Diners' Choice: Kid-friendly restaurants in Durham

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are kid friendly in Durham? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria

4.9

4.9 (103)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Carrboro

About the restaurant

Offering small plates, True wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, housemade gelato, local beer on draft, wine & cocktails in downtown Carrboro!

Top review

GRANT

Dined 7 days ago

Great food and service. The pizza is authentic tasting and fresh. We will be back!

Local 22 Kitchen and Bar

4.8

4.8 (1034)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

A Southern-accented gastropub with a strong local focus.

Top review

christopherVIP

Dined 4 days ago

This is a fantastic place. The food is delicious and creative. The service is top notch and simply wonderful. We will return soon.

Nasher Cafe at Duke University

4.7

4.7 (855)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Durham

About the restaurant

The 125-seat indoor/outdoor Nasher Cafe overlooks the garden and sits adjacent to the Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen "Corridor Pin" sculpture, providing a serene and beautiful ambience. The Nasher Cafe offers local and sustainable products forged into creative lunch, brunch and dinner menus. Guests can experience a world class museum as well as restaurant in one stop.

Top review

JayneVIP

Dined on Dec 10, 2024

This cafe is a great little find at the Nasher. Been here a handful of times for lunch. It’s always busy, well executed inventive menu. Had the Vanilla matcha tea with Oat milk- very good. Panini with turkey,cucumbers, carmélized onions and quinoa salad was a great choice. My friend had the goat cheese BLT minus the tomato along with an aioli sauce; basil pesto pasta salad. She said it was very good. I would definitely return for an evening meal with wine. The museum cafe is worthwhile to visit. Even on a weekend while visiting.

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Emmy Squared - Durham

4.7

4.7 (64)

$30 and under

Pizzeria

Durham

About the restaurant

Founded on an unconditional love of well-made food, we use only the highest quality ingredients for our famous Detroit-style pizzas. As Emmy Squared has grown, we’ve continued to make fans and receive accolades along the way, including winning Nashville’s Battle of the Burger, being recognized as one of "The Best New Burgers in NYC" (Gothamist) and one of the "20 Best Burgers in NYC" (Infatuation). Besides award-winning pizzas and burgers, you’ll find delectable appetizers, sandwiches, and salads on our extensive menu. We look forward to welcoming you to Emmy Squared Durham and sharing our unique take on American “comfort food.”

Top review

BentleyVIP

Dined on Dec 6, 2024

Absolutely loved this spot and will be returning ASAP! Caesar salad, Vodka pizza and cocktails were top notch.

It's A Southern Thing Ellis Crossings

4.6

4.6 (50)

$30 and under

Southern

Durham

About the restaurant

It's A Southern Thing is our owner's personal love letter to The South. We've proudly served Downtown Durham since 2017 and are thrilled to expand and open up our second location here at Ellis Crossing. Known for our unique take on traditional Southern fair, we welcome you with a laid back atmosphere, Southern hospitality, delicious craft cocktails and thoughtfully created, scratch made dishes. From our best-selling Shrimp and Grits to Sweet Tea Brined Pork Chops, Fried Green Tomatoes, Collard Greens, Chicken and Waffle Skewers and everything in between, you will find familiar flavors presented in an original way. Offering brunch and dinner seven days a week, with extended bar hours and a private dining area for small functions, we invite you to come in, stay a while and let us show you why so many customers love being part of our It's A Southern Thing family.

Top review

LeslieVIP

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

Our server, Alannah was amazing! The food was delicious and the service was fast!!! We enjoyed the entire experience. We will definitely return.

Kanki Durham

4.4

4.4 (442)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Durham

About the restaurant

Since 1972, Kanki has been the Triangle’s favorite Japanese steakhouse and sushi house.
Located in West Durham on Mount Moriah Road, Kanki Durham serves up delicious hibachi lunches and dinners, sushi and much more.

Our Durham, NC Japanese restaurant is the only Kanki location with a To-Go number, and we make picking up take out orders fast and simple with designated parking spaces and an easily accessible “Take Out” door.

Kanki will only seat complete parties. Please have all your guests accounted for prior to seating. Incomplete parties must wait to be seated until all has arrived.

An 18% gratuity will be added to parties of 6 or more.

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined on Nov 27, 2024

Always a favorite for over 40 plus years. My wife and I moved away from Raleigh and are only able to go to Kanki when we visit our children in Raleigh. We’re moving back soon to the area to retire to be closer to our family and are looking forward to being regulars at Kanki again in near future!

Estampa Gaucha - Raleigh

4.4

4.4 (149)

$50 and over

Brazilian Steakhouse

Durham

About the restaurant

In the extreme south of Brazil, there is a land of rich and strong rural traditions, families have been gathering on weekends, for centuries, to celebrate life around a barbecue "CHURRASCO". There they talk, laugh, dance, enjoy themselves and specialize in grilling many types of meat. Thus, the CHURRASCO became the best representation, the "Trademark" or as the Brazilians say, "ESTAMPA" of the GAÚCHO lifestyle, such Denomination is given to the inhabitants of Rio Grande do Sul, the most southern state of Brazil. Today, here at ESTAMPA GAÚCHA, with great pride, we bring you the best of our churrasco, our culture. We are looking forward to showing our hospitality and win your loyalty for the excellence of our food and services. Come and experience this reality. Make your reservation and join our family.

Top review

Denisse

Dined 7 days ago

Always such a great time here. My fiancé and I love to come here for special occasions or whenever we’re in the mood for steak. The service always exceeds my expectations and everyone is very attentive and accommodating. Highly recommend!!

Restaurant at The Durham

4.2

4.2 (530)

$31 to $50

American

Durham

About the restaurant

The Restaurant at The Durham serves an ever-evolving seasonal menu of American classics and regional specialties made with the bounty of produce, meats, cheeses and seafood from our local farms and purveyors. Start with drinks and sunset views on The Roof, followed by dinner in the Restaurant’s glass-walled dining room with striking mid-century design.

Reservations made through OpenTable are for the Restaurant only. For Roof reservations and private event inquiries, please call 919-768-8831.

Top review

JeffreyVIP

Dined on Dec 13, 2024

First, this is one of our fav restaurants. Had the scallops which was a new item/recipe. Overwhelming spices. Indian (which I love) but the scallops were doused in garam masala and other sweet spices to a gut wrenching level. Had to leave the last one. The squash puree was over spiced and on and on. Half the spice level and this could have been a wonderful dish.

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Experience

Dinner Before (Or After) the Show!

Experience

New Years Eve Dinner at The Durham

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery

4.1

4.1 (40)

$30 and under

International

Durham

About the restaurant

Flying Bull Restaurant and Brewery is a veteran and woman owned business located in the heart of Durham’s Innovation District. Using only the best seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, Chef Daniel Arenas concocts your favorite American Classics as well as globally–inspired tapas and large plates. This is not your average pub menu! Specialty dishes include everything from bone marrow beef tartare to caviar service. The Flying Bull proves that craft beer and elevated cuisine are a perfect pairing. We also offer an extensive wine list and full service cocktail bar. Looking to host a special event for business or family occasion? Our large beer hall is the perfect solution. Prix fixe full menu or catered hors d’oeuvres available.

Whether you’re looking for a meal with family or friends, business or date nigh, or even a little Jazz with your beverage, our friendly and courteous staff will make sure your visit is a wonderful experience.

Top review

Dea

Dined on Dec 9, 2024

Food is delicious atmosphere is great. Will definitely return.

Carolina Brewery - Chapel Hill

4.0

4 (213)

$30 and under

Southern

Chapel Hill

About the restaurant

Since 1995, we have been proudly serving the locals, students and visitors to Chapel Hill. A lot has changed in both our town and the craft beer industry since we opened our doors as the culmination of a business school plan I wrote my senior year at UNC. Today, we celebrate our North Carolina roots with a made-from-scratch menu focused on Carolina foods in a newly renovated building. I hope you enjoy a true Carolina experience here at Carolina Brewery and will look for our award winning beers on your travels throughout the Carolinas.
Cheers,
Robert Poitras
Owner/Founder

Top review

robertVIP

Dined on Oct 18, 2024

Had reservation but ended up sitting in bar area high top where it was louder than normal due to some baseball fans really into the game. We liked the Octoberfest specials: good beer and the roasted apple kraut was outstanding. Overall was fine but would have preferred to have been seated at a regular table upstairs especially now that reservations are more or less required if you don't want to wait an hour on the weekend.

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