Durham has been a culinary destination for years — long before the national media arrived.

Since then, Durham's been hailed as the “Tastiest Town in the South” by Southern Living magazine and “America's Foodiest Small Town” by Bon Appétit, among other titles. Many Durham chefs and restaurateurs, including Matthew Kelly of Mateo and Vin Rouge have been nominated for major awards, including the James Beard Award. You can also find James Beard Award Winner Andrea Reusing and her influence across the menus at The Restaurant and The Roof at The Durham. Many of the locals’ favorites started out as food trucks or vendors at the Durham Farmers’ Market and today stand tall as brick-and-mortar hot spots with lines out the door.

National praise only confirms what locals have known all along: Durham is brimming with innovative restaurants, skilled chefs and unique flavors. What are you waiting for? Discover Durham's culinary treasures for yourself.