It’s that time of year to look back and reflect on all the changes and opportunities 2019 has bestowed upon us, including changes to the dining scene and all the new restaurants we now have to choose from. As with year’s past, my yearly recap reminds me how much Durham continues to evolve and grow; here’s a rundown of what’s come to fruition this past year.

Exciting Expansions

In the spring, True Flavors Diner (which opened a successful restaurant in South Durham several years prior) took over the Lakewood location, bringing its rich and hearty Southern comfort food to another area of town. And just recently, in the adjacent bakery space, they began rolling out flaky and buttery large biscuit sandwiches at Debbie Lou’s. Choose from options like dirty chicken, cajun gator, duck and lobster! There’s no slowing down chef and restaurant owner Micheal Lee and his growing portfolio, which includes M Sushi, M Kokko, M Tempura, and this year, the addition of M Pocha. M Pocha opened over the summer in the corner spot where The Cupcake Bar once stood and serves creative Korean tapas and drinks. There was a long period of time where Dame’s Chicken & Waffles was missing from the downtown Durham landscape as they moved from one location to another, but in 2019, their new spot on the ground floor of Liberty Warehouse was finally complete and everyone’s coveted chicken and waffle combos could be enjoyed in a new and improved setting.

Also to note this year, was the return of Nana’s. Owner Scott Howell closed the restaurant for a brief stint before deciding to revive it and offer a more condensed menu of similar quality, local and seasonal dishes.

Almost exactly one year ago, Boxcar Bar + Arcade opened its third location (following Raleigh and Greensboro) here in Durham on Foster Street. Boxcar is known for its huge selection of games and a full bar–they also serve delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas, salads, and other snacks. Since opening, they’ve added a partially covered outdoor patio.

Ko Kyu, which began as a local food truck and opened a popular banh mi shop in South Durham several year’s ago, expanded to a second location in a complex at 245 E. HWY 54, serving dishes that are a nod to their beloved food truck menu.

Speaking of fabulous food on wheels, two more food trucks opened brick & mortar restaurants in downtown Durham this year: Boricua Soul in American Tobacco, and Spanglish (which also has a location in Raleigh) at City Hall Plaza. Both serve a modern twist on home-cooked Puerto Rican comfort food. While they share some similarities, they each bring their own unique menu combinations and styles of cooking to their respective restaurants.

Brand New Bites

Two new Indian restaurants opened this year. Lime & Lemon located on 9th Street and Tandoori Bites off 15-501. Both restaurants offer beautiful modern interiors, large lunch buffets, and incredible service. Lime and Lemon, owned by a group of friends from Cary, serves food from all regions of India, while Tandoori Bites, which also has locations in Wilmington and Fayetteville, focuses on South Indian fare. Across from Lime & Lemon on 9th Street is Chicken Bee, specializing in Korean-style double fried chicken and other dishes.

Ninth Street also landed a family-owned and very tasty Mexican restaurant, Mi Calvillo, where patrons can enjoy traditional gorditas, sopes, tortas, tacos and burritos.

Another beloved new spot, which has made quite the name for itself in year one is Sister Liu’s Kitchen next to Namu off of Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd. House-made Chinese dumplings, “hamburgers,” and noodle bowls are the real deal at Sister Liu’s. This tiny spot is now known for churning out some of the best food in Durham.

Vegans have been enjoying all the new offerings from Earth to Us, which cooks vegan comfort food on Guess Road near Northgate Mall.

Italian concepts continue to appear, including the recent addition of Trattoria Salve in Brightleaf Square. The owner has two other Italian restaurants (in Raleigh and Holly Springs).

Also in Brightleaf Square, ice cream/taiyaki shop Sugarfish started serving the trendy fish cones with vanilla, chocolate or matcha soft serve.

A couple fast-casual, mid-sized chains focused on healthy eats with ingredients from local farms have made their way here, too, including B. Good (located at One City Center), known for seasonal sandwiches/burgers and salads. And Gusto Farm to Street, serving healthy salads and flatbreads on Page Road in RTP.

Bars & Bites

A new drinking and D.I.Y-ing concept rolled out in North Durham called Crafts & Drafts–a fun casual bar where you can purchase a project to work on solo or with friends any day you like.

Long-awaited cocktail bar Kingfisher opened on E. Chapel Hill Street. Artfully designed and with a drink menu that focuses on local produce, it has already become a popular hangout.

Black Twig Cider House on Erwin Road kept its cider connection, but was bought and transformed into The Northern Spy, a bar, bottle shop and restaurant owned by Stem Ciders out of Colorado.

Two new wine bars entered the scene this year. LouElla, a locally-owned wine, beer and beverage bar & bottle shop on Geer Street, and Convivio, an Italian wine bar and kitchen located at City Hall Plaza. Both provide gathering space and good spirits downtown.

Coffee & Tea

A craft coffee shop and wine bar from Elon, NC opened a second spot here in Durham. You will find Oak House Durham on the ground floor of One City Center, with in-house roastery Caballo Rojo. At night, the space transitions from cafe to bar & lounge and serves beer, wine and spirits.

Also on the ground level of One City Center, Raleigh-based organic juice/smoothie maker, Juicekeys, opened a spot with a cozy home-like interior and a solid selection of healthy drinks.

Over on Broad Street, Cloche Coffee opened a light and bright coffee shop that provides a tranquil place to gather for meetings or just a quick refuel and reprieve.

Speaking of community, family-owned coffee shop Nolia welcomes the entire family to visit and spend time at their cafe. Both parents and children will find the space welcoming and inviting, with areas for children to play while the adults enjoy a little down time, too.

In the center of Downtown Durham, Jeddah’s Tea, another family-owned business, has created a special spot to enjoy artisanal African tea blends. I love looking back and seeing all that has transpired over the past year. For a look even further back, you can view the 2018 recap (and year’s prior) on the blog.