Chapel Hill restaurants always seem over-rated. Most are disappointments. Cholanad had okay food. Presentation was very nice. The long dosa is great. However, the potato curry served with the dosa was very stale and had an off taste and odour. The chef said it was prepared that same day and graciously gave us a replacement. The new plate still had the same issue though - the potato curry was tasting off and maladorous. It was probably a one time issue but we are hesitant to go there again. Prices are high too, for the usual Udupi fare. read more

Went in with a bunch of friends and ordered lots of food. We ordered the famous tiger dosa- it's a must try if you go in a big group. The fish entree that they serve on a banana leaf is out of the world. I ordered the bay of bengal cocktail which was pretty good. read more

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As a person from South India, specifically Tamil Nadu (Chola-Nadu), I can endorse that the specialties of the region Subash and his team serve are quite outstanding! I went back two days in a row for the fish, crab and paniyarams! Haven't bothered with the generic (read North Indian) food served, catering to the average American (and Indian?) palate, but have tried most of what originates in the South. The fish is simply superlative. So is the paniyaram (medieval rice balls?)! The medhu vada was a disappointment though! Falls miles behind the amazing sort one can find in Bangalore and Chennai. Hopefully they will improve. The Madurai Mutton Biryani rates highly. I presume some of the other tandoor varieties are good too, but at Cholanad, seek out what they are specially trying to offer you, gems from South India, esp. Tamil Nadu. Can't wait to try both veg and non veg thalis (feast / meal experience) on weekends. Breath of fresh air in terms of Indian restaurants. Two thumbs up. If weekend feast is great, will want to give at least 4.5 stars! read more

Decided to check out this place after a craving for some good old Indian food hit. It's one of the nice spots on Franklin Street. I liked the ambiance inside and it's a good place for a nice (semi fancy) dinner. The prices seem kind of steep but they also serve up huge portions and the food is on point. My friend and I shared a dosa and the chicken tikka and we loved both. The naan that comes with the curry is huge, which you can probably see from the pictures. It's kind of whimsical how huge it is. Cholanad is one of the favorites for just solid consistently good Indian food in the Durham/Chapel Hill area. I knocked a star off because our food took forever to come out and service was pretty slow (getting the check after, etc.). But besides that, if you're in the mood for Indian food, Cholanad is definitely worth trying. read more

I thoroughly enjoyed the food at Cholanad but not the service. I went with a group of four on a Sunday evening. Two of us arrived on time and were seated promptly. The other two members arrived within 10 minutes. We were given menus right away, but drink orders were not taken, and we did not even receive water, until the other two members of our party arrived. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food and was able to make recommendations and answer all our questions very well. She shared with us what she believed were three excellent appetizers (Samosas, Mutton, Lentil Fritters) so we ordered one of each. These were all wonderful. I didn't eat the mutton (I'm vegetarian) but everyone raved about it. For my meal, I had the potato dosa. It was huge but I managed to eat it all. It's a fun dish to order. Because it is a crepe it actually isn't as filling as it looks. It could have had more filling in it. The food was displayed very nicely, and the dosa came with three dipping sauces. There was a fourth container that was maybe a soup? I don't know. It was about the same size as the dipping sauces but hot. I have no idea what was in any of the containers because at this point out serve had disappeared. By the time she resurfaced I had finished my meal so it no longer mattered. I enjoyed two of the three dipping sauces. I think the one I didn't care for was coconut based and this was just a personal preference. If you like coconut, you'd probably enjoy this sauce. Once our server disappeared - which was after taking our order - drink refills came to a halt. One member also did not get a bowl of rice. Someone stopped by our table and said he was trying to locate our server for us. Apparently no one knew where she had run off too???? He got her the missing bowl of rice. I had initially asked our server if my dish could be made spicy and was told no. However, she said she could bring me a bowl of chilis on the side when it was served. I agreed to this, but the chilis were not brought out. By the time the issue could be addressed it didn't matter anymore. So in the end, the reason I'm giving this four stars is for the food alone. The service was maybe a two-star. I also wish there were options to make the food spicier. My dosa was great, and I highly recommend it, but it was on the bland side. I would go back and give this place one more try to see if the service is any better. read more

This is an overrated restaurant with arrogant staff. Used to be lot better. Food quality has gone down and staffs arrogance has gone up. Not worth it. read more

This place makes absurdly delicious South Indian food. Here is why this is a big deal: 1) South Indian cuisine is not common in the US since most "Indian" places feature North Indian dishes. 2) It is also not as popular since it is at least 2-5 times more spicy than North Indian cuisine. 3) The places that serve South Indian usually are abysmally dismal not only by taste but also by presentation and decor. So imagine my surprise and absolute thrill to find a place that not only has a tasteful decor and chic atmosphere but also serves amazingly sumptuous dishes from appetizers to entrees to desserts. And their servers and wait staff are quite accommodating and very attentive. As far as recommendations go, I would highly recommend their mutton biryani if you don't mind your dishes a bit spicy. The chicken tikka is a classic as usual but their steamed fish (in banana leaf) is quite amazing! Definitely try it with pomfret instead of another white fish. Try their Medhu vada (lentil fritter) and samosa for appetizers....pretty good. And Everything on their dessert menu is mouth-watering but if you had to choose, my bias would lean toward their carrot halwa. But if too sweet or hot (temperature-wise) is not your MO, go with the pistachio or mango kulfi. A trip to cholanad won't disappoint for sure!!! read more

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Had lunch and it was really good. Ate the Chicken Chettinad along with Chana Masala, Gulab Jamun and naan flat bread. The chicken was tender and moist, spicy but not too hot. The Gulab was great, just honey sweet. read more

I've had dinner at Cholanad a number of times and have never gone wrong. Good Indian food all around... highly recommended.

If a manager is a horrible person, treats people terrible, and has zero ethics, I don't care about his food. The food was not even that good when I went there. But the predetory agreement with George's Towing... Just read reviews of George's. So it's more important for him to maintain a business relationship with a predator and show disdain for his own customers (and read Cholanads reviews and his replies) than to care about his reviews and how many people may not go into his restaurant. Simple. DON'T GO THERE because of his money making agreement with an uncaringed towing company and his rudeness towards his customers. I guess the parking makes him more money read more

This is the worst experience ever. The food order was wrong, the costumer service was bad. We will never be back to this place. No wonder it was empty. I can't believe they are still open. read more

Had an enjoyable dinner at the bar here. For such a narrow building, they have the space broken up pretty well so that it includes a bar area, some smaller tables to one side, then some tables for larger parties including an enormous banquette along the back. They have a beer tap that includes rotating IPAs and a pretty good selection of wines by the glass. The menu has enough variety to let you have some choice without being overwhelming. We tried the shrimp and scallop skewers coated with a warm spice and roasted in the tandoori. Very nice spice blend, but the scallops did better in the oven so I think I might get all scallops instead of a mix next time. Also had to try the chicken tikka masala--it was different than most I've had. It wasn't as tomato-y and the spice blend was close to a chili base; it had a strong cumin flavor. It was also the perfect level of heat--just enough to leave a tingle. The bartender told us the process for their spice grinding and blending, which they do in-house. It sounds very complicated, but it's worth it in the end, because the seasonings were terrific. I really enjoyed their naan as well--light and nicely chewy. The presentation is fairly casual, as the plates look like something you may be served in someone's home. (I don't know this for a fact, since I've never been served Indian food in someone's home, but that's the impression I got.) But the flavors were great. The prices are right in line with Mint down the street, though the portions are a bit smaller. read more

Cholanad - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I would have gone all out and given 5 star only if the staff would have been prompt in seating us. We had to wait 5 minutes in a fairly empty restaurant which was a good first impression. Interior was warm and on intimate side quiet unlike Indian restaurants. Our server was delightful and knowledgable about the menu items. The menu is quiet extensive and is mix of South and North Indian delicacies and some really creative options as well. The food was spectacular and the plating up was even better and made even the regular stuff like vadai look pretty. Between me and my husband we order two appetizers and 2 entrees. Believe me we thought we were hungry but the portion sizes are quiet good and we wanted to try as many things as we can as the menu was so interesting. We are definitely going back..Soon. P.S.- Pepper Chicken and Andhra Style eggs (really hot) are highly recommended. read more

It's well worth a visit. Their dosa for 4 people are great. Not just for looks but stuffing is great too. The price is quite reasonable. I loved other dishes too on the menu. They are well made and well thought out. This is probably the best Indian restaurant in chapel hill. read more

Cholanad and Raaga make for my two favorite Indian places in the triangle. Both are very different. Cholanad specializes in more of the South Indian region with delicious dosas. If you have a group, try the 4ft tiger dosa! The crepe even on the giant dosa is thin and crispy and they fill it very generously. We also enjoyed how many interesting veggie options the have, such as the tikka Masala Brussel sprouts. The Masala navratan tartlets are a great appetizer and I really like the andra eggs. The spiced baby eggplants are also very tasty. They'll warn you they're spicy but they are not too spicy, just very well seasoned. Lots of flavor!! The veggie thali is also great if you want a variety and can't decide. Plus it comes with gulab jamun (fried "donut holes" in rose water syrup) for dessert. So many great options; love bringing guests here. There's lots of good restaurants in the triangle, many I've only been to once in spite of being good. Cholanad is somewhere I repeat visit. It's a date place. A birthday place. A girls night out place. An I'm starving and want good Indian food place. It's just really good. My only gripe is the servers take your order on an iPad, so it makes me feel like they are messing on an iPad instead of listening to my order. That's more of a management problem than a service problem. The menu here isn't complicated enough for the servers to need that kind of tech. Just write it down and make eye contact! There's dedicated parking by the mellow mushroom, but going anywhere in downtown CH on a weekend can be a parking challenge. I'm lucky and can bike! read more

Cholanad is another upscale Indian restaurant in Chapel Hill (there are quite a few, I guess there's a huge demand). The interior is great--simple and full of light! The service is also excellent; prompt and knowledgeable without being overbearing. I love all sorts of Indian food, so I asked the waiter what he'd recommend. He said the biryani was the best thing on the menu in his opinion, and one of the best on the East Coast. With that introduction, I had to get it. It didn't disappoint (although I think I like some other Indian dishes better, in general). It was HUGE--definitely three servings!!! I also tried some of the chicken 65, which was also very good. read more

He said: We got the samosa chat app. Brilliant dish design. Delicious. The place has coke zero. Waitress knowledgeable and friendly. This is not your buffet Indian joint. The food was really quite good, but it nearly crossed over into fussy - nearly. The place has a real high-end feel with fancy silverware and the waitress placing your order on an iPad. The food is similarly "fancy." It was tasty though. She said: This was a "higher end" Indian restaurant. There was nothing typical about the menu. The food was very good. The restaurant was quite modern (not the most comfortable place, but not bad either). The staff was very friendly (which I didn't expect in this atmosphere). I would definitely go back. This was very interesting food and I'd be happy to explore their menu more. (Take a look for yourself: http://www.cholanad.com/Indian-Fine-Dining.html) read more

My husband and I dined here on a Saturday night. We started with the garlic naan and my husband had an authentic Indian beer. My husband ordered the spice encrusted scallops and asked for them super spicy, he almost licked his plate. I ended up ordering the thali cholanad basically the Indian sampler as a last min decision because I was confused and our waiter was not really helpful on which decision to go, not the restaurants fault! I ended up enjoying my meal very much and the chef even came out to tell us they were short staffed and at that point he even went over the sauces and prepared items, I felt very special. Something out of the ordinary for my husband and I but we were so glad we choose to dine here. read more

Cholanad - Garlic naan and authentic Indian beer - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Fine Indian dining. If you want to have a good evening out with your significant other. Very flavorful. Not your usual curry house. Good ambience. A Franklin st gem. A treat for me having returned to CH after a decade! read more

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We've been on the lookout for a good Indian restaurant. Cholanad is the best by far. We had the Samosa Chat as an appetizer. Even though it's vegetarian, it's excellent! My husband had the Lamb Rogan Josh with rice and Naan bread. He had to pay extra for the rice since it wasn't included in the meal ($1) - not worth complaining about. I had the Spicy Fish Mango Red Curry. It wasn't so spicy that I couldn't taste the food - it was perfect for that dish. The staff was very accommodating and professional. The chef came out to greet us and ask how everything was which was nice. The ambiance was right and although the seating is a bit close we were able to have a good conversation. There's free parking on-site, a big plus near a college campus. *We visited Cholanad during the Christmas break so I'm sure that cut the crowd by half. In the future I would eat there earlier to avoid the crowds. read more

This is the second time we have gone and the few remains outstanding. We went with another couple and the appetizers and dishes were varied from standard fare to vegetarian to extra hot. All were delicious. The owner chef spoke with us a few times and was insightful and grear. Ambience, decor and service was also top rate. Probably the best authentic indian food in the area. You will not be disappointed. Also they have parking next to the building that is FREE! read more

I give this one five stars the food was very good to excellent particularly the appetizer sampler. But what made it 5 Stars was our waiter Brad who was excellent courteous kind and caring. If you're in Chapel Hill have dinner here if you like Indian food read more

Cholanad - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This is my favorite upscale Indian food in the area. The Thali sampler platter was delicious! Great dish if you want to try a bunch of different things. The mojitos were also great and only $6. read more

Cholanad - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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The husband and I went on a Wednesday night and had reservations at 7pm. It is a lovely restaurant and the staff was nice and professional. If you like Indian food, you will LOVE this place. I like Indian food and have frequented a couple places in the Triangle, but this is by far the best I've had and on of the best meals I've had in a long long time. We got a bottle of red; their wine menu is priced very well. Started with an appetizer: Samosa Chaat. Delicious. For our entrees my husband had the Chicken Tikka Masala and I had the Tandoori Scallop & Shrimp. Every single bite was delicious. The naan that came with the masala was so good. We were beyond full and yet wanted to order dessert to top off an already fantastic meal. We had the Gulab Jamon, which is a doughnut soaked in a mint syrup. What a great way to end this dining experience. The chef came out and spoke to us and we asked him about how he made the naan and the special oven they built. He was very kind and sent us home with some extra naan and masala sauce. I give it 5 stars for how great the food, service, prices, and ambiance are. read more

I'm from NYC and this is one of the best Indian places I've ever been to. The dosas are unbelievable. The veggie masala appetizer I had was great, and my parents loved their chicken and shrimp. Having everything labeled as vegan (or vegetarian) was super helpful and the waitress and bartender were very knowledgable about what was free of animal products. If you are vegan, this is the place to go. If you love Indian food, this is also the place to go. read more

Dined here for the first time on a Saturday night and sadly it will also be our last. We waited several minutes at the host stand as she took a phone call while several servers milled about the bar doing nothing. Clearly, they do not work as a team here. Our waitress was fine, though we felt rushed to order even though many tables remained vacant during our visit. Taking a suggestion from a Yelper we ordered the Fish Tawa Fry- $8 which was the best part of our meal and well-priced for what your get. The Tandoori Wings were meaty but the flavor and texture was not appetizing and we didn't bother to finish them. We decided to share the Mango Pineapple Chicken with Parota bread. At $15 I was hoping for more than 4 small pieces of chicken but the bread was delicious. There are countless other places in the area that do Indian food better than Cholanad and even though the space is beautiful we do not plan on returning. read more

Cholanad - Fish Tawa Fry- $8 - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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This was such an amazing experience. The food was great. The menu has a huge selection of gluten-free and vegetarian options. The appetizers were fantastic and the entrees were spot on. Run don't walk for an authentic Indian food experience. read more

This place just warms my spirit. I've actually never eaten inside of the restaurant, because their Chicken Tikki Masala is my ultimate comfort food. And no matter if I order during a rush or 10 minutes before close (sorry guys), the service is so fast and I never feel uncomfortable picking up my food in my frazzled state. They are like family, the best kind that you actually like to spend quiet time with. read more

Best Indian Restaurant hands down. Best in every-way. Great Food, Service, Ambiance. The best part is the kitchen staff, they are trained real Chefs from India, who has worked in Indian 5 star restaurants in india before moving and starting this place so they know what they are doing. They have north and south Indian food, and as I mentioned before food is really great (both south and north Indian) and some north and south Indian food options they have. I don't think anywhere else you can get that. I would totally recommend this place to everyone who like Indian food, If i could than i would eat there everyday! read more

Best Dosa Spot in Chapel Hill! Reminds me of fusion dosa spots in California since they have meat options for dosa as well as vegetarian.

I cannot say I eat Indian food often but it was interesting to discover this place for lunch next to the hotel i am staying in. The place was nice and clean and had pleasant ambiance. Food was good, I am giving 4 just because it's my personal preference and Indian would not make my top list but good to have a couple of times a year. read more

I was here recently for lunch after ages. One of the few Indian places which does not carry buffet for lunch. They had their dinner menu to choose from as well so yay! Lots of options for vegetarians as well. My favorite is ennai kathirikai kuzhambu (spicy eggplant gravy) served with rice is the closest to home cooked ones. My recent favorites are Aapam with white vegetable kurma and Chettinad Cauliflower (make sure you order it with parota). The menu has changed a little from last time I visited but the taste has been really consistent. read more

We had lunch a simple luncheon there on a Sunday last month. Since there is no lunch menu (only dinner) it was quite expensive (1 drink, 4 adults, 1 child = $150). Plus they have a contract with a predatory towing service. read more

I find this place great. I have eaten at dozens of Indian restaurants and had plenty of home made Indian food and this is up there. We had a group of seven last time we went and we shared the dishes. Without going into every dish we all enjoyed every dish. The service is top notch and professional and the chef even stopped by to talk to us about the meal. A must. read more

5 stars for food, 3 stars for service. Came here last night for dinner for my parents' anniversary. The food was delicious and some of the best Indian food I have ever had. We started with the masala navratan tartlets, prawns chettinad, and the Madurai curry dosa. Then we ordered chicken tikka masala,fish mango red city, chettinad chicken curry and garlic naan. Everything was super authentic. Dinner portions were large and we definitely took food home. The service on this particular night was extremely lacking. We were seating at 7:15 for dinner and did not leave the restaurant until 9:15 or so. We like to take our time and enjoy conversation but this was a little over kill. Someone must have called in because there was only one waitress for a fairly busy evening. I felt for her. I get it, people cal in, but the manager should have scheduled more than 2 wait staff even on a Thursday night in the dead of summer (when chapel hill is pretty deserted). It's not fair to the wait staff or people running to be so understaffed. There is a parking lot here, very tight, probably about 8 spaces. Plan accordingly if coming on a busy night and be prepared to street park. read more

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The food was really yummy. I'm not an expert on Indian food, but I enjoyed the diverse, multilayered, and distinctly different flavors in every bite. Quantities we're plentiful enough for us to share an entree after the sampler appetizers and naan. Service is a bit hit and miss, but with good intentions and a sincere effort to please. Be adventurous. read more

Hands down the most authentic South Indian food you can have in the triangle area. Thats it, end of review - go and try it out right now if you havent'! Seriously though, this is the best Indian food I have ever had, and its very authentic tasting too. This is how South Indian food should be made. I would be hard pressed to name a better restaurant even in India! It has been a few months since I moved away from the triangle area, and I definitely miss eating here. Try the dosas and the chicken curry. The desserts are great too. read more

Had a great dinner at Cholanad and will definitely return. The food is well seasoned and they'll make it spicier if you request that. My boyfriend had the Pepper Chicken Masala and I had the lamb rogan josh. The parotta bread was wonderfully chewy on the inside and crisp on the outside. Both of our plates were clean by the end of our meal. I'll definitely be going back got to try more of the menu. The waiters take orders on their phones, which was pretty neat once I figured out that's what my waitress was doing on her phone. For a split seconds I thought my waitress was texting while at our table and I was extremely confused about what was happening. They should consider telling patrons they'll be taking orders using the phone before they pull it out of their pockets. Plus is they have some dedicated parking spaces, which is a huge help during a crowded Friday night on Franklin St. read more

Cholanad brings a combination of Indian delicacies, subtle and elegant menu and a fantastic dining experience. Some of their signature dishes like the whole fish on banana leaf and tiger dosa are worth the drive. read more

Cholanad - Indian Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Undoubtedly best Indian restaurant serving authentic South Indian cuisine in Triangle Area. The ambiance and food quality are extremely pleasant. I tried sambhar vada and the sambhar reminded me of Saravana Bhavan Chennai. The chef made it a point to come and talk to us and get feedback for his food and it was such a nice gesture. read more