IL PALIO RESTAURANT

1505 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill
(919) 918-2545

Recent Reviews Order Online Reserve

Customers' Favorites

Burrata Stuffed Ravioli with Lobster
Fried Green Tomatoes Caprese Salad
Pappardelle Alla Ragu Bolognese
Crushed Avocado Bruschetta
Flourless Chocolate Torta
500 Day Aged Prosciutto
Prosciutto and Burrata
Wood Grilled Octopus
Black Truffle Pasta
Iberico Pork Pluma

Menu

Healthy Start
Fresh Fruit
Melon, pineapple, and mixed berries.
Old Fashioned Oatmeal
Warm vanilla cream, brown sugar, toasted almonds, and dried fruit.
Crushed Avocado Bruschetta
Whole grain toast, chili flake, and extra virgin olive oil.
Greek Yogurt
Granola, NC wildflower honey, and mixed berries.

Eggs
Breakfast Sandwich
Scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, and choice of bacon or sausage on an English muffin.
Farmers Market Omelet
Tomatoes, red onion, kale, and mushrooms.
Egg White Omelet
Spinach, red onion, and ricotta.
Frittata
Potato, tomatoes, spinach, and goat cheese.

House Specialties
Il Palio Eggs Benedict
Poached farm eggs, ham, grilled English muffin, and classic hollandaise.
Buttermilk Pancakes
Fresh berries and maple syrup.
Belgian Waffles
Fresh strawberries, maple syrup, vanilla whipped cream, and amarena cherry butter.
Banana Bomboloni
Hazelnut sugar, caramelized bananas, and whipped Nutella.
Smoked Salmon
Plain or everything bagel, tomatoes, red onion, capers, lemon, and cream cheese.

Sides
Bacon
Breakfast Sausage Patties
Turkey Sausage Links
Yellow Corn Grits
Roasted Home Fry Potatoes

Breads
Grilled Wolferman's English Muffin
Butter Croissant
Bagel

Coffee
Cappuccino
Hot Chocolate
Espresso
Latte

Beverages
Chocolate Milk
Hot Tea
Juice
Fresh Squeezed Juice

Crudo e Stagionato
500 Day Aged Prosciutto
Grilled honey butter acorn squash and marinated calvander with pepperoncini and Sicilian oregano.
Chilled Beausoleil Oysters
White balsamic mignonette and lemon.
Tuna Tartare
Shallot, dijon, lemon, pepperoncini, pickled radish, bottarga, and everything flatbread.
Foie Gras Torchon
House-made granola, maple syrup, balsamic pearls, and olive oil crostini.
Beef Carpaccio
Shaved grana Padano, pickled shiitake mushrooms, and wasabi crema.

Antipasti
Seared Marinated Artichoke Hearts
Haw river oyster mushrooms and truffle vinaigrette.
Grilled Trio Di Crostini
Roasted garlic, gorgonzola and NC figs, Tuscan white bean, and sofrito.
Market Greens Salad
Soft herbs, goat cheese, cucumbers, radish, hazelnut, and red wine vinaigrette.
Nc Tomato Caprese
Fresh mozzarella, 12-year-aged balsamic, and extra virgin olive oil.
Wood Grilled Octopus
Nduja, salsa verde, white bean and squid ink puree, Marcona almonds, and grilled lemon.
Veal and Ricotta Meatballs
Tomato, grana padano, and aged pecorino.

Secondi
Chicken Alla Marsala
Haw river oyster mushroom and marsala demi-glace.
Eggplant Involtini
Ricotta, mascarpone, goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, tomato, and grana padano.
Whole Grilled Fish
Cucumber salad, red onion, dill, extra virgin olive oil, and yogurt dressing.
Iberico Pork Pluma (8 Oz)
Baby arugula, pickled fennel.
Costoletta Alla Valdostana
Grilled veal cutlets, fontina Val d'Aosta, marinated asparagus, and grilled lemon.
Bistecca Macchiato (8 Oz)
Espresso rubbed Dakota beef tenderloin, roasted fingerling potatoes, and brandy cream sauce.
Aged New York Strip (11 Oz)
Blistered shishito peppers, herb compound butter, and pickled Fresno peppers.

Contorni
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Anson Mills Polenta and Aged Pecorino
Fried Brussels Sprouts and Fig Vincotto

Wood Grilled Crostini (Vegetarian Dinner)
Olives Tapenade
Tuscan White Bean and Sofrito
Whipped Ricotta and Wildflower Honey
Avocado and Roasted Pepper

Antipasti (Vegetarian Dinner)
Arugula Salad
Lemon, grana Padano, and extra virgin olive oil.
Market Green Salad
Soft herbs, goat cheese, pomegranate seeds, radish, hazelnut, and white balsamic vinaigrette.
Fried Green Tomato Caprese
Fresh mozzarella di bufala, basil, and 12-year-aged balsamic.
Jimmy Nardello Peppers
White wine, Calabrian pepper paste, garlic, and lemon.
Tomato & Polenta Soup
Extra virgin olive oil, aged pecorino, and basil.

Secondi (Vegetarian Dinner)
Eggplant Involtini
Ricotta, mozzarella, mascarpone, goat cheese, garlic, fresh herbs, tomato, grana padano, and basil.
Grilled Maitake Mushrooms
Spaghetti squash, heirloom tomatoes, and roasted red peppers.

Contorni (Vegetarian Dinner)
Olive Oil Mashed Potatoes
Anson Mills Polenta and Aged Pecorino
Fried Brussels Sprouts and Fig Vincotto

Coffee and Tea
Decaf Coffee
Hot Tea
Espresso
Cappuccino

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Recent Reviews

The food was fine overall — the fig salad was very good and the affogato was delicious (with caramel sauce-delicioso). The grilled bruschetta didn't seem grilled — it was lightly toasted rather than the charred rustic bread I expected. And I thought there was too much piled on it. I didn't taste the pastas but my table mates enjoyed theirs. The service was superb— sweet and friendly and accommodating. Bravo for Massimo! He made the night enjoyable for us. Eating...
August 2025
We had a lovely time at Il Palio while visiting my daughter at the university. The service was excellent, the staff really took care of us and made us feel welcome. The food overall was good, and the rest of our group really enjoyed their meals. I ordered the scallops, which were a generous portion and well-prepared, but for me, the flavor was just okay and not as outstanding as I had hoped. Still, it was a pleasant dining experience and I'd recommend it for the great service...
August 2025
From reservation to check out and everything in between this hotel is A+++mazing. I was in town for my cousins surgery at the cancer hospital - It was a hard and emotional week going back and forth . From making the reservation with Katie at the front desk ( amazing customer service ) the room was so beautiful and comfortable , everyone was so warm and friendly , I had a dinner reservation the first night I arrived , went to the restaurant and not only was the food impressive...
August 2025

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IL PALIO RESTAURANT

1505 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 918-2545