Welcome to Squid's Restaurant
Squid's Restaurant, nestled in Chapel Hill, NC, is a seafood lover’s paradise renowned for its fresh and flavorful offerings. Patrons rave about dishes like the shrimp and grits, calamari with pesto mayo, and the perfectly prepared cod, making it a standout dining destination. The warm, friendly service further enhances the experience, with attentive staff ensuring every need is met. Notably, the hush puppies and raw oysters receive high praise, setting the stage for a delightful meal. With its vibrant atmosphere and commitment to quality, Squid's is a must-visit for both locals and visitors seeking exceptional seafood.
- 1201 Fordham Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States Hotline: +1 919-942-8757
Welcome to Squid's Restaurant, a gem nestled at 1201 Fordham Blvd in Chapel Hill, NC. This spot is a paradise for seafood enthusiasts and casual diners alike, offering a delightful escape into the world of fresh flavors and warm hospitality. With a reputation that speaks volumes, Squid's has proven to be a must-visit destination for anyone looking to savor quality seafood in a cozy and inviting atmosphere.
From the moment you step inside, you are greeted by a friendly staff eager to enhance your dining experience. Reviews from satisfied diners like Kaitlyn Mah highlight the standout dishes, notably the perfectly prepared cod, which has even impressed those who typically shy away from seafood. The enthusiasm for the food doesn’t stop there; the shrimp and grits, calamari with pesto mayo, and the exquisite hush puppies have also garnered rave reviews, establishing Squid's as a haven for seafood lovers.
What sets Squid's apart is not just the food but the exceptional service. Diners have consistently praised the attentive yet unobtrusive nature of the wait staff. Servers like Ashley H and Logan go above and beyond, creating an environment where customers feel valued and well taken care of. Whether it's refreshing your water or ensuring your meal is simply perfect, the personal touches elevate the entire dining experience.
The ambiance is a delightful blend of casual dining and fine cuisine, making it the perfect setting for both family gatherings and intimate dinners. The commitment to quality and freshness is palpable, as noted by Daniel Cheng, who remarked on the generous portions and the undeniable freshness of the scallops and shrimp. This passion for excellence is a hallmark of Squid's, which doesn't just serve meals; it crafts memorable dining experiences.
Don't miss their Raw Oyster Happy Hour, which offers a fantastic deal on fresh oysters—a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Each dish is curated with care, packed with flavor, and presented beautifully, ensuring your meal is not just delicious but visually appealing as well.
As you explore the menu, you’ll find that every plate tells a story of culinary expertise and dedication to quality. The combination of flavors, the freshness of the seafood, and the inviting service make Squid’s Restaurant more than just a meal—it’s a celebration of food and community. Come and discover why this restaurant continues to leave patrons saying “12/10!”
Make your way to Squid's Restaurant for an unforgettable dining experience that promises to tantalize your taste buds and warm your heart.

By far the best meal we have had in NC so far! Such a lovely place full of lovely people. The cod was excellent - and that’s coming from someone who is not a seafood guy! Me on the other hand, full-time seafood lover who loved my dish too. We are thinking of moving down here in a few years and are looking forward to coming back to try more. Our server was such a doll. Such a sweet girl. Ashley H is the type of server that will make your experience at Squid’s the most memorable. She gave us free dessert but unfortunately I didn’t get to take a picture because we went full pig on it instantly. Loved this place 12/10!

Great place. The peel and eat shrimp was a little overdone and we had a picky person in our party. I would not have said anything - it wasn't THAT overdone- but the wait staff heard the concern and immediately got another order that was HEAVENLY!! All of the other food was great, too! The price was not super low, but quality seafood in the landlocked triangle is worth a little more. It was still well priced. The service was above and beyond - not hovering, but quick to respond and very nice!

SO FREAKING GOOD. This is the place to be if you appreciate good seafood. The hush puppies they bring to start you out are 10/10. Then the entrees are perfection. The staff is also very friendly and kind making it an overall great experience.

What a wonderful dinner! The food was phenomenal, and our server was lovely. You must try the shrimp & grits, and the pesto mayo served with the calamari is outstanding!

Had a pasta with shrimps calamari and diavola sauce it was amazing. The oysters were super fresh. For dessert had a special it was salt caramel molten cake and it was delicious but the best was Logan. He was constantly aware of our needs, filling water glass, asking if we needed anything else with perfect timing. Recommend this place 100%

This is a surprise for me. It is not a contemporary restaurant but the food and the service is amazing! Adam gave us one of the best service that I have experience in years. I can taste the freshness of the shrimps and scallops and they give you so much considering the price you pay. I absolutely love this place. Also, the restaurant is packed by 5:30pm and they do not take reservations. I will definitely be back.

Typed in “Happy Hour” into Google Maps, and Squid’s popped up. We didn’t realize NC doesn’t allow alcohol Happy Hours. But we took full advantage of the Raw Oyster Happy Hour. 18 for a dozen. Then ordered the Grilled Shrimp w/ Polenta entree (pictured)and the Horseradish Tilapia entree. Both were excellent. Steph, our server, was attentive but not overbearing. She was great. Will be back if we’re ever back in Chapel Hill.

I just got my hair cut. And I say this because the man who cut my hair was also the fish cooker. He makes a damn good tender, even when working as hair cutter...two jobs in a day ain’t easy. I stood in line and I waited, and it wasn’t my turn yet, so I had to keep standing in line. And then, once I got to the front, I was actually able to order. So I did have my turn. Needless to say, the gizzards were full of gumption—delicious. And Paul, he’s the other guy. He makes the best sweet tea. Fries can be burnt at times, but I don’t get cramps anymore after I eat the food. My haircut looks great, and the shrimp were big. Some of them were small. None of them had turds in them. In fact, they were all deterred. All of the food was straight out of the kitchen. The gizzards had a little string in my last visit, but it’s fine because I have strings in my hair sometimes. We all have our good days and bad days. This fine dining diner slaps—so good that their days are highly numbered.