The Best of Durham

You may be wondering why I’m sharing “The Best of Durham” during the week of Thanksgiving. Well, it just so happens to be associated with one of the many reasons I’m thankful this year! My husband is in graduate school at Duke’s Fuqua School of Business, and this is our second and last year we get to call this wonderful place home. I am truly thankful for the opportunities this place has given us. From meeting new people from all around the world, to finding new job opportunities, to making lifelong friends, to living on the East Coast, to being Duke basketball season ticket holders (can’t forget those), the list goes on and on!
As a sign of my gratitude to this awesome city, I’m sharing the BEST of what I’ve found thus far while living in Durham in hopes that you’ll visit someday too. I think you’ll be surprised to see just how many “BESTS” I have listed below. Happy Thanksgiving and happy traveling!
EATS:
BEST ITALIAN | Mothers & Sons Trattoria.

BEST “LOCAL FEEL” SPOT | Geer Street Garden, while casual and unassuming in an old gas station, produces some great food and refreshing cocktails. H|B tip: Don’t miss their nightly specials or the Fried Chicken & Arugula Salad.
BEST PIZZA | Pizzeria Toro, hands down.
BEST TEX-MEX | This one is tough as Durham doesn’t have any upscale Mexican or Tex-Mex spots worth writing home about, so I’ll have to give this title to the “fresh and fast” NanaTaco. H|B tidbit: You can find me here at least once a week enjoying their tacos and a $5 House Margarita.

BEST SUSHI | M Sushi, where you definitely won’t feel like you’re in Durham, North Carolina.
BEST ASIAN | Juju, a 9th street spot serving delicious Asian tapas and dishes – think pork belly steamed buns and duck fat fried rice.

BEST CASUAL BRUNCH | Monuts. H|B tip: Stick it out even if the line is super long, and be sure to order at least one cake donut, one yeast donut and one breakfast biscuit for the full experience.
BEST CASUAL LUNCH | Parker & Otis, a restaurant and gift shop where I find myself spending way too much time!

BEST FANCY BRUNCH | Vin Rouge or Watt’s Grocery.
BEST FAST-CASUAL | Sandwiches: Lucky’s Deli, Southern: GRUB, Salads/Bowls: Happy + Hale, BBQ: Q-Shack, Venezuelan: Guasaca

BEST SCOOP | The Parlour. H|B tip: While most flavors are seasonal, be sure to try the Salted Butter Caramel if it’s on the menu and top it with homemade brownie bits. Trust me.
BEST INDULGENCE | Anything and everything from Rose’s Meat Market & Sweet Shop: ice cream sandwiches, hand pies, chocolate ganache tarts and more!

SIPS:
BEST COFFEE | Joe Van Gogh.
BEST ROOFTOP BAR | The Durham Hotel Rooftop.

BEST SUNDOWNER | The Washington Duke Inn back patio overlooking the golf course.
BEST HOLE IN THE WALL BAR | Bar Virgile and be sure to order an old fashioned.
BEST DAY DRINKING | Bull McCabes or Ponysaurus Brewing Co.

BEST BREWERY | While Durham is bustling with breweries these days (read more on beer scene here), Fullsteam Brewery remains my top choice!
BEST DISTILLERY | Durham Distillery recently ranked #2 Craft Gin Distillery in the US. H|B tip: Reserve a tour and tasting and be sure to leave with a bottle of their Conniption gin.

ACTIVE:
BEST WALK | Around Duke’s beautiful campus. H|B tip: Be sure to pop into The Duke University Chapel, grab a meal at the impressive Brodhead Center and see if an alumni member can tour you through Cameron Indoor Stadium and its adjoining Duke Basketball Museum & Sports Hall of Fame.

BEST JOG | Al Buehler Trail, a hilly 3 mile trail that loops around The Washington Duke golf course where you can find me most days!
BEST HIKE | Durham is surprisingly surrounded by tons of hiking trails! Check out trails in the Duke Forest and Eno River State Park.

ETCETERA:
BEST MUSEUM | The Nasher.
BEST MARKET | The Durham Farmer’s Market, open year round on Saturday mornings and on Wednesday afternoons during the Spring and Summer.
BEST GARDEN | Sarah P. Duke Gardens.

A few spots still on my list before we leave Durham next summer: The Lakewood, Saint James and Gocciolina.
Noticed a spot missing on my list? Let me know where else I need to go in Durham and the surrounding areas before we leave!
XO, HUTTON B.