Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance 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!

Bin 54 Steak & Cellar

4.9

4.9 (1873)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

To contact the restaurant directly please email info@bin54chapelhill.com

Using only the highest quality ingredients, Bin 54 elevates classic steakhouse dishes to a new level of refinement. Staged in a warm contemporary setting, diners are offered glimpses of the wood-fired grill, semi-open kitchen and the temperature controlled wine room stocked with an extensive inventory of both eclectic and traditional selections. We also offer three private dining rooms; the Wine Cellar, which seats up to 8 guests, the Aberdeen Room, which seats up to 16 guests, and the Solarium, which seats up to 30 guests. Please contact us for information on large group and private dining.

Top review

SteveVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Absolutely perfect meal as always ! Fantastic service plus delicious food is always the case at Bin 54 !

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Popular dish

Hanger Steak

Popular dish

Beef Tenderloin Tartare

Popular dish

Banana Pudding

Seraphine

4.8

4.8 (673)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

Seraphine is on OpenTable! We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

Rhonda

Dined 1 day ago

This was our second time dining at Seraphine. The food and service are both excellent. The Oysters Dragos style and raw oysters are both delicious! Our meals (The scallops, Cavatelli and Chicken were also very tasty!) and the Beignets are definitely worth saving room for!

Durham - M Sushi

4.9

4.9 (3103)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Durham

About the restaurant

M Sushi, the flagship of the acclaimed M Restaurants group by Chef Michael Lee, is the Triangle’s first dedicated sushi and seafood restaurant. Located in the heart of Downtown Durham, M Sushi sets the standard for exceptional sushi, Omakase, and seafood-driven cuisine. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and masterful execution, the menu showcases traditional Japanese techniques with innovative twists. Open for lunch and dinner, M Sushi delivers an unparalleled dining experience that continues to set the bar for sushi excellence. Experience the origins of M Restaurants at M Sushi.

Top review

June

Dined 3 days ago

Lovely place we treat ourselves to for special occasions and just to have great sushi when we're in the mood. It's our go to place and has been for 10 years ... I love the Sushi chefs making eye contact and saying "hello" ... it makes my day !

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4.7

4.7 (3383)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Durham

About the restaurant

Parizade is Mediterranean inspired culinary creations. A vast open kitchen spans the length of the restaurant. Surreal art by Henryk Fantazos adorns the walls and ceiling. Parizade is truly the crowning jewel of Giorgios Hospitality Group. *Large parties, please call the restaurant at 919-286-9712*

Top review

Cathy

Dined 2 days ago

Always a wonderful experience. Great food and wonderful service in a beautiful restaurant!

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Pacific Coast Wine Dinner

Aaktun Coffee + Bar

4.7

4.7 (166)

$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

Shanna

Dined 3 days ago

Most flavorful delicious food we’ve had in durham in a while

Fairview Dining Room

4.8

4.8 (1933)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

JenniferVIP

Dined 1 day ago

The Fairview Dining Room is great anytime I want to have a meal with someone. Whether it's a catch up with a friend, meeting, or special occasion to gather, it's always a great experience.

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CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE

Fearrington House Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1829)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

The intimate dining rooms within The Fearrington House Restaurant welcome guests with exceptional service and a seasonally changing menu. Executive Chef Paul Gagne commitment to exceptional farm-to-fork cuisine is woven throughout the dining experience.

From partnerships with local farms, including Harland's Creek Farm in Pittsboro and Lil Farm in Timberlake, to herbs harvested from gardens on the property, to dishes that celebrate North Carolina’s seasons, The Fearrington House’s mission to provide Relais & Chateaux level cuisine and service to guests has remained constant since opening in 1980.

Our menu is complemented by a beverage program featuring an extensive wine list, a full cocktail bar, and beers celebrating North Carolina breweries.

Any Allergies and Food Preferences are to be provided in advance. If not provided, not all requests can be accommodated.

Jackets are requested but not required. We ask that gentlemen remove hats for dinner service.

Top review

OttoVIP

Dined 4 days ago

As always, amazing food, service, ambiance. Thank you!

Kipos Greek Taverna - Chapel Hill

4.7

4.7 (1227)

$30 and under

Greek

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Authentic Greek Taverna. An ode to the recipes of the Bakatsias family. Fresh ingredients right from the garden for brunch & dinner service.

Top review

SHIRLEYVIP

Dined 2 days ago

We ordered everything! And everything was delicious!

Nanas

4.8

4.8 (462)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Liz

Dined 6 days ago

Great experience for my birthday! They really make special occasions feel special. The food was delicious, pasta is a small portion so I’d do as an appetizer. Chicken & lamb was good portion. Great drinks!

Mateo Bar de Tapas

4.8

4.8 (2466)

$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

Megan

Dined 2 days ago

Great atmosphere and wonderful food. Made a delightful birthday celebration setting.

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