As we near the end of the year, I like to take a look back and recap all that has transpired in the local food scene. Restaurants open and transform at such a rapid rate around here, it’s easy to forget just how much has changed. Each year, as I tally up the list, I’m reminded just how much of a food-focused city we live in, just take a look at the latest additions from 2017…
New Restaurants & Cafes
Matt Kelly added to his Durham restaurant dynasty with the addition of Saint James, an elegant seafood spot on W. Main Street in the former Fishmonger’s space. (*Editor’s Note: Saint James closed permanently in 2022.)
Also along W. Main Street is the addition Goorsha, a flavor-packed Ethiopian experience and match made in heaven for both vegetarians and meat eaters. A few doors down, Alivia’s Durham Bistro transformed into Maverick’s Smokehouse, serving several different styles of delicious Southern barbecue. And further down the road, you’ll find all your favorite Southern comforts at It’s a Southern Thing where new ownership took place of what was formerly Motto.Over in the West End neighborhood, the owner of Nosh opened a cool modern diner called Grub with a fantastic rooftop.Off of Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd, two food truck owners teamed up to revive the old Straw Valley spot and we’re really hoping Namu sticks around for the long haul because their causal Korean dishes are mouth-watering!
To satisfy your sweet tooth, you can now get fresh made donuts at Early Bird Donuts on Erwin Road, or Maple View Farms ice cream at Pinecone ice cream and cafe in Brightleaf Square. And over towards Ninth Street, Pincho Loco serves latin-style frozen treats like fresh fruit popsicles and mangonadas.
Ninth Street itself saw several amazing new additions, including the first poke bar in Durham, ZenFish, and the first Jamba Juice in the Triangle.
Expansions & Additions
In the Lakewood neighborhood, Cocoa Cinnamon introduced its third and newest location. This one is particularly special because it has a strong community vibe, a coffee roastery on site and fresh made churros.
Another local coffee shop, Joe Van Gogh, expanded this year, opening its fifth location in Durham’s burgeoning West End neighborhood. Adjacent to it, is the new and improved space for Local Yogurt.
In mobile food news, Big C Waffles went brick & mortar and opened in The Dog House location on Allentown Drive.Rose’s took a short hiatus this summer to rework their space and go from a butchery/bakery to a restaurant/bakery where people can now enjoy Asian-inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with impressive homemade treats for dessert.
Over on Ninth Street, Alpaca Peruvian Charcoal Chicken opened their newest location, offering another great alternative for fast-casual, local eats.
Bars & Breweries
Bull City Ciderworks‘ finally reopened inside their highly anticipated new and improved space on S. Roxboro.
Alley Twenty-Six expanded into the space next door and introduced an impressive bar menu. Fullsteam Brewery also introduced an in-house bar menu to accompany their brews.
The Accordion Club, a late night neighborhood bar, opened on W. Geer Street and is becoming known for its green chili strew and weekend breakfast burritos.
Pour Taproom, which hails from Asheville, now has a place on the plaza under Unscripted Hotel.Arcades are also making a comeback at the local bars. Beer Study and Starpoint Brewery opened a second spot in Durham last year (the first one is in Chapel Hill) and Quarter Horse Arcade & Bar offers a fun place to play in the old Kress building downtown.
To see Bites of Bull City’s ongoing list of restaurants in progress and recently opened, visit our Upcoming Eateries page.
You can also read the 2016 recap to see everything that has opened in Durham over the past couple years.
Photos: Tommie Watson Photography
Merry Rabb says
Any word on when the new Saltbox Seafood will open? Their web site has said “fall 2017” forver.
magnoliawriting@gmail.com says
I know…I’m so anxious for it too! I checked in recently and Chef Ricky said “It’s coming along nicely” but did not give an updated timeframe.
Kat says
Also what about Finch’s? It was supposed to be open Summer 2017 and we are almost into 2018.
magnoliawriting@gmail.com says
N&O just put out a story that Finch’s will open Nov. 17th! http://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/restaurants/article183471681.html