Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.7

861 Reviews

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Great for brunch
Healthy
Great for outdoor dining

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.

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Café, Farm-to-table
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat 10:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(919) 684-6032
Website
http://www.nasher.duke.edu/museum_cafe.php
Payment options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Catering and Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Please note that we do not currently host wedddings or wedding related events.
Private party contact
Aidan Peters: (919) 684-6032

Location
2001 Campus Dr., Durham, NC 27705
Neighborhood
Durham
Cross street
Anderson Street, Duke University Street, Campus Drive
Parking details
The Nasher Museum has a metered parking lot. The meters accept credit cards or cash (exact change needed as they do not provide change).
Entertainment
Summer Days Nasher Nights Programming includes special events we coin 'Live and Local'. There is live music from the talented musicians of the area as well as a menu featuring local products. Check out the calendar on nasher.duke.edu for further information regarding special programming and more.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Artisanal Cheese Board$20.00
Manchego Viejo, St. Angel, aged hoop Cheddar, chevre, dried Michigan cherries, kalamata olives, English cornichons, stone ground mustard, flat bread crackers
Avocado Smash$14.00
Roasted garlic hummus, grape tomatoes, pickled red onion, feta, toasted sunflower seeds, lemon wedge, 9 grain bread
Giorgios' Falafel Bowl$18.00
Garlic hummus, tabbouleh, dolmades, tahini, pickled red onion, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, kalamata olives, pita points
Smoked Salmon Bowl$19.00
Pickled red onion, cucumber, carrots, edamame, hard-boiled egg, wasabi peas, arugula, sesame seeds, Israeli couscous, dill cream

Salads

Burrata and Fire Grilled Peach$19.00
Fresh basil leaves, grape tomatoes, toasted sunflower seeds, balsamic reduction, basil pistou drizzle, microgreens
Wild Mushroom and Chevre Croquette$14.00
Tricolor quinoa, braised shallots, toasted pepitas, fried leeks baby spinach, sherry agave vinaigrette
Paprika Roasted Tofu and Cabbage$13.00
Carrots, bell pepper sticks, edamame, tricolor quinoa, sesame seeds, ginger miso vinaigrette
Agave Roasted Beet and Chevre$15.00
Red beets, orange segments, green apple, fried carrot, roasted pepitas, chevre crumbles, spinach & arugula, blood orange vinaigrette
Honey Roasted Butternut Squash$14.00
Brussels sprouts, sour cherries, sunflower seeds, pecorino, agridulce, spinach & arugula, marsala shallot vinaigrette
Cafe Cobb$17.00
Lemon marinated chicken, applewood smoked bacon, avocado, hard boiled egg, cucumber, grape tomatoes, Gorgonzola, garlic croutons, cilantro lime vinaigrette

Lunch Plates

Served with choice of quinoa salad, potato salad, basil feta pasta, mixed green salad or kettle chips

Vegan Portabella$14.00
Portabella caps, balsamic onions, roasted red peppers, avocado chimichurri, spinach, panini pressed ciabatta
Red, White, & Green$14.00
Fresh mozzarella, marinated tomato, basil leaves, spinach, arugula, basil pistou aioli, panini pressed schiacciata
Market Vegetable Wrap$13.00
Roasted red peppers, tomatoes, carrots, cucumber, red onions, avocado, arugula, garlic hummus, pepitas, lightly pressed spinach tortilla
Nasher Mi$15.00
Seared ahi tuna, julienned cucumber & carrots, daikon, arugula, sriracha aioli, red curry, warmed pita
Smoked Salmon Sandwich$15.00
Smoked salmon, hard-boiled egg, red onions, English cucumber, tomato, mixed greens, dill caper spread, brioche bun
Chicken Souvlaki$15.00
Lemon marinated chicken, tzatziki, rustic pico, crumbled feta, mixed greens, warmed pita
Fried Green Tomato Panini$16.00
Fried local green tomatoes, seasoned cornmeal, applewood bacon, fresh mozzarella, arugula, chipotle aioli, panini pressed ciabatta
The Southwestern$15.00
Cajun spiced chicken, applewood bacon, red peppers & onions, jalapenos, Cheddar, chipotle aioli, panini pressed sourdough
Turkey & Smoked Gouda$15.00
Turkey breast, caramelized onions, green apple, cucumber, arugula, mustard & garlic aioli, smoked Gouda, panini pressed sourdough
Nasher Club$16.00
Black forest ham, roasted turkey breast, applewood bacon, avocado, mixed greens, tomato, Cheddar, stone ground mustard aioli, lightly toasted sourdough
Goat Cheese BLT$14.00
Applewood bacon, lettuce, tomato, avocado, basil pistou aioli, chevre spread, lightly toasted sourdough
Steak Melt$16.00
USDA choice strip cooked medium rare, sauteed peppers & onions, double-creme brie, chipotle aioli, pressed ciabatta
Nasher Burger$16.00
USDA choice beef cooked to order, applewood smoked bacon, tomato, mixed greens, Cheddar cheese, roasted garlic aioli, brioche bun
Lamb Burger$17.00
Australian ground lamb cooked to order, tzatziki, rustic salsa, mixed greens, chipotle aioli, brioche bun
Lemon Linguine$20.00
Wild mushrooms, baby spinach, asparagus, onions, tomatoes, feta, basil pistou, lemon cream, pecorino

What 861 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.7

4.7 based on recent ratings

4.7Food
4.6Service
4.3Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Great for outdoor dining
Durham
Great for brunch
Durham
Healthy
Durham
Great for outdoor dining

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Nasher Cafe at Duke University offers a delightful dining experience with a "curated menu" and "stellar service." Guests rave about the "goat cheese BLT," inventive dishes, and delectable desserts. The artful presentation matches the museum's ambiance, though noise levels can be high. Perfect for brunch or a special occasion meal.

861 Reviews

W
Wendy
Raleigh
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We had a wonderful lunch at the cafe. Prompt, helpful service and really delicious food. My new favorite lunch spot - looking forward to the outdoor patio re-opening.
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P
Peter
Charleston
6 reviews
5.0
6 reviews
Dined 2 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of the best lunch and brunch spots in Durham. Get the Nasher Mi, you won’t be disappointed.
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k
kerry
VIP
Washington DC
49 reviews
5.0
49 reviews
Dined 3 days ago
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Delicious and beautiful food, outstanding knowledgeable service.
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P
Pamela
Greensboro
8 reviews
4.0
8 reviews
Dined on February 2, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
We had great service from all the staff and we enjoyed excellent meals.
Is this helpful?
K
Kate
VIP
Raleigh
37 reviews
5.0
37 reviews
Dined on January 17, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
I took a friend to the Nasher Cafe to celebrate her birthday. We both had the goat cheese BLT with a side of pesto pasta salad, and everything was delicious! We wanted dessert but we were both too full. Our server was attentive and friendly. I had coffee and it was very good. I will be back!
Nasher Cafe at Duke UniversityResponded on February 5, 2025
Thanks for visiting us, Kate! We're thrilled to hear that you and your friend enjoyed your birthday celebration at the Nasher Cafe. It's great to know that you loved our goat cheese BLT and pesto pasta salad. We're glad you had a wonderful experience with our service and food. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to welcoming you back soon for more delicious meals!
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T
Toby
Raleigh
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on January 10, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The servers made our dining experience exceptional. Attentive, made suggestions, upbeat. A fun afternoon
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D
Don
VIP
Raleigh
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on January 9, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Excellent service and interesting menu populated with interesting selections. We had a salmon sandwich filled with smoked salmon and a Cobb salad.
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LS
LucyS
VIP
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a pleasant experience there! One of my favorites places to dine in Durham. Great food; excellent service.
Nasher Cafe at Duke UniversityResponded on January 8, 2025
Thanks for the feedback, LucyS! We're thrilled to hear that Nasher Cafe at Duke University is one of your favorites in Durham. We're glad you enjoy our food and find our service excellent. We're always striving to provide the best value, so we appreciate your feedback on that. We look forward to serving you again soon!
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J
Jayne
VIP
Richmond
20 reviews
4.0
20 reviews
Dined on December 10, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
This cafe is a great little find at the Nasher. Been here a handful of times for lunch. It’s always busy, well executed inventive menu. Had the Vanilla matcha tea with Oat milk- very good. Panini with turkey,cucumbers, carmélized onions and quinoa salad was a great choice. My friend had the goat cheese BLT minus the tomato along with an aioli sauce; basil pesto pasta salad. She said it was very good. I would definitely return for an evening meal with wine. The museum cafe is worthwhile to visit. Even on a weekend while visiting.
Nasher Cafe at Duke UniversityResponded on January 8, 2025
Hey JayneF, Thanks for your kind words about our inventive menu. We're thrilled you've enjoyed our Vanilla matcha tea, the turkey and smoked gouda panini, and the goat cheese BLT. We appreciate your feedback on our restaurant, and we're glad you found it worthwhile. Looking forward to your next visit. Best, The Management Team
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l
live2eat
VIP
County Durham
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on November 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
What a lovely spot to have a very nice lunch! Food was delicious and it was the perfect end to a delight stroll through the exhibits. Everyone loved it.
Nasher Cafe at Duke UniversityResponded on January 8, 2025
Hello live2eat, We're thrilled to hear that you had a lovely lunch at Nasher Cafe at Duke University! It's fantastic to know that you enjoyed our delicious food and found the end to a delightful stroll through our exhibits to be perfect. We're glad everyone enjoyed their time here and we look forward to welcoming you back for another delightful dining experience. Thanks for your kind words and high ratings! Best, The Management Team
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FAQs

Nasher Cafe at Duke University offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (919) 684-6032.

Nasher Cafe at Duke University is rated 4.7 stars by 861 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Feb 16, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 20 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Nasher Cafe at Duke University

2001 Campus Dr., Durham, NC 27705

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Anderson Street, Duke University Street, Campus Drive
Neighborhood
Durham
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat 10:00 am–2:00 pm Sun 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Lunch Tue–Fri 11:00 am–2:00 pm Dinner Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Contemporary American, Café, Farm-to-table
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
The Nasher Museum has a metered parking lot. The meters accept credit cards or cash (exact change needed as they do not provide change).
Payment options
AMEX, Cash not accepted, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Entertainment
Summer Days Nasher Nights Programming includes special events we coin 'Live and Local'. There is live music from the talented musicians of the area as well as a menu featuring local products. Check out the calendar on nasher.duke.edu for further information regarding special programming and more.
Additional
Banquet, Beer, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Vegan, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.nasher.duke.edu/museum_cafe.php
Phone number
(919) 684-6032
Private party facilities
We welcome you to explore our Catering and Private Dining options, perfect for any occasion. Please note that we do not currently host wedddings or wedding related events.
Private party contact
Aidan Peters: (919) 684-6032

Nasher Cafe at Duke University

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Private dining

Dining areas

Additional information

BEAC Sandwich

Salmon Benedict

Nasher Burger

Shareables

Artisanal Cheese Board$20.00

Avocado Smash$14.00

Giorgios' Falafel Bowl$18.00

Smoked Salmon Bowl$19.00

Salads

Burrata and Fire Grilled Peach$19.00

Wild Mushroom and Chevre Croquette$14.00

Paprika Roasted Tofu and Cabbage$13.00

Agave Roasted Beet and Chevre$15.00

Honey Roasted Butternut Squash$14.00

Cafe Cobb$17.00

Lunch Plates

Vegan Portabella$14.00

Red, White, & Green$14.00

Market Vegetable Wrap$13.00

Nasher Mi$15.00

Smoked Salmon Sandwich$15.00

Chicken Souvlaki$15.00

Fried Green Tomato Panini$16.00

The Southwestern$15.00

Turkey & Smoked Gouda$15.00

Nasher Club$16.00

Goat Cheese BLT$14.00

Steak Melt$16.00

Nasher Burger$16.00

Lamb Burger$17.00

Lemon Linguine$20.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

Does Nasher Cafe at Duke University offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Nasher Cafe at Duke University restaurant rated?

Is Nasher Cafe at Duke University currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information