Durham, NC + Add a trip

P.F. Chang's China Bistro

If you're in the area, go there. Best chinese food. Don't go anywhere else, just try it first :-)

Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill

Nice restaurant in the mall; not too fancy and ok if you like meat :)

You name a type of food, Durham has at least one place that does it well. Except for Vietnamese and Thai. Here are some of the best places I've actually eaten at.

French: Rue Cler, Vin Rouge. Italian-esque: Piedmont, Pop's, Piazza Italia, Toast Bar Food: The Federal, Tyler's Taproom Sushi: Shakti Sushi, Mt. Fuji, Kurama Fine Dining: Magnolia Grill (world-class), Watt's Grocery, Revolution, Parizade BBQ: Allen and Sons, Bullocks, Hog Heaven High-end Seafood: Blu Seafood Stuff your face Seafood: Kemps Seafood House Pizza: Pomodoro, Randy's Pizza, Satisfaction Indian: Sitar Cheap: Elmo's Diner, China Buffet

Mexican: Tonali (seconding the recommendation for Toast as well!)

great atmosphere, like an old gentleman's club. a lot of different whiskies!

Had a great meal there last month. A tad bit pricey and the menu is eclectic and includes several vegetarian dishes.

Beyu is a combination coffee shop, dessert place, restaurant, and live music (primarily jazz, or fusion with blues and funk) venue. Everything I've had there has been terrific. Their brunches are wonderful and the desserts divine. Caution--dining during live performances will result in a cover charge added to your bill. Check the performance schedule on their website if you don't plan to stay to enjoy the music.

Wonderful panini and friendly proprietor!

The Toast Blend from Counter Culture Coffee is, for my taste, the best coffee ever, and they will sell beans by the half pound. Small place, but seating magically becomes available before the food arrives (unless rude people grab a table before ordering and throw the rotation off).

Yum. The chef used to be a sous chef at Four Square. Personally, I like Tonali better. I think the restaurant is to Mexican food what Crook's Corner and Magnolia Grill are to Southern homestyle cooking. Great ingredients, a skillful chef and attention to detail venerate the genre and transform it into a category all its own.