<p>So where is a good place to take our students (and their roommates) out to dinner when we are in Chapel Hill?</p>
<p>[Let</a> me google that for you](<a href=“http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Best+Restaurants+in+Chapel+Hill%2C+NC]Let”>http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Best+Restaurants+in+Chapel+Hill%2C+NC)</p>
<p>Yes, thanks, but I didn’t get much by googling “restaurants in chapel hill that other college student parents have had reason to return to with their students, and the reasons they liked those restaurants.”</p>
<p>GrizzMom,
Chapel Hill has lots of very good restaurants. A favorite of everyone’s is Crook’s Corner, where you can get gourmet southern food (their shrimp and grits is the original and fabulous) and simpler things like burgers. </p>
<p>There’s good Italian food at 411 Franklin St. and Vespa, a great new Indian restaurant called Mint, and a fun and elegant (slightly Mediterranean?) place “Spice Street” at the mall. If you like Asian, Lantern and Jujube are the best but pricey.</p>
<p>My students sometimes tell me they take their parents to Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill but these places are all much nicer. ;)</p>
<p>The two fancy hotels in town are the Carolina Inn and the Sienna and both have very good restaurants but are much more formal than the other places and not nearly as much fun. </p>
<p>And there’s always Mama Dip’s!</p>
<p>Thanks, Skie!</p>
<p>Top of the Hill. Chapel Hill landmark and a great way to introduce your students to Franklin Street. </p>
<p>Would also second 411 and Vespa. Still, Top of the Hill is pretty much recognized as THE place to go in Chapel Hill if you are looking to do something special.</p>
<p>We had diner at Top of the Hill twice when down for visits and really enjoyed it both times.</p>
<p>Yes, great scene at Top of the Hill.</p>
<p>Here’s a great overview:</p>
<p>[Matt</a> Barrett’s Favorite Chapel Hill-Carrboro Restaurants](<a href=“http://www.northcarolinatravels.com/food/chapelhill-carrboro-restaurant-reviews/index.htm]Matt”>http://www.northcarolinatravels.com/food/chapelhill-carrboro-restaurant-reviews/index.htm)</p>
<p>We really like 411 West for a nice dinner, Mama Dips and Crooks Corner or Millhouse on Franklin St in Carrboro for a more casual dinner. Spanky’s is a very good lunch spot and full of Carolina sports caricatures. Another good lunch spot is the Weathervane which is located inside “A Southern Season” which is a mom’s must see CH destination.</p>
<p>Another VERY good restaurant we discovered for commencement weekend is Pazzo which has a very good Italian restaurant on one side and a pizzeria on the other side. It’s on the other side of Chapel Hill…not heading towards Durham but well worth the 10 minute drive…wish we had found it sooner.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.pazzo-restaurant.com/[/url]”>http://www.pazzo-restaurant.com/</a></p>
<p>Spanky’s, Carolina Brewery, or if you’re looking for something more ethnic try Lime and Basil for some awesome Vietnamese cuisine.</p>
<p>Spanky’s is the college classic, especially if you can snag a table by the window and people watch. Top of the Hill is a newer classic–sometimes a long wait, but worth it–ask for a table outside. If you want to go really all out, drive about 15 minutes south of Chapel Hill to Fearrington Village for dinner (better make reservations).</p>
<p>Mama Dips and Crook’s Corner are tooooo good - dips is more traditional southern, crook’s corner is southern maverick style.</p>
<p>I think Top’o and Spanky’s are just medicore. So sue me!</p>
<p>Millhouse is great for beer lovers.</p>
<p>lime and basil is super duper good though i’ve only gone once with ms. heather gee :)</p>
<p>Cloying it’s Milltown silly!</p>
<p>And I remember that time at Lime and Basil very well :)</p>
<p>I was just at Lime & Basil yesterday. It is very goooood! If you like sushi, Shiki Sushi is pretty good (which is actually in Durham about 10 minutes away but well worth the drive) and is buy one roll get one free.</p>
<p>Second everything Cloying said- she’s kinda a genius…</p>
<p>Ha ha! Sounds like Miss Cloying enjoyed the beer at Milltown/ Millhouse just a bit too much! You girls make me laugh, but I truly do appreciate your advice. :)</p>
<p>I sometimes eat at Mediterranean Deli while visiting friends in Chapel Hill. Med Deli has delicious food. :D</p>
<p>[Mediterranean</a> Deli](<a href=“http://www.mediterraneandeli.com/index.html]Mediterranean”>http://www.mediterraneandeli.com/index.html)</p>
<p>I ALWAYS say Millhouse on accident!! Like the character on the Simpsons.</p>
<p>Med Deli is so so good.</p>
<p>If you like pizza go to Peppers and hope you get that crazy waiter, I think his name is Bartholomew. Does anyone know who I’m talking about?</p>
<p>i can vouch for pepper. i went there when i visited and it was really good</p>
<p>pizza = I love NY Pizza or Franklin St. Pizza & Pasta. Peppers is okay…but these are more everyday kind of places.</p>
<p>If u wanna go somewhere nice, definetely give Top of the Hill a try, its a classic with a great view of Franklin St.</p>
<p>Spanky’s is also very good.</p>
<p>Of course if you want true college experience, B-Ski’s at 3 in the morning or Time-Out at 2:00 AM…lol</p>