Small town near Durham praised for food & history by Southern Living
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North Carolina is full of small town charm, but Southern Living recommends this small piedmont county seat for its history and unexpectedly good eats.
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Oxford sits about an hour outside Raleigh, and a half hour from Durham. The town has a population of just over 8,000. You probably haven’t heard of it, but the magazine says there’s more to do than you might think.
Southern Living recommends Strong Arm Baking Co. (as does this reporter’s father, who goes there practically every other day). The bakery offers a variety of creative pastries and bread, along with coffee and lunch.
The bakery started as a farmer’s market operation before expanding into a full service bakery.
Tobacco Wood Brewing Company is a great option for the evening. The brewery is the first female veteran owned craft brewery in North Carolina. Tobacco Wood doesn’t just serve up craft beer, though, so don’t worry if you head over on an empty stomach. The kitchen makes plenty of food, including brisket and baked potatoes.
If you are in the mood for spirits, Oxford Oaks distillery has an in-house restaurant, Verdigris. The farm-to-table establishment is a bit higher end, but still has a North Carolina feel. Verdigris serves a flight of Oxford Oaks spirits, so you don’t have to pick from a wide offering if you don’t want to.
Oxford may be small, but Granville County is full of history. The Granville County Historical Society and Museum shows exhibits on the tobacco history Tobacco Wood Brewing is named for, as well as a prison cell from the 1800s. The Oxford Historic District also organized a self-guided tour of the town’s architecture, which is available online.
Read more Small town near Durham praised for food & history by Southern Living
The Hub on Main offers specialty gifts, wine and beer in the center of town. The Hub also hosts events in house, and runs a monthly wine club.
Oxford is also a great vacation hub — it is close to Raleigh, Durham and four lakes. Venture over to Falls Lake, Lake Gaston and Jordan Lake in North Carolina or Virginia’s John H. Kerr Reservoir for a late summer splash or paddle before heading back for a delicious dinner.
Oxford is also home to the North Carolina Hot Sauce Contest and Festival. Complete with three stages for music, the festival offers hundreds of hot sauces. If you are wildly competitive, or maybe hate yourself, there is a hot pepper eating contest. Cash prize, but do it for the glory.
Check out the rest of Southern Living’s recommendations online.
Southern Living has featured plenty of other places in North Carolina, CharlotteFive has previously reported, including:
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This story was originally published September 12, 2026 at 8:00 AM with the headline “Small town near Durham praised for food & history by Southern Living.”
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