Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Elements

4.8

4.8 (2442)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Elements is OPEN for DINE IN & TAKEOUT!

From the moment you walk in to the last delicious morsel you will taste, we promise to deliver a unique and exquisite dining experience. Our cuisine combines classical as well as modern Asian and European cooking techniques to enhance the flavors of local and sustainable ingredients. Our menu changes often to capitalize on the freshest and most seasonal fare. We believe George Barnard Shaw said it best when he said. There is no love sincerer than the love of food." We couldn't agree more. From fork to mouth, we wish you good eats.

Elements Team

Top review

MarthaVIP

Dined 1 day ago

I LOVE Elements! The food is always excellent, the service is great, and if you go at the right time, the atmosphere is perfect.

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Popular dish

Crab Cakes

Mateo Bar de Tapas

4.8

4.8 (2423)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Durham

About the restaurant

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!

Top review

JudyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Service, food and vibe was outstanding. Ending with the expresso Martini before the play was a winner!

Juju Durham

4.8

4.8 (2364)

$30 and under

Asian

Durham

About the restaurant

Juju serves up small plates with bold flavors, each prepared creatively with attention to tradition, whimsy, local integrity, and, of course, deliciousness. In addition to its extensive and delicious menu, Juju features a dynamic beverage program of hand-made cocktails, Sake selections and a well-chosen list of artisan wines and craft beers.

Top review

Joe

Dined 4 days ago

This is a restaurant that I keep coming back to. The food is amazing, cocktails are well thought out and the staff and management are brilliant. It is so well run and It is rare you get all of these together with great ambience.

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Popular dish

NC Shrimp Dumplings

Popular dish

Chocolate Mousse Peanut Butter Cup

Popular dish

Mushroom Curry Soup

M Tempura

4.8

4.8 (601)

$50 and over

Japanese

Durham

About the restaurant

M Tempura is Durham's traditional Japanese tempura restaurant offering Tempura as well as Kaiseki Omakase offerings.

For the multi-course menu items, all members of your party must choose the same option please.

We currently cannot accommodate shellfish, vegetarian (egg in batter), gluten, and seafood allergies. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Top review

KrisVIP

Dined 4 days ago

love m restaurants, can't get better tempura anywhere else in the area!

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Experience

M Omakase Tasting Menu

Experience

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

Little Bull

4.8

4.8 (531)

$50 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Carla

Dined 3 days ago

Celebrated our anniversary at Little Bull. The food was amazing, portions are not large for small plates, so I recommend 2 to 3 per person. Delicious options, the scallop crudo and tuna rolls were favorites. Save room for the donuts…..a perfect dessert. Cannot wait to visit again.

M Pocha

4.7

4.7 (429)

$30 and under

Asian

Durham

About the restaurant

Pocha is short for Pojanmacha in Korea. The exact definition of Pojanmacha is "Tented Cart on Wheels" that serves street food with drinks. Over the years, pojanmacha has developed more into a brick and mortar style and has similar feel that of Japanese style Izakaya. It is an intimate but causal spot to share good food and drinks with friends. We focus on Asian fusion with a concentration on Korean food.

Top review

AmyVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Delicious unique food. Had a wonderful meal and walked to our DPAC show. Can’t wait to go back and try more dishes

Aaktun Coffee + Bar

4.6

4.6 (24)

$30 and under

Latin American

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Christina

Dined 1 day ago

Please note reservations is important. Food was excellent. I ordered calamari, tropical shrimp, ceviche, burger and short ribs, service from Juan and other staff was outstanding. Also the decor is amazing. Music is loud but I enjoyed the energy it gives. I will be returning with friends!

Krill

4.5

4.5 (421)

$30 and under

Pan-Asian

Durham

About the restaurant

Welcome to Krill, where the vibrant atmosphere sets the mood for bold Southeast Asian flavors. Executive Chef/ Partner, Jason Lawless' Southeast Asian-inspired dishes are served with fun, funky twists, paired alongside fresh, creative cocktails and a thoughtfully curated sake and wine program. Krill offers a theatrical setting that is signature to all Giorgios Hospitality Group restaurants- from the lemongrass and outdoor bamboo garden to the giant lanterns and colorful murals by local artist, Arianne Hemlein. Expect fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and house-made sauces and pastes. Looking forward to hosting you for some Far East flavors without boundaries!

“Bringing the food and culture of Southeast Asia and its coastal regions to life in a very funky and playful ‘Far East funk’ sort of way.” -Giorgios Bakatsias

Top review

Cheri

Dined 1 day ago

The rotating menu keeps things fresh and new. Eat here regularly and food is always excellent.

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Popular dish

Red Curry

Bombolo

4.5

4.5 (287)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Eater. Dishes you’ve long loved served alongside dishes you’ve never heard of make our ever-changing menu an adventure you’ll want to embark on often. Our wine list is as varied as our food, and every one of our cocktails has been created just for Bombolo by our mixologist.

Top review

sam

Dined today

The food was very good, and the service was solid, but very expensive.

Restaurant at The Durham

4.2

4.2 (530)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

JeffreyVIP

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.

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Experience

Dinner Before (Or After) the Show!

Experience

New Years Eve Dinner at The Durham

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