North Carolina, United States Food Guide: 10 Bar food Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Chapel Hill

September 25, 2019 Darwin Bolte

Find out what Bar restaurants to try in Chapel Hill. Calling itself "the southern part of Heaven," the town of Chapel Hill, North Carolina is home to the grassy malls and brick walkways of the University of North Carolina's historic campus. The presence of the country's first public university has allowed a vibrant arts and culture scene to grow in Chapel Hill. Check out a concert by a local band, watch the star's fly at the Morehead Planetarium or catch a varsity game pitting the wildly popular Tarheels against their historic Southern rivals.
Things to do in Chapel Hill

10. Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar

111 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510-2307 American, Bar Lunch, Dinner, Drinks, Late Night Takeout, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Wheelchair Accessible [email protected] +1 919-933-1117 http://thespotteddog.godaddysites.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 137 reviews

Spotted Dog Restaurant & Bar

Reviewed By artistchic84

Place has a very eccentric vibe, even the architectural aspect of the inside was intriguing and made this place unique. Menu seemed to have a plethora of options, however, felt jumbled. Reading between the lines on which meals were Vegan and not only depending on small writing....maybe a clear cut section or larger font to showcase different choices.They do have a kids menu....but if you go on their website their online menu has more options for kids?Gave it a 3 due to the food was so dry with hardly any seasoning. The cheeseburger was bland with hoards of mayo on it. The bun was equally bland. Fish and chips were just ok but definitely missed the mark. Everything needed help. The kids burger and adult burger...literally the same size....same amount of fries. Only difference....$7 an onion. Our waitress was nice and service was quick. Restaurant was clean and easy to find.

9. Tobacco Road Sports Cafe

1118 Environ Way, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-4418 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service, Takeout [email protected] +1 919-537-8404 http://www.tobaccoroadsportscafe.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 136 reviews

Tobacco Road Sports Cafe

Reviewed By Doubledeacon

The guacamole and chips were really good. Between the grilled chicken or fried chicken Cobb salad, definitely the grilled. The fried chicken was a slab of too fried and too thin meat. The wine list is diverse and the company enjoyed sangria and cocktails. Wednesday wine is half price. This is not for a quiet night but it is not too loud because it has divided rooms and seating. Has a lot of TVs for game day.

8. Hickory Tavern

370 E Main St Ste 110, Carrboro, NC 27510-1860 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 919-942-7417 http://www.thehickorytavern.com/home/hickory_tavern-map.php?l=Carrboro
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 119 reviews

Hickory Tavern

Reviewed By Q2839ZCjamesm

The beer selection is vast. The mixed drinks are good and strong. The wings were awesome. Big sports bar with tv's everywhere. The service was good as well. We will be back.

7. City Kitchen

201 S Estes Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-7001 American, Bar Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Television, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Private [email protected] +1 919-928-8200 http://citykitchenchapelhill.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 239 reviews

City Kitchen

City Kitchen family welcomes you with wholesome American fare prepared through simple, time-honored cooking methods such as roasting, braising, preserving and smoking. This urban, contemporary neighborhood eatery evokes the warmth and convivial setting of

Reviewed By Caroline N

This is a really large restaurant and the noise level can be high when it's full. They have an in-house sushi chef, so two completely different menu offerings. My companion had sushi, which she reported was fresh and really good. We split a Caesar salad, made more interesting with the addition of a few fresh chopped herbs. The mushroom fettucini was rich and full of big chunks of meaty mushrooms. The only disappointment was the flourless chocolate cake, which was overbaked and gritty.

6. Carolina Brewery

460 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC 27516 American, Bar, Pub, Brew Pub, Contemporary Lunch, Dinner, Late Night Takeout, Parking Available, Valet Parking, Television, Full Bar, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Outdoor Seating, Whe [email protected] +1 919-942-1800 http://carolinabrewery.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 197 reviews

Carolina Brewery

Carolina Brewery provides food and beverage in the Chapel Hill and Pittsboro, NC area

Reviewed By MrClarasDad

Our family of 4 had dinner and drinks on a recent evening. I wish we only had drinks and had gone elsewhere for dinner. Carolina's beer is very good. We had several varieties and they were solid across the board. Their brown is my favorite. Unfortunately their food is just not good. I had the Carolina Cuban which has ham, bacon and pulled pork. You couldn't taste the bacon and I'm not even sure it was there. The pulled pork was just mush and had no texture which made the entire sandwich so unappetizing. Even my daughter's Mac & Cheese off the kids menu was bad. It was obviously just a box of Kraft, nothing homemade, and even that was made poorly as it was all dried out. My daughter wouldn't eat it saying it was gross. Who messes up a box of Mac & Cheese? Great place to go have a beer before or after dinner but leave it at that. I will also mention that the service is very hit or miss depending on the server you get, but I suppose that is typical of a place staffed by college students. Our server was slow and generally uninterested in helping us. Any question about beer was met with the response "I don't know, I'm only 20". My wife tried to order a seasonal special and was told that they may be out, but with no offer to find out if they were actually out or not. Any question about food was met with response "I don't know, I've never had it". Obviously a good server should have a general knowledge of the food and drinks (especially at a brewery!) even if they don't eat or drink it themselves. We watched another server handling other tables that obviously got it. Very personable and helpful, discussing at length the different beers on tap.

5. Mellow Mushroom

310 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2521 American, Bar, Pizza, Pub Drinks, Dinner, Lunch Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts [email protected] +1 919-929-1941 http://mellowmushroom.com/location/nc-chapel-hill-310-w-franklin-st-27516/
Food
Service
Value
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Overall Ratings

4 based on 84 reviews

Mellow Mushroom

Cruise in, Mellow Out. Casual, fun atmosphere with great pizza, hoagies, salads, wings, and huge selection of craft beer and cocktails. Watch the game on our big screen or enjoy the Carolina blue sky on our patio.

Reviewed By Bluffton

We were two couples with a toddler. Had two pizzas and some tasty margaritas.Atmosphere was inviting. Server (George) was very pleasant and attentive.Prices seemed higher than I recall from other Mellow Mushroom stops in AtlantaThanks for the review John!

4. Venable Bistro

200 N Greensboro St Historic Carr Mill, Carrboro, NC 27510-1833 American, Bar, Asian, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Table Service, [email protected] +1 919-904-7160 http://venablebistro.com/
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 186 reviews

Venable Bistro

Reviewed By Jaewriter

Want fried chicken or a tamale or sobu noodles? Got it. The menu is varied but with a large business crowd, everyone found something to their liking. The fried chicken is more like schnitzel and was a huge hit. I had the salmon and it felt indulgent - crispy on the outside and served on a bed of creamy mashed. Oddly, my favorite part was the side dish of green beans in a garlicky soy sauce. Yum!

3. Nantucket Cafe & Grill

5925 Farrington Rd Ste B, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-8607 American, Bar, Soups Lunch, Dinner, Brunch Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service +1 919-402-0077 http://nantucketgrill.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 248 reviews

Nantucket Cafe & Grill

Reviewed By deinabop

I went to the location at Durham (Fayetteville rd), I had a lobster roll for lunch instead of the combo (half soup and half sandwich) that I originally planned to have. The lobster roll cannot be included in this combo as you have to order it full size. It was a good option, it was very tasty and the Apple cole slow was very good as well.

2. Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

100 E Franklin St 3rd Floor, Chapel Hill, NC 27514-3629 American, Bar, Pub Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service [email protected] +1 919-929-8676 http://www.thetopofthehill.com
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Overall Ratings

4 based on 814 reviews

Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Whether you live in Chapel Hill, are just visiting or are here to connect to your college roots, Top of the Hill – or TOPO as we have come to be known – is a destination spot. Our menu is loaded with locally-sourced ingredients, our acclaimed beer collect

Reviewed By Burtdol

This unique restaurant is at the top of the hill in downtown Chapel Hill. Heavily visited by University of North Carolina students. Overall the food is excellent and service is very good. Went there with a a large church group at lunch and everyone regardless of age thoroughly enjoyed their food. Especially good are their chicken dishes regardless of the way you decide to dine - salad, sandwich or entree. However, many people selected endless items from the menu and their was no one who didn't really enjoy their lunch even the coffee. Highly recommend - only problem is parking which can be a problem.

The 10 Best Things to Do in Chapel Hill, United States

1. Vecino Brewing Co

300 E Main St Suite C, Carrboro, NC 27510-2359 Bar, Pub, American, Brew Pub, Deli, Gastropub Lunch, Dinner, Late Night, Drinks Seating, Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Parking Available, Television, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards [email protected] +1 919-537-9591 http://vecinobrewing.com/
Vecino Brewing Co

Simply put, we are a brewery and restaurant built by neighbors, for neighbors. Located in the heart of Carrboro, NC next to Cat's Cradle, we offer over 10 of our craft beers which we brew on-site as well as a locally focused farm-to-bar food menu.

Reviewed By swacer

Stopped in for a couple of drinks before a concert. We didn't try the food, though some of the menu options sounded really good. The beer was very good with a wide variety and selection at standard brewery prices. Will definitely return if ever in the area again.Thank you so much for coming out, we're glad to have you and hope to see you again soon!

Most Popular Restaurants in Chapel Hill

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