Welcome to Chapel Hill, site of the oldest state university in the United States! Tar Heel pride runs deep throughout this town where even fire engines are painted the beloved Carolina blue. Beyond that, though, Chapel Hill has tons of amazing restaurants and has even been called one of America’s Foodiest Small Towns by Bon Appetit.
Al's Burger Shack
Al’s Burger Shack is a must if you’re in the mood for burgers — you’ll find yourself eating the best burger in Chapel Hill (Daily Tar Heel, 2020) and even the best burger in America (TripAdvisor, 2018). They also serve hot dogs, shakes (made from Maple View Farms ice cream), and rosemary crinkle cut fries. Seating is mainly outdoors and is a little tight so expect to wait a few minutes for a table — definitely worth the wait!
Phone Number: (919) 904-7659
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Breadmen's
Breadmen’s is a Carolina tradition, serving American home-style dishes and breakfast all day long. Enjoy looking at Tar Heel history on the walls as you enjoy the down home cooking.
Phone Number: (919) 967-7110
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Bull City Burger & Brewery
Voted 2018 Business of the Year by Business North Carolina, this restaurant is farm to fork with pasture raised, antibiotic free meat and veggies sourced locally as well as locally crafted beer.
Phone Number: (919) 680-2333
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Buns
At Buns, you’re in charge of your burger! You can create a simple, classic burger or one with a gourmet flair. Don’t forget the hand cut fries and dipping sauces galore!
Phone Number: (919) 240-4746
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Carolina Brewery
Located on Franklin Street, Carolina Brewery serves great food, such as the Carolina on My Mind Burger, and beers brewed in-house. Their menu emphasizes fresh and local ingredients. The space itself is also very impressive as you can see the brewing tanks they use to make the beer.
Phone Number: (919) 942-1800
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Carrburritos Taqueria
Carrburritos is a Mexican taqueria featuring fresh and sophisticated flavors served in generous portions and made daily on location. Enjoy a variety of incredible salsas and award winning margaritas in an atmosphere with a funky vibe.
Phone Number: (919) 933-8226
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CholaNad
Located on Franklin Street, CholaNad brings authentic, contemporary South Indian food to Chapel Hill by serving food in the Tamil tradition. Their wonderfully flavorful food includes chicken tikka, street fried rice, and the “big bad tiger” (a table-length dosa for four, stuffed with lamb and chicken).
Phone Number: (800) 246-5262
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Crook's Corner
Discover delicious food in a casual setting at a restaurant the New York Times calls “sacred ground for Southern foodies.” Also named an “American Classic” by the James Beard Foundation, Crooks Corner is open for dinner Tuesday – Sunday as well as Sunday brunch.
Phone Number: (919) 929-7643
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Crossroads Chapel Hill
Crossroads crafts a dining experience unique to Chapel Hill. With its distinctly Southern soul and North Carolina spirit, this award winning restaurant infuses your experience with energy, great food and a comforting sense of place.
Phone Number: (919) 918-2777
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Elmo's Diner
Heralded as the Best of Breakfast by Durham Magazine, The Herald Sun and The Indy Weekly, Elmo’s Diner has been a local Durham favorite for more than 20 years. Enjoy from-scratch cooking in the comfort of this neighborhood diner!
Phone Number: (919) 416-3823
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Four Corners
Four Corners provides a fantastic sports bar atmosphere that tips its hat to one of the greatest coaches in the history of collegiate athletics, Dean Smith, creator of the “Four Corners” basketball offense.
Phone Number: (919) 537-8230
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Italian Pizzeria III
Italian Pizzeria III is a counter-serve pizza shop run by brothers Angelo and Vincenzo Marrone who were born and raised in Naples, Italy. While the pizza is amazing (named the best pizza in Chapel Hill by the Daily Tar Heel in 2020), don’t miss out on their other specialties like manicotti, ravioli alla Napoli, and their award-winning cheesesteak. As they always say, IP3 is the place to be!
Phone Number: (919) 968-4671
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Lime and Basil
Lime and Basil serves up fresh and authentic Vietnamese food in the heart of Chapel Hill.
Phone Number: (919) 967-5055
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Lucha Tigre
If you’re looking to add a little excitement to your day, try Lucha Tigre — a restaurant serving Latin-Asian cuisine in unique combinations! Popular items include the beef bulgogi nachos and the pad thai al pastor.
Phone Number: (919) 904-7326
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Lula’s
Lula’s, located on the corner of Franklin Street and Columbia Street, is the place to go if you’re looking for some Southern comfort food. They are famous for their incredible fried chicken and biscuits, but their menu also includes amazing lemonade, short ribs, and fried okra.
Phone Number: (919) 967-2678
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Magone Italian Grill & Pizza
Magone is an authentic Italian restaurant with strong ties to the city of Naples. It is known for its friendly staff, fresh sauces, New York City style pizza, and delicious house bread.
Phone Number: (919) 904-7393
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Mama Dip's
Located on Rosemary Street, Mama Dip’s is a Chapel Hill favorite that has been around since 1976. They are known for their Southern country cooking — for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and brunch — and favorites include the sweet potato pancakes, chicken and dumplings, and Brunswick stew.
Phone Number: (919) 942-5837
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Mediterranean Deli
Mediterranean Deli on Franklin Street is the best place in Chapel Hill to get fresh, authentic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food. They have over 63 items in their large deli case, a fully operational bakery, and a market that sells many products used in their dishes. Med Deli is also proud to offer organic, gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options.
Phone Number: (919) 967-2666
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Merritt's Grill
World famous for their BLT, Merritt’s has been featured in hundreds of Southern food magazines, television food shows, articles and books.
Phone Number: (919) 942-4897
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Monterrey
Monterrey has all the Mexican favorites for an affordable price in a fun atmosphere. Their extensive menu features classics like arroz con pollo and house favorites like the Burrito Pepe. Monterrey was chosen as the best Mexican food in Chapel Hill for 2020 by the Daily Tar Heel. There are two locations:
Chapel Hill: 1722 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Carrboro: 104 NC 54 Suite FF, Carrborro, NC 27510
Phone Number: (919) 969-8750
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Ms. Mong
Ms. Mong is a casual Asian spot that serves build-your-own stir fry bowls, burritos, banh mi sandwiches, and Mongolian barbecue. It is conveniently located right on Franklin Street and is an easy place to grab a meal to-go if you’d like to enjoy a nice day at McCorkle Place.
Phone Number: (919) 933-5277
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Spicy 9
Spicy 9 is an Asian fusion restaurant on Franklin Street that has something for everyone — sushi, bento boxes, fried rice, ramen, Korean barbecue, you name it! Their buy one get one deal on specialty rolls any day of the week is extremely popular. Spicy 9 was also named the best Asian food in Chapel Hill in 2020 by the Daily Tar Heel.
Phone Number: (919) 903-9335
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Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Sunrise Biscuit’s award winning Chapel Hill location is a drive-thru only restaurant offering breakfast biscuits and so much more! Enjoy chicken biscuits, ham biscuits and cinnamon rolls or lunch items like barbeque, sandwiches and hot dogs.
Phone Number: (919) 933-1324
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Sup Dogs
Ranked 15th Best Hotdog in America by Business Insider! Sup Dogs serves specialty all-beef hot dogs and made from scratch burgers. Experiment with innovative fun foods like cheesy tots, pepperoni pizza fries and funnel cake sticks!
Phone Number: (919) 903-9566
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Sutton's Drug Store
A Chapel Hill institution, Sutton’s takes diners back to a simpler time in their old-fashioned operating pharmacy complete with soda fountain and diner food. Local memorabilia on the walls and ceiling complete the trip down memory lane.
Phone Number: (919) 942-5161
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The Pig
The Pig features BBQ made with local, pasture-raised, antibiotic and hormone free pork. Other featured pork items include house made hot dogs and bologna.
Phone Number: (919) 942-1133
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The Purple Bowl
The Purple Bowl is a health-focused spot, serving acai bowls and toasts. Their build-your-own bowls feature fun ingredients like bee pollen, goji berries, and chia seeds. The atmosphere is simple and modern, and the small patio is a great place to enjoy Franklin Street. The owner is also very involved on campus and loves to see new faces!
Phone Number: (919) 903-8511
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The Root Cellar Café
The Root Cellar makes and bakes everything from scratch everyday and strives to use the freshest ingredients from farmers in the community.
Phone Number: (919) 967-3663
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TimeOut
Featured on Man vs. Food, TimeOut is famous for their Chicken n’ Cheddar Biscuit and Southern Comfort food. Decorated with UNC memorabilia, it’s the only local restaurant open 24/7.
Phone Number: (919) 929-2425
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Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery
Enjoy rooftop dining in the heart of downtown Chapel Hill. This brewery, restaurant and event space is all rolled into one at this amazing location featuring locally sourced Southern inspired food.
Phone Number: (919) 929-8676
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TRU Deli and Wine Bar
TRU is a restaurant-bar offering guest-designed sandwiches, wraps, and salads, as well as wine, draft beer, and cocktails. The cozy and laid back atmosphere and the outdoor spaces make it a wonderful spot to hang out.
Phone Number: (919) 240-7755
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Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe
Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe is a restaurant located on Franklin Street that serves farm-sourced South Indian cuisine. Popular dishes include the tandoori chicken, samosas, and dal. Also be sure to try the mango lassi!
Phone Number: (919) 929-3833
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Vecino Brewing Co.
Located in the heart of Carrboro, Vecino Brewing Co. offers incredible house-brewed beers, “farm-to-bar” food, and phenomenal service. They greatly value their community, and every day a portion of the proceeds from at least one of their beers is donated to a local charity.
Phone Number: (919) 537-8230
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Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe
This Chapel Hill institution features simplicity, charm, and old fashioned hospitality. Never trendy, always authentic, Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe serves food that is consistently delicious and has service that is always reliable.
Phone Number: (919) 929-9192
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