A great place for a date. Their menu has changed since the last time I was there, but I've never had a bad thing there. During COVID, their curbside takeout came was top notch, and that was a time when restaurants were screwing up takeout left and right. Staff are super friendly and proud of their restaurant. I love this place. read more

Chapel Hill, surprisingly, doesnt have many quality restaurants. This place is medium. Food is decent but overpriced. Nothing terrible, nothing to great. They have brunch on Sunday's which is why Im giving 4 stars. Their smashed potatoes and benedict are good. I'd choose the breakaway cafe 2 mins down the street if I wanted comparable/ better food and more friendly atmosphere. I feel like Tandem is a good place for wealthy chapel Hill divorcees that dont have much to look forward to and are ready to give up. read more

Love the ambience in the old Carr Mill. Food and service were good too! Will devotedly be back. read more

This review is based on more health considerations than the menu as I have had good and not great food experiences here that would generally rate the restaurant with four stars. Unfortunately, they seem a bit lax on their requirement for wearing a mask. On two different occasions when eating inside (normally we eat outside), I've noticed that they ignore when a patron is walking around without a mask. Even to the extent of chatting with the patron about other things while they were walking to the bathroom, but mentioning the fact that they should be wearing a mask. It was only when I pointed out the lack of mask that they said something to the patron. When it happened multiple times and I again complained and was then told they cannot enforce the mask and that technically I should be wearing a mask while seated at my table (even though I was actively consuming something???). So, in short, some menu items are great, some are okay. Service is mostly good - though sporadic. I did wait for an hour to be served my food after ordering relatively recently. However, if they do not require patrons to wear masks, then do they take the same lax attitude to staff preparing the food? Going to be skipping this restaurant for quite some time. read more

Sadly this has become Carrboro's 30something large group destination after the wedding reception, when you're that wasted anything tastes good... The food has really fallen off lately, it used to be great flavored dishes with amazing presentation. The service has usually been attentive despite the odd look from the owner/hostess when I requested a table for 1 at lunch, it's 12:30pm on a Wednesday your restaurant is nearly empty, why the screwface look? Why all the judgement? Don't expect the staff to refill your tea or water either. Carrboro's decline continues... read more

We made reservations at Tandem to celebrate our daughter's graduation last month based on the reviews and posted menu and prices. We were quite pleased and anticipated a lovely event but booked that far in advance knowing it was both graduation weekend and mother's Day. On the morning of the event I had reason to check the website and found they were not offering their standard menu but were only offering special buffet at $80 per person. We immediately tried to canceled but were informed we would still be charged $25 per person cancellation fee ($200) for our group. In fairness there was information my wife did receive about notice of a special event from open table but there was no pricing as the information sent was truncated. We would have loved to have experienced their hospitality and food of their regular menu but not for $640 without tip. We have on multiple times requested a refund and they have refused Although we signed up for the reservation and understood the possible fee we also feel this change they made, after we made the reservation in good faith based on their online opentable menu, represents a true lack of fairness and customer service and base on that treatment I cannot recommend this establishment. read more

I have been to Tandem for brunch and really enjoyed it which is why I choose it for UNC graduation weekend. However, we were disappointed by the extremely high prices (the Caesar salad I had was $18 plus $14 for salmon!) and the salmon we had was served nearly raw. Our server was wonderful though and very attentive to the table's needs. The GM was also very accommodating when our party size increased a few days before the reservation. read more

This was my first fine-in experience in over a year due to COVID, and could have asked for a better experience. Went with parents and grandparents and service was amazing. The menu was so unique. I indulged with some fish (I usually do not eat any meat) and it was the best salmon I've ever had in my entire life. Cooked to perfection and served with masala curry and black rice. Just writing this review makes me want to go back! read more

Tandem - Indoors - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Food was excellent. 2 person portion was the perfect amount. We loved the brick and dim lighting and the food came out very quickly. read more

Tandem - Steak, Bone Marrow - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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It's a classy place, a little quirky in a nice way. Unusually FLAVORFUL food, impeccable service BUT very HIGH PRICES. Over $220 for 2 ! Short ribs fabulous. Reservations recommended if you have 4 to 6 diners. This is a place we'll visit once or twice a year to entertain guests. read more

My husband and I went out for date night and had an excellent meal! It's been awhile since being at Tandem and they did not disappoint! Our server was great and helped us make some great dinner and wine choices! read more

Tandem provides excellent service, food and atmosphere. I enjoy everything they provide but the environment is so enjoyable, I will occasionally spend a couple of hours there enjoying a book, or delving into creative writing as I eat and address a cocktail. They very well know their community and what people seek in a focused, daring restaurant. read more

An incredible restaurant with amazing beautifully prepared food. You can tell how thoughtful the chef is with every element. The restaurant is beautiful and outdoor seating on the patio is nice and spaced out very well. I felt very safe during COVID. Service is a tad slow but it's busy on a Friday night. Call ahead and make a reservation! Perfect for family, couples dinner, or date night. read more

Tandem - Chocolate pudding cake - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Not a good place to order seafood. Ordered red snapper and received cod with no explanation. Food runner didn't have a clue, neither did our server. Finally came by and acknowledged the surprise substitution. I would not have accepted the substitution if given a choice. The cod was tough, didn't eat much of it. Go to Squids if you want good seafood, well prepared and what you ordered, not a substitution. read more

Wonderful atmosphere, high-quality food, and a great menu, and the service is always top-notch. Whether it is a lovely dinner for a special occasion or a Sunday brunch, Tandem is a neighborhood gem that will not disappoint! read more

The food was very average, nothing special. There are plenty of vegetarian options which was a bonus. One of the dishes, the salmon benedict, took a long time to come out. When we asked, the chef said that he wasn't happy with the quality of the fish, which is why it took so long. He then gave us 50% off which was kind. read more

Tandem js one of our go to spots in Chapel Hill. Food is always of the highest quality and you know you are going to have great service.

I was unaware there was a different menu for lunch, which is my fault. I had my mouth set on trying the risotto and lamb skewers, but I settled on the soup of the day and a burger. The soup was delicious. It was a nice savory butternut squash soup; seasoned perfectly. The burger was the blandest burger ever, which is disappointing because I paid extra to add avocado and bacon. The kitchen did prepare it to the correct temperature, but it lacked flavor, even with all of their special toppings. I had to eat it with the soup. The bun was harder than expected for a brioche bun. I'm not certain if it was getting old or how they prepared it, but whatever they did was unnecessary. The house salad that came with the burger was very tasty and a nice portion. So ultimately, the soup and the salad were better than the actual entree. The service was nice. The bartender customized a drink for me, and they were very attentive and engaging. I would return at dinner to try the aforementioned items and maybe the cheesecake. But if those are lackluster, then I don't see myself returning. Honestly, I'm not rushing to go back to try them either. read more

My first time here . The food was amazing. I'm a chef of 30 years I know food this is skills in the kitchen. Kim the server was a veteran very pleasant and knowledgeable. She was making drinks today also a kick ass bartender too. read more

Came here for my birthday with my parents and I got two dozens of fresh oysters and all I can say is WOW! THE BEST OYSTERS OF MY LIFE!!! At first, I was expecting the spicy sauces that most oyster restaurants offer, but when I discovered that they didn't have it (since they had their own signature sauce), I was a bit disappointed; however, when I tried their signature tangerine/lemon sauce sauce, I was just so speechless!! The combination of the sauce and the oysters together tasted so superior!! Man, I still dream about this place! read more

Tandem - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

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Absolutely delicious! My husband and I went to Tandem to celebrate my birthday and had a great experience. The service was friendly and fast, both of our meals were fantastic, and the atmosphere was great. Highly recommend the salmon! read more

Tandem - Salmon dinner - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Exceptional service, incredible food, great setting. My only negative was that it was very loud and we couldn't really converse.

Poor service and decent food for the price point, we were less important than changing menus. Kitchen ignored our requests, server was doing side work and not serving. We came here for lunch at 1:30 on a Saturday, and there was only one other table. The host let us know that they were switching to the dinner menu soon, so we should be ready to order when our server came right over. She came "right over" almost ten minutes later; we were ready by then. Ordered the mussels to start, and then salmon and a club. That was the last time we saw our server until the food came out twenty minutes later, all at once... our server apologized, saying, "I told the kitchen, but they said 'hell no' because they're switching over to dinner." We never got the baguette or cocktail forks for our mussels. My salmon was good, the club was fine. Our server disappeared again, but she'd left a pitcher of water so we were ok. She came by to take my empty plates after a long time, and I sat there waiting for the check for fifteen minutes. We ended up getting the bartender to pay, because the server was off doing side work the whole time. As a $50 lunch for two when the restaurant is all but empty, I kind of expected more. read more

Have dined here many times but it just keeps being ever so unpredictable. I have overlooked poorly prepared and presented dishes for a couple of years now attributing each incident to effects of the pandemic but no more. I ordered curry chicken salad plate for $17. which I have had many times. It used to be a mound of lovely chicken in a little sauce with almonds, raisins, etc surrounded by a nice presentation with melon, orange slices, grapes and/or other seasonal fruit to compliment the curry flavor. Today it came as a sloppy, mush mess with no fruit except about 4 thin slices of a strawberry as only a garnish. I inquired about the radical change and were told that they try to use seasonal fruit but had none. Let's see...we are in NC in July. Melons are everywhere. BTW, server was attentive, friendly and polite. read more

My experience at Tandem for lunch was wonderful. The ambiance was calming. The attention to detail was evident. The food was appetizing, artfully arranged, delicious, and of high quality. The service was superb. This place is a gem. I started with the cheese board. Followed by the poached shrimp salad. A savory, sweet starter and a light, luscious, healthy finish. Tandem definitely enhances Carrboro. Experience the food and mood yourself. read more

Tandem - Bibb lettuce salad, dressed w/ ginger vinaigrette. Featuring: poached shrimps, avocado, green apple, orange supremes, watermelon radish. Yum - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

I took my partner swing dancing and then since we were all dressed up. I convinced her to go to Tandem for the Roasted Salmon which is incredible. Worth every penny from a poor carpenter's perspective. She looked so beautiful sitting across from me. I was very happy to have her in such a romantic setting. She was worried about the price and ordered the salmon appetizer which was wonderful too. I should have insisted on her ordering the Roasted Salmon. I shared mine with her. We will be back and get it right next time. read more

I have been to Tandem twice for lunch. The first time the mussels with a side of fries were delicious. The second time I had the ribs. They were great. Usually ribs are saucy and soft all the way through. Tandem's ribs were crunchy on the outside and melt in your mouth soft on the inside. I have never had ribs like this before and they were delicious! Not often I get surprised but their ribs were pleasantly surprising. I also tasted my son's caesar salad which was correct. The salad had large thin crouton crackers which I found to be better than the square thick croutons one usually gets. Both times the service was excellent with friendly waiters who were knowledgeable of the menu. read more

Delicious food, great friendly service and good price...what more can you ask for? I'll go back again and again, looking forward to that for sure! read more

I love Tandem! The steak for two is hands down one of my favorite meals ever. The steak is always perfectly cooked and I love the vegetable medley and marrow broth that comes with it. We've always had nice, knowledgeable service and the patio is so nice when it's warm out. Definitely a place where you can get a great meal and some cute pics, too. The drinks are a bit pricey but that's to be expected with craft cocktails. read more

I've been at least eight times and by far my favorite restaurant in the triad. Both the drinks and the food are great along with the service and atmosphere. I'd recommend the ribs for lunch and the fish or meal for two for dinner. Also the chocolate desert with the coffee ice cream is a must. read more

A gem hidden in plain sight. The exposed brick and funky light fixtures create a nice atmosphere. The menu items are unique and priced well. I've been here twice this month- once for New Year's Eve and once for my birthday. Despite the crowd on NYE, service was very friendly and the wait for the food was minimal. My boyfriend and I shared a variety of wonderful small plates but we were particularly enamored with the risotto, which we ordered based on the server's recommendation. For my birthday dinner, we had a different server who was incredibly friendly and, despite the fact that he also was working behind the bar, he managed to deliver prompt service. We started with a few small plates. The risotto was as good as I remembered. The mussels, however, were a little fishy so I was mainly interested in dipping the bread that accompanied them in the broth. Unfortunately the broth was very salty and not as thick as I remember it being. The guys at the table shared the steak for two, which is beautifully presented on a large wood plank along with a family style pot of perfect mashed potatoes and the other sides. They ordered the steak a bit above medium rare and were both a little disappointed by how fatty and chewy the entire thing was. I had a butternut squash soup and calamari for my main course. Both are untraditional but only in a good way. The soup was more savory than sweet, which is hard to find. Unlike "traditional" calamari, theirs is grilled and stuffed with a sausage mix. The buttery almond purée on the plate is an excellent match. read more

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The best food and cool atmosphere with an educated staff! It a gem in Carrboro. Best location for out of towners to get a feel for the area.

Overall the atmosphere and the food of Tandem are good. Sometimes we go and we end up having the most amazing meal, while other times it's "just" good. I have always found the service to be top notch and very attentive. Sometimes when we go we just order a bunch of the appetizers to taste a variety of foods. Overall, even on a bad day, you'll have a good meal and service here. On a great day, they may knock it out of the park. The atmosphere is very classy and well done. read more

For me this is a rare 5 star place. Great deviled eggs with crab. Beet, Brussel sprout and goat cheese salad. Great ribs and meat sandwich. Coffee was strong but waiter couldn't tell me where it comes from. Service was very good. Apple Maps took me to parking near Weaver Street Market instead of the Harris Teeter side. We already have plans to go back. read more

Oh my goodness...Tandem is AMAZING. I came here about 2 weeks ago on a Saturday night upon a recommendation from a friend. The restaurant itself is really cute, decorated well with lights and has a cozy atmosphere. Our waitress was very knowledgeable. We got the chickpea fritters to start which were so so good, a must try. I ordered the salmon entree which was probably the best salmon I have ever ordered out- no joke! Came with an amazing curry sauce, wild rice and cauliflower. My boyfriend ordered the short rib which was very impressive as it came in a Le Creuset Dutch oven! He also loved the short rib. We also LOVED our cocktails and the dessert we ordered (a bread pudding with cardamom ice cream). So good! I can't wait to eat here again, and I have a feeling this will become a staple local restaurant for us! read more

Tandem - Salmon entree - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

Returned to this restaurant for dinner with family after the initial visit a few weeks ago. Ordered steak dinner for 4 which included salad, assorted steamed vegs, steak, and short rib for 4+ people. It was great and we had leftovers to take home. Will definitely return again to try other dishes in the future. read more

Ahh man...look at this spread. Ribeye and short ribs. They both were phenomenal! The mash and vegetables were great too! read more

Tandem - Ribeye and short ribs supper for 2. - New American Near Me - Carrboro, North Carolina

The vibes in this restaurant were immaculate. Would definitely recommend making a reservation. I've had the cauliflower, pork belly and shrimp, and lamb shoulder and they were all great read more

Very good. Excellent service. Kinda loud. Beef short ribs were amazing!!! Salmon was very good read more

We got the roasted beet and brussel sprout salad which was delicious. I ordered the tandem burger and it was so good! Then we got the beignets for dessert, absolutely wonderful. Highly recommend! read more