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Bombolo, Chapel Hill, NC

Bombolo

4.5
4.5
280 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 11 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.

Menu

View menu on restaurant's website

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.

281 Reviews

  1. JoAnna

    Raleigh

    3 reviews

    vip
    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was excellent but the service wasn't great. It wasn't crowded but our waiter was not attentive - didn't ask if we wanted more drinks until we asked and didn't ask about the food until we were nearly finished. He brought the check the moment we said we didn't want dessert even though nobody was waiting for our table. I felt like he wanted to get rid of us the moment we walked in and I have no idea why.

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  2. ThomasO

    Western NC

    2 reviews

    vip
    1.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 3 days 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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  3. 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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  4. 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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  5. 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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  6. 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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  7. 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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  8. 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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  9. 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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  10. 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
7:30 PM
Booked 11 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Bombolo

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
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