Durham is the “Tastiest Town in the South”

In 2013, Southern Living Magazine announced that Durham, over competitors like New Orleans and Charleston, had earned the title “Tastiest Town in the South,” a distinction driven by the votes of thousands of dedicated fans. From fine dining to innovative food trucks to ethnic establishments, over fifty of Durham’s more than seven hundred restaurants receive attention and praise from national media.

The Durham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau compiled local “Best of” lists from Durham’s daily newspaper, The Herald-Sun, and the weekly newspaper, Indy Week, to put together a list of local restaurant favorites.

Best African Cuisine: The Palace International

Best Bakery: Guglhupf Artisan Bakery
Featured in The Daily Meal and The New York Times for its local, seasonal, and German cuisine.

Best Barista: Bean Traders

Best BBQ: The Original Q-Shack or The Pit Authentic BBQ

Best Beer and Draft Selection: Tyler’s Restaurant and Taproom and The SpeakEasy

“Tyler’s Taproom is a must,” raved Metro News Canada. Tyler’s serves traditional pub fare like burgers and sandwiches and offer sixty craft and specialty beers on tap.

Best Biscuits: Rise Biscuits and Donuts
Tasting Table called the doughnuts a “worthy indulgence,” and Food and Wine named Rise’s biscuits among the “Best Biscuits in the US.”

Best Burger: Bull City Burger and Brewery
Southern Living knows that “Bull City takes its locally sourced agenda seriously.” Almost everything is locally grown and made in house.

Best Business Lunch: Mez Contemporary Mexican

Best Caribbean or Cuban: Old Havana Sandwich Shop

Two meat cleavers with Chef's hats on the handles crossed

Best Catering: Durham Catering Company

Best Chinese: Neo-China Restaurant

Best Food Truck: Chirba Chirba Dumpling
In Mandarin Chinese, Chirba Chirba means “eat eat!” This truck was the subject of the television show, My Family Recipe, and customers love to chow down on the dumplings, bun, and dim sum they offer.

Best French: Vin Rouge
A French bistro with provincial cooking and an extensive wine selection with Wine Spector’s Award of Excellence as well as a nod in The Wall Street Journal.

Best Fries: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Best Frozen Dessert: The Parlour

Best Greek: Spartacus Restaurant

Best Grilled Cheese: American Meltdown
Cosmopolitan dubbed it, “a meal [they’ll] drool over” and Food Republic said, “Whoever believes that there is no such thing as a gourmet grilled cheese needs to take a trip to American Meltdown.” Melted cheese sandwiches are served on fresh, locally baked breads.

Best Indian Cuisine: Sitar Indian Cuisine

Best Italian: Pop’s Backdoor Pizza and Calzones South

Best Karaoke/Open Mic: The Pinhook

Best Kept Secret: Monuts Donuts
According to The New York Times, Monuts Donuts makes “sublime” hand-crafted, seasonally and locally inspired donuts.

Best Known: Nana’s
Nana’s serves Southern regional cuisine with Italian and French influences. Winner of an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.

Best Local Brewery and Neighborhood Bar: Fullsteam Brewery

Best Mexican/Latin American: Dos Perros

Bennett Point Grill Sign with large Finned fish in the center

Best Mom and Pop: Bennett Point Grill and Bar

Best New Restaurant: Pompieri Pizza

Mellow Mushroom Durham with mushroom character holding a slice of pizza

Best Outdoor Dining: Mellow Mushroom

Best Pizza: Pizzeria Toro
Tasting Table loved the thin crust pizza made in a wood-fired oven in an open kitchen.

Best Place to Hear Country, Bluegrass, Jazz, or Blues: The Blue Note Grill

Best Salad: Saladelia Cafe

Best Sandwich: Toast at Five Points
Italian sandwich shop featuring, “prompt, friendly service” (The New York Times) and “inventive crostini” (Food and Wine).

Best Place to Salsa Dance: Cuban Revolution Restaurant and Bar

Saltbox Seafood Joint Sign Established 2012

Best Seafood: Saltbox Seafood Joint
With daily-caught fish that “bristles with freshness,” Saveur Magazine raved that it “fulfills our wildest fantasies of what a takeout fish shack can be.”

Best Sports Bar: Tobacco Road Sports Cafe

Shiki Asian Bistro Sushi & Bar Southpoint, Durham Sign

Best Sushi: Shiki Sushi Asian Bistro

Best Thai: Thai Café

Best Trivia Night: Bull McCabe’s Irish Pub

Best Wine: Six Plates Wine Bar

Best Wings: Buffalo Wild Wings

Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast is proud to be part of the Durham, North Carolina community. The wonderful people of Durham voted these as some of the best local restaurants around. Remember, Morehead Manor guests enjoy a delicious full gourmet breakfast each morning.

There is so much to see and do as well as explore and taste! From art to theater, sports to shopping, and gardens to historic tours. Fortunately, Morehead Manor Bed and Breakfast is open all year round. We enjoy extending our friendly Southern hospitality to each one of their guests. Visitors are always welcome at Morehead Manor!

The YouTube video below was produced by DukeSanford School

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