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Best Authentic Restaurants in Durham

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22 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Mothers & Sons restaurant
1. Mothers & Sons
4.6
Exceptional(170)
Price: Expensive
• Italian • Durham
Booked 45 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 Seraphine restaurant
2. Seraphine
4.8
Exceptional(610)
Price: Moderate
• Creole / Cajun / Southern • Durham
Booked 47 times today
Seraphine is on OpenTable! We look forward to seeing you!
A photo of Mateo Bar de Tapas restaurant
3. Mateo Bar de Tapas
4.8
Exceptional(2446)
Price: Expensive
• Spanish • Durham
Booked 33 times today
Mateo Bar de Tapas is the first solo venture from chef Matthew Kelly, housed in the old Book Exchange building in the heart of downtown Durham. Featuring a menu that blends the flavors of Spain with beloved ingredients and dishes of the South. We offer a casual, yet refined, menu of Spanish small plates with Southern inflection. Accompanying the food is a robust Spanish wine list as well as one of the largest sherry offerings in the country!
A photo of Taberna Tapas restaurant
4. Taberna Tapas
4.7
Exceptional(1808)
Price: Moderate
• Tapas / Small Plates • Durham
Booked 18 times today
Spanish Tapas Extensive Spanish Wine listFull barServing dinner
A photo of Little Bull restaurant
5. Little Bull
4.8
Exceptional(591)
Price: Very Expensive
• Fusion / Eclectic • Durham
Booked 26 times today
Little Bull is sincere, nostalgic comfort food, inspired by the palates of first-generation immigrant kids. Pocho cuisine is not a gimmick. Like Oscar, it’s a little bull-headed, but with no bullshit. It means more than loaded terms like “New American” or “modern Mexican.” And it’s authentic to Chef’s personal experience.“American food is undefined. But it’s been designated to certain ideas and people. It’s actually evolving, as much as our landscape is a melting pot. As much as my own identity as a first-generation American and chef.”Pocho started as a term used by people in Mexico to poke fun at the “American” kids who speak Spanglish. At Little Bull, pocho cuisine showcases the evolution of being a chef in America, inspired by every immigrant and their growing influence on our food.
A photo of M Tempura restaurant
6. M Tempura
4.8
Exceptional(625)
Price: Very Expensive
• Japanese • Durham
Booked 9 times today
M Tempura is an authentic Japanese tempura restaurant in Durham. Reviewers rave about the 'superb tempura' and 'exceptionally creative menu'. The fresh, high-quality ingredients and live cooking at the bar have also been noted. The innovative approach and the 'delicate flavors' are appreciated. The 'amazing food', 'unique approach', and 'excellent restaurant' are recurring themes in the reviews, making M Tempura a standout for authentic Japanese cuisine.
A photo of Aaktun Coffee + Bar restaurant
7. Aaktun Coffee + Bar
4.7
Exceptional(108)
Price: Moderate
• Latin American • Durham
Booked 63 times today
Our cozy cafe is a delightful haven where friends gather amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, savoring delectable pastries and engaging in warm, leisurely conversations. Take a step into our dining room and allow us to whisk you away to a tropical paradise where contemporary tiki cocktails blend seamlessly with vibrant Latin American and Caribbean Flavors. Our culinary journey is guided by the talented Oscar Diaz, a two-time James Beard semi-finalist and our esteemed chef-owner.
A photo of Nikos restaurant
8. Nikos
4.6
Exceptional(475)
Price: Expensive
• Greek • Durham
Booked 23 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 Nanas restaurant
9. Nanas
4.8
Exceptional(416)
Price: Expensive
• American • Durham
Booked 32 times today
Nanas is a neighborhood restaurant in Durham, North Carolina. Helmed by Chefs Matt Kelly and Nate Garyantes, Nanas pays tribute to Nana’s, our beloved predecessor, while reimagining all of the details. Abundant, local ingredients shine on our seasonal menus, which feature dishes like Twice-Baked Grits Soufflé, Duck Ragout Tagliatelle, and the iconic Nana’s risotto alongside seasonal wood grilled whole fish, crispy lamb shoulder, and fresh-baked breads and desserts made daily in house. In our cozy bar you'll find finely executed classic cocktails and local beers, while the wine program offers upwards of 250+ labels of impeccably curated, farming-first wines. If your desired time for a reservation is not available our bar seats are open on a first come first serve basis. Call your nana, it's time to eat.
A photo of Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham restaurant
10. Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar - Durham
4.8
Exceptional(208)
Price: Moderate
• Indian • Durham
Booked 11 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.

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From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • Howard
    2 reviews
    5.0
    Dined today
    Wow, this was my wife, and I first experience with Lebanese cuisine. Sitti was amazing. Tonight ambiance was just right for late dinner for 2. We started out with the vegan tasting hummus, fattoush, and I my wifey fall in love with the robust tasty warak anab wrapped with grape leaves. To keep it safe, I ordered the Samkeh Harra it was pan-seared with the flaky bottom on kale. What a peacasterian delight for a great night at Sitti. The servicer was friendly and quick and efficient with our plates. If you are a vegan and vegetarian, I recommend Sitti 5 stars for date night in the heart of downtown Raleigh! It was overall 5 stars experience for the Bishop's!
    More info
    SittiPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Raleigh
    •
    4.7
  • AllisonR
    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Great spot for lunch. I was worried the food would be too heavy, but it was great.
    More info
    GravyPrice: Moderate• Italian• Raleigh
    •
    4.4
  • OpenTable Diner
    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Our waitress was excellent, very friendly atmosphere. The food was very good, prepared with high-quality ingredients.
    More info
    Mothers & SonsPrice: Expensive• Italian• Durham
    •
    4.6
  • Jacques
    Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 3 days ago
    Great date spot wonderful food and friendly staff.
    More info
    SeraphinePrice: Moderate• Creole / Cajun / Southern• Durham
    •
    4.8
  • RogerVIP
    Dallas - Fort Worth •48 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Mar 4, 2025
    Always a great experience with service and the food. Perhaps the best carrot cake ever!! Oh the BBQ plates speak for themselves for sure. Great team!!
    More info
    The Pit Authentic BBQPrice: Moderate• Regional American (Southern)• Raleigh
    •
    4.3

Discover best authentic restaurants in Durham

Discover the heart of authentic dining in Durham, Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill. Our curated selection of restaurants captures the essence of culinary authenticity, offering a diverse range of cuisines that cater to every palate. Each establishment is renowned for its commitment to quality, featuring locally sourced ingredients and unique, flavorful dishes that highlight the region's rich gastronomic culture. Visitors can expect a vibrant dining scene in Durham, where traditional flavors meet contemporary culinary techniques. These restaurants provide not only a meal but a genuine taste of local culture and hospitality. Ideal for food enthusiasts seeking an authentic dining experience, our list ensures that every recommendation is a gateway to culinary excellence. Whether you're a local or a tourist, these dining spots in Durham are must-visits for anyone looking to savor authentic flavors in a welcoming atmosphere.

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