Been here twice for work. It is small place. You can't bring a big group unless you call ahead. This is very intimate so you better like your co-workers or your date! The food & service hands down are the 5. I will def come back if my work travels brings me here again.

Updating this post since they have gone back to full service: you MUST visit this restaurant! One of our absolute favorites in Chapel Hill. We have since moved to NYC and it could hold its own there 100 percent. We miss it. The first time I came to Lantern in August 2019 I was absolutely blown away. I was excited to take my husband so once they opened post-COVID we were eager to book a spot in their outdoor patio. They have a new system where you order entirely on your phone (although a waiter does come check on you and bus the table). The food was still good but I felt like it wasn't up to my last experience. The pea shoot scallion dumplings were my favorite of the night, in large part to their miso sesame dipping sauce. We also got the fried okra but it tasted kind of cold when it arrived. The fried cauliflower was not particularly stand out. The crispy catfish I expected to be more flavorful but it was bland (I got a whole fish the first time which was bursting with flavor). The real winner of the night was the Peach Melba dessert - that was a 5 star and not even usually big on dessert. I still love Lantern from my original experience so maybe it was an off night - hoping things turn around and recognize the hardship they've been through! Pic - Junebug cocktail (similar to Pimm's cup, and appetizers).

We had a great graduation lunch here before the ceremony. The whole fish was excellent and had a great seasoning. Everyone loved their beef course as well. Service was fantastic also. We enjoyed the June bug drink , similar to a Pimm’s Cup.

Actually really love this spot. Upscale Asian fusion food. Unique items on the menu. Steak, dumplings, catfish, salmon bento box & poached pear mousse were my highlights. Candle lit ambient environment. Really nice outdoor seating in the summer. Warning: many things have cilantro. Perfect for a celebratory dinner.

+6

Delicious! The BBQ'D COUNTRY PORK RIB was the best pork I’ve had … maybe ever. Such a delicious sauce!!!! Service was EXTREMELY attentive - with multiple people making sure we had placed our orders/our water was full/etc. The Hot Chocolate Cake was divine. As someone who recently moved from ATL - this restaurant exceeded my expectations and made me excited to try more restaurants around Chapel Hill. It certainly wasn’t cheap - perhaps bordering on being over priced but who am I to dictate their menu!! The food doesn’t disappoint.

If you’re looking for fine dining in Chapel Hill the answer is Lantern. We were simply blown away by the quality, presentation, atmosphere, and service. Our server Sophia was very attentive and knowledgeable, and the back patio was the perfect ambience for our dinner date. Stars of the show were the spicy cucumber soup, pork & chive dumplings, and the mint chocolate ice cream 😍😍😍 (best mint chip ice cream I’ve had in my life) HIGHLY recommend!!!

+1

John Doe

Very nice restaurant. Kind staff. Great food. Open environment with good indoors and outdoors seating. Greek Yogurt desert is very good.

Dave Morgan

We had a very nice dinner at Kipos. I had the tuna and my wife had the salmon. Both were excellent. Service was fast, friendly, and efficient. I had a very, very large baklava for dessert

Diamond Symone

Didn’t have a reservation tonight but was able to be accommodated for a table beautifully by the hostesses working tonight. My friend traveled from downtown Pittsboro and I from Durham and we had a great dining experience— worth the drive. The bartender Spencer recommended an amazing white wine that my friend and I both loved. Fantastic service, delicious food, gorgeous space 10/10.

Haile Clayton

Went for dinner with a friend to celebrate my birthday; my friend’s fiancé is Greek, they’ve come before, and even he gave this place his Greek stamp of approval. We decided to get the dip platter to share, then split an entree. The dip platter was delicious. It came out very quickly, and dip was perfectly chilled. You get ALOT of dip. She primarily ate the dips and we still have leftover dip. For our entree, which also came out quickly, we got the salmon. I love hot food, and that’s the first thing I noticed about the salmon. It came out smoking hot, yet perfectly tender and flavored. The potatoes were lemon-y, which paired well with both the salmon and accompanying vegetables. Our server was great. Very funny guy… wish I had asked for him name, but he had an accent so we thought he was Greek… turns out he’s Spanish. Everytime my water cup was low, they were coming around to fill it back up. We went on a Tuesday at 6:15, and it wasn’t too busy to start, but by the time we left around 8 it was starting to get lively! Will be taking my family back in the future. Great place for students to take their parents if they’re in town for the weekend and are looking for something delicious and different.

Jennifer L Carlson

Unassuming restaurant tucked into the corner by Aldi- No need to boast a grand storefront when you got the goods to give the people tasty meals, divine service, & supreme ambience! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The whole vibe is just right! We were visiting from Pinehurst, and we will come again. All of our meals were fantastic. We even got a show! Do you love Greek food, & hospitality? This is it! @localjenn #localgide #greekfood #bestmeal

+7

Bhavna

Our waitress, Astrid, was very helpful guiding me with options on the menu. Her recommendations on wine pairings couldn't have been more perfect. My friend and I described our flavour likes and she didn't steer us wrong. I got everything she recommended...appetizer (pita + spread), dinner (scallops in tomato sauce) and dessert (olive chocolate mousse)... everything was DELICIOUS! We sat indoors for this dinner but will be back in the fall to try out their outdoor section that literally feels like you've been transported to Europe.

Nancy C.

I had a wonderful lunch here on Christmas Eve. The interior is warm and inviting, the service is friendly, the food is delicious and the prices are reasonable. I can't wait to return during the Spring to enjoy the outdoor patio!

+4

JB T

We visited on a Sunday afternoon. We were seated without reservations and served immediately. Tables are tight and small but sufficient. They offer baby seats. The service was attentive and professional. We ordered lamb sandwiches, the spanakotiropita, and the french toast.

Robin Gibbs

Came in for lunch with my husband and son, first time visiting Kipos and it did not disappoint. We were greeted first by a young man giving us water, than we had the fantastic server, Alfredo. We all ordered the Awakening drink which was cold coffee with vodka, chocolate bitters etc and it was good but I asked Alfredo if they ever served this drink hot, after discussing it for a few minutes, Alfredo said let's give it a try, i said I'm down, let's do it. When he brought it out for me to try, it was it. I suggest that they do both a hot and cold version of "The Awakening " drink. The rest of the food was also fantastic but again the best part of our visit was Alfredo. We will be back.

Joe Ratner

This was our third visit, and Kipos doesn't disappoint. The food, the service, and the atmosphere are like being back in Greece. The horiatiki salad was fresh and crisp, pan seared trout was delicious, and the lemon potatoes are always delicious. Don't miss the octopus or the souvlaki (get the pork) thanks for a great dinner guys again. Opah!!!

+4

Binoy Damodaran

We had Sunday brunch at Kipos Greek Taverna in Chapel Hill which offered a delightful Greek dining experience with a warm, rustic ambiance. One can enjoy dishes like the maze trio with pita, spanakopita, seafood salad and yummy desserts (we had assorted greek cookies and olive oil chocolate mousse), all crafted with fresh ingredients. The service is attentive, and the atmosphere feels vibrant yet relaxed, perfect for a leisurely weekend meal. Their signature Greek coffee pairs with sweet desserts. Overall, it's a lovely spot for an authentic Mediterranean brunch.

Kathleen Koechling

We ate brunch outside in their lovely garden-like space. My Spanakotiropita was terrific, crispy on the bottom with complex flavors and larger than expected. It came with Greek green beans with tomatoes, just spicy enough to complement the entree. My daughter's enjoyed her waffle plate, which was also excellent. Our waiter was attentive and helpful.

+4

Ana Sachetto

Kipos is one of those special places that you fall in love with. The cocktails are amazing, the food and deserts are well-made and so flavorful, the atmosphere is lovely and the service is absolutely spectacular. I never write reviews, but I just had to with this one! Go and be sure you’ll have a great time!

Katie Crenshaw

Beautiful atmosphere and absolutely incredible food. The food is elegantly plated, served fresh with high quality ingredients. The Pastitsio is the best I ever had and was absolute perfection. If you are a foodie, this is your spot for authentic Greek food!

+1

Alex Davis

Love the atmosphere of this place. We’ve always eaten inside but they have a large patio too. They have a guy playing Greek music on the weekends and he’s great. The food is good and reasonably priced. A good place for a special occasion or a date night. It is in the corner of a shopping center so don’t be fooled when you first pull in. It’s very nice.

Gorjan Mitrushevski

My wife and I are from Macedonia and have been to Greece 30+ times. Also, our own cuisine is very close to the Greek one. That said, this is probably the most authentic Greek restaurant in the triangle area. We've been here multiple times, tried a bunch of the food and everything is amazing. I'd recommend it to anyone. 10/10.

+4

Annie Bright

Amazing place for date night! We tried two fish items on the dinner special and did not disappoint. Definitely will be going back to try more of the regular dinner menu items. Dessert was also very delicious!

3.5 stars. I ordered the hot pot but the broth was too salty for me. My first visit here so I cannot say if the saltiness is the norm. However, the quality of ingredients and the service was top notch. Will have to come back to try other dishes.

Had a delicious meal here and the steak was the star of the show. Very tender and the sauce was a delicious savory, umami concoction. The side asparagus was also quite tasty but the other appetizers were a bit unremarkable. That being said, I really can’t say enough about the steak.

My recent dining experience at Lantern in Chapel Hill was nothing short of delightful. From the delectable cuisine to the captivating ambiance, it was an evening to remember. Let's start with the highlight of the meal - the bite-size Korean fried chicken. It was simply out of this world delicious! Each crispy morsel packed a punch of flavor that left us craving more. It's definitely a must-try dish for anyone visiting Lantern. As for the drinks, I opted for the Late Blossom, a perfect spring cocktail that blended vodka, lillet blanc, lychee, and orange blossom into a refreshing and fragrant concoction. It perfectly complemented the vibrant flavors of the meal. Speaking of which, I savored every slurp of the ramen with pork belly, bok choy, and an egg. The broth was rich and flavorful, the pork belly perfectly tender, and the addition of bok choy added a refreshing crunch. It was a bowl of comfort and indulgence. What truly elevated the experience was the ambiance of the back room where my friends and I were seated. It exuded a sense of intimacy and mystery, making it the perfect setting for romantic dates or intimate gatherings. The dim lighting added to the allure, creating a cozy atmosphere that enhanced our dining experience. Overall, Lantern offers a memorable dining experience with its exquisite cuisine, inviting ambiance, and impeccable service. While the meal was fantastic, there's always room for improvement, hence the four-star rating. Nevertheless, I highly recommend Lantern to anyone looking for a culinary adventure in Chapel Hill.

This restaurant charges 6% for what they called a kitchen fee!,… what is the reason behind this?,.. it comes in as a surprise , …. And it was late when I learned about this,..

Food was really good. It is definitely an upscale Asian restaurant. Menu is not large but full of flavor! The ambiance was great for a small group setting. Would recommend a reservation.

very nice! relaxing atmosphere. it was dead but food took a while...everyone ordered dumplings/potstickers

Good quality cooking, dubious if it’s worth the price. I had high expectations for Lantern as it is the only restaurant currently open in the Triangle area with a JB award. The pan-Asian Southern concept is also quite interesting: it allows the restaurant to get away from authenticity if it allows for better flavor. Although, I doubt if that decision really pays off for Lantern (the fried okra with tomato chutney is markedly inferior to any Indian or Southern preparation of fried okra). The rest of the dishes, however, were executed perfectly. The noodles, in particular, were a highlight: it’s as if the very essence of an oyster mushroom was distilled into the sauce. Similarly, the dumplings were cooked to a perfect toothsome level and the sesame dipping sauce accompanying them was outstanding. All that said, I’m still unsure this is worth the price - there are certainly better restaurants in the Triangle area that you don’t have to pay this much for. Worth a visit, but not more than once.

+1

Fusion food with local fresh ingredients. We went there for dinner. Not too many options on menu which is not a bad thing. Ordered chaat and salt-pepper shrimp for appetizers and both were amazing. Crispy cilantro with shrimp reminded us of some authentic Indian food from back home. Chaat was different than typical Indian style chaat. Great combination of ingredients. For mains I ordered vegetable stew. Wife and kid ordered whole NC wild fish. I loved the veggie stew but fish was interesting. It was whole bass with head and bones. It’s took a little bit of work to get the flesh. Taste was decent and our least favorite item for dinner. Dessert was amazing. We had Hot chocolate cake and warm yuzu pudding. Both were delicious. Service was excellent. Took a little while to find parking. There are two paid parking lots next to the restaurant.

+4

John Martin

The food is excellent, the server with customer service, but the host (welco.mer and assig the table) it wasn't good service. The portions are not filling but are full of flavor and healthy. This restaurant make you feel in the Mediterranean. Nice place to be with your love and family.

+7

Noelia Bautista

I went for dinner with a reservation and sat outside. The service was very professional and friendly. The Greek salad and dessert; chocolate mousse were delicious. However, I didn’t like the main courses, I don’t recommend them and wouldn’t order them again. The atmosphere was beautiful, and that day, there was live music.

+7

Great atmosphere, excellent service, okay food. The fish was cooked whole, which I'm definitely not used to. If it blew my mind I wouldn't have cared, but I've had much better fish that didn't involve mouthfuls of fishbones. The pork and chive dumplings were good, not great. The cocktail I got (scotch, port, egg white, some other ingredients) was EXCELLENT. The chocolate cake and peanut brittle ice cream dessert was so good we ordered a second one.

I sat at a bar table with a chair that was on the verge of collapsing. People passing by constantly elbowed me in the back. The menu was basic, and the food was bland. Overall, the experience was okay at best.

Anne Zhao

There are so many average-tasting, overpriced restaurants in small cities compared to big metropolitan areas. Like $45 for three tiny fatty lamb chops, I’m not buying it. The scallops on the seasonal menu are good though.

Went there for dinner during the restaurant week. The food there is at best mediocre: Ramen too salty and Pudding with orange tastes bitter. However, wait time is crazy long. We are by the table begging for the food to come. Not worth the price even during the restaurant week: 18% tip fixed even for two people, and total costs about $50 per person

Food was ok. Beef was not tender, and the steamed fish didn't taste like anything I can't make myself. Nothing to write home about. What was outrageous was that they mandated a "Fair Wage" tip to the kitchen staff in addition to the tip for the waiters. If you charge $32 for a small plate of mediocre food, you can afford to pay a "Fair Wage" to your cooks instead of transferring the cost to patrons.

The building and patio are nice. However the food was not worth the price (compared to other quality/price points in the triangle).

Loved the ambience and the vibe. Cocktails were great. Fried okra was a disappointment. Not a fan of their entrees too. Overall what's a restaurant with good ambience and okay ish food ?

+4