Year after year, the cuisines served up at the Fairview earn the highest marks among respected food critics and peer reviewers. Our Executive Culinary team is widely regarded for their unique "regional neo-American" specialties. The Fairview has received the prestigious AAA Four-Diamond award for 19 consecutive years.
From our ever-so-tempting appetizers to the last irresistible morsel of our homemade desserts, every meal at the Fairview is executed with discriminating taste and renowned attention to detail. The Inn's extensive wine list, recognized annually by the Wine Spectator Magazine, assures the perfect wine compliment for your meal. Exquisite food, impeccable presentation, attentive service, and a cordial, elegant ambiance make the Fairview the area's restaurant of choice.
"Warm welcome, great service, and delicious food - a winner!"
Dined on 5/23/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, vibrant bar scene, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, great for lunch, special occasion
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"Locally sourced ingredients contribute to the excellence of this restaurant. Couple that with a creative menu, attentive service, and a great view and you have a recipe for success. Fairview is unique and we appreciate its charm and its innovative approach to traditional cuisine."
Dined on 5/22/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, vibrant bar scene, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Fairview is not on everyone's radar. Show you're a true local on your next special occasion. Skip the cliche places and enjoy deliciously prepared food in a warm inviting environment."
Dined on 5/21/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, romantic, special occasion
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"We enjoy our dinners here, the service never disappoints, and the food is great. Was looking to find a new dish for dessert, and the waiter was very helpful at suggesting one to try, and it was great!"
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, neighborhood gem, special occasion
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"We presented the good folks at the Washington Duke with a twist on the usual dining experience. We had friends visiting from out of town and we wanted to host a small cocktail party at the WaDu. They came to our rescue and suggested the Patio at The Fairview Restaurant there. Perfect! Beautiful views, excellent service and delicious nibbles to compliment their handcrafted cocktails and wine list. Patrick Greene, the wine steward, was wonderful to work with and helped me coordinate the experience. Andrew provided us with great service. I want to thank Don Ball, whom I reached out to for assistance, for his fine attention to detail."
Dined on 5/03/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"...so difficult to find around town. We take older people there and they love being able to hear. So do I--no distractions so that we can concentrate on our guests. We also like the Happy Hour Menu. It make is easier more economical to bring guests which we like to do. I also recently took some friends for your afternoon tea. Superb!"
Dined on 4/29/2013
Special Features: good for groups, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, scenic view, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion, kid-friendly
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"Good place to eat with a group of friends if you have a lot of food points to splurge. For a fine dining restaurant, the portions are surprisingly big. Slightly on the costly side, but the scenic environment makes up for it. 7.5% tax and 19% gratuity included in the bill, with an average spending of about $50 per person."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, special occasion, scenic view
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"normally good but took 2 hours for food to be served"
Dined on 04/25/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion, scenic view, hot spot
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"Overall, the staff is highly accommodating and the atmosphere is perfect for special occasions. I would say you are paying for the ambiance more than the food, which is fine. I have yet to try most of the things on the menu, but the food was acceptable. Desserts were great though!"
Dined on 04/19/2013
2012
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"The welcome at Fairview was warm and personal and both the food and service were superb; worthy of more than five stars! We recommend the smoked salmon, steak and eggs, and the crab cakes - all delicious. This was the perfect brunch."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2005
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"My lamb was underseasoned and the waiter was very underwhelming in his helpfulness. My wife loved everything, especially the seafood chowder. Overall, I would try it again and hope for a better result."
Dined on 04/04/2013
2008
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"We had a wonderful dining experience and wouldd have given 5 stars for the food, however, we thought the appetizer portions were too small especially to share,ex 2 bacon wrapped shrimp for $15. The wait staff was exceptional and our request was handled promptly. Very nice restaurant and plan to return in the future."
Dined on 04/03/2013
2009
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Another awesome meal at the Fairview Dining Room! I took my girlfriend here for her birthday and they surprised her with a dessert with lit candle. Walter provided supurb service! My many thanks to one and all!"
Dined on 03/29/2013
2008
Special Features: great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"One of the most beautiful dining rooms in Durham!"
Dined on 03/25/2013
2013
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Review 19 for Fairview Dining Room
Overall rating
(Outstanding)5/5
Incredible brunch in every way
OpenTable Diner Since
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Food
(Very Good)4/5
Service
(Outstanding)5/5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)5/5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Fairview Dining Room might just be my favorite brunch restaurant EVER. The atmosphere is old world country club. Beautiful deep rugs on the hardwood floors, with the most comfortable chairs that make it easy to linger over your meal. My son and I visited for Sunday brunch and the value of the meal was outstanding, made all the more wonderful by the surroundings. The service was gracious, kind and detailed. I have found THE place to enjoy brunch when I visit my son at Duke."
Dined on 03/24/2013
2005
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, romantic, special occasion
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"My attempt to obtain a reservation at my preferred time was unsuccessful, and did not seem to relate to the apparent availability of tables. On arrival, there were enough empty to allow the few parties in the dining room ample space for private conversation. The Fairview is an excellent location for working lunches for just that reason. The memu provides great choice on a range from light salads to full meals - we had excellent soups and the bread and salads were interesting. The serving sequence was odd in that I had to instruct the staff to bring our orders together -she intended to bring my guest's soup and salad and my salad after I finished my bowl."
Dined on 03/20/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"The crab cakes are amazing, only to be outdone by the incredible pianistic talents of Paul Holmes. His interpretations of standards from the great American songbook are transcendent."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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"My wife and I were celebrating a special occasion. The food, service and atmosphere were simply outstanding. The atmosphere and layout of the dining area was very well thought out. It was truly a treat to be treated so well by the wait staff. The attention, courtesy, and professionalism of our waiter, Andrew, was very much appreciated. I didn't realize places like this existed anymore. A little above our normal class of restaurant but so very much worth it. Wished we lived closer so we could enjoy some more special occasions."
Dined on 03/16/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"Excellent service and a very gracious atmosphere! Excellent dining experience as well... all food was very fresh and artfully presented. The Bull Durham bar next door (also at the Washington Duke) serves the best late night menu we've ever had -- again, everything very fresh and service with a smile!"
Dined on 03/06/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, special occasion, scenic view
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"On Duke game nights the restaurant has a limited menu we wanted something on the regular menu but could not order. The manager did apologize for the inconvenience and discounted the meal as a result. The food was good and the service was the best."
Dined on 03/05/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies
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"Mistakes were made and food had to be sent back.Service, even in a fairly empty dining room, is slow. The waitstaff is not well trained.They are polite, but often reach across the table to pick up plates."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, special occasion
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"We really enjoy celebrating special occasions at the Fairview. Menu is interesting but tonight we found the execution of the food to be just average for the price point. We had REALLY slow service...waited a LONG time for bread, water and main course to come out. While we like the leisurely pace this was unusually slow. The manager was on top of the situation and brought us some lovely desserts on the house at the end of the meal."
Dined on 02/12/2013
2012
Special Features: special occasion
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"The Food, The Wine, and The Staff were all top notch! This was on a busy Duke Basketball night and it was the perfect place to have dinner before the game. The easy walk to Cameron, especially on a rainy night, was a real plus. The entire Washington Duke Inn complex appears to be outstanding.A little expensive...and worth it! We'll be back."
Dined on 02/07/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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"The people who work at the Washington Duke Inn and the Fairview Dining Room are what make it a special place to go. Friendly, knowledgeable, eager to serve, polite, very helpful. The food, although good, was not worth the price we paid, but I think in such a setting ambiance and good service are what is being paid for. It is a beautiful place to eat and relax."
Dined on 02/08/2013
2012
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"We came across this gem of a restaurant while looking for a place to have dinner before a show at the DPAC. We got a little lost, and were 15 minutes late for our reservation. No matter - we were graciously and quickly escorted to our table. In fact, from the moment we walked in the door, we were treated to wonderful and friendly service by everyone. The food was among the best we've had anywhere. Our server made sure we were out of the door in plenty of time to make our show, without rushing us or the food. It was a little magical! We can't wait to go back for a more leisurely dinner."
Dined on 02/01/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, romantic, special occasion
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"Delightful dinner and perfect spot for restaurant week. I am not sure I would return to pay full price for some of the menu items. Overall, we enjoyed our meal!"
Dined on 01/27/2013
2009
Special Features: notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"It's nestled way in the back of the WaDuke. It felt very fancy and a bit "old money-ish" but our server treated us wonderfully and the food was great! The biscuits in the bread basket are the best! I would definitely come back to try their lunch or for a special occasion."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2012
Special Features: great for brunch, romantic, special occasion, scenic view
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Special Features: vibrant bar scene, fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch, hot spot
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"Overall, far from the 5-Star dining experience of the past. Food was adequate but not equal to past dining experiences. Shrimp/Corn Chowder was simply not anything but acceptable - couldn't find even a small piece of shrimp. Short ribs of beef were quite fatty, Salmon did't taste very fresh and the dessert trio was only adequate. Ambiance was very good except for spring silk flowers in the dining area during the winter season. Overall, we were disappointed."
Dined on 01/23/2013
2004
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"Eating in the Fairview Dining Room is always a wonderful experience. It is elegant but unpretentious, the service is flawless and the food exquisite! It is so pleasant to have a wonderful relaxing meal in a quiet setting with a beautiful view. It is our favorite restaurant in the whole triangle area!"
Dined on 01/23/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, scenic view, great for lunch
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