These five Durham restaurants are my constant favorites in a city with so much great food!

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For those of you who’ve been following along for a bit, you know I haven’t lived in Durham full-time in years. That being said, my husband’s work schedule has meant that at times I’ve headed to my hometown for months at a time.

Y’all, I heart the Durham food scene. There are so many great options and new spots to try are constantly popping up! So today, I thought I’d share a few that just keep calling me back.

*Quick note: yes, I know you’re really wanting to hear about Italy! Right now we’re doing more settling in and logistics than actual trips, so I don’t have many tips or guides to share yet. But I’m already working on a few, so stay tuned!

Five Durham Restaurants You Don’t Want To Miss

Bullock’s Barbecue

I can admit it: Durham has a lot of hipster new places. But Durham also has a ton of old school standards. My favorite? Bullock’s Barbecue.

Featuring classic eastern North Carolina barbecue, it’s the ultimate southern place. For those not from NC: yes, there’s a huge difference between eastern and western BBQ from NC. Western = tomato-based sauce. Eastern = vinegar-based. I love both, but grew up on eastern so it’s my favorite. To get a great representation of eastern barbecue at its best, go to Bullocks.

Make sure to bring cash – they don’t take card.

Guglhupf

Okay, this one had to be top of the list. This German bakery has transformed in the past ten years from a Germany bakery to a full-service bar and restaurant in the evenings. They have a massive patio that invites lingering over a drink with friends, soaking up the sunshine and their amazing weekend brunch menu.

The coffee shop vibe is what I most love about Guglhupf – its the perfect place to get a great latte and get work done. Or meet a friend for a meal – the food is simple yet elegant, and often local. Usually, my hardest decision is what pastry to get!

Monuts Donuts

Since we’re talking breakfast, Monuts is my favorite donut spot in Durham! Their options change daily but are always bursting with flavor and creativity! Some of my favorites have been the apple cider cake donut and anything with chocolate, but don’t overlook the plain glazed for everything a classic donut should be.

Also impressive to me: they make both yeast and cake donuts. Impressive, because let’s be real, we are all team Krispy Kreme or Dunkin’ Donuts. Monuts can do both styles and beat them at their own game!

They have a more extensive breakfast menu that looks positively delish – hello, biscuit sandwiches! But I’ve never actually managed to stray from donuts. That’s how good they are.

Pour Taproom

Pour isn’t a restaurant – it’s a taproom. I had to listen to my family rave about it for almost a year before I got to check it out, and it 100% lived up to the hype!

When you go, you get a wristband that lets you record what you get. Then they let you loose on over 60 beers, ciders and wines on tap! It’s great because if you just want a taste, you can take an ounce and make a decision before getting a pint.

I love that you can try so many beers without committing to an entire glass of one. Not sure if you like sours? Want to find a stout you like? This is the perfect place. Taps are organized by type of beer and have descriptions to help you choose, as well as letting you know if they’re local!

Shiki Sushi

No list of favorite spots in Durham by me would be complete without Shiki. It’s the spot I most request when visiting, even if only in town for a weekend.

There are other sushi places in town that are delicious, for sure. But Shiki has a massive menu that’s always buy one roll get one free, making it the perfect blend of high-quality but still affordable. It also has a huge menu of non-sushi options, so it’s a great option when you’re in a group who’s not all onboard with fish.

The Durham food scene is constantly evolving, and it’s one of the parts of the city I miss most. But these are a few of my favorite Durham restaurants that always satisfy!

Want more suggestions for Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill? I did a massive bucket list while I lived in the Triangle full of restaurants, events, and fun things to do! You can check out the list with reviews of the best ones right here!