Elmo's Diner

Durham NC

919-416-3823

Open Daily MON-FRI 7:00 am-3:00 pm, SAT-SUN 7:00 am-3:30 pm for Dine-in and To-Go

776 9th Street
Durham NC 27705

(Near Duke East Campus)

What Elmo’s is Doing About Covid-19

We’re all aware of the COVID-19 concerns we’re facing as a community, and we want you to know the precautions we’re taking to ensure the safety of our customers and staff.

DINE-IN

Elmo’s is OPEN for Dine-in! (We DON’T take reservations or call-aheads though!)
Restaurants are already very closely monitored for health and cleanliness by the Durham Department of Health, and we are working closely with them to stay up to date with any new developments and/or procedures we need to implement for your Dine-in safety.

We are continuing to follow strict cleaning and sanitizing procedures throughout preparation and service–for example, with regular sanitizing of high touch surfaces like tables. We have never allowed employees to work if sick, but we are especially vigilant about this now. No one will be permitted to work sick and staff with any Covid-like symptoms are required to show a negative Covid test or doctor’s note before returning to work.

Take-out

Elmo’s offers Take-out, but we no longer do car-side. Increased Dine-in business and staffing shortages means we have to sometimes prioritize in-house customers over to-go and temporarily stop taking to-go orders. You may reach out to us over the phone and not be able to get thru IF we have stopped taking to-gos OR it may be that we are swamped with other to-go calls which block your call. Usually when we stop taking to-go orders for a bit, it is for a very short period. We apologize if you had your heart set on Elmo’s and just couldn’t reach us, but we promise you we are doing our best to meet as much customer demand as we can without over-taxing our fantastic staff!

We are very grateful for all of you who have stopped by through the many iterations of our business since the pandemic started and we hope that we’ll continue to see you!

About Elmo’s Diner

Elmo’s Diner has been a local Durham favorite for more than twenty years, with the vast majority of our business being repeat customers. You are our friends and our neighbors, and we want you to feel good about eating at Elmo’s. We pride ourselves on giving friendly, efficient service and on serving fresh, delicious food – like you would make at home if you had the time! We don’t use mixes or “instant” meals. Desserts and soups are made from scratch too–some folks even call on a regular basis to find out if their favorite cobbler is the special that day!

Like a true family diner, we have comfy booths, but also tables and lots of boosters and high chairs for your little ones. We have raised a lot of our young regular customers (and even some employees) from scratch too! When your family comes to town, we want you to be excited to bring them to YOUR local diner. You don’t have to be “a regular” to eat at Elmo’s, but we will try hard to make you one!

Elmo's Diner

Sorry, but No Reservations or Call Aheads!

However, you are welcome to give us a “heads up” that you are bringing a large party (like 8 or more). This is not a reservation or call-ahead seating, but does sometimes help us to strategize seating and more effectively serve you. If you have a super-large group, it is best to ask to speak with a manager.

Gift Certificates

We sell Elmo’s gift certificates in any amount. For local customers, we ask that you come in to buy a certificate. For out-of-town purchases, we can help you purchase one with Visa or MC over the phone. Just call (919) 416-3823, preferably not during a main meal period, and ask to speak with a Manager.

Awards

The Indy Weekly

2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

  • Best Breakfast
  • Best Kid-Friendly

2021

  • Best Cheap Eats in Durham County

2019

  • Best Place to Pick Up an Indy

2019

  • Finalist for Best Veggie Burger

2014

  • Finalist for Best Sunday Brunch

2014

  • Best Wait Staff in Durham County
  • Best Breakfast in the Triangle
  • Best Kid’s Menu in a Local Restaurant

Durham Magazine

2021, 2019, 2018

  • Platinum for Best Breakfast/Brunch
  • Platinum for Best Kid-Friendly Restaurant

2017, 2016, 2015, 2014

  • Platinum for Best Breakfast/Brunch

2012

  • GOLD for Best Breakfast/Brunch

The Herald-Sun

2017, 2016, 2015, 2011

  • Best Breakfast/Brunch

2014

  • Finalist for Best Breakfast/Brunch

2012

  • 2nd Place in Best/Breakfast Brunch in Durham
Indy Weekly - Best of Award Winner You Gotta Admire Our Consistency! Indy Weekly - Best of Award Winner

First Tuesday is NOW Spirit “Mursday” 4 DPS!

We’re a community restaurant both in the sense that we are a local favorite and in the sense that we strive to be good neighbors and give back to our community. Our previous First Tuesday fundraising program for Durham Public School PTSAs had to be re-envisioned since we are no longer open nights and that was when we saw the majority of our school families. Now we are announcing the start of Spirit “Mursday” 4 Durham Public Schools!

Durham Public School PTSAs can hold a Monday-Thursday (“Mursday”) spirit week at Elmo’s Diner where they encourage their school population and the community-at-large to eat IN HOUSE at Elmo’s. After a school’s Mursday is over, we will donate 4% of our Total Sales minus TO GO sales from the school’s designated M-Th week (Thus, the title: Spirit Mursday 4 DPS!) All customers are encouraged to come out in force on these special spirit Mursdays and help support our schools. Please see our list of upcoming dates.

If you are volunteering for a local DPS PTA and are interested in applying for a Spirit Mursday, you can use the CONTACT link on this website to let us know of your interest. If you don’t hear back within one week, feel free to call the restaurant during non-meal times (919) 416-3823 and ask to speak to the person in charge of Spirit Mursdays.

Around Elmo’s

Elmo’s Diner-Durham opened in the spring of 1997, in the Ninth Street shopping district of Old West Durham. Large windows, wooden floors, high ceilings and old red brick grace the Durham location, and give a warm and casual feel. The restaurant also is located in an old building with lots of history, having been a former taxi cab garage, beauty college and bakery at various times.

The Ninth Street shopping district is known for its diverse and unique locally owned businesses. It’s also conveniently located near many wonderful Durham sites, including Duke University, with its beautiful chapel, the excellent Nasher Museum of Art, and the Sarah B. Duke gardens; the Museum of Life and Science (a great trip for kids!); and downtown Durham, where you’ll find the Durham Bulls Athletic Park and the new Durham Performing Arts Center. Every July, Durham hosts the American Dance Festival which provides yet another wonderful venue to visit either before or after a trip to Elmo’s Diner-Durham!

Contact Us

Location

776 9th Street, Durham, NC 27705

Phone

919-416-3823

    Please contact us with your questions, comments, compliments or concerns. (Please note, we have been having difficulty with comments coming through and are working to address this. You can also call us at (919) 416-3823 to get email contact info.) If you wish to place a to-go order, please also call us at (919) 416-3823. We do not take to-go orders online.




    Interested in Joining Our Team?

    Front of House Application Back of House Application