Squid's is a long-established restaurant in Chapel Hill, and while it has been on my list of restaurants to visit, I'm glad I finally got the chance to try the seafood dishes. I ordered the Spicy Fra Diavolo which is a spicy tomato sauce/parmesan linguini pasta topped with calamari and shrimp. I also tried the fried seafood combination of local catfish and shrimp. The fried seafood combo was cooked to perfection. The catfish tasted fresh, without any of the fishy taste that catfish can sometimes have. The batter was crisp, while the fish stayed tender and juicy. The shrimp used for the fry were large and tasty. The pasta was the highlight of the meal, as generous heaps of shrimp and calamari paired well with the balanced flavor of the white/red sauce blend. I look forward to my next visit to Squid's. Pros: Large portions at reasonable prices. Fresh seafood cooked well with pasta and as a batter fry. Cons: None read more

Squid's - Salt And Pepper Catfish and Shrimp - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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I came in on a Sunday evening and was surprised to see a full house within 30 minutes of opening! I guess Squid's definitely is a staple to the Chapel Hill neighborhood for seafood fixings! My partner and I weren't feeling up for a dine-in, so we decided to do a takeout. We ordered their spicy fra diavolo which was packed to the brim with calamari rings! If you don't believe me, take a look at my picture for proof. After 10 minutes of digging through the pasta, I still managed to find 10 calamari rings, lol. No complaints here though! Just surprised at how bountiful the calamari rings were for the pasta. The sauce wasn't spicy, despite the name stating so, and was sufficient to coat each strand of pasta noodle. As for our second dish, how can we NOT get fried seafood?! So, we decided to go for their combo for any two items. We were pleasantly impressed with the size of the battered catfish. It was MASSIVE! The shrimp, on the other hand, wasn't anything special. Quite small. Not really juicy. If calamari was an option for this combo, we'd definitely go for it! Seasoning was a little salty, but the breading was nice and crispy. Not burnt tasting or oily, and complimented well with the cocktail and tartar sauce. Fries were normal, but quite small in portion. For $30, I'd imagine either a little more fries if shrimps are only 6 pieces, along with a piece of catfish. Food was pretty good! I can't speak for service because I did take out, but it seemed okay. The inside was really clean and had lots of tables! Maybe I'll bring my friends the next time they come visit here. read more

Squid's - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

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Came to Squid's for dinner - as we followed the hostess to our table, it seemed like the whole restaurant stopped and watched. SUPER awkward. Our waitress was Elizabeth and she was very attentive and nice! We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer. When it was brought out, it kind of threw me off, because it was fried whole okra. It was okay - I think the presentation was what done it for me. The okra was served with a side of ranch. I ended up ordering the ribeye with the Yukon potatoes and green beans with a side of veal glaze. The ribeye was huge. It was okay. I feel like the steak could've been seasoned better, but all in all, the food was okay. I really liked the green beans and potatoes. read more

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We've dined at Squids multiple times now & each time has been delicious. We usually start with the Squid Rings (calamari) and either steamed clams or oysters from the raw bar. Our entrees are always fresh fish & fresh vegetables that are well prepared to our liking and the sauces are always flavorful. This most recent trip we tried different desserts & they were all homemade as well. Our meals have also been well paced, never feeling rushed by our servers which is nice. read more

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If you find yourself in Chapel Hill craving fresh seafood and a laid-back coastal vibe, Squid's is a must-visit. Tucked just off East Franklin Street, it feels like a little slice of the North Carolina coast brought inland, all warm wood and nautical touches. The decor strikes that perfect balance of casual and charming. Picture warm lighting bouncing off wood-paneled walls, subtle maritime accents, and an open oyster bar that immediately lets you know they're serious about freshness. It's the kind of place that feels equally right for a casual weeknight dinner or a celebratory meal with friends. And let's talk about that service, thoughtful, friendly, and never rushed. From the moment you're seated, you can tell the staff know their stuff and genuinely enjoy making you feel welcome. Now, onto the real reason you're here: the food. The Squid Rings are an absolute standout. Lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection, they arrive crisp and tender, never greasy. The cocktail sauce brings that zippy tang, but don't sleep on the pesto mayo, it's an unexpected twist that works beautifully. No visit is complete without their hushpuppies, warm, golden bites of cornmeal heaven. Perfectly fried with a touch of sweetness, they're dangerously addictive. If you're feeling indulgent, the raw oysters on the half-shell are as fresh as they come, briny, cold, and impeccably shucked. For mains, the Rock Fish special is worth a spotlight if it's on the menu. Served over fragrant basmati rice with sautéed veggies, it's light yet flavorful, letting the fish shine. On the heartier side, the Fried Flounder and Chips hits all the comfort food notes: crisp batter, flaky fish, and perfectly golden fries that never disappoint. And please, save room for dessert. The Chocolate Silk Pie is exactly what it sounds like - a luscious mousse pie with a chocolate cake crust, finished with a vibrant raspberry sauce that cuts the richness. It's the perfect sweet note to end a meal that feels like a mini coastal escape. All in all, Squid's is one of those places that reminds you how good classic seafood can be when it's done right, fresh, simple, and served with genuine care. read more

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Excellent spot for seafood. I had a mix of "lighter" options. Happy hour kills it. Oysters $18/dozen!! Chesapeake bay oysters. The Caesar salad is unique, Kalamata olives and red onions, on a Caesar. Delicious!! Soup special was a Mexican shrimp. It was more like a Spanish dish. I really can't say enough about the service here. Adam was obviously a little new and killed it did his best all the way around. The bartender, Laga, who took care of me is a rare gem. She takes all orders by memory! No paper no pen. Delivers impeccable service, but the most important thing is she is genuine. I heard another patron misrepresent one of her positions and then in such a kind way she said no that's not me but that's wrong, and the conversation flowed beautifully. It's so nice to see a server. Is there a true self not just kissing ass to make money. Most beautiful thing about the ambience is the ship above the back bar just such a sweet little model. read more

Squid's - Small caesar - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

First, this place looks like a restaurant from the 90s inside. I got a lot of Deja Vu. Our server was great. The food was okay but not sure it was worth the price. The average age of the folks there having dinner at the time was around 70. We would eat there again but honestly there are better seafood places in the area in my opinion. read more

This place is a step back in time. Country club vibe with 90s prices. Where else can you get a glass of wine for $7?! And the food is really good. We shared food so here's what I tried: shrimp cocktail, absolutely perfectly cooked; fried oyster, probably the best I've ever had; Lemon grilled shrimp over risotto and spinach, 9/10 only because it was a tad bland. Lobster, too chewy but lots of flavor. The prices were reasonable, services was good but not annoying. Here's the thing. My dad had shrimp boats so I'm a Bubba Gump. I'm terribly picky about any shrimp in a restaurant. Most places overcook their shrimp-Squids did not. I was bummed that the softshell crab was sold out. read more

Squid's is always fun with good food and great service. The bar area is an especially nice place to eat yummy seafood and watch sports. Best bartenders in the area! They remember your favorite drink and food orders with uncanny recall. read more

Squid's Restaurant at 1201 Fordham Blvd in Chapel Hill gave us a fantastic first visit! I chose the Caesar Salad with grilled chicken. Unexpected at a seafood spot, I know, but absolutely delicious. My partner had the Trout dinner, which looked and tasted incredible. The service truly stood out, with Maya by our side throughout the evening. She was friendly, attentive, and made the evening so enjoyable with great conversation. The dining room is spacious, and the bar area looks perfect for a casual drink or meal. With a solid menu, excellent service, and a welcoming vibe, we'll definitely be back - and asking for Maya, of course! read more

Fried shrimp. Lightly battered. Consistently delicious. Met a friend at 5pm on a summer Wednesday. Sat in the bar area. Fast service. Lively. read more

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The service is excellent; the food is fresh and delicious! It is consistently good with professional staff who are personable and professional. A great Chapel Hill place! read more

Excellent food, though the atmosphere was from another time, frankly. Our server was friendly and well-informed, and talked with us about personal things as well as the menu and food choices. We were able to make changes to our order, and also ordered a couple of things that weren't listed on the menu. I do remember not liking that background music. Like the whole restaurant ambiance, it had a dated sound to it. But if you're looking for well-prepared seafood, it's still a great choice. read more

I had high hopes coming to squid's, and it was fine. The best thing I had was the mud pie and the buffalo shrimp. It wasn't bad but nothing stood out- flavor was minimal. read more

SO FREAKING GOOD. This is the place to be if you appreciate good seafood. The hush puppies they bring to start you out are 10/10. Then the entrees are perfection. The staff is also very friendly and kind making it an overall great experience. Definitely an underrated Chapel Hill restaurant. read more

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This was my first time having dinner in chapel hill since I was a student at UNC and this was a great welcome back! I've heard of this restaurant but finally came with my family and we all enjoyed the food. I had the buffalo shrimp and the Moroccan salad and both were tasty. The service was really good especially considering how busy it was, our server was still attentive. The place is kid friendly and they have lots of seating read more

Squid's - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Horrible!!!!! I got food poisoning!!! walked out and got sick in parking lot called 911 and went to the ER. Spent 12 hours having tests. Resulting that I had food poisoning. I called the restaurant. They will not reimburse me for the meal!!!!!!I am furious Will never go again read more

The fifth star is missing along with the flavors of the foods. We had came from another seafood place a day before and was excited to try here out. The oysters were good, very fresh and sandy. Definitely takes you all the way to the sea. The crab legs were all stuck to the shell (and we are professional shellfish eaters). The steak was HUGE and cooked well, with nice sides. The pasta was also great. So the interior was quite shocking. Very much down south and senior vibes. Not that that's an issue, just be warned and prepared. We were being stared down as the only ones looking.... "different." But we're from Louisiana so it didn't bother us. It's the same anywhere down south. Overall, it is a decent spot to get a fix. Not too crazy about the service or the food. But do not have anything really bad to say! read more

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Oysters were on special, food was good, server was friendly, professional and efficient. We would go back.

We had a gift certificate that we'd been holding on to for a special occasion and decided, why wait?! I've wanted to go for their Wednesday lobster discount night, so that's just what we did! I guess everyone else was there for the same reason cos the parking lot was packed and we got the last available spot! We had two young ladies sitting next to us, one who spoke so loudly we couldn't hear each other. I wish diners would consider others, especially when the tables aren't spaced apart much. Our waitress was pleasant and very earnest. She kept tabs on us well given how full the restaurant was. My spouse ordered fried scallops with fries. Over the years she's found it's hard to find good scallops around here, but she figured with it being Squid's they'd be pretty good. Unfortunately, they were just okay. I ordered the lobster and decided rather than wrestle with it, for an extra $2 they'll remove it all from the shells for you. I'd had a long day so it was a welcome option. It didn't look like much out of the shell when our waitress brought the plate, but it was plenty. As I ate it I decided crab legs really are my preference because the meat is so much sweeter. We ordered creme brulee for dessert. I was so looking forward to it! Our waitress didn't tell us it came with a fresh berry compote on it. Had I'd known I would have asked for it to be left off, but too late when I didn't find out until it arrived. All in all, it was just an ok experience here at Squid's. read more

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Vivian was every customer's dream server. She was very pleaseant, friendly, and made us feel like we were her family. You can tell that she really enjoys her job and she went out of her way to help us and was also really knowledgeable when answering our questions. Her attention to detail and customer service are top notch which made the already awesome food taste even better. If you want a great dining experience, ask for her! read more

Daughter wanted to try Squids. She had recently moved to Chapel Hill. Food was Tasty and service was on point. read more

Very disappointed with meal last night. The flounder and fries were not cooked well. The waiter couldn't remember to bring hush puppies and he brought wrong dessert pie. Will not be returning to this restaurant anytime soon. Only two seats to sit when waiting to be seated even with reservations. read more

Service is excellent! Yukon gold potatoes were burnt. COD was over browned crust. Reservation suggested

I came here on a Friday evening when I had some family in town. This is the place I would take my grandparents to! It has a mom and pop feel and great seafood! I ordered the fried oysters and I thought they were great! The meal was really filling and I had leftovers for lunch the next day. I appreciated the hush puppies instead of the typical bread that most restaurants provide. I thought it was a unique touch I hadn't seen in a while. They were pretty filling and likely one of the reasons why I couldn't finish my entree but I had no regrets. Location wise, it's a hard restaurant to find. You can see it straight from the street but you can't turn into the restaurant from the street. Overall, I had a great time here and I will be back the next time I get a craving for fried seafood! read more

Squid's - Fried oysters - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

I rarely like to write 1 star reviews but this just wasn't good. Seems like all the awards from this place are from 2008 and before and I can easily see why. Ordered the grouper and was extremely disappointed. While being the "fresh catch", I am 90% positive that this was a frozen piece of fish. Zero seasoning, poor preparation, and would give it a 1/2 star if I could. Hopefully this place can get back to what they represent on their walls, but I would not recommend Squid's if this is the standard experience. read more

Came in with family to celebrate a birthday. Service was good and our waitress was nice but that was about it. Squid rings were the best item we had and they were just okay. I got the cod and popcorn shrimp platter with fries and I was disappointed. No seasoning and fries were cold + mushy when they came out. Worst of all as we were finishing up we saw a giant cockroach scaling the wall which really ruined the dinner. I have to plans on coming back read more

Service: We arrived early at 5:15 hoping for prompt service. The server showed up and asked if we wanted appetizers....then abruptly disappeared before taking our order. When she finally returned to the table much time had gone by and we put in our order along with the appetizer. We waited for the food for a long time and when it arrived she had brought one wrong dish and had to go back to exchange it. More time passed. She never offered to get more hush puppies and once she delivered the food she never returned to check on our table. I had ordered a second drink and she never brought it. Finally at the end of the meal we had to go hunt for her to close out our bill. Food- The food was mediocre and the crab cake dinner was not edible and overpriced. The crab cakes were mushy and had a strong fishy taste. In addition the masked potatoes were cold. This was very unfortunate since we were celebrating a birthday. The fried flounder was good but the fries were not warm. Veggies delivered were not hot and undercooked. The final bill was about $155 for a group of 4 adults and one child. The food and the service were very poor and nowhere near justified by the cost. We have eaten at Squids a number of times before and were happy with the food and service. But we doubt we will return anytime soon or recommend it to friends. read more

This restaurant gives of a 90s vibe. The dark carpet, fish tank, and grandma-style decor really feels nostalgic. The service was lovely. The meals starts with complimentary hush puppies. I ordered a savory-sweet fish dish with polenta. It was on a bed of greens. This restaurant really is catered towards seafood lovers and really is a hidden gem! The only thing I would change is probably not sitting in front of the fish tank while eating fish! Five stars! read more

Squid's - Grilled Trout Modena - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

This place was pretty good! I liked their fried seafood options and they had a good bowl of clam chowder. Next time, I will have to get the lobster because so many people were taking advantage of the 10% off. We also got the shrimp cocktail and the fried combo of oyster and fish. It went well with their house white wine. The place was also surprisingly full and the outside patio is a great place to eat in the summer read more

Squid's - Seafood Near Me - Chapel Hill, North Carolina

By far the best meal we have had in NC so far! Such a lovely place full of lovely people. The cod was excellent - and that's coming from someone who is not a seafood guy! Me on the other hand, full-time seafood lover who loved my dish too. We are thinking of moving down here in a few years and are looking forward to coming back to try more. Our server was such a doll. Such a sweet girl. Ashley H is the type of server that will make your experience at Squid's the most memorable. She gave us free dessert but unfortunately I didn't get to take a picture because we went full pig on it instantly. Loved this place 12/10! read more

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I love the ambience- cozy yet airy and open space. I think their 2 serene large fish tanks play big part in setting the atmosphere. We came here because my husband wanted some lobster. And he got what he wants. Everything dishes we ordered were simple, but high quality- oyster, fish, lobster. And we finished up with a chocolate cake (or the other cake in the menu. I forgot). Husband doesn't like sweet sweet dessert. But this one he could eat. We'll come back! read more

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Excellent catfish and shrimp with lemon risotto was delicious. Nice atmosphere, and very clean. Service was excellent.

Very disappointing. Brought friend from Denmark because she loves seafood. My fish was dry, chips were cold and salad was over dressed. My friend said her meal was "ok" and I think she was being polite. I had not been to Squids for a while and now I know why. Not worth the cost. The worst meal I've had in a long time. Will definitely not be back. read more

We returned last night after a 4 year absence due to Covid. Really looked forward to it as it has been my favorite go to CH place for decades and I missed it. This is a place to go when you want to be comfortable; when you want your experience to be exactly as you anticipate; when you want to be well served in a well run place....it is still that place (more or less). It is not Michelin ( but neither are the prices ). Couple of drinks and dinner +/- $100 before tax and gratuity (with spouse), drink prices moderate and half price wine on Tuesday (I think) and the bar is always packed on oyster night. In the bar if you have lived in CH for a while , and you are of a "certain age", you will feel like you are around folks you know...even if you DON'T actually know them...it's just a very familiar looking crowd (at least to me). Now that I've said all these nice things....just one criticism. The place could use a coat of paint ...still this side of comfortable but starting to look a little frayed. (that's why a took away a star....really should be half star but the app doesn't allow that). read more

Always a great experience. Service is exemplary and the food is prepared well. Always busy with good reason.

Other than the service, the rest of the experience wasn't great. The ambiance was fine. I would give it a 3 out of 5 stars. The restaurant is very casual and homey. It is a comfortable setting if you want a relaxing place to eat/hang out. However, the food was not great. The complimentary hushpuppies at the beginning of the meal were good. However, I ordered a martini with no olive juice and ended up with a very dirty martini. It was so salty I couldn't drink it. The server recommended a seafood entree (a specialty of the house that she highly recommended). It was the grilled shrimp entree with a lemon risotto cake atop sauteed spinach and artichoke hearts. As one who does not eat meat, I thought this was a safe and healthy option. However, the lemon risotto cake was filled with either ham or bacon and the sauce/gravy that came with it did too. The server did not mention anything about the inclusion of meat/pork in this entree. I blame myself for not asking! This information should be included on the MENU. Also the shrimp was overcooked and chewy. This was our first experience at the restaurant. We always try to give places more than one try and the benefit of the doubt. We may or may not try this place again. read more

Me and my gal have been hitting this place a lot recently (at least once/week) as it's convenient to our home and the food and service are uniformly excellent. It's a special place that can keep that level of consistency. I've been through most of the menu at this point. Some highlights: The specials are always on point, especially the sides and seasonal vegetables that come with the entree. Over the winter, there was a golden tilefish with bagna cauda grits that was easily the best grits I've ever eaten in my life. This week was a branzino with farm-fresh succotash and fried okra. Tasty! The steamed oysters are always perfectly cooked, juicy and delicious. The fried seafood plates are never that heavy, greasy texture you get in many restaurants. Lightly fried, fresh, tender sweet and juicy. The scallops, oysters and popcorn shrimp are all among the best fried versions of these that I've ever had. My gal usually gets a caesar salad with a side of wood-grilled salmon. The salad is great. The salmon is perfect, with that perfect bit of crusty smokiness on the outside, still juicy and tasty inside. The seafood chowder is a creamy style, very much comfort food and lovely on a cold day. The pastas are also great, esp the spicy fra diavolo. Not to mention, the free hush puppies (they serve those instead of bread) are some of the best I've ever had. So Kudo's to Squids' management and staff. Truly impressive how they have never failed us, and we've been there a lot. read more

We went here for dinner on a early Saturday night for a dinner with two old friends. The food was cooked to perfection, we had squid rings that were perfectly cooked. There New England clam chowder was blah needed some more seasoning. The rest of our meal was excellent. Our sever did a great job, except for not getting the order straight and timely we got our soup then our main course followed by our raw oysters and raw clams. The food for the most part was extremely delicious the raw oysters were large and delicious. As far as the inside of the restaurant, it's clean and old looking it's in need of bringing it into the new century. read more

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Squids not only serves excellent food but the service is just as excellent. We go there on a regular basis and always enjoy it. The squid rings and other seafood is great and also the coffee ice-cream tastes great. read more