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Gocciolina

4.0 (388 reviews)
Open 5:30 pm - 10:00 PM

Gocciolina Photos

Business Info

GOCCIOLINA ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Outdoor seating

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Recommended Reviews - Gocciolina

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Kiara I.

My bff and I have both been Gocciolina separately and we decided to make it a girls night and go together. We scheduled a reservation because we were both aware of how things fill up. When we first arrived we were greeted by the host who was very kind. Originally we thought one person who we thought was our server but later met Justin. Justin was matter of fact and basically there todo his job. He was not overly chatty and straight to the point. My friend and I were looking for a bottle of their Lambrusco and while they did not sell it by the glass we decided to move forward with the bottle. We ordered the oyster (beware they don't come in a shell) but they are packed with flavor. We also ordered the Bolognese and the steak. The Bolognese was solid and the stick was delicious. We ended up sharing everything. The bathroom was really clean and the parking lot has plenty of parking. It is such a cute little restaurant, very unassuming and truly a solid Italian place. Would definitely go back.

Danielle O.

Went here for our anniversary and it was really good! The service was really great and we sat in the back room which was more quiet and peaceful. We got a bottle of wine which was delicious and tried and shared a few plates. The carbonara was my favorite! The sorbet was also really amazing. The area the restaurant is in isn't the nicest but when you walk inside you really forget where you are. This was recommended to me years ago and I'm glad I finally made the stop in!

Oysters - off menu special
Hanna W.

Every item was delicious! I recommend going right when they open because there were two limited-quantity specials we ordered - the broiled oysters and a whole fried fish. We ate family style and ordered a mix of daily specials and regular menu items. From the specials: oysters, fried fish, agnolotti, pappardelle, gnocchi. From the regular menu: spicy seafood pasta, lamb chops, Brussel sprouts. The only disappointment was the size of the lamb chop entree compared to its price. Also, we ordered some dishes later into the meal and I do not recommend this. The restaurant became much busier and the wait for the additional plates was long. However, this is not the fault of the restaurant! Overall, incredible meal + service

Menu!
Jennifer H.

I've lived in Durham 14 years and have always been curious about this restaurant and this evening myself, my cousin and his wife went in honor of my birthday dinner. It was a very cute, comfy atmosphere. At first I thought the menu was very limited but also found it very hard to decide on my food! We tried the fried egg plant appetizer and it was. We also tried the a cheese fig and honey appetizer which I actually really enjoyed. I also had the chance to try some new beverages and two of the three in the flight I really enjoyed! My meal, potato gnocchi with peppers, onions and pork sausage was very good! I also really enjoyed the gelato I got for dessert, probably more so than the cannoli which sort of surprised me. The service was great and I thought the prices were very reasonable for the menu items. Thank you for a great dining experience.

Spaghetti Carbonara

Our first visit to Gocciolina and it was excellent! We were given a gift card from our daughter in 2021 but lost it in our move. We recently discovered it and the restaurant honored it this evening. Our server, Kate was very attentive and our food was timed perfectly. And she took her time to make sure that my order was safe for my severe shellfish allergy - which is of critical importance. The restaurant was very busy for a mid-week evening. We started with two appetizers: Spicy Salami (Nduja) and the Parmesan with aged balsamic. Our main courses were: Spaghetti alla Amatriciana and Spaghetti Carbonara. All paired with a bottle of Rosso di Montalcino. For dessert we shared the tasty Gelato - two scoops of different types of Gelato: 1 scoop vanilla with chocolate and the other a latte. A wonderful evening at this restaurant and we will definitely return!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Heather H.

We have visited twice now. Once for Valentine's a few years ago and recently for our 8th wedding anniversary. There is a menu, but it is limited because they create the menu that is on the chalkboard. Everything has been delicious that we have tried. This time around, the cheapest bottle of wine was $46. The last time, there was a Montepulciano for $28. The Puglia we got was very good and paired well with our food. You can't go wrong with their Burrata to start. I always get pasta because I want pasta when I go for Italian. Therefore, I got the eggplant and roasted red pepper ravioli and sautéed swiss chard and garlic. 4 huge homemade ravioli and the chard was perfectly cooked and not mushy. Husband got the yellow fin tuna medium rare with cucumber and onion salad and brussel sprouts. The sprouts were charred with a good mix of spices and salt. The tuna was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. We finished with the chocolate torte, ice cream (can't remember the name) and I had an espresso martini. Rich and chocolatey! Rhe martini was perfect - nit too sweet, good espresso/vodka mixed flavor. We did spend ~$200 with tip,, but that's not terrible for all we had and an anniversary. Make a reservation and go!

Gelato & Sorbet
Lawren R.

I had an amazing experience today! It was such a lovely homey feel. We sat at the bar and got great recommendations from the bartender. My drink was amazing and made very well. I am not usually an adventurous eater but i really enjoyed everything my date encouraged me to try! Everything we ate felt very authentic and homemade. I will absolutely be back! Make a reservation because they are only open for dinner.

Mushroom ravioli, made in house.  So delicious.

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5 months ago

Great place. Will be back to dine here for sure. Also, they have great GF pasta. It's got a nice homey feel but with delicious food.

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2 months ago

Very good service but small portions. The ambiance was nice as well. I'm not sure if I would go back.

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3 months ago

Great food (all courses) and service! Relaxing ambiance. Around enjoyable experience!

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Ask the Community - Gocciolina

The portions here look really small! How much should I expect to spend per person to be satisfied?

The entrees were <$30 most were reasonably priced ~$24. The sides were moderately priced and were a la carte ~$8/ea. The portions paired with the sides were filling. I’d budget $32-45 per person for food, that’s without drinks or desserts.

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The Waiting Room - Storefront sign

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This cozy bar & lounge set between the American Tobacco Campus and the DPAC is a great place to…read moreunwind and chill. Got a show coming up? You can come here for a pre-show drink. There is waiter service at the lounge tables. I enjoy the bar service: plenty of seats and friendly bartenders. Old Bull Apartments residents have it best. They can hang out here, steps from their homes.

I was very excited to try this place based on so many wonderful yelp reviews and I am thrilled to…read moresay that you were all absolutely correct. We LOVED our visit to The Waiting Room. I took off early and came here early on a Wednesday night with my aunt (we were going to try another restaurant on Tobacco Road later that evening for dinner.) This is a very definite speakeasy vibe here...the art deco decor is amazing. My eyes were thrilled before we even sat down. We had our pick of places since we got there right as they opened. Our waitress came over and was so pleasant and extremely knowledgeable. I cannot wait to bring my uncle back to enjoy some new bourbons. I started with a Wake Up Holland and my aunt had a chocolate martini (not on the menu but the bartender understood the assignment!) Wake Up Holland is 100% worth the hype. I LOVED IT. But since I was worried about the caffiene, I tried The Smoking Jacket next. It wasn't really my favorite...it tasted like a campfire which I know some people enjoy but it wasn't my jam. The waitress was very astute and mentioned that they could make the Wake Up Holland in decaf and I rejoiced!!! And ended the evening with that. The service, ambiance, and drinks were all stellar and I cannot wait to return to this establishment!

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Conniption is a really cool place. They have an awesome speakeasy atmosphere and do a great job…read moreadding fun holiday decorations. The staff was really friendly too. If you enjoy gin, I can't imagine you'll find a better local gin distillery within 100 miles either. It's very smooth and they do a great job pairing it with smart ingredients in their cocktail list.

Well, a relatively new spot at RDU to take your money in exchange for waiting for your flight…read more The people working here are outstanding although I am only comparing them to those at other establishments at the airport. Definitely high stars for customer service. They could work anywhere I think and be noteworthy. The drinks were solidly on the "ho-hum" scale. Nothing out of the ordinary. In all fairness, I only tried one and maybe if I had a second, I would be more impressed. For the drink (espresso martini), the espresso beans floating in the glass were an unexpected fun addition, but they didn't have much flavor. Maybe after the alcohol, I should have expected that. If I sound "meh" -- yeah -- it was that. The food started out almost the same way, but as I worked my way through it, it got a bit better. The tempura squash is almost like light fried ravioli. While okay, I would have preferred more flavor from the squash rather than from the marinara sauce. It still didn't overwhelm me with flavor, but it was decent enough. Overall, I couldn't decide between 2 or 3 stars, but the employees alone were enough to put it at 3 for me.

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We had an extremely memorable experience at Alley Twenty Six, in large part to our amazing server,…read moreAnthony! We made a reservation for a Saturday night dinner and he made sure we were well taken care of all night. We started the night with their James Bears award winning cocktails, and every drink we ordered was a hit! Spiced strawberry mule, Sunset Sipper, and the table favorite: Earl Please. The latter two drinks were mocktails and they were still standouts! As for the food, the Alley burger was perfectly cooked: juicy patty paired with truffle cheese and simple toppings that really highlighted the burger itself. And shoestring fries are always a good choice with a delicious burger. Ricotta gnocchi was also very good. As our server Anthony said, let's get this burger nominated!

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Bar Beej

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In full disclosure, we've visited the restaurant Cheeni and the adjacent Bar Beej several times and…read morehave chatted with the owners, who are lovely people. There's nothing like Bar Beej that we've ever been to -- a bar with Indian-inspired cocktails, bar bites and that plays old Bollywood movies on a big screen. The space is small and intimate but the vibe is very unique. The bar was nominated for a regional James Beard Award, so you know it's pretty good. This isn't the type of bar to get cheap drinks but a place to try new flavor combinations and creative cocktails.

Liberty & Plenty Distillery - The Liberty & Plenty Distillery lounge is situated in the front of the distillery, and features a full cocktail bar and patio.

Liberty & Plenty Distillery

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What a lovely surprise to find this gem tucked away in downtown Durham! I had heard great things…read moreabout their espresso martini, so when we finally visited, we had to try it. And, it truly lived up to the hype. One of the best we've ever had! I also tried two other cocktails made with their house-distilled rum and gin, and both were delicious and perfectly balanced. The seasonal menu is creative and reasonably priced, we were genuinely impressed. The ambiance is charming and cozy despite a bit warm inside (the AC was pretty weak), but quiet and tastefully decorated with velvet couches, exposed walls, vintage touches, and fresh flowers on each table. We had fun flipping through their amazing cocktail book collection on the shelf too. The bartenders were very friendly and offered us focaccia from Ninth Street Bakery to pair with our drinks for free, which was such a thoughtful and tasty addition. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience and are so happy to see a micro-distillery thriving in the heart of Durham. Can't wait to return for an official tour and to sample more of their spirits!

Really fun cocktail bar- that specializes in rums! First impression- I called ahead to see if our…read moredog was allowed to sit on the outside patio, and they told me not only is she allowed, but we aren't allowed to come without her. That response will get a smile every time. Super dog-friendly, to say the least, both outside and inside. Outside has several tables under a covered area, and inside has a few couches (with tiny tables) and a long bar you can sit at. We've been a few times now, and the service is super friendly and helpful, every time. It's small and intimate inside, but we never have a problem finding a seat! I love that they have snacks you can help yourself to, in airtight jars at the bar (peanut butter filled pretzels, sour worms, etc). Also important to note- the inside is NOT air conditioned. We stopped in on a HOT day, and it's brutal inside, with cloth couches and just one small fan. Love this bar, all of their cocktails (wine available too), and all of the staff! Will be back (a lot)!!

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Weldon Mills Distillery Durham

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If you're looking for a fun weekend date that feels cozy, elevated, and a little different, Weldon…read moreMills in Durham is such a standout. My husband and I visited recently for a bourbon tasting, and the entire experience exceeded our expectations. Our mixologist, Berkay, was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging. He shared the history behind each spirit and walked us through the tasting notes in a way that was easy to understand and genuinely enjoyable. The food menu was another big win, especially as someone who eats vegan. They offered vegan options, which made the experience feel inclusive and well thought out This is a fantastic spot for date night, a girls' night, or celebrating something special. They also host tastings, cocktail classes, private parties, and bachelor or bachelorette events, which makes it a great option for future plans. Highly recommend if you're looking for a memorable experience in Durham that feels both fun and thoughtfully done.

We had some friends in town from San Diego and wanted to show them a few places we've been meaning…read moreto try. It was a Monday evening and it was pouring down rain. We weren't even sure anyone would be inside Weldon Mills - thankfully they were. As you walk in it's just such a big space, lots of seating areas and visual interest. The bartender was very welcoming, and we think that he was happy to see us. We got our cocktails very quickly, and the bartender even explained some things about the distillery to us. We had such a nice time just relaxing and getting out of the rain. Sadly, I did not take note of the names of the cocktails that we got, but it is nice to see. They have a rotational menu. The drinks were fall themed. We will definitely come back!

The Wine Feed - Brussels sprouts

The Wine Feed

(56 reviews)

$$

Great decor - large, open space, with very light furniture. There are quite a few places to sit…read moreoutside, if you want to ask the host(ess) for a place out there. There's an S-shaped bar along the right side as you walk in with a few smaller tables scattered to the left and ahead, but if you walk around the plantings, there are larger tables in the rear. We had reserved a place for eight, and they fit us in with plenty of room around as a buffer. Few other parties joined us back there, so it was very quiet and great for friends catching up. We tried several wines, but I was a bit shock ed that the list wasn't longer: three reds, three whites, a few rosés and sparkling offerings was all there were. The only Italian red was a blend, which was ok. 60% Sangiovese, it was ok, but I'd have loved a bold Tuscan red like a Montepulciano d'Abruzzo or a full-on Sangiovese. I ordered the wild mushroom flatbread and the pasta carbonara. the flatbread was delicious, and very filling. Half went home for a lunch treat the next day! The pasta was ok, but there weren't the flavors I was expecting. Hardly any meat was in the dish, and it was just a kinda "ok" creamy pasta dish. But the service and the atmosphere was amazing! It's funny - many in this group have met since and we always remark how other places have such a larger wine selection than this one that has "wine" in the name. Maybe they need to change the name if they aren't going to have a wider selection. Still a fun place, just done expect a lot of selection.

While in the area I decided to stop in prior to attending a showing of the Broadway play The Wiz…read morenearby at DPAC. A friend purchased a Gift Card for me years ago after learning that I enjoyed my experience at a wine tasting & small bites event at their sister location in Downtown Raleigh. That location has since then closed and I had not gotten around to visiting. Upon arrival I sat at the bar and was kindly greeted. The bartender shared with me my options for redeeming my Gift Card. I decided to have a wine flight and small bites before heading to DPAC. I chose the Charles Gonnet French White wine. The wine is made with Jacquere grapes grown organically in clay and limestone soil. It is medium-bodied and dry with melon rind, green almond, and pear notes. Very nice. I also chose the Brooks Rose . This rosé wine is made with Pinot Noir grapes from Willamette Valley. Lastly, I had a Greek white wine called Tethalassomenos. A famous wine of ancient Kos (4th century BC). In ancient times wine was diluted with water before consumption (krasi). However, the Ismiotes (Municipality of Kos who lived in Kefalos in the present Greek region) diluted it with sea water. Each chosen paired perfectly with my appetizer or choice, the Burrata Crostini. This was topped with sprouts(micro greens) and Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Delicious! Service was friendly and attentive. I really enjoyed winding down here prior to attending the show. I highly recommend this as a nice place to enjoy prior to or after a show in the area.

Gocciolina - italian - Updated May 2026

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