Bombolo

Name: Bombolo
Address: 764 M.L.K. Jr Blvd, Chapel Hill, NC, United States, 27514
Telephone: (919) 914-6374
Price range: $31 to $50
Rating: 4.6

4.6 (330)

$31 to $50

Italian

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time today

About this restaurant

Good for special occasions
Neighborhood gem
Charming

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–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 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

What 330 people are saying

Bombolo reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

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

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.6Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill
Italian

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Bombolo in Chapel Hill is a "hidden gem" known for its "innovative menu" and "delicious, fresh seasonal food." Renowned for its "creative pasta, seafood, and bread dishes," Bombolo also impresses with its "outstanding attentive service" and "inviting atmosphere." Diners rave about its "superb culinary experience" and "fantastic food." Perfect for special occasions!

330 Reviews

e
emily
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill1 review
5.0
Dined on June 20, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Bombolo is one of the most excellent restauarants in Chapel Hill and Durham; we are repeat customers dining in CH/Durham for 30 years, originally from New Orleans. We never miss getting cocktails and mocktails at our Bombolo table and we order 1-2 salads bc the greens seem to be fresh from a mysterious garden. Bombolo designs and serves some of the finest and most creative pasta, seafood (we always get something with lobster and fish) and bread dishes among a very high quality playing field of chefs, cooks and restauranteurs including our other favorites: the also uber-original amazing Vimala's CurryBlossom, Lantern, La Sienna, the Washington Duke Inn, the Durham Hotel, Thai Cafe, Local Family Owned Durham/University Drive Twisted Noodle and the Amazing Hotel 21-C. We are amazed by our Incredibly Impressive Restaurants; bc this is some of the most difficult work and service! This special night at Bombolo was our 6th special occasion/date night over the last few years.
1 person found this helpful
L
Louise VIP
Austin26 reviews
2.0
Dined on June 5, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
Kind of odd little place. Expected Italian restaurant but dishes mainly inspired by Southern cooking. Not much in the way of healthy or vegetarian options. Menu apparently changes every day so maybe that’s why it’s difficult to accommodate modifications.
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B
Boykin
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill2 reviews
5.0
Dined on June 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 5
Delicious, creative menu. The cocktails and “breads and spreads” are worth the reservation but keep ordering all the way through the excellent desserts!
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L
Lynne
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill12 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 30, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Delicious, fresh seasonal food, outstanding attentive service. The duck stuffed pepper was outstanding, the meatballs tender and delicious.
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I
Ian
Seattle / Eastern Washington1 review
2.0
Dined on May 25, 2025
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 2
I have emailed the restaurant directly and they have chosen not to respond. I don't write these often but found reason with a highly regarded restaurant would choose to at least respond after a week. I respect restaurants and the hard work they put in but also feel they should respond when given the opportunity to respond and choose not to. -Bread plate- had a delicious focaccia and biscuit but a half-cut, dense sandwich roll was also present. This seemed like a throw in and a fill in on a huge plate. -Asparagus and Giardiniera. Poached egg was way over cooked and sparse teaspoons of giardiniera. -Calabrian Chile Pasta- Over spiced hid the fresh pasta. -Nashville Hot NC crab- Spice of Nashville hot sauce overpowered by far... Service was laid back and started with we are out of three items, and items weren't suggested until asked. All in all, we walked back disappointed. I very rarely write reviews but rarely have experiences that warrant them. This was very meh, ok meal but for a special occasion, again lacked the praise we were excited for. Maybe it was just having an off night, but felt like Bombolo was tired of their last few guests and... feel every guest and experience matters.
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T
Terry VIP
Washington, D.C. Area20 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 24, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We loved everything! Enjoyable experience, delicious food & great service!
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I
Isaac
Coastal North Carolina4 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 11, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Great Mother’s Day fixed menu. Food was delicious but maybe a little salty on some of the sauces. Will definitely visit again.
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N
Nancy VIP
Charlotte40 reviews
4.0
Dined on May 9, 2025
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 3
Really enjoyed our meal here and the waiter was excellent! We sat outside which was lovely except very hot at 85 degrees. Two tiny fans were out but not on, and when we asked, only one worked. It would be nice to have a little Music outside to minimize hearing other conversations. Would’ve loved a gluten free pasta option for the wild boar dish! The food aaa excellent, including the meatballs, papardelle, she crab soup, beef Wellington and lemon tiramisu.
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A
Anna VIP
Charlotte4 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 3, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Wonderful as usual! Always a pleasurable palate voyage of discovery.
1 person found this helpful
B
Barbara
Raleigh / Durham / Chapel Hill16 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 2, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We started with a great crisp white wine. We had the the softshell crab plate and the stuffed poblano pepper at the bar. Both were delicious. We also followed up with an order of the focaccia bread to soak of the sauces on both of the plates. The focaccia was warm and deliciously light and airy. The bar also is set up to make it welcoming to you as you enter the restaurant. It is a small place so usually best to make a reservation or call ahead.
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FAQs

Bombolo is rated 4.6 stars by 330 OpenTable diners.

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

Make a reservation

2 people

Jul 1, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 1 time today

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–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 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

About this restaurant

Dining areas

Additional information

Menu

What 330 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