NC's oldest restaurant offers a "peek into the past"
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Photo: Courtesy of Carolina Coffee Shop
Carolina Coffee Shop in downtown Chapel Hill has been in business serving locals and tourists for more than a century.
Why it matters: It reigns as North Carolina's oldest restaurant.
The big picture: Carolina Coffee Shop, a household name among Carolina grads, celebrated its 102-year anniversary earlier this year.
- The restaurant we know today was originally a UNC student post office which turned into a soda shop called Carolina Confectionery. It later opened as Carolina Coffee Shop in 1922. Now a full-service restaurant, it's owned by a group of friends who went to UNC Chapel Hill together.
- In 2022, they opened a cafe called 1922 by Carolina Coffee Shop next door to commemorate their century anniversary.
"We've watched things change around us, but we're like a little time capsule," said General Manager Kyle Shea, whose first job was serving at Carolina Coffee Shop.
- "It's an interesting peek into the past," he adds.
The vibe: Many spaces of the original restaurant remain the same, including the original soda counter that now serves as a bar. The seated booths have been around since the 1960s.
- You'll notice several black and white photos from over the years hanging around the brick-walled restaurant. Framed newspaper ads from the 1930s hang in the bathroom.
- It has space for 150 people in the restaurant, 50 people in the cafe plus outdoor patio seating.
What to expect: Most of the menu focuses on Southern brunch dishes with classic items such as cornflake french toast. Over time they added a few modern favorites.
- "We have a pretty interesting mix between what people ate back then and what people love now," Shea said. "For example, 20 years ago our menu didn't have avocado toast."
While you may not see 1920s menu pricing, the majority of their dishes come in under $16, despite the recent dining out inflation.
- To drink they have 14 cocktails with about six options infused with coffee, beer and wine.
Zoom in: Franklin Street has evolved over time and some residents raised concerns about development in the area.
- Lately, the famous college town gained chains like Starbucks and Raising Cane's, but many residents can recall a time with more local businesses.
"There used to be all mom and pop shops up and down Franklin Street, but a lot of business took hits during the pandemic," Shea said. "I think that's why UNC alumni love this space. A lot of stuff might have changed but the restaurant hasn't that much so that is still comforting."
Stop by: Find Carolina Coffee Shop at 138 East Franklin St. It's open daily from 8am-3pm.
