Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets
A vibrant eatery crafting East Asian-inspired dishes and exquisite seasonal desserts, using fresh, local ingredients.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant eatery crafting East Asian-inspired dishes and exquisite seasonal desserts, using fresh, local ingredients.
"Their desserts are as tasty as they are beautiful, and their noodles are heavenly!"
Don't Miss the Desserts!
The bakery and dessert bar are a highlight; try the famous ice cream sandwiches and seasonal cakes.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential service delays and ensure a smoother dining experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
East Asian-inspired
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exquisite House-Made Desserts
Indulge in a dazzling array of pastries, cakes, and famous ice cream sandwiches, all crafted in-house with fresh, local ingredients.
Authentic Asian-Inspired Noodles
Savor expertly crafted noodles and broths with a unique East Asian twist, made fresh daily and celebrated by locals and critics.
Cozy Ambiance and Welcoming Staff
Experience a warm and friendly atmosphere, perfect for enjoying delicious, flavorful meals and sweet treats.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Don't Miss the Desserts!
The bakery and dessert bar are a highlight; try the famous ice cream sandwiches and seasonal cakes.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential service delays and ensure a smoother dining experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Consider Takeout for Sweets
If you're prioritizing sweets and the savory dishes are inconsistent, takeout for desserts is a great option.
Be Aware of Extra Fees
The restaurant adds a mandatory 'Happy Workplace' fee; clarify this charge if you are surprised by your bill.
Tips
from all over the internet
Don't Miss the Desserts!
The bakery and dessert bar are a highlight; try the famous ice cream sandwiches and seasonal cakes.
Visit During Off-Peak Hours
To avoid potential service delays and ensure a smoother dining experience, consider visiting during less busy times.
Consider Takeout for Sweets
If you're prioritizing sweets and the savory dishes are inconsistent, takeout for desserts is a great option.
Be Aware of Extra Fees
The restaurant adds a mandatory 'Happy Workplace' fee; clarify this charge if you are surprised by your bill.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Rose's Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets is celebrated for its exceptional house-made desserts and unique Asian-inspired noodle dishes. Diners praise the cozy ambiance and friendly staff, though some find the savory dishes to be pricey or inconsistent. There are also occasional concerns about the ordering process and an added 'Happy Workplace' fee.
"Favorite spot in Durham! I always bring visitors from out of town here for lunch. All ingredients are so fresh and flavorful. Can’t go wrong with the steam buns, belt noodle bowls and a baked good!"
Colleen Spang
"Really cool spot, we ordered the noodles/ the steamed buns / the dumplings *pickle / and a radicchio salad. They have they’re own style of everything like the ramen tasted unique, the dumplings the same, feels like walking into your aunties house for food you notice that her food just is different, good but different! The salad was not for me as far as the texture, but everything else was delightful, fun to try!"
Hind Alawar
"This is a very unique place! The bakery is the highlight, their pastries and cakes are amazing. I especially loved the cinnamon carrot cake cheesecake and the passion fruit tres leches. I wasn’t as impressed with the savory foods here. The spring rolls were mostly filled with rice noodles, and the sandwich was good but overpriced and lacked structural integrity. Menu and baked goods seem to be constantly changing so it’s hard to know what you’ll get when you go, which is hard if you find a favorite dish that then disappears or prefer planning your meal, or it can be good if you like a surprise and variation and adventure. Staff are super nice."
Anna Hiltner Nouzeilles
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The house-made desserts, especially the ice cream sandwiches, are highly recommended. The ramen and dumplings are also popular choices for their unique flavors.
Yes, the menu is seasonal and changes frequently, with a focus on what's fresh and in season.
Rose's is a casual eatery, so there is no specific dress code. Come as you are!
While not explicitly listed for all items, some dishes may offer vegetarian or vegan modifications. It's best to inquire with staff.
Visiting during off-peak hours is advised to avoid potential service delays due to the restaurant's popularity.
Parking can be an issue in the area due to the restaurant's location and popularity. Consider alternative transportation.
This is an additional fee added to the bill, intended to support employee benefits. Some diners feel this should be incorporated into menu prices.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
36 Hours in Durham, North Carolina: Things to Do and See
Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings and Sweets is a former meat market and sweets shop that evolved into a casual East Asian-inspired eatery.
These are 10 must-eat restaurants in Durham, Chapel Hill, NC
Thanks in large measure to the Triangle’s three major research universities, the area’s demographics have made it a magnet for prime culinary talent. When Justin and Katie Meddis arrived from Charleston by way of San Francisco to open Rose’s in 2013, the region scored a two-fer. Justin’s Asian-inspired offerings are sufficient reasons to make Rose’s a must, going beyond the restaurant’s namesake house-made noodles and dumplings to include the likes of caramel braised belffish with clay pot rice, Japanese katsu sando, and sake butter-sautéed NC squid.
Durham's Best Noodle and Pasta Dishes
Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings, and Sweets: I’d advise anyone looking for a great bowl of noodles to start here. This buzzy, small space has evolved over the years and is now firmly entrenched as one of the best ramen joints in town. Chef and co-owner Justin Meddis not only makes the noodles from scratch, but his broth is heavenly and the options, although limited, rotate frequently enough that you can experience a wide variety of ramens throughout the year.
Eight Must-Eat Durham Desserts
The first time I ate one of Rose’s seasonal, scratch-made, fresh strawberry ice cream & strawberry sorbet on lemon shortbread ice cream sandwiches, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. My desire was only amplified by the fact that I knew it would rotate out with season’s end. Luckily, every ice cream sandwich flavor I’ve tried since then has been incredible, but I look forward to strawberry season most!
15+ Best Desserts in Durham
Rose’s is featured in our guide to great restaurants in downtown Durham, NC. Rose’s dessert counter offers beautiful macarons, delicious cookies, and an amazing vanilla cheesecake with Meyer lemon curd. Rose’s ice cream sandwiches are one of our absolute favorite desserts to order in Durham. They are stored in a deep freezer and take a few minutes to thaw before eating.
2019 Food & Drink Almanac: The 10 Best Places for Dessert in the Triangle
Co-owner and pastry chef Katie Meddis is responsible for the sweets part of the name, and she delivers with a stunning pastry case of macarons, cookies, and cakes. Run, don’t walk, for her ice cream sandwiches, in flavors such as blueberries-and-cream, Jasmine tea-and-strawberry, Meyer lemon sorbet, and caramel apple.
Top 10 Places to Eat
Next up on our list of the best restaurants in Durham isRose’s Noodles, Dumplings, and Sweets. Here, every dish is a celebration of East Asian flavors mixed with North Carolina’s best. This unique restaurant in Durham serves up a mix of lunch, dinner, and brunch options, all paired with amazing pastries and sweets.
9 WONDERFUL Ice Cream Shops in Durham, NC (+ Map!)
Rose’s is a place that you can find at 121 North Gregson Street. At this place, you can get all kinds of pastries and other treats, including delicious ice cream. The treats that you can get at Rose’s are made in-house and are inspired by the ingredients that are seasonally available in North Carolina.
Bakeries in Durham NC
Katie and her husband Justin own and work at their restaurant and bakery. It’s a restaurant that serves dumplings and ramen, and it’s a bakery with wonderful baked goods and sweets. Katie is the main baker, and she is as sweet as her baked goods!
First Dates, Anniversaries, & More
Rose’s Noodles, Dumplings, + Sweets (121 N Gregson St, 27701): Spend the whole evening dining at Rose’s with East Asian inspired ramen and sandwiches, but be sure to end with one of their infamous, hand-crafted ice cream sandwiches
Local's Guide to Downtown Durham: Where to Eat, Drink & Explore
At Loaf, enjoy some of the best cookies in Durham; at Rose’s, their ice cream sandwiches are pretty much a necessity. And the sweetness continues at Pine Cone Ice Cream, which rocks local ice cream, coffee, and baked goods.
Top 15 Gluten-Free Bakeries to Delight in Durham
Enjoy a cozy vibe with a view of the open kitchen, where fresh ingredients shine in a creative, flavorful menu and tempting bakery treats. This place was amazing!. I sat at the bar and enjoyed overlooking the kitchen.
Where To Eat
Rose’s is an East Asian inspired eatery and bakery serving lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch with artisan pastries and sweets. Our Food is influenced by the cuisines of China, Japan and the rest of East Asia.
We Tasted the Triangle Area—Here Are Our 19 Favorite Spots
They use local ingredients to serve you the taste of east Asia. Perfect spot for a casual lunch!. Must order: vegetable belt noodles!
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit