Counting House

Name: Counting House
Address: 111 North Corcoran St 21c Museum Hotel, Durham, NC, United States, 27701
Telephone: (919) 956-6760
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.1

4.1 (1589)

$31 to $50

Seafood

111 North Corcoran St, 21c Museum Hotel, Durham, NC 27701

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 10 times today

About this restaurant

Innovative
Good for special occasions
Good for business meals

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.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, Contemporary American
Hours of operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Lounge Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 8:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(919) 956-6760
Website
http://www.countinghousenc.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive chef
Melanie Wilkerson
Private party facilities
The Private Dining Room, an intimate space off the main dining room of Counting House can host groups up to 32 and is perfect for a small event or dinner.

Location
111 North Corcoran St, 21c Museum Hotel, Durham, NC 27701
Neighborhood
Durham
Cross street
Corcoran & Main Street. Located on the first floor of 21c Museum Hotel.
Parking details
Valet
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

50 Raleigh Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Ask Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

EGG SANDWICH$13.00
bacon, egg, cheese, Heinz 57 Collection chili pepper crunch, breakfast mayo, tots
AVOCADO TOAST$15.00
sourdough, avocado, soft-boiled egg, shaved radish, lemon zest, everything bagel seasoning, greens salad
SMOKED SALMON BAGEL$16.00
herb cream cheese, caper, pickled red onion, cucumber, plain bagel
STEEL CUT OATMEAL$9.00
golden raisin, walnut
WHOLE EGG FRITTATA$13.00
gruyere, wild mushrooms, baby kale salad
BELGIAN WAFFLE$12.00
seasonal compote, vanilla-maple syrup, honey butter
BANKER’S BREAKFAST$14.00
two eggs*, bacon or sausage, tots, toast

Lighter

SEASONAL FRUIT SALAD$6.00
YOGURT & GRANOLA$8.00
berries, almond-coconut granola, honey
FRESH-BAKED BREAKFAST BREAD$6.00
honey butter, house compote

Sides

Seasonal Fruit Sald$6.00
mint, chamomile syrup
Yogurt & Granola$8.00
berries, almond-coconut granola, honey
2 EGGS$4.00
TOAST$3.00
sourdough, whole grain, or gluten free
PLAIN BAGEL$4.00

Drinks

Juice$4.00
orange, grapefruit, cranberry, pineapple
Drip Coffee$3.00
beans from Joe Van Gogh
Espresso$4.00
Americano$4.00
Cappuccino$5.00
Latte$5.00
EVIAN$8.00
sparkling or still

What 1,589 people are saying

Counting House reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.1

4.1 based on recent ratings

4.1Food
4.2Service
4.2Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Innovative
Durham
Innovative
Durham
Lively

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Counting House offers a "wonderful menu in a tasteful setting" with standout dishes like tomato peach salad and ribeye. Guests praise "excellent service" from staff like Christopher and Matt, while the "artwork is amazing." Ideal for pre-show dining near DPAC, it delivers "unique and tasty dishes" with a "cool vibe."

1,589 Reviews

M
Mercedes VIP
South Carolina137 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 22, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 5
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 2
Such a weird experience. Based on prior reviews I expected to be WOWED. The appetizers were amazing (oysters and brussels - although the brussels had too much sauce). My son's chicken was the best he's ever had. I had the gnocchi which was swimming in sauce. Later that evening after dinner I had major stomach pains and became sick. The restaurant was EMPTY. There was no host/hostess. After 10 minutes the bartender seated us. It was like a ghost town. I would not return based on this experience. Also we stayed in the 21c Hotel which is how we found this restaurant, which was also supposed to serve breakfast. I called 3 times to order room service but there was no answer. When we checked out the front desk staff apologized and said only one person was working breakfast and she must have been on a delivery. There was no option to grab something on our way out so we left hungry before college tours. Bizarre. Poorly managed would be my guess.
Counting HouseResponded 4 days ago
Hi Mercedes, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We’re truly sorry to hear that your visit fell short of expectations. Your feedback about the service gaps, communication issues, and food concerns is taken seriously, and we’re addressing them with our team to ensure our standard meets expectations. While we’re glad your son enjoyed his meal, we sincerely regret that your overall experience didn’t reflect the high standards we aim to uphold. We do hope you’ll consider giving us another opportunity in the future to provide the warm and memorable experience we’re known for. Warmly, The Counting House Team
Is this helpful?
L
Lu
Asheville / Western North Carolina83 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 22, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We always come here before an event at DPAC. On this particular day, the restaurant was shortstaffed, but those who were working made the best of the situation and all was fine. The food was delicious as always and I loved the pancakes, but I sure would like for the French toast to be added back to the menu. Our server Miguel was great!
Is this helpful?
R
Robert
Fort Lauderdale20 reviews
3.0
Dined on June 21, 2025
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 5
Cocktails were very small. My martini served in a coupe was half full - very disappointing for $18. The tomato peach salad was the highlight of the dinner. The restaurant billed itself as a seafood inspired place. There was only one seafood entree offered on a very limited menu and it was a whole fish. The ambiance was nice but I would not return.
Is this helpful?
J
Jon
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill3 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I’m probably being a little harsher on the food than I should be because the salads were both excellent and the entrées were delicious. But both the gnocchi and risotto were not hot when served, just warm enough to not be room temperature. That was a bit of a bummer. Again, though, delicious (if you don’t have show tickets, you could opt to send back). The service was excellent, personal without being obsequious. Of particular note were the wine recommendation Matt made and comping the milk bread that had been overlooked. The atmosphere was, surprisingly, a bit sterile but that is probably more a reflection of personal taste. The wine list is surprisingly and refreshingly short (try the Italian chardonnay). We will definitely return because the flavors, service, and value make this a very worthwhile destination.
Is this helpful?
G
Grant
Virginia4 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful menu in a tasteful setting. Christopher was an exceptionally talented server.
Is this helpful?
L
LOUIS VIP
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill22 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
We’ve eaten at Counting House a few times. Very nice restaurant and great location when attending DPAC shows. Menu is limited. Service is good and friendly. I’ve never tried their steaks before, and I came in craving a ribeye. I usually have ribeyes, and sometimes filets. The steak presented to me looked, felt (cutting), and tasted like a strip. No way it was a ribeye. I told the waiter, who inquired with the chef, and he replied the chef said it was a ribeye. It was the worst steak I’ve ever eaten. It could not have been a ribeye. It had no flavor, no tenderness, no marble. Nope. If it was in fact a ribeye, it was like one I’ve never seen or tasted-and they are ordering from the wrong source. I was disappointed they did not own the problem and make an effort to appease me. I’m not a complainer and usually give only positive reviews, or none at all. Do not order a steak from this restaurant!
Is this helpful?
A
Alex
Charlotte1 review
2.0
Dined on June 18, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Hard to believe anything here is fresh. I got the burger and the fries were obviously frozen and inedible. The man next to me also order the burger and left all of the fries on the plate as well. I ordered a desert that was supposed to have fresh fruit but they were slimy. Also not sure if something was wrong with the AC but it was unbearably hot in the restaurant as well to the point where I was sweating just sitting there
Is this helpful?
s
scott
Utah2 reviews
4.0
Dined on June 17, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Very good food, good service, but kitchen was incredibly slow. 40 minutes from order until food arrived.
Is this helpful?
D
Diana
New York City2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 16, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The host and staff are friendly and warm, just as the food is. I didn’t have a cocktail, but the menu looked wonderful.
Is this helpful?
S
Stuart
Washington, D.C. Area29 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 6, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our first time in Durham and we were looking for something out of the ordinary. We were very successful in going to this restaurant. While the food occasionally tries a little too hard to be different and innovative, the overall effect is wonderful. We particularly enjoyed the ribeye, and the clams and mussels dishes. The service was excellent, and the environment was conducive to enjoying the food. I would go back again next time I am in Durham.
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Counting House offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 956-6760.

Counting House is rated 4.1 stars by 1589 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 5, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 10 times today

111 North Corcoran St, 21c Museum Hotel, Durham, NC 27701

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Corcoran & Main Street. Located on the first floor of 21c Museum Hotel.
Neighborhood
Durham
Hours of operation
Breakfast Mon–Fri 7:00 am–10:00 am Lounge Mon–Thu 4:00 pm–10:00 pm Fri, Sat 8:00 am–11:00 pm Sun 10:00 am–10:00 pm Brunch Sat, Sun 8:00 am–2:00 pm Lunch Mon–Fri 10:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Mon–Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Seafood, Oyster Bar, Contemporary American
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Valet
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Melanie Wilkerson
Additional
Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.countinghousenc.com/
Phone number
(919) 956-6760
Private party facilities
The Private Dining Room, an intimate space off the main dining room of Counting House can host groups up to 32 and is perfect for a small event or dinner.

Featured in

50 Raleigh Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Counting House

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

50 Raleigh Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

Dishes

EGG SANDWICH$13.00

AVOCADO TOAST$15.00

SMOKED SALMON BAGEL$16.00

STEEL CUT OATMEAL$9.00

WHOLE EGG FRITTATA$13.00

BELGIAN WAFFLE$12.00

BANKER’S BREAKFAST$14.00

Lighter

SEASONAL FRUIT SALAD$6.00

YOGURT & GRANOLA$8.00

FRESH-BAKED BREAKFAST BREAD$6.00

Sides

Seasonal Fruit Sald$6.00

Yogurt & Granola$8.00

2 EGGS$4.00

TOAST$3.00

PLAIN BAGEL$4.00

Drinks

Juice$4.00

Drip Coffee$3.00

Espresso$4.00

Americano$4.00

Cappuccino$5.00

Latte$5.00

EVIAN$8.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Counting House offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Counting House restaurant rated?

Is Counting House currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

50 Raleigh Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day