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Cholanad Restaurant and Bar, Chapel Hill, NC

Cholanad Restaurant and Bar

4.6
4.6
487 Reviews
$30 and under
South Indian
Cholanad Team is focused on delivering the South Indian culinary experience in a world class style. We are aspiring to become a world leader in ethnic cuisine experience that includes food, ambiance and service.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for Postmates
  • Logo image for Uber Eats

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Cuisines

    South Indian, Indian, Seafood

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 2:30 pm–10:30 pm Sun 2:30 pm–9:15 pm

  • Phone number

    (800) 246-5262

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Owned/operated by

    South Asian/Indian

  • Catering

    We cater for all your events! Pls email at info@cholanad.com

  • Private party facilities

    Available Private dining on Advanced booking. We provide custom menus for groups of more than 20 guests.

  • Private party contact

    Kumar: (800) 246-5262

  • Neighborhood

    Chapel Hill

  • Cross street

    Mallette St

  • Parking details

    FREE Parking located on the back of the Restaurant via W Rosemary Street.

  • Public transit

    In front of our business

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 487 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.4Ambience
  • 4.4Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill

    Healthy

  • Durham

    Healthy

Sort by

Filters

  1. NLGA

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 5 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was great and portions generous. Many thanks for clearly marking vegan selections and having so many choices. We will be back!
  2. CaseyD

    E. Tennessee

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 9, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Really enjoyed the meal here. Our server was very welcoming and open to questions. Would definitely go again when in the Chapel Hill.
  3. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 3, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went for my birthday and got a free glass of champagne. Service was great and food was delicious.
  4. MelissaR

    Los Angeles

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We really enjoyed each dish. The waiter made good suggestions and the service was quick and responsive. We will return!
  5. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great for a first time date night the food was amazing and the service was top tier. Highly recommend
  6. OpenTable Diner

    Chicago

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Excellent food and service
  7. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 15, 2023

    overall4food5service4ambience3
    Our server was amazing!! Gave great suggestions and good vibes. He was slammed with tables and still made us feel valued!
  8. Allie

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 14, 2023

    overall4food5service1ambience2
    The food was amazing as as usual!
  9. SteveB

    New York Area

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience2
    Food was great. Service was great. Missed the ambience of the prior location (it was more upscale with white tablecloths, etc.) The multiple TVs in this present location make it seem more of a sports bar and less of a fairly high-end Indian restaurant. Also, I wish they would stock the bar with limes so that I could enjoy a really good Gin & Tonic. This is the second time limes have been missing when ordering that cocktail. I still like the restaurant for its food and service.
  10. KLola

    Raleigh

    19 reviews

    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great restaurant! Great food, excellent service and ambiance! Highly recommend and will go back!
  11. krishiyer

    Raleigh

    41 reviews

    5.0

    41 reviews

    Dined on January 22, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Had a great experience with our family celebrating UNC win over NC state
  12. LiamS

    Raleigh

    27 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    27 reviews

    Dined on January 16, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience4
    Very nice meal.
  13. ElizabethM

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We loved our Christmas dinner - was festive, the staff were welcoming and helpful and the food was great!
  14. JaneP

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 25, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    We had a lovely meal. The setting is a bit industrial (cement floors, etc) but still feels festive. Sitting near the door on a cold evening meant we felt a cold draft every time the door was opened, so they could use a curtain or inner door. Otherwise no complaints!
  15. LisaH

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on December 15, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had an excellent meal at Cholanad, the atmosphere was wonderful and the service was great! We would recommend it and go again!
  16. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Outstanding South Indian cuisine, some of the best I’ve ever had and I lived in India for 4 months and have eaten hundreds of dosai! Server wasn’t as attentive as your most attentive server but perfectly fine. Atmosphere is modern, not particularly interesting. But 5 stars based on the food. Spring dosa is my favorite!
  17. CatherineG

    San Francisco

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall3food3service1ambience3
    Second meal here. First was great but this one was very disappointing. Very indifferent food and the service was worse.
  18. IndiraG

    Wilmington

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 24, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The food was fantastic and reasonably priced. The only input would be to have some soft background music (preferably Indian).
  19. KarenC

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 4, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious, fresh food and attentive service. Thank you!
  20. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 30, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our evening could not have been better. We were directed to a table for dining and the hostess answered many questions about ingredient lists because we have significant food allergies. She directed us to some great choices and had the kitchen staff make some modifications to accommodate our allergies. In other words, we were challenging diners. The food was fantastic and plentiful and the service was superb. We’ll definitely return.
  21. PatriceE

    Las Vegas

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We came from DC to visit our favorite Indian restaurant. The only thing that’s changed since our last visit is the location. The food is still delicious and the service is warm and friendly.
  22. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 9, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food. Good staff. The bread basket order came with a yummy masala sauce. Good service. Quiet booth. Reasonably priced. Getting check took a bit of time but server was busy prepping for the next day.
  23. RaviG

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on October 1, 2022

    overall3food3service3ambience4
    CholaNad experience has generally been very good but this was probably a one off thing (related to short staff?). Food was totally cold upon arrival after waiting long. Server was kind to replace the dosa and roti but the experience was already spoiled. Thali presentation was not up to their own standards. I’d really hope to be back again but on weekdays when customer volume is low and possibly manageable.
  24. OpenTable Diner

    Western NC

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 1, 2022

    overall4food5service4ambience4
    Really enjoyed our meal. However felt overpriced
  25. luv2dine

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Authentic Indian food. Great food and service Unfortunately, parking is what will make you not want to come back.
  26. ElizabethD

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on September 7, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our son's birthday celebration was perfect! The food was fantastic, the service was exceptional - and that combination made everything perfect. We were able to sit "outside" and enjoy the evening's fresh air. Our server even called me after we left to let me know I'd forgotten my umbrella! We can't wait to go back again!
  27. OpenTable Diner

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 31, 2022

    overall3food3service2ambience3
    Waiter was not great… food was OK
  28. Rich

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on August 28, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Birthday, service was outstanding . The waitress was very attentive helping navigate the menu and making really great recommendations.
  29. Nehasunshine

    Washington DC

    9 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2022

    overall3food3service4ambience2
    i have fond memories of the restaurant when it opened a decade plus ago, and i haven’t been there since 2013. I was excited to eat there on my way back to DC.. however the location had changed and while the space seemed bigger, it lacked the warmth that i remembered. We ordered sambar dosa ( which in my memory was the best i have ever had) fell short. Dosa was cold and sambar was very thick and i didn’t eat past a bite Aloo poori were warm but lacked flavors. In dessert the pongal was nothing to rave about overall i was disappointed
  30. MicS

    Charlotte

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on August 21, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service. They have some unique dishes from Tamil Nadu on top of the typical Indian menu you see in other places. We don’t live in RTP area, but always stop by when we are in the area
  31. CatJay

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on August 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was delicious, as always. Service was prompt and accommodating and genuinely friendly. Very nice dining experience.
  32. Diane

    Portland

    58 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on August 9, 2022

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Always a favorite when we are in Chapel Hill. Yummy food and always dependable to be tasty.
  33. Ellen

    Philadelphia

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on July 26, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We were new to Cholanad and I and 3 friends were very happy with the quality of the food. Everyone agreed that everything was delicious. And the young man who served us was very patient and helpfu as we navigated the very extensive menu. We really had a lovely time. And we’ll be back!
  34. Larry

    Raleigh

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on July 23, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Moved across the parking lot to bigger space at former Mellow Mushroom. Lots more free parking in the back off Rosemary Street. Same great food as before. Loved the mango lassi for dessert!
  35. DFWMax

    Dallas

    19 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on June 20, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing meal! Great service. Elevated south Indian fare at its finest.
  36. algreens

    Raleigh

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on June 19, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    First of all didn’t get into town until 10pm. Thank goodness Cholanad’s kitchen is open until 11. The food was outstanding and the service and staff were so nice and welcoming. They did excellent job at describing ingredients etc. Will definitely be going back.
  37. Foodfriend99

    Raleigh

    61 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    61 reviews

    Dined on June 10, 2022

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Wonderful Gathering for a delicious dinner with friends
  38. Franco

    Raleigh

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 24, 2022

    overall2food3service1ambience3
    The atmosphere of the restaurant is nicely conceived with both indoor and finished outdoor spaces. We had two types of masala dosa and two curries, chicken saag and chettinad chicken curry. The dosas were very good. The curries were OK but otherwise forgettable. We were served by a young man who also greeted diners at the front podium. He was confused, slow, and forgetful the entire evening. He blamed the repeated and lengthy delays we experienced in getting our drinks and meals upon the restaurant's being "busy," even though both spaces were nearly empty while we were there.
  39. OpenTable Diner

    Montreal

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 13, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    The food seemed to be very inconsistent in terms of taste and freshness. Our waiter was inexperienced and we had to track him down to arrange to pay the bill. After three attempts, I’m giving up on this restaurant.
  40. AWL2

    Raleigh

    14 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2022

    overall1food2service1ambience3
    Sadly, the servers were understaffed and overwhelmed with UNC Graduating Seniors and Mother's Day families. I would have hoped that the restaurant's manager might have anticipated a busy evening and staffed accordingly. The wait times for food were over 1 hour. We've been here many times in the past and had a much more pleasant experience.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Sealed or wrapped utensils used
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Cholanad Restaurant and Bar using the Order Online button. Cholanad Restaurant and Bar also offers delivery in partnership with Postmates and Uber Eats. Cholanad Restaurant and Bar also offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (800) 246-5262.

Cholanad Restaurant and Bar is rated 4.6 stars by 487 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

7:00 PM


Booked 4 times today

Order delivery or takeout

Other options

  • Order online
  • Logo image for Postmates
  • Logo image for Uber Eats
Google Map for Cholanad Restaurant and Bar

310 West Franklin Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Mallette St

  • Neighborhood

    Chapel Hill

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Daily 11:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 2:30 pm–10:30 pm Sun 2:30 pm–9:15 pm

  • Cuisines

    South Indian, Indian, Seafood

  • Dining style

    Fine Dining

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    FREE Parking located on the back of the Restaurant via W Rosemary Street.

  • Public transit

    In front of our business

  • Payment options

    AMEX, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

  • Owned/operated by

    South Asian/Indian

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Delivery, Dog Friendly, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

  • Phone number

    (800) 246-5262

  • Catering

    We cater for all your events! Pls email at info@cholanad.com

  • Private party facilities

    Available Private dining on Advanced booking. We provide custom menus for groups of more than 20 guests.

  • Private party contact

    Kumar: (800) 246-5262

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