I’m halfway through my four years at Duke, and I’m sorry to say I’ve only scratched the surface of all that Durham has to offer! This post is more a list of my favorite places than a comprehensive guide to Durham. But if you are a prospective freshman or aspiring applicant visiting campus, this list is a great starting point to get a feel for Duke student life in Bull City.
Note: All opinions expressed in this post are my own. I am not being paid to endorse these companies in any way. I’m just a happy customer!
The Parlour
The Parlour is the very first place every Duke student recommends to visitors — and even though it’s cliché, the ice cream is too good for me to skip! Drive five minutes off of East Campus into downtown Durham for a scoop (or two, or three) of your favorite, classic flavors, or spice it up (literally) with their seasonal selection of experimental flavors. So far, I’ve tried Honey Lavender, Pumpkin, Apple Pie, Honey Chai, and Sweet Coconut Curry, and I’ve loved them all!
Happy + Hale
Located right on 9th Street, Happy + Hale is my go-to weekend breakfast spot. They serve smoothies, fresh-pressed juices, açai bowls, and more. My favorite order is avocado toast with a sunny-side-up egg, with a City of Oats smoothie for later. The best part? They deliver to East and Central campuses! While you’re there, peek into Yoga Off East — the entrance to the studio is past the register. Name a more iconic duo — I’ll wait.
Monuts
Another 9th Street hotspot, Monuts serves more than just donuts — their locally-sourced menu includes breakfast sandwiches, salads, coffee, beer, and cocktails. It’s close enough to East Campus to motivate a few friends to walk over for brunch on a Saturday morning. You won’t regret it!
Cocoa Cinnamon
Cocoa Cinnamon is my favorite off-campus escape. Out of all the places on this list, this one feels the most separate from the “Duke bubble.” There are actually two Cocoa Cinnamon locations in Durham: one on Hillsborough Road, and another on Geer Street. Each one offers its own vibe. Inside the Geer Street location you will find an eclectic assortment of comfy couches and armchairs to curl up on. This location is open until 10:00 or 10:30pm every night, making it ideal for those late-night, caffeine-fueled paper writing sessions. They also have long tables outside, where you will find Dukies working on group projects or just enjoying an afternoon with friends. The Hillsborough Road location is where I really get down to business on my work. There are no couches, just benches, stools, and cool painted tables like the one pictured above. This location closes earlier in the evening, at 6:30 or 7:00pm every night, and its floor-to-ceiling windows and sunny outdoor seating make this location well-suited for daytime studying.
The Zen Succulent
I was so excited when I first happened upon The Zen Succulent in downtown Durham! This cozy little store is a succulent-lover’s heaven. It’s chock-full of cacti, aloes, echeveria, and the rest of their succulent cousins, along with pots to house them in, air-plant hangers, and adorable succulent-themed gifts like stationery and iron-on patches. Terrariums are such a fun, easy gift. Just pick out a plant at The Zen Succulent, and they will do the dirty-work for you. 😉
Brightleaf Square
Brightleaf Square, just a few minutes down the road from East Campus, is home to over a dozen yummy eateries and artsy shops. I love poking around Indio for apartment decor and gifts, and I’m looking forward to signing up for one of their DIY workshops when I get back to campus! I’ve been told Satisfaction is not only a great pizza place, but also a fun bar to watch the basketball team’s away games on TV. My favorite restaurant in Brightleaf Square is The Little Dipper, where my friends and I celebrate the Wednesday Ladies Night with cheese and chocolate fondue, for just $9 a person!
Heavenly Buffaloes
This little shack on the edge of East Campus may not look like much, but Heavenly Buffaloes — or as my friends and I lovingly call it, “Buffs” — is a favorite of students and locals alike. You can’t find a better late-night or watch-party snack than their boneless wings and waffle fries.
I hope this list helped you plan your next visit to Durham! If you are an aspiring Duke student or a recently-accepted Baby Blue Devil, don’t hesitate to reach out! Stay tuned for my next post on my favorite spots on campus.