Bombolo

4.5

280 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Experiences are available.

Innovative
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

Named 2023 Restaurant of the Year by Eater. Dishes you’ve long loved served alongside dishes you’ve never heard of make our ever-changing menu an adventure you’ll want to embark on often. Our wine list is as varied as our food, and every one of our cocktails has been created just for Bombolo by our mixologist.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, International, Bistro
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Phone number
(919) 914-6374
Website
http://www.bombolochapelhill.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Garret Fleming

Location
764 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
Neighborhood
Chapel Hill
Cross street
MLK and Hillsborough St.
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
N, NS, T, and A lines
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

Wine Dinner - December - Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles
$115.00 per person
Dec 11, 2024 only
5 Tempting Courses - 5 Sparkling Wines - $115 pp - Wednesday, Dec 11 6:30 pm The variety and versatility of sparkling wines offer opportunities for beautiful pairings with Chef's dishes. Come enjoy a pleasant and instructive evening with one beloved friend, or bring a party. Creamy Scallop and Clam chowder, smoked bone marrow, caviar toast Salted Cod Fish Sticks, boquerones, gremolata Charred Napa Cabbage Roll, Waygu Coulotte, lemongrass and miso Spaghetti all'Assassina Red Mole Duck Leg, pepitas Menu Subject to Changes Michael Maller of Orsini Wines has chosen the program of wines for this occasion and will be guiding us through them.

What 280 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5

4.5 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.7Service
4.4Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Innovative
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Italian
Durham
Innovative
Durham
Neighborhood gem
Durham
Romantic
Durham
Good for special occasions

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bombolo in Chapel Hill is a culinary gem, offering "creative and delicious" dishes and "outstanding service." Chef Garret is praised as a "culinary genius," crafting diverse flavors that surprise and delight. While some found certain dishes too spicy or the seating tight, many celebrate Bombolo as their "new favorite" spot for its inventive menu and cozy atmosphere.

280 Reviews

TO
ThomasO
Western NC
2 reviews
vip
1.0
2 reviews
Dined 1 day ago
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
TL;DR severely disappointing flavors at inflated prices 2/10 only for the ambiance. The food was the biggest disappointment. Flavorless, unbalanced, and sloppy. The appetizers were unbalanced, and the pasta was so unappetizing, that we genuinely felt we wasted our money. Until Bombolo figures out how to properly season, and balance their dishes, steer clear. The only good thing about this place is the ambiance, which multiple other restaurants in the area have.
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M
Mark
Raleigh
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Celebrating a first year student with a visit from the parents calls for a special dining experience. Bombolo delivered and even exceeded expectations. The service was very informative and friendly. We enjoyed the small plates such as soup and oysters, as well as the pasta and the mushroom fricasee. We also enjoyed a seasonal four course offal meal which was absolutely stunning. From entrance to reluctant exit, we were blown away and have definitely discovered a new favorite restaurant.
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C
Carol
Raleigh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on November 1, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We like to try new places in the area, so we don't often return to a restaurant. Bombolo is an exception. The food is always excellent here. My girlfriend always gets the same dish (the curried halibut bowl) and I try new things. I must say I am still trying to get the fried chicken dish, but haven't hit it when it's on the menu yet. The only downside to Bombolo can be the crowded seating and noise level, but it was fine Friday night. We will definitely be back!
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R
Roger
Los Angeles
7 reviews
vip
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was a different flavor experience. The typical downtown Chapel Hill standby's are still great, but this one is worth heading off the main drag. We had 4 traditional pasta dishes, but each of them tasted different than any pasta I've ever had. Fantastic. Can't wait to go back.
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K
Kathryn
Raleigh
29 reviews
5.0
29 reviews
Dined on October 5, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
First time back since Kitchen was sold. Bombolo was a great surprise! We loved our food and service was great as usual. We found sitting outside delightful. We will be back!!!
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b
becky
Raleigh
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food and staff. Definitely will be a regular here!
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A
Anna
Charlotte
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on September 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a pleasure…Garrett is a food artist that creates unexpected flavorsome delights. Fun atmosphere which makes for a great date night!
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L
Laura
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on September 26, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Do not miss Bombolo in Chapel Hill! Everything on the menu is amazing and there is so much variety you will never get tired of any dish. We LOVED all of our starters and the pastas but the halibut really knocked our socks off!
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M
Michael
Greater Boston
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on September 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The Italian wine dinner was incredibly delicious. Chef Garrett still brings variety and creativity to even an Italian themed dinner but every dish was a home run.
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C
Chris
Raleigh
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on September 25, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Bombolo Is the crown jewel of Chapel Hill dining. I almost don't want to go anywhere else.
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FAQs

Bombolo is rated 4.5 stars by 280 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Nov 23, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 22 times today

Experiences are available.

764 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC 27514

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
MLK and Hillsborough St.
Neighborhood
Chapel Hill
Hours of operation
Dinner Mon, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–8:45 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:30 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, International, Bistro
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
Public Lot
Public transit
N, NS, T, and A lines
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Garret Fleming
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.bombolochapelhill.com/
Phone number
(919) 914-6374

Bombolo

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Experiences

Wine Dinner - December - Bubbles Bubbles Bubbles

Menu

What 280 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Bombolo restaurant rated?

Is Bombolo currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information