Carrboro Area Guidebook
Food scene
Just a small sampler! We lean toward the locally owned places.
This is our local food co-op and gathering place. It’s where everybody eventually ends up to meet and greet friends. Live outdoor music Thursdays and Sundays seasonally. Great wine selection, salads, prepared foods, and breakfast bar.
176 locals recommend
Weaver Street Market
101 E Weaver StThis is our local food co-op and gathering place. It’s where everybody eventually ends up to meet and greet friends. Live outdoor music Thursdays and Sundays seasonally. Great wine selection, salads, prepared foods, and breakfast bar.
Above average Chinese food and they deliver! They’ve been here forever and there’s a reason why. Vegetarian selections.
8 locals recommend
Jade Palace Restaurant
103 E Main StAbove average Chinese food and they deliver! They’ve been here forever and there’s a reason why. Vegetarian selections.
Acme Food & Beverage Co
110 E Main StUpscale dining and a great Brunch.
Our chain grocery store. Try made to order deli sub sandwiches. They are generous enough for a long road trip!
29 locals recommend
Harris Teeter
310 North Greensboro StreetOur chain grocery store. Try made to order deli sub sandwiches. They are generous enough for a long road trip!
Elmo's Diner
776 9th StThe weekend breakfast line is usually long. People love it.
Best hamburgers around (with very limited seating). The line moves fast so don’t be discouraged!
65 locals recommend
Al's Burger Shack
516 W Franklin StBest hamburgers around (with very limited seating). The line moves fast so don’t be discouraged!
Med Deli is an institution. Lots of vegetarian choices. Everything tastes well seasoned and homemade. They even make their own pita bread on site. Cafeteria style and noisy but so delicious!!
71 locals recommend
Mediterranean Deli, Bakery, and Catering
454 W Franklin StMed Deli is an institution. Lots of vegetarian choices. Everything tastes well seasoned and homemade. They even make their own pita bread on site. Cafeteria style and noisy but so delicious!!
Best Tex Mex includes vegetarian and delicious Margaritas. Tiny family owned spot with small patio and great atmosphere.
25 locals recommend
Carrburritos
711 W Rosemary StBest Tex Mex includes vegetarian and delicious Margaritas. Tiny family owned spot with small patio and great atmosphere.
Indian food served with love from Vimala, the community- builder and renowned chef.
Reasonable prices, seasonal menu, and good vibes.
46 locals recommend
Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe
431 W Franklin StIndian food served with love from Vimala, the community- builder and renowned chef.
Reasonable prices, seasonal menu, and good vibes.
Sit on the front porch and watch the cows who made the milk in your ice cream cone. Sweet!
43 locals recommend
Maple View Farm Ice Cream
6900 Rocky Ridge RdSit on the front porch and watch the cows who made the milk in your ice cream cone. Sweet!
The best BLT on the planet. Funky old convenience store with picnic tables.
28 locals recommend
Merritt's Grill
1009 S Columbia StThe best BLT on the planet. Funky old convenience store with picnic tables.
Don’t miss it if you’re visiting in the right season. Fun to browse, taste, and people watch.
54 locals recommend
Carrboro Farmers Market
301 W Main StDon’t miss it if you’re visiting in the right season. Fun to browse, taste, and people watch.
Akai Hana Japanese Restaurant
206 W Main StGreat fresh sushi and other Japanese specialties.
Bars, brews, and casual dining
We like meeting friends over brews and craft cocktails.
Reliable American fare, friendly faces, and seasoned bartenders. Big pool tables. Try the garlic fries.
13 locals recommend
Tyler's Restaurant & Taproom
102 E Main StReliable American fare, friendly faces, and seasoned bartenders. Big pool tables. Try the garlic fries.
Hickory Tavern
370-110 E Main StBest place around to watch a game. GO HEELS!
Food is good too.
Cynthia the manager is a gem. GOOD beers, canine friends welcome on the outside deck. A large, casual place to spend a late afternoon with a board game, or just sip and people watch in the evening.
12 locals recommend
Vecino Brewing Co.
300 E Main StCynthia the manager is a gem. GOOD beers, canine friends welcome on the outside deck. A large, casual place to spend a late afternoon with a board game, or just sip and people watch in the evening.
Orange County Social Club
108 E Main StThe essential and beloved dive bar of Carrboro.
Live Music
We are musicians and this is a great area for live music!
Iconic stage for live music in Carrboro/Chapel Hill. Even better now with the attached Back Room, a smaller club for intimate shows.
Cat’s Cradle
300 East Main StreetIconic stage for live music in Carrboro/Chapel Hill. Even better now with the attached Back Room, a smaller club for intimate shows.
2nd Wind
118 E Main StLocal bands in a variety of styles. No cover. (Bring ear plugs to be prepared)
Classic roadhouse out in the countryside but a short drive from Carrboro. Mix of rock and country styles. No cover. Friendly crowd.
12 locals recommend
The Kraken
2823 N Carolina Hwy 54 WClassic roadhouse out in the countryside but a short drive from Carrboro. Mix of rock and country styles. No cover. Friendly crowd.
Rock, hip-hop, and indie bands with occasional forays into the outer limits. Bring those ear plugs.
14 locals recommend
Local 506
506 W Franklin StRock, hip-hop, and indie bands with occasional forays into the outer limits. Bring those ear plugs.
Monday night jazz! The spot to listen, sip, and snack on New Orleans style food. Mandey is your hostess with the most best. (And the owner)
Imbibe
108 Henderson StMonday night jazz! The spot to listen, sip, and snack on New Orleans style food. Mandey is your hostess with the most best. (And the owner)
Annual event on the last Sunday of September. Streets are closed and every business hosts a stage. Unique.
Carrboro Music Festival
301 W Main StAnnual event on the last Sunday of September. Streets are closed and every business hosts a stage. Unique.
Sightseeing
Ackland Art Museum
101 S Columbia StPerfect for a brief and interesting museum experience.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Take a walk on the grounds of this historic campus.
Check out opening times and events on the website.
47 locals recommend
Morehead Planetarium and Science Center
250 E Franklin StCheck out opening times and events on the website.
Only a 25 minute drive north from Carrboro. A charming and historic town. Streets date back to the revolutionary war. Lots of places to walk, eat and drink. Set your GPS to Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough and park there. Then start strolling.
43 locals recommend
Hillsborough
Only a 25 minute drive north from Carrboro. A charming and historic town. Streets date back to the revolutionary war. Lots of places to walk, eat and drink. Set your GPS to Weaver Street Market in Hillsborough and park there. Then start strolling.
Coffee and carbs
Time to wake up and smell the...donuts.
Open Eye Cafe
101 S Greensboro StSpacious and funky, good coffee, slow service.
Rise Carrboro
310 E Main StThe biscuits and donuts are fresh and so good. Coffee is too!
The scones here are a whole meal. They also have lunch and dinner but I only come to fuel a hike on the nearby Bolín Creek Trail.
33 locals recommend
The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering
750 M.L.K. Jr BlvdThe scones here are a whole meal. They also have lunch and dinner but I only come to fuel a hike on the nearby Bolín Creek Trail.
Totally unique ambience and great coffee drinks. Baristas take pride in their creations.
52 locals recommend
Caffè Driade
1215 E Franklin StTotally unique ambience and great coffee drinks. Baristas take pride in their creations.