Convivio Restaurant

Menu entrees very limited; food itself was fine- nice salad, burrata tomato dish was very good , cod was good, perhaps too spicy for some; but no chicken or beef, one seafood, only 2 pastas and no specials. Much better Italian options in area with some variety. Also, atmosphere completely marred by a bus cart being brought table side for plate removal- lazy and gross.They should nix the singer- she had a nice voice, but acoustics awful- sounded like we were on NYC subway platform. With more entree options and traditional Italian dishes, this place would be even better. Mangiare per vivere e non vivere per mangiare

Italian dishes are always a personal favorite; this restaurant offers more of a unique authentic style of Italian cuisine. Assortment of dishes without overlapping and featuring pasta after pasta options. This restaurant has different choices. What grows together goes together, there are some wonderful wine selections, various varietals that one may not have tried before. It’s incredible. Guests can purchase bottles from the restaurant, which is a bonus as many wines you can’t get on your own. Overall, service both times by different team members was over the top type of hospitality care. The food is pretty flavorful + acceptable, but the wine list is the true showcase here; as it provides descriptions of each wine’s tasting profile and what to expect as you venture with a glass of it.

A wonderful spot for authentic Italian cuisine. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it perfect for a family dinner. The pizzas we ordered were absolutely delicious, and Lucia, our server, was incredibly friendly and helpful. She recommended an excellent wine that paired perfectly with our meal. The restaurant is also personally overseen by its owner, Giuseppe, which adds a nice touch of hospitality. Highly recommended for anyone craving genuine Italian flavors!

The food was superb and authentic and the service was incredible! Also, the cocktails and wine were excellent. We had the burrata and pane & olio to start, then we had the tagliatelle and gnocchi. All of which were so well seasoned and had us pausing our conversations to savor and enjoy and making constant moans and sounds of pleasure. Then we finished with a delicious affogato. The owner and staff were super sweet and very attentive.

We were very pleased with our dinner experience at Convivio The food was authentic and delicious. Both entrees, the two side dishes, and the dessert were excellent. Also, Rafael, our waiter, was very professional, polite, and friendly. We appreciated his fine service. He is a real asset to Convivio. After trying the Spring Menu, we look forward to trying other seasonal menus in the future. Convivio is a gem for Italian food lovers.

Went over Valentine’s Day weekend and there was a limited menu. Great ambiance, music, and service, and you get to see staff plating food in the back—lovely touch. I look forward to trying their full menu sometime. Ample portion of shaved truffle on the risotto. I’m used to less upscale Italian restaurants and would’ve loved to have seen slightly larger portions and bread for the table and for fare la scarpetta. Great service again. Edited to remove comment about them charging for water.

Had a wonderful dinner at this cozy Italian restaurant! The food was absolutely delicious—authentic flavors and perfectly cooked pasta. Shoutout to William, our waiter, who was incredibly kind and attentive. He really made the experience even better. Highly recommend!

My husband and I chose Convivo for our anniversary dinner and we enjoyed ourselves. The atmosphere was amazing, the staff was lovely, and our server was attentive. Our starter was a delicious burrata salad and my husband got this pork pizza - it was delicious and I got the lasagna. Definitely recommend. Only not so tasty thing was the apple pie. I’d skip that and just get some gelato!

In this small, unassuming yet elegant restaurant, lives a true Italian tradition, and food just as you would expect in Italy. We had a lovely dinner tonight, our server Rafael was an absolute delight! Every bite was delicious and worth every penny. I highly recommend this amazing establishment. It seems people haven't yet realized its presence. The wine selection was remarkable. We had a lovely orange wine from Calabria. 10/10 don't miss out on this great spot!

This Italian restaurant in downtown Durham offers an intimate dining experience with a menu that highlights fresh, seasonal ingredients. Friendly and attentive staff add warmth to the experience.

I felt I was back in Italy. It's not American authentic it's Italy authentic. Gnocchi was so tender and flavorful i almost cried. They have their own olive oil that i wanted to pour in a wine glass and drink. The owner was fantastic and staff were prompt. I never had to pour my own glass which is not an expectation but felt so appreciated by having that done. The owner is from a small town outside of Venice. I am a foodie and I feel Italian in N.C. is always left wanting ... until now. Fantastico

Pizza was amazing, truffle pasta was mediocre (more mushroom than truffle for $45 but not the worst I've had).

We had walked by several times and always thought this looked like a charming little Italian eatery and wine bar. We finally decided to make a reservation and go on a weekday night. They were offering a special three-course meal in addition to their regular menu of a few offerings, so both my wife and I ordered that. Honestly, I was hoping to like this place more but we were a little disappointed. Our wine pours were tiny and the the entree portions were really small. Our server asked if we'd like bread and olive oil and we said yes. When our bill arrived, we noticed we were charged for it. The ambiance was nice but we just don't think the prices justified the portions.

Well I did wait until next birthday but it was 2 years! Food still excellent and service better than before. Completely different menu but wonderful. Unlike 2 years ago when you had to make a reservation weeks in advance, was able to get in last minute and restaurant half empty. Deserves to still be on hot and popular list. Don't know what happened. Come eat here. Don't let another great restaurant close

Excellent food, service and ambiance. A hidden Durham gem. Had a great bottle of wine, simple salad and a pasta. Been coming to Durham for five years and just found this place

The food was superb and authentic and the service was incredible! Also, the cocktails and wine were excellent. We had the burrata and pane & olio to start, then we had the tagliatelle and gnocchi. All of which were so well seasoned and had us pausing our conversations to savor and enjoy and making constant moans and sounds of pleasure. Then we finished with a delicious affogato. The owner and staff were super sweet and very attentive.

Convivio is a low-keyed, airy and elegant high quality Italian restaurant in an easily reached spot across from the parking facility at Chapel Hill and Mangum Streets. Another reviewer commented on the authentic Italian preparation of the food and I totally agree: everything I tried was tasty and nicely proportioned in that classy, understated way I have experienced on numerous visits to Rome and the Veneto (beginning in 1972 and as recently as March of this year!). An excellent porchetta wirh super-crispy rind was the centerpiece of a meal accompanied by cannellini beans and a lovely preparation of fresh mushrooms, with very good homemade bread and foccaccia (the delicious compact kind, not the bulky, greasy sponge marketed as foccaccia in the US), and a lovely olive oil. I hope to return for the bresaola with arugula, parmesan and olive oil, a summer staple in Italy, and for the after-dinner digestivi. The menu is compact but varied, the prices reasonable for the quality. The service was friendly and prompt. I've been to most of the better-known Italian (or Italianate) restaurants in Durham and always came away disappointed at their uneven quality (often masked by overdone flavor combos or large portions). Convivio felt just right. I was surprised that it did not show up right away on the Yelp search engine.

Food was very good but the service was lacking. I had the impression our server was new to waiting tables. Charcuterie starter was excellent with a small mix of meats and cheeses but the actual contents weren't explained until the owner stopped by when he noticed we were trying to decide what everything was. Then the starter wasn't cleared for some time, and when it finally was, the waitress had to take our main dish order for a second time. Spouse's mushroom pizza entree was very good. My main course was the porchetta, and I specifically asked if it came with any sides because it looked like all sides were separate. Told no, so I ordered the greens. When the porchetta arrived, it was on a nice pile of greens, and then there was my separate side of greens. Hmm. Porchetta was also very tasty but really needed a proper knife to cut through the crackling outer edge. I ended up sending shards of crispy pork fat everywhere when I tried to cut it. The food was really quite good. Service was meh, but i really think we just got the rookie waitress. It happens. Other wait staff were busier and more attentive. Seemed like it would be a fantastic place to walk into from the neighborhood, sit at the bar, have some wine and starters.

Convivio is a place for foodies. Food is made from scratch with a desire for authenticity and truly Italian recipes and flavor. We had the pizza made with bressaola, gorgonzola, and arugula. At an earlier visit we had the pizza with porchetta. Both were delicious: balanced flavor and wonderful crust (pinsa). You may add a cocktail or a good glass of Italian wine to your meal and go for pasta or risotto dish in addition. Their tiramisu and their torta della nonna are delicious too. Guiseppe, the owner, is providing wonderful service with any explanations or suggestions you would like to hear. The place has a nice bar and tables with the kitchen in the back of the restaurant - welcoming and timeless.

Phenomenal food and incredible experience overall. The bread was fresh, the food authentic, and the chef made me an order off the menu after overhearing my conversation with the waitress. Probably the best Italian restaurant in town. Highly recommend.

Authentic Italian Cuisine that you will be not able to find at 4,700 miles around! Fresh and quality of the ingredients used to prepared every dishes are absolutely amazing, and a little touch of love as the Chef signature and it's like you are there - in Italy! "Chef Giuseppe and his amazing crew went above and beyond to take care of our family and friends during an incredibly tough time. After the funeral ceremony, they created a dining experience that not only nourished our bodies but also our spirits. The food was phenomenal, each dish a testament to the skill and heart that went into it, turning a sad day into one filled with warmth and connection. The entire team's compassion and professionalism made all the difference. We are deeply thankful for the way they turned our gathering into a joyful family moment. This is a place where you're not just served--you're truly cared for." Highly recommended!

Convivio is easily Durham's best kept secret. It's upscale Italian with an emphasis on no frills but high quality. Nearly everything, from the post dinner aperitifs to the pasta is made from scratch. I've lived all over the north east and mid west, yet the best Italian I've ever had is on a quiet street in lowly Durham.

Owner spit at the ground and told me to fuck my self, then continued to use racial slurs and threatened me in front of my children. I was actually going to the restaurant next door, he had a problem that I was taking my time to get my 10 month old and 2 yr old girls out of the car and into the stroller. He told me to move and just went off on me. He obviously has a mental disorder - racism. A by stander called the police .. the officer said this guy has a reputation and this isn't the first time.. if I could put zero stars I would I have never been in this kind of situation it was scary. Especially bc I'm pregnant and I have 2 little girls. I'm 5'6 he's about 6'4 ... this owner is scum We all work hard for our money don't give him a dime.

Food was delicious. Portions were small. We were 8 people and told we had to have the tasting menu for $59 pp and that it was posted on their website. Non of us could find that on their website. Also we had to prepay $25 pp. we hated that. My son--in -law left hungry. He shouldn't for that much money.

Hands down one of the best authentic Italian restaurants I've ever been to. Amazing food, wine and service. The owner and chef is from Italy, has worked all over the world and is incredibly talented. We had the black truffle pizza as an appetizer followed by black truffle pasta. Both were ridiculous. Simply delicious.

If you're looking for authentic Italian food with amazing service and a great vibe Convivio is the place to go. We had truffle lamb chops which were outstanding and the delightfully delicious ravioli. Oh, and the bread with EVOO and parmesan was delicious. I wish they had a restaurant here in Charlotte so we could go there all the time. Even just drink wine and eat bread. They also have what looks to be a tantalizing Saturday brunch, (brunch envy) We absolutely loved this place and HIGHLY recommend it!

The owner is Italian and he serves quality food, good ingredients and served with care.

Stopped into this place after a meal in downtown Durham. We sat at the bar and the sommelier Giuseppe was extremely friendly and helpful. We wanted to have a glass a wine but weren't familiar with their Italian wine selections so he let us taste a couple. I picked one of the reds and my friend chose one of the whites and they were great! Then we decided to have a little bit of food so she had the olives and I had the mushrooms from the small plates menu. The mushrooms were good, but they were drenched in a little too much olive oil. This is a new space that just opened and I liked the overall look and feel of the place. The ambiance was great and the size of the venue was perfect- not to big and not too small.The food menu did look good, through a little pricey, so we will return for dinner another night!

Wonderful all around experience at this hidden gem in Durham! I stumbled upon this spot and will likely be back every week! It's right down the street from the new library where I study each week. The ambiance is beautiful and peaceful. The staff is incredibly personable and friendly. It's also very clean - yep I also noticed their 100% grade above the bar! I ordered the rosè flight, the olives, and mushroom pizza. Yummmmmmm!!! Soooo good!! I wish I was in town on the weekends so I could attend their wine tasting and cooking classes. I highly recommend this spot!! Five stars from me!

OUTSTANDING. Hands down the BEST meal I've ever had. It's just a must you need to know nothing more than you must go! I can not say enough about their customer service. Go and enjoy real authentic food!!!

Awful place, really bad food. Service is awful. Horrendous. Everything was bad. Avoid this place

Absolutely amazing service, food, and wine! It's hard to tell from the outside, but inside it's beautiful and romantic.

Every time I've been here, it started off a bit empty at times and then it would have an influx of customers and then clear out again. The dark and moody, intimate vibe makes it feel like a good date night spot. This recent time, I went with larger group of friends and we were treated super well by our waiter. He kept the wine filled and flowing, made great recommendations on pairings. They had a family style meal created for us that ended up being perfect portions for all, with a bit extra leftover. I do think that some of the single entrees are a bit overpriced, but we enjoy our time when we go. One time we sat at the bar, and the bartender was super friendly, seemed knowledgeable about wines and spirits, and helped us figure out portions of what we were ordering.

Delicious authentic Italian. Portions as you expect in Italy, leaving you satisfied but not overfill, with room for delicious dessert. Good cocktails! Highly recommend giving it a try. Great for couples, families, or small groups!

Hands down the best Italian meal I can remember. There was a black truffle pasta on the menu as a special and I do not exaggerate in saying I will dream about that dish. Beautiful and intimate setting with the Durham charm that I love. Our waitress was lovely and engaging.

This place is a real gem hiding in plain sight across from City Hall. Have been maybe 7 times and have never had anything less than an awesome time. The dining room is warm and cozy. Real Italian recipes and everything is equally interesting and delicious. A fun wine list too. The pasta is homemade, they usually have a lamb dish and, if so, it is always yum. Convivio is always a good choice. I think they are also opening outdoor seating in the alley next to the restaurant - that'll be our next visit!

Convivio never disappoints. Great food, warm ambiance, great staff and a friendly (and often-hilarious) owner, Giuseppe. Convivio is a legit Italian restaurant, meaning way more like what you would experience in Italy and nothing like the average suburban Italian chain (looking at you Olive Garden). Everything is terrific. My personal faves include the porchetta, whatever risotto they are making that night and the pizzas. Cocktails are tasty and just tell them to pour you a glass of whatever wine they think is best for your meal and you will be happy. Easy parking on the street or in either of the 2 lots adjacent to the restaurant. This is really a must try kind of place ...

This is an awesome place to visit! Great service and delicious drinks and food. If you want to experience Italian atmosphere, visit this restaurant. Highly recommended!

Do not miss Convivio! Great Italian food ambiance, service...it's all within a two minute walk of Center City Durham. Support a great local chef and his staff. As another reviewer posted: don't be put off if the place looks empty (he NEEDS to advertise!!!)...go in and treat yourself to one of the best meals around.

It was my birthday celebration, and we were about to go to The Cheesecake Factory so I could have my favorite pasta dish. But at the last minute I decided I'd look and see if I could find a local place instead. And I'm certainly glad I did! The atmosphere was delightful, our server friendly and efficient, the food excellent, and the wine just what we wanted. We had a terrific time, and will definitely go back again. Also, don't be thrown by the "City Hall Plaza" address. For some reason we thought it was in a different location than the rest of downtown Durham, but it was just around the corner from everything, and a few blocks from the Durham Bull statue and all the other wonders of downtown Durham. Delightful experience, and well worth checking out.

Easily the best Italian restaurant I've been to in NC. Not really even close. You enter this open kitchen space and see the Chef behind his small cooking area and think "have I picked the wrong place?" This isn't a kitchen you'd expect. But he makes EVERYTHING fresh and by hand; including the pasta. And OMG IS IT AMAZING!!! As a lover of European wines and AB avoider of fruity, oaky, alcohol-bomb CA wines the wine list here is a respite for my restaurant wine starved soul. This first visit (which will in no way be my last... and has me considering a move to Durham just to frequent this place) here was kismet as they had fresh black truffles. I ordered the special with the truffles. I ate it all. I licked the plate. Top, bottom, sides...I licked the remains of the napkin, the fork... I'd have considered the floor but I was far too careful to allow any to escape that far. There are other options to try and try them I will! I strongly suggest you do the same and do so before Michelin finds out about this place and getting a seat becomes impossible. Yes; it's *that* good.

This was an absolutely incredible experience. The food is incredible and we cannot wait to come back for more. We had the orange and rosé flights and a glass of red. All of which were fantastic. Our waiter made an excellent recommendation for the wine to pair with the gnocchi. You can tell they are passionate about the food and wine they are creating and offering.

Had another great meal here. The bar is the place to be. Giuseppe is awesome. I recommend the porchetta or the fish is always great.

Wandering downtown Durham I stumbled on a restaurant with no sign out front. Curious, I peeked in the door and was whisked in by the owner Giuseppe who sat me down at the bar and gave me a tasting tour of Italy's finest food and drink. What a random Saturday afternoon! The ambiance is something I've been longing for - upscale yet as comfortable as home. Everything on the menu has a story and Giuseppe enthusiastically shared the details. At the moment it's not a full course restaurant but apparently it's planned (I found them during their soft opening). Fish, meat, and chicken is coming! Currently It's a wine and cocktail bar with a tasting menu. It's the perfect date spot, and I'm sure your family will be welcome too. The executive chef, who came out to say hello, shared his story of working at Michelin Star restaurants and the vision to make authentic Italian - taking great care to honor food and drink the way it was meant to be. The passion for food is intense, and frankly exciting. Thank you Convivio for the fascinating food tour and good conversation. You're a welcome addition to the neighborhood!

My friend and I had such a great evening here!! The owners are extremely friendly and helpful. We were able to sample a few wines before deciding on one. The wines are really different but good! I had the burrata for my "meal" (probably isn't meant to be an actual me) and it was tasty! The atmosphere is great with an authentic Italian feel as well. Their pastas and other dishes are starting in a few weeks. Can't wait!

This restaurant is a total gem. We were greeted and welcomed in by one of the many amazing service staff. The ambience is both cool and romantic. Our sever suggested a great bottle of wine that paired well with our meal which included beautifully roasted vegetables to start and then the house made pasta special which featured a lovely pesto sauce. I cannot leave this review without mentioning the to die for bread which I think may be the dough they use for pizza. It was airy and crisp yet tender on the inside. I will definitely try the pizza on my next visit which will be very soon.

The food & service were great! It was a quiet summer night so we got to talk to owner !

I stumbled upon Convivio in the first or second week of their opening, with no sign in front. Out of curiosity, we stuck our head in and Giuseppe waived us inside. From that time, I've been back a few times, sometimes just to grab a glass of wine after work on Friday, sometimes staying for dinner. Convivio is one of those places where I feel at ease dining/ drinking by myself at the bar. Giuseppe and Paolo are super friendly. The kitchen is open space and most items are made fresh/ by hand! Some things I've truly enjoyed from the menu: - the white wine from Umbria, Il Padrone delle Vigne Bianco (I think!) - Lasagna! - Squid ink risotto - Gelato (Why aren't they selling us to go by the pint...) The atmosphere is different from other places: tables are slightly more spaced apart, not super crowded, no live music. And honestly I kind of like this setting - we already have several other loud places in town, you know? I can't wait until COVID is over and until I have an occasion to splurge on one of their cooking classes!

Food was excellent, though perhaps over-priced. Service so-so (mixed up coffee order; and coffee grinds in one cup). Left feeling taken advantage of: waiter handed me the check after having unilaterally added more than a 20% tip.

Visited this place a few weeks ago and figured I'd finally leave a review because I STILL think about this dinner. It was pretty empty, which was initially off-putting. But the ambience ended up feeling intimate and cozy. Kinda refreshing to not be in a too loud-too dark restaurant. The food was the most authentic Italian I've had in the area. Service was also outstanding. Good wine. I could keep going. 10/10

Amazing bar experience!!! Met up with a childhood friend and giggled over a few glasses of bourbon and the Fresce tray. The Fresce Tray: Presentation was beautiful and not just thrown on plate. Taste: The salmon, dried cod with peppers, and two types of anchovies were amazing. I loved the dried cod freshness with spice from peppers was a great invigorating taste from the lemon oil of the salmon before the tart salt of the anchovies. The seemingly pickled anchovies (gray/green) were a tad too salty but it small bites wasn't horrible. The cured (still silver) anchovies were tasting as if you were shoreside enjoying freshness of it all. I appreciated that cured anchovies flavor the most. The salmon was an upgraded flavor profile of your typical appetizer tray salmon. The baby gherkins paired quite well with the red onion and capers. The bread basket included an assortment of fresh breads that paired well with the fish in tray. Alcoholic Beverages: For our drinks we had the Matto Grato (spellcheck) which is made with bourbon and the cool ice spears. These were AMAZINGLY smooth without being overly sweet. (I am not a sweet drinks kind of gal.) Service: The bartender was very attentive and kept our water refilled (a huge plus at bar) and checked on us frequently and wore a mask. It was appreciated for me as someone who is still quite eery going out in public settings. Fabulous job! My friend and I had some good girl time to get out of house and chat and felt well-serviced. She is excited to come back again.

I attended a wine tasting dinner on Thursday December 8th and told we could purchase any of the wine we had for half price. The full amountfor the wine I purchased was $664.35 and I was told it would cost me $318.20 which was a very fair price When I checked my credit card I was charge both of those amounts. I called the manager and he told me he was too busy to explain it at the time, yet I called right when they open and tried several times before 5pm but know one ever answered. I short he told me the $664 charge was for the meal, although it was prepaid before we attended This manager is a fraud and a shyster!! Just beware!!! Tom Quinn

Cozy restaurant. Overall we had a good meal. The ingredients are high quality. The service was excellent. The charcuterie board was great (5 stars). The Manzo (beef stew with mashed potatoes and truffle shavings) was bland (3 stars). The vegetable of the day (kale with garlic) was great (4 stars). The lasagna was bland (3 stars). While I appreciated the freshness of the pasta, the creaminess of the bechamel sauce, and the quality of its ingredients, it lacked flavor. The semi fredo dessert was excellent (5 stars). I do not plan to return.

I've been here twice now and have been seriously disappointed both times. Frankly the food lacks flavor. The burrata seems like it was purchased at Costco. I had the gnocchi, which was gummy and so flavorless that my jaw dropped. The chocolate gelato also seemed to be store-bought. One of the people we were with made the expensive mistake of getting the truffle risotto--a $60 dish!!!--and had to ask for salt, pepper and parm--inexcusable, frankly--where was the flavor?? The only reason why I didn't give this place one star is because the greens saved the day--we ordered kale and it was tasty. But who can live on kale alone?

I cannot believe I spent my money here. Now that I'm reading the reviews it all makes sense. The service was terrible. The food was ok. The owner, now that was the worst part. He was extremely rude to me and my family and made some racial slurs. There is something seriously wrong with him. I don't recommend this place at all.

. It's 2023 let's spend our money wisely. This place doesn't deserve a dime. Food is mediocre at best.

The space and service was great. The food was fine but incredibly overprice. The fish of the day is just that, a 3-bite piece of fish with nothing else. If you order a pasta, it's approximately a 1/2 cup in size. The appetizers are very small too. After spending $160 on food and drinks, we left still hungry and we're really not big eaters. I don't remember ever leaving a restaurant where my stomach was actually growling. We both ate snacks at another place within walking distance. Sorry, but there's too many other great restaurants in Durham that will provide a better eating experience.