Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated July 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

The Springwood

4.9

4.9 (663)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Whitby

About the restaurant

The Springwood can be summed up effectively as a neighborhood restaurant, whose values, regarding the menu, focus greatly on locally sourced ingredients, hyper-seasonality, regenerative farming practices and minimizing waste.

The restaurant is the brainchild of local entrepreneurs Matthew Simpson (Chef) and Jasmine Lee (General Manager). Partners in business and in life since 2007.

To further their knowledge of the Hospitality industry they made their way to Downtown Toronto, where they were able to hone their crafts working in upscale and well-known restaurants for nine years. The end goal was always assured though, that they would come back to the town that gave them their start and help bring a special space to the place that they grew up.

As you make your way inside, you will be met with warm wood, lush plant life and funky art deco accents. We want this space to feel as though you are stepping into our home and we welcome you all to Come Over for Dinner.

Top review

Diane

Dined 6 days ago

Creative menu; excellent service. Overall great experience. The tasting menu was amazing!

12welve Bistro & Tapwerks

4.8

4.8 (1047)

CAN$30 and under

Bistro

Whitby

About the restaurant

Whether a brewmaster burger by day or a Wagyu steak on a Friday night, 12welve Bistro will offer a dining experience like no other in Durham.

Our menu caters to all cuisine including steak, seafood, pasta and pub fare while being sensitive to vegan and vegetarian offerings. Gluten free options are available.

From beers brewed on site to wines from around the world, to hand crafted spirits made with the freshest of ingredients, 12welve will focus on the true meaning of date night, get togethers with friends and special celebrations featuring live music select weekends.

Top review

Jessica

Dined 3 days ago

I went for brunch to celebrate my 35th birthday with friends. We looooooved the food!!!! It was great. We will definitely be coming back

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Chimichurri Steak Salad

Urban Pantry

4.8

4.8 (689)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Uxbridge

About the restaurant

Urban Pantry is a contemporary Canadian, farm to table restaurant located in the town of Uxbridge, Ontario.
Serving locally-sourced and sustainable dishes in a mix of casual and fine dining. Dine with us indoors or on our outdoor patio.

A Feast On™ Certified Ontario restaurant; a criteria based program which recognizes businesses committed to showcasing Ontario’s unique taste of place.

Voted Best Fine Dining Restaurant in Durham Region ( 2021 Reader's Choice Diamond Awards ).

Top review

DannyVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Such a great dinner last night. Friendly place With awesome servers.

Bella Notte Ristorante

4.8

4.8 (1436)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Italian

Whitby

About the restaurant

Experience the essence of Italian cuisine and culture as we prepare and serve you genuine, exquisite dishes in a traditional comfortable setting.

Top review

Peter

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent as always. Love this place and would recommend it to anyone.

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Popular dish

Caesar Salad Bella Notte

Popular dish

Apple Pie Bella Notte

Popular dish

Lasagna

Bistro 67

4.6

4.6 (1821)

CAN$31 to CAN$50

Canadian

Whitby

About the restaurant

Bistro '67 offers guests a memorable field-to-fork dining experience within Durham College's award-winning Centre for Food (CFF), where community, local agriculture and learning come together. Bistro '67 is also a recipient of the Feast On designation in recognition of our support for local food and beverage.

Top review

Jim

Dined on Jul 2, 2025

Great service and loved having an interesting salad. I’m vegetarian and would have loved perhaps grilled tofu to add to my salad to get some protein lives having decaf latte. Love your new menu.

Jack Astor's - Whitby

4.6

4.6 (220)

CAN$30 and under

Canadian

Whitby

About the restaurant

Our mission? Great people helping other great people totally have a blast while enjoying amazing food. Wow, that was a mouthful. But can you blame us? We’re a restaurant. One that specializes in delicious food and great times. Our goal is to make you laugh. And depending on your hot sauce tolerance, cry.

In all seriousness, we take real pride in our food. Try our Cluckin’ Fresh Chicken Fingers, made and seasoned with fresh, never frozen chicken tenders. This isn’t run-of-the-mill pub grub. Our Band of Chefs are influenced by a wide variety of tastes and have travelled across the globe to gain inspiration.

But outside of the kitchen, we find it hard to take ourselves seriously. We have an Elvis booth. For no particular reason. Folks, that really does say it all. We’re sports fanatics, music nuts and love a good joke. If you’re into at least one of those things, we should hang out.

Top review

JuliaVIP

Dined on Jul 2, 2025

We decided to stop by the restaurant on Canada Day and were very pleased! They gave us a cozy and charming table with sofa seating - it was comfortable and pleasant to be there. The service was excellent: we were served by Luke, who was very polite, attentive, and friendly - thank you to him for the great care. The food was a solid four - tasty and nicely presented, though there’s still a bit of room for improvement. Overall, it was a lovely evening and we left with a great impression!

One Eyed Jack - Oshawa

4.6

4.6 (47)

CAN$30 and under

Grill

Oshawa

About the restaurant

Our menu is prepared with locally sourced ingredients ensuring we deliver the highest quality product. If you are in the mood to enjoy casual-fine dining and exceptional food in a stylish art deco setting.

Top review

Laurie

Dined on Jun 14, 2025

Saturday afternoon on the patio was very nice! Unfortunately, I think the restaurant was short-staffed when we were there. Food was very good, service was good as well just we didn’t get much attention. Drinks were brought then meal came fairly quick but the waitress/server didn’t come back very often, and it wasn’t for her lack of trying but due to having many tables to serve that day. I will go back again!

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Experience

$12 Cocktails all Day (2oz)

Experience

$9 after 9pm Menu & Drinks

Experience

Daily Specials

Pickle Barrel - Pickering

4.4

4.4 (72)

CAN$30 and under

Unspecified

Ajax

About the restaurant

Located in Pickering, ON, across from Pickering Town Centre; the Pickle Barrel is a renowned restaurant that caters to families and large groups alike. From hearty brunch options to delectable steaks, pastas, and burgers, our extensive menu offers something for every palate. Join us for a delightful happy hour experience featuring a selection of wines, beers, and appetizers. Our restaurant's welcoming atmosphere is perfect for special occasions like birthdays, showers or corporate events. Make your reservations today to enjoy our mouthwatering salads, bowls packed with flavor, and of course, our famous deli. Discover why we are the go-to spot in Pickering for delicious food in a family-friendly setting with top-notch service that will leave you coming back for more.

Top review

Mary

Dined on Jun 4, 2025

The value for the money was good. The restaurant was a bit noisy, considering it was lunchtime, and it was very cold temperature wise. .

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Experience

Kids Eat FREE* every Tuesday!

Ted Reader - The Joint

4.2

4.2 (19)

CAN$30 and under

Barbecue

Whitby

About the restaurant

Ted Reader BBQ, also known as "The Joint," is renowned as the 'Godfather of the Grill.' Ted's charismatic personality and bold approach to cooking have propelled him to success as an award-winning chef, author, food entertainer, product developer, innovator, and professor in the culinary world.

Top review

Edward

Dined on Jun 20, 2025

A very nice barbecue spot with seats inside and outside. Parking lot is a bit crowded due to competition with the 9 hole golf course.

Symposium Cafe Restaurant Ajax

3.9

3.9 (37)

CAN$30 and under

Comfort Food

Whitby

About the restaurant

Think gourmet comfort food in a stylish space. Come in and enjoy the distinctive and inviting casual atmosphere of Symposium Ajax. The guest focussed service and extensive menu options make Symposium a top-rated favourite restaurant in the Durham community. Open 7 days a week–early mornings to late nights – offering full-service breakfast & brunch; as well as lunch and dinner menus with tasty sharing appetizers, delicious seafood, hearty pastas, healthy salads, vegetarian dishes, and of course famous mouth-watering desserts. Complement your meal with the beer & wine selection, signature martinis and ginger beer mules. Symposium Ajax is the perfect restaurant spot for parties and group celebrations, with a different special every day of the week including Date Night Thursdays and Kids Eat Free Sundays.

Top review

June

Dined on Jun 15, 2025

We really enjoyed the food and the patio. We'll be coming back.

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