have no idea why it took me so long to try it. My husband and I are finally starting to branch out of our home kitchen (tired of all the dishes, you feel me?!), and wanted to try something new while supporting a local Durham business. Queue Refectory Cafe! The cafe itself is pretty basic. Nothing trendy or Instagram worthy, but not a hole in the wall either. We were grateful for the outdoor picnic tables and heaters that allowed us to comfortably dine outside even on a chilly afternoon. It wasn't a busy day/time, so hard to comment on how the establishment is handling COVID precautions other than the staff were wearing masks. Our food arrived hot shortly after ordering. I got the huevos rancheros while my husband opted for a more classic southern breakfast - a chicken, egg, and cheese biscuit. I was really happy with both the portion and presentation of the huevos rancheros, but even happier with the flavor, fresh ingredients, and savory short rib meat piled on top. I had so much on my plate that I even offered to share with my husband who was still a bit hungry after eating his biscuit. My suggestions for a 5-star review include a drip coffee revamp. My cup of Joe was lackluster and closely resembled, though I was told was not, Folgers. A bold and flavorful cup of coffee is a must in my book! The second is wishing the staff invested a little bit of time getting to know the patrons, even as much as being greeted when stepping to the register would have probably kept me from commenting on this. I take it with a grain of salt, I know these are trying times, but I just didn't get the warm welcome I might have expected from a place so loved by many. read more

The Refectory Cafe - Fried Chicken and Cheddar Biscuit - New American Near Me - Durham, North Carolina

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After several years of hearing wonderful things about The Refectory Cafe, I finally took the plunge. It wasn't fair. Post-Thanksgiving brunch with a party of picky eaters. We also required outdoor seating. Low and behold, Refectory ticked all the boxes. I personally enjoyed the tofu scramble quite a bit though it could have used heftier portions of red onion, broccoli, and grape tomatoes. The breakfast potatoes also did not disappoint. Others in my group enjoyed the challah french toast as well as the salmon benedict. Service was fantastic. Only point I'll deduct is for less than sufficient parking but ya make do with what you have. read more

Cute little restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. We made reservations and they had our name labeling the table with a reserved sign. You grab a menu at the entrance then wait in a cafeteria type line to order. It doesn't seem like you have a dedicated server but a bunch of workers are walking around constantly bringing food and cleaning up. I'm not sure what was going on the day we stopped for brunch but the servers were frequently dropping dirty silverware while bringing things back to the kitchen. Our food was amazing and I would definitely eat here again if I was in Durham. We ordered a piece of strawberry rhubarb pie to go and it was amazing. They also had multiple varieties of cheesecake that looked delicious. Honestly this would be a great place to go for coffee and dessert. read more

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

Good brunch spot! Love that they have a display case for cakes and other sweet things too. read more

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

Ambiance was pleasant. Service was great. Food was meh? I had a fish sandwich, it was disappointing. My guest had a fabulous breakfast.

Really dig the green decor of this restaurant and love everything I have eaten here. Breakfast foods, salad, sandwich, desserts, lattes etc. Potato leek soup is my go-to with a half sandwich. And, a latte. But, I dream of the rock shrimp po-boy sandwich. Sometimes it is there and sometime not. Unsure if they run out of the shrimp or if it is a special menu item. But, it is listed on theiir web site and here in Yelp as a standard menu item. Frustrating when you see an item on a menu before you go, expect to order it and then, it's not available. read more

This place was delightful. I went here during restaurant week with some friends for their $35 three course meal with wine. The food was wholesome. I had the calamari, duck, and apple pie. The duck was a bit dry but the berry compote and sweet onions helped moisten the duck. The only reason I gave this place one less star was the apple pie was just okay. It tasted a bit bland and mushy with an excess of cinnamon. I recommend bringing a date or hosting an intimate get-together with some vaccinated friends here! read more

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With so many options in Durham, we probably only come here once a year or so. We stopped by for a late lunch on a recent weekday. It was odd at first because when we came in, nobody was behind the counter. It took a while for someone to come up to the counter and take our orders. You place your order and then take your card and stand to your table so they can find you later. I enjoyed my pasta and my wife enjoyed her salmon burger and sweet potato fries. We ate outside but my wife pointed out that their tables and benches should be a little bit further apart. There was a group of ladies chatting nearby (regulars maybe?), and the restaurant definitely has a community feel. read more

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

We just went to the Refectory for breakfast. A little surprised that it was counter service (but they do run your food to your table) considering the menu's prices, but that's ok I guess. What is more surprising is the mediocre food at wildly expensive cost. Two medium sized pancakes (w blueberries) for $14.50. Add $4 more for a couple of eggs. There was nothing exceptional about them. No better or worse than any diner, but a for a $20 breakfast, one would expect more. My wife had the "breakfast bowl" for $13. It consisted of some grits, 2 eggs, and a sprinkle of bacon bits. Nothing special, at all. I have a hard time understanding why this place is popular. Diner food and ambiance at upscale restaurant prices. We won't return. Elmo's has a MUCH better breakfast. read more

I wouldn't call this place a hidden gem bc it's not really hiding, but you will most certainly miss it if you aren't looking for it. Fiancé took me here for a birthday brunch and we really enjoyed it. The place was pretty empty when we came in but it was a Monday a little before noon so it was kind of expected. But as soon as noon hit, tables were filled quickly. Very chill environment and staff is friendly. We were told to sit ourselves and we quickly saw it was an order first at the counter place and then food brought to you. I don't mind this concept, I just think when it's busy the idea of waiting in line to order your food then sit down and waiting again would be slightly annoying. I did like the huge display case of desserts and was very intrigued! Ordered a mimosa flight, salmon benedict, avocado BLT, and pancakes. Everything was delicious! Didn't have any room for dessert so we need to return just for that! read more

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Our food was excellent and came out so quickly! We sat at the outdoor tables. My husband put in his order and no sooner than he put his phone down did a waiter appear with the coffee he had ordered. I'm vegan and I had so many options! The vegan pancake was delicious, as was the tofu scramble, and both were better than the ones I make at home. My husband approved of his meal, which included challah french toast, and my toddler cleared her plate. I'll definitely come back to try their dinner options, as we were just here for brunch. read more

This place, as well as the other two similar places on this road, always has a packed parking lot which has kept me away. One morning though, I spotted a place to park and decided to give it a try. I've recently gone wheat free so it's difficult to find quick breakfast items. They had a bunch of pastries to choose from and in my haste I chose the first thing that was labeled GF: An energy bar. While it was decent for what it was, I did feel like I was eating bird suet. While walking to a table, I noticed someone eating a damn good looking omelet. I had no idea they served full on food. Duh. I'd assumed it was a pastry and coffee shop. I looked at their breakfast/brunch menu and was shocked at how much they offer, and several are GF, vegetarian or vegan. I went back for lunch a few days later and ordered the shrimp tacos which are only $10. Cheaper than my lunch at Panera the previous day and way way better. Happy to have found this place as it's quiet, clean, had good food and offer a ton of choices, and they have a lot of outdoor seating. read more

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Very varied menu and food is always delicious. Staff is always friendly and helpful. [[HIGHLIGHT]]Establishment is clean.[[ENDHIGHLIGHT]]

Nowadays, the Refectory Cafe has been my go-to place to grab coffee or a quick bite with friends. Their menu accommodates a variety of dietary restrictions (e.g. keto, paleo, gluten-free, vegetarian...), which is important to me as I continue to struggle with a sensitive stomach. Thankfully, the food is also tasty and fresh! I usualky gravtitate towards their garden salad with added shrimp, though other menu items I hope to try in the future include their reuben sandwich and eggs in a bowl. There are plenty of benches outside, as well as ample indoor seating to allow for socially-distanced tables. Overall a great place for food and coffee with a friend or small group! read more

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

Yummy yummy ! A plus!! Love this place! I had an appointment at Duke and before stopped at this gem! No complaints here. Great cafe , busy spot , but no wait ! Shrimp quesadilla was awesome as well as the butternut squash soup. My boyfriend got the egg and salmon. read more

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The only thing better than the bright, sunny atmosphere here is the incredible food. It's real, nutritious, and so amazingly delicious. You can never leave The Refectory feeling anything but incredible! The food feels nourishing in a way that many restaurants are incapable of achieving but The Refectory makes it happen. I would recommend The Refectory to anyone because it meets all diets and needs without sacrificing amazing taste! read more

What an amazing place. The staff's very kind, the service is super quick, and the food is delicious. So many great options for all meal preferences (vegan, keto , vegetarian, pescatarian, etc) I definitely suggest this spot when in town you won't be disappointed read more

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