Spend a Day Discovering Downtown Chapel Hill’s Hidden Gems and Local Favorites
A Closer Look at Franklin Street
Home to restaurants, shops, salons and boutique fitness studios, Franklin Street also plays host to community gatherings and annual festivals.
Photography by John Michael Simpson
Koala Craft Art Studio
Come for the boba tea, stay for the art at Koala Craft Art Studio. Owner Amy Fang named the shop after her favorite animal and filled it with hands-on ways to get creative, from beading projects to tufting your own irresistibly cute rug.
Próximo
Próximo serves up Spanish tapas such as tuna escabeche, sea scallops, seared chorizo and charred leeks. The third restaurant from chef Brandon Sharp also shines on the drinks front, offering options from sangria and sparkling wine to sherry. New this year is a pre-theater dinner menu for guests looking to get in and get out quickly before a PlayMakers or Carolina Performing Arts show.
The Crunkleton
Try one of the signature cocktails at The Crunkleton, or have a bartender make you something custom. Open since 2008, this is a classic spot for sophisticated sipping. Here, even the mocktails are top-notch! The “Out of Office” features pandan, coconut water, orgeat and fresh squeezed lime juice.
Cat Tales Cat Cafe
Cat Tales Cat Cafe is the purr-fect pit stop even if you’re not looking to add a friendly feline to your home. The cafe serves beer, wine, coffee, and gourmet ice-cream sandwiches and popsicles, and is home to around a dozen adoptable kittens and cats of all sizes, shapes and colors at any given time.
Chapel Hill/Orange County Welcome Center
Head to the Chapel Hill/Orange County Welcome Center for curated itineraries, directions, visitor guides, and local and state maps. The friendly staff – led by Executive Director Laurie Paolicelli – offer insider tips that might just point you to your new favorite spot.
Perennial
Perennial, a leafy hideaway of a coffee shop, makes a mean seasonal specialty drink. Try the “No-Groni,” with Ardi cold brew coffee and bitters, or maybe a golden milk latte is more your style.
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering
After a fire and two years of construction, Mediterranean Deli, Bakery and Catering has reopened on West Franklin Street. Its glass cases once again brim with a colorful spread of more than 95 items. Owner Jamil Kadoura’s wife and daughters led a redesign that brought higher ceilings and an airier, lighter feel. “I really, really love it,” he says. “I love what they did here. It felt like my deli but brighter, more cheerful.”
Carolina Coffee Shop
Carolina Coffee Shop marked its 100th year in 2022; part of its milestone celebration included the opening of its adjacent sister cafe, 1922. The addition gives guests two distinct experiences: the original location’s classic restaurant and full bar, or 1922’s relaxed vibe with grab-and-go items like ham-and-cheese croissants, coffee and plenty of space to work or linger.
Local 506
You never know who you’ll see on stage at Local 506, the all-ages rock club that has anchored the music scene since 1992. The venue hosts everyone from up-and-coming touring acts to local bands like Chiroptera, pictured. Located steps from plenty of pre-show dining options, it’s an easy night out.
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