In a light-strewn spot with exposed brick walls right on Main Street, Luna offers food it calls "South American meets American South." The menu is loaded with traditional Latin American dishes made with authentic ingredients, including patacon pisao, a sandwich made with fried plantains in place of bread that can be stuffed with one of three meats or a vegan chili-braised jackfruit. Mixed in with the almond-crusted fried avocado and Colombian arepas are nods to Southern favorites, including side offerings of spicy bacon collards and pimento hominy "mac" and cheese. Obviously, the namesake slow-roasted meats and empanadas are worth navigating downtown parking, from which you can grab some of the best takeout in Durham.

Ok, so a Latin American restaurant might not be the first place you think of when looking for vegan and vegetarian options, but trust me. Not only does Luna have a decent amount of vegan offerings on their menu, but their Vegan Chili-Braised Jackfruit Grain Bowl might just be one of my favorite lunch options in town. Packed with quinoa, rice, black beans, kale, a trio of sauces and salsas, and topped with crunchy pepitas and little flavor bombs of chili jackfruit, it’s one of the most flavorful and healthy bites you’ll find in Durham.

Earlier today, though, the team behind Luna Rotisserie announced that they plan to open not one, but two businesses at 347 W. Main Street: the first, Rubies on Five Points, will be a live music, bar, and event space in the second story of the location. (The space, originally named Whiskey, has long had two stories, though only the first story has been open the past few years of Criterion.) The second business, Remedy Room, a “classic neighborhood bar” with drinks and a bar menu with shared plates, will occupy the first story.

Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas - Gluten-free diners must try the Patacon Pisao: Thinly sliced plantains are smashed and fried to create the “bun,” then filled with your choice of rotisserie meats (try the Heritage pork from Seven Springs, N.C.), jicama kale slaw, jack cheese and chile-lime mayo. (Vegans, take advantage of Meatless Mondays with weekly rotating new dishes like chilled heirloom tomato and quinoa soup topped with cornmeal fried avocado and chayote salsa.

We love the variety of flavors at Luna, and the fact that it’s so easy to get a mix of hearty carbs, perfectly cooked proteins, and bright, fresh veggies. (And, that this is a great place to take anyone who’s vegan or gluten-free because of the multitude of options.) The empanadas are good, but we love their arepas even more. And don’t sleep on the veggie-packed appetizers like the Luna caesar salad, the chili-lime cauliflower, or the sweet potato and bean dish.

Along with the regular menu of flavorful South American eats (including lots of vegetarian and vegan options), Luna also features family meals for four with a choice of pollo a la brasa or any rotisserie pulled meat (including jackfruit), with a choice of two sides and a Luna salad. They also sell take-and-bake empanadas the whole family will enjoy. Order online for curbside pickup or delivery (within a 4-mile radius).

On Saturday evening, we drive out to Shakori Hills, an outdoor concert venue around an hour from the city, where rural roads are home to both small trailers and huge houses, the occasional “Thank you Jesus” sign posted in a front yard. Sylvan Esso – a synth duo from Durham – are performing a homecoming show following a punishing European tour, and it seems half the city has come to welcome them back.

Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas (112 W. Main Street; 984-439-8702) captures the unique and varied cuisines of South America while respecting its roots in the American South. Whenever possible, they use local ingredients, sustainably sourced from small producers near our location in downtown Durham. Luna has a full bar and serves South American inspired cocktails, wines, and North Carolina craft beers.

For those searching for high-quality South American cuisine while in Durham, look no further than Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas. This sleek establishment combines the flavors of South America with locally sourced ingredients from the American South and even carries a selection of North Carolina craft beers. Order the fan favorite, the Pulled Pork Carnitas, or Peruvian Roast Chicken.

Have family members who are coming into town and are A: vegetarian and vegan and B: always up for something different?. Take them to Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas for a meal!. Serving classic South American food, including hand-made empanadas, Peruvian-style rotisserie chicken, and grain bowls, Luna is the perfect place to linger over a long meal and conversation.

If you're looking for a slice of South American cuisine smack dab in the heart of North Carolina, then Luna Rotisserie & Empanadas is your spot. With a vibrant atmosphere and a menu that's enough to make any foodie drool, this place is a gem. Must-tries include their juicy rotisserie chicken and tangy green sauce, and of course, their mouth-watering empanadas.

Indulge in South American Fares at Luna Rotisserie And Empanadas, where they are best known for their crispy and savory empanadas and wood-fired rotisserie meats. They have a wide range of options including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free fares. These small plates, sides, and savory dishes will surley have you coming back for more!

Handmade empanadas, tacos, huevos rancheros, and rotisserie chicken are a few of the things that you’ll enjoy at Luna. What’s more, it offers an extensive menu for vegans and vegetarians. Its best-seller is the vegan chili-braised jackfruit in either a grain bowl or in a patacon pisao, all made in-house.

Over on Main Street in Durham, you’ll find the recently opened Luna Rotisserie and Empanadas. I had noticed it earlier in the year and mentally bookmarked it for a future visit. I’m a huge fan of Peruvian chicken and the Mami Nora’s in the area so I wanted to see what Luna was about.

If you’re craving more pub-style eats, just head up one more block to Bull City Burger and Brewery (107 E. Parrish St.), where the ales, lagers and ciders are freshly brewed, the beef is pasture-raised — and the fries are to die for.

Main St. featuring South American cuisine along with that of the American South and Mother & Sons Trattoria is good for Italian at 107 W. Chapel Hill St. It is owned by the same group as Mateo Bar de Tapas.

- Rating: 4.3/5 (674 reviews)- Price level: $$- Address: 112 West Main St. Durham, North Carolina - Categories: Latin American, Empanadas, Cocktail Bars- Read more on Yelp

Here are some of my personal favs: -JuJu (absolutely love!) -Blue Corn Cafe -Happy + Hale -Dashi -Heavenly Buffalo -Luna -Goorsha -Guglhupf -Refectory Cafe -The Parlour

Offering a cozy vibe and an array of unique vegetarian, vegan, and meat options, this spot is a top pick for diverse and tasty eats.