The veteran-owned restaurant and bar offers inventive fare, art celebrating Black excellence and legacy-driven libations at its new Main Street location, expanding its growing North Carolina footprint
By Sharon Kinsella | Photography By John Michael Simpson
Eat, laugh, drink. That’s the motto of Flavor Hills Restaurant & Bar, the modern Southern comfort eatery that opened Dec. 3, 2025, at 107 W. Main St. The restaurant occupies the former Baldwin’s Department Store, where a neoclassical facade still lends a touch of stately grandeur to the downtown block. The Durham outpost expands a growing footprint for the brand that includes locations in Raleigh and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
The Marine Corps veteran-owned concept greets guests with intention and style. More than a dozen paintings by artist Christopher Evans, owner of Raleigh’s Good Trip Gallery, line the walls, celebrating Black creativity and culture through vivid, expressive portraits. A central mural depicting Durham’s Black Wall Street anchors the large, lightly partitioned space – which offers ample banquet, high-top, bar and standard seating – while underscoring a feeling of connection, belonging and community embeddedness. “Coming to Durham, which is so rich in history, is really exciting for us because the premise of Flavor Hills is bringing Black excellence to light in a way that allows everyone to have an appreciation of it,” CEO and founder Andre Truss says. “Creating a sense of home starts with the respect of that history.”
Not Your Granny’s Comfort Cooking
Co-owner, culinary director and chef Morgan Teianne draws from a background rooted in both Southern American and Southern Caribbean cuisines, with a foundation in fine dining. Flavor Hills’ menu marries those influences in elevated, inventive soul food dishes with flavor profiles that feel both familiar and unexpected. Try the catfish and grits: a golden fried catfish fillet on a bed of cheese-infused grits with Cajun smoked turkey collards and scratch-made Cajun cream sauce, or the sweet heat plate: a crispy, hot-honey-glazed fried chicken breast over candied yams and those aforementioned smoky greens.
Additional creative standouts include flash-fried deviled eggs, available exclusively in Durham and The Southern Remix, a playful brunch favorite that reimagines classic chicken and waffles with vanilla cookie-crusted brioche French toast, striking a balance for diners looking for both savory comfort and to satisfy any oh-so-sweet cravings.
Legacy Libations
Flavor Hills’ cocktail program pays homage to the Bull City’s storied history with signature drinks that honor the founders and pioneers of the North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, turning each pour into a conversation starter. The Spaulding, for instance, blends peach, bourbon and citrus for a smooth finish; the Merrick delivers bright notes of pineapple, citrus and vodka; and the Moore mocktail offers a refreshing combination of strawberry and citrus topped with sparkling water and fresh basil. “We wanted to champion past triumphs not only in the design of our space but also in our bar menu, because that’s the easiest way to connect [with people],” COO and co-owner Tellers Pollard says. “We want guests to see themselves in the restaurant.”
For beer lovers, Flavor Hills also exclusively serves Proximity Brewing Company brews, further reinforcing its commitment to supporting the rich legacy of Black-owned businesses in the Bull City.
Pull Up a Chair – Or Don’t
Stop by Flavor Hills for upscale fare in a relaxed environment, with dinner served nightly from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. and brunch offered Wednesday through Sunday, starting at 10 a.m. on weekdays and 11 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Andre encourages visitors to treat the space as they would an art gallery – grab a drink, wander between courses, strike up a conversation, and don’t be shy about letting the music move you – carefully curated playlists are designed to spotlight Black musical genres that span across generations, with a variety that’s sure to please every listener. The setting suits every occasion, whether it’s brunch with friends, a family outing, date night or a place to unwind and connect after a long day. Food, fellowship and a strong sense of community anchor the experience – and that’s the whole point, says Eric Johnson, co-owner and chief marketing officer. Creating a place where someone can feel seen, even briefly, matters, he says. “Being able to see people really bond over food and build relationships with [others] – that’s really dope.”
