The Refectory Cafe

The Refectory Cafe is a true gem in Durham’s brunch scene. We tried the avocado toast and the breakfast bowl with grits, both of which were flavorful, fresh, and beautifully presented. The avocado toast was vibrant and perfectly seasoned, while the breakfast bowl combined creamy grits with hearty ingredients that made for a satisfying start to the day. We also sampled the chicken and waffles—crispy, tender, and just the right amount of indulgent. What stood out across all dishes was the freshness of the ingredients and the attention to detail in preparation. The cafe also offers a solid range of vegetarian options, making it an inclusive spot for different dietary preferences. The atmosphere is warm and relaxed, and the service was friendly and efficient. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a fresh, delicious breakfast or brunch in Durham.

Fantastic brunch spot with an extensive menu - everything is clearly labeled. Came here with friends who had the crab cake burger and fries. I ordered the veggie quiche with side of avocado. My husband ordered the tofu scramble hash. Everything was fresh and delicious. Highly recommend trying this place!

Their specialty coffees are a must try ☕️Great great service, friendly staff and vibrant atmosphere for morning coffee as well as evening hangout. Great place for a first date as well. 😉 They have many veg food options which was a pleasant surprise ✨

The service was very, very slow, and in my opinion, the food wasn’t good, too many fried options and nothing healthy. The presentation wasn’t even nice, and the juice was obviously not fresh.

This was a "happy little accident"! We originally came over here for Guglhupf, and pulled into this parking lot, decided to go in, and we're more than pleasantly surprised! The food is flavorful, healthy, and I feel full-and clean- eating it! I had the Fresh Strawberry smoothie and Baked Oatmeal. The smoothie is so fresh- like it came from a garden! The Baked Oatmeal is just that! It's crunchy on top from being baked, it's slightly squishy in the middle with blueberries. I love oatmeal and this made my day! My fiance had French Toast and his face lit up! It has not lit up like that in YEARS!! Over the moon happy!!

The service was great, the food was fresh & good. Pineapple bourbon old fashioned was just right. Very homey feel.

I went here over the weekend and had a craving for something topped with pico de gallo—paired with a glass of champagne, of course. The vibe was great, and the food hit the spot. Just a heads-up: it’s a bit on the pricey side, so bring your wallet—but it’s definitely worth it. Bonus: if you don’t finish your wine or champagne, they’ll bag the bottle for you to take home.

Loved our visit. Great food options, quick and courteous service with a smile and nice tables. The banana pudding cheese cake was amazing. Not too sweet, just perfect.

Delicious breakfast spot. The lemon pancakes are so good that I look forward to ordering them again. Cozy spot with a cafe ambiance.

Refectory Café, located near Duke University, is a charming spot offering delicious sandwiches and a cozy atmosphere. I tried the turkey sandwich and the chicken club sandwich--both were satisfying with fresh ingredients and perfectly toasted bread. The turkey sandwich was well-balanced with tangy sauce, and the chicken club featured crispy bacon and tender chicken. I paired my meal with refreshing kombucha, which complemented the sandwiches perfectly. The café has a warm and inviting ambiance, making it a great place to relax or study. The staff were friendly and attentive, ensuring a pleasant dining experience. With its proximity to Duke, Refectory Café is an excellent choice for students and visitors looking for a great meal in a comfortable setting.

Cute, quaint & easily accessible on 15-501, Refectory Cafe was the perfect locale for a pre-holiday brunch. All the good brunch standards--including an array of egg-forward dishes, chicken & waffles, and shrimp & grits--plus interesting lunch options like the rock shrimp burger that I opted for. Nicely crisp tempura battered shrimp tossed in a very tasty & citrusy Thai chili glaze + a side of well-cooked & salted fries=no complaints over here. Absolutely added to my list of Durham faves!

Delicious brunch at this freestanding spot in Durham. Order at the counter, they bring you the food. Pro tip - remember the table number you're sitting at, they ask you when you order. Varied menu of unique and interesting choices. Service is quick, about 10 minutes from order to service. Tried an heirloom tomato and pesto sandwich. 7-grain bread is filled with slices of gorgeous ripe tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Its slathered with pesto and drizzled with balsamic. Then pressed in a waffle maker. The pesto/tomato combo is mouthwatering. The cheese is gooey, creamy and fresh. Not your standard grilled cheese Sammy - this is definitely up a few notches. Also tried eggs benedict with smoked salmon. Perfectly poached eggs perched atop thinly sliced lox on a toasted English muffin. Hollandaise sauce drizzled over the top. To me it could have used a little more hollandaise and the hollandaise could have been a little tangier. But that's minor - this was very good. Roasted potatoes and veggies to accompany the benedict.... These were great...as many veggies as potatoes, chunked and roasted. A good choice (among several in the area) for brunch. Go!

I had a feeling when I arrived during Sunday brunch it would be busy. My feeling was spot on. I actually didn't have a hard time finding a parking space. As you walk in the front door, pay attention to the left. There is a small hostess station. A sign will tell you whether you should seat yourself or wait to be seated. Once you are either given a table or find a table, grab a menu and order at the counter. They have seating inside and out. I imagine if you come during a time where you seat yourself, you will need to find a way to claim your table somehow while you order your food. Luckily we were seated. They provide silverware and napkins at the counter after you order. I ordered the Rise and Shine breakfast. It came with eggs. I chose pork sausage, grits and a biscuit. The eggs were cooked perfectly. The sausage was delicious. The grits were the highlight of the meal. The biscuit was not as fluffy as I expected it to be. My daughter said her French toast was amazing. I know it was good, because she came home and told the rest of our family about it. The French toast was very thick, topped with fresh strawberries and the maple syrup enhanced the taste. They had to-go soups and desserts ready behind the counter. What a lovely place. Simple and good. This is my second time going and I will definitely visit again.

Great food! I got the bacon avocado toast with a side of cheesy grits. The bacon was the best part. Perfectly salty and smoky. The coffee is tasty and the food was perfectly seasoned. The staff were super friendly and attentive. You can tell this is someone's love language. Will definitely be back.

My friend and I came here for brunch on a Saturday afternoon around noon. It was rather busy and we didn't have a reservation, so we were ok to sit outside on the heated open patio. It was a decent day for the winter, the sun was out. You get in the line, like at a cafeteria and order your food. At the start of the line are soups and other hot prepared stuff, then there is a dessert case and a pastry case....everything looked so good. You then order everything at the register, and they bring it out to your table. Fostine at the register was great! Neither of us had been there before, so she was super helpful helping us narrow down our choices! The Signature Lemon Ricotta Pancakes were love at first bite. I had them add blueberries and omg! The presentation is basic, but as good as they were it didn't need any extra presentation. My friend had the signature breakfast and subbed the breakfast potatoes for sweet potato fries, which was awesome that she could. I couldn't resist the desserts, so I ordered a ginger snap cookie and lemon bar for later. Both were yummy. Everything was very good. I'm looking forward to going back and trying more things. They are open for dinner too. I also saw that they have wine dinners, so I'm excited to check one out!

Refectory Cafe is a popular brunch spot in Durham with plenty of seating inside. You order at the cash register, which can take a while during prime brunch hours, and your food comes out to your table. We ordered the Shrimp and Grits, Tuna Melt, and the Spicy Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo. The Shrimp and Grits was a bit too oily for our liking, leaving a heavy feeling in our stomachs. Additionally, the shrimp was rather tough and chewy. The Tuna Melt was pretty standard, though we wish it would've come out hot/warm instead of cold. The Gumbo actually wasn't spicy but had a decent serving of chicken in it. Overall, we weren't wowed by our experience at Refectory Cafe despite its high traffic on a Sunday.

I can't even wrap my head around this place. I'm generously giving two stars because the food was okay. Just okay. We went for brunch this Sunday. It wasn't busy. We liked the ambiance and were looking forward to the food we ordered: Huevos Rancheros $16 Lemon Ricotta pancakes $14 w a side of eggs $4 Breakfast bowl $13 It's like diner food. The huevos rancheros were good but really just like two chalupas with eggs, black beans and meat, with a bit of pico and jalapeño on top. Lemon Ricotta pancakes were just two regular pancakes missing the blueberries we had added. The waitress even argued that the blueberries were cooked inside, although you could clearly tell that there weren't any at all. They did remedy this by bringing a dish of blueberries, about an ounce or so, then bringing out a whole new order of pancakes, which was great. The thing is, each of those pancakes cost SEVEN DOLLARS each and while they were good, they were not anything spectacular for that price. I had the breakfast bowl. It was a bowl of grits with cheddar cheese topped with two eggs and some crumbled bacon-maybe the equivalent of one slice. For THIRTEEN DOLLARS. Hey, I love good food and will happily fork over $$ for good food, but when I the food is basic and plain, I cannot justify it at all. We won't return.

Staffs are friendly and seated us, a party within a couple if minutes if our arrival, without reservation. Their menu contains a large variety if interesting and intriguing dishes. Coffee was served hot and refiiled whenever necessary. Do not for get their delicious dessert choices.

I can't believe I've lived in the area for so long but this is my first visit to The Refectory Cafe. We sat outside and you can order from the QR code on the table. I had the Carolina Cobb Salad and it was so filling and delicious. A little bit on the pricier side for lunch, but a great portion. Staff were very attentive and checked on us multiple times even while we were sitting outside. FYI - Their sodas are not fountain sodas. If you're like me I prefer a fountain soda, it was a bottled soda.

Came to town for a wedding in Durham. Plenty of good breakfast and lunch options. The Rise & Shine breakfast was perfect.

Called ahead as I was en route and the staff answering the phone was nice enough to reserve my table. The Refectory has a nice patio area and plenty of indoor seating. The restaurant is clean with plenty of lighting. The staff here are friendly and welcoming to all. I'm a sucker for anything in a bowl, so I settled for the breakfast bowl which had potatoes, peppers, onions, eggs scrambled with cheese, and added mushrooms. I couldn't resist the French toast, so I ordered one slice of the Challah Cinnamon French Toast. Everything was delicious. I love how the order system allowed me to place my order from my phone and keep my tab open for adding additional items. I enjoyed an expresso martini and a French 75. I also had the opportunity to try the Kombucha and that was refreshing. I can't remember the exact flavor but it was good! The Refectory Cafe is a Yes!

We decided to eat at The Refectory before a show on a Saturday night. We arrived early without a reservation and the hostess was able to seat us at a hightop. We chose the Apple Braised Wild Boar Osso Bucco and the Scallop Putanesca. We thoroughly enjoyed our meals. The waitress was attentive and helpful. The place is small but does not feel crowded. We will definitely be back.

Casual dining experience with very tasty/gourmet food. Quiet date night out with amazing food!

Fun fact, I've only ever visited The Refectory Cafe for weekend brunch. This was my first midweek brunch outing. I've eaten here probably a 1/2 dozen times over a 5-6 year span. I've eaten as a two party group and with a larger group. I've often touted that I've never had a bad meal. We ordered Huevos Rancheros, Rise & Shine Breakfast (bacon fried crisp, scrambled eggs, Potatoes, Toast, Coffee, and to complete the order Spicy Chicken & Andouille Soup. While not a bad meal by any standard, not quite the level I've come to expect. I'm a realist, and I understand inflationary cost, staffing challenges, bad day .... etc. Additionally, the staff was amazing and I appreciate how the owner responds to many responses. Hopefully, this was a one off and I look forward to eating here again in the future.

Been on my list a while, and I was finally able to get a reservation on a DPAC night. I love all the available outside seating and the decor inside... everything is my favorite color... green! We got the special Trout dip. It was really good and meaty. Wasn't as big of a portion as I expected, but maybe because there is more meat than filler. I had the fall Walnut gnocchi and my friend had the pumpkin alfredo pasta. Both were delish! I love the combo of balsamic glaze, nuts, and seasonings. Service was great and they even let me sample the wine before purchase. I believe I would like to go back for one of their food events!

A surprisingly fabulous spot. Interesting and varied menu of superlative items. Our party of five all loved their selections. Equally great service. Morgan, ask.

Decided to come here for brunch today with a friend. We made a reservation online yesterday - and if you plan to come here I would highly recommend doing so. The restaurant was very busy and almost every table was full / reserved by the time we got there. Our reservation was for an outside table, and unfortunately it was very cold and rainy. There was a heater, but it didn't provide much warmth. Although the place was busy, we didn't have to wait too long for the food to come out. I ordered the Rise and Shine breakfast, and it was tasty. The potatoes were very flavorful and not too salty, and I was able to swap the choice of bread with a side of sautéed vegetables. The food wasn't too oily or greasy, and overall I enjoyed the meal. Inside the restaurant they had a dessert case, which to my delight, contained a bunch of gluten free and vegan options! I ended up getting a gluten free vegan cookie, but I think I need to come back to try their other goodies! Final takeaway: The restaurant has tasty food and a diverse menu with plenty of allergen friendly options, however it can get very busy so be sure to make a reservation ahead of time (for an inside table if possible!)

I miss the previous hostess manager! She was great and played a part in The Refectory being one of the best places in town to eat brunch. I'd eaten there for years, and she had the best approach and always seemed to be enjoying herself, and it was contagious!! Tragically for The Refectory, she's left, and so has her enthusiasm. The new hostess/manager has a completely different demeanor, and I have to say she falls short when it comes to pleasantness and concern for customers. The service has declined, with forgotten orders, and poor attitudes from staff, and somehow the food isn't as good. I recently had chili that I swear came from a can - wasn't even chili really. Maybe the staff misses her too. I've gone back three times in the hope that it was just a coincidence, but it's just not as good as it was. What a shame.

My friends and I wanted to try a new, cute brunch place and this was the perfect spot! We came on a Saturday morning and although it was busy, the service was still very efficient and the staff were kind and accommodating. We ordered a mimosa flight, black bean burger and the challah French toast and everything was delicious and filling! I definitely recommend if you're looking for a nice brunch place!!

Very varied menu and food is always delicious. Staff is always friendly and helpful. Establishment is clean.

Wonderful! Great service! Anthony and Kyle were fantastic and fun! The food was delicious, creative, beautiful and fresh. This was our first time here but we will be coming back tomorrow to try the brunch. The place itself is cute with twinkle lights and fresh flowers.

I've lived in Durham since 2008. This place has the 'best' food in Durham. I haven't had anything bad here.

A non frill place for a quick bite. I like their order/pay by phone system, simple and efficient. The young people working there are very nice: good luck and be well The food is decent but portion is large. The grilled shrimps are delicious. The slow cooker short ribs is tender but under seasoned - just love salt - I didn't die at age 39 for the extra large sum of salt I consumed, is a miracle -:) They have a decent among of cakes on display, go for it, dessert lovers

Food was fresh, and the desserts rich and satisfying. The chef really creates complementary flavors. The ratatouille with lavender oil was wonderful. The arancini plump and tender. The espresso rib eye tender and matched well with wild mushrooms. Service was attentive, but allowed for a relaxed and leisurely dinner. Fabulous food in a casual environment. Will definitely be back.

The turkey Reuben was a little spicy. The challah cinnamon French toast was delicious, my child ate all 3 large pieces. The baked oatmeal, which looks a muffin, was a little dry. Service was friendly and they checked on us often, although the food did take a little while, but it was Sunday brunch. The pastries looked delicious and some great vegan options but we didn't try any. Next time!

This was absolutely awful! I got a veggie burger that was inedible. Friend ordered fish and chips, which she could not eat. I do not know how this spot stays in business.You serve yourself and they try to get large tips for nothing. It is telling that it has parking while the adjacent restaurants never do.

The Refectory is an unusual place, a wide open dining room with some sheltered outdoor seating. The menu features a good variety of appetizers, soups, salads, and entrees, with a mild Italian theme and low prices. The wine list is all Italian, except the one California Chardonnay that we chose. We were seated promptly at our reservation time, but waited quite a while before the server arrived. We ordered drinks that were delivered about 15 minutes later. We ordered the Arancini appetizer which came about 30 minutes later. We ordered our dinners, cups of soup and salads, that took another twenty minutes. All of the food was very good, but we were there for almost 2 hours for a dinner that didn't even include an entree. Way too long. They recognized the service issue and did not change us for the soups and salads. It's a nice gesture but not enough to entice us to return. Too bad because the food was very good.

Lovely little spot with superb service (our server Jon was great) and delicious food - we started with rampini, crab cake, and mushrooms (my personal favorite), then the chicken, short ribs, and daal. My husband said it was the best chocolate pudding pie and I had the yummy vegan chocolate "cheesecake"

Please make sure to get a reservation online. Your reserved table will be ready upon arrival. Grab a menu and the entrance and find your table. You can order on your phone or go up to the counter and order. The serve was quick and the servers were friendly. They came around and refilled the water and coffee regularly. They bused the dishes quickly and brought out to go boxes upon request. The food was really good. There are so many things on the menu I want to try. I had the huevos rancheros which was cooked to perfection. My friend raved about the kale salad, she said it tasted like Christmas (very high praise from her). We got dessert to go and the Lemon Pie was so amazing. I definitely want to come back.

Was pleasantly surprised by this place and trying their brunch. The food was pretty good and service was on point. However the ambiance didn't match the price point. It looks like they tried to make a diner classy. Not sure if you did. Unfortunately their drinks were a miss. I got an old fashion and my wife got an Irish coffee. Neither were worth the price.

7.5/10 It took me two tries to eat here as on my first attempt there was no parking and I ended up next door at Guglhupf instead. I came back during a less busy time and was mostly glad I did. The standout dish were the shrimp and grits, which were some of the best I've had. I've long been a fan of refectory grits from when they used to have an outpost at Duke's campus and they were as good as I remembered. The texture and viscosity is thick which is just the way I like them and they're well seasoned. The indian daal was disappointing compared to what I had at the Duke location many years ago. Runnier, and too much rice. The daal from my past was thicker and more substantial and had more punch in its spice. A side of mixed veggies were solid but mostly unremarkable. The veggies retained good firmness which was appreciated.

So... we went here because Guglhupf and Saltbox were closed. And because of the great reviews here on yelp. But so many things were wrong about the dinner and experience that we have to leave a review to warn others. The photos here on yelo look good but the food is not. This place is priced like a high end restaurant, but the food quality is like a poor diner. The exterior is cute and the ambiance is that of a diner as well. Probably the worst thing was the rancid whipped cream in the mousse...it had a slow build, but then took my face through at least 4 different never-experienced-before expressions...wow, what an unexpected, unpleasant experience haha. then I spent 15 minutes trying to get the aftertaste to go away. It still lingers even now, as I type this to you. not good. very bad. I don't know, though, beyond the mediocre food, maybe it was the service that was second worst. Our waiter, a young gentleman, was very nice, but such a novice. We did like his friendly demeanor and positive attitude. We didn't like how he didn't listen to us, didn't understand things, mixed things up and just was not a good waiter as specified below. For example, 1. he sat us and did not give us menus. My daughter eventually had to go and get them from the stand. After taking our order, he sid not take the menus. So she had to return them to the stand. So odd. haha 2. He could not describe the dishes, didn't have an understanding of the menu. What some of the words meant, no there's no okra in the dish we are asking you about. 3. He forgot the cheese plate we ordered with our Caesar salad for an appetizer. 4. He brought out the food without clearing any of our dirty plates beforehand. There was nowhere to out the nee food, and he just stood there with the food plates as we wondered what to do with the old, scrambled to get them. 5. Even though he double-checked which 3 desserts we ordered, he still brought us the key lime pie instead of the cheesecake. 6. When we sent the mousse back (because of the spoiled milk in the whipped cream) and asked him ti take it off the bill, he tried to bring us another. When I explained to him that the whole batch would be bad and that he couldn't serve this to other people, he didn't seem to be able to process the concept. He left the mousse there for us and my daughter was brave enough to try it and yes it was definitely also spoiled. I am not talking a little bit spoiled...spoiled like a memory you will not forget. 7. He didn't seem like a new employee. More like someone who just doesn't have the capacity to be a competent waiter. So this sounds like the negative review is all about him, but if the food had really been good, we may have returned in the future, even if the server were inept. But every dish had a problem and was not good. Sounds like an amazing meal, right? nooo, it just wasn't. so many different things were wrong. maybe the salad and the cheese plate were the best, also the chicken marsala was good, as was the truffle carbonara, but not the mushrooms they had to substitute in for the truffles because somehow truffles are out of season but they have it on their seasonal menu the shrimp were overcooked and the garlic flavor you expect was just not there the salmon was requested as medium rare but was overcooked, and the gnocchi had raw apples in it with cooked mushrooms. the trio just did not go well together. the dal was good but very small for am entree the red velvet cake was just not at all good. the cheese plate we did like the cheeses and the olives, but it came with just a few tiny pieces of bread and the toasted almonds were not fresh, were old. it should be call The Defectory instead if the Refectory. Oh, I forgot about the soup!! They were out of the leek soup, so we got the chicken and dumplings soup---and--I kid you not--there was not a single chicken or dumpling in it! And it didn't taste like chicken and dumplings. We even asked the waiter if he was sure it was chicken and dumplings soup and he said yes and brought us more--and it had one corner of a dumpling in it. like the size if a nickel. The restaurant was mostly empty on a Saturday night at 7pm.

Ambiance was pleasant. Service was great. Food was meh? I had a fish sandwich, it was disappointing. My guest had a fabulous breakfast.

We just went to the Refectory for breakfast. A little surprised that it was counter service (but they do run your food to your table) considering the menu's prices, but that's ok I guess. What is more surprising is the mediocre food at wildly expensive cost. Two medium sized pancakes (w blueberries) for $14.50. Add $4 more for a couple of eggs. There was nothing exceptional about them. No better or worse than any diner, but a for a $20 breakfast, one would expect more. My wife had the "breakfast bowl" for $13. It consisted of some grits, 2 eggs, and a sprinkle of bacon bits. Nothing special, at all. I have a hard time understanding why this place is popular. Diner food and ambiance at upscale restaurant prices. We won't return. Elmo's has a MUCH better breakfast.

To start this place is Vegan & gluten free freely. This is a cafe which means it's only open for breakfast and lunch so check the times before you heads that way. There is an option to make reservations on their website, which I would recommend if coming during prime eating times. The concept behind this place is a little weird which is why I am only giving this place 4 stars. You don't have an assigned waiter. You can either scan the QR code on the table and place your order, or you go inside and place your order at the register. Someone eventually brings you your drink and food, and then cleans the table for you. They don't offer fountain drinks (only bottled 16 oz sodas), so there are no free refills on soda. We ordered the Crab Cake burger with a side of vegan chili, and the corned beef Reuben with a side of spicy chicken & andouille sausage gumbo. We chose the seasonal pumpkin cheesecake for dessert. The place is apparently known for their huevos rancheros, but unfortunately they ran out of the short ribs they put on it, so we were not able to fry them. I would highly recommend the crab cake burger, it alone deserves a 5 star. It was a fresh crab cake that was perfectly cooked and balanced with just the perfect ratio of breading to crab and seasonings. I wouldn't have thought to add avocado to a crab cake, but being we eat it with sushi, figured we would give it a try. This burger melted in your mouth when you ate it. I wish I had ordered 2 of them honestly. The vegan chili was very good, not too spicy, but I will admit I am a meat girl tried and true. The do use TVP (textured vegetable protein ) to try and give the texture of meat, but I Stijl prefer meat in my chili. The Corned beef Reuben was your standard Reuben, cooked perfectly with the right amount of sauerkraut and a beautiful toasting on the bread. The gumbo I would give a 5 star as well. I normally don't like andouille sausage because it tends to be very spicy. I think this may have been a chicken sausage because it was not over bearing at all. Everything about it was perfect and it had just a hint of spice on the back end. It was creamy and had lots of vegetables and meats. We weren't sure if we were going to do desert but we were told we had to try the pumpkin cheesecake. We asked if it was like a New York style and we were told it was the closest you would get to one in NC. On appearance it looked a little dry, but looks were definitely deceiving. The cake was delicious and moist, and had just the right amount of spice. The crust was made of what seemed like ginger snaps and was perfectly matched with the cake. This cheesecake was not made with ricotta, which I loved because I' am not a fan of ricotta cheesecake.

Really dig the green decor of this restaurant and love everything I have eaten here. Breakfast foods, salad, sandwich, desserts, lattes etc. Potato leek soup is my go-to with a half sandwich. And, a latte. But, I dream of the rock shrimp po-boy sandwich. Sometimes it is there and sometime not. Unsure if they run out of the shrimp or if it is a special menu item. But, it is listed on theiir web site and here in Yelp as a standard menu item. Frustrating when you see an item on a menu before you go, expect to order it and then, it's not available.

The three of us had a reservation at The Refectory Cafe for a weekend brunch. It was a bit chaotic when we entered, but then we noticed a table with a reserved sign for us on it, so we grabbed the table and then stood in line to order at the counter. We shared the Signature Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, Which Came First? Breakfast (two eggs, buttermilk chicken, cheesy grits, and toast), and Duck & Waffle, which I think was a special at the time. My favorite was probably the Duck & Waffle, but everything was very tasty. The cakes in their display case looked really good, so I might have to snag one of those next time! I do want to note that the parking was a bit tight here. They have a small lot, and we luckily managed to get one of the last spots on the day that we went.

The only thing better than the bright, sunny atmosphere here is the incredible food. It's real, nutritious, and so amazingly delicious. You can never leave The Refectory feeling anything but incredible! The food feels nourishing in a way that many restaurants are incapable of achieving but The Refectory makes it happen. I would recommend The Refectory to anyone because it meets all diets and needs without sacrificing amazing taste!

I don't have any pictures but I will say this place was amazing. Had a good ambiance and Sarah our waitress was amazing. Food was also very nice not huge portions but enough that I felt full and it tasted great. I had the garlic shrimp linguine. Would definitely recommend this restaurant if you're in the area.

The Refectory Cafe aims to bring local food to table in unique menu items. We have been there several times and while the food is good, it never rises to the level of fantastic in this foodie town. This visit, we went for brunch on a weekend. I can't even remember the items we ordered, just the disappointment. As we were leaving, my dining partner said, "Let's remember to never eat here again."

Wow! Best breakfast/lunch we've had in a long time. And barely any line on a Sunday morning, either!

I wouldn't call this place a hidden gem bc it's not really hiding, but you will most certainly miss it if you aren't looking for it. Fiancé took me here for a birthday brunch and we really enjoyed it. The place was pretty empty when we came in but it was a Monday a little before noon so it was kind of expected. But as soon as noon hit, tables were filled quickly. Very chill environment and staff is friendly. We were told to sit ourselves and we quickly saw it was an order first at the counter place and then food brought to you. I don't mind this concept, I just think when it's busy the idea of waiting in line to order your food then sit down and waiting again would be slightly annoying. I did like the huge display case of desserts and was very intrigued! Ordered a mimosa flight, salmon benedict, avocado BLT, and pancakes. Everything was delicious! Didn't have any room for dessert so we need to return just for that!

This place has a super creative brunch menu, and as a person who is often invited to brunch and who also doesn't see the big deal about eating eggs and toast out when I could be eating eggs and toast at home for a fraction of the price, I really value creative brunch menus. Off the specials menu, we got the waffle with a crispy duck leg and sour cherry pepper jam. Off the normal menu, we got shrimp and grits. But for the occasional bleachy-tasting shrimp, the grits were great. The dish was smoky even without the bits of bacon and they stuffed plenty of shrimp in (almost too many - I wanted my bites to be more grit!) However, they paled in comparison to the wonder that was the waffle dish. I hope it's on the specials menu next time I go. The duck was so perfectly fried, the skin was just one thin crunchy piece of umami covering this tender expanse of meat. The waffle was wonderful by itself, but when you added the sour cherry pepper jam? In my opinion, THIS is how you do sweet-savory breakfasts. Not pouring sweet syrup over fried chicken. Not bacon maple donuts. This. It's not too sweet (mostly tangy and sour) and not too salty, so it doesn't overwhelm you. The flavors just play off each other delicately without sending you into a blood pressure/blood sugar coma directly afterward. Good mango juice, too, although I'm still giving the win on that drink to True Flavors Diner.

I cannot express my frustration with the refrectory. I had made a reservation on OpenTable, and just minutes before our reservations the restaurant canceled my reservation. We were two minutes away from the restaurant, after driving all the way from our house (30 min drive). When I asked if they could fit us in, they told me it would be at least 45 minute wait. This is simply unacceptable to jerk people around like this. Needless to say, we will never be coming back here.

Loved our pre show dinner here! Read wonderful things and the refractory cafe lived up to it! They made the husband a delicious motel and I loved my wine. He started with the Arne teeny and crabcakes which were delicious and had the vegetarian ratatouille and the short ribs for entrées. Each item was full of flavor and memorable. Service was friendly and speedy but not rushed. We recommend this to anybody looking for a delicious dining experience in Durham

Came here with friends on Easter, so glad we tried this place! Great easter brunch experience. It can get busy, but there are quite a few parking spots right in front of it. They have lots of brunch specials, and the food was fresh & awesome! The chicken and waffle had one of my favorite waffles in Durham area. Also got the mimosa flight- picking three juices to make your own bubbly drink, our favorite was the pomegranate juice! Also, they have lots of vegan, GF and leto options and they are willing to make accommodation to all their brunch on the menu (E.g., only egg whites etc). I would absolutely come back to try their vegan passion fruit cheesecake that I didn't have room for this time!

I love to eat here occasionally, especially to be with friends at lunch. I have never been for dinner. The food choices are varied so there is always something for everyone. My very favorite dish is the Indian Dal, served with naan. Sometimes you have to ask for it. Normally you go through the line cafeteria style. Waitstaff do come to attend at tables. There is outdoor seating as well. My reason to give a four star and not a five i because the only thing I have been served that I think isn't really great are the french fries, which I think are over cooked