La Buena Vida - Durham

Reviews

• ME

  Malinda E

  3 days ago
  5.0
  It was a first time visit on Mother's Day with my family. We had a great experience!! The hostess was friendly. We were seated within 3 minutes. They've changed the inside of the restaurant since it was Red Lobster. They added another bar and TVs around the seating area. They've opened up the kitchen area so that you can partially see into it from the dining area. Very nice decor and atmosphere. The waitress was very attentive. There was a good selection of food and drinks on the menu. The food came out hot and was delicious. A manager came to check on us. We, the mothers at the table, were given a white rose for Mother's Day. Everyone at the table had a good time!! I heard it's a lot of fun here at night time. It's like a party atmosphere. I'll definitely return!!
• SM

  Somebody Muva

  May 12, 2026
  1.0
  If you’re black, I don’t know if this is the best place to go. Service was lackluster when I went and It wasn’t even busy. It was a Wednesday night and they were only four tables besides us. Took them 20 minutes to get our drinks. It got so bad we ordered two drinks at a time so we didn’t have to deal with it. After a while our server disappeared and we ended up closing our check with another server. And I still tipped well even though our server didn’t deserve it. As a bartender who’s been in the industry for over ten years, I would not come back. You shouldn’t judge all black people. Some of us are in this industry and we understand how tough it can be. My friends have all had the same experience. Do NOT support anyone who doesn’t support YOU.
• KJ

  Keeley Jones-Aguilar

  May 11, 2026
  1.0
  We came here for the first time yesterday based on the positive Google reviews, but unfortunately the entire experience was disappointing from start to finish. Our server struggled with a very basic drink request that wasn’t listed on the menu — a simple Cuba Libre. My husband even explained the ingredients and how to make it, yet the drink that arrived was clearly incorrect just from looking at it. When we politely pointed this out and asked to have it removed before even touching it, the server refused. I then asked for a glass of Coke so I could try to fix the drink myself, and we were charged for that as well. After placing our food order, we waited approximately 35–45 minutes for our meals despite the restaurant only being around 35–40% full. During that time, my husband asked for a water with his beer and never received it. My water was never refilled either. When the food finally arrived, it was cold, bland, and honestly very disappointing. The restaurant itself is aesthetically beautiful, but the quality of the food and level of service simply did not match the atmosphere. Overall, this was a 0/10 experience for us, and unfortunately not somewhere we would return to or recommend.
• MW

  Mary Warren

  May 10, 2026
  1.0
  Do better. Our lunch was $116. Gratuity of 18% was added, do $21. Fine so far. The food was great, drinks amazing. Service lovely. We split the bill. Wanted to pay half by card and half by cash. That was a problem. Ok we pay by card. The split comes but no bill to review. Looks like we should tip again - because we don’t know 18% is already added to any bill over $100. Our waiter doesn’t mention it as we each add $14 more dollars to the total. The only reason I knew all this is because I got a paper receipt after the process was completed - and a text receipt. She got a 42% tip. $50 on $116. Smiled the whole time and not once mentioned we’d already tipped out 18%. Your food and service can be amazing. If your business ethics suck it will come out. We would have tipped more than $20 without being tricked. Not $50 but certainly $28. I wasn’t going to post a review - just quietly take my business elsewhere. Then I thought: how many people have a couple of margaritas, don’t get a menu with accurate pricing or read the tipping policy in fine print , don’t get an actual bill. Also noticed the owners only acknowledge the good reviews. We learn from all viewpoints, not just praise. We don’t care how amazing your food & atmosphere are. We will not be back. Also note we are not in the habit of bad reviews. This was just a terrible way to do business.
• TF

  Tonja Farrow-Nickerson

  May 5, 2026
  1.0
  Unscrupulous and deceptive!! Please take your business somewhere else.! Went to the restaurant on Cinco De Mayo (May 5, 2026). Starting with the largest offense... The prices on the bill did not match the prices on the menu. Margarita listed at $14.50 on the menu, but charged me $17.00. The entree listed as $16.00 on the menu, but charged me $18.99. And similar situation for the next menu item. When I questioned the waiter, he canceled the transaction and re entered it for the same amount. Then referred me to an obscure page inside of the menu about a menu price increase of $2 or something. Nothing was ever mentioned by the waiter that the prices were not correct in the menu. I honestly think the increased their prices due to Cinco De Mayo. I also think the the owner thought that people would not pay attention to their Bill with the celebratory atmosphere. If you come her, be CAREFUL!!! The service was sub-par. Check in was hectic. We had to ask for napkins. We had to ask for utensils once our food came.They give you one tiny bowl of salsa. You have to keep asking for more. The food was also subpar. The place was loud as it could possibly be. The sanitation grade sign was obscured by another sign. La Buena Vida will never trick me again! If I could give them a ZERO, I would!

Frequently Asked Questions About La Buena Vida - Durham