Best of Chapel Hill 2024

June 1, 2023

The results are in! Many of our Downtown Chapel Hill businesses received top honors in this year’s “Best Of Chapel Hill” issue by Chapel Hill Magazine , including  Downtown Chapel Hill  as one of the best Overall Shopping Experiences! The publication asks readers to vote for their favorite restaurants, bars, retail shops, movie theaters, fitness centers, and more. More than 60,000 votes came in this year for over 400 categories. Some of our merchants were also feature stories! Take a look at spreads covering Karen Cunningham of Simply Audrey , Katy Poitras and Ilene Speizer of Cat Tales Cat Cafe , and a story on Morehead Planetarium’s 75th anniversary. Keep scrolling to see the Downtown winners!

Dining

Barbecue
Mama Dip’s Kitchen

Breakfast
Brandwein’s Bagels

Brewery
Carolina Brewery
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Brunch
Carolina Coffee Shop

Burger
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns

Chef
Andrea Reusing, Lantern

Cocktails
The Crunkleton

Comfort Food/Southern Cuisine
Mama Dip’s Kitchen

Craft Beverages
Boro Beverage Company – kombucha
Carolina Brewery – Sky Blue Kolsch
Top of the Hill – Bell Tower Blueberry Wheat

Draft Beer Selection
Beer Study
Carolina Brewery
Franklin Motors

Food Truck
Roquette at Franklin Motors

Fried Chicken
Bonchon
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Time-Out Restaurant

Fries
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns
Heavenly Buffaloes

Full-Service Catering
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering

Gluten-Free Options
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
The Purple Bowl

Host/Server
Paula Gilland, The Purple Bowl

Ice Cream
The Yogurt Pump

Indian
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar
Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe

Italian
Italian Pizzeria III

Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Al’s Burger Shack
Italian Pizzeria III

Late-Night Eats
Cosmic Cantina
The Northside District
Sup Dogs
Time-Out Restaurant

Local Food Product
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering – pita bread

Mediterranean
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
Talulla’s

Mexican/Latin American
Que Chula Tacos

Pizza
Italian Pizzeria III

Place for a Date Night
Lantern

Queso
Que Chula Tacos

Restaurant Catering
Brandwein’s Bagels
Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe

Spot for a Business Lunch
Crossroads at The Carolina Inn

Sushi
Spicy 9 Sushi Bar & Asian Restaurant

Tea
Tea Hill

Vegetarian/Healthy Food
Vimala’s Curryblossom Cafe

Wine and/or Beer Shop
Beer Study

Wings
Bonchon
Heavenly Buffaloes

Home & Garden

Florist
University Florist

Real Estate Company
Hodge & Kittrell Sotheby’s International Realty

Retail

Bike Shop
The Bicycle Chain

Bookstore
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews

Consignment/Resale Store
Rumors

Fashion Jewelry
Light Years

Fine Jewelry
Creative Metalsmiths

Shopping Experience
Downtown Chapel Hill

Store for UNC Gear
Chapel Hill Sportswear
Johnny T-Shirt
The Shrunken Head

Women’s Boutique
Simply Audrey
Uniquities

Services

Alterations
Cynthia’s Tailor Shop

Automotive Services/Repairs
Chapel Hill Tire Car Care Center

Event Planner
The Carolina Inn

Event Space
The Carolina Inn

Fitness Facility
Chapel Hill Training

Hair Studio
To The Woods

Hotel
AC Hotel by Marriott Chapel Hill Downtown
The Carolina Inn

Nail Salon
Bliss Nail Bar

Yoga Studio
Franklin Street Yoga Center

Arts & Entertainment

Art Gallery:
Ackland Art Museum

Group Outing
The Baxter
Cat Tales Cat Cafe
Tar Heel Escapes

Movie Theater
Varsity Theatre

Museum
Ackland Art Museum
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

May 1, 2024
Veterans and current members of the US military are eligible for discounts at the following Downtown Chapel Hill restaurants: Bandido’s: 15% Ben & Jerry’s: 15% Bonchon: 10% Brandweins Bagels: 10% Bul Box: 15% Carolina Brewery: 10% Carolina Coffee Shop: 10% Cholanad: 12% Cosmic Cantina: 10% Crumbl: 10% Might As Well: 10% Raising Cane’s: 10% Vegan Flava: 13% *Be prepared to show your veteran/military ID
March 1, 2024
By Weller Maret, Sean Doyle, and Kee Griffith
January 1, 2024
Following our 2020 Action Plan, we’ve researched and developed recommendations for a social host ordinance alongside community partners. We’re sharing this with the Town of Chapel Hill Town Council in the form of a petition. Town petition status can be checked here. CCC-Social-Host-Ordinance-Petition-FAQ-2024.01.17Download
July 1, 2023
The 2023 FC Series is coming to Chapel Hill! Chelsea and Wrexham will square off on Wednesday, July 19 at 7:30 pm. The match quickly sold out, so we expect over 60,000 fans, players, coaches, and staff to fill up Kenan Stadium. For those who could not purchase tickets, we’ve got you covered! Catch the game at one of our downtown bars or restaurants. Here are some local spots hosting watch parties and offering specials:
June 5, 2023
By Mae Golden
June 1, 2023
This summer, go off the beaten path and explore the west end of downtown Chapel Hill. West Franklin and Rosemary contain world-class dining options and unique retail shops. Moreover, town-operated downtown parking is free on weekends in June and July!
June 1, 2023
Summer is the time to get outside and embark on exciting adventures. Join us this summer and experience downtown Chapel Hill to the fullest – from the popular places you love on East Franklin to the hidden gems on the West end. Don’t worry when the temperature gets too high; “C’hill Out” and download your free pass to earn points as you explore and experience classic spots in downtown Chapel Hill!  See Participating Businesses FAQs What is C’Hill Out?C’Hill Out is the third in a series of mobile passes designed by Bandwango and the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership. The program encourages downtown visitors and residents to explore the area and rewards them for checking in and visiting various businesses. When do I start earning points?Once you have registered for an account, you can start checking in at various locations and earning points immediately. How can I earn points?Check-ins are worth 100 points; discount offers are also worth 100 points. Once you reach a certain amount of point totals, you’re eligible for the following prizes:
May 1, 2023
We want to build a visual identity for Chapel Hill that captures our community’s unique feel. Franklin Street has served as a social, economic, and cultural center for Chapel Hill since the 1790s. Downtown has grown to include Rosemary Street and several side streets. By carving out an identity, we seek to set the town apart from our neighbors and create a sense of community pride. We worked with Clean Agency to create the images below. All of the files are free to use. Stickers, patches, posters, anything! Be creative! We took inspiration from the official seal of the Town of Chapel Hill. Athena, the Goddess of Wisdom, symbolizes civilization, helpful knowledge, noble reasoning, and logic. She graces the Town logo to show the similarities between Chapel Hill, a community shaped by reason, research, and the arts, to ancient Athens. Another aspect of our community is the relaxed vibe! Chapel Hill is one of the three cities anchoring Research Triangle Park, each one with its own unique feel. Our area is thriving yet off the beaten path of the hustle and bustle of the Triangle region, so we tend to be more…chill. One thing we love in Chapel Hill: nostalgia. The retro feel evokes memories of live shows at Cat’s Cradle, slices of pizza from Pepper’s, hot dogs at Sutton’s, and cool treats from The Yogurt Pump. We love watching UNC alums and former residents return downtown and reminisce. Our community is growing in many ways, and there are fears that this growth will change who we are. This is understandable. But we’re confident we can keep these classic vibes as we enter a new era. We want everyone to feel welcome to these images. To receive image files, please contact Stephanie Cobert, Director of Marketing.
February 1, 2023
It’s a new era for classic businesses in downtown Chapel Hill! A strong downtown creates opportunities, culture, and innovation, which enhance the fabric of the community. Downtown Chapel Hill has experienced significant growth and the last year was a busy one! New retail shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants have opened their doors, while others are prepping their spaces to open soon. The COVID-19 pandemic created new challenges for our small business community. The Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership helped merchants directly meet some of these challenges. As a result, we believe that we are creating a downtown that locals can be proud of.
February 1, 2023
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! No, not Christmas; college basketball season! While a great season for the Tar Heel men’s and women’s basketball teams can be exciting, there are also some things to remember in order to stay safe while celebrating in Downtown Chapel Hill. Here are some tips for staying safe and having fun from your friends at the Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership, the Campus & Community Coalition , the Town of Chapel Hill , and UNC Student Wellness .
November 9, 2022
Excessive drinking leads to harm that often impacts the wider community, not just the drinker. This cost-of-illness analysis of excessive drinking in Orange County (OC), North Carolina uncovers just how much the community is paying, both literally and figuratively, for these behaviors. Excessive drinking cost OC $111.8 million in 2017 and is a leading cause of death in OC. The cost breakdown includes healthcare costs ($8.2 million), miscellaneous costs ($11.5 million), and productivity losses ($92.2 million). There were 234 alcohol-attributable emergency department visits and 237 alcohol-attributable hospitalizations involving both chronic and acute conditions. 15.9% of deaths in 2017 were due to excessive drinking, and those due to suicide and homicide largely impacted younger populations. While impactful, these analyses do not account for intangible losses like pain and suffering; excessive drinking impacts numerous aspects of society, and overall, the harms are preventable and can be mitigated.  CCC-The-Burden-of-Excessive-Drinking-in-Orange-County-NC-Final-ReportDownload
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