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Alivia's Durham Bistro
Categories: Restaurants American (New) Nightlife Bars American (New), Bars [Edit]
900 W Main StDurham, NC 27701
(919) 682-8978
- Hours:
Mon 11 am - 10 pm
Tue-Fri 11 am - 2 am
Sat 9 am - 2 am
Sun 9 am - 10 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Wed, Thu
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
Fine dining with Southern American flair never tasted this good! Dinner is offered seven nights a week, as well as brunch on Sunday. Sunday brunch at… read more »
62 reviews for Alivia's Durham Bistro
Review Highlights
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"I adore the beer selection (but who doesn't." In 8 reviews -
"Their patio is huge and fantastic." In 20 reviews -
"Fire pits outside are awesome for a chilly night." In 5 reviews
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62 reviews in English
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Review from Eliza T.
Alpharetta, GA
5/6/2012
Had a Saturday night dinner here.
Great music, good service, young and live atmosphere and a very cool decor.
We ordered an Arugula salad, Shrimp&Grits and Alivia's 1/2 Pound Sirloin Burger.
Everything was delicious !
Check for everyday specials :) -
Review from Grace B.
Durham, NC
5/1/2012
Stopped by for a beer and some appetizers with a friend last night, since the weather was perfect for sitting outdoors. Alivia's offers spacious outdoor seating, and if you can't get outside they open the big garage doors and let the fresh air in.
They have a great selection of beer and cocktails, and a nice variety of food fare as well. We ordered the calamari, which was tasty but a little on the greasy side. The bruschetta was okay, not the fresh traditional veggies I was expecting. It was warm, served on bread with mushrooms, onions, cherry tomatoes.
They lit the fire pits as the sun went down, and we enjoyed an evening sitting around the fire making new friends.
The service was fantastic, the atmosphere relaxed ... Alivia's does not disappoint!Listed in: Best Place to Sit Outside
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Review from Ashley R.
Nixa, MO
3/31/2012
I was in Durham for several weeks and my wife was coming to visit. I wanted to take her out for brunch so I did some scouting around and found this gem.
I went in the week before she arrived and had the steak hash and poached egg. It was delicious.
The next week we both went for brunch and had a great time and meal.
She had what I had the week earlier and I had one of their special omelets.
Bottom line. The food is great, the service is excellent and the atmosphere is chill.
Highly reccomend. -
Review from Starla P.
Durham, NC
5/22/2012
Not that great... I have yet to get something I really like.
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Review from Michael H.
Raleigh, NC
5/19/2012 1 Check-in Here
Alivia's is a nice spot in an area that has come a long way. I'm not sure I would call it one of Durham's "must visit" spots, but they serve a consistently good meal, and they do it at a price point that makes this place a win in my books. Given my choice of the restaurants within eyeshot of Alivia's, I'd pick Alivia's hands-down every time.
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Review from Marc L.
Durham, NC
5/20/2012
Went with some of my co-workers to this restaurant on Friday for their Margarita specials and sat on the patio area..The atmosphere was wonderful and the staff was real cool and outgoing. Definitely enjoyed their nachos and calamari which we had for an appetizer.
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Review from Emma D.
3/20/2012
$5 martinis on Wednesdays = best happy hour ever!
Now that the weather is warm and the days are long, my friends and I have made Alivia's outdoor patio our hangout of choice on Wednesdays after work. Friendly service, great martini list, and generally good food -- so far the steak frites and the grilled cheese are my favorites. -
Review from Hannah R.
Durham, NC
4/30/2012 2 Check-ins Here
If you are looking for a great deal on a spicy bloody Mary this is a great place to go on the weekends. I like my Bloody extra spicy with Gin and they made it just to my liking. They do not use a mix. They use all the necessary ingredients to make it well worth the $5. The sweet potato fries were amazing. I had a Shrimp BL(noT) and it was a great proportion for lunch although someone who is looking for a larger portion should perhaps get a different sandwich. The bread was thick so it made the perfect base for a smaller sandwich as it would have been unnecessary to make a thinner version. Why not just get more flavor in each bite?! I will definitely be coming back here another time.
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Review from Stephanie F.
Durham, NC
3/29/2012
I have given Alivias many tries and each time manages to get worst than the last. The latest experience will be our last. My husband and I show up at Alivias mid-afternoon to do a little studying on our computers. We expected a few more but were not sure when they would be arriving. We certainly were not going to wait for them though to partake in a nice Sunday cocktail and some brunch. My husband ordered right away because there was only a few minutes left of brunch. He orders the Steak hash. The must've been out of regular breakfast potatoes because it had a bunch of french fries instead. That is just sloppy. I decided to wait for a bit before eating.
First, our server brings our drinks and them promptly comments on our drink choices. "Oh my god," she says, "I cannot believe you are drinking that. That is so disgusting. Blech!" She continues making disgusted noises as she walks away. Both my husband and I commented on how that behavior was both off-putting and odd. Then she asks again if I want to order. I said that I would rather wait a bit and see if some friends showed up. She seemed seriously perturbed by this so I mentioned to her that I knew it was the end of brunch, and if her shift was over, I would gladly close out with her and start a new check with a nighttime server. Again, she was very perturbed by this and said she had to go ask if she could do that.
A few minutes later she is back again asking if I want to order and this time even throws in "have the friends you are meeting called or anything to say when they might be here?" True story. Again, off-putting and wierd. I tell her that we would probably be hanging out and drinking for a while and just bring the check. To top off her portion of the afternoon, she brings the check and says, "If you need anything else, go ahead and order it at the bar." Seriously! We were still drinking, etc. Send another server over! '
Anyways, because I have rambled on for a while, I will make the second half short. My husband goes up to the bar, since we were ready for another round, and there is not an employee to be found. He finally catches a glimpse of a dishwasher and asks him to get us a server. We get a new server. 15 minutes for a cold side of bacon, 25 for a burger (ordered at the same time). After the burger....new waitress says simply "are you guys done?" Well, we are now. -
Review from Kristi R.
Durham, NC
1/22/2012 1 Check-in Here
I've been to Alivia's a couple of times and my experiences have been very consistent which is key in getting at least the four star rating. The staff at this place is fantastic. I came in with a large party and the staff did everything possible to accommodate our group which I really appreciated.
The service was good and the food was tasty. I got the breakfast omelette with steak mushroom, and onions with a side of grits...yummy.
Unfortunately, it was too cold today to sit outside, but overall, the experience inside was very cozy with a very friendly atmosphere.
Alivia's is one of my go to spots in Durham - if you haven't been you should go. -
Review from Carrie N.
Durham, NC
11/18/2011
Damn it, Alivia's! Just let me love you already!
The food is... digestible and occasionally delicious, but the latter is few and far between. I adore the beer selection (but who doesn't?) and your decor is superb. Ordering a drink under a painting of Isaac Hayes? Oh, yes please! Meet my friends over by Hunter S. Thompson on a crowded night? Will do! But pay $1.50 to add avocado to the spicy black bean burger? Nuh-uh!
The Quattro Grilled Cheese is good, but let's stick to fresh, not-so-dried-out sprouts, okay? Your cheese toppings seem limitless and I'm a sucker for horseradish mayo, but your menu doesn't make me salivate like it used to. Experience has left me numb.
But keep stocking those Red Stripes, running some of the best taps in Durham, and pouring whiskey aplenty, and I'll just keep coming back. And as it gets nippier, I'll be praising your name by the fire pits. -
Review from Mikee R.
Murphy, NC
12/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
The Salt and Pepper Squid was delicious.
The Honey Chipotle wings are awesome.
Our Waitress was beautiful!
What more could you ask for? -
Review from Josie R.
Chapel Hill, NC
12/31/2011
I had an hour to kill at the Durham Bus station one Saturday morning, so I walked off in search of breakfast and coffee. This was the first place I stumbled upon, and it looked nice from the outside. Servers were all hipster types but nice enough to me since I'm friendly and polite. I did see my server roll her eyes after dropping off an extra batch of creamer and sugar with an older couple (they may have been pushy, I couldn't hear).
I ordered the crepes with seasonal fruit and coffee. Coffee was decent for restaurant coffee (not quite strong enough for me but not watery either). The crepe though... was only OK, and cost 8.50. There was plenty of food but the crepe itself was rather bland and spongy and the apple topping was neither tart nor sweet enough. Not sure if it was the choice of apples or the spicing but it simply wasn't great!
In sum, it's fine, and I may have simply ordered something particularly mediocre, bu since I wasn't blown away, t I would probably try other brunch spots in Durham the next time! -
Review from Arika S.
11/7/2011
Didn't try the food, but as a bar - this is a great option for Durham!
Lots of draft beers, reasonably priced, and good service. There are tv's to watch games, and a nice patio area. Fire pits outside are awesome for a chilly night.
Would definitely go back here. -
Review from Charlie T.
Hillsborough, NC
2/8/2012
Nice spot for drinks in good weather. Walk elsewhere for food.
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Review from Rachel M.
Raleigh, NC
10/3/2011
Just delightful! I grabbed a beer with a friend here last weekend, sat in the sun on the patio (which has fire pits for when it cools down), and enjoyed a sweet casual atmosphere that has a little bit of an edge to it.
Decent beer selection, lots of local stuff - which is clutch. Review is limited to that one experience, but I'm definitely coming back to try the food! -
Review from Dave S.
5/11/2011
This is really one of the best places in Durham to get dinner. The beer selection is good, the drinks are reasonably priced, the specials are good, and the food is really great. I think the burger is probably the best thing on their menu (try banana peppers and a fried egg on it- seriously). My wife loves their bbq sliders, and I think they are great too. It is certainly the best place to eat near Brightleaf. For drinks and dinner for 2 you will end up spending around $35....not too bad all things considered. It is great for a date, and the patio is amazing on a nice day. You can sit and sip a gin and tonic on a nice summer day for only $5. Not bad. The service is good, the waiters and waitresses are friendly and helpful, and the food always comes out at the right time.
I should add that my wife and I didn't like this place before. It has gotten, much, much better in the past few years. Make sure you look at the dates on the negative reviews. In my opinion this place has come extremely far. Definitely go. You will love it.
I think my only criticism is that inside on weekends it can get reasonably noisy. Other than that....everything is great.
You should go. -
Review from Amy H.
3/24/2011
I had great expectations for my dinner at Alivia's. I had gone there once before for the Monti, but had not eaten there. Like any good yelper, I checked out the menu and knew exactly what I wanted to get before I set foot on the premise. I ordered the spicy arugula wrap. I just couldn't resist the promise of brie, spice, cooked pears, and sweet potato fires. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The wrap was 90% arugula and had ZERO spice. And the fries were on the charred side. The libations were "meh" as my first, second, and third choice beers were all unavailable. And the same happened for two of my fellow dinner goers. The service was also not so great.
Altogether, I wouldn't hit this place up again, especially knowing Durham has better places to offer. -
Review from Dawn B.
Durham, NC
2/9/2011 6 Check-ins Here
Holy Guacamole, Batman!!
I am so excited!
Blue, the man who made Fed(eral) Food what it is today, lent his expertise to Alivia's Durham Bistro and recreated a phenomenal menu!
I have always loved the atmosphere and outside patio of Alivia's and the food was always good, not great. Now, though, I finally have another amazing option.
I went for lunch and had the Carolina pulled pork sliders..."with caramelized onion-peppercorn dressing on Hawaiian sweet rolls Served with sweet potato fries."
This was a very nice take on pulled pork. very different. The peppercorn dressing was killer and added that something special that Blue knows how to do so well.
The sweet potato fries were by far the best I've ever had. Sweet potato fries are really easy to screw up in my eyes. They were double fried, not to mushy, not too crispy. juuuust right.
The staff was friendly, fast and attentive. I sat at the bar and ate alone and they were able to give me some nice company.
A big success. -
Review from Helena K.
12/9/2010 19 Check-ins Here
Because I work at Brightleaf, I eat at Alivia's regularly. We head over for work lunches, drinks after work, or, hell, sometimes a drink during work on particularly stressful days.
When I'm there on my own or with my husband, I usually sit at the bar. I like all of the bartenders. When I'm there on my own, it's usually an off time, like 3:00 or something, so it's slow and quiet, and the bartenders are generally quite friendly and loquacious.
The beer selections pleases me a great deal. It changes frequently, always to incorporate seasonals and local beers. I am happiest about their selection of Fullsteam and Triangle beers. They also offer a flight of local beers of your choice, a whole host of drink specials, and they're great about letting you try a beer before you order it.
Vegetarian food-wise, their house nachos are not to be missed. I usually order this as an app when with a group (it's a big portion). The hummus and pita plate is also good, and is served with pickled peppers, grilled onions, roasted red peppers, cucumbers, and romaine lettuce.
The baby spinach salad, topped with blue cheese, and candied pecans, with their homemade maple vinaigrette dressing on the side, is also very good, if not a little pricey for the portion ($8.50 for a whole / $6 for a half).
But that spicy black bean veggie burger people keep mentioning? It's Morningstar Farms, yo (I asked). And that, my friends, is why it's not knocking your socks off. Alivia's absolutely needs to start making a black bean from scratch. The ingredients are simple and cheap, and it would taste approximately one-thousand times better.
The Greek veggie wrap, on the other hand, is pretty much where it's at. It's a sundried tomato wrap stuffed to the brim with mixed greens, olives, banana peppers, roasted red peppers, grilled red onions, feta, and balsamic dressing, and it is so very, very good. I get mine with a side salad.
Alivia's is hard to miss: it's the bright-green building on the corner of Main Street and South Gregson, just across the street from Brightleaf Square (Satisfaction and Piazza Italia). Park in the lot in between Fishmongers and, well, Alivia's.Listed in: The Best of Downtown Durham
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Review from John L.
11/17/2010
I like what Alivia's has going here: good beers and drinks, coupled with easy to access bar and food area, as well as decent prices. I was able to hang out with friends while downing a $3 Sam Adams... quite the good deal.
The space is also nice for hanging out, especially at night. Right in the middle of the whole West Main/Brightleaf area also helps a lot, as you can come and go from here to a lot of great places.
Definitely a nice place to grab a brew. -
Review from Betty Y.
New York, NY
1/14/2011
I love alivia's! I can't believe it hasn't gotten better reviews!
I used to live at West Village, and would come here for brunch almost every weekend. The challah french toast is super yummy, as is the shrimp and grits.
For lunch, I adore the ham and swiss melt -- it tastes just like you're sitting at a bistro in Paris. And the side salad is simple, but served with a delicious shallot vinegarette that I think they make there.
Plus, it's fantastic on nice days when you can go sit outside and bring your dog. The wait staff is always really friendly and will bring out a bowl of water for your pooch! -
Review from Tom P.
Durham, NC
4/26/2011
So, it has been at least a year since I tried out Alivia's, but I gave it two shots (both lunch and dinner) and was disappointed both times. Just too "froo-froo" for me and my wife and just not really good. It was like someone was trying REALLY hard to create "cool" food and missed.
Yes, the patio is cool and we both wanted to really like this place, but hey, you're a restaurant. Get the food right. -
Review from Caroline S.
Durham, NC
1/5/2011
Alivia's is great when the weather is nice and you can get a table on the patio, enjoy a drink and some of their great sandwiches or salads. Big fan of the Shrimp Po'Boy.
However, Alivia's is not a great place to bring a big group, the service is mixed, it took nearly an hour when I went their recently with a big group.
The atmosphere is fun, overall the food is good, and the location is ideal (with ample parking nearby) and walking distance to downtown Durham. -
Review from Serena S.
12/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
The few times I've been here, the first thing I think of is how awesome and full of potential the location/space is and how their food doesn't live up to it. The food is definitely a 3-star A-OK, but their menu doesn't really have anything that really stands out to me and their quality of food can use a little boost.
The one thing that made me happy was the fact that when you get a side salad to go with your entree, it's actually spring mix and NOT iceberg lettuce. I love their chicken sandwich, but I can't help but notice that the chicken they use just seems like chicken tenders you get from the freezer. Their shrimp po boy wasn't bad and they were pretty generous with the number of shrimps they gave you. Service is average. The last time I went there, our waiter wasn't rude, but definitely seemed like he didn't really enjoy his job, lol.
They have a lovely outdoor patio that I would recommend for the warmer months if you like dining outside or just want to swing by for some drinks. They usually have happy hour drink specials. They also have a TV out there too. Prices are very fair; most items are within the $8-$12 range. -
Review from Kenny P.
Durham, NC
11/22/2011 1 Check-in Here
Had a beautiful arugula salad with pears, goat cheese and prosciutto. The service wE perfect and the patio is perfect for people watching on a lovely afternoon.
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Review from Michael E.
Raleigh, NC
Updated - 7/30/2010
Brit and I were in the Durham are and she was craving a burger. Not being a "Durham-ite" we leaned towards going to a place we've been numerous times prior. Granted this was our visit here for anything but brunch.
We were seated quickly, and Audrey came over to take our drink order. H2O for Brit and I had a Hoegaarden. The drinks came quickly and we placed our order. Brit ordered the Alivia's Sirloin Burger with the bacon on the side (for yours truly-because Bacon really is a vegetable) accompanied with a side salad and their balsamic dressing. I ordered their Spicy Chipotle Ranch Crispy Chicken Sandwich-try saying that three times fast. Needless to say what came out of my mouth was somewhat coherent as the sandwich showed up.
This sandwich had great flavor in what Brit dubbed a "Sinful sandwich". How can you go wrong with 2 chicken breast tenderloins breaded, fried and dunked in their wing sauce, slathered in chipotle ranch and draped with pepper jack. I think I ate my daily caloric intake here, but after a ride on the tobacco trail it was justified. The fries tasted good, but I prefer mine a bit more crispy.
Brit's burger also known as the "Alivia's 1/2lb Sirloin Burger" Chedder Cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions with lettuce and tomatoes. A solid hand pattied burger. Decently flavored.
Brit shocked me when she wanted to look at the dessert menu-Brit doesn't do dessert. So I was more than happy to partake of the sweets. She ordered a slice of Key Lime pie to share. A solidly made key lime pie. Good crust, smooth texture with the standard tart key lime flavor. Whipped cream and slivered almonds rounded out the top of the pie.
Not a bad dinner when it's all said and done. A solid 3 stars.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/25/2010
A staple for a Sunday brunch. This place has a great location with a wonderful deck allowing you to… Read more »
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Review from Meghan B.
Washington, DC
6/13/2010
Best way to pass the time while waiting for food at Alivia's? Try to guess who all the old celebrities are in the Andy Warhol-esque paintings scattered throughout the room.
There are many things I like about Alivia's. These include...
1. The nachos and black bean burgers -- both are delicious. The nachos are topped with mozzarella and I swear must have some sort of addictive drug mixed in because two full orders disappeared between 5 girls in about 3 minutes.
2. The location -- it's right on Main St., super close to Brightleaf Square, and three doors down from great pubs like The Fed and James Joyce.
3. The patio -- I love the fire pits. They're unique in Durham and great in the winter.
Things that I don't like so much...
1. The service is only so-so -- multiple servers seem agitated with the very thought of having to serve a table of 6 people...the horror!.
2. Certain dishes are overpriced based on the portion sizes.
3. It becomes more of a night club on Fridays and Saturdays and the music is way too loud. Not sure why since there definitely is not a dance floor.Listed in: For the Out-of-Towners
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Review from Christina G.
Durham, NC
5/21/2010 4 Check-ins Here
I came here with a group of about 17 yelpers. What's always drawn me to the place is their large patio; but the reason we chose to get together there most recently was because of Alivia's awesome fundraising opportunities. They promote this on their menu and even the website, and I think it's just really amazing that they support their community in that way.
Unfortunately, we got off to a rough start. When I arrived at the venue, Yelp lunchbox and balloons in hand, the staff looked at me a little funny -- and when I explanined I was there for a fundraising dinner I'd organized with the owner, there was confusion. 'I think he thought that was taking place next month', they said. Eek! And we have a 20-top arriving at the same time as your group. Double eek! I've worked many, many a year in the restaurant biz and knew that the waitstaff and kitchen were probably super-stressed about getting crushed. But they didn't let on (much). And the server I originally spoke with helped pull some tables together to accommodate my group. It wasn't ideal -- we ended up in back-to-back booths with some two tops added on to the end of the booth tables -- but I appreciated them making room for us and being chill about it.
Considering our large group (about 15), and the scattered arrival times, the waitress did a pretty good job of keeping up with our orders -- and she even printed extra tickets for me so I could have a copy of all our receipts for the fund raising. As for the food, my chicken sandwich was a-ok. But my nachos (app for the table) came out after my entree. At that point I didn't really want it anymore (and thought that they should consider comp-ing it, since clearly there was a mistake either in taking the order or in the kitchen losing the ticket); but I didn't want to make a fuss.
All in all, a good place to come for a laidback meal. Their patio is huge and fantastic. Inside, the music started to get really loud around 9pm as the place transforms into more of a bar scene.Listed in: Outdoor Dining!
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Review from Paige T.
8/12/2010
After a nice museum jaunt, my friends and I decided to hit up downtown Durham for some grub. There is that great stretch of Main Street that has a good many options, but tonight it was Alivia's Durham Bistro that stood out to us. They have a lovely outdoor seating area, but unfortunately, it was too oppressively hot to enjoy it this evening.
Inside, the restaurant is pretty much one big room with the bar smack in the middle and windows all around and fun Warhol-esque art where there are no windows! We were seated in a comfortable booth and swiftly attended to. Our waitress was friendly, yet a tad clumsy, spilling water on the table and bumping into chairs (made us sorta giggle to ourselves ;). After perusing the menu and going back and forth between tempting sounding menu items, we had decided: the Greek wrap with fries, the portabella sandwich with fries and the tender turkey sandwich with a side salad.
Well, our food came out in no time at all. I talked a lot while my friends cleaned their plates (thumbs up, I'd say). I decided to then concentrate on my Greek wrap, which was good, very fresh and a nice size portion--I had to take half to go. I did manage to finish my fries, which were actually served up in a very reasonable french fry portion, not too many, not too few and they were seasoned to a paprika/salty perfection!
Also, I always pay attention and am delighted when places have other to-go options besides styrofoam and Alivia's came through with a cute little cardboard box for my wrap :) -
Review from Caroline R.
Durham, NC
8/20/2010
Alivia's has good food, from the fancy (vegetarian ravoli) to the simple (burgers and fries), and a good beer selection. Really great place to sit outside with friends on a warm evening. Inside is also comfortable and spacious -- can accommodate a party of two, or a larger group.
I particularly enjoy Alivia's sandwiches and salads. (Unless you're starving, order a half salad.) They're just solid and delicious. Entrees are a little more creative, but every one I've tried has been great.
Service has been quite good every time I've been there. They refill your soda or water, or offer you another beer, just at the right moment.
Parking for Alivia's -- as with other Brightleaf restaurants -- can be a huge pain. There are two surface lots nearby that fill up quickly on weekend evenings. Unless you're arriving early or late, be prepared for a long, frustrating hunt for a space. Weeknights are better on the parking front. The good news: if you find a space, it's free. Parking is validated if you present a Brightleaf restaurant receipt.
I recommend Alivia's for a casual dinner with friends. -
Review from Mariko M.
3/17/2010 3 photos
Why can't it be spelled O-l-i-v-i-a? After numerous times calling this establishment 'Elvira,' I think that I can now say 'Alivia.' I enjoyed a wonderful lunch here with my best friend today and thought that this place was awesome!
On Wednesday, martinis are $5 ... yes, you read/heard right. They're $5 and are quite strong, which means you're getting a lot for your buck. I had the Flirtini martini and found it be delicious.
For our main course, I ordered the Alivia hamburger and the bestie ordered the smoked salmon sandwich. Both choices were good ones. What we noted were the great side salads that came with our meals. Fresh with a myriad of vegetables, it was a great way to get our daily vegetable intake. The presentation of our meals was great! I found the service to be excellent. We were served by Audrey, who was great.
I will most definitely come again!Listed in: Nifty, Notable, North Carolina
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Review from Robert O.
Durham, NC
10/16/2010
I am a fan of Alivia's simply because it is a wonderful place to hang out with friends, whether you just want to grab drinks or have a meal.
AMBIANCE: This is Alivia's best feature. While the inside area is comfortable, the outside area is the best patio in Durham.
FOOD: The food is nothing special, but it is satisfying and adequate. I've only been for lunch and dinner.
SERVICE: In general, the servers at tables are generally slow. This is an area for improvement. -
Review from Tripp W.
5/11/2010
Neat place. The deck out front is great and comes complete with little gas fireplaces, which essentially extend deck weather another couple months. Big plus! The wait staff was really friendly and handled our large group as well as could be expected. My chicken sandwich was nicely done, but the fries are what stood out. Perfectly crispy and had a tasty seasoning on them. Also, they have a large reasonably priced beer selection to keep me entertained throughout an evening.
I had to take away two stars for the crazy noise level which increased as the evening progressed. It wasn't just loud, you literally couldn't hear someone beside you talk over the music/crowd. My ears were ringing after I departed.
Summing up. A great place to get something simple like a sandwich and beer, but definitely not a quiet date type of place (at least after 8pm).Listed in: We eat outside in NC
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Review from Jane W.
Cary, NC
5/7/2010 1 Check-in Here
I want to give Alivia's 4 stars for atmosphere in general and the food, but overall it is a 3 star. I had the black bean burger, this is slowly becoming my standard for rating a new place if they are made "in house", and I thought Alivia's was pretty good. The burger was lacking some texture, did not at all live up to the descriptor "spicy", and the bun was a little too big for the pattie, but overall good flavor. However, the fries stole the show!!
Atmosphere wise, Alivia's has one of those great, call your name for cold beer, kind of decks..... the fire pits were something I had never seen before in such a simple, urban restaurant/bar. My biggest complaint was the insanely loud music that started around 8:30-9pm. The music went from great background to our group's conversation, to not being able to hear oneself think!! I would go back to Alivia's for a beer on the patio early one evening, but I would probably leave before I got too hungry or the music got too loud.Listed in: As the temperatures cool...…, Best Pattie of Frijoles…
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Review from Pasquale R.
Chatham, NJ
8/18/2011
*3.5 Stars*
Seems to be the common consensus that this place is one of the better spots of Durham. I am not a fan of Durham and nor do I intend to spend a lot of time there. My gf and I were looking for a nice, casual spot to have some brunch. After walking around D for a while we stumbled upon this place. After looking over the menu we decided to give it a shot. Once seated we were greeted by a friendly server. The decor is pretty cool. Large garage doors on both sides (of the front) with a bar in the back. Lots of actor/actress/music pictures on the walls. A relaxed, cool environment. I opted for the spicy chicken sandwich and she went with the burger. Both were good. Her burger seemed solid and didn't fall apart. My chicken was breaded and coated enough in sauce and not too mushy/runny as it happens often. Their fries are almost like a garlic/herb seasoning which was flavorful. The place was busy for a Sunday late morning brunch. Looking at other tables a lot of the meals (especially breakfast) looked very good and big enough to fill you up. ENJOY! -
Review from Stacey A.
Durham, NC
7/20/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is a great lunch or dinner spot any time of week. Whether you sit indoors or on the patio, the atmosphere is relaxed, the service is exceptional, and the food and drinks are wonderful. I was in love with menu just prior to the new one and was sad to see a couple of items go (the Boursin-stuffed chicken breast), but it turns out I'll live, as the new menu is equally as diverse and delicious as before, and retains some of our favorite items. I always tell myself that I will resist the chicken nacho appetizer, but truthfully, they are cravable and sometimes the reason I go to Alivia's, so who am I kidding? I will get them, but of course I'll share with everyone at the table to alleviate some guilt. Alivia's makes great salads, but even though I'm not a "slider" fan in general, their new BBQ sliders with excellent sweet potato fries is a very comforting and well-executed dish. Between my husband, friends, and I, we've tried many dishes at Alivia and have never been disappointed. The servers are really helpful and friendly - every time without fail.
When I want an evening out with consistently good food, quality service, and a stress-free environment in which I don't feel like I'm sitting on top of the next table, Alivia's always comes through with a diverse menu and friendly staff. It's a favorite go-to in our house. -
Review from Ana M.
San Francisco, CA
8/18/2010
I was here only once while I was in Durham for a short trip, but I had a good lunch on a weekend afternoon, didn't even have to wait for a table of five.
I ordered a BLT and also had some chicken wings and split some other entrees with the other people in my party.
I had a fun time and would recommend it. There seemed to be some nice outdoor seating as well, so it's a nice restaurant to either have a nice sit down dinner or something really casual.
Great job. -
Review from Sarah D.
Durham, NC
5/15/2011
I went for a Sunday brunch with my friends. We arrived at 9:30 a.m. and ordered drinks. My friends both sent back the coffee because it tasted so terrible and received a substitution of tea for no extra charge. My other friend ordered a mimosa and was told that even though it's a brunch special, NC law forbids the sale of alcohol before 12 on Sunday. I ordered the virgin Bloody Mary and was told it would take a while because they make the mix from scratch every morning. When I did receive the drink, it tasted delicious, but I was surprised that it took them 30 minutes to make it for me! After all, it's on the menu as part of the avocado bruschetta and it's not alcoholic.
Drinks aside, we were quite pleased with our food. My grits were hot and creamy with some chewy corn bits. My friends really adored their steak and hash. The hollandaise sauce, all of us agreed, tasted not too heavy and creamily delicious. They poached my eggs perfectly.
They use Atlantic salmon, which means it is farmed salmon.
We had a lovely time sitting outside in Brightleaf Square. The inside, with polished wood furniture, also seemed quite comfortable. The prices were a little high ($51 including tip for 3 of us, none of whom had ordered alcoholic drinks). I don't know if we'll go back anytime soon, but I did like how easy it was to get seats and the decent service. -
Review from Stuart S.
Durham, NC
3/29/2010
From what I can tell, you don't really come here for the food. It's not bad, but most of the items on the menu are fried. Those that aren't are relatively simple dishes you could probably prepare yourself with a little practice.
The beer selection is pretty good, with sixteen or so on tap, including several from the Triangle Brewing Company. The service is friendly. They're accommodating to large groups. When the weather is nice it's pleasant to sit outside.
Later in the night Alivia's converts to a bar almost entirely, and when I was there, gets very crowded. The large patio is a good place to watch the game, with a big TV and many sources of fire for warmth.
