The restaurant was nice, but not genuinely nice. Like it had very nice aspects, but there was always a petina of putting-on-airs. For example the wait staff was very friendly, but also rather informal; some had aprons, some had Duke hoodies. The steak I had was fine, but it was a bad cut of meat. They gave me a knife to cut the steak, but it was a pairing knife, and as such I had to saw the meat to get a cut. I ordered an Old Fashioned, but it was served with fountain drink ice cubes (tens of them!). Overall, the food was fine, but the experience didn't really justify the $$$ cost. I took a chance with a north durham italian place, but I would've rather spent the same money on better food and atmosphere downtown.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Emily R
Please be aware that they do NOT disclose common allergens on the menu. We ordered an appetizer that was not described as having nuts but it did have pistachios in it. My partner with a tree nut allergy ate it and quickly realized he needed to leave the restaurant and take emergency medication to prevent anaphylaxis. We had noted in our reservation that our party had a nut allergy but clearly this wasn’t reviewed and could have been life threatening.
Other than that… the food and service was good. They didn’t charge us for the item that caused an allergic reaction, which is a step in the right direction but a bit disappointing that that was the only remediation offered. It was a stressful ordeal for us and we didn’t want to make more of a fuss than we already had so we just paid the bill and went home to take more emergency allergy medicine.
Please proceed with caution and tell your server multiple times if you have any allergies.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
Daniel N
They had a dish with pistachios that wasn’t clearly identified and I am allergic. I notified them about the allergy when making the reservation.
I had to leave the restaurant to take emergency allergy medicine and they offered no discount aside from taking the one dish off our bill.
They clearly did not take it as seriously as they should have. This could’ve been much worse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
Anna Kourouniotis
The food at Gocciolina is undeniably tasty—the flavors were on point and everything we ate was high quality. However, the meal was overshadowed by major service issues. We waited 45 minutes for our first entree, and the second didn't arrive until 51 minutes in. Staggering entrees by 6 minutes after an hour-long wait is unacceptable for a restaurant of this caliber.
Furthermore, the portions are quite small relative to the price. While the taste is there, the value is missing when you factor in the lackluster setting and the long wait times. It’s a shame the kitchen logistics couldn't match the quality of the cooking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
Sarah Mansori
My husband was just in Paris last month and went out to a very nice dinner with friends, while celebrating. After dinner at Gocciolina tonight, he said that meal was every bit as good as the meal we had in Paris, and cost 1/3 of the price.
This is our favorite restaurant! The food is amazing. The vibe is welcoming, cozy, comfortable, and fun. The prices are incredibly reasonable. The staff are all friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive, and clearly work as a team. We have been going for years, and the quality and experience has never dropped.
Thank you, Gocciolina! You're the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Fennel Shallot Ravioli, Fried Eggplant, Chocolate Torte, Olives, Breadsticks, Salad, Tiramisu Cannoli, Hand Cut Noodles, Sorbet, Spicy Chickpeas, Roasted Potatoes, Domestic Lamb Chops, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Chili Flake and Lemon, Seafood Pasta
Emily Teasley
We came here for the first time last night, had a reservation and were seated quickly. We felt we had to wait an extremely long time for the food to come out and the portions were really small. Overall the food was good, but not sure if we would come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
Sofia Elizabeth Schumo Chwe
The place is quite comfortable. It’s also good for groups and definitely recommended! 🙌🏻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Kathy Harrod
Delicious. Wonderfully prepared dishes with attention to detail. Good service. The small restaurant was full at 5:30, but a high top table was available. Reservations strongly recommend.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Donna Oney
This is hands down our favorite restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious and the atmosphere and staff make this place superior. Five stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annette D
Gocciolina was an absolute delight from start to finish. My husband, our friends, and I dined there last Saturday evening, and the entire experience exceeded expectations.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. Ace, our server, was outstanding — incredibly knowledgeable, attentive without hovering, and so helpful with food selections. He was always there to answer questions and timed everything perfectly so each course arrived just as it should.
We started with the Boxcarr Farm robiola cheese with toasted pistachio and honey, and it was truly delectable. For my entrée, I had the grilled NC scallops with pork belly and spicy marinated Vera Luce radicchio — absolutely amazing and beautifully balanced.
Every dish was thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We had a wonderful evening and can’t wait to return. Gocciolina is now firmly on our short list of favorite dining spots.
Unique menu. Definitely enjoyed every bite. The plates are small portions, is the only down side
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Eliza Allen
Excellent cocktails, food just ok. Spaghetti out of a box just doesn’t make the cut for a nice Italian place. Just two slices of table bread for $3 is hilariously disappointing
Dakota Minear
This place feels like every Italian dinner in a 90s movie. We sat in the main dining room, in front of the kitchen and everything was perfect. The smaller menu has clearly allowed them to serve excellent dishes and delicious specials. Eat as much as you can but please save space for dessert!!! Oh and the bathroom is freaking cuul!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
C F
Little pricey expecially the wines. There's was nothing red under $ 58/bottle. Glasses are at least ~$14
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jane Gates
Cozy, informal and buzzing with positive energy were my first impressions upon entering Gocciolina. Enjoyed taking in the custom crafted menu featuring farm to table ingredients. I was drawn towards the handmade ravioli special and was very pleased. Starters and sides were all excellent. Best discovery of the night was the bottled cider, dry, fresh tasting and an excellent pairing with the olives. I also recommend the whiskey sour cocktail. Desserts were amazing. Look forward to the next time.
The restaurant was nice, but not genuinely nice. Like it had very nice aspects, but there was always a petina of putting-on-airs. For example the wait staff was very friendly, but also rather informal; some had aprons, some had Duke hoodies. The steak I had was fine, but it was a bad cut of meat. They gave me a knife to cut the steak, but it was a pairing knife, and as such I had to saw the meat to get a cut. I ordered an Old Fashioned, but it was served with fountain drink ice cubes (tens of them!).
Overall, the food was fine, but the experience didn't really justify the $$$ cost. I took a chance with a north durham italian place, but I would've rather spent the same money on better food and atmosphere downtown.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Please be aware that they do NOT disclose common allergens on the menu. We ordered an appetizer that was not described as having nuts but it did have pistachios in it. My partner with a tree nut allergy ate it and quickly realized he needed to leave the restaurant and take emergency medication to prevent anaphylaxis. We had noted in our reservation that our party had a nut allergy but clearly this wasn’t reviewed and could have been life threatening.
Other than that… the food and service was good. They didn’t charge us for the item that caused an allergic reaction, which is a step in the right direction but a bit disappointing that that was the only remediation offered. It was a stressful ordeal for us and we didn’t want to make more of a fuss than we already had so we just paid the bill and went home to take more emergency allergy medicine.
Please proceed with caution and tell your server multiple times if you have any allergies.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 4
They had a dish with pistachios that wasn’t clearly identified and I am allergic. I notified them about the allergy when making the reservation.
I had to leave the restaurant to take emergency allergy medicine and they offered no discount aside from taking the one dish off our bill.
They clearly did not take it as seriously as they should have. This could’ve been much worse.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 1
Service: 1
The food at Gocciolina is undeniably tasty—the flavors were on point and everything we ate was high quality. However, the meal was overshadowed by major service issues. We waited 45 minutes for our first entree, and the second didn't arrive until 51 minutes in. Staggering entrees by 6 minutes after an hour-long wait is unacceptable for a restaurant of this caliber.
Furthermore, the portions are quite small relative to the price. While the taste is there, the value is missing when you factor in the lackluster setting and the long wait times. It’s a shame the kitchen logistics couldn't match the quality of the cooking.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 3
My husband was just in Paris last month and went out to a very nice dinner with friends, while celebrating. After dinner at Gocciolina tonight, he said that meal was every bit as good as the meal we had in Paris, and cost 1/3 of the price.
This is our favorite restaurant! The food is amazing. The vibe is welcoming, cozy, comfortable, and fun. The prices are incredibly reasonable. The staff are all friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and attentive, and clearly work as a team. We have been going for years, and the quality and experience has never dropped.
Thank you, Gocciolina! You're the best!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Gnocchi, Fennel Shallot Ravioli, Fried Eggplant, Chocolate Torte, Olives, Breadsticks, Salad, Tiramisu Cannoli, Hand Cut Noodles, Sorbet, Spicy Chickpeas, Roasted Potatoes, Domestic Lamb Chops, Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Garlic Chili Flake and Lemon, Seafood Pasta
We came here for the first time last night, had a reservation and were seated quickly. We felt we had to wait an extremely long time for the food to come out and the portions were really small. Overall the food was good, but not sure if we would come back again.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 3
The place is quite comfortable. It’s also good for groups and definitely recommended! 🙌🏻
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Delicious. Wonderfully prepared dishes with attention to detail. Good service. The small restaurant was full at 5:30, but a high top table was available. Reservations strongly recommend.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is hands down our favorite restaurant. The food is absolutely delicious and the atmosphere and staff make this place superior. Five stars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gocciolina was an absolute delight from start to finish. My husband, our friends, and I dined there last Saturday evening, and the entire experience exceeded expectations.
From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine warmth and hospitality. Ace, our server, was outstanding — incredibly knowledgeable, attentive without hovering, and so helpful with food selections. He was always there to answer questions and timed everything perfectly so each course arrived just as it should.
We started with the Boxcarr Farm robiola cheese with toasted pistachio and honey, and it was truly delectable. For my entrée, I had the grilled NC scallops with pork belly and spicy marinated Vera Luce radicchio — absolutely amazing and beautifully balanced.
Every dish was thoughtful, beautifully prepared, and full of flavor. We had a wonderful evening and can’t wait to return. Gocciolina is now firmly on our short list of favorite dining spots.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Unique menu. Definitely enjoyed every bite. The plates are small portions, is the only down side
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Excellent cocktails, food just ok. Spaghetti out of a box just doesn’t make the cut for a nice Italian place. Just two slices of table bread for $3 is hilariously disappointing
This place feels like every Italian dinner in a 90s movie. We sat in the main dining room, in front of the kitchen and everything was perfect. The smaller menu has clearly allowed them to serve excellent dishes and delicious specials.
Eat as much as you can but please save space for dessert!!!
Oh and the bathroom is freaking cuul!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Little pricey expecially the wines. There's was nothing red under $ 58/bottle.
Glasses are at least ~$14
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cozy, informal and buzzing with positive energy were my first impressions upon entering Gocciolina. Enjoyed taking in the custom crafted menu featuring farm to table ingredients. I was drawn towards the handmade ravioli special and was very pleased. Starters and sides were all excellent. Best discovery of the night was the bottled cider, dry, fresh tasting and an excellent pairing with the olives. I also recommend the whiskey sour cocktail. Desserts were amazing. Look forward to the next time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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