IL Palio Restaurant

23 reviews
Claimed  •  Italian Restaurants , Restaurants
191-991-8254
1505 E Franklin St, Chapel Hill, NC 27514, United States Chapel Hill, NC 27514 35.9304588685 -79.034412949

About IL Palio Restaurant

At Il Palio, we celebrate the great tradition of Italian hospitality, from the warmth of the service to the quality of our cooking. Our vision is simple: use the best local and Italian ingredients, prepare simply and serve generously. We cook as an Italian might in Nort...h Carolina.

Consistently awarded Four Diamonds by AAA, Il Palio marries the traditional flavors of Italy with a casual elegance that showcases the culinary roots of rustic Italian cooking. At Il Palio you will find regional classics paired with Chef Adam Rose’s vision of Italian cooking. We serve deliciously simple food that, hopefully, tastes as good as you remember from your last visit to Italy.

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Location & hours

  • Mon Mon 5:05 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Tue Tue 5:05 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Wed Wed 5:05 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Thu Thu 5:05 pm - 9:00 pm
  • Fri Fri 5:05 pm - 10:00 pm
  • Sat Sat 5:05 pm - 10:00 pm
  • Sun Sun 11:05 am - 2:00 pm

Reviews

3.9
23 reviews

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How would you rate your experience?

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Dec 12, 2011

Overpriced and Awful

This was our second dinning in 2 months at Il Palio. The first was an OK experience but not great.\t\nThis last week was a total disaster! It took them over an hour to serve the second course, we were a party of 8. My pasta main course was overcooked with the consistenc...y of rubber. My wife's fra diabalo was more like god awful.\t\nNever will I grace these doors again, it was a horrible $100 plus meal that Carraba's would never serve.

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Apr 03, 2009

Great atmosphere Great Food

Il Palio has changed since the last time we were here back in the fall. I love the new floors and walls. The menu is more approachable and less expensive. My friends and I had a great time meeting the Chef and hearing that his menu is over 75% local.

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Mar 18, 2009

one of the worst places ever

mama mia, what a bad place. This has nothing to do with an italian restaurant. Antipasti misti were sweet - which you might enjoy in this country, but believe me, that's not italian. Chicken was super salty. Gaspacho was solid. I had to apologize to my GF; lesson learne...d, never bring your GF to a place you've never been before. I'm half French, half Italian and I can say I know a little about food. This is just a wrong place, don't go

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Jan 08, 2009

Chintzy atmosphere, hyped reputation, average food

Went for pharmaceutical seminar with 40-50 other individuals present. Buffet style assembly line set-up. Appetizers, Entrees, Desserts. Delicious breads and rolls served to each table. Too much Gold finish and enamel everywhere...no fresh and unique design or furnishin...gs to this ""highly reputable"" restaurant. Trying to ignore the ""bling"" and brass, we delved into our plates, which we had taken to the line and served our own food (other serviced business seminars had staff serving the set selections, cleaning and replenishing as needed). My table and I enjoyed the beef with marinara, flavorful basil, garlic, and thyme just right. But we ALL found the sweet potato gnocchi flavorless, chewy, and a waste of caloric intake ;b Dark chocolate dipped berries and perfectly ""hard candy"" topped creme brulee was fresh, silky, and delectable. Went back for many more desserts! Staff seemed ill-prepared for such a large group event, with presentations and speaking involved, and multiple displays and printed material handouts. People getting up and down to serve themselves was ridiculous protocol and opened the floor for many collisions and catastrophes with the electronic equipment, our tables and chairs, and screens everywhere.

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Sep 25, 2007

a unique chapel hill experience

I recently dined at Il Palio, and as always, I left with nothing but compliments for Chef Adam Rose, Sommelier Hailey Rose's pairings and the rest of the staff. I would love to have the recipe for the pesto chick pea spread that was served with the house made foccacia......the flavor combinations were perfect and the spread complimented the foccacia just wonderfully. That alone with a simple, yet delicious green salad would be a wonderful lunch or light dinner. I have traveled to the Tuscany Region and Siena, and hold the lovely meals I have had over the years at Il Palio with just as high regard as those I had in Italy.

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Sep 24, 2007

best special occasion dining in chapel hill

the food, ambience and service can't be beat for a special occasion dinner in chapel hill. service is outstanding - they always go the extra mile to do something special for a birthday or anniversary, just let them know you're celebrating!

and the food is scumptious... try the chef's tasting menu. you won't be disappointed. totally worth the money!