4 Outdoor Dining Spots in Durham, NC
The Triangle area is full of great food and sometimes, we even get good weather. Don’t let the humidity and pollen stop you: here are 4 great outdoor dining spots to enjoy a meal or a snack in the sun.
American Tobacco Campus
Located downtown by DPAC, you can have dinner AND a show at the many restaurants located across the ATC. Try out Nanasteak right before a DPAC show — they’ll hold your leftovers until afterwards. Seraphine can also scratch an itch for something fancy if you like Cajun food, or Ekhaya if you’re looking for Southern African tapas.
If you’re looking for a brunch spot, Press Coffee, Crepes, and Cocktails has brunch on both weekends and weekdays, and its food and drinks do not disappoint. Just want some comfort food? Boricua Soul and Queenburger have great Latin fusion and burgers and fries (respectively). Finally, do a little shopping over lunch over at Parker & Otis, which features sandwiches and snacks.
The outdoor area features lawn chairs, a big green area to chill out, and lots of picnic tables. There’s also a water feature running through the whole area. And of course, you can always check out the Burt’s Bees headquarters to see Burt’s original cabin and the bee wall.
Durham Central Park
Right in the heart of downtown, Durham Central Park is a great option for a casual picnic. Outdoors, the skate park, hill, and playground have something for everyone, whether you’re a college student trying to study outside, a family bringing your kids to run out their energy, or a working professional enjoying the sun on your lunch break.
Food options are numerous, including the Durham Food Hall, which features anything from bagel sandwiches at Everything Bagels, to burgers at Patty Boy, to coffee and tea at Liturgy, and SO much more. You can also grab a biscuit at Rise or a coffee at Fosters Coffee.
Of course, there are also foodie events at Central Park like the Food Truck Rodeo or Farmer’s Market, where you can try a variety of culinary samplings from local vendors.
Lakewood Social
A classic for families, this is a great spot to bring your kids, especially if they’re energetic. Located (shockingly) in the Lakewood neighborhood, this place has a huge outdoor area with games like cornhole for kids and adults to play. There’s also a covered section of the outdoor area, great for any weather.
For food, you’ll find classics like burgers, fries, chicken tenders, and salads, but there’s also variety and vegetarian options. These include a fried mushroom sandwich or fried oyster mushrooms, a fig and speck melt, or a chicken doner kebab (this last one isn’t vegetarian, but it wasn’t easily categorized). There’s also a kids menu with smaller burgers, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and snacks.
Of course, you can also treat yourself to a cocktail or a mocktail, or enjoy a locally made ice cream sandwich.
Golden Belt Campus
Another classic spot, the Golden Belt Campus is often teeming with people on a nice evening. You’ll especially note the number of people sliding down the small hill on pizza boxes acquired from Cugino Forno.
Grab a brew or play trivia or music bingo at Hi-Wire Durham, sports bar classics at Tipsy Bull, or ice cream from Two Roosters. As a working arts campus with lots of studios, you can also peruse the various artworks made by local artists within the main building.
Interested in events at restaurants or free/low-cost outdoor events? Don’t forget to check out the foodie calendar, with events at restaurants and bars across the Triangle!
