Delicious meals, family-friendly vibes, craft cocktails and a charming patio come together at this South Durham restaurant
By Monika Jurevicius| Photography by John Michael Simpson
Step into the warm, welcoming atmosphere of Cucciolo Famiglia, where families, couples and neighbors gather to enjoy classic Italian dishes designed for comfort and community.
Sutton Station‘s spacious garden-inspired courtyard – complete with lush greenery and a tranquil fountain – creates the perfect backdrop for the restaurant’s outdoor patio where parents and their children often congregate for alfresco dining with a side of play thanks to provided toys and games. It’s a feature that Famiglia owner and South Durham resident Jimmy Kim describes as “priceless” – and what drew him to the location in the first place. “We [also] loved the size of the existing kitchen and saw the huge potential for a great patio, so [we] decided this was the right choice for our next phase,” the restaurateur says.
Every detail blends casual comfort with authentic European ambiance thanks to interior designer Laura Koshel of LK Design – a neighbor and friend of Jimmy’s – who took full advantage of the open floor plan to evoke the charm of an Italian bistro.
A TWIST ON THE CLASSICS
Famiglia – the third concept from the team behind downtown’s Cucciolo Osteria and Cucciolo Terrazza in North Hills – opened in late August 2025. The new restaurant’s menu features Cucciolo Osteria fan favorites like basil tomato bruschetta, vodka tomato cream sauce rigatoni and white ragu rigatoni, but it also leans into American-Italian favorites, including calamari fritti, veal marsala and chicken Parmesan – made with Osteria’s beloved butter chicken dish as its base.
The kids menu includes five options perfect for smaller stomachs: mac and cheese, butter chicken fingers, spaghetti butter and cheese, spaghetti pomodoro and spaghetti Alfredo, plus s’mores for dessert – which kids can enjoy for free on Wednesday evenings. “We want to be the restaurant for the community, like a giant family, hence the name,” Jimmy says.
BEHIND THE BAR
The other two Cucciolo locations feature award-winning wine selections, while Cucciolo Famiglia’s bar focuses on high-end craft cocktails at reasonable price points. The team makes almost all its syrups in-house, including a pistachio syrup for the signature Pistachio Lemon Sour. The Strawberry Milk Punch, featuring strawberry caviar and pineapple chips, is another standout. For a nonalcoholic option, “We do often have a house-made shrub behind the bar that is not listed on any menu, but is a personal creation of Matthew Barker, our bar manager,” says Josh Womer, one of the partner at Famiglia.
EAT, PLAY, LOVE
Cucciolo Famiglia is open for dinner service Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday from 4-8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 4-9 p.m. Jimmy emphasizes that the focus isn’t on fine dining but on creating an experience where guests feel comfortable, whether they stop by for a full meal, takeout or just a glass of wine. “Our foremost goal is to have fun with this project,” he explains. “Not only has this experience been an incredible opportunity, but Jimmy, Josh and I have come to value one another more now than we did at the start of the project,” business partner Andrew Robinson adds. The team also plans to extend operating hours for weekend brunch as the weather gets colder and the patio closes and roll out new menu items and takeout options gradually while keeping quality and service top of mind.
