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Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best overall restaurants 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!

A photo of M Pocha restaurant

4.8

4.8 (411)

$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

P

Pat

Dined on Sep 3, 2024

We had a great experience at M Pocha. The food was fresh and tasty and well prepared. We sat at the bar and had very good service. The Trout Larb Pa was our favorite!

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A photo of Spicy Pork Buns of a restaurant

Spicy Pork Buns

A photo of Nasi Goreng of a restaurant

A photo of Shrimp Toast of a restaurant

A photo of M Tempura restaurant

4.9

4.9 (572)

$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

E

Ericavip

Dined 2 days ago

Every dish in the kaiseki tasting menu was exquisite. Perfectly paced meal with exceptional service.

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M Omakase Tasting Menu

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

A photo of Durham - M Sushi restaurant

Durham - M Sushi

4.9

4.9 (2934)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Durham

About the restaurant

M Sushi is triangles first dedicated sushi and seafood restaurant. We concentrate on raw and cold applications of fresh exotic seafood as well as cooked and vegetarian courses utilizing the same high quality ingredients. We are creating simple and traditional sushi cuisine with Peruvian and Spanish influences. We are the only restaurant in NC to make the Opentable top 100 restaurants in 2021.

Top review

B

Becca

Dined 2 days ago

This was the most fun and enriching dining experience. The food is incredible and the service was immaculate! Will definitely be back!

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A photo of Nigiri Sushi of a restaurant

A photo of Nigiri of a restaurant

A photo of Tuna of a restaurant

A photo of Elements restaurant

4.9

4.9 (2400)

$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

L

Lisavip

Dined on Sep 4, 2024

I had lunch with two friends. One ordered the pork tenderloin, one the salad with shrimp, and I had the naked Wagyu burger. They were all delicious. The atmosphere was lovely -warm, inviting, and quiet. I'll definitely go back.

A photo of Cucciolo Osteria Durham restaurant

Cucciolo Osteria Durham

4.8

4.8 (1581)

$31 to $50

Italian

Durham

About the restaurant

Cousins Jimmy and Julian Kim welcome you to Cucciolo Osteria Durham! A sister restaurant to the original Cucciolo Osteria in Seoul, Korea, offering modern Italian cuisine with a twist.

We are located in the same building as the Amtrak train station, just opposite side, next to West End Wine Bar.

Top review

K

Kelly

Dined 7 days ago

My 4th time there. Food and service were great, as before. This, and Osteria Georgi in Chapel Hill are, the best Italian restaurants in the area, in my opinion.

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A photo of Linguine alla Vongole of a restaurant

Linguine alla Vongole

A photo of Butter Chicken 'Sostanza' Style of a restaurant

Butter Chicken 'Sostanza' Style

A photo of Tiramisu of a restaurant

A photo of Blue Corn Cafe restaurant

4.8

4.8 (414)

$31 to $50

Latin American

Durham

About the restaurant

Blue Corn Cafe has been serving the Triangle area since 1997. We offer a locally sourced twist on Latin American cuisine. Our passion for locally sourced food and beverage has allowed us to offer our unique twist on Latin and South American recipes. Both owners Danielle and Antonio Rios have a passion on bringing their culture to your table with unique quality products.
Our warm atmosphere and kind servers make you feel comfortable upon entering and that is only where it begins. We look forward to serving you. Prevecho!

Top review

R

Rosevip

Dined on Sep 2, 2024

BCC never disappoints. The food is always delicious (don't skip the chips n' queso, but save room for the Ropa Vieja! The service is always excellent. We brought out-of-town family here for lunch on Labor Day, and they were impressed! Plus, this is one of the few places you can find open on Mondays at lunchtime that takes reservations.

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A photo of Seafood Paella of a restaurant

A photo of Blue Corn Paella of a restaurant

Blue Corn Paella

A photo of Blue Corn Quesadilla of a restaurant

Blue Corn Quesadilla

A photo of The Sycamore at Chatham Mills restaurant

The Sycamore at Chatham Mills

4.8

4.8 (48)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Fine dining in a historic brick-and-wood setting with soaring ceilings and windows. Featuring hand-cut USDA prime and dry-aged steaks selected just for us. Poultry, fish, game and vegetarian dishes are offered alongside a full bar serving classic and contemporary cocktails. Enjoy the cozy ambiance of our lounge with fireplace and try out our lounge plates on Lounge Thursday, where most of our lounge offerings are $10! An a la carte menu is also offered. Live piano accompaniment Tuesday through Saturday evenings, with jazz bands performing on Wednesdays.

NOTE: For parties larger than 6 please call us at 919 704-8731. Email addresses may be used to receive occasional updates.

Top review

B

Bob

Dined 3 days ago

We went on a Wednesday jazz night. The band was excellent, as was the decor and food. We ate from a less expensive bar menu. The salad was spectacular.

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A photo of Bourbon, Whiskey, and Tapas Dinner (50% Deposit) of a restaurant

Bourbon, Whiskey, and Tapas Dinner (50% Deposit)

A photo of Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro restaurant

Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro

4.7

4.7 (91)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Carolina Brewery is a brewpub located in Pittsboro, North Carolina that specializes in serving craft beers and American pub fare. The restaurant features a lively atmosphere with a full bar, patio and numerous televisions broadcasting sporting events. Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro serves lunch and dinner daily and offers a variety of menu items made using fresh, in season fruits and vegetables and locally raised beef. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of starters, soups, salads, sandwiches, burgers, typical pub fare and desserts. Featured entrées at Carolina Brewery in Pittsboro include chicken mac and cheese, down East BBQ plate, crab cakes, shrimp and grits and fish and chips.

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

ZOE was awesome and very attentive to our needs always with a smile on her face! She made some wonderful food and beer suggestions. It was our 1st time there and we will go back.

A photo of Seraphine restaurant

4.8

4.8 (453)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

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

Top review

OT

OpenTable Diner

Dined 4 days ago

I loved it. Will definitely be coming back again l. Food and service was great

A photo of Juju Durham restaurant

4.8

4.8 (2300)

$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

S

Sharivip

Dined 3 days ago

Always an outstanding experience. Love the melange of flavors.

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A photo of NC Shrimp Dumplings of a restaurant

NC Shrimp Dumplings

A photo of Chocolate Mousse Peanut Butter Cup of a restaurant

Chocolate Mousse Peanut Butter Cup

A photo of Mushroom Curry Soup of a restaurant

Mushroom Curry Soup

Explore Diners' Choice best of Durham

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