Black-Owned Restaurants and Food Businesses to Support in Durham, NC

If you live in Durham, NC, here’s a list of black-owned restaurants and food businesses that I encourage you to support. But first…

I shared this on my Instagram but it bears repeating. I’ve stayed up til 5am an entire weekend following the protests with a heavy heart. As I sat with my feelings and felt the weight of depression pushing me down, I thought about Black Americans. My Black American friends whom I love dearly. And I realized with a broken heart that whatever pain I was feeling and am feeling is a drop in the bucket to what Black Americans are feeling and have felt. They carry the weight of lifetimes and generations of oppression and hate. They literally can’t breathe. George Floyd was one of many. And he won’t be the last. So I’m urging us all to look at our own lives. Acknowledge the privilege that allowed us to feel safe when we are pulled over by the police. The safety a lot of us feel when we go on a jog. Or sleep in our own bed. Or wear a hoodie. Feel enraged that these basic human rights are not afforded to our black friends and fellow humans solely based on the color of their skin.

There are countless ways to show up. And it’s going to take practice. It has to be a way of life. A habit. I believe we’re all connected. When one group of us is hurting, we’re all hurting.

So if you’re hungry in Durham and want to support Black American business owners, I hope this list can be of help.

Black-Owned Restaurants and Food Businesses in Durham

Chicken Hut

I have a soft heart for unassuming restaurants with little aesthetics but score high in charm, history, and flavor. Chicken Hut first opened in the 1950s. I tried their fried chicken, and the crunchy salty batter and juicy meat will make you wish you ordered more. Their collards and mac were 👌. One day, I’ll get to try their smothered oxtail. They are open for lunch only.

Chicken Hut
3019 Fayetteville St, Durham, NC 27707
chickenhutnc.weebly.com

Tonya Council’s Porch Drops

Have you heard of famed Mama’s Dips? A Soul Food restaurant in Chapel Hill by the late and great Mildred Council? Well, her granddaughter, Tonya Council carries on her grandmother’s legacy through her own culinary small businesses. Tonya recently launched a weekly meal delivery service called Porch Drops. Menus are refreshed every week, and deliveries are made Saturdays within 22 miles of Chapel Hill and within 22 miles of Durham on Mondays. Sugarface and I ordered her new brunch boxes and were SO happy with them. The biscuits were fluffy, the fried chicken so tender. Even the fresh fruit cups were sweet and ripe. Also, you must try her Pecan Crisp Cookies. They were so delicate and perfect!

Pro tip: All orders must be placed by 6pm on Friday.

Tonya Council’s Porch Drops
tonyacouncil.com/porch-drops

True Flavors Diner

True Flavor Diner is so aptly named. Find gourmet versions of diner classics like lobster omelets and spicy chorizo chicken hash on their menu. Pictured is their duck hash. During COVID-19, they are open for carry-out only.

True Flavors Diner
5410 Highway 55 Suite AJ AK, Durham, NC 27713
trueflavorsdiner.com

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles is another beloved establishment in the Triangle, serving the most varied chicken and waffles menu I’ve ever seen. Even their schmear list is expansive, from strawberry creme to orange honeycomb. I love taking out-of-town visitors here.

Dame’s Chicken and Waffles
multiple locations
dameschickenwaffles.com

Big C’s Waffles

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And while we’re on the topic of chicken and waffles, these chicken and waffles are from Big C’s Waffles. The top waffle is the Red Velvet waffle and the one on the bottom is the blueberry waffle. The fried chicken has an addictive peppery batter. I love supporting small local businesses with big heart. If you go to Big C Waffles, you’ll more than likely see Big C himself making your waffles. His Granny B Koolaid tastes like 4th grade. In other words, it tastes like childhood joy.

Big C’s Waffles
2110 Allendown Dr #9201, Durham, NC 27713
bigcwaffles.com

Beyu

A local Durham gem, beyu caffé has such a homey and community-building atmosphere. They have an all-day breakfast menu with classic brunch items like French toast and omelets. I always feel spoiled when I can eat breakfast and brunch all day, all week. Pictured is catfish and grits!

beyu caffé
341 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
beyucaffe.com

Royal Cheesecake & Varieties

Follow Royal Cheesecake and Varieties on Instagram to see where their pop-ups are. They serve all over the Triangle. You won’t regret it. Pictured above is their Fried Chicken Cheesecake. It was SO GOOD.

Royal Cheesecake & Varieties
rcvcakes.com

Bespoke Dessert Bar

My dear talented friend Trista, the owner of Bespoke Dessert Bar, specializes in cupcakes. I’ve used her cupcakes for an event before and received so many happy reviews! I once told her that I thought vanilla cupcakes were boring so she promptly surprised me with a vanilla cupcake that made me eat my words. Please consider her for your private party needs.

Bespoke Dessert Bar
bespokedessertbar.com

Saltbox Seafood Joint

Head Chef Ricky Moore is a U.S. Army veteran and a James Beard semifinalist. Saltbox has been a Durham favorite since they opened their first seafood shack. I’m in love with their blackened fish rolls and hush-honeys. I also credit Saltbox for giving me my first Cheerwine experience! They are open for takeaway and in-store pickup.

Saltbox Seafood Joint
multiple locations
saltboxseafoodjoint.com

Goorsha

There are so many reasons why I love Goorsha. They serve Ethiopian food, and Ethiopian fare is one way to get me excited about vegetables and eating vegan. (They also have meats but I quite love their vegetarian and vegan offerings.) More personally, I was able to bring my now late dad here during the only trip he was able to make to visit me in NC. He once walked into Goorsha’s kitchen while I was in the bathroom to ask them how they make their injera bread. The staff was way too kind to my silly dad with loose boundaries.

Goorsha
910 W Main St, Durham, NC 27701
goorshadurham.com

Perkins Orchard

Perkins Orchard is Durham’s largest and oldest fruit stand. You can peruse their locally sourced fresh fruits and vegetables. In addition to produce, they also have Mexican-style popsicles, jams, fruit ciders, and more. It’s a beautiful location with picnic tables nestled between pecan trees.

Perkins Orchard
5749 Barbee Rd, Durham, NC 27713
perkinsorchard.com/home/

And that concludes my list for now of black-owned restaurants and food businesses in Durham. I’ll be updating this post as I explore and get to know Durham. Sending you love and light during this tumultuous time in our country.

For more Black-owned restaurants outside of Durham check out these 3 Jamaican Spots in the Triangle.

A few of these restaurants were also highlighted in my Best Brunch Restaurants in the Triangle article. For more Triangle articles, visit my Ultimate guide to the Triangle.

Follow my eating adventures and happenings on Instagram. You can also see what is catching my attention in the food world on Twitter and Facebook. I also recently launched a Patreon to share some behind the scenes of running a food and travel blog. I just joined TikTok and Youtube too.