There are so many new restaurants in our city, it’s sometimes hard to believe that anything could be missing from the foodie landscape. Believe it or not, there is still room for quite a bit of global cuisines.
Just this month, Durham welcomed the addition of the first thai restaurant in downtown Durham; the first Zimbabwean establishment off of Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd., and a tamale-centric Mexican eatery near Duke. Each place bringing exciting new flavors and experiences to the local dining scene.
With broad menus that appeal to meat eaters and vegetarians alike, these three new spots in Durham are great places to try with friends, especially when it may take several trips to figure out your favorite dish to order.
Thai @ Main Street
317 W. Main Street
Downtown Durham has been missing a key cuisine until now, but with the addition of Thai @ Main Street there’s now a place to go for curry, tom yum soup, pad thai, and all the classic thai dishes.
The owners have another successful restaurant, Bangkok 54, which is located in Chapel Hill.
What I appreciate most about this new addition to Durham is that it is priced and portioned well for a downtown establishment. So often now, new restaurants in this area start off serving meals with a pretty hefty price tag attached. It’s nice to have the balance of some more eclectic and affordable options as well.
Tamale Factory and Tequila Bar
2816 Erwin Road
*Editors Note: Tamale Factory’s restaurant closed and it is now a catering company only**
Conveniently located near Duke campus and hospital, this new Mexican restaurant has a broad and flavorful menu.
Tamale Factory and Tequila Bar serves authentic Mexican food and drinks, including tamales made daily, scratch-made salsas and sauces, and local products such as tortillas from Tortilleria y Carniceria in Durham.
Margaritas are made using fresh ingredients and there are fresh botanical waters such as hibiscus, ginger, tamarind and watermelon. The housemade sangria is also a refreshing choice.
And if tamales are not your thing, don’t fret, the menu contains plenty of options, including tacos, chile relleno, satisfying salads, and a generous amount of sides like fresh guacamole, plantains, and different styles of rice and beans.Chef and owner, Margaritte Malfy, worked in the restaurant business in New York (including opening her own restaurant and appearing on shows like Chopped, Martha Stewart, and Bobby Flay) before relocating to Cary seven years ago. One month ago, her dream of opening a local restaurant here in NC came true.
Zweli’s
4600 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
From catering to a full scale restaurant, there’s no denying the owners of newly opened Zimbabwean restaurant, Zweli’s, are passionate about food and about their heritage.
The menu boasts traditional Zimbabwean food and family recipes from Zweli herself (one of the owners). Some of the must-try dishes will be the piri piri chicken and collard greens with peanut butter (the owner insists it’s oddly addictive)! And all the plates are priced to please.
There are a number of options for vegans and vegetarians as well, including yummy sides like vegan samosas, vegetable yellow rice pilaf, and fried curry cabbage.
The restaurant also has plenty of room for groups, large communal tables, semi-private and private space and a large bar. The restaurant will introduce weekend brunch soon as well.
To keep track of all the recent and upcoming openings in Durham, visit Bites of Bull City’s “Upcoming Eateries” page.
Elizabeth Fritz says
I guess this isn’t worthy of note since it is out in redneck land of northern Durham County, but Dogwood Bar and Grill is opening soon in the Riverview Shopping Center across the road from West Point on the Eno.
SHARLENE M. SIMON says
Hey this isn’t redneck land! We’re excited to see a new restaurant out our way. Looking forward to seeing the menu.
Legacy says
When is this place opening?
magnoliawriting@gmail.com says
All three of these restaurants are open