Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Chapel Hill

Vinos Finos is a departure from run-of-the-mill drinking and dining experiences. Located inside European-themed Lafayette Village, the wine bar is designed to sample tapas-style dishes and world-class wines. The staff here is more than happy to help with wine selection and pairings. Dark woods, leather furniture, and warm colors make the interiors feel like an old-world wine shop. Vinos Finos encourages patrons to converse, and the intimate, colorful setting is doubly suited for first dates or casual business meetings.

This fine-dining restaurant and tavern serves new American cuisine in a restored 19th Century Second Empire Victorian. The restaurant is more than worth a visit for its refined atmosphere and gourmet food. Casual dishes are served in the cellar tavern, while a creative seasonal menu is offered in the formal dining room. Visitors can enjoy a beer in the tavern or a pre-dinner cocktail while seated in the covered front-porch. Second Empire is a first-rate destination for an elegant dinner.

This vibrant cafe, bakery, and German restaurant can safely be called a local favorite. Seasonal menus feature eclectic German specialties made with only locally-sourced ingredients. The bakery offers a generous menu of breads, cakes, pastries, and cookies. Guglhupf’s interiors are stunning, and feature an interior terrace and courtyard, a beautiful patio for outdoor dining, and an atrium. The cafe also often hosts wine and local food-related events, and exhibits the work of local artists.

Gonza is a colorful Mexican restaurant that specializes in tacos and tequila. The interior is eclectic: mannequins greet diners at the door, and Mexican artifacts are mounted on the dining room walls. The menu is a burst of flavor, combining classic Mexican dishes alongside some surprises. Start with a pitcher of strawberry margarita and move on to tacos prepared with chicken tinga poblana, or a scallop and pork belly combination. Patrons can order food online for pickup.

Angus Barn is an upscale steakhouse with an opulent menu of wines, steaks, and seafood. Housed inside a building that resembles a giant red barn, Angus has been a local mainstay since 1960. Its staying power is attributed to great service, a fine dining atmosphere, and classic steakhouse fare. Locals come to the barn to celebrate special occasions and meals. The sprawling restaurant is a treat to walk through and behold, and has a wine cellar, whiskey lounge, and cigar bar.

The Rockford has been serving creative sandwiches and American fare from its hip brick building since 1994. There is a rock solid sustainability policy here, as all the ingredients used are locally-sourced. The menu offers salads, sides, and a few featured entrees, but the centerpiece is the beloved collection of sandwiches, which are prepared by combining classic ingredients in unique combinations. Rockford’s enduring power might come from its apple, bacon, and cheddar sandwich. Sunday brunch rounds out the service at this local favorite.