Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated February 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!

Fearrington House Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (1815)

$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

Bob

Dined 5 days ago

This place is run and feels like an exquisite symphony. Everything was perfection. We had a few wines that I will remember for a very long time. So many personal touches too in celebration of my birthday. Personalized menus signed by the chef and a goodie bag of beautiful chocolates and a couple jellies. Really an incredible experience that will stay with me for a very long time.

Nomad

4.8

4.8 (349)

$30 and under

Global, International

Hillsborough

About the restaurant

Nomad delivers traditional ethnic dishes and craft cocktails with a unique spin, all in a cozy, rustic interior. It’s a modern neighborhood spot that lets you travel the world without leaving Hillsborough.
You may find yourself nestled at Nomad for the entire night, enjoying the atmosphere, the noteworthy dishes and the multi-layered drinks.
In the hands of the locally based, welcoming owners, Nomad brings a diverse dining experience to the Hillsborough area that has yet to be seen.

*Tables are limited to 1 hour and 30 minutes*

Top review

CaseyVIP

Dined on Feb 3, 2025

Food was great, outdoor patio was great, staff was friendly, good value - well worth a visit. It’s not that often that a restaurant that is cooking multiple dishes from different nationalities can pull it off and I would say they’re doing it pretty well.

Kipos Greek Taverna - Chapel Hill

4.8

4.8 (1136)

$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

WilliamVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Special menu items (shrimp, meatballs, flounder) were excellent.

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4.8

4.8 (1894)

$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

Margaret

Dined 7 days ago

We think the Fairview Dining Room has the best ambiance of any restaurant in the Durham. They cook fresh fish beautifully. I always order the fresh catch or salmon. Their rolls are also excellent!

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CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE

Vin Rouge

4.8

4.8 (4573)

$31 to $50

French

Durham

About the restaurant

Vin rouge is a French Bistro. We focus on classic preparations served in a true bistro atmosphere. We have beautiful patio and garden areas for those who prefer to dine outside. Please indicate your preference for dining inside or out. We look forward to cooking for you soon!

Top review

Elizabeth

Dined 4 days ago

Vin Rouge is a favorite! Each time we come to the area, we make a reservation and are never disappointed. Delicious and fun!

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Experience

Valentine's Day 2025

Seraphine

4.9

4.9 (589)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Michael

Dined 5 days ago

Service was awesome. Just the right amount of attention.

Durham - M Sushi

4.9

4.9 (3024)

$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

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

Food was excellent. Presentation fantastic, and the service exceptional All around top shelf , pricey, but worth it

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4.7

4.7 (3329)

$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

BethVIP

Dined 6 days ago

The food was outstanding and we had a nice quiet table at the side of the main room. Chris was a great waiter!

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Rhone Valley Wine Dinner

Aaktun Coffee + Bar

4.7

4.7 (79)

$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

Alejandra

Dined 2 days ago

Food was good - nothing to rave about. Service was exceptional. They have a DJ and it was a bit lout for me, but some ppl like that.

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (108)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

JennyVIP

Dined 6 days ago

Our favorite pizza in town! Love the thin, crispy crust and the size is perfect for one person. We always save room for gelato (tip: cafe de leche is to die for).

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