Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Chapel Hill

Subtle lighting accents set off the warm wall colors and paintings depicting southern scenes and still-life art at this restaurant, located on the site of the historic Carolina Inn. Fresh flowers and potted plants abound, adding natural beauty to an already sumptuous setting. The plush, airy, apricot-toned Piedmont Room is the perfect place for a private business lunch. The food is progressive American with a distinctive southern flair. Oven Roasted Snapper, served with Shrimp Jambalaya and Carolina Gold Rice, is a masterpiece for the eyes as well as the stomach. Save room for the Cappuccino Brownie Cake.

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.