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Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Categories: Restaurants American (Traditional) Food Breweries American (Traditional), Breweries [Edit]
100 E Franklin StChapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 929-8676
- Hours:
Mon-Sat 11 am - 2 am
Sun 11:30 am - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Ambience:
- Casual
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
128 reviews for Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Review Highlights
"And the Sweet Potato fries were amazing."
(in 6 reviews)
"Old Well White is still one of my favorite beers I've ever..."
(in 7 reviews)
"Topo also brews their own beer and they have interesting..."
(in 3 reviews)
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128 reviews in English
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Review from Jeff S.
2/7/2012 2 Check-ins Here
Is this the prototypical college bar/restaurant for UNC Chapel Hill? If it's not, I don't know what is.
Then again, it seems this is the place the alumni bring their children to and where folks go after dropping their freshman off for the Fall semester.
This is a 3 star establishment that gets a 1 star bump for 2 reasons:
1)The Blueberry Wheat beer that's only avail in the Spring
2)The deck overlooking the street
If either aren't available, then maybe go somewhere else? -
Review from Amber K.
1/16/2012
Went with a small group of friends. When we got there they told us we could sit out on the deck and that it wasn't that cold. They let us check it out before we committed and it was freezing. We elected to grab a beer at the bar and wait. It was only about ten minutes and we were seated.
The dining room is not very impressive. Its just one big room with the brewery on one side behind glass. Its very cramped and not very fancy.
Service was okay. Nothing exceptional but not bad by any means.
We got the cheesy sweet potato fries and the crab cake plate. The fries were great! I recommend sharing with at least 3 people because we still had a lot left over. However, the crab cakes were not good. I didn't even finish because there were pieces of cartilage :P inside. I didn't say anything because I didn't want to ruin the experience for everyone else but the next day we were talking about my meal and someone else also said they had the same issue.
Overall, OK but pricey. They use "upscale" ingredients to justify prices but really you are getting the same thing you can get anywhere else, just with small twists.
My friends got the chicken pasta and the clam pasta. The portions were huge. I heard the calm was great but I tried the chicken and wasn't really taken with it. I did love the fresh tomatoes.
Wifi was super slow! Probably because of all the people there. -
Review from Josie R.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/8/2012
Of the brew-pubs in chapel hill, Top of the Hill (topo) is the better of the two. The beer is much better than Carolina Brewery (fewer options but all of them are better), and it's a convenient place to go for happy hour on a warm day. I usually get their pale ales but their wheats are excellent too. Keep in mind it will be absolute packed by large groups on most warm Friday afternoons and you may not be able to find a table outside. Further, no matter how empty the restaurant is and packed the patio is, they NEVER open the huge restaurant patio to happy hour patrons and in some cases we've just left (bad for business, guys!). The servers are sometimes really impatient and rude (don't expect a smile or even eye contact and you may get ignored for a long time), but they get a lot of the Frat crowd so I can't blame them too much.
As for food, I can't recommend the sweet-potato cheese fries enough. They come with gorgonzola, green onions, and a really tasty fruity sauce rather than the congealed mass of cheddar and bacon with ketchup you'll get on your sweet potato fries at Linda's or The Lodge. Lunch options are generally good as well. I like the baja chicken salad, the egg sandwich and some of the pasta specials. The Shrimp and Grits were nothing to write home about. I also wasn't a fan of their spinach-artichoke dip even though the server recommended it - was overloaded with cheese I think.
Pricing for the food and beer is typically marked up for Franklin Street but not unreasonable. -
Review from Andrew S.
12/26/2011 2 Check-ins Here
Ok, went here a couple times while down in NC for work based on an old friend's recommendation. LOVE IT. They make some fantastic beers, the food is good, and the service is outstanding.
The beers here are well crafted. I always like seeing the stills in a restaurant, it makes me excited. The selection of bourbons and whiskeys made me very happy as well. To find a place with Basil Hayden's as a selection makes me all warm inside (or is that the bourbon?).
If you find yourself in Chapel Hill, head to the Top of the Hill. You won't be disappointed. -
Review from Jon P.
Raleigh, NC
1/31/2012
Worst service I've had in a long time. Went here after dinner one night for some drinks. The server helped the tables all around ours but proceeded to ignore us. I went up to her while she was on the computer and asked if I should go to the bar to get a drink and she said it was all bar service now. I'm fine with going to the bar to grab a drink but the server looked right at us and didn't say anything. After grabbing a couple drinks, we were told, not asked, to get up because they were moving our table to make a dance floor. Very rude service. Overall, not the best place to grab a drink. Find somewhere with better service.
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Review from Anjali M.
Durham, NC
1/9/2012
Went to top of the hills with a bunch of friends for a girl's night out and it definitely didn't disappoint! The service was relatively attentive and friendly. I had the strawberry salad with chicken which was yummy! Just the right amount of sweetness with the fresh strawberries, grilled chicken for protein, mixed greens, and some feta and candied walnuts for some indulgence. We also tried to focaccia flatbread with wild mushrooms that was perfect for a small appetizer to whet our appetite. My friend ordered the ravioli which she really enjoyed. At night, this place turned into a bar/club so we ended up just staying after dinner and hanging out a bit which was nice. I can see how some people may get annoyed by this, but for us, it ended up being a lot of fun.
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Review from Cami T.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/25/2011
I was really disappointed in Top of the Hill. I took my parents here for lunch in the spring, and it was just...not good. The beers were good, I'll grant them that, and the service and atmosphere were good. But the food? I'll pass.
First of all, a lot of the menu is made up of seafood. As someone from the coast, I've become skeptical of seafood this far west, and I was proven right. Someone at our table ordered gumbo, and the shrimp were quite strong tasting and not fresh at all. The rest of the food was passable, but certainly not what I was expecting of a Chapel Hill landmark, with as many other great restaurants as there are on Franklin Street, especially not for the price!
Over all, I say grab drinks at Top of the Hill, and then head somewhere else on Franklin St. for a meal. You'll spend less and probably eat better. -
Review from Mike M.
Hillsborough, NC
12/31/2011
I had my first visit to Topo last evening.... I'd give the food a 3, service a 4 or 5. It was a slow night (night before New Year's Eve) so it wasn't as busy as I'd heard it could be on a weekend. Our server, Sydney, did a great job with us- provided good info, stopped by to check on us at the right times. So, the service was great.
The food was just OK. We both had the specials- my wife had chicken breasts & mashed potatoes, which was just OK. I had tater tots covered with cheese and pulled pork BBQ. Sounded like a good idea at the time. Probably done better at a local Waffle House. The chocolate decadence dessert was fine.
Had the Stout from the rather limited selection of beers.... pretty good! -
Review from Ruxin R.
Chapel Hill, NC
11/19/2011
Food:
Not what to go there for really it's bar food but never been impressed
Service:
Service is spotty depends who you get. It's a brewery and the beers are alright. Bartenders are not really that great if you are looking for a cocktail. I got a vodka soda....soda was flat. Bartender said he didn't know what to do about that....tried a martini...not good....College Kid Bartenders that aren't trained well so don't go there expecting a good cocktail unless it's a Jack and Coke!?
Atmosphere:
Great Patio the selling point and the only reason we go....still it could be updated, the inside is awful I don't think they have done anything since it opened...it's beat down, stinky like a frat house....but again they are attracting a college crowd just a shame since anybody over 25 would expect more.
The Back Bar (The New Addition) Much nicer up to date and when full the place to be...go to that part at night if you go there and are not going to the patio. -
Review from Terrence L.
Manhattan, NY
11/6/2011 1 Check-in Here
Having gone to UNC, I've been to Topo on several occasions. Service is consistently bad, and the food is average. Do not order the Jambalaya, you're better off getting it from the hot bar at whole foods.
As for beers, get the old well white. You won't go wrong with that. -
Review from Nicole H.
La Jolla, CA
9/11/2011 2 photos
What a horrible experience! I went with two friends for dinner on a Saturday night, around 7:30pm. There was a 30-minute wait for a table outside (understandable - what a beautiful view of the sunset!), but being quite hungry, we elected to sit inside with no wait. First the hostess sat us at a table right next to the main walkway and the bar - to which we protested, since there were many tables open in more secluded places by the windows, with better views. She moved us with no problem, and then we waited...and waited...and waited for the waiter (appropriate). Finally one of my friends flagged him down.
By that time we were ready to order - drinks first. Before ordering anything, I asked our server for water for all of us, since we had been walking quite a bit. Then I got the Blue Ridge Blueberry Wheat beer, my friends got a Coke and sweet tea. Our beer/soda/tea came out okay, but we never got our water! This seemed like a fairly standard request, so I was somewhat surprised. (Later when I asked for water again, he only brought out one glass for me. Is the tap water in Chapel Hill rationed or something?) My blueberry wheat beer was very good, though, with fresh blueberries floating in it.
Then we ordered an appetizer that one of my friends had tried before - the sweet potato cheese fries. We were very confused when, after waiting for a while, our entrees came out - no fries before them OR with them! The waiter said that our order had gotten "lost in translation in the computer system." I'm not sure what that means, but I do know that he didn't particularly care. The cheese fries themselves, when we got them, were okay - only half covered with a drizzle of cheese, with a good sauce for dipping on the side.
Our entrees themselves I have no complaints about. I had the goat cheese salad with grilled chicken, and my friends had the strawberry salad and the Arizona chicken. They were all delicious and well-presented, so I'm very sad to only be able to give this place two stars. The service was just so terrible - I can't recommend good food if I can't be sure that it would ever be properly served. -
Review from Alex H.
Chapel Hill, NC
9/3/2011
Location! Location! Location!
Top'O is good and I keep coming back but mostly for the....you guessed it! Location!
The food is mediocre and sometimes terrible. They only have their own beers which sucks when all you want is a Bud Light. However, the bartenders are really attentive, kind, knowledgable and all around, fun. The sunsets are great and table service is always good.
Back Bar trivia is the coolest place to be on Wednesday night so be sure to come early to get a seat/table. If you are visiting Chapel Hill, I would recommend Top'O for drinks and maybe an appetizer but your money is better spent somewhere else for dinner. -
Review from Rachael N.
Cleveland, OH
9/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
3.5 stars for Topp-o.
Service definitely was slow here. We wandered around to the top of the roof of Topp-o (yes, I got the lingo down) and found a table and some chairs....and then waited about 20 minutes for the waiter to show up.
I ordered a summer brew, the other girls ordered a blueberry wheat beer. That blueberry brew was quite tasty! One of the guys ordered a edamame burger with the fries, as well as some nachos- definitely an interesting selection of burgers. He really liked it- I thought the nachos were okay?
The view is cute. I mean, it was summer, and thus, the view of Franklin St was not very exciting due to lack of excitement, but it's still a nice view of the campus. Quite an interesting mix of people as well- as we went back inside, there was definitely a roomfull of yuppies standing around..
Cool place to chill with friends or colleagues when you're in Chapel Hill.... -
Review from Jon W.
Durham, NC
6/10/2011
I do want to preface this review by saying I really do enjoy going to Top of the Hill on a nice night and having one of their tasty beers on their balcony overlooking Franklin Street. When I have friends come from out of town, I typically take them to Top of the Hill for the experience and they have great food as well.
Enough praise. Last night was the 3rd time my wife and I have been to Top of the Hill and have received horrible...actually, worse than horrible....NO SERVICE. The hostess was lovely and sat us outside on the balcony...where we proceeded to sit....and sit.....and sit....and sit. After the first 15 minutes without anyone taking our drink order (Mind you, this is a BAR) or bringing us so much as a water, I decided to start the stopwatch on my phone. 5 more minutes, 10 more minutes...after a solid half hour of no attention to us whatsoever we decided to call it quits.
If this was the 1st time this happened, I wouldn't be writing this review. The last time we were here, we sat with the little seating buzzer for an hour which is fine...except it was a Tuesday night and the restaurant was empty. Upon leaving the manager chased us down to apologize, which I can certainly appreciate but an apology only works when you mean it. If you are truly sorry about your lack of service...then don't do it another 2 or 3 times!
Anyway, I want to love this place....I really do, but I don't see my wife and I going back anytime soon. Great food and drinks can definitely be overshadowed by lackluster service. Do yourself a favor and go down the street to the East End Oyster & Martini Bar, not only do they have great local food and interesting twists on cocktails....but they actually SERVE YOU. -
Review from Aaron J.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/7/2011
So far I have been here a few times and each time gets a little better. The atmosphere is great. I have been a few times for lunch and love being able to look over all of Franklin St. while getting to eat a nice burger. The service is kinda slow I have to say. Each time I had went for a sit down lunch it took at least 10 minutes for the waitress to come and take our order. The service is very friendly though and the food was good, except for the jambalaya. I'm never ordering that again! Too watery for me but I didn't know what I was ordering anyway to it probably is good for people who like that. All in all if you have a particularly long lunch break I would recommend this place for a great burger and salad as well as a view.
Now about the time I went to the bar on a late Sunday night. I will never go to this bar again. The place was sooo packed and noisy I couldn't hear myself think. The bar was impossible to get to through the mass of Plastics and Jocks crowding around telling stories of their drunken escapades. The Bartenders were rude and seemed to not need my service. I ended up leaving without buying any drinks and with a ringing in my ears. Not a place to go unless you have a group of 20 to overpower the bar. -
Review from Matt K.
6/14/2011 2 Check-ins Here
This is an iconic spot, and the food is pretty good. There are plenty of different choices, and while none of it is a culinary revelation, everyone in your party should be able to find something they like. I've also found the food to be consistent. One of my favorite dishes is the jambalaya. It wouldn't compete among the best in New Orleans, but that's not what I'm expecting coming here.
This is a good spot to take visitors to Chapel Hill. It's got a local feel, it has a little touch of class while still being casual, and you won't break the bank either. -
Review from Jordan P.
Durham, NC
5/25/2011
After the initial shock of a livingsocial deal a month or so ago for Top of the Hill, my beau and I promptly jumped on the chance and each grabbed one for half off 30 dollars worth of food/drink.
Upon arrival, we nabbed a few seats at the bar. There was plenty of room in the restaurant and on the porch considering it was a Tuesday night around 8pm in the summer (so Chapel Hill's a bit more of a ghost town), but I always love to be close to the beer taps. Our order consisted of the Jambalaya for him and the Sonoma Salad and an appetizer of Cheese Sweet Potato fries, as well as two Kenan Lagers, a classic beer's beer that was smooth and delish.
Food service was prompt, which made me very happy considering our waiter (the bartender) mentioned he was new and in training. The Jambalaya was TOTALLY on point, good amount of spice and a nice mix of sausage, chicken, and shrimp with veggies that didn't feel too mushy and maintained their flavor.
The sweet potato fries, as always, were amazing. I'm usually a fan of the thin and crispy SPFries, but these ones balance an inner softness with a nice crisp outside, as well as a generous (but not overdone) abundance of cheese. My only complaint would be that they had a great amount of white cheddar, but very limited amount of gorgonzola (a personal favorite). I think I found two small chunks of gorgonzola, and that's it. However, that was minimal compared to how DELISH they were in general. In the future, I'd just request a few more crumbles.
The Sonoma Salad was advertised as fresh spinach, roasted broccoli/cauliflower, tomatoes, strawberries, raisins, almonds and non fat curry yogurt dressing. the big draw for me was the ROASTED broccoli/cauliflower. However, when I received my salad, I think that the veggies appeared as raw as if I'd just picked them and put them on a plate. It still ended up tasty, but a little disappointing considering my expectations.
The prices are all reasonable for the quality of food, and even more so with a coupon. The atmosphere is much nicer when it's less crowded, and the patio was, as always, lovely. -
Review from Dean S.
Santa Monica, CA
11/20/2011
Awesome bar to hangout, with decent local brew at night. The sweet potato fries are good. This was my favorite venue when visiting the Chapel Hill nightlife.
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Review from Luis A.
Raleigh, NC
This place is ok. Try to get a seat outside in the terrace close to the edge. I enjoy that especially with a beer in hand. Their lunch menu is not that great though so I suggest dinner if you want to try it. They do have their own beer here but there are other places around that are better.
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Review from Ruben G.
Hooray for Top of the Hill! I'm glad to say our latest visit has restored my faith in our fair city's most iconic establishment.
I'm not sure why my experiences here in April and June were so lackluster - was it the food and/or service? Was I just nearing exhaustion at the end of another year of teaching 6th and 7th graders? ...or should I just blame it on Mercury being retrograde? ;-)
Whatever the cause, the malaise has passed. Top of the Hill is on top of its game, and I have nothing but the highest regard for it once again.
Our most recent visit, a couple of Sundays ago, was just before the after-church rush. Although there were lots of folks already there, we still were able to sit out on the patio and enjoy the morning breeze. Our waiter (Drew H.) was prompt and very personable. He was knowledgeable about the day's selections, and left us alone for *just* the right amount of time to make up our minds.
My sweetheart started with the Goat Cheese Salad, which proved to be so tasty that I wound up helping her with more than just a 'taste.' The greens were fresh, the vinaigrette was decent and there were ample white raisins and pecans to balance the also ample goat cheese. (Really, I'm getting hungry right now just thinking about it!) She followed this with the Wild Mushroom and Grit Cake, with shrimp. ...and while I really enjoyed my Slow-Roasted Pulled-Pork Sandwich, I think she got the tastier meal. I mean, I was getting embarrassed about how many extra 'tastes' I was sneaking off of her plate! (Truth be told, she did enjoy a number of the Beer-Battered Fries that came with mine.) By the way - their Iron Mine Ale is a wonderful adjunct to that pork sandwich!
I'd like to say that our meal ended there - as we were by that time very pleasantly replete - but that was not to be, as some friends decided to treat us to dessert! Robin had the Chocolate Bundt Cake - warm chocolatey goodness with vanilla ice cream in the middle, and lots and lots of chocolate sauce (and Crème Anglais). To die for. I actually found the chocolatey-ness a bit overwhelming, but she called it 'perfection.' I had the Bread Pudding with Hot Buttered Rum Sauce and Golden Raisins. Now, I am not from the South. I've never really known why so many Southerners feel the way they do about bread pudding, but THIS one... THIS bread pudding just made a convert out of me! It was absolutely outstanding (kudos to the dessert chef) and for me, the perfect way to finish this meal... along with a cup of coffee, which was in and of itself wonderful! (Truly there's nothing worse than finishing a fine meal with a cup of third-rate coffee. But this place brewed a pot of the good stuff!)
I ate so much that frankly my eyes were glazed and I was *done* for the day. But if I'm going to overdo it, THIS is the quality of food (and ambiance) that I want to do it with!
I am delighted to put The Top Of The Hill back on my favorites list!Listed in: Favorite local restaurants
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/16/2011
Living Social. What a great reason to try another meal at what arguably may be the premiere… Read more »
Comment from Scott M. of Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery 6/16/2011
Ruben, I happily take any and all honest criticism. I… More » -
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Review from Jesse P.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/10/2011
Great place for a semi-formal or formal date to. Offers great beers, the blueberry is my favorite followed up by old well white.
Menu is constantly changing and the view is amazing on the porch for the quintessential UNC Chapel Hill experience.
Great place! -
Review from Liwei Y.
9/21/2011
Didn't think the food here was that good for the price they charged. I guess you are partly paying for the view. I would come here for drinks...love their blueberry beer. very very refreshing!!
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Review from Matthew C.
Raleigh, NC
3/21/2011 2 photos
This review is for the "Back Bar" portion of the restaurant (more here: http://topofthehillres...), which I visited for the sole purpose of watching the Tar Heels win their first NCAA Tournament game of 2011.
Basically it seems that Back Bar is Top of the Hill's overflow area, plus sports bar functionality, minus the full menu. There are several pool tables and dart boards. As for drink, you have access to the disgusting beers they brew there, in addition to liquor and exactly two red wine choices. Lacking Miller Lite or something similar, a "bar" is unlikely to receive high praise from me. Also, the bar tenders seemed reluctant to give attention to anyone not wearing a skirt. At least the pours of Cabernet I got were generous.
To order food back here, you fill out a little card and put your name on it. The items are a small selection of stuff from the regular Top of the Hill menu--mostly appetizers. I had the nachos (with chicken) for about $9 and a pizza for $8. Both were actually quite good. I was glad to see that they diced the chicken small enough on the nacho plate so that you can actually scoop up the meat with the chips. The pizza was one of these "make your own" kind of deals: you pick the cheese, the sauce, and a topping or two. I chose a pesto-oriented sauce with bacon, and it was a pretty swell combination. So I have no complaints about the chow; as bar food goes, it seemed well-prepared and a notch above in taste.
This was also a good place to watch the game. Televisions were in good supply (one wall was virtually covered with flat screens), and seating was adequate. Unfortunately--and to my great bewilderment--it seemed to take a lot of effort and time to persuade the staff to turn up the SOUND of the game. When the volume finally crept above the crowd noise, dozens of people watching the game cheered and applauded. It's just bizarre that the personnel even had to be asked to turn up the sound during tournament play!
The drink situation, however, is the real reason I can't award more than three stars. I don't want your house micro-brews. I want other options. If you're not going to serve any mass-produced beer, please throw a few more wine bottles into the mix to accommodate people like me who are no longer in college and who aren't there to inhale cheap liquor. Which brings up a query: if you don't sell popular beers because you're trying to push your in-house swill, why would you serve liquor at all? You aren't a distillery. So why would you serve liquor but not Coors Lite?
Anyway, all of that being said, I'd still visit again to watch a game and to grab some good bar food.Listed in: I want to WATCH SPORTS, not…
Comment from Scott M. of Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery 6/16/2011
Matthew, I am sorry, your bartender probably failed to… More » -
Review from Adrien W.
Bellevue, WA
10/28/2011
If zero stars were an option, that's what I'd give them. WORST customer service, EVER. Don't waste your time.
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Review from Lupo A.
Chapel Hill, NC
3/14/2011
Can't beat the location! Awesome! Inside is elegant. Space and decor flow well together but the terrace is where's at!
The food tastes streamlined and lacks any creativity. The home-brewed beers are really great and worth the so-so food. -
Review from Elise R.
New Orleans, LA
12/4/2010 1 Check-in Here
I feel the need to preface this review with the following fact about me: I'm from Chapel Hill but I've lived in New Orleans for the past 8 years, and New Orleans is like the food capital of the U.S. Perhaps that is why I was so unimpressed with this restaurant.
My favorite part of Top of the Hill, or Topo as the locals call it, is actually entering the restaurant. You enter through double glass doors into a very small, plain lobby which houses one elevator. You can opt to take stairs but seriously, why would you do that unless the place was on fire? So you take the elevator up to the third floor and bam! The doors open into a bustling restaurant. You feel like you're entering some sort of secret club or the Bat Cave (at least that's how I felt...) Sadly, after the excitement of the secret club entrance, my experience was lame.
We were meeting people there and they had already arrived. The hostess suggested that we wander the restaurant looking for our party, or she offered to show us to the table. For a restaurant of the supposed caliber that Topo claims to be, I was taken aback that the hostess actually suggested that she NOT do her job. I mean, a hostess's primary duty is to show people to their tables, why would I not want her to do that for me?
Then came the waiter. He was nice enough, and knowledgeable enough, but his service was disappointing. Again, for a restaurant that is supposed to be "nice", the service was totally inadequate. I guess it sounds snobby, but the side on which he served food and removed plates was inconsistent (serve on left, remove on right), and he reached over me and my food to take a plate away from my neighbor. I just think when you're paying up to $30 for an entree, the staff should be trained in fine dining service.
The food was mediocre, but the wine was really good. Topo also brews their own beer and they have interesting and unique flavors, though I didn't try any of it. Apparently Topo is a fun place to watch UNC games; they have a bar in the restaurant for such activities. Also, they have a prime location on the corner of Franklin St., and during the temperate months you can sit on their balcony and enjoy the 3rd floor vantage point.
In summary, secret club entrance, wine/beer/bar and balcony are the only saving graces of this place.Listed in: Chapel Hill, North Carolina
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Review from Andy H.
Matthews, NC
10/18/2011 1 Check-in Here
Prices much better than expected. Food was good, service good. Outside deck awesome and great beer selection. The place to hang on a beautiful Carolina afternoon
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Review from Austin B.
Chapel Hill, NC
1/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here for lunch a few times and and dinner a few times. Both were very nice experiences. The entire scene, though, can be a little over bearing. Lots of finely dressed people frequent this establishment, not that thats a bad thing, but that is just what you get.
Another thing that is strange to me about this place. Is that they seem to need three hostesses in order to manage their seating. I've seen bigger restaurants, with fewer hostesses, with much better service. Very strange....
Positives:
So I gave it 4 stars, there must be something good about this place, right? Well... Yes! There certainly is. Here they are in list format:
Imperial Stout (add one star if you love stouts)
Fried Chicken (for dinner, enough for two btw)
Almost any sandwich at lunch time
Blueberry wheat beer (spelling? seasonal beer)
Note: because of location everything seems about a dollar overpriced. -
Review from Ashley G.
Durham, NC
1/29/2011
Went here for lunch with my out of town family. We had the jambalaya, grouper po boy, burger and buffalo chicken tenders. I had the jambalaya and it was a chore trying to finish it. Yes a chore. Good portion but it was uninteresting and bland. It wasn't tomato based like traditional jambalaya but rather a mixture of shrimp, chicken, sausage and risotto in some sort of light broth. Pass.
Everyone else thought their meals were ok. Dad said his po boy was heavy on bread, light on the grouper. But he still finished his plate. He also said his beer was "ok". Mom's burger was good and I liked the fries. The chicken tenders were...chicken tenders.
All in all, I say if you are lost on where else to go (as I was) it's a good/safe lunch place for out of towners. Just stick to the burgers and sandwiches. -
Review from E P.
New York, NY
12/30/2010
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery is a nice beer bar steps from the University of North Carolina campus. Their food was nothing memorable but I enjoyed having their beer outside and overlooking the street.
Note to the less well dressed Chapel Hill residents: you are allowed to wear more than athletic shorts and sneakers out in public. -
Review from Melissa M.
Chapel Hill, NC
9/8/2010
If you don't mind paying $15 for a plate of cauliflower and a wedge of chicken, go to Top of the Hill.
If your idea of a great night out is being surrounded by greekers, the occasional suit, and a loud assortment of young folk, then please, for the love of alfalfa, stay at Top of the Hill.
But most importantly, if you like beer and don't mind any of the above, check out Top of the Hill. I've been there during the weekend and on a cold, deserted Tuesday night, and I definitely think you can have a good time. However, beware of the seasonal vegetables! I made the mistake of ordering food twice and both times the vegetable choices were puzzling. Just because the chicken tastes like chicken (congrats!) doesn't mean a sad mound of cauliflower surrounding it is acceptable. -
Review from stacy W.
8/17/2010 4 Check-ins Here
The talk at our table whenever we come to this place usually is centered around college life, and college was awesome. Yeah, the crowd may be a little younger, but who doesn't feel good around a little bit of youthful energy? The scenery and the energy of this place are worth a few beers and a dinner with friends on a nice night. I like the view from the patio, and their homebrews are decent.
The service is a 4
The food and brews are a 3
and the experience is a 4 when you have good company.
just be mindful of the time of day/weekday that your'e going and check out the weather before going. sitting outside when it's 92 degrees is never really a pleasant experience. no matter how cold your brew is. -
Review from Jon T.
New York, NY
10/17/2010
If you know anything about Chapel Hill you know about Top of the Hill. Started by an entrepreneur who had the right concept of how a restaurant should be run in an historical town like Chapel Hill. They make their own beers, all of which are good, my favorite being Leaderboard Lager. For Chapel Hill the drinks are expensive but every city like Chapel Hill has a place like this. Sometimes the crowd can be boring/old so you need to know the nights to go out there. On most Saturdays there's a 1 in 1 out line to get in and that can be pretty annoying especially since it starts outside. Despite the prices and inconvenience at times it's one of the best places to go out in Chapel Hill because of the atmosphere. I make sure to get a few drinks here when I'm back in town.
Also, they have a small menu with great chef choices and their brunch is pretty amazing. Especially if you can get a seat on the patio looking over Franklin Street
Oh, and this is one of Michael Jordan's favorite restaurantsListed in: Sweet Home North Carolina
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Review from Will C.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/9/2010 3 Check-ins Here
There might be nothing better in CH than sitting outside on the 3rd floor on a warm fall day drinking a nice brown ale and eating some nachos as you watch CH life wander by.
The food has gone down hill, no pun intended, the last several years and it feels as if they want the 22+ age crowd who doesn't care about the food but just wants to watch the eye candy go by.
Yet, still remains a winner. -
Review from Huntting B.
Washington, DC
9/4/2010
Pretty nice joint. The beer (stout) was pretty tasty. Better than Guinness but not as good as some beers out there. The vibe is really nice here and a lot of the food is very good.
That said...the pizza...leaves a lot to be desired. It tastes almost like...well...red baron frozen pizza (not a good thing).
That said...everyone else at my table really did enjoy what they'd ordered and the fried pickles and jalapenos were pretty flippen awesome...
So...stay away from the Pizza...but...you're probably safe with everything else there! -
Review from Robert C.
Chapel Hill, NC
10/18/2010
Best semi over priced placed in Chapel Hill to spot dudes in polo shirts
In the summer it is fine (since there are not as many guys in polo shirts), but Fall through spring skip it. -
Review from Felecia B.
Chapel Hill, NC
8/17/2010 1 Check-in Here
We went here last night as part of a birthday celebration. We just went in for drinks so I can't comment on the food, other than I would have eaten there had there been something vegetarian that sounded good. I always pass on pasta because I can make it myself and if you are going to serve burgers it would be a nice addition to include a vegetarian burger as well.
With that said, Top of the Hill has some of the most amazing microbrewed beer. The Cezanne is one of the best IPAs you will find anywhere which keeps us coming back. We were fortunate to grab a great table overlooking Franklin which we probably won't be able to once the students descend so it was cool to have this nice drinking establishment "to ourselves" this summer.
I hope that management could trade one of the pasta dishes for something else and I would love to come stay longer and enjoy dinner and drinks. I guess I could try the grits but it just doesn't go with beer to me. -
Review from Richard D.
Chapel Hill, NC
7/29/2011
Food is mediocre at best. Overpriced, even the bar at night. Paying for the name, but it's okay when you're wasted
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Review from justin g.
Chapel Hill, NC
7/30/2011
I prefer their brews over their food. IPA and White Ale are steller. Food was a tad above average. Jambalaya was dry and needed more broth. Pulled pork was good but didn't like it served over mac'n'cheese. Service and atmosphere were outstanding. Definitely coming back for a beer but maybe not for dinner.
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Review from Anita J.
Hoboken, NJ
7/19/2010
Another one of my fav college hangouts (when I wanted to be mature that is) that I love going back to. Food here is good but you really come here for their beers, they are Top of the Hill exclusives that can't be missed.
If the weather is nice, grab a seat on the terrace that overlooks Franklin St.
The beers I love:
Summer Kenan Lager
Old Well White
The food I have eaten and would eat again:
Bruschetta
Baked Crab Dip
Baked Brie
The Top Cheeseburger
Goat Cheese Ravioli
Figure 8 Crab Cakes
Grilled Grouper Po Boy
I am getting thirsty and hungry just reading this.
