Beat the Heat: Durham’s Summer Bites & Drinks

We’re in for another scorching week in the Bull City, but our neighbors are serving up delicious drinks, dishes and snacks to help you beat the heat. Since Durham’s bursting with summertime staples, here are a few suggestions to get you started:

For classic Durham ice cream…

THE PARLOUR (117 Market St)

Available for contactless pickup

Is it really summer without a pint of Parlour ice cream? In case you missed it, they were named the best ice cream shop in North Carolina… and one of the best in the U.S. You can order for pickup from the shop itself or grab a pint at The Durham Coop Market or Bulldega.

For vegetarian, vegan and GF options…

LOCOPOPS (2618 Hillsborough Rd.)

Available for delivery & pickup

Locopops has something for everyone, from vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free pops to ice cream floats. Don’t feel like a sweet treat? Pick up a game or a puzzle to spice up your next game night.

For when you’ve tried every ice cream flavor…

PELICAN’S SNOBALLS (3217 N. Roxboro St.)

Takeout

The magic of Pelican’s? Flavors on flavors on flavors. Plus, you can find gluten-free options and order without cream to go dairy-free.

For options upon options…

BULLDEGA (129 W. Parrish St.)

Retail or email orders@bulldega.com curbside delivery

Already tried every Pelican’s flavor, too? Pick up a range of chilled drinks and snacks, including local staples like Parlour pints, at Bulldega.

For when you wish your ice cream looked like a fish…

SUGAR KOI / SUGARFISH (905 W. Main St. Suite 20-h)

Takeout

Any summer day is immediately better when you’re eating ice cream in Koiyaki fish-shaped cones. We’re pretty sure that’s scientifically-proven.

For the cookie fanatic…

INSOMNIA COOKIES (1105 W. Main St.)

Curbside pickup and delivery

Insomnia Cookies recently opened their Durham location, which means a world of cookie sundaes and cookie’wiches is now available to you.

For an upscale dessert or appetizer…

ROSE’S (121 N. Gregson St.)

Takeout and delivery

Make the next at-home date night unique with a chocolate pudding cake or summer melon salad from Rose’s.

For changing up your coffee routine….

COCOA CINNAMON (Three Locations)

Contactless Pickup

Instead of making that same iced coffee one more time, pick up one of Cocoa Cinnamon’s seltzers, infusions, agua frescas, lemonades, iced teas or even half-gallons of iced latte. Each location has unique specials as well as the Cocoa Cinnamon standards.

For one-stop shopping that makes everyone happy…

DURHAM FOOD HALL (530 Foster St. Suite 1)

Takeout

Trying to find something for the whole family or all the roommates? Easy. In one stop (depending on venue takeout hours, of course), pick up a pint of Napoli gelato, a Mexican soda from Ex-Voto’s Burrito Bodega, a cocktail kit from The Auctioneer, an espresso and tonic from Liturgy Beverage… we could go on.

For an adult slushie…

BULL MCCABE’S (427 W Main St)

Dine-in and takeout

Do you really need another reason?

For celebrating at home…

PINCHO LOCO (5111, 1918 Perry St.)

Available for takeout (call or visit to place order)

Birthdays, anniversaries and Instagram holidays (happy early National Best Friends’ Dog Day) just aren’t the same right now, but at least you can celebrate with an ice cream cake from Pincho Loco.

For picking up a new hobby (and a draft)…

CRAFTS AND DRAFTS (427 W Main St)

Dine-in and curbside pickup

If you’ve been meaning to pick up cross-stitching or pint-glass-etching, grab a drink and try it out in Crafts and Drafts’ socially-distanced bottle shop. Projects are available for pickup, too!

For when you miss that beach vacation…

DA KINE’S KAVA (427 W. Main St.)

Takeout and outdoor dining

Whether you’re missing that summer trip or want to imagine you’re relaxing in Hawaii, Da Kine’s ice-cold kava is the solution.

For movie night…

THE CAROLINA THEATRE (309 W. Morgan St.)

Takeout Fridays

Want to support your favorite historic venue during your at-home movie night (or one of our Retro watch parties)? Aw, thanks. Every Friday night, you can order your favorite movie theater concessions for pickup at the venue. Our Retro hats are built-in shade, too!

And if we missed your favorite spot…

Take a look on their website and see how you can support them this summer. We may be biased, but we think Durham’s got something for everyone — and if you’re not convinced yet, just look at Discover Durham’s filterable list of open restaurants.

Lydia Huth is a marketing coordinator for the Carolina Theatre of Durham, and she recommends Locopops’ cookies and cream pop.

Photo from that time in 2018 when it wasn’t 90+ degrees. Remember that?