Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.9

4.9 (860)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Durham

About the restaurant

The 125-seat indoor/outdoor Nasher Cafe overlooks the garden and sits adjacent to the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen "Corridor Pin" sculpture, providing a serene and beautiful ambience. The Nasher Cafe offers local and sustainable products forged into creative lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Guests can experience a world class museum as well as restaurant in one stop.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on May 8, 2025

I’ve had lunch here twice and both times the service and food has been excellent.

Discover more

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (137)

$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

Sam

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

The food was great and the service was excellent overall, however when we arrived the first thing the host told us was that there was another reservation at 8 pm behind us but, “that leaves you plenty of time” (Our reservation was at 6:30 pm for 6 people). This made us feel a bit rushed and the comment felt unnecessary. Managing overbookings is the responsibility of the restaurant not the guest. Our server on the other hand was excellent and never brought up the time and the food was great.

Nikos

4.8

4.8 (522)

$31 to $50

Greek

Durham

About the restaurant

NIKOS offers a treasure trove of flavors distilled from Greece and the surrounding regions — spanning from the southern coast of Crete to the north of Mount Athos, and from the Ionian islands to the Aegean Sea.

We invite you to embark on a culinary journey that encompasses health, wisdom, dreams, passions, and the timeless pursuit of ideas that transcend boundaries.
Regular hours may be different during holidays weekend.

Top review

RomaVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We had a wonderful brunch at Nikos. The calamari is amazing. Our server Athena was very sweet and gave us exceptional service.

Discover more

Experience

Opa! Hour @ The Nikos Bar

Seraphine

4.8

4.8 (685)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

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

Top review

KarenVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Every dish was absolutely delicious. From the small plates to the salad to the main course. And the key lime pie was best ever! I can rarely say that absolutely everything I ordered was a peak culinary experience but I can say it here. Can’t wait to go back.

Local 22 Kitchen and Bar

4.7

4.7 (1091)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

A Southern-accented gastropub with a strong local focus.

Top review

PeterVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Food and drinks were great. The servers are friendly and efficient. It’s a small indoor dining area, so it can be loud, not that I minded that.

Osteria Georgi

4.7

4.7 (1016)

$31 to $50

Italian

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Giorgios Bakatsias' inspiration behind his newest concept, Osteria Georgi, stems from a deep appreciation for his dear friend- the late, great George Tarantini, an Italian native and beloved soccer coach for NC state University, well-known for his love and respect for hospitality.

Osteria reflects the passion behind Italian cuisine and culture-
a daily celebration of life while gathering around a shared table, of enjoying the beauty in simply prepared hand-made pasta, locally sourced ingredients and vibrant flavors, in having gratitude for the local farmers, fisherman, and artisans from which it all came, and always- a love for great company.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined 5 days ago

Service and food were AMAZING!!!!! We will be back!!

Kipos Greek Taverna - Chapel Hill

4.7

4.7 (1239)

$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

Mark

Dined 4 days ago

Our party of four was initially seated inside, right by the musician playing wonderful Greek music. It was too loud for us old folks so we asked if we could eat outside. They accommodated us beautifully, and the service was excellent. We opted for a selection of small plates to share. Our server made several very helpful suggestions. We especially enjoyed the calamari, octopus, and braised lamb. We split the walnut cake with yogurt and berries; the perfect finish to a delicious meal.

Carolina Brewery - Pittsboro

4.6

4.6 (122)

$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

DebbieVIP

Dined on Apr 29, 2025

Great food and service. Friendly server. My family loves the specials menu. Today we had the chicken soup and burger.

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery

4.0

4 (75)

$30 and under

Gastro Pub

Durham

About the restaurant

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery is a veteran and woman owned business located in the heart of Durham’s Innovation District. Using only the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, ou scratch kitchen serves your favorite American Classics as well as regional favorites. This is not just your average pub menu! The Flying Bull proves that craft beer and elevated cuisine are a perfect pairing. We also offer an extensive wine list and full service cocktail bar. Looking to host a special event for business or family occasion? Our large beer hall is the perfect solution. Prix fixe full menu or catered hors d’oeuvres available.

Whether you’re looking for a meal with family or friends before the theatre, business or date night, or even a little Latin music with your beverage, our friendly and courteous staff will make sure your visit is a wonderful experience.

Top review

Bravesfan

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

Our family ate at Flying Bull to celebrate Father’s Day. We had the best brunch! We ordered Joel’s breakfast, the kitchen sink, breakfast burrito(waiter recommended moray sauce on the side which was perfect) and the portobello panini. We all cleaned our plates! The beers we ordered were also delicious. Great atmosphere, service and food. We will be back!

Tony Roma's - Durham

3.3

3.3 (131)

$30 and under

American

Durham

About the restaurant

Tony Roma's, Legendary for Ribs. Famous for So Much More. Tony Roma's offers a wide variety of culinary deliciousness in a casual dining atmosphere. Join us for our World Famous Baby Back Ribs, steaks and more. Let’s get saucy!

Top review

Barbara

Dined on May 11, 2025

The restaurant was clean and the food was fantastic. The service was good also.

Explore Diners' Choice best of Durham

Explore more Diners' Choice lists