Bar Virgile

The atmosphere: Warm, intimate, and stylish. The space has a cozy wood-and-brick vibe with an open kitchen and well-stocked bar that gives it real character. Love the look. Service: The serving staff seemed to be doing it all — taking orders, delivering food, clearing tables, and resetting them. They worked hard, and the bar and kitchen staff also felt shorthanded, which showed in the timing. Drinks took about 25 minutes, appetizers around 35, and the check another 15 after requesting it. When we arrived, they told us tonight is a theater night, and they have to turn tables every 90 minutes, so we were expecting better timing. Drinks: When they finally arrived, the cocktails were excellent — balanced, creative, and worth the wait. Food: Best dish: the house burger, easily the highlight. Close second: the risotto, rich and flavorful. Appetizers: mussels and deviled eggs were fine but nothing standout. Desserts: both were forgettable. Overall: Above-average main dishes and stellar cocktails, but service delays overshadowed. Possibly just an off night due to staffing — lucky for us, we didn't have somewhere to be. Three courses did take over 90 minutes...be warned.

I will never stop thinking about this restaurant and the food. My mouth is watering thinking about it currently, the brussels, mac and cheese, salad are all incredible. The Braised Pork Risotto is officially my death bed meal, and the chimichuri on the steak frites was just great. Tessa was our waitress and she was so kind and attentive. I truly LOVE Bar Virgile.

Top notch bar in Durham. Excellent attention to the cocktails. Professional bartender. Great selection of liquors and bartender will make something you enjoy. Go 'dealers choice' with a flavor preference and he will surprise you. Intimate seating with excellent food out of a small kitchen right next to the bar. Really enjoyed the atmosphere and vibe in this place. Really great bar in every way. Picture is blurry but if this is your bartender the drinks will be fantastic with great conversation.

We came to this restaurant prior to a show at DPAC. They did not take reservations, so they were almost full when we arrived at 5:30 The hostess was very sweet and said she could arrange a high top for 3 on the lower level. It was a smaller table in the corner, but it was fine.Service was a little slow as the restaurant was full, but the staff was very friendly and apologetic. The highlight, however, was the food. I am a carnivore, and I don't think I have ever ordered a vegetarian entree. However, they had an entree where you could choose 3 of their veggie "sides" and it looked too good to pass up. I got the beet salad, roasted brussel sprouts, and roasted carrots. It was absolutely delicious! And I was full. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. If you go on a night when DPAC has a performance, get to the restaurant by 5 for better seating

Great place for a night out in Durham. No reservations taken and be prepared to wait. That said, the food, atmosphere, and people were all great. Had drinks at the bar while we waited, it’s a tight squeeze but doable with a small group. Tried the Figgin’ Nuts cocktail and the Pilsner on tap and as also good. We sampled most of the small bites: Mac and cheese, deviled eggs, charcuterie board, and fried oysters. Nothing was truly unique, but all were well-executed and very tasty in a comfort food sort of way. The salmon with brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes entree was a perfect way to top things off. It was the kind of dish that you keep eating even when you’re getting a little full because it’s so good. I will note this place seemed perfect for couples and groups of 5-6. Any bigger than that and it might get a little dicey trying to land a table…maybe go really early if that’s the case.

For a restaurant that does not take reservations, it was a happy surprise that we were seated immediately. We were brought down to the secondary basement location, a lil dusty tropical-esc bar with peeling wallpaper and tables way too small for two entrees. The drinks were delicious! Definitely recommend for a cocktail!! But my lower rating is due to my experience with the fried oysters. For an 18 appetizer having something so fried and oily you could get it at the state fair was quite disappointing, on top of that I found prices of shell cooked with the oysters. At first I thought it was just a fluke and then it kept happening which eventually made me stop eating them entirely. I made this aware to the waitress and she was kind enough to take $4.00 off the meal. But personally I do not foresee myself coming back! P.S didn’t get photo of the oysters cause they did not look very pretty to begin with.

great place to grab drinks and dine with friends! we got here about 15 minutes after opening and it was already packed. a true sentiment to how great the place is! their burgers are really good and was the most popular choice amongst our group. my next favorite would be their fried oysters. everything we ordered did not disappoint! their drinks were very yummy too! the service was super friendly and attentive. i will definitely be coming back for more and i recommend everyone to give this spot a try.