If you’re looking for cocktails, cookies, chai, and some of the best Indian food in town, make your way to Cheeni in Durham, NC. Both the restaurant and it’s bar, Bar Beej, hold James Beard honors and a steady stream of praise from food writers across the region. Yours truly, included.
This night, was my first in the area while in town for the 2025 NC State Fair. After a day of packing the car and travel from my home-base in Charlotte, NC, I kicked off my visit to North Carolina’s Triangle area with a light dinner at Cheeni, located at 202 Corcoran St., Durham, NC.
This post is the first in a short series, featuring all the places I’m eating while I am in town while I am here to host the GotToBeNC cooking stage at the 2025 NC State Fair.
At Cheeni, you can certainly enjoy a multi course meal; but for me, this night, cocktails and a small bites really hit the spot. And, keep reading, because you are going to want to hear more about the cookies for dessert, just sayin’.
Once you’re seated, dinner begins with a bit of creative interactive theater: the box.
The box is presented to you at your table at Cheeni as soon as you are seated. Inside, you’ll find your napkin, flatware, cocktail and dining menus. The menu includes the story of chef and owner of James Beard finalist Chef Preeti Waas along with a bit about how Cheeni came to be. Plus, there are pages of kahaniyaan ( or stories ) which include some of Preeti’s personal memories of select dishes. Take time, before your meal, to read it all, it’s a lovely touch that makes you feel like an insider and part of the family right from the start.
Once you are ready to order, simply place the card with the signature Cheeni monkey logo on top of the box and your server will be right with you to take your order or answer any questions.
Drinking Local at Bar Beej in Durham NC
You know I love a good local pour, and the cocktail list here has never disappointed. Mixologist and co-owner Amy Waas crafts cocktails using the same Indian-inspired spices and flavors her mom cooks with in the Cheeni kitchen.
And you know I love the fact that there are plenty of North Carolina spirits behind the bar. In fact, Amy told me that after judging the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown mixology competitions this past year , she made a full switch to local wells. A woman after my own heart.
After you finish this post, come back and read more about the 2025 NCRLA Chef Showdown Mixology competition and all the local in each and every competition glass here, here and here .
Small Bites on the Cheeni Menu
On the menu, you’ll find local ingredients shining, too. I ordered the Kerela Beef, made with Joyce Farms beef short ribs: seasoned and dry fried in warming spices, shredded, and served with warm, flaky Malabar Paratha flatbread for scooping.
The idea is that you simply forgo your fork and scoop up bite-sized bits of beef using the paratha to sandwich in all the flavor. It’s a shareable dish that feels both relaxed and refined. It’s technically finger food, but elevated and deeply comforting. Perfect as a shareable starter or a main dish all on its own.
And because I can never resist, I also ordered the naan and raita. That cool, creamy yogurt dip isn’t just a condiment, it’s a palate-cleanser, a side dish, and (if you’re me) a full-on course. Think bread and butter, but better. There are several versions of naan on the Cheeni menu, just pick your favorite. Don’t skip this special treat as an addition or a precursor to your meal. You can thank me later.
More on Cheeni’s Crafted Cocktails
When it comes to cocktails, you really can’t go wrong. The cocktail list at Bar Beej is ambitious: with over 20 rotating cocktails. All of the cocktails are crafted with Indian ingredients, and all mixers/syrups/cordials are made in-house. Local spirits like Botanist & Barrel, Durham Distillery, Weldon Mills, the Hackney’s 1000 Piers Gin, Oxford Oaks, Liberty & Plenty, Southern Star Rye, just to name a few, all make regular appearances on the cocktail menu.
My usual go-to is the Saanjh, crafted with Conniption Kinship Gin ( also from Durham NC) infused with lychee and lavender, then mixed with a lavender simply syrup and lemon juice. But this night I couldn’t decide between that and something new. The Meri Jaan, made with Durham-based Weldon Mills Rhubarb Gin blended with cardamom, rose, salted paw paw and lemon.
Amy, ever the creative bartender, crafted two mini versions so I could enjoy both—now that’s hospitality at its best.
While we are on the topic of beverages, one of my absolute favorite things at Cheeni is the homemade Chai . Its rich, aromatic, and wonderfully spiced. But, fair warning, this chai is high-octane caffeinated. Over the years, Preeti sweetly persuaded me not to drink it late at night. So, last night I ordered a cup to go and then I tucked it into the hotel fridge and savored every sip the next morning. Worth the wait and a great way to start the day with a taste of Cheeni. Zero regrets as to not drinking it last night.
Chef Preeti Waas’ Signature Cookies for the win!
If you’re craving just a touch of something sweet, don’t skip the cookies at Cheeni. They are served warm as if they were just pulled out of the oven – in fact, often they are. I know, chocolate chip and oatmeal cookies seem a strange ending to an Indian meal, but these cookies were the beginning of all Chef Preeti Waas brings to the table and an important part of her story. I talked about these cookies in an instagram video I did with Preeti and Amy when they first opened their bodega in the Research Triangle Park, Nanny Goat. You can watch that video, in its entirety, on my You Tube channel here.
Cookies are the way Preeti started her journey as a part of the Carolina’s culinary community. Diners can choose from chocolate chip, oatmeal, or the fabulous melt-in-your-mouth jeera, a cumin seed shortbread. My advice is to order them all. Light, but rich and a bit gooey, just sweet enough, and the perfect finish to an unforgettable meal.
Cheeni is one of those rare spots that feels special and comfortable all at the same time. Whether you’re a longtime fan of Indian flavors or just beginning to explore, this is the place to do it. One delicious bite, one cocktail, one cup of Chai and one warm cookie at a time. #TellThemHeidiSentYou