If you're looking for a blend of rich history, vibrant culture, and unique experiences, Durham, NC, has plenty of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Beyond the well-known attractions, this city offers a treasure trove of local eateries, art galleries, and outdoor spaces that showcase its charm. Whether you’re moving into an apartment in Durham, planning a visit, or just curious about the local scene, this guide will highlight some of the best-kept secrets that make Durham a truly special place to explore.
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Old Maplewood Cemetery is a great way to escape the city and take in nature along with history. The 120-acre cemetery has multiple areas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. “Preservation Durham offers tours of the cemetery each fall and the cemetery is also right around the corner from a hidden gem, the Pauli Murray House, a National Historic Landmark and historic site open for tours.” – Julianne Patterson, Executive Director, Preservation Durham
Want to get acquainted with Durham's history? Check out OpenDurham.org, a digital archive run by Preservation Durham that includes the history and backstory of nearly everything.
Durham’s West End is home to a true hidden gem: the childhood home of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray, one of the most trailblazing figures of the 20th century. “Known as the “patron saint” of Durham, Murray's legacy includes pivotal contributions to the Civil Rights Act of 1965, becoming the first Black woman ordained as an Episcopal priest, and earning the first JSD degree awarded to an African American at Yale Law School. The historic home, where she spent her formative years, offers intimate, pre-scheduled tours that bring her extraordinary life and impact to light, providing a deeper connection to the city's rich history of activism and progress.” – Kristin Hauser, Communications and Programming Coordinator, Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice
If you're moving to or visiting downtown Durham and craving authentic Italian food, check out Convivio. “Located in one of the oldest buildings downtown, right across from City Hall, this restaurant offers traditional Italian dishes, natural wine, and a beautiful garden setting.” – Giuseppe Cagnoni, Convivio Restaurant
For a taste of classic comfort and a bit of nostalgia, look no further than Silver Spoon Diner. “If you are looking for an old-fashioned diner experience for breakfast or lunch Silver Spoon is the perfect spot. This mom & pop owned restaurant located near the Eno River off N. Duke Street may not be advertised online, but it offers a large menu, delicious food, and a welcoming, down-to-earth atmosphere.” – Gemynii Gatcombe, LGBTQ Center of Durham
Bar Virgile has been a Durham staple for the past decade, drawing locals and visitors alike with its inviting ambiance and expertly crafted cocktails. Located near the corner of Mangum and Main Street, this cozy spot features a rotating menu of seasonal fare alongside classic and inventive cocktails. Known for its lively atmosphere and attentive service, Bar Virgile is a must-visit for anyone exploring Durham’s vibrant food and drink scene.
High Dive is Durham's new fun bar, offering a laid-back atmosphere perfect for any night out. With affordable drinks, large TVs for catching the game, and a variety of games like pool, darts, foosball, video games, and pinball, it’s the ideal spot to unwind with friends. Whether you're looking to compete in a friendly game or just enjoy some drinks and good company, High Dive provides plenty of options for entertainment and relaxation.
Since 2020, Annexe has been renowned for its exceptional Tiki cocktails, delicious food, vibrant atmosphere, and great music. With a state-of-the-art sound system that’s cranked up on the weekends, it has become a go-to destination for quality cocktails and dancing.
Located in the Central Park district of downtown Durham, overlooking the original Durham Athletic Park, Liberty & Plenty Distillery and Cocktail Bar share the same space as the Rickhouse. The distillery produces, blends, and finishes bourbon whiskey, rye whiskey, rum, vodka, and gin. Liberty & Plenty Distillery is open for tours and tastings, and the cocktail bar houses an impressive menu of reimagined classic and signature cocktails that showcase the quality and flavor behind the spirits they produce. Stop by for excellent hospitality and even better spirits! – Layla Davenport, Liberty & Plenty Distillery
For anyone exploring Durham, Book Harvest’s Family Space is a must-visit. “This warm, welcoming space is filled with books, interactive wall toys, a magnet wall, cozy reading nooks, puppets, and more — all thoughtfully designed to encourage play, learning, and reading. Every children’s book in the space is high-quality and free for visitors to take home and keep. Plus, Book Harvest hosts literacy-focused events that make reading fun and accessible for all.” –Benay Hicks, Book Harvest
If you’re new to Durham, don’t miss out on two hidden gems in one giant space: The Boot Room and Beer Study. The Boot Room is your go-to spot to watch soccer and enjoy a scratch-made sandwich or burger – they also offer a fantastic brunch on the weekends starting at 10 am to accommodate the early soccer games. And if you’re a beer fan, Beer Study offers perhaps the best selection of hard-to-get draft and retail beer in the Triangle area. These two businesses share one large space so you can move freely between the two.
Don't miss Flying Bull Beer Company's hidden gem, Bullvaria, a secret beer garden tucked behind their 9th Street taproom. “Step through the old brewery into a cozy garden with twinkling lights and communal seating—a quiet escape from the city's bustle, where you're likely to meet a friendly pup or two.” – Anna Bloch, co-owner, Flying Bull Beer Company
For an unforgettable taste of Durham, The House Restaurant and Catering is a must-visit. Tucked away from the usual city bustle, this cozy spot serves a delicious blend of classic American dishes with a twist, all made from scratch using local ingredients. “Known for its mouthwatering wings and welcoming atmosphere, The House has become a beloved hidden gem where locals gather to enjoy comfort food done right. Whether you're craving a hearty meal or just a casual bite, this spot offers a true taste of Durham's culinary charm.” – Chelsea, General Manager, The House Restaurant
For a unique and immersive dining experience, Dashi’s omakase menu offers something truly special. “We offer personalized 4-course omakases. In an izakaya, ordering omakase entrusts your order to the chef—it’s essentially a chef’s tasting menu. Dashi’s chefs send out the freshest and most delicious dishes of the day, created specifically for you. Dining omakase allows our kitchen team to showcase their finest ingredients and techniques! You can make an omakase reservation on Dashi’s website.” – Sarah Voran, Dashi
“We at Moon Dog Meadery are currently a two-person operation whose goals are to create and provide the best meads (also known as honey wines), to create a safe and fun event space for the local community, and to support and use products from local businesses as much as we can reasonably do so,” says Kenneth Thrower.
“Mead is a niche but very popular alcoholic beverage that has exploded in the US craft market in the past few years. For those who haven't heard of it, mead is the drink of the Vikings and is made from honey, but don't let that dissuade you if you think it will be too sweet. We serve both dry and sweet options. We also buy and resell beer, ciders, seltzers, THC-infused, and non-alcoholic options from our bottle shop, all of which are local NC craft brews.
In addition to the products we sell, we also host tons of events in our cozy space, including board game nights, video game nights, karaoke nights, open mics, TTRPG events, fire performance events, art markets, local heavy metal and rock shows, comedy shows, and more. We are heavily focused on creating a warm and welcoming space for all nerds alike. We are LGBTQ+ friendly, and of course, with a name like Moon Dog Meadery, we have to be dog-friendly as well, so bring your pets!"
Looking for a place to create, connect and inspire? “1:11 Art and Healing Space located easily at 3409 University Drive, has the feeling of home and community. You can find a variety of art and afterschool classes, crafting groups, mindfulness meetings and healing arts, along with great art, gifts and metaphysics. Come play with us!” – Andria Linn, founder, 1:11 Art and Healing
If you're exploring Durham and looking for a unique dinner experience head over to Littler.
“In the heart of downtown, this restaurant boasts just a handful of tables, music played on vinyl, local ingredients and a female Chef. It is an intimate, vintage aesthetically pleasing space with fantastic food and cocktails.” – Bliss Floccare,Shoot With Bliss
Nestled in the vibrant heart of Durham, Urban Turban Indian Grill and Bar brings a fresh, modern twist to traditional Indian cuisine. Recently ranked 5th on Yelp’s Top 25 New Indian Restaurants in the US and Canada, it proudly stands as the only North Carolina spot on this prestigious list. Featuring sizzling tandoori dishes and creative craft cocktails, each dish pays homage to India’s rich culinary heritage, reimagined for contemporary tastes. Whether you're in the mood for a comforting curry or a vibrant street food snack, Urban Turban offers an unforgettable dining experience.
If you're ever in the Bull City and craving something sweet, Dulce Cafe is a must-try. "One of my favorite gems in the Bull City is Dulce Cafe on Fayetteville Road in Durham. Their dessert case is always gorgeous and looks like a picture in a food magazine. The birthday cakes I have purchased are off the charts, especially the carrot cake. It's the best I have tasted. They have a super talented pastry chef." – Seth Gross, Owner, Bull City Burger and Brewery/Bull City Solera and Taproom in Durham
Durham has earned the title of the "tastiest town in the South," and Succotash Southern & Creole Kitchen is a perfect example of why. Owned and operated by Louisiana natives, the restaurant offers authentic Creole dishes like gumbo, red beans & rice, jambalaya, seafood poboys, and fresh seafood plates. The 12-hour smoked brisket is a standout, and truly unforgettable. Tucked off the beaten path, this hidden gem is a must-visit for anyone craving delicious Southern and Creole flavors.
Located right on the corner of Durham Central Park, Fusion Gallery & Classes is home to 25+ local artists representing a wide variety of mediums, genres, experience levels, and price points. Fusion also offers beginner-level art classes in clay sculpture, resin pouring, stained glass, sketching, watercolors, and more. After perusing our eclectic collection of local goods you can continue to the Farmers Market and Cecy's Art Market right outside our front doors every Saturday morning.
Namu Durham is a hidden oasis amongst the hustle and bustle of Durham, NC. Conveniently located minutes from I40 and between UNC Chapel Hill and Duke, it is easily accessible from all parts of Durham. Once you arrive at Namu, you can enjoy its various unique spaces and find something to enjoy whether you're looking for a steamy espresso drink, flavorful Korean fusion dishes or a local craft beer. – Madison Mundy, Events Director, Namu Restaurant
Many people don't realize that an actual jazz club exists in South Durham off MLK Blvd. The Sharp 9 Gallery Jazz Club, part of the Durham Jazz Workshop, was named a "Great Jazz Venue of 2024" by Downbeat Magazine, making it the only jazz venue honored from North Carolina.
“With over 130 performances a year, Sharp 9 hosts top local performers as well as regional and world-class artists in an intimate setting. “In addition to its vibrant music scene, the Durham Jazz Workshop also offers a dynamic educational program, featuring coached ensembles for both youth and adult learners throughout the year.” – Dave Finucane, Durham Jazz Workshop
There’s so much to do in Durham, but one attraction stands out. “It’s not just a hidden gem; it’s a whole collection of them. The area features an ancient railway, a rescue center for black bears and red wolves, an interactive animal show, a butterfly sanctuary, tree walks, a dinosaur trail, and much more. Be sure to set aside at least an afternoon to explore — you'll need the time. And don't forget to take your camera!” – Colin, What’s On In Durham
Amanda works on Redfin’s stellar Content Marketing team as a Content Marketing Coordinator. She has 3 years' experience in the marketing industry and has a passion for writing local content that highlights the unique attributions in different cities and helps renters find their perfect home. As a resident of North Carolina, she enjoys exploring nature trails, going to farmers markets, and collecting plants. Her ideal home would be a modern, cozy apartment with a view of the city skyline.