Seraphine in Durham shines with flavor and courtyard charm
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A weeknight evening at Seraphine in Durham's American Tobacco Campus. Photo: Mary Helen Moore/Axios
Seraphine, a Michelin-recognized Durham restaurant, delivers Louisiana-inspired cuisine with European influences in a courtyard setting ideal for warm evenings.
Dig in: The spot in Durham's American Tobacco Campus earned early acclaim and has sustained the buzz since its 2023 debut.
- We've been plotting a return visit all winter, and picked a recent weeknight while the Durham Bulls were playing down the street.
The vibe: We ate outside. The brick courtyard is lush and glowing softly from the string lights that are an ATC hallmark.
- Conversations are underscored by the babbling fountain, jazz from the speakers and the occasional cheer from the baseball game.
- The gates are guarded by red velvet ropes, which are undone for you to leave when your meal is through.
Best bites: Our hands-down favorite was the Cavatelli ($32), a complex pasta dish made with rabbit confit, greens, Calabrian chili pepper and lemon breadcrumbs.
- We also loved the broiled oysters made "Dragos Style" ($18 for a half-dozen). They arrived hot, buttery and laden with Parmesan cheese.
- The Caesar salad ($11) has a bright lemony dressing and brings a welcome lightness to the meal. Seraphine makes its croutons with oyster crackers.
- Both the Agua Fria cocktail ($14) and Verjus & Tonic mocktail ($7) struck a nice balance, arriving more tart than sweet.
What to expect: The service was unhurried, so if you're in a rush, try arriving ready to order.
- Broiled oysters for the table are an excellent place to start.
Stop by: Seraphine is run by brothers Brad and Graham Weddington, who are also managing partners at the upscale Durham restaurant NanaSteak.
- It's open for dinner Tuesday through Sunday.
- 324 Blackwell St., Suite 4
