Now Open: Tonya’s Café Brings Southern Flavor and Family Legacy to Chapel Hill

We’re thrilled to celebrate the opening of Tonya’s Café, a soulful new addition to Chapel Hill’s dining scene—and a story close to home for us at BOLD Commercial Real Estate. Our own Chela Tu, commercial broker and local expert, had the pleasure of helping Tonya Council find and secure the perfect location for her newest venture at 400 South Elliott Road.

Tonya Council, the granddaughter of the beloved Mildred “Mama Dip” Council, is continuing her family's legacy of Southern cooking with a fresh twist. Tonya’s Café brings a fast-casual vibe with a menu rooted in tradition, featuring everything from catfish po' boys and pork chops to pimento cheese sliders, mac ‘n’ cheese, cornbread flights, and mini pies with ice cream. It's a natural extension of her well-loved cookie company and Sweet Tea & Cornbread gourmet food store, all crafted with the same heart and heritage that made Mama Dip’s a Chapel Hill institution.

The café sits right next to her bake shop in the Galleria and brings new life to a space that once housed Wentworth & Sloan Jewelers. After extensive renovations, the result is a cozy spot with indoor and outdoor seating, ideal for weekday lunches or weekend brunches with family and friends.

Chela Tu shared, “Tonya is an amazing restaurateur. It's hard to 'have it all'—be extremely talented at your craft AND know the ins and outs of business (including real estate). That is Tonya. I am so tickled and honored to be able to work alongside her in a commercial real estate capacity as her tenant agent and witness her growth.”

Tonya’s Café is officially open with hours Wednesday through Sunday. Whether you're a longtime fan of Mama Dip’s or simply looking for your next favorite local lunch spot, make plans to stop by and experience a fresh take on Southern comfort food—right here in Chapel Hill.

Congrats to Tonya on this exciting new chapter—and thank you for letting BOLD be a small part of your journey!