The opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own and do not reflect the views of Spoon University.
If you’ve dined out in Durham, chances are you’ve experienced the delicious offerings of one of restaurateur Giorgios Bakatsias’ restaurants. The Greek chef’s establishments are a charming blend of Mediterranean influences, each one providing a unique culinary journey. From Krill’s Southeast Asian flavors to Local 22’s southern hospitality, the Giorgios Hospitality Group has something for every palate. With nine restaurants in Durham and Chapel Hill alone, each with its distinct personality and flavors, choosing where to dine can be a delightful dilemma. After sampling the selections at the Durham and Chapel Hill locations, here are some of my favorites, ranked for your convenience.
- Kipos, Chapel Hill
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My top-ranking restaurant, Kipos, is Giorgio’s champion balance of good food and outstanding environment. Don’t be deceived when you see Kipos next to a dollar store because, upon entrance, you are transported to a village in Greece with its floral outdoor terrace featuring murals of Greek gods. The inside has a stage where a man plays the Bouzouki, a classic Greek instrument, and the kitchen is open to watch your food being cooked while you wait. The walls are donned in home photos and photos of Greece, and servers and diners dance hand in hand when “Zorba the Greek Plays,” dancing in circles around tables while the other onlookers clap and cheer. Just energy alone, Kipos is truly something special, but the food equally matches the environment in originality. It has iconic Greek dishes like Pastitsio and classics like lemon chicken and roasted lamb. This place is delicious, entertaining, and beautifully decorated, making it number one on my list of Giorgios’ noteworthy lineup of restaurants.
Niki Chronis - Nasher Cafe, Durham
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Nasher takes the cake for convenience in the Giorgios group. Located on Duke’s campus in the Nasher Art Museum, it is walkable and can be paid for on food points. Yet a treat-yourself-meal is still fully attainable at Nasher, with options for mimosas, cocktails, chocolate cakes, and coffees served in cute wine glasses. The Nasher Cafe menu is more of a traditional American cafe than the group’s other restaurants. Still, its options are expansive, like its Burrata and Peach salad and its assortment of paninis. My go-to is the Red, White, and Green panini with tomato, mozzarella, and pesto, and I add prosciutto to it to make it a whole Italian sandwich. LDOC brunches and basketball tailgate breakfasts are best done at Nasher, and you can be back on campus to join the festivities within minutes.
- Nikos, Durham
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Recently opened in Durham’s bustling Brightleaf district, Nikos is just a few steps from Shooters and Solis. It is an elevated Greek dining experience, where the Meze Platter has its redemption from restaurant #4. Nikos has an adorable outdoor patio and Athenian decor with family tributes to Greece. Its Zucchini Cakes are thinly breaded and dipped in creamy, cool tzatziki sauce. The Meze Platter features spreads like tzatziki, hummus, red pepper, and eggplant served with baskets of perfectly seasoned and warm pitas. The two meals that stood out were the Short Rib Orzo, extraordinarily tender and served in a tomato sauce with feta crumbles, and the Chicken Shawarma. The Chicken Shawarma was hugged in a doughy pita, dressed in a light vinaigrette, and served with the best fries I’ve ever eaten. It was so good that the waiter was shocked to see a 5’3 girl sitting there with an empty plate and exclaimed, “You liked that, huh!” The fries were crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, and the shawarma added a more traditional, street-style dining experience to the otherwise upscale restaurant. The combination of the patio space with the high-quality choices for the main course makes it a great place to take the family or impress a date.
Original photo by Niki Chronis - Parizade, Durham
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You might recognize this restaurant as the esteemed host of senior wine night, but it is also great for a Mediterranean-fusion meal. The large space can hold big tables, accommodating large formal dinners or family gatherings. Their Meze Trio is not Giorgios’ best, coming with thin and lukewarm pitas. The spinach-stuffed chicken is hearty, rich, and one of the best mains. Parizade’s salmon is also suitable for a lighter option since the chicken and pasta dishes are a little heavier, which is a student favorite before going out.
- Osteria Georgi, Chapel Hill
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One of the latest additions to Giorgios Hospitality Group, Osteria Georgi is an Italian Restaurant with a small yet diverse menu, ensuring everyone has something they like. Their starters especially stood out with a range of breads and salads. The Focaccia was toasted and sliced into thin pieces paired with a creamy aioli drowned in olive oil. The Arancini and Vodka Sauce was also a standout: crispy and cheesy in a tomato sauce. Their salad options were also impressive and refreshing, and they had an airy vinaigrette. The entrées were not my favorite, being overshadowed by the appetizers, like the Vodka Pasta, which was relatively bland. Osteria Georgi is sentimentally furnished with family photos, but the relatively undecorated outdoor patio is in the Chapel Hill Whole Foods parking lot. This place is excellent for sharing bites, but not one of the best atmospheres or dishes of pasta by Giorgios’ group.
- Vin Rouge, Durham
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Prepare to be transported to France with funky Parisian decor, classic jazz, and Steak Frites at Vin Rouge. Its summery outdoor patio was the ideal atmosphere for a graduation and Mother’s Day brunch, where I celebrated my sister’s commencement with a set graduation menu offering drinks, an entrée, and a dessert. Vin Rouge can be a bit slow in service, so carve out some time to come, but enjoy their wine while you wait.
