Bombolo — Restaurant in Chapel Hill

I’m confused by the fantastic reviews. After seeing many posts raving about Bombolo on local food groups and on Yelp, I was excited to finally try it with some friends. Unfortunately, from start to finish, we collectively had an experience that was mediocre, bordering on poor.

We had a reservation at 7 PM and were seated in a secluded corner outside. Through no fault of the restaurant, there were several large roaches and a spider that joined us. However, I think it would be a useful recommendation to the restaurant to invest in some extermination services or at least spray the area down routinely. For drinks, one of our party had a very tasty espresso martini—but this is the only food or drink that was worth it. We didn’t get served diet Cokes because they somehow ran out.

The pork and veal polpettes were fine. For entrees, we had the papardelle duck ragu, NC crab and chanterelle tagliolini, and crab and corn agnolotti. Portion sizes were small especially for the prices, and all of us were hungry after eating. It would have been worth it if the pastas were good, but they were quite mediocre. The best of the three was the crab agnolotti, but it was still not something that any of us would order again as it tasted like a standard cheese ravioli. The duck papardelle was mildly unpalatable due to the duck tasting quite off. There was also a bone in the dish that almost broke my friend’s tooth. The crab tagliolini had tasty crab, but the rest of the dish lacked any flavor except for an incredibly strong taste of lemon. This dish also unpleasantly had small pieces of crab shell. Even though we were still hungry, after finishing our dishes, we had zero desire to continue eating at this restaurant.

Subpar service is the reason this review is 2 stars and not 3. It took almost 30 minutes for the server (who looked stressed and barely engaged with us) to take our food orders, and he mentioned that maybe two of our dishes were sold out. He then left to go check if these were available. We didn’t hear from him for another hour and had no idea if the dishes were even being made. Our food finally arrived over an hour and a half after we were seated with no comment by any waitstaff.

Overall, a very disappointing experience. There are myriads of other local restaurants that we will instead be frequenting. Hopefully this was just one off night for...

We had a reservation at 5:30 last Friday and it exceeded my expectations. We shared the carbonara fritter, asparagus with poached egg and giardiniera, and the wild boar saffron pappardelle; all of which we paired with a couple rosés. We intended to buy more food, but our server Patrick very graciously let us know that we would be over-ordering on portion size. I also had literally a million questions, which were received with great patience. He was completely right and I was pleased with his honesty and professionalism. This has been our favorite restaurant by far in the entire surrounding area, Raleigh and Durham included. The fritter was awesome, very cleverly executed and difficult not to order more of. The asparagus was perfectly cooked, crispy and al dente, perfectly balanced with a giardiniera brunoise and the yolk of the egg. The pasta was our favorite. We made it a point to go around and try every “fresh pasta” at every restaurant conceivable, but I had been here before and knew deep down that this was the best. It was a light dish, full of beautiful chunks of braised boar and accents of saffron and maybe nutmeg? The sauce was killer. The pasta k.o.ed us both and the rosé made us fall in love. We wanted to stay for dessert but ran out of time!

In most cases, the passion and love for food and hospitality even in the best chefs becomes lost in the translation before ever reaching the guest. At Bombolo, this was not the case. Rotating menus are not easy, but are more sustainable and keeps things interesting for both the kitchen and guests. The dedication and hard work are more than clear, they shined through every component and became a memory we will treasure for the rest of our lives.

Definitely coming back! I recommend making a reservation and coming early as specials and fresh pastas run out at any restaurant if you are dining late and/or right before close.

You’re a fool not to appreciate this fine...

I recently had a blast at Bombolo when I visited Chapel Hill - having gone to college at UNC many years ago, I am so jealous that the kids now a days (wow I am old) have this awesome restaurant.

This Italian gem captured my heart with its cozy atmosphere, attentive staff, and mouthwatering cuisine. As soon as I walked in, I was greeted with smiles and seated in a rustic yet elegant setting that set the stage for an unforgettable dining experience.

Now let's talk about the food, because oh my taste buds! The Tonno Tonno dish was a knockout. Tender tuna infused with olive oil, alongside fennel and onion, all piled on a crispy crostini. It was like a flavor explosion in my mouth—Italy on a plate! And don't even get me started on the Mushroom & Green Salad. Local greens, oyster mushrooms, kohlrabi, and a touch of Boxcar triple cream cheese that made my taste buds dance with joy. It was a salad fit for the gods!

But wait, there's more! The moral & crab tagliolini stole the show as the main course. Homemade pasta cooked to perfection, swimming in a rich, balanced sauce that made my taste buds sing an opera of delight. Each ingredient seemed handpicked for its role in this culinary symphony.

The cherry on top of this amazing experience was the top-notch service. The staff at Bombolo were like culinary wizards, guiding me through the menu with passion and expertise. They made sure every detail was taken care of, catering to my dietary needs and making me feel like a cherished VIP.

So, if you find yourself in Chapel Hill, do yourself a favor and visit Bombolo. It's a hidden gem that will transport you to Italy with its cozy vibes, impeccable service, and dishes that will make your taste buds do the happy dance. Trust me, it's a dining adventure you won't...