Lantern, Chapel Hill

Lantern is far and away our favorite restaurant in Chapel Hill, Durham, or the Triangle. It is our go to for fun nights out, romantic evenings, or just cocktails. The staff is always pleasant, the food is spectacular, and the ambience is just right.

Fabulous night out Freshest of the fresh and superb service. Jason and staff professional and friendly. Congrats Andrea on your J.B. Award. We had a wonderful and fun filled gastronomical experience once again. Thanks Philip L

Lantern is our go to restaurant in Chapel Hill. The food is great and the staff makes you feel at home. The ingredients are for the most part local and are transformed into Asian delights. Not to be missed.

A regular haunt for the last year: Lantern consistently performs well. The food is very good and the cocktails amazing!!! The wait staff have a reserved, minimalist approach much like the restaurant's decor but are always attentive and pleasant. The crowning glory is the wonderful, darkly lit bar at the rear. Snag a table there instead of the restaurant for a romantic evening. Love the place.

This place is fabulous! The food is absolutely delicious from appetizers (salt & pepper shrimp, black mushroom & cabbage dumplings, spicy eggplant salad, summer rolls, the Bento Box) to entrees (tea spice smoked chicken, Bim bi Bop, the whole fried perfectly spiced flounder, the Japanese beef, pork tenderloin lettuce wraps) and desserts (hot chocolate cake with a smooth and creamy homemade ice cream, vanilla panna cotta with caramel sauce and espresso brittle, homemade strawberry ice cream with pistachio shortbread). I could go on and on. The Lantern is packed every night for a reason! Yes, it is pricey and understandably so. The ingredients are the freshest and come from local farmers...even the seafood is brought in daily. The wait staff executes service with panache and creates a pleasant dining experience. While there are several truly wonderful restaurants in our area, The Lantern should not be missed.

The adult beverages are a delightful beginning. The miso soup appetizer was a tasty surprise with the fresh shittake. The steamed halibut was cooked to perfection and was complimented perfectly with the baby bok choy. The only drawback was the coffee which seemed to be somewhat watery. All in all a great culinary evening.

Wide variety of authentic dishes, industro-bamboo minimalist chic, you pay $$$$ for central Franklin St. locale. Service ok but waitstaff seems a bit snooty.

Great Place, small, but in a nice intimate way. Great desserts. Asian fusion

but way too expensive. I wouldn't go there again with my own money.