Diners' Choice: Great for outdoor dining restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are great for outdoor dining 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!

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (103)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

GRANT

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and service. The pizza is authentic tasting and fresh. We will be back!

Fairview Dining Room

4.8

4.8 (1867)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

The AAA Four Diamond Fairview Dining Room has been reimagined as a lighter, brighter backdrop for our renowned fine dining experience. Featuring custom details hand-crafted for the space by regional artisans, this new design simply enhances what you have loved for years.

With the reopening of the new Fairview Dining Room, our Area Executive Chef Troy Stauffer and his imaginative culinary team have introduced a new Fall menu, perfectly complementing the elevated look and feel of the space. Indulge in a savory Cheshire Pork Tenderloin or delicious Duke of Crabcake with a sommelier suggested wine and finish with a decadent hand-crafted dessert from our pastry team, each dish embracing cozy flavors perfect for fall.

Top review

Dr . Paul

Dined 3 days ago

My wife and I treated our older son, Dr. Thompson, and his twins (girl and boy!) to lunch there today for their, the twins, 19th birthday. We had eaten there several tines in the past as our daughter graduated from Duke, and we always enjoyed eating there. We have always been very pleased there!!

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CHOCOLATE MOLTEN CAKE

Local 22 Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1034)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

A Southern-accented gastropub with a strong local focus.

Top review

christopherVIP

Dined 4 days ago

This is a fantastic place. The food is delicious and creative. The service is top notch and simply wonderful. We will return soon.

Kipos Greek Taverna - Chapel Hill

4.8

4.8 (1104)

$30 and under

Greek

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Authentic Greek Taverna. An ode to the recipes of the Bakatsias family. Fresh ingredients right from the garden for brunch & dinner service.

Top review

Richard

Dined 1 day ago

Great music. I especially love the lemon chicken rice soup! My trout with almonds was really good.

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4.8

4.8 (538)

$30 and under

Creole / Cajun / Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

Seraphine is on OpenTable! We look forward to seeing you!

Top review

DeniseVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Always delicious- oysters so fresh, best steamed shrimp ever (and I’ve had a lot), homemade sausage a favorite.

Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.7

4.7 (855)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Durham

About the restaurant

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.

Top review

JayneVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

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.

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Emmy Squared - Durham

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Durham

About the restaurant

Founded on an unconditional love of well-made food, we use only the highest quality ingredients for our famous Detroit-style pizzas. As Emmy Squared has grown, we’ve continued to make fans and receive accolades along the way, including winning Nashville’s Battle of the Burger, being recognized as one of "The Best New Burgers in NYC" (Gothamist) and one of the "20 Best Burgers in NYC" (Infatuation). Besides award-winning pizzas and burgers, you’ll find delectable appetizers, sandwiches, and salads on our extensive menu. We look forward to welcoming you to Emmy Squared Durham and sharing our unique take on American “comfort food.”

Top review

Louise

Dined on Dec 5, 2024

Great place for a pizza and salad - good service, delicious food, and nice atmosphere.

Nikos

4.7

4.7 (427)

$31 to $50

Greek

Durham

About the restaurant

NIKOS offers a treasure trove of flavors distilled from Greece and the surrounding regions — spanning from the southern coast of Crete to the north of Mount Athos, and from the Ionian islands to the Aegean Sea.

We invite you to embark on a culinary journey that encompasses health, wisdom, dreams, passions, and the timeless pursuit of ideas that transcend boundaries.

Top review

JessVIP

Dined 1 day ago

I had a fantastic experience at Nikos! The zucchini cakes were incredibly tasty, crispy on the outside and soft inside. The roasted cauliflower was full of flavor and perfectly cooked. The falafel was packed with flavor and cooked just right, and the chicken shawarma was absolutely delicious. Our server, Lauren, was amazing—friendly, attentive, and very knowledgeable about the menu. The restaurant is charming and beautifully decorated, making for a lovely dining atmosphere. I highly recommend this place for a wonderful meal!

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Opa! Hour @ The Nikos Bar

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery

4.1

4.1 (40)

$30 and under

International

Durham

About the restaurant

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery is a veteran and woman owned business located in the heart of Durham’s Innovation District. Using only the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Daniel Arenas concocts your favorite American Classics as well as globally–inspired tapas and large plates. This is not your average pub menu! Specialty dishes include everything from bone marrow beef tartare to caviar service. The Flying Bull proves that craft beer and elevated cuisine are a perfect pairing. We also offer an extensive wine list and full service cocktail bar. Looking to host a special event for business or family occasion? Our large beer hall is the perfect solution. Prix fixe full menu or catered hors d’oeuvres available.

Whether you’re looking for a meal with family or friends, business or date nigh, or even a little Jazz with your beverage, our friendly and courteous staff will make sure your visit is a wonderful experience.

Top review

Drew

Dined 7 days ago

Very good overall experience. Highly recommended!!!!

Carolina Brewery - Chapel Hill

4.0

4 (213)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Since 1995, we have been proudly serving the locals, students and visitors to Chapel Hill. A lot has changed in both our town and the craft beer industry since we opened our doors as the culmination of a business school plan I wrote my senior year at UNC. Today, we celebrate our North Carolina roots with a made-from-scratch menu focused on Carolina foods in a newly renovated building. I hope you enjoy a true Carolina experience here at Carolina Brewery and will look for our award winning beers on your travels throughout the Carolinas.
Cheers,
Robert Poitras
Owner/Founder

Top review

robertVIP

Dined on Oct 18, 2024

Had reservation but ended up sitting in bar area high top where it was louder than normal due to some baseball fans really into the game. We liked the Octoberfest specials: good beer and the roasted apple kraut was outstanding. Overall was fine but would have preferred to have been seated at a regular table upstairs especially now that reservations are more or less required if you don't want to wait an hour on the weekend.

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