Fowler's Gourmet

I went to Fowler's for a great lunch when my friend and I weren't sure what we were in the mood for. They have a deli style counter with amazing sandwiches, salads, soups and entrées, as well as a well stocked import food section, a HUGE wine display and a coffee shop. The place was full of visitors and locals alike. I had a great tuna melt sandwich which was made up faster than most NYC delis I've been in! They have a fantastic coffee corner where the barrista will make anything you want. After lunch my friend and I strolled around the imported food sections where they had all manner of teas, cookies, licorice and cheeses. If you are in the area, they are having an amazing sale on all their wines. 15% to 30% off depending on how many bottles you buy. On Fridays they have wine tastings, and during the weekend they have cooking demos. This is a beautiful and delicious way to spend a weekend morning. more

It's pricey but you get what you pay for, so it can be worth buying gourmet items here. In my opinion, it goes beyond Whole Foods in terms of stocking more obscure items, although the selection is obviously smaller. The staff is also great; they're very helpful and courteous. They have a nice selection of specialty cheeses and meats, as well as a fabulous selection of chocolates. more

This place is great. I can go there to find gifts, wine, hard to find gourmet foods, coffee, tea, lunch and dessert. They have a great lunch selection for those on the go with very reasonable prices. In their refrigerated window area are various salads or other foods easy to eat and go with. My favorite is their smoked salmon and also their pesto pasta salad (not their name but can't remember what it is called). In another area are desserts that are always screaming my name but I've resisted but don't know how long I can stave off the temptation. They also have cooking classes, a great selection of wines and a great coffee cafe area. There are many drinks to choose from including the iced thai coffee which I don't find in many different places. more

Not being a huge city, Durham doesn't have that many gourmet groceries. Pretty much you have Whole Foods. Fowler's isn't big, but it carries a nice selection of foods and wines. It is gourmet so expect gourmet prices, but when you need to use those hard to find ingredients this is the place to go. They also have lots of space to sit and eat or enjoy a cup of coffee. They also have a fairly impressive selection of lesser known beers. more

Fowler’s is a great place to go to buy wines, gourmet cheeses, ready-made sandwiches, decadent desserts, unusual ingredients, or European specialties that people tend to want. The cheese selection is really quite nice, the desserts are fabulous and very tasty. The European items include Heinz Baked Beans (an addiction), many chocolate bars like Dairy Milk’s, biscuits like Hobnob’s, a great English tea selection including Yorkshire Gold, PG Tipps, and so on, and lots more. Grocery items can include crystallized ginger, rose water extract, and much more. There is also an eating area with little tables and a great coffee bar. more

I enjoy a trip to Fowler's every year or so, just to see what's on the shelves. I'll pick up some exotic candy or soda, and grab a bite at the bakery. My dad likes the selection of beer, and my mom always tries some chocolate. It's just a fun place in downtown Durham, especially around the holiday season. more