Best of Chapel Hill

Best of Chapel Hill 2023 Awards

*All results listed in alphabetical order. The presence of five winners indicates a tie.

Every year, we ask our readers to vote on the best of the best in Orange County, North Carolina – from Chapel Hill to Carrboro to Hillsborough. We tally those responses and share the results of our readers' favorite spots for dining, entertainment, shopping and much more. Whether you're a local or just visiting, you're sure to find something to suit your interests and preferences as you explore the best of our amazing communities.

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Arts & Entertainment

Art Gallery
Ackland Art Museum
FRANK Gallery
Hillsborough Gallery of Arts
Peel

Group Outing
The Baxter
Beer Study
The Mardi Gras Bowling Center
Wine & Design Chapel Hill

Movie Theater
Chelsea Theater
The Lumina
Silverspot Cinema
Varsity Theatre

Museum
Ackland Art Museum
Carolina Basketball Museum
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

Performing Arts Venue
The ArtsCenter
Forest Theatre
Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts)
PlayMakers Repertory Company

Place to Hear Live Music
Cat’s Cradle
The Kraken
Memorial Hall (Carolina Performing Arts)
Southern Village

Place to Host a Children’s Birthday Party
1870 Farm
Kidzu Children’s Museum
The Lumina
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center

Summer Camp
1870 Farm
Kidzu Children’s Museum
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center
School of Rock Chapel Hill

Retail

Gift Store
Dwell
SallyMack Life Furnishings
The Shrunken Head Boutique
This & That Gift Gallery

Place for Glasses
20/20 Eyeworks
Carrboro Family Vision
Chapel Hill Eyecare
Chapel Hill Ophthalmology

Place for Beauty Products
Aesthetic Solutions
Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
Ulta Beauty

Store for UNC Gear
Chapel Hill Sportswear
Johnny T-shirt
The Shrunken Head Boutique
UNC Student Stores

Home Furnishings and Accessories
Dwell
Re-Invintaged Home Decor & More
SallyMack Life Furnishings
Whitehall Antiques

Fashion Jewelry
Light Years
Sofia’s Boutique
Whilden
WomanCraft Gifts

Fine Jewelry
Creative Metalsmiths
Melissa Designer Jewelry
Olmaz Jewelers
Wentworth & Sloan

Women’s Boutique
Monkee’s of Chapel Hill
Rumors
Sofia’s Boutique
Uniquities
Whilden

Children’s Store
Ali Cat Toys
Glee Kids
Lucky Dancewear
Puddle Baby

Consignment/Resale Store
CommunityWorx Thrift Shop
My Secret Closet
Rumors
The Stock Exchange

Bookstore
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
Flyleaf Books
McIntyre’s Books
Purple Crow Books

Picture Framing Services
The Frame & Print Shop
Higgins & Myers Custom Framing & Fine Art Gallery
Studio 71
Yesterday and Today Frame Shop

Pet Store
Feeders Pet Supply
Hollywood Feed
Paws at the Corner
Petco

Bike Shop
Back Alley Bikes
The Bicycle Chain
The Clean Machine
Trek Bicycle Chapel Hill

Shopping Experience
Carr Mill Mall
Downtown Franklin Street
Eastgate Crossing
Southern Village

Services

New Business
Blo Blow Dry Bar
Dwell
Golden Fig Books
Lucky Dancewear

Hotel
The Carolina Inn
The Colonial Inn
The Fearrington House Inn
The Siena Hotel

Event Space
Blue Hill Event Center
The Carolina Inn
Governors Club
Lavender Oaks Farm
The Parlour at Manns Chapel

Event Planner
Bess and Beau Event Design
The Carolina Inn
Michele Leighton, Governors Club

Bank
Coastal Credit Union
Pinnacle Financial Partners
State Employees’ Credit Union
Truist

Dermatologist/Cosmetic Services
Aesthetic Solutions
Chapel Hill Dermatology
Dermatology & Laser Center of Chapel Hill
UNC Chapel Hill Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center

Plastic Surgeon
Finn Plastic Surgery
Greg Ruff, MD
UNC Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Pharmacy
501 Pharmacy
Carrboro Family Pharmacy
Hillsborough Pharmacy and Nutrition
Southern Village Pharmacy

Optometrist/Ophthalmologist
Carrboro Family Vision
Chapel Hill Eyecare
Chapel Hill Ophthalmology
UNC Kittner Eye Center

Chiropractor
Carolina Spine Specialists
Ignite Wellness Chiropractic Center
North Carolina Chiropractic
Swiss Chiropractic Clinique

Pediatrician/Family Medicine
Avance Care South Chapel Hill
Carrboro Pediatrics & Internal Medicine
Chapel Hill Children and Adolescents’ Clinic
Chapel Hill Pediatrics & Adolescents

Hearing Care Provider
Audibel Hearing Center
North Carolina Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat
UNC Hearing and Communication Center
UNC Hospitals Hearing and Voice Center at Carolina Crossing

Physical Therapy
EmergeOrtho Chapel Hill
Empower Pelvic Floor Physical Therapy
UNC Hospitals ACC Physical Therapy
UNC Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Urgent Care
Duke Urgent Care Hillsborough
IndyCare Hillsborough
UNC Urgent Care at Hillsborough
UNC Urgent Care at The Family Medicine Center

Hair Salon
Citrine Salon
Mina’s Studio
Salon Breeze
Syd’s Hair Shop

Nail Salon
Bliss Nail Bar
Dwell Studio Spa
Le’s Sanctuary Nail Spa
Rose Nails

Spa
Hillsborough Spa and Day Retreat
Medical Day Spa of Chapel Hill
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
The Spa at Fearrington

Waxing Salon
Aesthetics By Dana
Monarch Brow & Facial Studio
Waxing the City
Wax Poetic

Barbershop
Chapel Hill Barber Shop
Clark’s Barber Style
Edge Salon & Wellness
Friendly Barber Shop

Automotive Services/Repairs
Auto Logic
Brown’s Automotive
Chapel Hill Tire Car Care
Sturdivant’s Tire Pros & Auto

Veterinarian
Carrboro Plaza Veterinary Clinic
Cole Park Veterinary Hospital
Meadowmont Animal Hospital
VCA Timberlyne Animal Hospital

Pet Boarding
Doggie Spa & Day Care
Dogwood Veterinary Hospital & Pet Resort
Green Beagle Lodge
Top Dog Training & Resort

Pet Sitting
Kate’s Critter Care
Kimie’s Kritters
Laughing Dog Pet Care
Walk & Wag

Pet Trainer
Cheery Dogs Dog Training
Laughing Dog Pet Care
Paw In Hand Dog Training
Paws4ever

Cleaners
A Cleaner World
Cole Park Cleaners
McPherson Cleaners
Perfect Image Cleaners

Place to Go for Alterations
Anna’s Tailor and Alterations
Cynthia’s Tailor Shop
MTHU Oriental Tailors
Webster’s Cleaners

Sports Club
Chapel Hill Country Club
Chapel Hill Tennis Club
Governors Club
Orange County Sportsplex

Fitness Facility
Chapel Hill Training
CrossFit Chapel Hill
CrossFit HTS
Duke Center For Living
UNC Wellness Center at Meadowmont

Dance Studio
The Ballet School of Chapel Hill
Renner Dance Company
To The Pointe Dance & Kids Care
Triangle Youth Ballet

Yoga Studio
Carrboro Yoga Company
Dogwood Studio
Franklin Street Yoga Center
Thousand Petals Yoga

Pilates Studio
Carolina Core Pilates
Club Pilates
FlowCORPS
Pilates at Studio 8

Martial Arts
Beacon Mixed Martial Arts and Fitness
Chapel Hill Quest Martial Arts
Seven Star Kung Fu Academy
United Tae Kwon Do Academy

Boutique Fitness
barre3
Eat the Frog Fitness
Pure Barre Chapel Hill
SPENGA Chapel Hill

Child Care
Chapel Hill Cooperative Preschool
Community School for People Under Six
Courtney’s Drop In Kids Care
The Learning Experience - Chapel Hill

Financial Advisor/Investment Firm
Atlantic Private Wealth
Charles Schwab
Edward Jones
Phoenix Wealth Advisors

Mortgage Company
Carolina Ventures Mortgage
CIMG Residential Mortgage
Pinnacle Financial Partners
SECU

Accounting Firm
Blackman & Sloop
Coleman Huntoon & Brown PLLC
Gina DeVine, CPA
Joel L. Levy CPA, PLLC

Insurance Agent/Firm
Chan Wright Insurance Agency
High & Rubish Insurance Agency
Ola Stinnett State Farm
Pam Herndon State Farm Insurance Agency
Seagroves Insurance

Home Health Care
Acorn Home Care Services, Inc.
Home Instead
UNC Home Health
Visiting Angels

Dining

New Eatery or Bar

Bluebird
Breakaway Cafe
Flying Biscuit Café
Piero’s Pasta & Wine

Overall Restaurant
Bluebird
Hawthorne & Wood
Lantern
Market and Moss

Asian
Cham Thai
elements
Jujube
Lantern
Thai Station

Indian
CholaNad Restaurant & Bar
Lime & Lemon Indian Grill & Bar
Tandoor Indian Restaurant
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café

Italian
411 West
Osteria Georgi
Pizzeria Mercato
Tarantini Italian Restaurant

Mexican/Latin American
bartaco
Carrburritos
Fiesta Grill
Monterrey Mexican Grill

Queso
Armadillo Grill
Carrburritos
Fiesta Grill
Monterrey Mexican Grill

Comfort Food/Southern Cuisine
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Merritt’s Grill
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

Barbecue
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Hillsborough BBQ Company
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
The Pig

Pizza
Coronato Pizza
Italian Pizzeria III
Napoli Pizzeria & Gelateria
Pizzeria Mercato

Sushi
Akai Hana
IZA Whiskey and Eats
Mr. Tokyo Japanese Restaurant
Spicy 9 Sushi Bar & Asian Restaurant

Seafood
Hawthorne & Wood
Kipos Greek Taverna
Nantucket Grill
Squid’s

Mediterranean
CAVA
Kipos Greek Taverna
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
Talulla’s

Steak
Bin 54 Steak & Cellar
Farm House Restaurant
Hawthorne & Wood
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill

Burger
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns
Hawthorne & Wood
Town Hall Burger & Beer

Fries
Al’s Burger Shack
Buns
Glasshalfull
Linda’s Bar & Grill

Sandwich
Breakaway Cafe
Merritt’s Grill
Neal’s Deli
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering

Vegetarian/Healthy Food
Coco Bistro & Bar
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
The Purple Bowl
Weaver Street Market

Coffee Shop
Caffé Driade
Epilogue Books Chocolate Brews
Gray Squirrel Coffee Co.
Open Eye Cafe

Tea
Caffé Driade
The Carolina Inn
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Krave
Tea Hill

Upscale Restaurant
Bluebird
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Hawthorne & Wood
Oakleaf

Wings
Bonchon
Heavenly Buffaloes
The Town Hall Grill
The Wooden Nickel Public House

Fried Chicken
Dame’s Chicken & Waffles
Mama Dip’s Kitchen
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen
Time-Out Restaurant

Biscuits
Flying Biscuit Café
Neal’s Deli
Rise Southern Biscuits & Righteous Chicken
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen

Ice Cream/Frozen Yogurt
La Vita Dolce
Maple View Farm
Whit’s Frozen Custard
Yogurt Pump

Desserts/Pastries
Even Dough
Guglhupf Bake Shop
Nantucket Grill
Sari Sari Sweets

Breakfast
Brandwein’s Bagels
Breadman’s
Breakaway Cafe
First Watch

Brunch
Acme Food & Beverage Company
Bluebird
Crossroads Chapel Hill
Tandem Carrboro

Place to Watch the Game
Carolina Brewery
Hickory Tavern
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
The Town Hall Grill

Place for a Date Night
Hawthorne & Wood
Lantern
Market and Moss
Tesoro

Outdoor Dining
Glasshalfull
Kipos Greek Taverna
Market and Moss
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Kid-Friendly Restaurant
Al’s Burger Shack
The Loop Restaurant
Sutton’s Drug Store
Weaver Street Market

Spot for a Business Lunch
Crossroads Chapel Hill
Glasshalfull
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Chef
Sera Cuni, The Root Cellar
Dan Jackson, Osteria Georgi
Sarah Catherine Monk, Market and Moss
Brandon Sharp, Bluebird/Hawthorne & Wood

Overall Service
411 West
Governors Club
Hawthorne & Wood
Market and Moss

Host/Server
Paula Gilland, The Purple Bowl
Heather Hayes, Bluebird
Britton Murray, The Wooden Nickel Public House
David Wood, Governors Club

Food Truck
Chirba Chirba Dumpling Truck
Garnachas Rivera
Latin Grill Taco Truck
Ta Contento Mex Fresh Food

Local Food Product
Boxcarr Handmade Cheese
Chapel Hill Creamery cheese
Chapel Hill Toffee
Maple View Farm ice cream

Local Beverage Product
Boro Beverage kombucha
Botanist and Barrel ciders
Carolina Brewery Sky Blue Kölsch
TOPO Brewery Bell Tower Blueberry Wheat

Brewery
Carolina Brewery
Gizmo Brew Works
Steel String Brewery
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Wine, Beer and/or Spirits Shop
Beer Study
Chapel Hill Wine Company
Rocks + Acid Wine Shop
winestore. Chapel Hill

Place for a Cocktail
Belltree Cocktail Club
The Crunkleton
Glasshalfull
Market and Moss

Wine Selection at a Restaurant
Bin 54 Steak & Cellar
The Fearrington House Restaurant
Glasshalfull
Hawthorne & Wood

Draft Beer Selection
Beer Study
The Casual Pint
Franklin Motors
The Wooden Nickel Public House

Late-Night Eats
Cosmic Cantina
Linda’s Bar and Grill
The Northside District
Time-Out Restaurant

Takeout
Big Bob’s City Grill
Carrburritos
Coco Bistro & Bar
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering

Gluten-Free Options
Coco Bistro & Bar
Glasshalfull
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
The Purple Bowl

Dog-Friendly Restaurant or Patio
401 Main
Coco Bistro & Bar
Dingo Dog Brewing Company
The Spotted Dog

Chain Restaurant
bartaco
CAVA
Jersey Mike’s Subs
Stoney River Steakhouse and Grill

Restaurant Catering
Brandwein’s Bagels
Italian Pizzeria III
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
Vimala’s Curryblossom Café

Full-Service Catering
Beau Catering
Chapel Hill Restaurant Group
JMS Catering
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering

Home & Garden

Neighborhood
Briar Chapel
Governors Club
Morgan Creek
Southern Village

Architect
Paces and Roehm Architecture
Shaw Design Associates
Sophie Piesse Architect
Steven Clipp Architecture

Landscaper
Amy Strunk Designs
Farmhouse Lawn & Landscape
Landscape Logic
O’Mara Landscaping & Lawn Care

Residential Builder
Bold Construction
The Rexford Group
Will Johnson Building Company
Zinn Design Build

Large-Scale Residential Builder
David Weekley Homes
Groundstone Homes
Homes By Dickerson
Saussy Burbank

Commercial Builder
Choate Construction
Kennedy Building Company
Northwood Ravin
RESOLUTE Building Company

Interior Designer
Cat French Design
Chartreuse Design
Debra Zinn Interiors
emma delon

Kitchen/Bath Designer
Cederberg Kitchens + Renovations
Ferguson Bath, Kitchen & Lighting Gallery
Kitchen & Bath Galleries
Will Johnson Building Company

Home Maintenance & Repair
Boer Brothers Heating & Cooling
Bud Matthews Services
Carrboro Plumbing Inc.
Sparrow & Sons Plumbing & Heating

Home Painter
CertaPro Painters
Ramirez Painting & Pressure Washing
Silvestre Painting
Tar Heel Painters

Florist
Chapel Hill Florist
Purple Puddle
University Florist
Victoria Park Florist

Garden & Hardware Store
Fifth Season Gardening Company
Fitch Lumber & Hardware
Southern States
Town & Country Hardware

Realtor
Rose Farrales, Bold Real Estate
Scott Kelley, Governors Club Realty
Alex Nickodem, Terra Nova Global Properties
Inna Shapiro, Keller Williams Realty

Realty Company
Bold Real Estate
Erika & Co.
Just Be Home Realty
Terra Nova Global Properties

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