You unpacked the boxes — now here is where students at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Chapel Hill, NC) actually eat, shop, bank, and hang out. Bookmark this for your first month.
Sutton's Drug Store diner
1923 Franklin St institution — burgers, shakes, walls of student photos
Time-Out 24-hour Southern
Famous chicken-cheddar biscuit, open late for post-study runs
Mediterranean Deli Mediterranean
Huge veggie-friendly plates on West Franklin
Cosmic Cantina burritos
Cheap upstairs late-night burritos on East Franklin
Al's Burger Shack burgers
Award-winning burgers and fries on West Franklin
Target (Franklin St) small-format
Dorm essentials about 2 blocks from campus
Harris Teeter grocery
University Place, about 1.5 miles east on bus routes
Trader Joe's grocery
Eastgate Crossing, about 2 miles via East Franklin
Walgreens pharmacy
E Franklin St, a short walk from North Campus
Chapel Hill Transit bus
Completely fare-free buses across Chapel Hill and Carrboro
UNC Campus Health student health
On-campus clinic, most visits covered by fees
P2P Express safe ride
Free late-night campus shuttle
UNC Student Stores campus store
Textbooks, tech, and Carolina gear
Franklin Street
Walk the strip — eats, coffee, shops, live music
Dean Dome basketball
Enter the student lottery — bucket-list atmosphere
Coker Arboretum
Free five-acre garden oasis on campus
Carrboro
Weaver Street Market lawn and Saturday farmers market
Rush Franklin
The legendary celebration after beating Duke
Hand-checked August 2026. Hours and locations change — give places a quick look before you head out. Some links on this site earn us a commission at no cost to you.