Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Elements

4.9

4.9 (2402)

$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

Ellen

Dined 2 days ago

Food was fresh and great. Service was wonderful. Went for a business luncheon and will go again!

Durham - M Sushi

4.9

4.9 (2936)

$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

Mary

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

We loved the chef’s tasting menu! We were sad when the dessert course was served because we were enjoying everything so much. Delicious sushi and beautiful presentation. Highly recommend.

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4.8

4.8 (1431)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Asian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Jujube offers a unique culinary experience to the Triangle that brings Cantonese, Vietnamese, and Indian and Indonesian cuisine infused with the finest Western influenced flavors. We feature an extensive collection of craft beer, a wide variety of wines that elegantly complement our menu, as well as a refreshing assortment of signature cocktails. Escape the ordinary. Come enjoy our social and harmonious environment where Asian themed decor and soft lantern lighting awaits you. In the warmer months, enjoy dining al fresco on our screened patio. At Jujube we aim to bring you an eclectic myriad of tastes in an ambiance that brings together both the beauty of Asian tradition paired with a whimsical modern twist. Curbside Pickup and Dine in daily. Reservations or call ahead strongly encouraged.

Top review

Laura

Dined on Sep 11, 2024

Wonderful service and meal for a special occasion. The back patio is lovely too. And excellent cocktails.

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Popular dish

Jujube Bolognese

Popular dish

Lemongrass Grilled Hanger Steak

Blue Corn Cafe

4.8

4.8 (415)

$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

Karenvip

Dined 6 days ago

Fresh and flavorful. Great meal and look forward to returning.

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4.8

4.8 (574)

$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

Jerry

Dined 6 days ago

a unique restaurant with wonderful tastes and a Top Chef, Savannah Miller, at the helm.

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Experience

M Omakase Tasting Menu

Experience

Kaiseki Omakase Menu

Nomad

4.8

4.8 (321)

$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

Stacey

Dined 6 days ago

We absolutely love going to Nomad! It’s a small local restaurant in a small town. The staff is always friendly. We are greater with enthusiasm and appreciation. We have not been disappointed with any of the menu items. The food is always delicious and served timely. Highly recommend!!

Little Bull

4.8

4.8 (464)

$50 and over

Fusion / Eclectic

Durham

About the restaurant

Little Bull is sincere, nostalgic comfort food, inspired by the palates of first-generation immigrant kids.

Pocho cuisine is not a gimmick. Like Oscar, it’s a little bull-headed, but with no bullshit. It means more than loaded terms like “New American” or “modern Mexican.” And it’s authentic to Chef’s personal experience.

“American food is undefined. But it’s been designated to certain ideas and people. It’s actually evolving, as much as our landscape is a melting pot. As much as my own identity as a first-generation American and chef.”

Pocho started as a term used by people in Mexico to poke fun at the “American” kids who speak Spanglish. At Little Bull, pocho cuisine showcases the evolution of being a chef in America, inspired by every immigrant and their growing influence on our food.

Top review

Joanvip

Dined 2 days ago

What a pleasant surprise to find this tapas restaurant just north of downtown Durham. The food was fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. My dining companion and I shared 4 small plates, which was more than enough food. Based on what we saw being served at other tables, you can't go wrong with any choice on the menu.

Krill

4.7

4.7 (396)

$30 and under

Pan-Asian

Durham

About the restaurant

Welcome to Krill, where the vibrant atmosphere sets the mood for bold Southeast Asian flavors. Executive Chef/ Partner, Jason Lawless' Southeast Asian-inspired dishes are served with fun, funky twists, paired alongside fresh, creative cocktails and a thoughtfully curated sake and wine program. Krill offers a theatrical setting that is signature to all Giorgios Hospitality Group restaurants- from the lemongrass and outdoor bamboo garden to the giant lanterns and colorful murals by local artist, Arianne Hemlein. Expect fresh, seasonal, local ingredients and house-made sauces and pastes. Looking forward to hosting you for some Far East flavors without boundaries!

“Bringing the food and culture of Southeast Asia and its coastal regions to life in a very funky and playful ‘Far East funk’ sort of way.” -Giorgios Bakatsias

Top review

Kevin

Dined on Aug 29, 2024

They were great... In every regard... Best, Kevin

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4.6

4.6 (267)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Eater. Dishes you’ve long loved served alongside dishes you’ve never heard of make our ever-changing menu an adventure you’ll want to embark on often. Our wine list is as varied as our food, and every one of our cocktails has been created just for Bombolo by our mixologist.

Top review

Talvip

Dined on Sep 9, 2024

The starters and mains were excellent as usual! Such wonderfully complex and balanced flavors. We always enjoy our meals at Bombolo!

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Experience

Italian Wine Dinner with Dandelion Wines

Counting House

4.2

4.2 (1510)

$31 to $50

Seafood

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 5 days ago

Everyone there was extremely friendly and professional, from the hostess, bartender and servers. All the meals we got were excellently prepared with only one small exception. Our daughter got the shrimp and grits and although she said it tasted great, the shrimp still had the shells on the tails. Since it was cooked in a tomato based liquid, it made it difficult to remove the shells without making a mess. Other than that, it was a truly nice evening where we were made to feel very comfortable with good food and drinks.

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