Flavor Hills: Upscale Southern Dining in Downtown Durham

Looking for your next Southern brunch spot? Want to try a new dinner spot in Durham?

Flavor Hills is a veteran- and black-owned restaurant that just opened its Durham location in December 2025. With locations in both Durham and Raleigh, it’s a great option for Southern food in the Triangle at the mid-tier cost — it’s not fully a splurge, but it’s certainly not casual.

I went to the newly opened Durham location to try out some of their brunch selections. It was a blisteringly hot day, and their drink selections feature both cocktails and mocktails. While I admittedly stuck with ice water, I did watch many a drink being made fresh at the bar.

The ambience here mixes a diner with a chic place. Lots of art hangs on the walls and it’s a bright and welcoming vibe.

What to get at Flavor Hills

I started with the Hayti catfish biscuits. The jalapeno cheddar biscuits were buttery and pillow-soft, with the tender blackened catfish in between. I cannot overemphasize how the catfish melts in your mouth here — I’m drooling just remembering it. The biscuits are toasted and crispy on the outside, but still soft on the inside.

The flavors are amped up with a remoulade spread on the inside, and a sweet sauce to dip your sandwich in. Sour pickles make the bite even more complex. Crispy onions liven up the texture for a perfect bite.

For my entree, I enjoyed a brunch staple at the restaurant: the Southern remix. A play on chicken and waffles, this dish features fried chicken atop pieces of “vanilla cookie-crusted brioche French toast.” This is then doused in vanilla and raspberry sauce and garnished with fresh berries (for your health). If that isn’t enough, it also comes with a little mini pitcher of syrup.

If you’re looking for a more savory dish, this definitely isn’t it. If you’re looking for something that will definitely hit the spot, get this. Basically fried chicken and dessert, the bold flavors of the French toast pair really well with the crispy and salty chicken. There isn’t a whole lot of subtlety — strong flavors hit your tongue and leave you wanting more of every bite.

Though it’s secondary to taste, I was also impressed with the plating on these dishes. The food comes out looking so delicious, it’s hard to not anticipate every bite before you dig in.

Flavor Hills Overall

I really enjoyed trying out some of the more brunch-y selections at this restaurant. Though their Durham location is new, their Raleigh location is long-established and they haven’t skimped on quality in opening the new location.

I’d definitely recommend this place for anyone who likes Southern food and a hip spot for brunch with friends or family. You can find it in downtown Durham at 107 W Main St.

Want another brunch rec? One of my favorite places is Aaktun, whose breakfast sandwich was specifically called out in Food & Wine mag for being one of the best in America.