Eateries
Click on a category to see full choices:
American and Regional
Barbeque and Southern
Breweries and Pubs
Chinese & Asian
Coffee/Tea & Breakfast
Delis & Sandwiches Eateries
Desserts & Ice Cream
Fast Food
Fine Dining
Greek & Mediterranean
Indian & Pakistani
Italian & Pizza
Mexican & Hispanic
Seafood
Short Order & Grills
Take-Out & Delivery
Chapel Hill Night Life
Agora Dining Room
(919) 370-4599. 125 West Franklin St (University Square, in Granville Towers), Chapel Hill. Open Aug.-May, Mon.-Thu., 7am-11pm; Fri., 7am-7:30pm; Sat., 10am-7:30pm; Sun., 10am-11pm; closed University holidays. A fresh marketplace eatery offering a variety of international cuisines and southern fare. Lunch and dinner, $7 (Wed., $5), with unlimited 'seconds'. Parking.
Applebee's Neighborhood Grill
(919) 929-5102. 1508 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Thu., 11am-11pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-midn. Serves lunch and dinner, with brunch on Sun. Nice selection of foods, including creative American appetizers, soups, salads, plates, sandwiches, sides, desserts and beverages. ABC-all. Kids menu.
Breadmen's Restaurant
(919) 967-7110. 324 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 7am-9pm. Breakfast served all day, with omelets a specialty. Serves grilled meats, sandwiches, burgers, fresh salads and homemade soups and desserts. Outdoor dining (weather permitting). ABC-b&w. Parking.
Buffalo Wild Wings
(919) 933-9453. 206 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 11am-1am; Sat.-Sun., 11am-2am. Traditional post-'70s Buffalo (NY) foods, including spicy chicken wings, grilled sandwiches, salads and more. Full bar with satellite TVs, DSS Sports and interactive trivia. ABC-all.
Carolina Coffee Shop
(919) 942-6875. 138 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Tue., 11:30am-2am; Wed.-Sat., 9am-2am; Sun., 9am-2pm. The oldest original restaurant in Chapel Hill (a student post office and soda shop before 1922). Daily chef specials, steaks, seafood, delicate pastas, homemade soups and sandwiches, espresso, cappuccino and coffee drinks. Breakfast every day till 2pm. Upscale dinner menu served till 10pm. ABC-all. Ent. (live music till 2am).
Goldie's Grill
(919) 967-0909. 137 East Franklin St (Bank of America Center), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-4pm (lunch), 5-10pm (dinner); 10pm-2am (later-night supper). Serves creative American regional cuisine, including casual lunches and complete fine dinner menus.
Lucy´s Restaurant
(919) 933-2260. 114 Henderson St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-2am, Sun., noon-2am. Offers a wide-ranging menu that includes steak, pasta, chicken, vegetarian and seafood dishes. Natural brick and steel décor. Outdoor dining. Upstairs lounge open Fri.-Sat., 10pm-2am. No smoking inside. ABC-all. Kids menu. Resv-n. Ent. (occasional live music, weekends).
The Rams Head Rathskeller
(919) 942-5158. 157-1/2 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Thu., 11am-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-10:30pm. Since 1948. Full menu, moderately priced, with an easy-going, comfortable atmosphere. Traditional specialties include steaks (like its signature Gambler), lasagna (cheesy), roast beef dinners, sandwiches and homemade desserts—plus the iced tea (sweetened, of course). ABC-all. Kids menu. Resv-n.
Spanky's Restaurant & Bar
(919) 967-2678. 101 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch, Mon.-Sat., 11am-5pm; Sun., 11:30am-4pm; for dinner, Mon, 5-9pm; Tue.-Wed., 5-9:30pm; Thu.-Sat., 5-10pm. Casual dining experience with a full-service bar till 2am. Menu features traditional favorites, including a variety of burgers, its famed brown-sugar baby back ribs and other creative dishes and vegetarian specialties. ABC-all. Kids menu. Veg. Ent.
The Weathervane Cafe & Garden
(919) 929-9466. 201 South Estes Dr (University Mall, in A Southern Season), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 10am-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 10am-10pm; Sun., 10:30am-6pm. Dine al fresco on a large, landscaped patio or inside in our intimate dining room. Menu of eclectic American cuisine changes regularly. Extensive wine list. ABC-all. Kids menu. Parking. Resv-a. Ent.
Crook's Corner
(919) 929-7643. 610 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 5:30-10pm; Sun. brunch, 10:30am-2pm; closed major holidays. Fine seasonal Southern dining and fresh seafood specialties, inside and outdoors (weather permitting). Menu changes daily. Home of shrimp and grits and vegetarian jambalaya. Lively, casual atmosphere. ABC-all. Resv-a.
Mama Dip's Kitchen
(919) 942-5837. 408 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 8am-10pm; Sun., 8am-9pm. Cookbook author 'Mama Dip' has been cooking 'down-home' Southern food since she was nine. Her restaurant offers an abundance of traditional American food, especially vegetables (the most popular menu item). Front-porch dining. ABC-b&w. Kids menu. Parking. Resv-n.
Time-Out Restaurant
(919) 929-2425. 133 West Franklin St (University Square), Chapel Hill. Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year ('We never close'). Southern-style cooking, including vegetables, barbecue, chicken, burgers and more. Full breakfast platters with home-baked biscuits.
Walt's Grill
(919) 933-1744. 111 South Merritt Mill Rd (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Fri., 6:30am-9pm; Sat. (for breakfast only), 6:30am-noon. Counter seating for southern cooking and soul food. Favorite luncheon specials are chicken 'n dumplin's, barbecued ribs and beef tips.
Bailey's Pub & Grille
(919) 918-1005. 151 Rams Plaza, Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-2am. Offers a pub-style menu of ribs and fish & chips, a full bar with 36 beers on tap, 30 TVs with eight satellite hook-ups and a bevy of games, including billiards, darts and shuffleboards. In 2002, The Sporting News called Bailey's 'the Madison Square Garden of sports bars'.
Carolina Brewery
(919) 942-1800. 460 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Tue., 11:30am-midn; Wed.-Thu., 11:30am-1am; Fri.-Sat., 11:30am-2am; closed major holidays. Chapel Hill's first microbrewery features contemporary American cuisine and handcrafted ales and lagers. Many dishes are made with beer, including desserts. Best Brew Pub in the Southeast Award (2000). Free shuttle to UNC basketball and football games. ABC-all. Parking. Resv-a (for 6 or more).
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
(919) 929-8676. 100 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-2:30am. Overlooks downtown Chapel Hill from a large, third-floor outdoor patio and offers casual, upscale dining. Winner of 20 'Best of Triangle' Awards, including Best Restaurant in Chapel Hill, Best Microbrew and Best Outdoor Deck. ABC-all. Gift shop. Kids menu. Resv-a. Ent. (blues and rock, Thu. eve. sing-alongs).
W.B. Yeats Irish Pub
(919) 960-8335. 306-G West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Wed., 4pm-2am; Thu.-Sat., 11am-2am. Chapel Hill's original Irish pub, featuring full menu and lunch buffet of authentic Irish and American food. Outdoor dining. ABC-all. Parking. Ent. (Tue., talent night; Wed., pub quiz with prizes; Thu.-Sat., live Celtic, folk, rock and jazz music).
Asia Café
(919) 929-0168. 118 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun., noon-10pm. Serves Chinese food. Free delivery.
China Chef
(919) 942-2688. 1800 East Franklin St (Eastgate), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Mon.-Fri., 11am-2:30pm; Sat.-Sun. from noon; for dinner Mon.-Thu., 5-9:30pm; Fri., 5-10:30pm; Sat., 5-10pm. Traditional Chinese cuisine in a contemporary atmosphere. ABC-b&w. Resv-n.
Jade Palace Chinese & Seafood
(919) 942-0006. 103 East Main St (Downtown), Carrboro. Open for lunch Sun.-Fri., 11:30am-2:15pm; for dinner Sun.-Thu., 5-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10:30pm. Chinese and seafood restaurant. Stir-fried seafood, plus delectable cuisine from Hunam and Szechwan provinces, and Hong Kong. ABC-all. Resv-a.
Kurama Sushi & Noodle Express
(919) 968-4747. 105 North Columbia St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 11:30am-9:45pm; Fri.-Sat., 11:30am-10pm; closed major holidays. Japanese chefs prepare sushi in the state's first Kaiten rotating sushi bar, nicknamed 'sushi-go-round'. Also offers appetizers, soups, dumplings, noodles and desserts. ABC-b&w.
The Lantern Restaurant
(919) 969-8846. 423 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for dinner Mon.-Sat., 5:30-10pm; late-night menu, till midn; bar till 2am. Delicious Pan-Asian food in a relaxed, urban setting. The warm staff, smart wine list and late-night weekend dining in the hidden bar create 'a dining experience that is simply the most impressive for the money in the Triangle' (N&O). ABC-all. Resv-n.
Lime & Basil Vietnamese
(919) 967-5055. 200 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open seven days a week, 10:30am-9:30pm. Serves fine and varied Vietnamese cuisine, much of it with the namesake's flavors. Veg.
Oriental Garden Chinese & Thai
(919) 967-8818. 503 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Tue.-Sun., 11:30am-2pm; for dinner Tue.-Thu. & Sun., 5-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10:30pm; closed Mon. Serves Chinese and Thai cuisine with lots of vegetarian choices. Dietary food cooked on request. ABC-b&w. Parking. Veg.
Penang Malaysian & Thai
(919) 933-2288. 431 West Franklin St (The Courtyard), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-10:30pm. Menu features a wide variety of appetizers, soup, salads, entrees (mild and spicey), desserts and sushi. Authentic Asian cuisine stems from traditional recipes and includes a large selection of noodle and rice dishes, authentic curries and seafood-all served fresh and meant to be enjoyed communally. Veg.
Thirty-Five (35) Chinese
(919) 968-3488. 143 West Franklin St (University Square), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-2:30pm; Sun.-Thu., 4:30-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 4:30-10pm; closed Thanksgiving. Lunch and dinner buffet with more than 60 items features traditional foods from China's 35 provinces, plus a fruit bar and kids candy bar. ABC-b&w. Kids menu. Parking. Resv-n. Veg.
Caribou Coffee Company
(919) 933-5404. 110 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Fri., 6:30am-midn; Sat.-Sun., 8am-midn. Serves fresh-roast coffee, specialty coffee drinks, teas, pastries and a whole line of merchandise (coffeemaking equipment, coffee beans, mugs, shirts and gift items).
Starbucks Coffee
(919) 932-3824. 103 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 6am-10pm; Fri., 6am-midn; Sat., 7am-midn; Sun., 7am-4pm. All kinds of wonderful coffee and coffee drinks, plus pastries and desserts. Favorites are cheesecake, chocolate cake and scones.
Strong's Coffee
(919) 929-1727. 161 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Fri., 7am-11pm; Sat.-Sun., 9am-11pm. Coffee roasted on site. Specialty coffee drinks and a selection of teas. Coffee by the cup or pound. Healthy, gourmet sandwiches, salads and soups, plus homemade desserts. Ent. (Fri. eve. acoustic guitar), except in the summer.
Ye Olde Waffle Shop
(919) 929-9192. 173 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 7am-2pm; Sun., 8am-2pm. For a good, old-fashioned breakfast. Has served Chapel Hill since 1972. The best waffles, pancakes and omelets in town! Resv-n.
Bruegger's Bagel Bakery
(919) 967-5248. 104 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 6:30am-8pm (May-Aug, till 5); Sun., 8am-6pm; closed major holidays. Bagels (17 kinds) freshly baked on premises and practically everything that can be put on them, plus homemade soups, fruit, brownies, cookies and a variety of beverages.
Caffe Pane & Vino
(919) 942-1556. 418 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night supper. This 'bread and wine' café features crostinis and paninis, along with a regular menu of other items. Ent.
Ham's of Chapel Hill
(919) 933-3767. 310 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-2am; Sun., 11am-midn. Newly refurbished sports bar (with one projection screen and 13 other TVs) serves interesting dishes, deli-style sandwiches and salads, plus homemade potato chips and fried cheesecake. Sports lovers' home away from home. Full-service bar (huge beer selection). Every Mon., kids eat free. Outdoor dining.
Jersey Mike's
(919) 968-0700. 107 North Columbia St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 10:30am-9pm; Fri.-Sat., 10:30am-10pm; closed major holidays. Submarine sandwiches, salads and soups since 1956.
Jimmy John's Sandwich Shoppe
(919) 968-7827. 306 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-3am. Chicago-based sandwich chain specializing in subs and clubs for the college crowd. Choice of seven breads, all home-baked. Delivers till 3am.
McAlister's Deli
(919) 969-1102. 205 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 10:30am-10pm. Upscale Southern-style deli offering hefty-portion sandwiches, soups, salads and 'Texas-size spuds', plus sweet tea. Kids menu. Veg.
Miami Subs Plus
(919) 929-6551. 107 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily from 10am till 2am (till 3am Thu.-Sat.); closed major holidays. Offers an eclectic menu of lunch and dinner plates, sandwiches, salads, sides, desserts and beverages, including Nathan's Famous Hot Dogs and Arthur Treacher's Fish & Chips. ABC-b&w. Kids menu.
Panera Bread Company
(919) 929-9189. 213 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Fri., 6:30am-9pm (Fri., till 10); Sat., 7:30am-10pm; Sun., 7:30am-9pm. Full bakery and café serving fresh baked goods (pastries, sandwich breads, bagels, etc), made-to-order sandwiches, soups, salads, cookies and coffees (javas, lattes, mochas, etc). Outdoor dining. Ent.
Skylight Exchange & Bookstore
(919) 933-5550. 405-1/2 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Thu., 11am-11pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-midn. 'The best old-fashioned milkshakes in town' to accompany sandwiches, vegetarian dishes, desserts and fine coffees. Also offers used books, CDs and tapes for sale or exchange. Resv-n. Veg.
Subway Sandwiches
(919) 967-5400. 132 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Offers deli sandwiches, salads and various side orders and beverages.
Ben & Jerry's Homemade
(919) 967-9068. 102 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, noon-11pm. Your fun and funky ice cream emporium, serving Vermont's finest ice cream, frozen yogurt and sorbets. We make cones, shakes, sundaes, the Vermonster and delicious ice cream cakes. 'Let us scoop up some fun for you!'
Cold Stone Creamery
(919) 933-2323. 131 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Wed., noon-11pm; Thu.-Sat., noon-midn. Employes make fresh ice cream daily, then customize it with a choice of more than 30 ingredients and flavors.
Katie's Pretzels
(919) 929-3639. 125 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 10am-8pm. Although pretzels are the shop's main fare, it also offers made-to-order whole-fruit blended smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, gourmet coffees, healthy snacks and fresh baked goods.
Kilwin's Chocolates and Ice Cream
(919) 942-7533. 133 West Franklin St (University Square), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Wed., 10am-10pm; Thu.-Sat., 10am-11pm. Franchise of the national sweet shop that offers such treats as chocolate, fudge, ice cream, dipped fruit (orange, pineapple and mango slices), caramel apples and lots more, including chocolate-covered Twinkies!
The Yogurt Pump
(919) 942-7867. 106 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11:30am-11:30pm; Sun., noon-11:30pm. Yogurt is an art here, with truly remarkable flavors. Not just chocolate, Ghiradelli chocolate. Not coffee flavor, but mocha java. Try the Kahlua and Bailey's or Oreo cookie. Also, great selections with no sugar added, low-fat and no-fat, so you can enjoy treats guilt-free.
Boston Market
(919) 942-4600. 1800 East Franklin St (Eastgate), Chapel Hill.
McDonald's
(919) 967-5788. 409 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill.
Carolina Crossroads
(919) 918-2777. 211 Pittsboro St (Downtown, in The Carolina Inn), Chapel Hill. Open daily for breakfast, 6:30-11am; for lunch, 11am-2pm (incl. Sun. brunch); for dinner, 5:30-10pm. Located on the UNC campus, this Mobil Four-Star and AAA Four-Diamond restaurant features elegant American cuisine that melds world-class cooking with North Carolina seasonal specialties. Award-winning wine list. British tea service daily, 3 p.m. Outdoor dining (weather permitting). ABC-all. Parking (free and valet). Resv-a.
Elaine's on Franklin
(919) 960-2770. 454 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Tue.-Thu., 6-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 6-10pm; closed Sun. & Mon. Chef and owner Bret Jennings offers the best of North Carolina bounty and fresh seafood. Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Elegant, yet lively, atmosphere. Great bar. Accommodating to diets and vegetarians. Resv-r.
Four Eleven (411) West
(919) 967-2782. 411 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Tue.-Fri., 11:30am-2:30pm (Sat., till 3:30pm); for dinner from 5pm till 9:30pm (Sun.-Mon.), 10pm (Tue.-Thu.) & 10:30pm (Fri.-Sat.). Cooking is designed to capture the vitality of Italy and the Mediterranean with a contemporary and imaginative twist. Pizza cooked in a wood-burning oven. Desserts and cappuccino bar. ABC-all. Kids menu. Resv-a.
Il Palio Ristorante
(919) 918-2545. 1505 East Franklin St (in The Siena Hotel), Chapel Hill. Open for breakfast Mon.-Fri., 6:30-10am (Sat.-Sun., 7-10am); for lunch daily, 11:30am-2pm (incl. Sun. champagne brunch); for dinner nightly, 5:30-10pm. Enjoy classic Italian cuisine in North Carolina's only AAA Four-Diamond Italian restaurant. The chef prepares memorable Tuscan cuisine with an emphasis on flavorful infused oils and healthy alternatives, paired with fine Italian wines. ABC-all. Parking. Resv-a. Ent. (nightly pianist or guitarist, 7-10pm).
La Residence (Cafe La Rez)
(919) 967-2506. 202 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 6-9:30pm; Sun., 6-8:30pm; late night menu, 9:30pm-1:45am. In a historic residence. Specializes in regional and seasonal foods combined with classical French techniques. Menu changes monthly. Extensive wine list. Large, enclosed, heated patio for dining in a Southern cottage garden. ABC-all. Resv-a. Ent. (live music, Tue.-Thu. evening, occasionally).
Trilussa La Trattoria
(919) 967-0057. 401 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 5-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10:30pm. Cuisine is Mediterranean, mostly French and Italian, with some Spanish influences. Seafood, vegetarian and pasta. ABC-b&w. Resv-a (for 5 or more). Veg.
Vespa Cibobuono
(919) 969-6600. 306 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Tue.-Sun., 11:30am-2:30pm; and for dinner Mon.-Thu., 5:30-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 5:30-11pm. Authentic northern and central Italian cuisine, specializing in homemade pasta, veal and chicken dishes. Extensive Italian wine list, especially reds. Outdoor dining. ABC-all. Kids menu. Resv-a.
Aladdin's Deli & Catering
(919) 929-1290. 153 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-6pm. Features a full slate of options, from falafel and souvlaki to Philly Steak sandwiches and wraps, plus lots of vegetarian dishes.
Mediterranean Deli & Market
(919) 967-2666. 410 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-10pm; Sun.,11am-9pm. A wide selection of authentic Middle Eastern dishes at reasonable prices, including gyros, spinach pie and stuffed grape leaves, plus baklava, lady fingers, burma or mammoul. Indoor and sidewalk seating. Veg.
The Pita Pit
(919) 933-4456. 115 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-3am; Sun., noon-3am. A convenient fast-service restaurant with eat-in, take-out and delivery service available. Offers a healthy alternative to more typical fast food, with a selection of meat and vegetarian pita sandwiches and salads.
Queen of Sheba Ethiopian
(919) 960-6799. 115 North Graham St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Tue.-Sun., 11:30am-2:30pm; for dinner Tue.-Sun., 5:30-10pm. Menu includes authentic dishes from Ethiopia, including injera, a spongy, pancake-like bread that's used instead of silverware (which is still available for the timid). Freshly ground Ethiopian coffee (strong, dark blend). Lunch buffet. Outdoor dining. Ent.
Talulla's Mezze Lounge & Bar
(919) 933-1177. 456 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily for dinner, 5-10pm; bar open till 2am. Mezze are Mediterranean versions of tapas (Spanish for appetizers), influenced by Greek, Turkish, Lebanese, Morroccan and Algerian cuisine. Late night menu. Veg.
India Palace
(919) 942-8201. 508-A West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily for lunch, 11:30am-2:30pm (Sat.-Sun., till 3:30pm); daily for dinner, 5-10:30pm. Fine, but inexpensive, Indian cuisine. Complete meals. Tandoor, vegetarian dishes and classic Indian breads. Buffets Fri.-Sun. Veg.
Tandoor Indian
(919) 967-6622. 1301 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Mon.-Sat., 11:30am-3pm; for dinner Sun.-Thu., 5-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10:30pm; closed Christmas Day. Authentic regional cooking of India, featuring a variety of specialty items, vegetarian dishes and the popular Tandoor (clay-oven) dishes. Daily lunch buffets and Fri.-Sat. dinner buffets. ABC-b&w. Parking. Resv-a. Veg.
Franklin Street Pizza & Pasta
(919) 933-5277. 163 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-midn; Sun., noon-11pm. Pizza, salads, subs and pasta. Casual dining with room for 70 people. ABC-b&w. Kids menu. Resv-n.
Gumby's Pizza
(919) 968-3278. 306-A West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Wed., 4pm-2am; Thu., 4pm-2am; Fri.-Sat., 11am-3am; Sun., 11am-2am. Serves pizza, pizza rolls, breadsticks and soft drinks.
I Love New York Pizza
(919) 968-4224. 106 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Tue., 10:30am-midn; Wed.-Sun., 10:30am-3am. Brooklyn-style gourmet pizza with all the trimmings, including spinach and eggplant, plus lasagna, pizza rolls, stromboli, calzone and soft drinks. 'We toss 'em; they're awesome!'
Italian Pizzeria III
(919) 968-4671. 508 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Sun.-Thu., 11am-11pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-midn. Serves pizza, pasta, subs, salads and traditional Italian dishes.
Mellow Mushroom Pizza Bakers
(919) 969-8789. 1502 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-1am; Sun., 11am-midn. This eatery and bar features 10 specialty pizzas with dozens of toppings to choose from, including jerk chicken, pesto and tofu, plus calzone, subs and salads. The tap room offers 100 brands of beer, 24 on tap. ABC-all. Veg. Ent. (bluegrass, Tue. eve.).
Pepper's Pizza
(919) 967-7766. 127 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-midn; Sun., 4-10pm. Watch pizza being made through the front window. Features pizza with 30 toppings, appetizers, salads, calzones and stromboli. ABC-b&w.
Bandido's Mexican Café
(919) 967-5048. 159-1/2 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 11am-9:30pm; Fri., 11:30am-10:30pm; Sat., noon-10:30pm; Sun., 4:30-9:30pm; closed major holidays. A festive family-run café specializing in shredded beef, as well as low-fat and vegetarian Mexican fare. ABC-all. Veg.
Burrito Bunker
(919) 932-9010. 161-1/2 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-9pm; closed Sun. Tex-Mex without the fat. Good food at good prices. Mostly take-out, but has six stools for eat-in. Veg.
Cosmic Cantina
(919) 960-3955. 128 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11am-4am. This northern California-style taqueria serves healthy burritos, salads, quesadillas and other specialties. Roof deck. ABC-all.
El Rodeo Mexican
(919) 929-6566. 1404 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 11am-10pm; Fri., 11am-10:30pm & 5-10:30pm; Sat., noon-10pm; Sun., noon-9:30pm. Serves traditional cuisine in a casual, fun atmosphere. Enchiladas, tacos, burritos, nachos, chili rellenos, quesadillas, vegetarian dishes, combo platters and more. Margaritas. ABC-all. Veg.
Patio Loco, El
(919) 967-9060. 407 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch Mon.-Fri., 11am-2:30pm; for dinner Mon.-Thu., 5-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 5-10:30pm; closed Sun. Serves authentic, creative Mexican and Latin American dishes, including empanadas, la frijolada and picado sampler platters, plus soups, shrimp and steaks. Not a typical taco joint. ABC-all. Ent.
Squid's Restaurant & Oyster Bar
(919) 942-8757. 1201 North Fordham Blvd (Village Plaza), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 4-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 4-10:30pm; Sun., 4:30-9pm; closed major holidays. Specializes in the freshest seafood, prepared simply-mesquite grilled, broiled, blackened and fried. Oyster bar also features clams and shrimp. ABC-all. Kids menu. Resv-n.
Hector's Grill
(919) 942-9420. 201-A East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-3am; closed major holidays. Specializes in grilled international fast food, emphasizing Greek flavors like Athenian gyros, cheeseburgers on pita bread, steak & cheese and grilled chicken.
Sutton's Drug Store
(919) 942-5161. 159 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 7am-6pm; Sun., 9am-5pm. A small counter and a few booths in an old drugstore, but Sutton's offers an impressive selection of hometown menu specialties, plus flavored sodas and great milkshakes.
Will's Grill
(919) 929-6978. 504 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon., 5-10pm; Tue.-Thu., 11am-10pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-midn. Serves hamburgers, sandwiches, homemade potato salad, other sides, munchies, desserts and beverages.
Dai Chinese
(919) 933-5337. 516 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 11am-2pm & 4:30-9:30pm; Fri.-Sat., 11am-2pm & 4:30-10:30pm; Sun., 4:30-9:30pm. Offers traditional Chinese specialties, including combination lunch and dinner plates. Minimum delivery order: $8.
Papa John's Pizza
(919) 932-7575. 607 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open during University session Mon.-Thu., 11am-1am; Fri.-Sat., 11am-2am; Sun., noon-midn (11pm when school is out). Offers a variety of pizza with breadsticks and cheesesticks, plus pepperoncinis and a cup of garlic butter with every pizza.
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
(919) 933-1324. 1305 East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open daily, 6:30am-2:30pm. Serves large biscuits, sandwiches (barbecue, chicken salad, tuna salad and sprouts), hamburgers, French fries and more.
Bub O'Malley's
(919) 942-6903. 157 East Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., noon-2am; Sun., noon-2am. Has a full bar and offers 30 beers on tap, plus 100 in the bottle. Video games, jukebox and other diversions. ABC-b&w. Ent. (DJ, karaoke and live music offered on occasion; no cover).
Caffe Driade
(919) 942-2333. 1215-A East Franklin St, Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 7am-11pm; Fri., 7am-midn; Sat., 7:30am-midn; Sun., 7:30am-11pm; closed Christmas. Selection of coffees and teas with light fare, including pastries and baked goods. Afternoon tea. Cigars. Outdoor dining (woods and gardens). Displays art for sale, changed monthly. ABC-b&w. Parking. Resv-n. Ent. (live music Wed., Fri.-Sat.).
The Cat's Cradle
(919) 967-9053. 300 East Main St (Downtown), Carrboro. Open show nights only (Thu.-Mon.) at 9:30pm; most shows start at 10pm. Established 1969; at this location since 1995. Offers a broad range of top musical entertainment, mostly rock & roll. Private club, but walk-ins are welcomed (with cover charge).
The Cave
(919) 968-9308. 452-1/2 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open 7 days a week, 2:30pm-2:30am. Since 1968 (the oldest bar in town). Features original music 7 nights a week. Two shows (Tue.-Sat.): early, 7:30-9:30pm, and late, 10pm, mainly rock & roll, bluegrass, country and folk. Plus pool, pinball and video games. Only beer served. Cover charge, 5 (weekends); pass the hat, most other nights.
Doyle's Sports Bar
(919) 929-6978. 504 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon., 5pm-2am; Tue.-Sun., 11am-2am. Has 19 satellite receivers, 12 screens. Casual dress. Food service offered at the adjacent Will's Grill. 'The place in Chapel Hill to watch all the games'-Sports Illustrated (4/28/97). No cover or minimum (except Sun. afternoon). Resv-n.
East End Martini Bar
(919) 929-0024. 201 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 5pm-2am. Simple, upscale cosmopolitan décor. Menu of 101 martinis, a good range of beers and a solid wine list. Limited menu focuses on oysters and shellfish. ABC-all. Ent. (live jazz on weekends, sometimes with a cover charge).
He's Not Here
(919) 942-7939. 112-1/2 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open every day (except Christmas), 1pm-2am. One of the oldest and most well known night spots in Chapel Hill, since 1975. Known for big (33-oz.) Carolina blue cups of beer (to keep). Resv-n. Ent. (live rock & roll, classic rock and blues music; cover-$2-3).
Hector's Down Under
(919) 942-9420. 201-A East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Thu., 7pm-2am; Fri., 4pm-2am; Sat., 11am-2am; Sun., noon-2am. Thu., rock & roll bands. Big-screen satellite TV, billiards and darts. No smoking. Cover-$2 for walk-ins. Resv-n.
Linda's Bar & Grill
(919) 933-6663. 203 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open for lunch, dinner and late night (till 2am). Offers piped in music, plus TVs and arcade games. Full menu offered till 11pm; late night menu till 2am. Good choice of appetizers, sandwiches, salads, specialties, sides and beverages. ABC-b&w. Resv-n. Ent. (live music sometimes).
Local 506 Sports Bar
(919) 942-5506. 506 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 11:30am-2am. Features 12 large-screen TVs, game tables and cozy living room-style sitting area. Food service offered in the adjacent Will's Grill. Resv-n. Ent. (live alternative, rock & roll and other; cover-$3-5).
Pantana Bob's Restaurant & Bar
(919) 942-7575. 300 West Rosemary St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Fri., 4pm-2am; Sat.-Sun., 11am-2am. Restaurant features eastern-style barbecue, cooked on-site, plus appetizers and sandwiches. Six big-screen satellite TVs. Outdoor deck. Kids menu.. Resv-n. Ent. (offers live music with cover charge of $3-5, depending on performer).
West End Wine Bar
(919) 967-7599. 450 West Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 5pm-2am. Upscale bar with rooftop patio. Offers 60 wines by the glass, plus a wide selection of boutique beers. Light cuisine, mostly appetizers. Cigar selection for patio; no smoking inside. Ent. (jazz, Tue. & Thu.). The Cellar downstairs offers pool tables, a jukebox and other amusements.
Woody's Tar Heel Tavern & Grill
(919) 968-3809. 175 East Franklin St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open Mon.-Sat., 11am-2am; Sun., noon-midn. An upscale sports restaurant serving full menu till 1am. Has 24 TVs and 10 satellite systems, providing ultimate sports coverage from around the world. ABC-all. Resv-n.
Zog's Pool
(919) 933-8252. 108-1/2 Henderson St (Downtown), Chapel Hill. Open daily, 5pm-2am; closed Christmas Eve only. Has four regulation pool tables, four TVs, a couple of pinball machines and a great jukebox. ABC-all. No cover or minimum.