Enjoy classic and modern Italian dishes, including house-made pastas, ragu, and seasonal specialties in an upscale setting.
Sip on curated wines, craft cocktails, and spirits at our bar, perfect for pairing with your meal or enjoying solo.
Indulge in homemade desserts like tiramisu and chocolate torte, paired with rich espresso for a sweet finish.
Ideal for gatherings, pre-show meals, or celebrations, with options for sharing plates and group seating recommendations.
Flexible dining with bar seating for solo guests and table reservations for parties, located in a walkable Durham area.
I never leave reviews but the food here was absolutely terrific. I live in a major food city (I was just visiting Durham for the night) but this place truly amazed me! Service and recommendations were impeccable as well. Such a lovely experience.
Had dinner at Cucciolo before seeing a show at DPAC. The ladies split the beet salad which they said was very good. I had the white sausage ragu for my entree, it was pretty good but nothing really special and the portion was a little small for my taste. Everyone else seemed to enjoy their meals more and the portions were more generous. Lastly, we shared the chocolate torte which I found had an unusually spongey texture for a torte. Not my favorite, will have to try other dishes if I come back.
Asked to be seated at a table. They said they don't sit parties of 1 at tables, only at bar. Telling them you have a disability is irrelevant to them... they do not care. Sat me at very end of bar so a portion of my area was used for the bottles of wine in the ice bucket... but the whole bar was open. I had an appetizer, entre, dessert, espresso, and bottle of wine. I was there to enjoy myself... as they came highly recommended. The bartender was awesome. Mushroom appetizer was incredible. The onions were undercooked and crunchy in the pasta sauce (Amatriciana) so it overpowered the dish a bit. Tiramisu and espresso were delicious. When I left, there were (3) tables that were never used. They could have accommodated my ADA request, but no. They have a BS policy about not sitting single parties at tables. They sat me at the very end of the bar, sharing a space with an ice bucket. Nothing like listening to wine bottles being pulled the entire dinner to really set the vibe.
We went there for last night and it was great! I would say the pace is little fast than other restaurants and we liked the foods parking was kind of hard to find bc it was busy night, It was kind of loud in there that you can even hear the music that they’re playing I would get High Top chairs next time when I come back to just experience it but our server was very nice and giving us recommendations and we got free tiramisu as a treat!
Delicious! Italian deliciousness! We had dinner and drinks at the bar. Good service, good food. Ambiance but could be a little more. Very noisy, hollow sounding, my only Complaint. (Industrial, brick. Fits with the area a whole, but doesn’t make for cozy feel) We felt Portions NOT shareable. We shared and I only got 2 bites of main dish. Would order my own next time. Had a beet salad-delish, and Tajarin was excellent! BREAD IS DELICIOUS-but have to ask for it. Not served otherwise. In a walkable area from our hotel. Felt safe at 9-10:00. Would go back again. Delicious!!

Authentic Italian cuisine in the heart of Durham, where tradition meets modern dining.
No photos available
Cucciolo Osteria Durham offers an upscale Italian dining experience at 601 W Main St, blending classic recipes with contemporary flair. Known for dishes like white sausage ragu, beet salad, and house-made tiramisu, we provide a vibrant atmosphere perfect for pre-show dinners, date nights, or special occasions. With a 4.6-star rating from over 650 reviews, our commitment to quality ingredients and attentive service makes every visit memorable. Join us for expertly crafted pastas, curated wines, and a taste of Italy in Durham.
Claim Cucciolo Osteria Durham to update business info, respond to reviews, and access analytics.