Our city has many options when it comes to outdoor eating, including grassy lawns and gardens, tucked away and public patios, as well as spacious rooftops. Check this list the next time you’re looking for al fresco eats…
Downtown
(City Center, Brightleaf, West End)
Alley Twenty-Six
320 E. Chapel Hill St.
Outdoor perk: Seating in the charming adjacent alley, including weekly events like frozen cocktails and boozy slush on weekends!
American Tobacco Campus
(Multiple restaurants)
318 Blackwell St.
Outdoor perk: Whether stopping by for a ball game, DPAC show, or just to walk around, ATC has several family-friendly outdoor dining attractions. Boricua Soul and Zweli’s Ekhaya have a large covered outdoor space in the center of campus.Boxcar Bar & Arcade
621 Foster Street
Outdoor perk: Fenced-in gathering spot with plenty of picnic tables and outdoor games to play with friends with a beer in hand.
Bull City Burger and Brewery
107 E. Parrish St.
Outdoor perk: Tucked away patio and pergola sits out back between buildings–a peaceful spot to enjoy your burger and duck fat fries.
Bull City Ciderworks
305 S. Roxboro Street
Outdoor perk: Large open air deck that sits above the grounds which often host musical guests, food trucks and fire pit hangouts.
Bull McCabe’s
427 W. Main St.
Outdoor perk: Large, fenced-in grassy lawn with picnic tables–an comfortable spot for friends and family to hang out. They also have a covered deck area which sits above the lawn.
Cocoa Cinnamon
420 W. Geer St.
Outdoor perk: All three Cocoa locations have some outdoor seating, but my favorite is the original. With the garage doors open, it’s the coolest spot to sit and sip in the center of Geer Street.
The Durham Hotel
315 E. Chapel Hill St.
Outdoor perk: The rooftop bar is the best place to see the Bull City from above while enjoying small plates and drinks. Check it out during sunset for extra pretty views!
Geer St. Garden
644 Foster St.
Outdoor perk: Globe lights create a cozy effect on the outdoor patio in back, perfect for casual family-style seating.
Gojo
823 W. Morgan St.
Outdoor perk: This cafe (and sister spot to Goorsha) has a tucked away covered patio deck in back.
Goorsha
910 W. Main St.
Outdoor perk: The front patio is perfect for people-watching while enjoying flavorful Ethiopian food.
Grub
1200 W. Chapel Hill St.
Outdoor perk: Modern and spacious (mostly covered) rooftop patio in the West End neighborhood.
Hutchins Garage
402 W. Geer Street
Outdoor perk: Enjoy pizza outside the garage doors in an eclectic collection of tables, chairs and benches.
It’s a Southern Thing
605 W. Main Street
Outdoor perk: Quiet and sunny back patio situated in the the courtyard between buildings.
Little Bull
810 N. Mangum St.
Outdoor perk: Cozy and intimate covered side patio.
LocoPops
2618 Hillsborough Rd.
Outdoor perk: LocoPops offers picnic tables with umbrellas and plenty of space for families to spread out in their backyard.
Luna
112 W. Main St.
Outdoor perk: Use of adjacent outdoor park
Maverick’s
900 W. Main Street
Outdoor perk: Front patio sits on a prime corner location in the bustling Brightleaf Square district.
Mezcalito
706 Ramseur St.
Outdoor perk: Large outdoor covered patio in the back.
Motorco/Parts & Labor
723 Rigsbee Ave.
Outdoor perk: Indoor/outdoor casual dining on picnic tables beneath string lights. It’s dog=friendly, too!
Nanasteak
345 Blackwell St.
Outdoor perk: Newly designed and upgraded outdoor patio at an ideal downtown location.
Ninth Street Bakery
136 E. Chapel Hill St.
Outdoor perk: Central downtown location where you can gran a quick bite and people watch above Five Points.
Niko’s
905 W. Main St.
Outdoor perk: Tables and umbrellas nestled in the historic center of Brightleaf Square.
The Patio at Unscripted Hotel
202 N. Corcoran Street
Outdoor perk: What’s better than dining poolside on a rooftop overlooking downtown Durham? Not much.Pour Taproom
202 N. Corcoran Street, #200
Outdoor perk: Located in the center of the city, the plaza is always buzzing with people, and often live music too.
Pompieri Pizza
102 City Hall Plaza
Outdoor perk: Nice central corner patio with a mesmerizing fire pit feature.
The Velvet Hippo
119 Orange St., Third Floor
Outdoor perk: Rooftop patio that hosts weekend “yappy hours” for your four-legged friends.
Ninth Street
Alpaca Peruvian Chicken
703A Ninth St.
Outdoor perk: Spacious side patio area convenient to Duke and all the 9th Street happenings.
Burger Bach
737 9th St. #220
Outdoor perk: Large screen TVs outside so you’ll never miss a big game.JuJu
737 9th St. #210
Outdoor perk: Large elevated patio in a central location on 9th St. Fire pits and space heaters are there to keep warm.
Monuts
1002 9th St.
Outdoor perk: Picnic tables nestled among trees along a pathway on the left side of the building.
University Ave. & Lakewood Area
Bull City Solera and Taproom
4120 University Dr.
Outdoor perk: Spacious and large family-friendly patio/deck with umbrellas and a pergola.
Eastcut Sandwich Bar
3211 Old Chapel Hill Road
Outdoor perk: An old “greenhouse” has been transformed to a covered/tented patio in the back with lots of picnic tables and ample seating.
Foster’s Market
2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Outdoor perk: A little oasis off the main road with lots of eclectic seatings options and space to spread out.
Guglhupf
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Outdoor perk: Funky sunken patio with water features and umbrellas that’s set back off the main road and feels like another hidden oasis.
The Honeysuckle at Lakewood
1920 Chapel Hill Road
Outdoor perk: Large grassy lawn with picnic tables, patio space, open air indoor/outdoor vibe between the restaurant and outside. Future plans for edible plantings, etc.
The Refectory Cafe
2726 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Outdoor perk: Sixteen gorgeous picnic tables made from Durham Tobacco recycled wood.
Saltbox Seafood Joint
2637 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Outdoor perk: Saltbox’s second and larger location has more room inside and out, including a set of picnic tables and umbrellas right out front.
Succotash
3218 Old Chapel Hill Rd.
Outdoor perk: Cute outdoor patio space.
University Hill
3806 University Dr.
Outdoor perk: Several restaurants with inviting, often covered, outdoor seating options, such as BB’s Chicken, Happy + Hale, BulBox, Apertif, Alpaca, Gizmo Brew Works.
Durham/Chapel Hill Blvd.
Namu
5420 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd.
Outdoor perk: Namu’s patio and garden is a hidden gem off the main road, complete with large tables, umbrellas, lounge seating in a peaceful setting with a water feature and bamboo groves.
Sister Liu’s Kitchen
5504 Durham Chapel Hill Blvd., #103
Outdoor perk: A covered passthrough patio area as well as a small bamboo grove alongside the small restaurant offer a peaceful place to enjoy noodles and dumplings.
South Durham
Harvest 18
8128 Renaissance Pkwy, Suite 114
Outdoor perk: Nice tables and chairs with ample space in front of the restaurant are a good spot to go after shopping.
Streets at Southpoint
6910 Fayetteville Road
Outdoor perk: On site restaurants offer semi-covered seating and the perfect place to people watch while you refuel after shopping or catching a movie.
Comment below with your favorite outdoor dining spot in Durham!
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