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  3. Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
  4. Durham
  5. Chapel Hill

Lantern

4.6
4.6
667 Reviews
$31 to $50
Asian
Lantern is a marriage of Asian flavors and North Carolina ingredients sourced mainly from local farms and fisheries. Join us in our Dining Room, the Lantern Bar and weather permitting, our Garden Patio and café sidewalk for dinner Wednesday - Saturday starting at 5pm. Snacks like raw NC oysters, salt and pepper shrimp, chaat, and handmade dumplings along with Japanese Steakhouse-style bavette, Tea and Spice Smoked Chicken, and our Cured Salmon Bento Box are all great for sharing over a relaxed meal.

If you aren't able to find your preferred time or party size on OpenTable, please contact Lantern by phone at 919-969-8846.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


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Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Cuisines

    Asian, Fusion / Eclectic

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Phone number

    (919) 969-8846

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Executive chef

    Andrea Reusing

  • Neighborhood

    Chapel Hill

  • Cross street

    Basnight Lane

  • Parking details

    There is on street parking that is free after 6 pm, as well as a city lot directly adjacent, which is free after 8 pm. There are additional city lots within 1-2 blocks of the restaurant.

  • Public transit

    J, F, and CW routes

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

What 667 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.7Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.3Value

NoiseModerate

  1. OpenTable Diner

    Greensboro

    9 reviews

    5.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on April 15, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Had the whole family with me and there was something for everyone. Try the oysters!!

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  2. Sarah

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience4
    Everything was moderately good although a bit over salted. I got the fried cat fish curry and in hindsight might have picked something else. Very nice lighting and service.

    Is this helpful?

  3. AlexanderW

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Server did an excellent job of describing the menu. Each dish was unexpected but tasted fantastic, we were given plenty of time between courses to drink our wine. Nothing went poorly.

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  4. CATHY

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    3.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on April 12, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Our table was not great. We were next to a window with lot of glare from the sun. Ask to move since there were many open tables, it didn’t happen. Drinks were super small for 13.00 each. Apps and entrees were really good. Desserts we’re definitely out fresh. The toppings were stale and mushy.

    Is this helpful?

  5. renaissancemannc

    Greensboro

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 11, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We enjoyed our experience. Server was attentive, helpful with questions about the menu. Had the lemongrass tofu, shrimp, pea shoot dumplings, pork dumplings. All very tasty. Dark, relaxing dining room(bar) with moderate noise level(didn't have to shout).

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  6. AshleyC

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    It was fantastic, as always. If Lantern was in my town, I would eat there once a week. It’s been there for years and years and some how it still gets better every time we eat there.

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  7. Dave

    Raleigh

    14 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on April 7, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great dinner. Loved the dumplings. Service was excellent

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  8. DerekJ

    Raleigh

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Had an amazing meal and great service. The dumplings are a must order at any visit. We had the catfish and tofu plates as well as oysters. All items were top notch. Our waiter was great. Always there when needed, but not overbearing. They do include 18% living wage gratuity to every check, but are very open about it. I don't mind as I enjoy knowing they take care of their staff.

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  9. jeffb

    Richmond

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Wonderful way to celebrate a special event with our son! Food delicious…everything we tried, 2 smalls and 2 large plates. Waiters were attentive. Renovating room which should lend to nicer ambience.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Burford

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on April 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Everything was wonderful, but the Bento Box is always my favorite.

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  11. OpenTable Diner

    Dallas

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 2, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience5
    Great ambience and generally good food. Friendly service and unique flavors.

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  12. MaraE

    Western NC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 31, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    Great time, the food was wonderful as always. Alittle slow when we went but it was busy. So relax and enjoy their many cocktails.

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  13. StuartG

    Raleigh

    121 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    121 reviews

    Dined on March 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Took an old friend to Lantern who had not been there in years - she fell back in love with Lantern and we had the best time catching up in a great environment with friendly staff in a beautiful space in which you can talk and fantastic food. My plan is to come back every week.... Lantern lifts my spirits and i love their sakitinis.....

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  14. Geoff

    Raleigh

    11 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Server was great. Food delivery prompt. Salad was large and tasty. Soft shell crab was good not great. Crispy shrimp were wayyy too salty to the point I could not finish the last one though they tasted good. We both agreed too much salt on everything but good. Will come back and request light salt.

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  15. JimH

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 24, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    One the better restaurants in the area. I can always find items on the menu that are interesting and fresh.

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  16. StuartG

    Raleigh

    121 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    121 reviews

    Dined on March 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    lantern gets better every time - what a fantastic restaurant - it feels like home but the food service and ambiance are better! great meal. great martini. wonderful warm and friendly staff. great place, none better around

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  17. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding, my wife and I had a great night out, staff was great, food and drinks were delicious. We got the shrimp (with delicious crispy cilantro), chaat, dumplings, and hot pot. Everything was great. We’ll definitely come back. We’ll for sure order the chaat and shrimp again and give other things in the menu a shot. The menu is short and I really liked that too.

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  18. OpenTable Diner

    San Francisco

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on March 18, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Always a great meal at Lantern! We had the Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Oysters, Whole Red Snapper, and Vermicelli dish along with two of the non-alcoholic cocktails. Everything was delicious! Highly recommend. Our favorite restaurant in Chapel Hill by far!

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  19. SallyG

    Western NC

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on March 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Cocktails were great. Small plates were wonderful and desert was delicious.

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  20. StarM

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on March 16, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience5
    The bar area ambiance was fantastic. Great lighting and music. Cocktails were delicious. Food was amazing. Service was good. Overall, a very satisfying experience.

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  21. Gray

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    2.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on March 15, 2023

    overall2food3service4ambience4
    Really would have liked some bread. The server suggested dumplings, good but not the same

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  22. StuartG

    Raleigh

    121 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    121 reviews

    Dined on March 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    just spectacular as always. the best food around. wonderful wait staff. great drinks. there is nothing i would change - i wish i could go every night - very interesting flavors - the pork and chive dumplings are the best i have ever had, the pork rib superlative and tons to eat, i even brought some home --- and the deserts.... wow

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  23. MPLG

    Raleigh

    12 reviews

    5.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on February 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Have always loved Lantern. Food and service are consistently wonderful!

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  24. AnneliseY

    Nashville

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on February 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Honestly one of the best meals I have had in this area in a while!

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  25. AngelC

    Greensboro

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 23, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Amazing food and drink. We were sat in the back bar which was quite loud. Not the music (which was great), just that the walls and ceiling echoed every laugh and sentence.

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  26. OpenTable Diner

    Raleigh

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 17, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience3
    I don’t want to write commentary. I just want to award stars.

    Is this helpful?

  27. OpenTable Diner

    Anchorage

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on February 11, 2023

    overall4food5service5ambience4
    Food was amazing! Service was phenomenal. Only negative is the seating was very close- it felt like communal dining- and made it difficult to have private conversation.

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  28. Scott

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 10, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience4
    Food and cocktails were great! Sat in the back bar which is really a cool environment but the lights were way too bright. It would benefit from lowering the lights quite a bit.

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  29. mickey

    Raleigh

    54 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    54 reviews

    Dined on February 8, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Great food and service. Catfish was excellent as were the pork dumplings The physical setting was not very comfortable perhaps because renovations are coming soon. Let’s hope so

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  30. Gbollie

    Raleigh

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on February 5, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience4
    Great food, excellent waiter, slow service

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  31. LouiseH

    Raleigh

    10 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    My husband and I were celebrating our birthdays. The tables in the bar feel cozy and yet lively. We ordered steak and chose different desserts. Outstanding and just the perfect place to celebrate.

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  32. CourtenayB

    New York Area

    10 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    10 reviews

    Dined on February 4, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience2
    Very close to other tables. Not easy to have a couples dinner. Shrimp has shells on it- terrible - but delicious otherwise. Just wish shrimp was not in shells and tables not so close- don’t appreciate eating w strangers. Also- whole room smelled like sewage- not too appetizing. Also- the pandemic is over. The bar “at capacity” is a bit much when you arrive 30 mins early for a pre dinner drink and have to go across the street. A little ridiculous. Time to move on!

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  33. ggrl90

    Raleigh

    13 reviews

    5.0

    13 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Only my 3rd time here and 1st time since the pandemic began. It never disappoints! Attention to detail, superior service, and delicious Asian fusion cuisine. We went during restaurant week, which is a great deal for this restaurant. The Korean fried chicken appetizer was good, but a little too salty. The Vegan mushroom and pork ramen, and the desserts were delicious! We will be back!

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  34. jasonl

    New York Area

    8 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    8 reviews

    Dined on January 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Delicious food and good service

    Is this helpful?

  35. Dini

    Raleigh

    16 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    16 reviews

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food4service5ambience4
    5 star service. Would absolutely come back once the construction backdrop is complete.

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  36. paigeg

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Fantastic service

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  37. Kadi

    Raleigh

    15 reviews

    5.0

    15 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall5food3service5ambience5
    Very enjoyable evening at Lantern. The servers were very attentive and responded almost immediately to recognition that appetizers were too spicy. They brought limes and rice. The menu was interesting and offered a number of choices. I personally found most foods too spicy, but I am not one to do spice. The Panna Cotta dessert was to die for, especially that pistachio toffee or bark. Wine selections were impressive. So glad restaurant included on Restaurant Week or we would not have given it a try.

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  38. OpenTable Diner

    New York Area

    2 reviews

    vip
    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on January 26, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food outstanding! A little too loud (music) in the bar. Thank you for continuing to thrive in our town. A real treat!

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  39. AmyZ

    New York Area

    11 reviews

    5.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Service was efficient, knowledgeable and prompt. Food was delicious. Pork and chive dumplings! Chicken yuzu ramen is awesome - I don’t like traditional pork ramen so it was perfect for me. Very original citrus and slightly spicy flavor. Others in my party said the pork ramen was excellent. Banana ice cream was good, but not a standout like the savory dishes. We sat in the bar area which was cozy, dim and great for adults. Definitely will return!

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  40. DonnaS

    Raleigh

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on January 25, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Triangle Restaurant Week can be hit or miss, but Lantern nailed it. Both food and service were excellent.

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Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
  • Protective equipment

    • Waitstaff wear masks
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace
    • Staff is vaccinated

FAQs

You can order delivery directly from Lantern using the Order Online button.

Lantern is rated 4.6 stars by 667 OpenTable diners.

Not available on OpenTable

Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable reservation network.

If you like, we'll notify you by email if this restaurant joins.


Is this your restaurant?
Claim this listing

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Lantern

423 W Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27516-2314

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    Basnight Lane

  • Neighborhood

    Chapel Hill

  • Hours of operation

    Dinner Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    Asian, Fusion / Eclectic

  • Dining style

    Casual Dining

  • Dress code

    Smart Casual

  • Parking details

    There is on street parking that is free after 6 pm, as well as a city lot directly adjacent, which is free after 8 pm. There are additional city lots within 1-2 blocks of the restaurant.

  • Public transit

    J, F, and CW routes

  • Payment options

    AMEX, MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Andrea Reusing

  • Additional

    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Beer Garden, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Wheelchair Access, Wine

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