Cosmic Cantina

In Durham's bustling food scene, atop an unassuming staircase on Perry Street, sits Cosmic Cantina, where interplanetary décor meets earthbound Mexican cuisine that defies both gravity and expectations, especially after midnight. The establishment's vibrant menu board, adorned with planets, stars, and an alien mascot clutching fresh produce, establishes a playful tone that belies the seriousness with which they approach their craft. While the proclamation of serving "the best Mexican food on the planet" might seem hyperbolic, it's a claim the kitchen backs with surprising conviction. The burrito – their flagship offering – arrives swaddled in foil like a tiny spacecraft. Unwrapped, it reveals a thoughtfully constructed interior: properly seasoned pinto beans, fluffy rice, and meats prepared with unexpected care. At under $14, it delivers sustenance without astronomical pricing, making it a cornerstone of Durham's late-night dining cosmos. The dining room's ambiance marries utilitarian charm with cosmic whimsy. Exposed brick walls meet wooden ceiling panels while bistro chairs with blue-and-white woven seats invite patrons to linger. Decorative Mexican tiles line the counter, creating an eclectic backdrop for the restaurant's late-night theater. Open until 4 a.m., Cosmic Cantina cultivates a devoted following among students and night owls. The establishment's stubborn inaccessibility – visible in the staircase one must climb to enter – may limit its clientele but enhances its cult status. This is democratic dining with a celestial twist, where burritos transcend their humble ingredients to become something greater than the sum of their parts. Whether Cosmic Cantina truly serves the best Mexican food in the universe remains debatable, but in Durham's nocturnal firmament, it shines with peculiar, persistent brightness, a reliable beacon for the hungry wanderer seeking sustenance or simply late night carbs under the stars.

Very cool burrito joint! Not being a local this was a little hard to find. Thanks to other reviewers showing the stairs. The door is street level and then immediate stairs up tp the second floor. The business upstairs and to the right. In town for work and stumbled upon this place being near my hotel. So glad I stopped. I'm from South Chicago so latin food is no stranger to me. I travel a LOT for work and always get Mexican once a week wherever I'm at. THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE BEST CHICKEN BURRITO I HAVE EVER HAD! You can smell the place while you're walking up the stairs. Upon entering you're hit with a wave of delicious aromas. They had so many choices it was difficult to choose. I ultimately choose the deluxe chicken burrito. Every item in this thing was perfect. Salsa and guacamole were incredible. I'm here for a week and am planning on stopping twice more before I leave. It's THAT good.

The food was great, especially for late night. Service was great, but make sure you check that receipt because I was about to put cash in the tip jar before I noticed that they had already charged me $5.15 for a tip without saying anything or posting about automatic tips charges (definitely would've given them extra cash but I would also like to be notified of what I am being charged..so I decided against it for that reason) My family and friends will definitely be back next time we're in town. The outside patio is cute, too 😍

Way too expensive for what it is and not very good. The prices on the most recent menu pictures are not up to date fya if you’re ordering pick up. Ordered a giant steak chimichanga - $25. Almost no meat in the chimichanga, it was all rice and beans. I probably count the number of small pieces of meat inside. Most of the cheese on top was also not melted Queso - $9. Chicken quesadilla - $9. Cheese on quesadilla was not melted and still whole. It was more like a plain chicken taco with some unmelted cheese inside.

I love Mexican food and have traveled to Mexico quite frequently. Because of this, I have a deep affection for authentic Mexican cuisine. However, the steak burrito at this place left me extremely disappointed. From the very first bite, it was an unpleasant experience. The steak was poorly grilled, crushed and stuck to the grill, giving off a foul odor. It was also overwhelmingly salty, as if someone had simply dumped salt onto it. It was so excessively salty and smelly that I couldn't eat it and had to throw it all away. I understand that the charred flavor might be intended to appeal to a younger crowd, but this kind of cooking method poses a serious health risk. Overall, the quality of the food was terrible and I absolutely do not recommend this place. You would be far better off going to Chipotle, which is closer to fast food but still miles ahead of this. I strongly advise against ever setting foot in this restaurant. To make matters worse, the hygiene here was shocking. I witnessed a staff member casually pick up tongs that had fallen on the floor and use them again to handle the meat. It was absolutely appalling. This place is dirty, careless and downright unacceptable. :(

I live in Greenville, NC and I am battling Breast Cancer. I go to the doctors in Durham, NC. Whenever, I come to Cosmic Cantina I am always greeted with kindness. The food is always Amazing. I would rate this restaurant a 10/10. I wish there was one in Greenville, NC or at least closer than Durham. I would come more often. I love the freshness of the food and the chips are made there fresh so they are always fresh also. If you want authentic Mexican food this is the place to go. You will not be disappointed.

Nice place to get some quick cooked food to eat. Closes at 4:00am. I was just visiting and at about 11pm I felt hungry and I search and found them online...life saver food is very affordable and not bad. Customers service is okay. They are nice people.

God awful looking entry way, like you’re walking into a slum tenement building. I like bringing people unfamiliar with Cosmic Cantina here, but not giving them any warning. Once it to this second story burrito joint. The decor is only slightly better, but that’s ok… you’re here for the burrito. The burrito is good. Wait… that’s not giving this place enough credit. This burrito is very good, better than most. Better than most any burrito chain. A few characteristics that stand out: the chicken is slightly charred, giving it a great taste; the burritos are rolled properly, meaning they’re rolled tight (a burrito should not flop over in your hand); the complementary cup of salsa fresca and the chips are good. Hey, I’m biased. I started coming to this place over 20 years ago. I’m glad to see it hasn’t changed much.

I love this place! It's a dive, no frills and super cool. There's so many options including vegetarian! The burritos are huge! We had nachos ($11) and they were delicious. Generous amounts of chicken, black beans, guacamole, white cheese and tomatoes. Can't wait go back!

You'd be forgiven if you couldn't find this place if you were told about it. It's on a very dark side street off ninth Street in Durham. It's a second floor location, so there's nothing on the ground floor to tell you that it's there except an arched doorway with a handpainted unlit sign over it. Go ahead walk up the stairs and it's on your right. You enter a nicely lit, open area with the food prep bar in front of you across the narrow room. A huge menu is hanging over the glass panels. There are paper ones around as well. Regarding the decor: you just walked up stairs plastered with stickers and graffiti and into a door that had no readable label. There will be no tea lights and cloth tablecloths. It's a late night dive, and fills the spec perfectly. Actually, it's nicer than most dive bars I've been to. But temper your expectations, ok? Anything is good. I like the quesadillas, but the burritos are fine, too, just messier. I'd only eaten in once, but frequently stop in on the way home from work or after a game night. They are open until 4 am, so good for after hours folks. ‍ To go orders are made quickly, so the pupper at home waiting after work doesn't get too much worse.

Late night tip. I took my wife here after we got off the plane from Arizona. All of our favorite places had already closed. The chips and queso was really good. I got the chicken burrito which was good. My wife got the nachos, the nachos you can share with two or three people. Over all is a good late night spot. Decor I would give it a 4.5 out of 10.

Hugh burrito couldn't finish it. Service was good. They have a small outdoor patio. I went on a not so busy day. Food was made quickly.

Cosmic is a Mexican place located in a cool hidden alleyway. They had great prices and pleasantly surprisingly quick service. They are also open everyday until 4am, which is really convenient. Deluxe steak burrito was slightly soggy but tasted great regardless. Will be coming back again

Incredibly good vegan-friendly Mexican food! Many of their menu options can be made vegan by omitting the cheese, sour cream, etc. They do have vegan meat substitutes but I opted for a burrito with both black and pinto beans instead and loved it. Also really good guacamole.

We got a deluxe chimichanga, a burrito and chips and salsa. Portions are definitely huge. I really enjoyed the chimichanga, but they put beans in when I asked for no beans. I just picked the beans out, I'm not one for wasting food. I did enjoy the taste though, especially the guacamole. We really didn't need a side of chips and salsa with how big the portions were. The salsa was fresh and really great, it had large amounts of cilantro. My boyfriend enjoyed the burrito but said it was a bit plain. The shop itself is quite small and you order up at a small counter.

Cosmic cantina never fails to impress! It's always open late and never lets us down. The portions are huge and plenty to fill your appetite or have more for a later snack. The service is always great. Staff are always making sure to have your order right and to give you warm, fresh food. Ambience is casual, but all you need for quick, yummy delicious Mexican food.

I came to this spot every week when I was a student at NCCU (2013-2017). I recently visited again after taking a road trip through Durham (09/18/2023) and the place was exactly the same! I believe they need to take time to DEEP CLEAN the restaurant since they're open every single day. The bathrooms are disgusting. It's located at the top of a building with other businesses. The food tasted the same and the environment was the same. I ordered the veggie Constance burrito and it had NO veggies :( It only had rice and sour cream on it. I also ordered chips and pico so I ended up adding the pico to my burrito and it tasted great. The service is quick! My boyfriend ordered the chicken quesadillas with chips and queso. His food was great and they always give large portions for a great price. It's enough food for now and later. It's still one of my favorite spots in Durham, they just need a day of rest and cleaning!

I was in Durham for work and wanted to check out Duke University. While I was walking around the area, I found the Cosmic Cantina, a hole in the wall up a shady looking flight of stairs. It's open late, up to 4am most nights. They serve what appears to be Texmex. I got a deluxe size steak chimichanga, and it was huge. The steak was well seasoned and tender, and it was loaded with rice, beans, and cheese. It was also topped with a pile of pico de gallo and even more cheese. The tortilla was nice and crispy after being deep fried. It's basically as good as a chain texmex place like On the Border, but cheaper and open later. Definitely a place for less than sober college students, but at least they know it.

TLDR: your local late night mexican place Everywhere needs a place like this. Going above and beyond the usual late night mexican joint this place has an extensive amount of vegan options. Open super late we really appreciated it!

Atmosphere: The steps leading up to Cosmic Cantina can feel not the safest especially at night. Once in the restaurant, it has a very local feel with a nice outdoor area. Service: The line can get long at times, but the service has been reasonable for the most part. Food: We've ordered several different items in the past, but on our most recent visit, we got the beef burrito and a loaded burrito with chicken. The beef burrito is pretty standard and has a good amount of filling. It's not the most amazing burrito by any means but definitely gets the job done at the price.The loaded chicken burrito has more fillings and can comfortably feed two people's cravings. Again, the portions are quite generous and the quality is decent. Overall: We wouldn't say that Cosmic Cantina has the best food, but it satisfies our appetites after a night out. Cosmic Cantina's late hours (open until 4am) are what give the restaurant most of its appeal, so we would probably not find ourselves here in the daytime. Either way, our review lies somewhere in between a strong 3 and light 4.

The best place for late night food in Durham. I've been going to Cosmic for 10 years and can say they have the best Mexican food in the triangle. I highly recommend their famous chimichangas. Grab a giant size and split with a friend!

Great fresh tacos, lively environment, service was good considering how busy. Solid go to for me if I'm nearby.

food is kind of expensive for just tasting meh. The mini chicken burrito is certainly large for the price but it doesn't taste flavorful or special, and they went too ham on the beans so it fell apart kind of easily The steak quesadilla I bought along with my chicken burrito was also filling but it tasted like corned beef. Why would a mexican steak burrito burrito taste like corned beef? you ask me. Wouldn't go again.

Limited options and a staff that really seems like they couldn't care less that you were there. I gave it two tries, that's all it takes for me. The burritos are BIG, but don't really have a lot of flavor to them, and very limited customization... when I asked if I could get peppers and onions I got a disgruntled response along the lines of "they don't come with that"... the next visit I went for a quesadilla, it has potential, if it had onions and peppers... or if I spent extra for sour cream or guac. Two stars because they have Coke Zero, matches the amount of effort they put in to the place.

Terrible phone service good food but they need to improve management to be a real business because I called 49 times eVeggie Burritos W Can't even answer the phone

First of all WOW! I did not know what to expect from this place. It is set back of the street in a little pedestrian walkway/alley. The restaurant itself is tiny! There are maybe 8 tables total. They do a lot of takeout and it's so quick (15 minutes!).The staff are very friendly and efficient. I wasn't sure if I would find vegan options but they had vegan specials on the menu and some of their main items like the veggie burrito can be easily modified to be vegan. The prices are insanely good - $5 for the vegan plate or the veggie burrito. Even the giant steak burrito my bf got was less than $15. Highly recommend stopping by this place for takeout if you are in the area! Your stomach and your wallet will be happy!

One of my favorite spots in durham for a quick and cheap bite. Always open at night so perfect for burrito cravings!

I have been coming here since childhood and it's always been a classic. The food costs are extremely reasonable. For example, we got 2 mini burritos (1 chix, 1 steak), steak nachos + queso, and a veggie quesadilla AND 2 beers for $40. That was dinner and lunch for 2 people. The food tastes pretty good, I love the nachos. The service at the counter is quick but food can come out a little slow. The ambiance is nice. It's a lively, small space that has maybe 10 tables max and it's always pretty crowded but it's all part of the experience in my opinion. Overall, it's great for some cheap, yummy food. Another plus, they are open u til 4am!

Always amazing. I have been coming here since I was in high school! When we visit Durham it's a must stop for us.

I've been going to this place for over twenty years and for most of that time they could be depended on for a good basic burrito. But tonight I waited for over an hour after ordering my two veggie burritos. Something very wrong here. Lots of people seemed to be getting mad. I probably won't be going back, at least not on a Friday evening.

I was told that this restaurant was a bit of a landmark for Durham, and after eating there late-at-night I can see why. Not many after-hours eateries are found in this little college town but Cosmic Cantina, which serves beer, wine AND great-tasting Hispanic grub is infamous. I went with an extremely tasty (regular) chicken burrito (about $8) that was the size of a very chubby toddler's leg; so huge, in fact, that I could only stomach half, taking the other half home to enjoy later. I found myself imagining what a deluxe burrito would look like if a regular one had this much girth and length to it! My date chose chips with queso and avocado dips, which she thoroughly seemed to enjoy and devour. After ordering, you're free to sit yourself or roam about the restaurant's interior or outdoor rooftop lounge area where seating is as plentiful as it is inside. Once the name left upon your order is called (via speaker system installed to be heard throughout the establishment), you can dine in and take out. As my date and I sat outside eating, we were not surprised to see many more arriving customers increasing to put in an order from Cosmic Cantina's affordable, reasonable menu.

I had the steak nachos and they were delicious! I would definitely recommend this place.

Affordable, big servings and friendly staff. Lots eat here at lunch so you know the food is Good. My chimichanga so big, it was yummy but didn't get to finish half.. Guacamole the best especially with salsa and nachos..

Let me say the walk up had me nervous walking up but this is definitely great Hispanic food. The grilled meat was terrific with the smokey flavor. We got the nachos and quesadillas, both chicken and it was delicious. We are too fast and forgot photos opps.

Honestly I hate giving reviews but honestly this one is necessary. The venue was beautiful and colorful and we were there on a rainy day so the windows were so pretty with the wet surroundings. The area is amazing and so much to do as well as the restaurant so pretty and lots of food. I ordered a simple chicken nacho and chicken quesadilla. Mind you I am a college student so I had to wait till I got home to eat it. I was so fustratee when I opend the box and my chips were soft and soggy and it just made the whole dinner experence irritating. The quesadilla was so dry and when I asked for sauce it was peco and not actually salsa. Just an over all bad experience. Had to over compensate with Sauce and fresh chips. Sorry won't be back!

I've been here a couple of times and really want to like it. However this last visit was a very frustrating one! Not only did it take 30 minutes to get my food, but it was super bland! Come on, do better. Just be honest you forgot my order! It does not take 30 minutes to do a quesadilla and you got the 5 orders behind me done before I had to remind you! So here's the cons: - Poor customer service and rude employees - 30 mins to get a veggie quesadilla - Bland food - Food not worth the value Save your yourself the headache and disappointment. There's way too many choices on 9th street.

I finally found the courage to go up the stairs. I'm so glad that I did! There were a few people in front of me and waiting for their food but my food came out in an instant! I was surprised how fast I received my food. I went with a medium sized chicken chimichanga! There are 3 different sizes that you can choose from. If you're very hungry, the medium should be good. If you're planning to split it, go for the largest size. The chimichanga was delicious! It came with lots of condiments which paired well. I also got an side of the cheese sauce. That went well with it as well. Overall, it was good. My only complaint is that the chicken tasted a little burnt. I look forward to trying other items on the menu in the near future. Overall, fantastic customer service. Everyone was very kind. The price point was the best part! Bang for the buck and quality!

It's on the second floor of the building, accessible through two flights of stairs. I couldn't tell if there was an elevator. Affordable, service was pleasant, got my food quickly, but the chicken burrito was salty.

Late night tacos! Enough said. May have to wait, but worth it. Chicken nachos....FIRE!!!!

The tightest and best-wrapped burrito I've had probably ever. I commend whoever wrapped it. I had the vegan chorizo without cheese and added some tofu for fun. The chorizo was fine but I'd probably stick to just tofu next time. The flavors of everything else were fine. A solid burrito overall. Not the best, not the worst. I would order again. I love that they're open late. Stairway to get in feels a little sketchy, but the staff there is delightful and kind.

Not your traditional Mexican restaurant but it was delicious nonetheless. I had the chicken quesadilla and my friend ordered a steak burrito and guacamole. Im not a fan of guacamole but it was very fresh, served with hot chips. We arrived late (after 9p) and there were still a lot of people there but that was an indication of how good the food is. Service was quick as well. I wish they had more on the menu but that doesn't take away from the taste and flavor of what they do serve. Street parking only and you'll have to walk up a flight or stairs to get to the restaurant. Indoor and outdoor seating is available.

Great serving sizes, love the outdoor seating during the warmer months. Always a packed house when I go

Great simple burrito place. Has been the same for the last 20 years. Everything you get is tasty. No frills. Bring a pen to sign the table and the walls as you go upstairs

Food is delicious, everyone who works here is great, it's an awesome location and despite the lowish rating, this place has been around awhile,survived covid and always has a pretty long line that moves quickly, plus its open late so it's a great place for a late night eat. I highly recommend,the steak burrito is delish!!

The staff was really rude when I had a question about my order. They overcharged me and made no sense as to why I was being charged more than what the price was on the board. Really liked this place but this was an unpleasant experience.

The nachos were breathtaking and the service was zippy! Will be coming back!!!!!!!!!!!

They're currently open. Masks are required. Dine in is available but it's very limited. They have outdoor seating too. Wouldn't suggest coming here with more than three people. You have to go up some stairs to get to this place and it smells like hot urine. It's a complete turn off honestly. Staff here are super nice and patient if you don't know the menu. I got a chicken and salsa quesadilla. It came out very quickly and was a good size. I wasn't a huge fan of the salsa but I'm sure others are. I hear the queso is really good but I didn't get to try it during my first visit. Hand sanitizer is available for patrons as well as a bathroom. Nothing fancy here but my food was good.

Old school veggie burrito is my go to for $3.50 The old school with chicken or beef is even better. A

Ok so this is a place where I would recommend weighing your menu options. Def recommend the loaded nachos with chicken. Had an experience with the cheese quesadilla being too bland and hard to consume. Was the cheapest thing on the menu at the time of ordering. After being here a few times, a good strategy would be to check out the loaded options and stuff with meat/veggies. A good place to get add-ons for sure! Wait times can be unpredictable and take 20 or 30 minutes when there's a rush.

Cosmic Cantina was my go to burrito spot when I lived in the Triangle and still is when I'm in the area, especially when looking for a healthy and affordable vegetarian options. The prices are relatively affordable and the food was healthy and delicious. Luckily, not much has changed. I ordered the Old School Vegetarian Burrito for approximately $7, which was fresh and filling. The warm beans and cool guacamole were the highlight, providing a nice contrast. The restaurant is largely known for it's freshly made pick de Gallo salsa, which tastes very healthy and delicious. The restaurant does not require customers to wear masks. I did not observe staff wearing masks but they were, for the most part, more than 6 feet away from customers. Additionally, the restaurant provides complimentary hand sanitizer for customers.

I've been coming here for 20 years - from across country and now from two hours away. SO delicious! A true Bay Area-style burrito. Simple in its perfection. They also make mini burritos for the kids. Great veggie options and huge portions for the price. You can't go wrong!

Doesn't look like a restaurant when you come by late at night. I am not from the area, but multiple Duke students told me that it was a must for late night munchies on a weekend night. After walking up a flight of dimly lit stairs, I could smell something good cooking. I am honestly not sure how long it took from when I ordered until I got the food. It might've been 2 minutes and it could've been 20. It didn't really matter because it was absolute fire. I ordered a chicken quesadilla and had sides of black beans, rice, and chips and queso. I'm a little surprised my total was not more but it only came out to about $14! It ended up being one of those late night meals where you just eat for 15 straight minutes and don't say a word to anyone around you. Worth a trip if you live in the Durham/Raleigh/Chapel Hill Area.

In 2020, I am alarmed by the inaccuracy of my own review. Things have changed dramatically in the last seven years and Cosmic is tremendous. Great burritos. Friendly service. Crazy affordable. Have been 10+ times since 2013 and the food has been consistently great. Beans not watery and no weird after taste. Though I've been in broad daylight, no drunk dude bros. Highly recommend. Looking forward to grabbing a delivery or takeout burrito soon.

I'm always a fan of this local taco shop, because it's reasonably priced! The burritos are a healthy size, and I have yet to finish one in a single setting. Come for the tacos, but stay for the queso. I love their chips, because they're not very greasy, and also they are great to munch on with your meal. This location is doing takeout, so you can support them by calling ahead and making sure that you can come grab your order quickly!

Loved the tacos the drinks the time the everything. Just the spot to go to for locals and tourist. Believe me when I tell you stay in that line or call in it's worth it.

Yeah. Walked in and the cashier had a finger up her nose. No Turn around and went to the many others places that care.

Great Mexican food. Pretty authentic Mexican. The burritos can be kinda dry but they are loaded! The queso is so good. Highly recommend. Open til 4am. Pretty for late night cravings!

I started going here because a lot of events I went to around town would be catered by cosmic cantina. The foods not bad but nothing to really be wowed by either. I always order the mini burrito. I used to feel cool ordering it cause it wasn't on the menu haha I've tried the chicken and the steak and honestly they're better at making chicken. The burrito comes with chips but it's literally like six chips, if you like chips to go with your food your best bet is to just order a basket of chips for like $1.60. I'll be honest the burrito is kinda dry so order it with sour cream or salsa. The only thing keeping me from giving a 3 or even 4 star is the anti-panhandling sign. There's a lot of homeless people in the area just trying to get by like anyone else... If people want to give their spare change out of kindness and solidarity then they shouldn't be made to feel bad about that.