#1

Trilussa La Trattoria Italian 401 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 967-0057  This is one of my favorite places in Chapel Hill. Owned and managed by its executive chef Giovanni, who is very friendly if you get a chance to meet him. The Southern Italian food is as good as it gets, and focuses on seafood, pastas, and paellas. Qu...

#2	Monterrey Mexican Restaurant Mexican 237 S Elliott Rd, Chapel Hill (919) 969-8750  this is hands down the best restaurant I have ever been to! I travel all over central america regularly, but always come home to this place. I eat here at least once a week!

#3

Mediterranean Deli & Catering Greek, Mediterranean, Deli/Sandwich/Subs, Fast Food 410 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 967-2666  I gave this restaurant an overall 5 stars not because everything was perfect but the food was so good! There is no real service to speak of since you order the food at the counter and bring it to the table yourself. I ordered the Lamb Kebab and it w...

#4

Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery American Traditional, Brewery/Pub/Tavern 100 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 929-8676  Top of the Hill has quickly become the premier restaurant and bar in Chapel Hill. Both students and alumni gather here for drinks and dinner - even Coach Matt Doherty makes an occasional appreance. The beer (which they brew themselves) is world class...

#5

Vespa Ristorante Italian, Mediterranean, Banquet/Party Room, Bar 306 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill (919) 969-6600  This Italian restaurant is perfect for a nice casual dinner or a fancy date. The pasta dishes are original (smoked salmon and black fettucine are examples of their unique ingredients) and modestly priced - under $15. The walls are covered with vintag...

#6

Crook's Corner Southern, Barbecue, Breakfast 610 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 929-7643  This is certainly an interesting place - a little restaurant on the edge of Carrboro, set in a cozy retro-type diner. The food is good - Southern with an alternative twist to it - and the crowd is eclectic to say the least. When I visited, I saw a ma...

#7

Hector's 201 East Franklin Street, Chapel Hill (919) 942-9420  I am proud to say that Hector's was the first restaurant I visited as a student in Chapel Hill. They offer the best burgers in town, and they can put a Greek twist on them by serving them with special spices or on pitas. (For vegetarians, their "gree...

#8

China Chef Restaurant Chinese, Fast Food Eastgate Shopping Court, Chapel Hill (919) 942-2688  The China Chef restaurant is indeed a unheralded delight. The service is top notch and waitresses even have a sense of humor. The food is tried and true (excellent) from many years of experience. As the restaurant front is small, many of my friends t...

#9

Pepper's Pizza Pizzeria 127 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 967-7766  This little restaurant caters to a primarily liberal/alternative crowd, and all they serve are strombolis, calzones, and pizza. That's just fine, though, because what they do serve is some of the best in town. They have a wide variety of ingredients ...

#10

Goodfellows Tavern Brewery/Pub/Tavern 149 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill (919) 929-4963  This little place in a Chapel Hill basement - now called "Goodfellows" - offers the best barfood in town. Their wings (25 cents on Mondays) are the biggest and best in town, especially with their habanero "Hell XXpress" sauce. The twenty or so beers ...