Spotted Dog

I'm speechless! Not really, but this place is THAT good!!! I had the walnut tacos supreme, and…read moreseriously the BEST vegan tacos I've EVER had!! I'm not kidding! It was fresh, delicious and served with a smile! The owner was extremely kind and friendly and i would definitely be a regular if i lived here! It was a tad bit hard to find, tucked away inside a back building, but i called and then it was easy. My big mistake was only getting 2 tacos instead of 3...not because they were small (they weren't!), but because they were SO yummy!! I also felt like it was very reasonably priced, which is awesome!!

Let me put it this way. I would still visit Vegan Flava Café and I am no longer vegan They have…read morethe best kale salad that I have ever tried. I have attempted multiple times to replicate to no avail. My favorite menu items are the fish cakes and the walnut tacos. Not to mention they are locally owned and are educating people on how to make healthy choices without sacrificing flavor.

Great food and atmosphere.

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Fresh veggies.

Tandem

4.0(404 reviews)

We have given Tandem a try a few times over the years. One time the oysters were served frozen…read more They brought us a new platter of a dozen that were better - that was 3 years ago. Lastnight, our family ate dinner there only to get sick from the muscles. 3 of us shared the muscles appetizer, which tasted great, but the three of us that ate the muscles ended up sick for a few hours later that evening and and next morning. Everyone else in the dinner party that had not eaten the muscles was fine. The service staff was over-extended. We had to ask the busing staff to get our waiter so that we could order and later in the meal to refresh our beverages. And finally, our dinner party was seated in the very furtherest back room that features an exit door with a large lit up exit sign over it. The room was not really fit to seat people at that price point. There are no sound buffers in the back room. It is akin to a large storage area with artwork on the wallks. There was no way to hear anyone talking at the table due to the roar of the sound bouncing off the walls. The room should not be used for seating at Tandem's price point. I rarely if ever give a bad review, but last night was really disappointing. My family came from Raleigh to join us and we had come over from Hillsborough. We were treating our parents out to a nice dinner - or at least that was the expectation. Otherwise the food was very good.

Went out on Thursday night to tandem what a great experience. I ordered the Japanese eggplant with…read morequinoa, with a curry sauce. It was delicious and very tasty. With the quinoa adding a crispy crunch to the dish. Having only done lunch at tandem I was not prepared for the taste and unusual foods on the dinner menu. My wife ordered the 72 hr short ribs they were the most delicious and tasty short ribs I had ever encountered. I usually never order short ribs but I would try these out. Our dinner guest had the rib eye steak for one it was also delicious from our guests response. The service is always great with enough service but never overwhelming. For a night cap we enjoyed a Remy cognac. With there cheesecake and chocolate pudding cake. Both were delicious and very tasty.

Lovely lighting and ample wine.

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Roots Natural Kitchen

4.4(66 reviews)

0.8 mi

Roots is a great spot on Franklin if you're looking for something quick, healthy, and not too…read moreheavy. It's super close to UNC's campus, with street parking out front and a garage around back, which makes it pretty convenient, and there's plenty of indoor seating too. They serve grain and salad bowls--you can build your own or pick one of their signature bowls. I tried the new Garu bowl which features Korean BBQ chicken, honey sesame sticks, kimchi, and sesame caesar dressing. Service was quick, and the portion was solid (definitely enough for two meals). Everything tasted fresh, but the chicken was a little dry and didn't really have much Korean BBQ flavor, which was kind of disappointing. Still, it was a refreshing meal overall, especially for a hot day. I'll definitely be back to try other combos--just probably going to choose a different protein next time.

Had this for lunch the other day. Very tasty! Efficient snd friendly service--in and out quickly…read more Food options for all including just veges. Inside was clean and welcoming. Love that we have this option in Chapel Hill.

El Jefe, Create Your Own Bowl

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Front of Roots Store near UNC

Oakleaf

4.3(114 reviews)

Oakleaf took me by surprise. I'm not usually someone who goes for New American, but this…read morefarm-to-table restaurant completely won me over. It's perfect for a special night out. The space has a slightly dim, intimate feel with dark red walls and thoughtful details--even the plates feel intentional. The food is the real star. We had the tasting menu, and everything was absolutely delectable, aside from the duck (purely personal preference). I sincerely appreciate the choice of vegetarian, vegan, or omnivore options for the tasting menu -- that's quite special. You somewhat go in blind as to what you'll be served, which I really appreciate. For the omnivore tasting menu, there was a lot of seafood used, which I loved. The ingredients were married together well in each item. The price felt well worth it for the experience. They also offer a wine pairing for those interested. I'll definitely be coming back. And despite being in Chapel Hill, it has ample parking that makes it easy to access.

OakLeaf in Carrboro is one of those rare spots that immediately feels special. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you're greeted with warmth, both in ambiance and hospitality. The space is modern and elegant but still cozy, with soft lighting, subtle earth tones, and an open layout that balances intimacy and energy. Service was outstanding from start to finish, attentive, informed, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu. Let's get into the food, because this was one of the most exciting and consistently excellent meals we've had in a long time. We started with They Might Be Tostones, a clever and beautifully layered dish with Murasaki sweet potato, lime-pimentón crema, and chili crisp. It was punchy, bright, and balanced. The Warm Rustic Baguette with whipped butter and sea salt may seem simple, but it was divine, crusty on the outside, soft on the inside, and perfect for lingering. Dirt Candy, a medley of seasonal vegetables with toasted pistachio ail lade, was vibrant and thoughtfully composed. The Big Eye Tuna Carpaccio with red miso-citrus bagna cauda and delicate shoots was fresh and refined, with a perfect acidity and richness. We moved on to heartier plates like the Ricotta Gnocchi with Italian sausage, peppers, whipped ricotta, broccoli rabe, and chili flake. The gnocchi were pillowy and deeply flavorful. The Kabocha Squash & Farro with lump crab, pancetta, and miso butter was savory, slightly sweet, and full of texture. The Pan Roast with flounder, mussels, fregula, and smoky shellfish sugo was bold and briny, with layers of flavor in every bite. Two pasta dishes also stood out, the Ravioli di Manzo with Barolo-braised beef and Parmigiano was rich and comforting, while the Plin Piemontese, filled with pasture-raised pork and finished in crema di parmigiano, was elegant and silky. For dessert, we shared all three options and each one brought something different. The Citrus plate with steamed lemon pudding and lemon curd was light, tart, and texturally playful. The Cheesecake with maple mascarpone and cranberry compote was creamy, nutty, and not overly sweet. But the star was the Chocolate Fondant, extra dark, gooey, with salted caramel gelato and hazelnut crumble. An absolutely unforgettable finish. OakLeaf is a standout. Every dish felt thoughtful, seasonal, and beautifully executed. We will absolutely be back.

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Steamed lemon pudding, lemon curd

Goodness Cooks

5.0(4 reviews)

0.6 mi

Goodness Cooks' foods are delicious, nourishing, and satisfying. They are profoundly good - - and,…read moreconsidering what you're really getting in each jar or tub--they are truly good deal. Both vegans and enthusiastic omnivores will find many delicious options. Sometimes what you order will be a whole meal on its own, and other times you might get some delicious side dishes that transform a plain homemade meal into an easy weekday feast. I recommend giving this service a try!

Everything they make is exquisite! From the sweet to savory, foods to bevs, I love it all! I…read moreappreciate that some dishes are sold frozen so I can enjoy them later on. Everything is made with natural ingredients by holistic chefs and it makes all the difference! Even the dishes made with foods I typically don't prefer the taste of were delicious! I highly recommend giving Goodness Cooks a try!

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Glasshalfull

4.0(244 reviews)

The Brussels sprouts were excellent, and the truffle fries were just as good. The sprouts were…read moreespecially memorable with their combination of preserved lemon vinaigrette, fried leeks, bacon, and a sweet/spicy aïoli--an unexpected mix of flavors that worked beautifully together. The ambiance felt fresh and inviting, which I appreciated--especially because there were no lingering bar or leftover food odors that sometimes affect restaurant spaces. The staff was welcoming and pleasant, offering friendly interaction while also giving guests the space to relax and enjoy their meal. It made for a very comfortable, quiet Friday afternoon experience. I could have lingered longer. Overall, a delicious meal and a place I'd happily return to.

Grabbed dinner from here and had a good experience…read more First, my wife and I were seated immediately without having a reservation, but we ate dinner pretty early :) Our server was attentive and polite throughout our meal, but he didn't have a ton of positive energy, if that makes sense. The menu prices seemed a tiny bit high until I read the note that the restaurants had raised the menu prices to make gratuity "truly optional," so that's totally fine. We started off our meal with some complimentary bread, which was honestly pretty mediocre. It was a very tiny portion and the accompanying olive oil just tasted like... olive oil. It felt like the bread was store-bought or something, which isn't the end of the world, but combined with the portion size, it was just a little surprising for a nice restaurant. For my entree, I got the steak frites, and they were very good! The steak was cooked medium rare as requested. I also got some truffle aioli on the side (suggested by the food busser!) and it was pretty tasty too. My wife got the beet and kale lasagna and she really enjoyed it, although it wasn't really enough food as an entree :) Beer selection was OK but nothing crazy good. I asked for the non-alcoholic IPA and they were out of it, which was kind of a bummer. Also, when we were paying our bill, the automated system still asked us for a gratuity without any warning about the gratuity being baked into the menu prices, so that was a little surprising but not a huge deal. Overall, I liked Glasshalfull and would definitely consider coming back.

Chocolate torte

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Venable Rotisserie Bistro

3.9(291 reviews)

Went on a dinner with business associate/friend. He had the fish (mahi) tacos and I had the trout…read more He reported the tacos were very good and the trout was excellent. Tender and crusted perfectly. Smaller dining room and could be felt a bit crowded is all tables were full. It was a busy night (a Wednesday) so plan accordingly with reservations. I have Alpha Gal, tree nut allergy and am diabetic. Server was helpful and friendly with my issues. Good for business meals, date nights and meals with friends. I would not take small children to this restaurant as the close table set up might cause distractions or even uncomfortable situations.

Delicious and dependable. I had the salmon nestled on top of those famous herb potatoes. Ordered a…read moreside of bread and butter. Dessert - vanilla bean gelato, creamy and sweet. Great service. A bit noisy for conversation but that is part of the charm

Venable Burger

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French Press Coffee served here. The aroma was great , strong coffee too.

Coco Bistro & Bar

4.2(132 reviews)

2.5 mi

I had a great experience eating at Coco with my 2-year old. We went in right before noon. We chose…read moreour own table. This is a very clean restaurants. Everything is vegan. I had a burger with breakfast potatoes. The burger itself was good but the top bun was a bit hard to chew on. I needed up removing the top bun to finish the burger. My daughter had pancakes with - fruit cup, I wouldn't advise to get the fruit cup for $5, it only had 1 strawberry, a few good blueberries and grapes. We had a warm chocolate chip cookie. Now that was delicious. My daughter really enjoyed her pancake. Our server was attentive and service was great overall. I will be back.

Great matcha, hit all of the notes. Really enjoyed the vegan "eggs" complete with the fake runny…read moreyolk. Ambiance was nice and I can see myself coming back for brunch!

Jalapeño & Beer Cheese Plant-Based Burger

Overnight Oats with Added Fruit

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Fluffy Pancakes at Brunch

Cham Thai Cuisine At Carrboro

4.3(163 reviews)

0.2 mi

Love this place! It's such a cute authentic Thai cuisine. If you go during lunch time , they have a…read morevery good deal where you get soup or salad + entree+ fried wonton supre delicious. And the staff there is super nice, welcoming and helpful.

I was excited to try Cham Thai it after reading a number of enthusiastic reviews, particularly from…read moreCalifornians who said it reminded them of the kind of delicious authentic Thai food that's easy to find out there and that I got used to living in Los Angeles for five years. Our party of four was seated immediately at 6:30pm on a Friday evening. We ordered three dishes: - pad see ew with shrimp - red curry with shrimp - massaman curry with tofu The pad see ew was the standout: the large shrimp and the broccoli were cooked perfectly, and it had good flavor overall. The two curries were disappointing. The tofu in the massaman curry was cut very small and seemed over-fried, and the sauce lacked the creamy richness I associate with that dish -- the kind that comes from potatoes simmering in the curry for a long time (and the potatoes seemed barely cooked). The red curry had only two pieces of eggplant (!) and was overwhelmed by too many red and green bell peppers -- they dominated the flavor profile. Like the pad see ew, the red curry did include large, well-cooked shrimp, which was its saving grace. Both curry dishes also had far more bamboo shoots than seemed necessary (as another Yelper notes, about 5x what other places put in). Using so much of an an inexpensive filler vegetable looks like a way the restaurant is trying to save money -- just sayin'. I also tasted a companion's tom kha soup, which was essentially warm coconut milk with very little additional flavor. More bamboo shoots... One note about both serving sizes and presentation: the serving platters at Cham Thai are extremely wide and very shallow, which spreads the food out into a very thin layer over a large area and gives the impression of a larger portion of food than is actually there (noting this because many reviews say that the "portions are huge" -- not our experience). For diners needing gluten-free options, the messaging from the staff was very confusing. At first we were told confidently by our server that "any dish on the menu could be easily be made gluten-free" because the kitchen "has three sauces: regular, vegan, and gluten-free." When we ordered a dish gluten-free, however, the server paused, said he "needed to check something," left, and returned to say that dish could NOT be prepared gluten-free after all (?). A "Cashew Nut" entree ordered gluten-free arrived missing the cashews; after checking with the kitchen, the server explained they had been omitted because the fried cashews in the dish could not be guaranteed gluten-free due to cross-contamination. It would have been helpful to know that ahead of time, or given raw cashews when the dish was served to us. Our server apologized and eventually gave us a bowl of raw cashews on the side. It's also worthy of note that NONE of the eleven dishes they call "Recommendations" on the menu are vegetarian (see photo). All in all, our meal at Cham Thai didn't quite live up to the restaurant's Yelp reviews. There is better Thai food in the Chapel Hill/Carrboro area.