One of Durham’s best new restaurants will open a Clayton location this month
In downtown Clayton, when one James Beard-nominated door closes, another opens.
Inspired by coastal caves and beachy vibes, the new restaurant Aaktun Coffee+Bar will open in downtown Clayton next week.
The stunning Mexican restaurant will replace the former Crawford Cookshop, which Raleigh chef Scott Crawford had opened in 2021 in a century-old building in the quickly growing Johnston County town.
Aaktun is owned by James Beard semifinalist chef Oscar Diaz and the Mezcalito restaurant group, and will be the brand’s second location to open within a year, following the original’s debut in Durham in late 2024.
The all-day concept includes a craft coffee bar and breakfast bites in the morning, snacks and sandwiches for lunch and evenings of vibrant crudo and punchy, boozy cocktails.
If that seems out of place in Clayton, think again, said Diaz.
“My team and I have always committed ourselves to planting roots in unique neighborhoods,” says Diaz. “When the opportunity to expand in Clayton presented itself, it was an obvious choice for us, and Aaktun felt like the perfect fit for this vibrant community.”
Since partnering in 2023 on their first Durham restaurant Little Bull, Diaz and the Mezcalito group have been on a prolific pace. They have built two Aaktun restaurants and are nearing completion on their latest Durham venture Tataco.
Much of the momentum for this run was kicked off with Mezcalito’s original brand of lively, casual family restaurants. Mezcalito first opened in 2019 in Beaufort and has since expanded with five other locations, including Clayton.
With Aaktun, Clayton is getting its most modern restaurant, one built to be transportive, as if a tropical oasis had landed on Main Street.
The design of the Clayton outpost mirrors its Durham original, with curved alcove tables and velvet banquettes, live plants and a bright bar.
Aaktun menu
On the food menu, look for gooey egg sandwiches in the mornings, bright and sour papaya salad, ceviche and grilled bites in the evenings.
Aaktun Clayton is located at 401 E. Main Street and is open daily at 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.
This story was originally published March 21, 2025 at 10:12 AM with the headline "One of Durham’s best new restaurants will open a Clayton location this month."
