Top of the Hill Restaurant & Brewery

Top of the Hill Restaurant and Brewery — locally abbreviated TOPO — is a Chapel Hill, North Carolina landmark at 100 East Franklin Street, perched above the pedestrian heart of the university town with rooftop terrace views over the UNC campus and Franklin Street. The brewery and restaurant have been intertwined since 1996, when TOPO became one of the first brewpubs in North Carolina and helped establish the state's now-thriving craft beer culture. The house-brewed ales — rotating through seasonal and flagship recipes — are the driving reason to visit, and the beer flight is the natural entry point for newcomers. The food menu is built to support the brewery: the TOPO burger is a well-assembled double patty with house sauce and standard accompaniments, designed to pair with a cold pint rather than to be evaluated on its own terms. Fish and chips is satisfying bar food. The pretzel with beer cheese is the most natural food-and-beer pairing on the menu. The rooftop terrace is the architectural and experiential centerpiece, offering one of the most distinctive dining vantage points in the Triangle — Franklin Street below, the UNC bell tower visible in the distance, and a crowd that reflects the town's mix of students, faculty, and visitors. TOPO is also home to a distillery operation producing TOPO Organic Spirits, including vodka and whiskey made from locally grown NC grain, adding another dimension to the beverage program. Open daily until 2am, TOPO is a late-night staple for Chapel Hill.