# Restaurants in Chapel Hill, NC **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572 "2012-01-06T00:41:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/1 "2012-01-06T00:41:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/2 "2012-01-06T01:40:43Z")
It’s been way too long since I’ve been to Chapel Hill, but I highly recommend [Panzanella](http://www.panzanella.coop/). ---
**Author:** ![ZebraShaSha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/eada6e/32.png) [@ZebraShaSha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZebraShaSha)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/3 "2012-01-06T01:51:58Z")
I can’t recommend [Vimala’s](http://www.curryblossom.com/) 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. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/4 "2012-01-06T16:08:41Z")
[Allen & Son](http://www.yelp.com/biz/allen-and-son-bar-b-que-chapel-hill) for East Carolina BBQ. ---
**Author:** ![Wargamer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/df705f/32.png) [@Wargamer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wargamer)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/5 "2012-01-06T16:12:16Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/6 "2012-01-06T16:17:50Z")
I’ve been to [411 West](http://www.411west.com/) once, and to their sister in Raleigh, 518 a bunch of times, and it’s always awesome. ---
**Author:** ![awldune](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/c77e96/32.png) [@awldune](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/awldune)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/7 "2012-01-06T18:36:21Z")
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](http://www.crookscorner.com/) is worth checking out if you enjoy southern food. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/8 "2012-01-06T19:02:52Z")
I haven’t been to Chapel Hill for ten years. However, when I lived there, [Mama Dip’s](http://www.mamadips.com/) was good if you wanted authentic southern. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/9 "2012-01-06T19:07:43Z")
> [@awldune](#): > > 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](http://www.crookscorner.com/) is worth checking out if you enjoy southern food. [Fearington House](http://www.fearrington.com/house/). It’s in Pittsboro. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/10 "2012-01-06T19:26:40Z")
> [@Southern\_Yankee](#): > > [Fearington House](http://www.fearrington.com/house/). It’s in Pittsboro. Enjoy the cows. ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/11 "2012-01-06T21:25:15Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > [Allen & Son](http://www.yelp.com/biz/allen-and-son-bar-b-que-chapel-hill) for East Carolina BBQ. 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](http://www.thepigrestaurant.com/), which is great too. There’s [The Lantern](http://lanternrestaurant.com/) if you like Asian-inspired stuff. [Elaine’s](http://elainesonfranklin.com/) is a little more upscale. [Il Palio](http://www.sienahotel.com/IlPalio.aspx) is wonderful upscale Italian. One of my favorite restaurants here. If you are in to beer, [Tyler’s in Carrboro](http://www.tylerstaproom.com/locations/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](http://glasshalfullcarrboro.com/) in Carrboro is very good. Another favorite of mine is [The Weathervane,](http://www.southernseason.com/cafe.asp) 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 Hill](http://www.topofthehillrestaurant.com/)is a Chapel Hill institution, but it’s packed on basketball nights, so be aware. And one last one - [Carolina Crossroads](http://www.carolinainn.com/chapel-hill-fine-dining.php) 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! ---
**Author:** ![shorin-ryu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@shorin-ryu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shorin-ryu)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/12 "2012-01-06T21:28:15Z")
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](http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/03/09/1038432/worth-the-ride-to-saxapahaw.html) ---
**Author:** ![romansperson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/romansperson/32/17100_2.png) [@romansperson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/romansperson)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/13 "2012-01-06T21:33:08Z")
There’s also an old-timey soda shop in Pittsboro itself, the [S & T Soda Shoppe](http://www.pittsboronc.net/sandtsodashoppe.html). Go for the atmosphere, the lemonade and the ice cream, though, not the other stuff. That’s what they do really well. ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/14 "2012-01-06T21:57:42Z")
Wow, more than I expected. Thanks everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/15 "2012-01-06T22:16:06Z")
> [@romansperson](#): > > [Top of the Hill](http://www.topofthehillrestaurant.com/)is a Chapel Hill institution, but it’s packed on basketball nights, so be aware. Wow, an institution? Has is even been there much more than 10 years? I’m trying to think when it opened… ---
**Author:** ![carlotta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@carlotta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carlotta)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/16 "2012-01-06T22:46:31Z")
Also down in Pittsboro is [Angelina’s Kitchen](http://www.angelinaskitchenonline.com/) 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](http://www.3cups.net/) 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! ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/17 "2012-01-06T22:52:22Z")
> [@Labrador\_Deceiver](#): > > Wow, an institution? Has is even been there much more than 10 years? > > I’m trying to think when it opened… 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…) ---
**Author:** ![Southern\_Yankee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/southern_yankee/32/2800_2.png) [@Southern\_Yankee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Southern_Yankee)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/18 "2012-01-06T23:41:17Z")
> [@carlotta](#): > > Also down in Pittsboro is [Angelina’s Kitchen](http://www.angelinaskitchenonline.com/) 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](http://www.3cups.net/) 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! Very into coffee, so thanks! ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/19 "2012-01-06T23:45:36Z")
> [@Fretful\_Porpentine](#): > > 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…) It was there when I started hanging out in CH around 1997. ---
**Author:** ![Labrador\_Deceiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7c8e57/32.png) [@Labrador\_Deceiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Labrador_Deceiver)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572/20 "2012-01-07T00:53:30Z")
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. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/restaurants-in-chapel-hill-nc/608572.md?page=2)