Proximo

Restaurant · Chapel Hill

Proximo

Restaurant · Chapel Hill

2

173 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

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Highlights

Proximo is a vibrant new haunt on Franklin Street, serving up delectable Portuguese-inspired tapas in a relaxed yet upscale setting that invites repeat visits.  

Featured in Eater
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173 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Get directions

proximonc.com
@proximonc

$30–50

Reserve

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173 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Get directions

+1 919 240 5074
proximonc.com
@proximonc

$30–50

Reserve

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reservations

Last updated

Jul 11, 2025

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@eater

"The folks behind Bluebird and Hawthorne & Wood have opened a new Spanish tapas bar called Próximo in the Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe Space, marking a return of higher-end dining to the section of Franklin Street many restaurateurs have avoided in recent years. Próximo serves straightforward tapas with slight twists — the costillas (pork ribs), for example, come served alongside verjus-spiked apples, while the atun escabeche (tuna) is paired with sunchokes and dill. Of course, there are plenty of Spanish wines available by the bottle or glass, as well as wine-based cocktails, sherries, vermouths, ports, beers, and ciders." - Matt Lardie

12 Hottest Restaurants in the Triangle, February 2025
View Postcard for Proximo
@eater

"Próximo, located at 173 East Franklin Street, is Chapel Hill’s first Spanish tapas restaurant. The restaurant was developed by the team behind Bluebird and Hawthorne & Wood. It features a menu full of Spanish classics, such as boquerones, patatas bravas, costillas, gambas in salsa verde, and tuna escabeche. The intimate dining room accommodates 40 guests, with a beverage list curated by Director of Operations Neal Benefield, including Spanish wines, wine-based cocktails, sherries, vermouths, ports, beers, and ciders. Próximo operates daily from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m." - Erin Perkins

Tapas Bar Próximo Now Open on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill - Eater Carolinas
View Postcard for Proximo

Ty lee

Google
A new restaurant serving delicious Spanish tapas. The small restaurant is quite crowded as there is limited seating especially for dinner. The service is very friendly and helpful. The waitress can help to pair the tapas with the drinks. Had a fantastic time trying out various tapas with my family. Will be back to try out more different tapas.

Callie Williams

Google
A cozy, romantic little spot! I’d recommend getting a reservation, since it is a smaller space and pretty popular. Very well priced tapas that were high quality and creative! Our server was stellar as well. No complaints here, we’ll be back for another date night!

Rotem Olsha

Google
Amazing food! Amazing little pocket in chapel hill that transports you to Spain! Delicious sangria. Definitely on the pricey side- especially for a college town! But honestly the food was so yummy we couldn’t complain!

Ross Keoboupha

Google
Great Experience at Proximo! This was my first time at Proximo, and I had a fantastic experience. The service was impressively quick, and the ambiance was both cozy and intimate. We ordered the evening special--shrimp & chorizo paella--which was absolutely delicious. While waiting, we enjoyed a selection of appetizers, including seared cauliflower, warm olives, yellowfin tuna, and patatas bravas (not pictured). Every dish was bursting with flavor and freshness! Overall, an excellent visit--I'll definitely be back!

Joe (MrSchnydes)

Google
We've been to our fair share of tapas spots and all of the chef's current digs. Proximo was good, but I think it's trying too hard. The service was excellent. Our server knew everything (except what a paella was). He helped pair some fabulous wines and cordials. The cheese selections and the desserts were absolutely top notch and memorable. The other dishes were just alright. Unfortunately our ribs were a bit dry and the iberico was somewhat tasteless. The wine selection is short but unique and the lack of liquor license is a bit odd, considering their other spots have them. The price was great, but the dishes are rushed. Like, supersonic speed coming from the kitchen. I expected to spend some time there but everything happened so fast, we were in and out...not like a typical tapas. So, take that for what you will and maybe because it's a small seated area, their expectation is you come and go? Not sure, but I think they're trying something here that misses the mark. Quick Edit: I don't know what some of the reviews are saying that you have difficulty choosing dishes and couldn't order all of them. Honestly, this place is so affordable. If you're a foodie, and you're coming here to review, there's no reason you can't fit the bill to try them all. We almost completed the menu and with a bottle of reserve wine and were quite happy with the overall price.

Maria Tsamatropoulou

Google
Great addition to Franklin Street! A restaurant this good was really needed. It is very clean and organized. We really enjoyed sitting on the counter and watching the chefs preparing our food right in front of us. The service was excellent as well. Don’t skip the ribs, the white bean pure and the brussel sprouts. The only dish that we felt was underwhelming was the jamon Iberico. Definitely recommend it and we will be back!

Susanna DLea

Google
Truly wonderful food, wine, and service! The atmosphere is lovely, somehow elegant and a little cozy at the same time. The tapas were excellent - creative, beautifully prepared and plated. We ordered four items and a dessert, and each one was delicious and the perfect amount. And our server was friendly and made excellent wine pairing suggestions. Will definitely be back!

Cavin Ward-Caviness

Google
If you’ve been waiting for great tapas in downtown Chapel Hill wait no more. Proximo delivers! The food is as exceptional. Highly recommend the ribs and don’t leave without trying the Iberico ham. Great wine list. And of course the staff is as good as it gets. Looking forward to many visits.

Brandon M.

Yelp
If you are in the mood for Tapas - this place is incredible! The ribs, yellowfin tuna, and everything was amazing. Perfectly cooked, full of flavor, and a nice atmosphere. If you like Bock beers - the Estrella 1906 Reserva is very good. Highly recommend!

Carrie V.

Yelp
Chef Brandon has done it again! This Spanish Tapas place is outstanding. In a narrow location on Franklin Street, we were thrilled with our choice to reserve seats at the counter. Here we had a bird's eye view of the kitchen, got to watch everything being prepared and were able to preview a few of the plates before we even ordered. The service was great, the food was amazing and the concept was so fun for our group of six. It was an overall fantastic dining experience and we will definitely be back!

James E.

Yelp
This place is a must-try for anyone looking for a cozy, romantic night out. The high-quality food was executed well and we enjoyed the Chef's elevated twists on classic Spanish tapas. Two of us shared 2-3 plates from each section of the menu and left very full. My party arrived a few minutes before our reservation but were quickly welcomed in & treated like we were regulars. Our server was excellent - friendly, attentive and gave us some good menu recommendations too!

Alexander N.

Yelp
Went to Proximo on a Friday evening with a reservation. Loved the ambiance of this small restaurant and the staff was friendly. In fact, it might have been too friendly; our, waiter checked in on us a lot (a lot), even before we'd had a chance to taste a dish. Overall the service seemed rushed. We asked for our selections to come out in order, but they all appeared within 10 minutes. We were in and out of the restaurant in under and hour, unusual for a tapas experience. We found the food to be good but not great nor memorable. We judge any tapas restaurant by their patatas bravas. Here, the chef chooses to brown the potatoes on one side rather than all side, resulting in potatoes that are not crisp as we like them, and the sauce was plated underneath the potatoes not on top. The meatballs were good. The bikini (ham and cheese sandwich) was the highlight, loving the addition of honey to the sandwich. I can recommend Proximo but with tempered expectations.

Jay G.

Yelp
We tried it out tonight for the first time. Really enjoyed the food. Very nice and attentive staff! Will go back

Lauren B.

Yelp
Delicious meal at the counter with my husband - Aidan was our server, and we enjoyed the jamon iberico to start, followed by the patatas bravas, bikini, and filete. Would highly recommend to others looking for a date night & flavorful food!

Madelyn R.

Yelp
Beautiful ambiance, small restaurant but cozy and quiet. Friendly and attentive staff, expensive plates but you get what you pay for. Everything we tried was notably excellent but I'd highly recommend the potatoes and cheese plates.

Kristin T.

Yelp
Delicious! Try the queso de oveja and filet mignon. The space is small, so be sure to make a reservation.

Josh G.

Yelp
Excellent meal in a beautiful spot just off of campus. Will definitely be back. A nice variety of seafood.

Kenji B.

Yelp
Had to cancel my reservation well in advance of the booking time. Charged me $20 fee even though they almost instantly rebooked the time to another customer (the time disappeared in Resy and there were zero reservations available for that evening). Not impressed with this practice.

Bex M.

Yelp
Able to get a table as a walk-in shortly after they opened for dinner on a Saturday evening - amazing! We were seated quickly after a short wait at their standing bar, where we were able to order snacks and drinks. This is a small and lovely space, ideal for an intimate date night. The front of house manager, hostess, and our server were all extremely friendly and polite. We ordered a variety of tapas, a bottle of wine, and tried both desserts on the menu. 10/10 for each dish!! Would highly recommend the tuna, though my favorite was the boquerones. Can't wait to come here again!!

Luke L.

Yelp
The pork ribs were absolutely phenomenal, will be coming back soon!!! every dish was delightful to taste, and the aesthetic of the restaurant is beautiful

Franklin H.

Yelp
Happened upon this place quite by accident on its first day of business (9/20/24). Staff was excellent, food was excellent. The decor is tasteful and unique. I will say, however, that the lightning borders on dismal at most tables. I was grateful for a seat at the bar, where there was plenty of light to see my fiancé by. I was unaware of the acclaimed talent behind this place until after I left, but there was a palpable sense that Franklin Street is being elevated. Though Chapel Hill is in crying need of a successor to Ye Olde Waffle Shoppe in the same segment, we have been blessed with a bar that's more than worthy to stand in its place. I have little doubt that Próximo will prosper, owing mostly, beyond the high quality of the food, to the large and cheerfully disposed staff.

Scott H.

Yelp
Proximo has not yet opened (9/20/2024). Expected to open in a few months, according to the wait staff. Not a firm date as yet.