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Places to Eat in Durham
Your Guide to the City for Flying Home 2025
Flying Home is perfectly situated in Durham, NC, a bustling city full of delicious food, interesting history, and fun activities. Our friend Laura Windley has posted recommendations of places to eat in Durham on her blog in the past, and we’re compiling some of those recommendations here along with a few additions.
This is only a small selection of the many options available in Durham. If nothing from this list jumps out, you’re sure to find something that interests you after a little research or wandering around. Let the business know that you’re in town for Flying Home!
Shout-out to Businesses who have Supported Flying Home!
Queeny’s - 321 E Chapel Hill St Suite 100
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
One of the local dancers’ favorites, Queeny’s has hosted swarms of lindy hoppers plenty of times. This year, they helped us provide food for our staff and volunteers. Let them know you’re with Flying Home!
We recommend: The fried pickles, their birria french dip, and their full bar
Foster Street Coffee - 2694 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
.3 miles from the Durham Armory
A cute downtown shop with all the coffee options you need! This year, Foster Street is helping us keep our teachers energized and awake after their long days.
Pie Pushers - 117A W. Main St.
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
For delicious and somewhat casual pizza, visit Pie Pushers! They also have very tasty salads. This year, they helped us provide food for our late night volunteers.
Virge Yoga - 200 Morris St. Suite 140
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A great spot to sign up for some relaxing (or heated) yoga! Whether you’re looking to unwind or get in a quick workout, this is worth checking out. This year, our attendees can sign up for a class at a discounted rate of $15, just say you’re with Triangle Swing Dance Society - Flying Home! See some class times below:
12 PM Gentle Yoga (non-heated)
10:30 AM Gentle Yoga (non-heated)
Geer Street Garden - 664 Foster St.
.4 miles from the Durham Armory
Set between the Durham Armory and the Arthur Murray Studio, this hidden gem is a great place to get a quick bite. This year, Geer Street Garden donated lunches for our Flying Home staff!
The Parlour - 117 Market St.
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
A staple of Durham’s desserts scene, The Parlour is a local ice cream shop with a wide variety of flavors. This year, they donated sweet treats to all our teachers!
We recommend: Lavender honey ice cream
Breakfast/Coffee, Baked Goods
The Daily (AKA The Daily Beer Bar): 108 E Main St.
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A beer bar in the evening, The Daily has a full coffee menu in the morning and early afternoon (and several employees have come to dance with us before!). They have lots of cozy couches to sit on, and a few bigger tables.
Cocoa Cinnamon: 420 W. Geer St. (other locations also available)
.4 miles from the Durham Armory
A classic Durham stop for coffees and specialty drinks, plus a small selection of baked goods. Their Lakewood location (slightly further from downtown) also has fresh churros!
Monuts: 1002 9th St.
1.9 miles from the Durham Armory
A little farther away and often packed, but also a widely-held favorite in Durham! Monuts has a delicious quick lunch menu, a full coffee and specialty drink menu, and a wide variety of delicious baked goods. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. If you have a little time, Monuts is always delicious.
We recommend: The Turkish Eggs, and the Chicken and Pickle Biscuit
Loaf: 111 W. Parish St.
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A delicious morning bakery, Loaf has some of the best croissants and breads in the city. No seating, but there is a nearby small park with benches.
We recommend: All of their croissant-related pastries
Rise Southern Biscuits and Righteous Chicken: 401 Foster St.
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
A classic of Durham for when you want quick Southern-style breakfast biscuits.
Guglhupf Restaurant/Bakery: 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
2.9 miles from the Durham Armory
Our furthest-away recommendation, Guglhupf is worth the trip if you are willing to make it! Their bake shop is open in the morning with delicious European pastries and breads. They also have a delicious and extensive brunch menu. We mention them again below for their delicious German-focused dinner menu.
We recommend: Smashed avocado benedict, falafel döner
Lunch/Dinner
Pizzeria Toro: 105 E Chapel Hill St.
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A somewhat upscale pizza restaurant, Pizzeria Toro is a sit-down restaurant with innovative pizza combinations and Italian dishes. All of their pizzas are delicious!
Viceroy: 335 W Main St.
.3 miles from the Durham Armory
An upscale English/Indian restaurant, Viceroy has a variety of curries, delicious appetizers, and more. Word of warning–some dishes can be quite spicy! We recommend calling ahead. You can also bring the food downstairs to Arcana (mentioned below), Durham’s local lesbian bar.
Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas: 112 W Main St.
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A great quick stop for empanadas and other delicious goods.
La Mala: 110 Corcoran St.
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
A Mexican inspired cocktail bar with plenty of delicious small plates as well.
Nikos: 905 W Main St.
.7 miles from the Durham Armory
For an upscale dining experience, try Nikos. Nikos serves high quality, carefully crafted Greek food with an extensive cocktail list and great ambiance. We recommend reservations! If you’re looking for a full dining experience, Nikos is the place to go.
We recommend: Brussels sprouts, Ricotta gnocchi
Zweli’s: 905 W Main St.
.7 miles from the Durham Armory
With a small but delicious menu, Zweli’s brings Zimbabwean food to the Triangle.
We recommend: piri-piri and Dovi tofu.
Guglhupf Restaurant/Bakery: 2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
2.9 miles from the Durham Armory
Our furthest-away recommendation, Guglhupf is worth the trip if you are willing to make it! Their bake shop is open in the morning with delicious European pastries and breads. The restaurant (mostly outdoor seating) focuses on German dishes. They are also great for brunch, but expect to wait in line a little!
Nzinga’s Kitchen: 826 Fayetteville St.
1.2 miles from the Durham Armory
A locally based soul food kitchen with breakfast all day, and as much comfort food as you could want.
Boricua Soul at American Tobacco Campus: 705 Willard St.
.4 miles from the Durham Armory
A Puerto-Rican restaurant with a particularly Afro-Carribbean focus. They are within the American Tobacco Campus, a beautiful historic area of Durham with plenty of shops to explore.
Durham Food Hall: 530 Foster St
.2 miles from the Durham Armory
Durham Food Hall is a casual, modern space designed for community – a chef-driven culinary and cocktail experience where everyone is welcome. Durham Food Hall is the venue for our “Officially unofficial” Flying Home Meetup
Groceries
Bulldega Urban Market: 129 W Parrish St.
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
Bulldega Urban Market is a locally focused grocery store in downtown Durham, right across from Major the Bull. They offer fresh produce, humanely raised meats, ready-to-eat meals, and a curated wine selection—perfect for grabbing a quick bite, stocking up on essentials, or picking up dinner ingredients.
Other
Arcana: 331 W Main St.
.3 miles from the Durham Armory
In the basement of Viceroy, Arcana is Durham’s local lesbian bar. All are welcome there, but Arcana specifically caters to Durham’s vibrant lesbian community (Durham also being a historic hub for lesbian political organizing in the South!). Expect a fun atmosphere, in-house tarot readers, and a delicious cocktail menu. They often host events, so check to see what’s going on that night!
Kingfisher: 321 E Chapel Hill St.
.1 miles from the Durham Armory
Just downstairs from dancer-favorite Queeny’s is Kingfisher, a slightly more upscale cocktail bar. If you want to try some new drinks with ingredients you may never have heard of, Kingfisher is a fun place to go.
LocoShop: 600 Foster St.
.3 miles from the Durham Armory
A newly opened location, LocoShop sells local and artisan goods as well as house-made paletas (Mexican-style popsicles). You can also visit their main location on Hillsborough Rd.