Best Lunch Restaurants in Durham

24 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Cucciolo Osteria Durham restaurant

1. Cucciolo Osteria Durham

4.8

Exceptional(1638)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Durham

Booked 15 times today

Cousins Jimmy and Julian Kim welcome you to Cucciolo Osteria Durham! A sister restaurant to the original Cucciolo Osteria in Seoul, Korea, offering modern Italian cuisine with a twist.We are located in the same building as the Amtrak train station, just opposite side, next to West End Wine Bar.

2. Mothers & Sons

4.7

Exceptional(134)

Price: Expensive

• Italian • Durham

Booked 20 times today

Our lunch and dinner menus differ greatly. Please see the menu link below to see an example of our offerings.Partners Matt Kelly and Josh “Skinny” DeCarolis are proud to offer Mothers & Sons, a trattoria in downtown Durham featuring regional Italian food with seasonal sensibility. DeCarolis introduces the first restaurant in the South to focus on fatta a mano —handmade pasta. Mothers and Sons offers antipasti dishes such seasonal bruschettas or smoked octopus. Choose from primi dishes like the bucatini al amatriciana, squid ink tonnarelli or rigatoni alla norma and secondi dishes like the bistecca alla floretina and eggplant parmigiana. Dishes are made with seasonal ingredients so menus may change depending on when you visit. An extensive Italian wine list, dozens of amari as well as an imaginative cocktail list with an italian flair assures there will be a drink that will complement your meal perfectly.

A photo of Nasher Cafe at Duke University restaurant

3. Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.7

Exceptional(855)

Price: Moderate

• Contemporary American • Durham

The 125-seat indoor/outdoor Nasher Cafe overlooks the garden and sits adjacent to the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen "Corridor Pin" sculpture, providing a serene and beautiful ambience. The Nasher Cafe offers local and sustainable products forged into creative lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Guests can experience a world class museum as well as restaurant in one stop.

4. Counting House

4.2

Awesome(1547)

Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Durham

Booked 6 times today

At Counting House restaurant, led by Executive Chef Melanie Wilkerson, local cuisine meets bold flavors and playful execution. A seafood-driven menu set amongst the art of today, designed to provide you with an easy-going escape that will feed your soul. The bar and lounge is a welcoming place to taste innovative cocktails, sample local craft brews, and explore broad bourbon and wine lists.Reestablishing the warmth and vitality of a historic gem, Counting House combines contemporary design with architectural details including the building’s original terrazzo floors and arched windows.

A photo of Restaurant at The Durham restaurant

5. Restaurant at The Durham

4.2

Awesome(530)

Price: Expensive

• American • Durham

Booked 5 times today

The Restaurant at The Durham serves an ever-evolving seasonal menu of American classics and regional specialties made with the bounty of produce, meats, cheeses and seafood from our local farms and purveyors. Start with drinks and sunset views on The Roof, followed by dinner in the Restaurant’s glass-walled dining room with striking mid-century design. Reservations made through OpenTable are for the Restaurant only. For Roof reservations and private event inquiries, please call 919-768-8831.

6. Nikos

4.7

Exceptional(429)

Price: Expensive

• Greek • Durham

Booked 5 times today

NIKOS offers a treasure trove of flavors distilled from Greece and the surrounding regions — spanning from the southern coast of Crete to the north of Mount Athos, and from the Ionian islands to the Aegean Sea.We invite you to embark on a culinary journey that encompasses health, wisdom, dreams, passions, and the timeless pursuit of ideas that transcend boundaries.

A photo of Emmy Squared - Durham restaurant

7. Emmy Squared - Durham

4.8

Exceptional(65)

Price: Moderate

• Pizzeria • Durham

Booked 4 times today

Founded on an unconditional love of well-made food, we use only the highest quality ingredients for our famous Detroit-style pizzas. As Emmy Squared has grown, we’ve continued to make fans and receive accolades along the way, including winning Nashville’s Battle of the Burger, being recognized as one of "The Best New Burgers in NYC" (Gothamist) and one of the "20 Best Burgers in NYC" (Infatuation). Besides award-winning pizzas and burgers, you’ll find delectable appetizers, sandwiches, and salads on our extensive menu. We look forward to welcoming you to Emmy Squared Durham and sharing our unique take on American “comfort food.”

A photo of Fairview Dining Room restaurant

8. Fairview Dining Room

4.8

Exceptional(1869)

Price: Expensive

• American • Durham

Booked 7 times today

The AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room has been reimagined as a lighter, brighter backdrop for our renowned fine dining experience. Featuring custom details hand-crafted for the space by regional artisans, this new design simply enhances what you have loved for years. With the reopening of the new Fairview Dining Room, our Area Executive Chef Troy Stauffer and his imaginative culinary team have introduced a new Fall menu, perfectly complementing the elevated look and feel of the space. Indulge in a savory Cheshire Pork Tenderloin or delicious Duke of Crabcake with a sommelier suggested wine and finish with a decadent hand-crafted dessert from our pastry team, each dish embracing cozy flavors perfect for fall.

9. Blue Corn Cafe

4.9

Exceptional(425)

Price: Expensive

• Latin American • Durham

Blue Corn Cafe has been serving the Triangle area since 1997. We offer a locally sourced twist on Latin American cuisine. Our passion for locally sourced food and beverage has allowed us to offer our unique twist on Latin and South American recipes. Both owners Danielle and Antonio Rios have a passion on bringing their culture to your table with unique quality products. Our warm atmosphere and kind servers make you feel comfortable upon entering and that is only where it begins. We look forward to serving you. Prevecho!

A photo of Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham restaurant

10. Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham

4.8

Exceptional(194)

Price: Moderate

• Indian • Durham

Booked 14 times today

Rated as the # 1 Indian Restaurant in Triangle, Lime & Lemon Indian Grill offers an immersive dining experience with exquisite dishes that will take you on a journey through India's many regions, traditions and festivals. We meticulously curate using only the best ingredients to create dishes that are authentic, unsurpassed, and timeless. All this in an ultra-modern setting to ensure your dining affair is nothing short of perfect.Featured in the October 2019 edition of News & Observer and received a 4 out of 5 star rating. It has been consistently voted as one of the Top 10 Ethnic restaurants and has also been recognized as the Best Indian Restaurant in the Triangle for 2019, 2020 and 2021.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

S
Shaun
Asheville / Western North Carolina •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
Perfect food. Cocktails were better than normal. First time trying the lasagna, so filling and perfect texture.
More info
Cucciolo Osteria DurhamPrice: Expensive• Italian• Durham
•
4.8
L
laura
San Francisco Bay Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
We love the whole experience of this restaurant and hotel, will be back for many more memorable meals ❤️
More info
Counting HousePrice: Expensive• Seafood• Durham
•
4.2
B
Bob
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Outstanding meal. Gnocchi was light and pillowy. The two bruschetta we had were delicious as well. The one with the fig and the other with the shrimp were a nice pairing to allow our palates to alternate between the sweet and fresh. Highly recommend!
More info
Mothers & SonsPrice: Expensive• Italian• Durham
•
4.7
J
JeffreyVIP
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •17 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 13, 2024
First, this is one of our fav restaurants. Had the scallops which was a new item/recipe. Overwhelming spices. Indian (which I love) but the scallops were doused in garam masala and other sweet spices to a gut wrenching level. Had to leave the last one. The squash puree was over spiced and on and on. Half the spice level and this could have been a wonderful dish.
More info
Restaurant at The DurhamPrice: Expensive• American• Durham
•
4.2
J
JayneVIP
Virginia •20 reviews
4.0
Dined on Dec 10, 2024
This cafe is a great little find at the Nasher. Been here a handful of times for lunch. It’s always busy, well executed inventive menu. Had the Vanilla matcha tea with Oat milk- very good. Panini with turkey,cucumbers, carmélized onions and quinoa salad was a great choice. My friend had the goat cheese BLT minus the tomato along with an aioli sauce; basil pesto pasta salad. She said it was very good. I would definitely return for an evening meal with wine. The museum cafe is worthwhile to visit. Even on a weekend while visiting.
More info
Nasher Cafe at Duke UniversityPrice: Moderate• Contemporary American• Durham
•
4.7

Explore OpenTable

Durham

Best Lunch Restaurants in Durham

Price

Cuisine

Regions

Neighbourhoods

Top Rated

Dining Options

Seating Options

Accessibility

24 restaurants available nearby

1. Cucciolo Osteria Durham

2. Mothers & Sons

3. Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4. Counting House

5. Restaurant at The Durham

6. Nikos

7. Emmy Squared - Durham

8. Fairview Dining Room

9. Blue Corn Cafe

10. Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham

See what locals rave about

Explore OpenTable