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At Counting House restaurant, local cuisine meets bold flavors and playful execution. A seafood-driven menu set amongst the art of today, designed to provide you with an easy-going escape that will feed your soul. The bar and lounge is a welcoming place to taste innovative cocktails, sample local craft brews, and explore broad bourbon and wine lists. Reestablishing the warmth and vitality of a historic gem, Counting House combines contemporary design with architectural details including the building’s original terrazzo floors and arched windows.
Chic locale in the 21c Museum Hotel for creative spins on regional American fare, plus cocktails.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 111 Corcoran St, Durham, NC 27701
Phone: (919) 956-6760
Website: http://www.countinghousenc.com/
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Counting House Restaurant + Bar | 21c Museum Hotel Durham
Located in downtown Durham, Counting House restaurant celebrates North Carolina’s rich heritage of fresh seafood. Bar and lounge with house-made cocktails.
Dinner – Menus – Counting House
… 111 Corcoran Street Durham, NC 27701 · (919) 956-6760 · Join our email list · Careers · Gift Cards · Located at 21c Museum Hotel Durham. © 2026 Counting House.
Private Events – Counting House
Durham, NC 27701 · (919) 956-6760. Private Events. Counting House is located within 21c Museum Hotel Durham. … Counting House Private Dining Inquiry. Counting …
Reviews
Naomi Gupton
Absolutely phenomenal brunch! Truly everything on the menu is ten out of ten!
The short ribs were so tender you didn’t need a knife! The grits were super creamy and paired well with the crab, the ricotta pancakes were the fluffiest most addicting pancakes and arguably our favorite thing on the menu. I feel like there was so much attention to detail in each dish we tried. The menu did a great job of having variety without having an overwhelming amount of choices and everything was reasonably priced.
I came here years ago and it was not nearly as good. The new executive chef and new menu has now made this our go to place!
… moreThe short ribs were so tender you didn’t need a knife! The grits were super creamy and paired well with the crab, the ricotta pancakes were the fluffiest most addicting pancakes and arguably our favorite thing on the menu. I feel like there was so much attention to detail in each dish we tried. The menu did a great job of having variety without having an overwhelming amount of choices and everything was reasonably priced.
I came here years ago and it was not nearly as good. The new executive chef and new menu has now made this our go to place!
Tawana Jackson
My husband surprised me with a fine dining birthday dinner at Counting House and baby… everything was amazing. The food, the flavors, the textures babeeee every single bite was so good.
I had the catfish plate (freaking superb) and my husband ordered the agnolotto. We also tried the roasted oysters, wings, and even the salad was top-tier (yes, even the salad lol).
And then I found out the chef, Melanie, is a Black female chef from Durham who came to our table not once but twice to check on us. You can truly taste her passion and creativity in every dish. I felt so special and truly celebrated. Perfect birthday dinner we’ll definitely be back.
… moreI had the catfish plate (freaking superb) and my husband ordered the agnolotto. We also tried the roasted oysters, wings, and even the salad was top-tier (yes, even the salad lol).
And then I found out the chef, Melanie, is a Black female chef from Durham who came to our table not once but twice to check on us. You can truly taste her passion and creativity in every dish. I felt so special and truly celebrated. Perfect birthday dinner we’ll definitely be back.
Zachary Dailey
My wife and I went to Counting House for Valentine’s Day 2026. Overall, we had a good experience. Would rate 3.5 out of 5 stars and if given the option.
We had the oysters which came with crème fresh and mignonette. We requested on the side but they came all together, which ended up being a nice combination of flavors. We also shared a seasonal salad which was less impressive as it was romaine lettuce, grapes, and pieces of citrus.
Main courses we had the seasonal fish and lamb shank. Lamb shank was a great portion size and very tender. Fish had good flavor but parts were undercooked. Would have ranked this 4/5 but we had to wait about 45 minutes for our Entrees.
A couple of concerning points were both couples sitting next to us sent food back for burnt steak and cold pasta. A table nearby also had their appetizers and entrees delivered together. They also ran out of my first and second entree preferences, so I had to order my third choice. Surprising since we were a 5:45pm seating. I think the restaurant has potential, but would benefit from some better organization/leadership to elevate them to the level of other fine dining restaurants in the triangle. At this time, I would not consider them one.
… moreWe had the oysters which came with crème fresh and mignonette. We requested on the side but they came all together, which ended up being a nice combination of flavors. We also shared a seasonal salad which was less impressive as it was romaine lettuce, grapes, and pieces of citrus.
Main courses we had the seasonal fish and lamb shank. Lamb shank was a great portion size and very tender. Fish had good flavor but parts were undercooked. Would have ranked this 4/5 but we had to wait about 45 minutes for our Entrees.
A couple of concerning points were both couples sitting next to us sent food back for burnt steak and cold pasta. A table nearby also had their appetizers and entrees delivered together. They also ran out of my first and second entree preferences, so I had to order my third choice. Surprising since we were a 5:45pm seating. I think the restaurant has potential, but would benefit from some better organization/leadership to elevate them to the level of other fine dining restaurants in the triangle. At this time, I would not consider them one.
Brandy Bachmann
We had a flawless dinner experience! Highly recommend. The tomato and peach salad was like nothing I’ve ever had- my husband and I both loved it! The Japanese milk bread was fantastic! Chef Melanie Wilkerson is very clever and uses high quality, fresh ingredients. The drinks were excellent! I had the “who rule the world” cocktail, yum!! The staff were very attentive and friendly! Will definitely return!
We also returned for breakfast. The egg white frittata was delicious! The pancakes were perfect! Love love love this place!
… moreWe also returned for breakfast. The egg white frittata was delicious! The pancakes were perfect! Love love love this place!
Parishoner1 Parishoner1
I have no problem spending $ on a good restaurant and good food. This bill was $175.
All good except $19 for a Jack Daniel’s Manhattan? Too high. It’s the cheapest booze on their bar! I hate paying to much for cheap stuff. See the attached bill. $12+$4+$3. What is that?
… moreAll good except $19 for a Jack Daniel’s Manhattan? Too high. It’s the cheapest booze on their bar! I hate paying to much for cheap stuff. See the attached bill. $12+$4+$3. What is that?
Gia Peebles
We recently enjoyed brunch at The Counting House and had a wonderful experience. My husband and I shared three dishes, which was the perfect way to sample a variety of flavors.
The lemon ricotta pancakes were outstanding, light, fluffy, and full of bright, delicious flavor. The portion was generous and easily enough for two to share.
We also tried the braised short ribs, which were savory, rich, and incredibly fork tender. They were beautifully seasoned and comforting with every bite.
Lastly, the shrimp and grits were a pleasant surprise, especially with the addition of crab on top. The grits were creamy and full of flavor, making this dish a true standout.
Overall, a delightful brunch with flavorful dishes and great portions for sharing. We will definitely be back!
… moreThe lemon ricotta pancakes were outstanding, light, fluffy, and full of bright, delicious flavor. The portion was generous and easily enough for two to share.
We also tried the braised short ribs, which were savory, rich, and incredibly fork tender. They were beautifully seasoned and comforting with every bite.
Lastly, the shrimp and grits were a pleasant surprise, especially with the addition of crab on top. The grits were creamy and full of flavor, making this dish a true standout.
Overall, a delightful brunch with flavorful dishes and great portions for sharing. We will definitely be back!
Meredith Gladwell
My husband and I just came here for our anniversary, and honestly, we were quite disappointed. The interior of the restaurant itself is kind of weird. The decor is pretty random and eclectic (not in a good way) and just looks strange and tacky. The so-called “artwork” is absolutely awful.
The service was quite good. Our server was nice and energetic, and she did her best, even though they were kinda busy and the kitchen was pretty slow. Unfortunately, we had to send back two different dishes. First, our confit wings, which just weren’t that great. Some of them were a little bit underdone, even. And then after that, I had to send back my roasted chicken entree, which also had some underdone parts inside that were leaking red juices all over everything. And the whole dish itself just kind of wasn’t that impressive. Plating wasn’t great, the turnips were a little bland, the greens were overdone.
We did have a side of the mushrooms with Madeira to replace the wings. They were very good. After I sent back my chicken entree, I got the agnolotti instead, which was mostly pretty good, but I think it only came with four agnolotti and probably could have had just a little bit more, and a little less sauce and mushrooms. But it was tasty.
My husband was not impressed with his smash burger which was very average for $19. He said the burger and fries reminded him of Sysco products and that he could get a much better one for half the price at Only Burger. Because we had to send back two different dishes, we did get a free dessert. We got a panna cotta, which was nice.
Ultimately, this feels like one of those of restaurants that doesn’t actually deliver impressive fine dining but definitely charges you for it. I think they lean on their setting, their weird artwork, and some fancy chef’s name, and I think the food sounds a little fancier and better than it actually is. I’ve come to realize that more casual restaurants tend to have much better tasting food than these expensive restaurants that have $50 entrees but can’t even get chicken right. I’m starting to feel very duped by “nice”, expensive restaurants.
We were grateful that they rectified the situation, but we will not be coming back.
3 stars might be a touch too generous but 2 might be too low. So, 2.5.
… moreThe service was quite good. Our server was nice and energetic, and she did her best, even though they were kinda busy and the kitchen was pretty slow. Unfortunately, we had to send back two different dishes. First, our confit wings, which just weren’t that great. Some of them were a little bit underdone, even. And then after that, I had to send back my roasted chicken entree, which also had some underdone parts inside that were leaking red juices all over everything. And the whole dish itself just kind of wasn’t that impressive. Plating wasn’t great, the turnips were a little bland, the greens were overdone.
We did have a side of the mushrooms with Madeira to replace the wings. They were very good. After I sent back my chicken entree, I got the agnolotti instead, which was mostly pretty good, but I think it only came with four agnolotti and probably could have had just a little bit more, and a little less sauce and mushrooms. But it was tasty.
My husband was not impressed with his smash burger which was very average for $19. He said the burger and fries reminded him of Sysco products and that he could get a much better one for half the price at Only Burger. Because we had to send back two different dishes, we did get a free dessert. We got a panna cotta, which was nice.
Ultimately, this feels like one of those of restaurants that doesn’t actually deliver impressive fine dining but definitely charges you for it. I think they lean on their setting, their weird artwork, and some fancy chef’s name, and I think the food sounds a little fancier and better than it actually is. I’ve come to realize that more casual restaurants tend to have much better tasting food than these expensive restaurants that have $50 entrees but can’t even get chicken right. I’m starting to feel very duped by “nice”, expensive restaurants.
We were grateful that they rectified the situation, but we will not be coming back.
3 stars might be a touch too generous but 2 might be too low. So, 2.5.
Taylor Outler
The food is always so delicious, fresh, and has a unique flavor profile. Everything I’ve tried from the pork schnitzel, gnocchi, smash burger, wings, etc. you can never make a wrong decision. Today I also tried the lemon cheesecake. AMAZING.
… moreDonna Olson Shreve
My sister and I stayed at the 21C Museum Hotel and had to look no further than the Counting House on the first floor for great food and wonderful service. We had a tasty lunch of Steak Frites and Fish Sandwich along with a flavorful Caesar Salad. Chef Melanie has developed a menu full of flavors, Chef David went above and beyond in careful preparation, hostess Tiara welcomed us warmly, and server Tassia made sure everything was to our liking. We came back with a guest for a breakfast of flaky pastries, freshest fruits, yummy pancakes, unique Turkish eggs, and yogurt and granola that made my day. We all liked the coffee. There’s something more here at the Counting House—an ambience of hospitality, caring, connection that made our experience so memorable, and have made us thinking about the next time we can return.
… moreRachel Watson
The burger wings and fries were solid. Ingredients tasted fresh. The milk bread with the whipped honey was the star of the show, though. I could probably eat it everyday.
… more