5 Best Restaurants in Downtown, Durham NC
Updated 11 October 2026 · 47 restaurants in Downtown, Durham NC considered · Ranked from Google ratings
This list covers five restaurants in downtown Durham NC, ranked by Google rating with extra weight given to places that have collected more reviews. It is written for visitors and residents who want a short list of well-reviewed options near the center of the city. The pool of 47 qualifying businesses was filtered for listed ratings and review volume before ranking. Each entry shows the category, hours, price range where Google provides one, and themes that reviewers repeat. The order follows the ranking only and does not reflect a personal visit.
#1
Barsa New Indian
★ 4.7 (1,066 Google reviews)Modern Indian restaurant
Representative photo, not of this business.
Barsa New Indian is on West Morgan Street in downtown Durham, rated 4.7 on Google from 1,066 reviews. The restaurant is closed on Mondays and runs lunch and dinner service on the other days. Diners who wrote reviews point to the chicken tikka masala and the cauliflower and paneer starters, and they praise attentive service at the table. The listing includes wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance, seating and restroom. Google does not show a price range.
Best for: Modern Indian dinner with attentive service
- Address
- 105 W Morgan St Ste 100, Durham, NC 27701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–10:30 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–10:30 pm; Sun 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm; Thu 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm; Tue 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm; Wed 11 am–2 pm, 4:30–9:30 pm
#2
Nikos
★ 4.7 (992 Google reviews)Greek restaurant$30–90 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
On the BrightLeaf Square side of West Main Street, Nikos is a Greek restaurant with a 4.7 Google rating from 992 reviews and a listed price range of $30 to $90. It is closed on Tuesdays and open for dinner most other nights, with weekend lunch as well. Reviewers mention the saganaki, the halloumi boats and a phyllo dessert, along with warm welcomes. Google lists outdoor seating, a private dining room and a solid wine list.
Best for: Greek small plates and a private room
- Address
- BrightLeaf Square, 905 W Main St Unit 21B, Durham, NC 27701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 5–10 pm; Mon 5–9 pm; Sat 11 am–3 pm, 5–10 pm; Sun 11 am–3 pm, 5–9 pm; Thu 5–9 pm; Tue Closed; Wed 5–9 pm
#3
Hutchins Garage
★ 4.7 (866 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant$10–20 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Hutchins Garage is a pizza spot on West Geer Street with a 4.7 Google rating from 866 reviews and a listed price range of $10 to $20. Hours run from late afternoon into the evening, and it is closed on Mondays. Reviewers single out the hot honey pizza and the kale and fennel pizza, and several say the pies arrive quickly. Some noted that the table barcode ordering system changed the feel of the visit.
Best for: Quick pizza with delivery and beer
- Address
- 402 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 4–10 pm; Mon Closed; Sat 11:30 am–10 pm; Sun 11:30 am–9 pm; Thu 4–9 pm; Tue 4–9 pm; Wed 4–9 pm
#4
Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar
★ 4.6 (3,337 Google reviews)Mexican restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar is a Mexican restaurant on Ramseur Street with a 4.6 Google rating from 3,337 reviews. Google lists a price range of $20 to $30 and hours that run late on Fridays and Saturdays. Reviewers mention live music heard from the outdoor area, elevated entrees and a seasoned chip they liked. Some describe the dining room as crowded and loud on busy nights.
Best for: Late Mexican entrees and cocktails
- Address
- 706 Ramseur St, Durham, NC 27701, United States
- Hours
- Fri 11 am–2 am; Mon 11 am–10 pm; Sat 11 am–2 am; Sun 11 am–10 pm; Thu 11 am–10:30 pm; Tue 11 am–10 pm; Wed 11 am–10 pm
#5
Pizzeria Toro
★ 4.6 (2,407 Google reviews)Pizza restaurant$20–30 per person
Representative photo, not of this business.
Pizzeria Toro is a pizza restaurant on East Chapel Hill Street rated 4.6 on Google from 2,407 reviews, with a listed price range of $20 to $30. It is open every day from 11 am to 11 pm. Reviewers describe the open oven, the freshness of the pizza and a wine and beer selection. Dishes mentioned include the Tuscan kale salad, ricotta dumplings and zeppoles. One reviewer said the staff handled a large group well.
Best for: Fresh wood-fired pizza with wine
- Address
- 105 E Chapel Hill St, Durham, NC 27701, United States
- Hours
- daily 11 am–11 pm
How we made this list
We looked at 47 restaurants in Downtown, Durham NC with a Google rating of 4.0 or higher and at least 20 reviews, then ranked by Google rating, weighted by how many people left one. A rating from thousands of reviews counts for more than the same rating from a handful, so a new place with a few perfect scores does not jump the queue. Ratings and hours are from public Google listings on 11 October 2026 and can change. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Tips before you go
- Nikos and Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar take reservations, useful on weekend evenings.
- Hours and prices come from Google listings and change, so check the listing before a long trip.
Frequently asked questions
Which is the highest-rated restaurant on this list?
Barsa New Indian ranks first, with a Google rating of 4.7 from 1,066 reviews. Nikos is second at 4.7 from 992 reviews.
Which restaurants in Downtown, Durham NC are open late?
Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar stays open until 2 am.
How much does it cost at these restaurants?
Google lists these price ranges per person: Nikos $30–90; Hutchins Garage $10–20; Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar $20–30; Pizzeria Toro $20–30. The others do not list a price range.
Which of these have free parking?
Google lists free parking for Nikos, Hutchins Garage, Mezcalito Durham Grill & Tequila Bar and Pizzeria Toro.
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