My wife and I will be spending a weekend at a resort near Chapel Hill, NC in a few weeks. The first night we have reservations at the resort’s restaurant, but I’m looking for a place for the second night. Anyone have any good recommendations? We are pretty easy… as long as the food is good and the place has a bit of character, it can be a local burger joint or a fine-dining restaurant. We will eat almost any cuisine.
It’s been way too long since I’ve been to Chapel Hill, but I highly recommend Panzanella.
I can’t recommend Vimala’s enough. Not only is it mind numbingly good (southern) Indian food, made with great local ingredients like local pasture raised, grass fed beef or fresh caught Atlantic seafood (in the summer they go deep sea fishing and cook up whatever they catch), Vimala’s and everyone that works there is heavily into social justice and food security issues. So, nobody is ever turned away - if you don’t have money, for any reason, you can still eat no questions asked. They also will not refuse service to you if you come right at closing time. You might also be there on a night when they are having community organizing events and that kind of thing. And, they are all paid a living wage, which is a rare thing in the service industry.
Allen & Son for East Carolina BBQ.
And if you go bar hopping on Franklin St. don’t forget to grab a chicken biscuit at Time Out to help cure the late night post-drinking munchies.
I’ve been to 411 West once, and to their sister in Raleigh, 518 a bunch of times, and it’s always awesome.
Out of curiosity, what sort of “resort near Chapel Hill” are you going to? I can’t think of anything I would describe as a “resort” in the area.
Crook’s Corner is worth checking out if you enjoy southern food.
I haven’t been to Chapel Hill for ten years. However, when I lived there, Mama Dip’s was good if you wanted authentic southern.
Fearington House. It’s in Pittsboro.
Enjoy the cows.
Always be sure to call before heading up to Allen & Son, because they have kind of funky hours and can be closed unexpectedly.
There’s also The Pig, which is great too.
There’s The Lantern if you like Asian-inspired stuff.
Elaine’s is a little more upscale.
Il Palio is wonderful upscale Italian. One of my favorite restaurants here.
If you are in to beer, Tyler’s in Carrboro (they have a second location in Durham that I especially like) is the bomb. For food, the seasonal specials there are your best bet, rather than the regular menu, though my husband loves their bratwurst, and the eggs Benedict they have on the brunch menu on Sundays is terrific.
Glasshalfull in Carrboro is very good.
Another favorite of mine is The Weathervane, which is part of Southern Season - if you want to bring back any souvenirs from your trip, they have gourmet items and local specialties.
Top of the Hillis a Chapel Hill institution, but it’s packed on basketball nights, so be aware.
And one last one - Carolina Crossroads in the Carolina Inn.
Be aware that if you go to a restaurant on Franklin Street, you probably will have to park in a public lot that may be a few blocks from your destination. Some restaurants offer free valet parking, though.
Happy eating!
For something a little off the beaten path, there’s Saxapahaw General Store:
http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/09/1038432/worth-the-ride-to-saxapahaw.html
There’s also an old-timey soda shop in Pittsboro itself, the S & T Soda Shoppe. Go for the atmosphere, the lemonade and the ice cream, though, not the other stuff. That’s what they do really well.
Wow, more than I expected. Thanks everyone.
Wow, an institution? Has is even been there much more than 10 years?
I’m trying to think when it opened…
Also down in Pittsboro is Angelina’s Kitchen which looks like a hole in the wall but is delicious and local with a Greek twist.
Are you into coffee? Because the best coffee place is 3 Cups and they also have small plates in the evening (possibly the food is only on Fridays from looking at the website. )
Hope you enjoy our neck of the woods!
I’m pretty sure it was around when I started grad school, so that would make it close to fifteen years. (And wow, now I feel old…)
Very into coffee, so thanks!
It was there when I started hanging out in CH around 1997.
According to their website, they’ve been open 13 years.
It’s hard for me to think of it as an institution, but I guess I can see how someone younger might.
Sorry for the hijack. Definitely have a beer there.