Bombolo

This is our second visit to Bombolo, the first since they were recognized by The James Beard Foundation. I am happy to be able to say that they still maintained the same quality of food, service, and ambiance they had prior to the recognition! Came as a table of four as they opened. Parking was a little easier to get this time around because we were earlier than the normal dinner crowd (5PM). There were a few standouts from the dinner: Our waitress was excellent! She was on top of everything, friendly, and managed our requests perfectly! The Chanterelle and Morel Fricassee had a wonderful presentation, and the person who ordered it recommended it highly. The Cinghiale Pappardelle was a respectable portion and delivered on our recent memories of Tuscany. I had the fried chicken plate, which was delicious! The meat was succulent and the fry coating was well seasoned. The accompanying biscuit and Mac 'n Cheese was also delicious. If it sounds like a lot of food it was! This is something one could split or take home. We ordered a white chocolate cardamom and ginger cheesecake and the Bombolo. The cheesecake's flavors were well balanced. The cardamom did not overpower. The Bombolo was our favorite, however. I recommend anyone visit if they're in the area. It's worth the trip!

I’ve lived in Chapel hill most of my life and returned for a short visit. I was skeptical when someone suggest a restaurant I hadn’t heard of there as the town, like so many others has become a vast and ever expanding wasteland of chains and bland suburban facades of “fine dining”. All staying in the shallow end of food, where things are safe, towing the lines of what’s accepted and common as not to rock the boat filled with students who know no better and retired boomers who fear change. Upon walking in, I felt like I had entered another time or realm. The staff was knowledgeable about the menu. Clearly happy to be there and refreshingly human. The food itself was innovative. Risk taking, delicious and made with attention and care at every step. Thoughtful and flavorful dishes. I couldn’t help but continue to order long after I was full. The menu was less like an attack on the senses or an attempt to overwhelm with over the top additions and more like an impenetrable castle of creativity and taste, it’s impossible to find something to dislike, to find a weak point in the structure and break down its walls made with purpose and intent. To say I left satisfied is an under statement. To say I’m suggesting you eat here is less than honest. I’m demanding you, if you care about your spirit, if you love food and if you believe in the restorative and inspiring effects a great meal can have you MUST eat here.

Review from 2025 Back and this place is still wonderful Menu is completely different This time sat inside by the bar, Layal was wonderful and attentive and offered a delicious Lebanese arak. my favorite this time is the fried carbonara bites and the Caesar salad. Every dish had an extra noche of flavor making it very unique. The inside is also beautiful and full with European art. If you haven't yet, give this place a go. Review from 2023 The shrimps r the bomb. get them. get two of them. ;) had the stuffed shishito peppers which were delicious and the lobster pot equally delicious. sat outside, cute area however had a bit of cob webs and service was a lil slower than inside potentially. parking available upfront

I came early on a Saturday evening and sat at the bar to experience the 2023 North Carolina restaurant of the year. Joy, a law student, was the bartender and my server. She was outstanding, and the wait staff and hostess deferred to her throughout the night. I started with the barbecue shrimp. My plate arrived with four shrimp in a rich sauce with bread. Although a little salty, it was quite good. I was mildly put off that request for additional bread elicited additional charge. It was worth it though as I soaked up all the rest of the sauce waiting for my next course. I chose the octopus as my main course. This plate was robust with plenty of octopus potatoes and sauce. Again, the sauce was quite rich and enjoyable. I chose the bombolo for my dessert. I wish I had known there was so much orange flavoring in it which was a little overwhelming when what I really wanted was chocolate and hazelnut. It was a miss to not include that in the menu description. I gave the atmosphere a 4 because the restaurant seems to draw a clientele with an average age of 70, and the Willie Nelson old timey country music just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the vibe. I would certainly return.

Bombolo was recently named “North Carolina’s Restaurant of the Year”, but after dining there I’d say that “North America’s Restaurant of the Year” is a more apt title! I was deeply depressed when I learned Big Belly Que (my fave restaurant as a UNC undergrad) had closed after the pandemic, but knew I had to make a trip back when I learned Chefs Garret and Eleanor were opening their own spot. These chefs are mad talented, and my meal at Bombolo was well worth the redeye from California! Everything from the service to the eccentric decor (don’t miss a trip to the bathroom while you’re there) was spectacular! We ordered enough food to feed a small village and every single bite we had was spectacular. Some of our favorites were the Uni pasta, the octopus, the Thai halibut dish (I forget the name), the Nashville hot soft shell crab, and a secret off menu bao bun that we strongly recommend makes it to the menu soon! ;) every dish was so unique and flavor packed, and they change their menu often! I am already trying to figure out when I can make it back to NC. :) This place is not to be missed during your next trip to the NC Triangle, and if you live here and haven’t been to Bombolo yet - GO! I promise you’ll become a regular!

Great little place in Chapel Hill!! Menu has many interesting and creative dishes. Sat at the bar with a friend, we tried many dishes. For starters, Lamb Belly, Crispy Pig Ears, and Tonno Tonno. Course Two: Tortellini & Summer Truffles and Rabbit Something Pasta. So good!! Course Three: Octopus and Lobster Pot.....we enjoyed them all! Menu is a little on the rich side but I Love that so...:) Service at the bar was attentive and friendly. We will be back!

Small, charming place with amazing food. Our party of 6 each ordered something different, plus three small plates to start. Every dish was excellent. The fried chicken was the best I have ever had. The meatballs were delicious. Our waiter was attentive and helpful. I look forward to coming back!

Fine dining at its very best. We especially loved the barbecue shrimp. The sauce was out of this world. Khao Soi was super tasty. Warm welcome at the door, table service was the perfect mix of friendliness and professionalism. I see why people are saying it's one of the finest restaurants in the region.

During my recent visit to Bombolo, I experienced a delightful evening of culinary creativity paired with friendly service, though the ambiance left a bit to be desired. Throughout our meal, our server ensured that our needs were met promptly, and his attentiveness and friendly demeanor set a positive tone for the evening. The seating area at Bombolo, while charming, can be quite cramped. On a busy night, the close proximity of the tables and the lively atmosphere resulted in a noise level that made conversation challenging. However, the highlight of our visit was undoubtedly the food. Each dish we tried was a testament to Bombolo's commitment to quality and innovation. The flavors were vibrant and unique, showcasing a delightful blend of ingredients that offered a fresh take on familiar favorites. Bombolo excels in delivering tasty and unique dishes, supported by exceptional service. While the cramped seating and high noise levels during peak hours can be a drawback, the culinary experience more than makes up for it.

We went to Bambolo for their monthly plated dinner and WOW. It was a French inspired night with wine pairings. The event was 10/10. I assume their special evenings like this are unique and they're probably not menu repeaters BUT hopefully this review will encourage you to attend their next one or just go eat there. The food was immaculate. I can't even pick a favorite. Baked oysters, cured scallops with bread, halibut crudo, delicious pasta dish and lastly venison. Everything was SO good. The wine pairings were also super delicious. I'm not much of a red wine drinker and I appreciated the lightness of the reds that were chosen. The woman from the wine shop did a phenomenal job of explaining the history and significance of each wine. It was a lovely experience. The restaurant staff were so friendly and kind as well. Only thing I'd change is adding a dessert! Would've loved a little sweet treat, even something tiny like a truffle or scoop of icecream, just something to finish off the meal would've been amazing. All in all, the meal was so amazing and I'm so glad I got to experience this wonderful event. Everyone should go check them out!

We had an enjoyable Sunday brunch at Bombolo, a relatively new restaurant just north of UNC's campus. It's hard to describe this restaurant because it doesn't serve any one type of cuisine. For example, our meal consisted of New Orleans, Southern, Jewish, American, African/Portuguese, and Japanese cuisine (or influenced cuisine). Sounds like too much, but it works. Bombolo opened on February 23, 2023 in the Midtown Market shopping center on MLK. Same shopping center as The Root Cellar, Flyleaf Books, and Lucha Tigre. The brother-sister owners, Garret Fleming and Eleanor Lacy, used to own and operate Big Belly Que on Franklin Street: https://bit.ly/3rjIIEj Eleanor greeted and seated us and I saw Garret running the show in the back. He came out a few times. Eleanor sat at the bar and oversaw the front of the house. Inside, above the storefront, is text that said, "Ceci n'est pas un restaurant Italien." One of our friends who dined with us here said it was French for, "This is not an Italian restaurant." I Googled the word "bombolo" and it's Italian for cylinder. This is a cozy, intimate restaurant and bar with a hipster vibe, consistent with this part of Chapel Hill. Unlike, say, Durham, the folks dressed preppier. My wife got White Lotus vibes from one table. We enjoyed the atmosphere. At the time of writing this review, Bombolo is only open for dinner, Thursday-Monday. It appears they stopped serving Sunday brunch, at least for now. Reservations are recommended. Book via OpenTable and earn dining points which can be used to redeem restaurant discounts, Amazon gift cards, hotel stays, and magazine subscriptions: https://bit.ly/3OcMk4a During our visit, the brunch menu was tight with 12 entrees (priced at $14-30 each), six sides ($5-15 each), a dessert ($7), five alcoholic beverages from the bar ($9-13 each), and coffee, juice, and tea. We sampled a good bit of the menu. Here's what four of us shared: Bread & Biscuits * Muffuletta ($20) - Serrano ham, duck salami, mortadella, comte, giardiniera, lettuce, focaccia * Dirty Bird Biscuit ($14) - fried chicken, smoked bone marrow, kimchi mayo * Lox Benedict ($23) - gin-cured Icelandic salmon, capers, red onions, eggs, hollandaise Sides & Sweet * Piri Piri Chicken Fingers ($12) * Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone ($15) * Berry Cobbler ($7) Bevvies * Persephone ($11) - Empress 1908 Gin, pomegranate liqueur, cava * Bloody Mary - Spicy ($13 each) x4 - house mix, Luksusowa Vodka In general, I thought all of the food and drink were delicious. The only item I had a minor gripe about was the Muffuletta. It was a bit too salty. I realize muffuletta is going to be salty to begin with because of all the cured meats, etc. However, I don't recall the other muffuletta I've had up to this point being as salty as this one was. Other than that, the sandwich was tasty and used good-quality ingredients. That was the case with everything here. I could tell they cared about the ingredients they used. The focaccia was great. The best thing about the Dirty Bird Biscuit was the biscuit itself. We all loved it. It was very buttery and pretty much perfect in terms of texture and flavor. The kimchi mayo had bits of kimchi in it and the bone marrow was mixed in (subtle) -- yummy. The biscuit sandwich was served with a side of potato chips which I think were housemade. The chips were terrific. They were small, crispy, and not too greasy. They were so good that we asked for a side of them. We ended up getting a small plate of chips on the house with extra sides of kimchi mayo and hot sauce (the same kind used on the Piri Piri Chicken Fingers). The Lox Benedict was solid. I viewed it as Bombolo's take on Eggs Atlantic, which is a variation of Eggs Benedict where the Canadian bacon is replaced with salmon. If you're a fan of Eggs Benedict, I think Bombolo makes a good variation. The Hollandaise was nice and tangy. The sides, the Piri Piri Chicken Fingers and Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone, were really good. The Piri Piri Chicken Fingers was a more straightforward dish. They were breaded and fried chicken tenders covered in piri-piri sauce. The chicken tenders themselves had wonderful consistency, crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. And overall, the dish was quite flavorful and spicy because of the piri-piri sauce. The Wakame, Lox & Mascarpone was creative. I love wakame (seaweed) which I'm used to having in Japanese cuisine. Here, they paired it with lox, which made sense because of sushi and Japanese cuisine. There was also cucumber, green onion, sesame seeds, and a sauce. I honestly don't remember the mascarpone. Regardless, I liked this dish. The Cobbler was excellent. The Spicy Bloody Marys were fantastic. They were refreshing and had a strong kick to them. Everything was presented beautifully. The food was served on different style plates with various charming designs. Quin was our server and he did a good job. He was friendly and attentive. Everything was served quickly.

After reading that this was rated as one of the best places in North Carolina I was excited to go. The ambience is fantastic- very small place with great lighting and decor. Service was super as well. But the food was ... Meh. I wanted to love it I really did, but it just wasn't great especially for the price. Plus we were told we needed to be gone by a certain time because of a new party coming in later. How welcoming! We had: - mixed greens salad with pepitas (good but it's a basic salad) - bread plate (shrimp butter & toum were delish, harissa too sweet and tomato pastey, marmalade delish). Bread very salty too! - lobster bisque (good) - Turkey raviolo (way too salty and brown/unappealing and the pasta was undercooked and rubbery) - rigatoni with Nduja (flat taste and undercooked too. I know Al dente - this was hard. Was supposed to be spicy but it just tasted sweet) I wanted to love this place but won't be back.

What an experience. We almost ordered everything and could have based on how delicious each dish was. We ordered the: NOLA BBQ SHRIMP - the sauce I wanted to lick my plate but ate it with bread instead PAPPARDELLE, DUCK & VEAL BOLOGNESE - lots of meat and filling CRAB & CHANTERELLE TAGLIOLINI - wish there was a little more crab very good and herby OYSTERS, HALIBUT KHAO SOI - my fav dish, very flavorful - I enjoyed the curry and crunch on top! Great for sharing and filling FRIED CHICKEN PLATTER - Whoa!! This dish had it all, my husband was in heaven, it had Mac and cheese and a biscuit. The kicker was the Carolina reaper hot sauce and of course ranch! BOMBOLO - this dessert was so decadent! All you need is one bite! The owner thanked us when we left and took the time to chat with us! We wish them the best of luck and we will be back:)

Ambiance: The spot is small and cozy with soft French music in the background. Has a neighborhood feel. Dimly lit w candles so would be romantic for a date but also good for a small group of friends. Too small for a large group Food: For a table if 2 I'd recommend 2 small plates, 1 pasta and maybe one entree too. The crab and mushroom Pasta was INCREDIBLE and my favorite dish of the night. The beef tartare was beautiful but I didn't think it was very flavorful (maybe I'm not a tartare person?) The BBQ shrimp had a great flavorful sauce and came with dense fluffy bread for dipping but the shrimp itself was just ok Service: I may have caught them on an off night, but The service was mostly awkward. When I arrive the hostess just stared at me until I announced that I had a reservation... but they did offer to take my coat. The server was pretty indifferent but had good recommendations and warmed up a little by the end of the meal. They were very attentive with clearing dishes, timing courses etc Parking: Located in a strip mall there is a parking lot but if it's a busy night you may have to look around for a spot

I was excited to try this restaurant but was disappointed as was my dining companion. My simple green salad with gorgonzola was dressed with an acidic, salty dressing. I left half of it on my plate and I love salad. I had the bolognese as my main dish and it was strangely flavored as well as salty. I tasted my companion's chicken and the sauce was awful as well as salty. She did report that her starter of oysters rockefeller was good. The service was fine but our table was so close to another table that I told them I enjoyed having dinner with them as we departed.

Fantastic meal here. Place has the feel of a small neighborhood cafe in Europe. Loved the eclectic menu, featuring small plates such as grilled ramps or fresh bread and various spreads, pasta and larger plates like fried chicken or octopus. We had the amatriciana, as good as any we've had in Rome, and the Halibut with rice noodles featuring a spicy curry, rich and flavorful. Was too full for desert, but the diners next to us raved about the massive piece of cheesecake, and strawberry shortcake. We'll keep an eye on the menu as it changes, and look forward to returning to sample other dishes.

HIGHLIGHTS: Bread board - the shrimp butter & harissa Cold shrimp appetizer LOBSTER POT Chenin Blanc Service ( kindness from everyone!! ) Atmosphere - chill but v v nice This has become "my spot" and I can't wait to eat here again & again.

One of my favorite Chapel Hill places. The scorched green beans starter is incredible and something I would usually not order. Almost licked the plate. Fried chicken was a large portion and enjoyable, I particularly liked the Mac cheese that came with it and dipping the biscuit in the honey orange marmalade was better than any dessert I could have ordered.

I'll start by saying the food was great. We ordered BBQ shrimp as an appetizer and a few different pasta dishes, which were unique and tasted great. Unfortunately, my dinner experience was soured by a particular waiter whose B.O. filled my nostrils every 30 seconds as he walked by. If you're the owner and reading this, please have a basic hygiene talk with your waiter who has short brown hair and a goatee.

Service was incredible, excelente job. It felt super personalized. Food was amazing and unique. Love the ambiance. Tables are very tightly closed together, I would have preferred a bit more space.

Great service - attentive and good timing between courses. Nice atmosphere - a neighborhood gem, intimate setting. Food was good, but we were expecting better based on the prices & all the hype surrounding this place. Started with the BBQ shrimp- good flavor, but the sauce was salty and too much for the 4 shrimp that were included. Drinks were good, but I'd recommend sticking with wine. Had painkiller and bramolo, which was a bit too sweet and mainly ice. For entrees we had the fried chicken - cooked well, nice sauces and mac-n-cheese side was delish! And the tagliolini - pasta was definitely homemade, dish overall was ok. Worth a visit - menu is definitely unique, but probably won't return.

I'll say first that, as other reviews have stated, this place has received a lot of "hype" via advertising and influencers. I don't want to let that affect my review but admittedly it is what got me interested in the first place. Service: Absolutely excellent! Prompt without being rushed. Let us take our time on decisions and have just the right amount of space between ordering drinks, appetizers, main, and dessert. This level of service is worth the overall prices imo. Atmosphere: Yes the tables are very close together but it's a small and modern space. Overall I enjoyed this but it's not for everyone. Drinks: Wine menu had just the right variety and price point for me. A couple of good glasses in the $8-$12 range. Mixed drinks looked good and I would try them next time. Appetizers: BBQ shrimp was good - reminiscent of shrimp étouffée. Very flavorful gravy. I would get this again. Mozzarella was disappointing. The cheese itself was fresh but it was served on top of harissa which is far too strong a flavor to pair with a mild cheese. I didn't really understand this pairing and would not order it again. These were served with two pieces of bread - one dinner roll one piece of focaccia. This was a very small portion of bread for two appetizers that really require bread to enjoy (gravy and cheese!). We ordered extra bread and were told that bread is $2 per roll! This was the only time that the price really shocked me. He did say that the bread was made in-house but I didn't find it to be anything special. The overly stingy bread serving and high price for additional pieces really left a bad taste for the appetizers overall. Main course: We all got pastas and shared. The ramp spaghetti was tasty but not a huge stand-out to me. The rigatoni was delicious and had guanciale that was cooked perfectly. But the real star to me was the mafalde allanatra. The menu mentions cinnamon which really intrigued me and the outcome was extremely impressive. The warm spices are perfectly subtle and compliment the duck and sauce. There was a slight spice as well and the noodles were huge and had great texture. I would definitely come back to try this again. Dessert: The table decided on the hazelnut cake and unfortunately it was a bit dry. Flavor was good though. I'm looking forward to trying the "chocolate bombolo" next time. Conclusion: Try it! Shrimp app is good. Bread too expensive. Definitely get the mafalde allanatra.

Absolutely loved this place. It's a small restaurant but so full of vibes. Highly recommend: Beef cheek bolognese - the noodle is well done and the touch of basil is very smart Octopus- usually not the biggest fan of octopus but this dish is very well done. The octopus tasted very fresh, and reminded me of scallops and halibut BBQ Shrimp - my favorite dish of the time. Must order!! Don't miss out on the desserts. Can't go wrong with any of their desserts. The mozzarella is just alright.

Excellent new spot. Cozy. Great service - not 'fast' but just enough time for you to know they're cooking your food properly. And for you to have more time sipping wine and talking with friends! All of the staff were kind. The ambience was sooooo cozy. Perfect for a neighborhood restaurant. For the food, our group of four each got something different (fish, pasta, turkey neck ragu, lamb). Every bit of every dish was eaten. The mozzarella was delicious but hard to eat/share (we requested a steak knife, which helped). We split all four desserts and enjoyed them -- the bombolo and tiramisu were our favorites. The wine was great, too! Things to note: we all commented that the food was quite salty. Not enough to not eat it, just enough to comment on it. And we were bummed they ran out of the salad right before we got there. An addition of another vegetable or two for the apps would be great!

Go get yourself a damn SANDWICH. They call it "Plump Rabbit" during the day if you are in the know, and serve up crazy ass massive sandwiches made for 2 people. It's a date sandwich and you gonna get a kiss if your girl likes a meatball hoagie or Vietnamese meatloaf. Get the fries. Trust me and do what I said and get the fries. The hostess won't let you eat in the restaurant, she literally says you can take it home or eat on the curb, and somehow that makes it even better. Amelia takes care of anyone getting out of line while they wait for these epiphany sandwiches. And what's with the bodyguard glowering at anyone who talks back? They call him "Steph"... his name ain't Steph. I don't know what it is but whoever he is that dude is nasty. I'm scared shitless waiting for my basil ice cream just hoping I don't get my ass kicked by this bruiser. I think those two are the secret to the vibe. Y'all need to give that bitch a raise. I heard her yelling at the chef something about strawberry ice cream and she was setting his ass STRAIGHT. Gotta pay for talent like that.

We were excited to try Bombolo for our anniversary based on the positive press and reviews we'd been reading since before it opened. We went and - it was good. It's not going to be something we're thinking about long after the fact. Some interesting flavors were presented but nothing we'll necessarily be craving. Highlights were the focaccia that accompanied the polpette, the sauce on the kefir lime-stuffed morels, and the breading on the fried chicken. Service felt a little stilted and everything came out so fast that we felt like we were being rushed and didn't really have time to fully sit and enjoy. Again, it was good - but I definitely think there are other Triangle restaurants offering a better foodie experience and value.

For all the hype, this place was just barely above average. The tables are so close together. the man next to me was basically yelling in my ear. They could certainly remove a table or two and still have enough business to make do. We ordered a shrimp appetizer, which was $16 for three shrimp. The sauce was delicious but the shrimp were undercooked. There were two of us, so it was surprising that we only received one piece of bread when obviously we were sharing. Can bread really be that expensive you can't give 2 pieces for two people? Maybe it's only one piece of bread per every three shrimp? We also had a side of duck confit with the salad. It was deep-fried, something I have never experienced before. There was almost no meat left, it was so dry. The portions are incredibly small. For these meager sizes, the prices are very high. I seriously doubt I would ever go back even for a cocktail.

While the fish I had was perfect my partner found nothing she enjoyed. Rabbit and veal and lobster and octopus are not everyone's go to meals. The tuna small plate was good. The cucumber cocktail was the star as was the cheesecake. It was the entrees that were lacking. As I said my halibut was perfect. Crusty bottom. Flaky poach. The it stops with the sauce heavy w coconut milk. I was hoping for some simple fare, cooked well and light healthy accompaniments. Heavy creamy sauces are a turn off. Will someone just open a restaurant w simple well cooked fare and leave the need to show off your culinary school chops at the door.

Small, cozy, a tad loud though it tapered off later. The staff was personable and attentive. But THE FOOD is truly the star of this show. Everything we tried was delicious. The worst part of the evening was being too full to look at the dessert menu.

This was our first time at Bombolo since its transition from Kitchen. We read reviews from diners who said that the noise level inside was very loud. We hate loud restaurants, and in the past have had dinner at Kitchen ruined due to being stuck in tight seating with loud strangers, so I was somewhat concerned. Especially since I wasn't sure if I wanted to be that close to others' exhalations while COVID is still around. But we requested an outside table when we arrived, and even though there had been thunderstorms all day, the patio seating was dry and comfortable. Our server, Will, was gracious, patient, and helpful in navigating the menu, and also provided plenty of dishware and utensils for splitting the items we wanted to share. I see other reviews stating that their food was oversalted, but I didn't find this to be the case in any of the dishes we had, and I tend to be sensitive to oversalted food. Perhaps they have addressed this issue. Our favorite was the Lobster Pot. We had no idea what this would be, but it turned out to be lobster meat in a deep lemon-butter bath, served in a small decorative tureen, with two types of bread on the side. A little bit like a lobster bisque, but without the cream. I would order this again as a special treat (see posted photo). So this was a lovely dining experience. I would definitely return. But I'm not sure yet if I would do so on a cold day when patio dining isn't really an option.

We loved everything we had for dinner. We enjoyed the shrimp, Swiss chard, taglietelle, lamb manti, rigatoni. Attentive service in a cozy, intimate setting.

Was at Bombolo tonight for a soft opening. Had the anchovy stuffed anchovies, Swiss chard apps. Tonnarrelli with kalamata. Halibut khao soi & grilled octopus. And the chocolate bombolo! Our server, Cindy, was very attentive without being intrusive. The noise level was a little bright but quite manageable. Everything was excellent. Best meal I've had in quite a while? Quite possibly

Food is outstanding. Wife and I have eaten here 6+ times. Everything we've ordered was delicious, and the menu changes regularly. We are lucky to have such an amazing restaurant here in CH. Def recommend. Don't understand why some people are posting neg or mediocre reviews. Yes it's a small cozy place. That's part of the charm. And we never had any problems w the service.

I promise I am not exaggerating when I say Bombolo has some of the best food I've eaten in the triangle. The flavors of food are perfectly balanced and decadent. The fact that there is a mix of Italian, French, Thai, and BBQ makes the menu so appealing and fun! The chef also switches out some of the items sometimes, so there's always something new to look forward to. The servers are all very respectful and accommodating, and the restaurant itself is so cute. The restaurant is rather small though so it's best to make a reservation if you want a table. I hope as the restaurant grows, they'll have a bigger space to accommodate more people! All in all, highly recommend.

We came to Bombolo with fond memories from Kitchen, which was previously in the same location. Unfortunately we didn't have the same experience as with the Chapel Hill staple. While the food was awesome and flavorful, everything else had its challenges: tight seating outdoors with limited atmosphere, our drinks were not served for more than 25 min, six slices of wagyu bressola for $25! , no utensils until requested, a puny plate of braised duck mafalde for $25 (sumptuous duck flavors but no meat), and lastly, do they have napkins in this place ? , we never got one. The highlight of the evening was the waitress apologizing for the experience and crediting us for the drinks - thank you so much for being honest! I hope the owner and team will read this and improve- this place has definitely potential.

This was our first visit to Bambolo and we had a perfect evening! To start, the restaurant is intimate and cozy with appropriately soft ambient lighting. The service was excellent - warm, attentive, and welcoming. To seal the deal, the food was delicious, with generous portion sizes and well-balanced flavors. We shared the rabbit and chicken pate for an appetizer and the whole fried red snapper for our main course -both were wonderfully tasty! The $5 glasses of wine on Mondays are an added bonus (and their wine list is solid!!), as is the $5 dessert menu. We haven't found many restaurants of this caliber in the area and were pleasantly surprised by Bombolo. Thank you to our server/bartender, Joy, for taking great care of us and for treating us like guests instead of customers. We can't wait to go back to try more from the menu and will definitely bring family here next time they're in town visiting. Treat yourself to a lovely evening with the team at Bombolo as soon as you have a chance!

Sunday brunch was delicious and not the usual fare. Service and ambiance were first-rate. We'll be back soon.

Congratulations to this amazing new addition to Chapel Hill dining! Service was fine. Ambience was really great - transforming a space next to a coin laundry in a mini-mall is a real feat but they've done it - intimate and darling. Food was the highlight - the lobster pot was a don't miss and pasta was on par with Via Carota or Don Angie in NYC. Definitely go while it's new and Garrett (Top Chef contestant) is there cooking for you!

I was really sad when Kitchen (previous restaurant) closed its doors but was pleasantly surprised by its replacement. Bombolo brings so many flavors in all its dishes. The service and ambiance is great as well. I will say that it's not the place for those who deal with claustrophobia or dislike loud noises (on a busy day), but if you can catch them at a less busy time, you'll have a great dining experience. Highly recommend for the foodies.

What an absolute treat! Tucked in a small shopping strip, it seems rather nondescript. Then you enter to a beautiful and cozy interior. Our server was wonderful, and the food was AMAZING! The appetizers and entrees were fantastic! Didn't have room for dessert, but the couple's next to us looked delicious. For such a small place, it was surprisingly quiet, which made for a pleasant experience. Will definitely go back the next time in Chapel Hill!

Quite an evening. Reservation was for 7:15 on Friday the 13th. We were on time. Ordered two appetizers, girthy andouille and five spiced braised celery. And. Bottle of albarino. My sister ordered the tagliatelle, my brother ordered the duck ragu, and I ordered the lobster pot. The wine came. We drank a glass, the server then told us, after 15 minutes that they were out of the duck ragu. The appetizers arrived, and we are 30 plus minutes into the evening. My brother then went for the crab and corn agnolotti. Ten minutes later, we were told they were out of the agnolotti. Disappointed, but he went for the veal marsala. As we were finishing the appetizers which were quite good if not timely, we were told they were out of the veal. We have been there for 52 minutes and our dinner order is a disaster. The manager came out and said we found some veal, but we have to butcher and prep it so a 10 or fifteen minute delay. By now the first bottle of wine is gone. Finally the main courses are served. Don't know what to say. My brother reported the marsala sauce on the veal as the best he has ever tasted. My sister said the tagliatelle was very good. The broth in my lobster pot was magic surrounding tough and over cooked lobster. So 1 star for communication between service and kitchen, one star for timing, and four stars for flavor. Bill after a second bottle of wine was $281 before the tip. Nothing was comped. So I couldn't give 2.5 stars so I checked 3. May or may not give them another chance.

A really fantastic dining experience! The food is scrumptious, service is friendly and attentive, atmosphere is inviting and cozy, and parking is plentiful. I've dined here for brunch and dinner multiple times and each meal has been fabulous from start to finish.

We ate at Bombolo last night. We have 6 small plates. We liked the crispy pig ears best. They were slightly sweet which was interesting. The drinks were good. We will go back. We ate outside which was pleasant.

Garret and Eleanor (brother/sister) have a jewell. The food was unique and delicious, the wait staff was well trained and knowledgable, and the atmosphere intimate and at the same time exciting. We were celebrating an MBA graduation with our son, his wife, and her parents. I had been bragging up Garret's food and he did not disappoint. Starting with the N'Orleans spiced, fried, soft-shelled crab, it was spicy and delectable. The beef heart tartar melted in your mouth (even my wife liked it before I told her what it was). Main course standouts were the Tagliatelle (morels, cream, Parmesan), Tortellini (mortadella, pork, sage butter), saltimbocca (veal, prosciutto), and the lobster pot. We finished with the eponymous Chocolate Bombolo Mousse, I had to wrestle my in-laws just to get any. I didn't find the atmosphere too loud even though the room was full with many conversations. They've opened an outdoor patio which seemed pleasant. The bar is long and inviting, I talked to a local couple that were eating at the bar and they were thrilled about a place in their neighborhood with such good food. The exterior looks like a hole in the wall, the interior is a quaint cafe, the staff is attentive, and food is simply outstanding. I can't recommend the Bombolo's enough.

After the previous owners sold the wonderful operation they ran for several years, we've eagerly anticipated the opening of the new Bombolo. We dined this evening for the first time and selected several of the small plates, a pasta dish, and two desserts. The pigs ears were delightful, tasty, and inspired some humorus conversation. The shrimp were delectable, and the in-house bread was perfect for wiping the plate clean of the the spicy Cajun (?) sauce. The rabbit in the pasta dish was savory, tender, and my grignolino was a near perfect complement, with plenty of acid and berry flavors. Will suggested the wine after the bar ran out of the barbera I'd ordered, and his choice was spot on. The new waitress had clearly apprised herself of the evening's menu, described the offerings and knew enough about their preparation to give us all we needed to know about our selections. To finish we had the fruit tart and the chocolate offering; both were so good and reasonably priced that they'll serve as magnets on hot evenings in the future when, instead of full meals in our hot kitchen, we decide to treat ourselves to your healthy desserts. In all, a delightful meal, with top-notch service in a cozy environment that encourages chatting and conversing across tables.