Vin Rouge in Durham - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Pretty tables on the patio. Excellent server- attentive and relaxing. Nice spot for brunch.

Expensive mediocre food. Just because it's called French Fries doesn't mean you oughtta serve it at brunch

I’ve come here twice now and both times the service, atmosphere, and food were all impeccable. The food is not only delicious but simple in the fact that it relies on a lot of natural ingredients. Really nice place, with really great staff, and a good location. Will continue to come here in the future!

Seconding the reviews about how awesome Meaghan is! She is a friendly, bubbly, and extremely helpful waitress. I already love eating here for the antmosphere and delicious food, but having such a good server is really the icing on top of the cake. My favorite restaurant in Durham!

Enjoyed Sunday brunch on the patio and was blown away by both the food and the service, in particular our server Meaghan. She provided such great service, we felt compelled to write this review. She really made the experience special. Can’t wait to come back.

Well, the food was very good. I felt the prices were overrated for what you got. The service was beyond excellent and the atmosphere made you feel like you were in a rundown restaurant in Paris.

Wonderful experience and professional, friendly staff and waiter! Thanks for making it a memorable dining experience! From the delicious food to the atmosphere to the friendly faces, it was A++++! Completely blown away!

My server rosemary was attentive and welcoming would highly recommend to anyone who loves French food!

I had a fabulous birthday dinner at the bar on Sunday. Josh was excellent as always, and he helped me pick the right bottle of wine for my dinner. I've been coming to this place for 3 years, and everything is always flawless!

Vin Rouge in Durham offers an exceptional French dining experience. The ambiance is charming and cozy, reminiscent of a French bistro. The service is attentive and friendly, making the entire experience delightful. Perfect spot for a romantic dinner or a special occasion. Highly recommend!

Really good food and an awesome waitress!!🤩

We are from our of town and wanted to experience some good food while exploring the Raleigh area. Tried Vin Rouge and it was incredible! It started off by great customer, we were originally seated outside, but the hostess knew that we would prefer inside and so she came and grabbed us before we even had a chance to order as soon as a table opened up. We started off with an appetizer, carmelized onion and goat cheese and it was absolutely delicious. The bread was fresh as well. The main course we had was salmon and steak. The flavors were all incredible and we didn’t feel rushed at all while eating there. We were given just enough attention by the wait staff, but didn’t feel like it was pushy or anything. 10/10.

The food and decor is great, but there is a major mosquito infestation in their covered patio. We rushed through our meal because it honestly was unbearable, and we skipped our anticipated dessert because despite killing 3 bloody mosquitoes (they feasted) on me, I was bitten 15 times in less than an hour. They have powerful fans going but the infestation needs to be addressed. The poor lady near our table was scratching her legs constantly when we arrived and we soon figured out why. We really enjoyed the salmon with lentils, and the caramelized onion and goat cheese tart. For the owner- a gratin dauphinois should never have cheese. Only crème fraiche, garlic, and nutmeg. 1 Star only because of the 3 hours of icepacks I had to use afterwards - for such a reputable restaurant. My skin felt like it was on fire when we left. I could understand 3-4 bites. 15?! While killing 3 early on??? We’ll never dine on the patio again. It was a torturous experience.

Vin Rouge is our favorite restaurant in Durham. We have been numerous times for over a decade — never been disappointed. It has a cozy home feel and delicious food. Our favorites: eating on the patio, the salads, entree salmon & lentils, & best fries.

We have celebrated our anniversary here several times and it never disappoints. The food is amazing, but the service is just unbeatable. This is one of the best food and wine experiences we have ever had. We will be back for years to come. Thank you for making our 20th so memorable!!!

Friendly staff and atmosphere was good.

Great environment great service. I just did not love the food. It was overcooked and dry. The only thing that made my day was dessert and wine. It cost me 150 bucks!

Gluten free options! The menu isn't labeled gf but the server was very knowledgeable and went through all the options on the menu - most things are gluten free. They are aware of Celiac needs and took it seriously. Customer service from everyone was amazing. Crème brulee was delicious, the negronis were perfectly made.

My wife and I stopped here for a nice date night dinner during our road trip. The waiters and waitresses are extremely friendly and attentive. We started with a half dozen Dukes of Topsail oysters, which had a clean, less brine-y flavor due to them being raised in an estuary. We asked our waiter what he recommended, and he suggested the Poisson du jour and Cotes de Porc, which did not disappoint! The complimentary baguette bread with Olive Oil with Olive spread was incredibly addicting. The lemon tart overall was very good, wasn't overly tart, and the crust was the right consisency between soft and hard. Overall, our experience was nothing short of amazing. Would highly recommend trying this restaurant out if you're in the area and in the mood for French haute cuisine!

Brunch today to celebrate a dear friend's 100th birthday couldn't have been nicer. Our server Lexi and the GM Alex went out of their way to make Shirley feel special. Mushroom and gruyere omelets and French toast were delicious and desserts were especially fine. Oh, that chocolate mousse! Hope they make it a regular. We plan to be regulars at VR too.

The perfect place to celebrate something special

Good but expensive, few beer and cocktail options.

Went for Father's Day. Had a great dinner with our server, Josh. Great food. Best French onion soup I've had.

We had an excellent dining experience in this very cozy French restaurant. The food was so delicious. And the executive chief was so nice.

Went for fathers' day dinner. Three out of four meals were excellent, but we had some problems with the fourth: the mushroom ravioli was so al dente that it took three tries to cut it with a knife. When it came back, it was only a little better, and inedibly salty (much, much saltier than the first plate). However, the service was great, and the manager in particular demonstrated five-star customer service. The coffee was also very good, and the desserts were fantastic. Will return.

We had the most wonderful experience. Starting with the host Rebecca with her bubbly personality. Megan made sure we wanted for nothing. She was very attentive. The GM Alex was very present with all the guest's. I observed that he made sure to stop by every table to make sure the guest's were happy. The chef Steven is a gift to his art. The food was top notch and right in point. The food came out at the exact moment it needed to. We didn't feel rushed with the courses and we didn't wait for the next course. I was extremely surprised to see the bill was way below what I expected for the quality of the food and the exceptional service we received.

Absolutely phenomenal in every way.

Excellent food and service. Prefect spot for date night or a group dinner. Specials are always fresh and delicious.

We are from out of town (Philly) and we're visiting our daughter in Durham. Her choice for us to meet up with some old friends of ours who live in Chapel Hill for brunch. Great choice!! We had a variety of items and they all were excellent. Also enjoyed the decor and atmosphere. Our waiter was very good...checking back often, but not intrusive. We will definitely be returning during our future visits!!

The pate' is amazing! Hanger steak can't be beat in Durham

This is my favorite restaurant in the area. The one you keep coming back time after time. Simple, very well prepared dishes. Calf liver is a must.

Phenomenal experience with a professional, yet personal staff, great food, amazing drinks, and we can't wait to return! The perfect place for our anniversary, and it didn't disappoint.

Funky cool atmosphere. Best olive tapenade! Great beef carpaccio.

Fantastic French food and the ambiance is really nice inside and in the garden.

Where to begin... I brought someone special along to celebrate her college graduation. She'd never tried French cuisine before, so I decided to surprise her with this experience. From the moment we stepped inside, she was utterly charmed by the delightful ambiance of the restaurant. We were warmly received at the host stand, though we had to wait a few minutes. I believe it was management who greeted us—I apologize for not catching your names—but they were exceedingly gracious and communicated the delay effectively. I was very impressed with our initial interaction. As we waited, we took the opportunity to soak in the ambiance and savor the wonderful aromas wafting from the kitchen, enjoying the excellent view. Eventually, we were escorted to our table by one of the managers, who congratulated my partner on her impressive achievement, setting the tone for the exceptional service that was to follow. My date was thoroughly impressed by their attentive manner. Once seated, we were approached by the Server Assistant, who was very positive and welcoming. Then, the star of the evening arrived—Rosemary. Rosemary described the menu so beautifully that we ended up choosing all of her recommendations. Both my date and I were astounded by her stellar service, charm, and witty remarks, which truly perfected our evening. The food was exquisite, but it was Rosemary who truly elevated the experience. Thank you, Rosemary, for providing us with a memorable experience. We will definitely be returning.

I have gone here once or twice a year for over fifteen years. It has always been consistently good. Never a disappointment. Frankly, for that, I felt I owed them at least one review. Normally, restaurants that have been around a long time lose something. When they do well for a while, they get fat, dumb and happy and then tend to ride on their reputation. Not this one. It's as good now as it was 15 years ago.

Hard to find quality French restaurants in the US but this place is a gem. Came with the fam for date night and service was phenomenal as well as a laid back ambiance. I got the escargot for an appetizer and it was very rich with oil and garlic which I enjoy. I'm fairly adventurous and had the Calf liver for an entree which was a delight with the mashed potatoes. Highly recommend checking to this out! And they were very patient with a very cranky newborn which we truly appreciated.

Claire is absolutely wonderful! The food is always consistent and great. It's hard to find restaurants that have excellent service and ambience like this. Thank y'all

We are at Vin Rouge tonight and overall found it to be a good experience! We had the shrimp provincial appetizer, steak frites, fish of the day (sea bass), and creme brûlée. We also had two cocktails. The highlights: the steak was tender, delicious, and cooked perfectly. The shrimp appetizer tasted delicious. The sauce and artichokes with the sea bass were delicious and the presentation was beautiful. The shrimp appetizer and sea bass were well balanced dishes, especially in the fat/acidity balance. The cocktails we had were STELLAR. The atmosphere in the garden patio is lovely in the spring, and very comfortable. The low lights: the sea bass had 4 large bones in it, which is not enjoyable to discover. The Creme brûlée was set a smidge too hard.

Eggs Florentine for brunch & hanger steak for dinner 😋 I love coming here for any occasion! It’s such a treat every time.

Service was really good. The food was OK. My favorite was the bread and olive oil. I ordered The Mac and Cheese, salad, and charcuterie board. Large spider webs on the window were gross.

Our first time at Vin Rouge was a wonderful experience for two reasons: excellent food and great staff. We ordered four things from the menu (salmon, a salad, and two appetizers) and all of them were prepared to perfection. If you have a meal at Vin Rouge, we feel confident that the quality of food you experience will confirm our judgment. Our greeting lady was very pleasant. Our waitress, Kate, provided excellent service and handled everything superbly from start to finish. Semih is an outstanding manager, very professional and polite. He took the time to speak with us and impressed us as the exactly right type of person for what he is doing. A big thank-you to Vin Rouge for a great evening!

Excellent! We were a party of 8 celebrating a birthday. The service was outstanding! First rate all the way. And then there was the food, everyone raved about their entrées. We had lots of appetizers and cocktails. Everything was spot on and so delicious! It’s all about the sauce! They nailed it. I’ll be back for sure. Until next time, cheers!

Awesome crème brulee and they stock Lagavulin 16 at the bar I found out on my first visit recently... Will be back for a real meal soon!

I had the eggs Benedict and it was spectacular. They also gave a very good wine suggestion that was tailored to my personal tastes. Great service, fantastic food, great wine. Update 2024Mar10: I would recommend the French onion soup and the chocolate mousse.

Super local place for French classics near Duke East Campus. The bar is a favorite with locals since it’s usually possible to find a spot. This place stays busy so make a reservation.

What a wonderful experience! From the moment I walked in the front door it was such a treat. The staff are amazing! Friendly, attentive, and all give such personal service! And the food!!! From the authentic French variety on the menu, (some of which I was not familiar with) to the amazing atmosphere... wonderful! Looking for a special date night or celebration, this is definitely somewhere to put on the list.

Me and my wife dined here recently. I've been wanting to take her here for months and we finally made it. We drove 2 hours for the experience and I can say it was totally worth it! The service and the food was excellent. I love Escargot and I can't find it anywhere but here. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful and even the tiniest mistake was rectified on the spot immediately by both manager and waitstaff without us even noticing something had gone awry! Absolutely amazing and I recommend Vin Rouge greatly. Will be back

We haven’t made it here in a while but finally had a chance on Saturday night. Everything was perfect. Food and service were excellent. One of our favorites in Durham for sure!

I have waited many years and tried many places looking for the next level dining experience and I am happy to say that Vin Rouge delivered and then some. I have seen the light and it is glorious! The Restaurant itself is laid out beautifully, with several different rooms that have their own distinct flavor and mood. Whatever your desired experience they have the facilities to accommodate for that which you search. We dined in the Red Room and amid lulls in conversation were able to lapse into a happy silence. In these lulls we were able to appreciate the soft susurrus of conversation interplayed with the tasteful jazz played low in the background. The lighting was dim and perfect for an intimate affair. The decor was lovely and nary an inch of the walls in that room were left open from decoration, something too be appreciated when you allow your eyes to drift around your surroundings. Allez, Allez! Onto the food and wine! We had never been to Vin Rouge and aimed to taste our way through their food and wine with gusto, we did that and then some! We sampled the chevre and sweet onion tart, delectable in its own right and it gave the Onion Soup a run for its money as the perfect starter. The Tart was my partners favorite dish of the entire night.. Moving into our Midcourse we tried the Escargot and Frisee and Lardon salad. Both of which were served beautifully. For our main courses I had the Entrecot de Porc and my partner tried the Salmon. The Pork chop was cooked masterfully. Double cut, the chop had attained a crispy char to the outer fat layer that was eye rolling delicious and a perfect accompaniment to the sweet tanginess of the cider braised cabbage. The cabbage must be a play on choucroute and I have to say it was one of my favorite preparations on the dish I have ever tried. Silky pommes puree brought a lovely foil to the rich, smokiness of the pork chop and the bright acidity of the braised cabbage. I'd write more but I've run out of room! 5 out of 5!

Our favorite Durham restaurant for many years -- and just as good as ever.

Went here with some great friends and company. Food was on the more expensive side, but this was expected, and absolutely, 100% worth it. The atmosphere was extremely comfortable, and our waitress was down to earth and helped on any menu choices we couldn't recognize. Ç'était un moment délicieux!

Just had an amazing brunch at this wonderful restaurant. I have often gone to Vin Rouge for dinner and loved its food and atmosphere . This was my second visit for brunch and it was equally great. I went with three other people and we all enjoyed excellent service and a wonderful meal. I had the french toast with bacon (extra crispy - done perfectly) and fruit. Others had the crepe of the day, a mushroom gruyere omelet and eggs florentine. They also offered their delicious onion soup and moules with frites from the dinner menu. I highly recommend Vin Rouge!

Wonderful lunch for my mom’s birthday! Food and atmosphere 10/10! Can’t wait to go back!

The food was delicious including the black bass fish special and the potato soup. Our server was incredible. I was disappointed with such a small selection of wines by the glass.

It was a great meal. The sparkling wine that was suggested for us was great. Love the appetizers, escargot and shrimp. Plenty of good bread. We both got steak frites. Perfect fries. However my steak was not rare all the way through.

Delicious mussels Hosts were fabulous and accommodating Lovely wine recommendations

This is my favorite restaurant in Durham. The food is outstanding, service wonderful, and ambience special

Ordinary looking building from the outside, but wonderful food and service on the inside. The food was outstanding! Can't be beat for French food.

Dependable for good food and service. Nice heated semi-outdoor seating area. Highly recommended.

Wonderful dinner! Enjoyed our dinners and delicious lemon tart dessert.

We were there for anniversary and you all did an amazing job! Our server Meghan was probably one of the best servers we have ever had. We will definitely be back.

We had dinner for a birthday. The staff took extra care of us and made us feel special. The food was exceptional.

Always lovely. Service attentive but never intrusive. Food delicious and well-presented. Mussels are a favorite.

Always a treat to be able to come here. We came here to celebrate my sister’s first job, and it was very worth it. Amazing food and vibes, and they have excellent customer service. Looking forward to coming again.

Brunch was awesome! Jaxs the server, was professional, personal, proficient with every detail! Would highly recommend the excellent food and wonderful service!!

The food was timely and prepared perfectly. We had oyster appetizer, steak and frites along with the flounder special. Can’t wait to go back!

Simply put, the best meal I’ve had in a good long while.

Perfect meal and ambiance for our dual birthday dinner!

Food was delicious, great service, beautiful restaurant.

As usual Vin Rouge stands above so many other local restaurant experiences, at least for us. However, the chicken pate was not up to par. Has the recipe changed. And the goat tart is not as good now that it is presented quiche-like rather than as an individual tart. I still miss the days of the chocolate mousse being brought out in a big bowl and scooped at the table. The service remains impeccable and much appreciated. Friendly and attentive. On the spot. Ambience remains delightful and redolent of true France.

We thought our waiter was great. He thoroughly explained the menu items, including cocktails. He made an excellent recommendation for a wine to pair with the entree. We were celebrating a birthday and the waiter surprised us with a treat. Our seating location was right up front near the hostess station, next to the window. This was not great. Also, the nose level made conversation a challenge. Next time we will ask for a room in the middle or even in the back room if open.

Always good food and service. Our favorite French restaurant in the triangle.

Our server was friendly but not knowledgeable or attentive. The food was a little disappointing. The scrambled eggs were overcooked and the smoked salmon a bit too salty. The onion soups gratinee had so much cheese that it turned to cold, rubbery clumps. The chocolate mousse with salted hazelnuts was excellent!

The prosecco, chicken liver pate, and trout amandine were spectacular. The service was perfection: our waiter watched carefully to be sure our entree was only served when we were both ready. Such a lovely room (in the back). We go there to splurge for special occasions, so we're the "dressed up" couple but that's just fine with us.

Elegant atmosphere, delicious food, very good service, extensive (if expensive) wine list. Parking is limited. Need to use the overflow lot.

Outstanding service and food as always! We love this place

Fabulous food. Lighting so poor could not read menu. Excellent waiter. Made good suggestions without being overbearing

This is a true French restaurant. Great food and great service is an excellent combination

We love this restaurant, it’s food is always delicious. The problem is that you have to bring a flashlight to be able to see the menu is too dark. The tables are too small,, and one hasn’t finish the bread when they bring the food; they take the bread away because there is not enough space. Also, the table are too close, and one can hear the conversation from the neighboring table and viceversa. They need to have a better bartender. But we will continue to go because we love your food.

Food very good.... service exceptional. Looking forward to our next visit.

I'm no Johnny Cash, but Sunday Mornin' I'll be Comin' Down to Vin Rouge for brunch. Maybe surprisingly one of the best brunch options in Durham; especially if you're looking to avoid that mimosa crowd everybody hates unless you're a part of.

Previously one of my favorite restaurants in Durham. Food was good but service was off today.

Steak Frites was great as always! Would definitely recommend.

Excellent meal. Attentive and helpful service. Lemon tart was amazing!

Great service and authentic French food. Made a reservation for my spouse's birthday and every employee we encountered wished her a happy birthday. Would definitely recommend the classic moules frites and Vin Rouge burger.

Food was fabulous. Great wine list. Very attentive service.

Excellent every single time. Some of the best French food around, even better than most French bistros in Paris. Updated review: Vin Rouge is truly a hidden gem. While living in Durham, my husband and I dined at Vin Rouge close to 10 times (once a month while living there) and since moving to New York, I still think fondly of Vin Rouge and am yet to find something just as good and ive search in both New York and Paris! From the food to the service and ambiance, Vin Rouge is not to be missed if you're looking to dine out in the triangle area.

Food is always good and that's why it is a favorite restaurant. I had requested the back diningroom and he took us to seats in the front dining room, which is cramped and the seats uncomfortable. We had to wait at the bar while they "looked" for a table in the back dining room -- there were several -- and after 10 minutes, we were seated. They did not make us feel like "valued" patrons. The front of the house can do better.

This review is based on about twelve visits to Vin Rouge over a several-year period of time. Every single visit has been wonderful. It is the best French Bistro and one of the top five restaurants of any kind in Durham / Chapel Hill. The escargots are rich, buttery, garlicky and never rubbery, like at some restaurants. The steak au poivre is exceptional: tender filet, creamy sauce with a nice bite from the pepper. Iron Chef Alex Guarnaschelli featured Vin Rouge's macaroni au gratin on the show, "The Best Thing I Ever Ate". I don't know if it is *the* best thing I've ever eaten but it's certainly among the best and, without question, the best macaroni and cheese I have ever eaten. Vin Rouge is old school in the best possible way. We have never had a bad dish there. Insider tip: ask for table in one of the back rooms, away from the kitchen, or, in warm weather, the outside patio.

Everything about our experience was absolutely amazing!!!! Perfect for a date night!

We celebrated my mom’s 81st birthday. We live a in Rouge food. The service was a bit slow to get our drinks in hand and our dessert. But the food was fabulous.

I will be back, best brunch in the area! Charming staff, amazing vibes, and incredible service. The bartender chatted me up while waiting for my table and poured an amazing Vodka martini and the recommended his not on the menu Whiskey drink. Service friendly & thoughtful . I’m allergic to seafood and had help navigating my options and no anxiety about the meal.

Such good food and the staff was so friendly!!! From the maître de to the servers to the food runners, everyone was GREAT!!!! We will be back!

Love this place. Will be a regular “go to” restaurant for dinner. Food and service impeccable.

The service was excellent, and the servers were very friendly! The food tasted wonderful but my Eggs Florentine were not very warm. My husband thoroughly enjoyed his Eggs Benedictine. We will be back!!

Limited entree menu but all are exceptionally good. Portion sizes were significant. Our Waitress was very knowledgeable about the wine options and even let my wife sample a recommendation. (She did not care for it and ordered a martini instead. ) The beer listing is a bit short and esoteric. It would benefit from some mainstream offerings (Yuengling, Sam Adams, etc.) Overall, a wonderful dinning experience.

Love Vin Rouge for dinner, this was my first time for brunch. I think the Croque Madame is way better at La Farm! Food was just OK, esp for the price tag!

Our meals were delicious - the au gratin oysters in particular were outstanding. Our waiter was attentive and service was excellent. The only flaw in a fine dining experience was the very high noise level from a large and boisterous birthday group at the long table next to us.

We had a wonderful meal this evening - the food and service were exceptional.