Aaktun Coffee, Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in Durham

ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE SERVICE FROM THE MANAGER (Hispanic chubby man). We ate nearby at Mezcalito and wanted to have coffee after. It was drizzling so we did not dare walk any farther and just picked this spot right beside Mezcalito. It says Aaktun COFFEE and bar. (Emphasis on coffee to be made clear later). We entered and were seated by the kind servers. No questions asked. We were a table of 5 adults and 2 littles. Didn’t ask us if we had reservations. Didn’t ask us if we were just going to drink coffee or simply breathe air. No mention of any minimum order. Nothing written and no signage on any rules. So fast forward to us ordering coffee and drinking and chatting — we suddenly felt the mean and questioning stare from the said Manager or whatever person in charge he was. One of us overheard him telling the servers that they cannot afford having customers who are just drinking coffee because it was a full house. We stayed but felt awkward— of course. In our minds… it wasn’t our fault that we were sat! It’s not like we forced ourselves or abruptly just sat and took over the tables. No more than 10minutes after, Manager/in charge approached our table with a very discriminating and arrogant tone saying that THEY HAVE PEOPLE WITH RESERVATIONS WAITING AT THE BAR AND THAT WE COULD NO LONGER SIT THERE AS THEY EXPECT WHOEVER IS THERE TO BE GIVEN FOOD SERVICE. The absolute worst action ever!!!! No apologies whatsoever. WE WERE PRACTICALLY KICKED OUT. I said that we wouldn’t even be there if weren’t sat by his team. No one said anything! And he just said “well now you know for future reference”. I HAVE NEVER BEEN TREATED SO BADLY IN MY LIFE. The place says COFFEE and bar and yet people drinking coffee can’t sit inside? What a sorry excuse for discriminating us as we were just casually clothed and yes — we are Asians. I bet that he won’t do that to white folks. We were told that we’re welcome to sit in front (there were like 3 chairs) and outside— IT WAS RAINING. I hope he never needs any of our help someday because if he does, I’d have to think about reciprocating his ill attitude. Terrible. Racist. Disrespectful. Maddening! DO NOT SUPPORT THIS DESPICABLE SPOT. To add to that, the place was hot and it makes you sticky. AC was weak. They opened the door to let air in. Manager could not look us in the eye as we continued with our coffee outside — wet table and chairs WITH a 2 year old and a 10 month old. Wanted to ask him what his level of education is and how cultured and well traveled he is as we were probably in a better position to discriminate him. HAHA! But hey… we don’t need to be loud about credentials. And we are kind folks. Thats why we just carried our own drinks and led ourselves out. Nobody blinked, nobody offered to hold that door. It’s just another day for us Asians. Another day, another chance to...

On December 1st i visited A Promising Newcomer with Minor Growing Pains.

My companion and I were initially met with a slight ambiguity regarding the seating procedure. However, we were promptly greeted by a barista who guided us to our table. Our server exhibited commendable knowledge of the menu and the establishment's nomenclature, which translates to "cave."

The restaurant's unique concept of fusing Latin and Asian influences proved intriguing. We began our culinary journey with an order of fried calamari and chicken skewers. While the calamari suffered from a somewhat precarious batter-to-squid ratio, the chicken skewers emerged as a clear winner, boasting a delectable flavor profile that ignited the palate.

In terms of libations, the "Licky Split" presented an intriguing, albeit saccharine, adventure for the taste buds. However, the "Double Barrel" proved to be a more satisfying choice.

For our main courses, the Encocado del Mar proved to be a harmonious blend of flavors. Conversely, the pork belly dish presented a less cohesive experience, with certain components vying for dominance.

The blueberry tres leches, despite its photographic misrepresentation as blackberries, proved to be a delightful dessert, even if the blueberries lacked their characteristic flavor.

The restaurant's ambiance is undeniably charming, from the individual restrooms to the rose quartz bar and cave-like cutouts. However, a minor concern arises regarding the health of the establishment's flora. While thoughtfully accommodated with cutouts in the ceiling, the plants exhibited signs of overwatering, likely due to the staff's well-intentioned but excessive daily irrigation.

In conclusion, Aaktun offers a promising dining experience, particularly well-suited for a romantic evening. A return visit is warranted to fully assess their breakfast and lunch offerings, providing a comprehensive evaluation of this multifaceted establishment.

P.S Dinner is more on the expensive side but you do get your money's worth unlike other restaurants.

During a return visit to the establishment on January 26th, I was impressed by the phenomenal DJ. However, the service was inconsistent, with our waiter seemingly prioritizing smaller parties. Additionally, the Jerked Chicken was a disappointment, lacking both the expected spice and proper doneness. On a positive note, the Ceviche was quite flavorful and the rice from the Jerk Chicken was good. Based on my experience, I would recommend this establishment for drinks, appetizers, and the DJ's performance. As the restaurant is still relatively new, I am hopeful that future visits will showcase further improvement. Maybe i just need to try their coffee part of their...

I was really excited to try Aaktun after seeing their vibrant social media presence and the enticing dishes showcased online. The restaurant's atmosphere looked incredible, and I couldn't wait to experience it for myself. Upon arrival, I was a bit confused as I approached the coffee counter to confirm my reservation, only to be directed to the restaurant located at the back. The baristas were very friendly and helpful.

Once I reached the restaurant, I noticed there wasn’t a host stand, so I waited by the bar until someone attended to me, which happened promptly. The first thing that struck me was the restaurant's beautiful decor, especially the arches that gave a nod to Tulum or a tropical paradise. My friend had arrived earlier, so I joined her at the table.

At first glance, the lunch menu was quite extensive, which was a bit overwhelming but in a positive way. I consulted with my friend, who had visited a few times before, and she highly recommended the steak dish. Our server echoed her thoughts, so we decided on the following:

L-LOMO SALTADO Marinated steak, yuca frita, tomato, onion, Saltado sauce, white rice. $20.00

L- THE OG BURGER Two smash all-beef patties, lettuce, tomato, onion, house pickles, American cheese, OG sauce, and tater tots. $18.00

When our meals arrived, they weren't piping hot, but the flavors were outstanding, and my friend thoroughly enjoyed her burger. I sampled her tater tots, which I found to be slightly overcooked. Overall, the food was delicious, and my friend raved about her meal as well.

Our server was fantastic—very attentive and ensured we had a great dining experience. I would definitely return, but next time, I’m keen to try their dinner menu along with some cocktails. Overall, Aaktun offers wonderful food (though I would recommend serving it hot), a beautiful atmosphere, and...