Nanasteak

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Durham Steakhouse Built Into the City's Revival

NanaSteak opened in February 2016 in a purpose-built corner space on Blackwell Street, positioned right alongside the Durham Performing Arts Center and the Aloft Durham Downtown Hotel. From the start, the restaurant planted itself firmly within what it calls the "New Durham movement" — the deliberate, block-by-block restoration of downtown Durham's culture and community. That civic pride is woven into the room itself: the bar top and tables are inlaid with real tobacco leaves, a nod to the city's long tobacco heritage, crafted by local artisan Artisan Leaf.

The Room and the Experience

The corner location brings in abundant natural light, and the energy inside reads as high-end without being stiff. Guests can settle into the well-appointed bar for cocktails and appetizers, or move into the main dining room for a full sit-down meal. The staff's attentiveness has become part of the restaurant's reputation — regulars note gestures like holding takeaway bags while diners catch a show next door and collecting them on the way home.

What's on the Plate

As a steakhouse, NanaSteak keeps its focus on hand-cut prime beef cooked over a charcoal grill. The menu runs from a center-cut Filet Mignon with béarnaise (available in 6 oz or 10 oz) to a 14 oz Prime NY Strip and a slow-roasted Prime Rib. A 16 oz Prime Ribeye rounds out the prime cuts. Beyond the steaks, the kitchen draws on local North Carolina produce for dishes like NC Scallop Ceviche with chili-dusted corn tortilla chips, Housemade Gnocchi with short rib and smoked tomato ragu, and Seared Scottish Salmon over spring vegetable couscous with basil and arugula pesto. Sides lean into comfort with a purpose — beef fat french fries with béarnaise, braised collard greens with bacon, and Brussels sprouts fried in beef fat with apple balsamic and Fresno chilis. Bar-only, the Double Patty Smash Burger with jalapeño remoulade and aged cheddar has quietly earned its own following.

The Wine Program

The wine list earned NanaSteak a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and a glance at the cellar explains why. The selection spans Old and New World with genuine depth: Burgundy Grand Crus, Barolo and Barbaresco from top producers, Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs, and Napa Cabernets sit alongside more approachable by-the-glass pours from Marlborough, Mendoza, and the Rhône. For a steakhouse in Durham, the range is serious — curated rather than simply large.

Private Dining and Events

NanaSteak accommodates private parties and large groups through a dedicated inquiry process, making it a practical choice for celebrations, corporate dinners, and special occasions alongside its role as a neighborhood fine-dining destination.