Food & Drink · Restaurants
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
About
Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery
Perched on the third floor above the corner of Franklin and Columbia streets, Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery is one of the most recognizable landmarks in downtown Chapel Hill. Known affectionately as TOPO, this rooftop restaurant and brewery has been a University of North Carolina institution since it opened in 1996, drawing students, alumni, professors, and visitors to its sweeping open-air terrace. Whether you come for a celebratory dinner, a game-day gathering, or a quiet pint at sunset, few spots capture the spirit of this college town quite like it.
A Franklin Street Institution
Top of the Hill was founded by Chapel Hill entrepreneur Scott Maitland, who transformed a prime downtown corner into a gathering place that has anchored the local scene for nearly three decades. Its address at 100 East Franklin Street sits at the very heart of the university district, overlooking the busy intersection that generations of Tar Heels have crossed on their way to class, to games, and to graduation. The restaurant has become a rite of passage for UNC families, and it remains a beloved fixture on one of the South’s most storied main streets.
House-Brewed Beer with a View
As one of the Triangle’s pioneering brewpubs, Top of the Hill crafts its own beer on site, and its flagship Old Well White has earned a devoted following over the years. The brewery’s rotating lineup ranges from crisp, easy-drinking wheat ales to hoppier styles, all poured fresh just steps from where they are made. Sipping a house pint while looking out over the rooftops of downtown Chapel Hill is a quintessential local experience, and the brewery’s long presence helped put the region on the map as a craft-beer destination.
Southern Comfort and Rooftop Dining
The kitchen leans into approachable American fare with a Southern accent, built to pair well with a cold beer and good company. Regulars return for the Filet Mignon Royale, a tender center-cut steak that headlines the dinner menu, along with crisp Southern-style Buttermilk Fried Chicken and the char-grilled Butterkase Burger topped with melted cheese. Seafood, salads, and shareable starters round out a menu designed to suit everything from a casual lunch to a special occasion. On warm evenings, the patio fills quickly, so it is worth planning ahead.
The View That Defines the Space
What truly sets Top of the Hill apart is its perch. From the third-floor dining room and open-air terrace, guests take in one of the best vantage points in town, watching the rhythm of Franklin Street below and the sun setting behind the UNC campus. It is a favorite for graduation weekends, homecoming, and out-of-town guests who want to understand what makes Chapel Hill special. The combination of elevation, atmosphere, and history gives the room an energy that is hard to replicate.
Planning Your Visit
Top of the Hill is open for lunch and dinner most days, with late-night hours on weekends and Thursday nights that keep the terrace lively well past dark. Reservations are recommended for busy weekends and university event days, and they can be booked online. You will find it at 100 East Franklin Street, third floor, in the center of downtown Chapel Hill, an easy walk from campus and the surrounding shops and galleries. For a taste of Tar Heel tradition served with a rooftop view and a fresh house-brewed beer, it is hard to do better than TOPO.