Best outdoor dining spots in Chapel Hill

Whether you're just looking for a quick bite to eat or a nice drink on a warm day, these restaurants have great outdoor dining spaces to cater to your needs.

Posted 1:46 p.m. May 9, 2017 — Updated 7:08 p.m. Jul 13, 2018

Kealia Reynolds

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Whether you’re just looking for a quick bite to eat or a nice drink on a warm day, these restaurants have great outdoor dining spaces to cater to your needs.

TRU Deli & Wine - Create a personal sandwich, wrap or salad with a variety of fresh ingredients or enjoy one of 18 select west-coast beers on draft. This quaint space is great for a relaxing night out or a study spot to eat lunch during the day. Additionally, TRU offers two beautiful outdoor patio spaces with plenty of seating to enjoy daily specials any day of the week.

Top of the Hill - Known as the social crossroads of Chapel Hill, TOPO is a major destination spot for locals and visitors alike. The menu is loaded with locally-sourced ingredients, the highly-esteemed beer collection is brewed right on site and the outdoor deck boasts a panoramic view of downtown.

Merritt’s Store & Grill - Located just south of UNC’s campus, Merritt’s is the perfect spot to grab a BLT for lunch and soak up the sun at one of the outdoor tables just in front of the store. Don’t forget to check out the outdoor seating behind the store decorated with lights in a peaceful ambience.

Provence - Regarded as one of the finest French restaurants in the Triangle, Provence features French-Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on local, seasonal dishes. The restaurant offers a casual dining atmosphere, both indoors or on the patio. At the end of dinner, be sure to try one of Provence’s famous homemade desserts.

Al’s Burger Shack - A Chapel Hill favorite, Al’s Burger Shack is the perfect mix of southern hospitality and local food. The Shack serves beef from North Carolina pasture-raised cattle, produce from local farmers and craft beers brewed in North Carolina.

Following its local, sustainable principles, almost 100 percent of the Shack’s interior was recycled from the existing space, the outdoor picnic tables and bar tops are made from reclaimed wood, and some of the bricks on the patio are over 200 years old.

Glasshalfull - Glasshalfull is a Mediterranean-inspired contemporary American restaurant, bar and wine shop located in downtown Carrboro. On sunny days, the outdoor patio provides the perfect aesthetic to enjoy seasonal food that pairs nicely with a glass of wine or special cocktail.

City Kitchen - Located in the heart of University Place, City Kitchen serves fresh, locally-sourced ingredients to form an amazing food experience. Enjoy a drink on the attached patio from staff who are dedicated to ensuring the customer’s experience is a wholesome one.

The Root Cellar Cafe & Catering - This restaurant’ mission is to make and bake everything from scratch everyday while using fresh ingredients from farmers within the local community. Enjoy a delicious brunch on the covered patio or sit inside and observe the artwork made by local artists.

Sup Dogs - Perfect for a post-game win, this restaurant boasts a newly renovated outdoor patio right on Franklin Street. Chow down on one of Sup Dogs’ specialty hot dogs or stop by to get a Sup Crush.

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