Durham Favorites

I love Durham. It’s hard to say home when I’m not working. Here are some of my favorite places and things to do:

EAT

L’uva – Fantastic Italian style restaurant in American Tobacco. Great for drinks on outdoor patio as well.
Geer Street Garden – The outdoor seating, adequate vegetarian options, Andy, and 1-block proximity to my house make me a regular here.
Rue Cler – Delightful French restuarant. I recommend the French Onion Soup & Frites Rue Cler.
Bull City Burger & Brewery – Opened March 2011 to overwhelming response. Made-from-scratch everything.
Watts Grocery – The perfect dinner out. A go-to for special occasions – like family in town or Thursdays.
Parker & Otis – An essential part of a balanced Durham diet. Try the pimiento cheese if nothing else.
Kokyu BBQ – The foodie’s food truck. Start the bidding at one duck fat tater tot.

Durham Farmer’s Mkt - Open every Saturday morning in Central Park featuring local farmers, growers and crafters.
Morgan Imports - A community institution – variety store in Brightleaf Square where you can find just about anything.
Vert and Vogue - An eco-fashion boutique for men, woman, and baby.
Magpie – Wonderful new women’s boutique in West Village
Uniquities – Raleigh & Chapel Hill staple women’s boutique now in Durham as of Spring 2010.
Portabello Road – Unique gifts & vintage clothing. A taste of Austin’s S. Congress St. right here in Durham.
Offbeat Music – Wide selection of new & used music.
Regulator – Fantastic independent bookstore where I get all my book club books.
Ox & Rabbit – Soda fountain and purveyor of cool stuff. The first place I go for fine wrapping paper and cards.

Carolina Theater - Grab a beer and watch a movie you won’t necessarily find at a multiplex cinema.
Durham Bulls - There is nothing like minor league baseball.
Durham Performing Arts Center - From concerts to the broadway series, DPAC would be great even if you couldn’t bring drinks into the theater.

the Federal - Lots of local beers with excellent food. My favorite.
Dain’s Place - Famous burgers & fries with a long beer menu.
the Pinhook - Live music from bands you’ve never heard of and may or may not like.
Revolution – Most sophisticated bar experience in Durham.
Tyler’s Speakeasy – More beers on tap than anywhere in Durham.

Carolina Theater - Great concert lineup
Brightleaf Square - Outdoor music in the square
American Tobacco Campus - Excellent concert lineup on the lawn under the water tower

Genesis Home – “working to end homelessness for families with children and young adults by providing housing and supportive services to foster independence.”
Urban Ministries – “Providing food, clothing, shelter, and supportive services to our neighbors in need.”
Animal Protection Society – A not for profit organization that has been helping animals in our community since 1970, and has managed the Durham County Animal Shelter since 1990.
SEEDS - non-profit community garden whose goal is to teach people to care for the earth, themselves and each other through a variety of garden-based programs.
Durham CAN - Organization of communities, associations, and neighborhoods dedicated to advocating social issues in Durham
TROSA is a multi-year residential program that enables substance abusers to be productive, recovering individuals by providing comprehensive treatment, work-based vocational training, education, and continuing care.