28 Best Cafes in Durham

“Loved the friendly atmosphere and dog friendly“

“I got the Greek omelette with light feta spinach and peppers ! It was amazing ! Great lil spot!“

“Looking for lunch one day and thought I would try Cafe Meridian. One time is all it took. My new favorite lunch spot. Everything I have tried is tasty. Tried the Fiesta chicken. Would eat that daily! Yum.“

“The Sweet Tea Cafe is truly one of a kind.

The guy who runs it is awesome - genuinely super cool, and passionate about what he does. And the tea? Hands down the best I’ve ever had.

If you’re looking for somewhere unique with great vibes to take someone in Durham, this is absolutely the place - especially when the weather is beautiful and you can just hang out and relax.

My boyfriend and I jokingly call it the “forbidden” tea shop because it always seems to be open on days I’m working 😂 but whenever I get a day off, it feels like a little treat.

Can’t recommend it enough!“

“We felt so welcomed here — it truly felt like home! The staff were incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to make us comfortable. They even made me a Vietnamese coffee with dairy-free condensed milk, something I’ve never had before, and it was amazing. We also loved how they took the time to chat with us and recommend other spots nearby with dishes similar to what we enjoy in Vancouver. Such a thoughtful and authentic experience — we’ll definitely be back!“

“This place is wow. Amazing beautiful deserts. Always fresh. Paninis! Unusual for NC as well, great selection. And the custom croissant sandwich I had today with egg, ham, tomatoe and lettuce was warm and heavenly. Also love the pictures on the walls.“

“Friendly staff and great food. Was worth the wait.“

“Came in for caffeine after lunch nearby. My coworker and I were inside a minimal amount of time, and both were extremely happy. I had the blended and frozen peanut butter mocha, it was very good. Definitely will mark this place as a spot to come back, and to try their food! Staff was great, place was clean!“

“the best sandwiches in the triangle, hands down. I love no. 11 (egg salad) and no. 22 (turkey and havarti - pictured).

they are absolute whoppers and always so fresh and so tasty. the staff are all very lovely and even during the lunch rush the sandwiches are quick to come out.“

“Found this near our rental. Love the biscuits and the donuts are even better. They get crowded so prepare for a wait but it’s worth it in the end.“

“Everytime I come to Durham, I stop by here for an iced latte. I’m not sure what makes it so different but I obsess and think about it for days after. It’s that good. I recently tried the peach cobbler latte and it’s delicious. The peach is subtle and not overwhelming but it’s just soooo good. I wish there was a location closer to me in northeast raleigh“

“Best goat vindaloo i’ve ever tasted“

“Lo mejor de lo mejor , buen servicio , excelente limpieza , la comida exquisita ?.“

“Newly opened gem in Patterson Place shopping center. Enjoyed the best cappuccino I’ve had in Durham in a warm and inviting space listening to classic rock in the background. Don’t miss this cute coffee and pastry spot near Sephora and DSW!“

“Had a great experience here ! Taylor was a great server , will definitely be back and will be asking for her !!“

“Definitely one of my favorite spots! Would recommend to anyone.“

“I got a burger that came with some type of jerk sauce and let me tell you this burger was so so good, definitely will be returning to get some more, I can say it’s one of the best burgers I have ever had, it was that good and the staff were so nice and friendly.“

“A Hidden Gem in Durham for Mediterranean Cuisine

This place is hands down one of the best food spots in Durham! The food is consistently outstanding, with a wide array of options to cater to vegetarians and those with other dietary preferences. Whether you're craving something fresh, flavorful, or indulgent, they've got you covered.

Their desserts? Always a hit! Every single time, they hit that perfect balance of sweet and just the right amount of decadence.

We've also ordered platters for events multiple times, and they never disappoint. The variety and quality are top-notch, making it the perfect choice for gatherings.

If you’re in the area, it’s a must-try!“

“🥪 One of my favorite lunch spots in RTP! It's small so get there early. Deep menu, great specials, and free cookies on Fridays! I kind of wish they were open on weekends so I could share it with friends who don't work nearby weekdays.“

“Mixed feelings. Ordering on line was easy. Ordered 3 plates of French toast with eggs and sausage. Arrived and only had to wait a few minutes for my food. I asked for butter and was told they are all out after she looked in the fridge. I was disappointed because I like my French toast with butter. It’s a rare treat. When I asked how could a breakfast establishment be out of butter she then stated “we only include it if you ask”. Sooooo...I’m asking now? Also, there was no option to request butter on line. Every restaurant where I’ve ordered waffles, pancakes or French toast has just included butter. On the positive, the portions were large and the French toast was good. I did not like the way the eggs were made - scrambled with cheese just placed on top instead of mixed in.“

“The BEST coffee shop that I have ever visited. Great drinks plus very friendly staff. 🥰🥰🥰“

“What y'all don't know is that the OWNER is an actual culinary GENIUS. So when you mix a genuine love of coffee (and flavors) with formal training, you get this amazing experience from Blackology Coffee Company. Definitely worth a try. I recommend 5/5 (or 10/10). Shout out to this Black Woman Owned Business!!! Proud of you LA! You've been planning this since we were little.“

“We ordered bagged lunches for a field trip. The communication from the cafe was excellent through the entire process. The food was ready when we arrived and each bag was labeled with the names and orders from the spreadsheet that I sent. The food was delicious and the service was fantastic.“

“A whole vibe for sure . Loved JJ. Will be back“

“Omg First time stopping in. I had to call back to rave about the customer service and the food. I will definitely be back .. One happy Customer..“

“I'm a lover of crepes and smoothies so I love this place. If you have a sweet tooth, a Nutella crepe with banana and/or strawberry is the way to go! for more of a savory dish, the chicken pesto crepe is my favorite. I also love the smoothies- all 3 flavors are delicious!“

“Twinnie’s has quickly become one of my favorite eateries at Duke! I come here at least once a week and it is always a pleasure to see the team. Special shout out to Jack who never fails to make my day! He is so kind, fun to chat with, and full of great recommendations. The food is top notch (cafe style entrées and drinks); seriously everything here is delicious. I’d recommend trying the daily specials or the classic Chicken Pita. Also, the seasonal pumpkin latte is back! I just drank it for the first time today and it won’t be my last. Check out Twinnie’s for good food and good vibes :)“