Skip to content
53°F





Loading your recommendations…

Melo Trattoria & Tapas

4.5

1821 Hillandale Rd
Durham, NC 27705
Phone: (919) 384-9080
Visit Website

Hours:

Monday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Price Range
Visit Website

See something wrong with this listing? Contact blog@discoverdurham.com.

Melo Trattoria & Tapas
Mapped location of Melo Trattoria & Tapas

Google Reviews

4.5
Write A Review

See All

Photo of Argiris Kanelatos Argiris Kanelatos
Jul 6, 2019 5

I found Melo Trattoria online and decided to give it a try. Walking in I loved the setup of the locations. It was cute and cozy, and just felt like a great place to spend some time with my loved ones. I loved the artwork they had there, it added to the charm for me. But the food was AMAZING!!

Photo of Camden Willeford Camden Willeford
Nov 21, 2018 5

This is me and my wife’s favorite Italian place in Durham. We’ve been many times and it never disappoints. A must hit if you are looking for some home-cooked, fulfilling Italian food!

Photo of moretta randle moretta randle
Jun 13, 2019 5

Food and service were great! Nice atmosphere

Photo of Kristin Muehlfelder Kristin Muehlfelder
May 11, 2019 5

Simply the best Italian food we’ve had. Every time we go we enjoy our food and the atmosphere. Makes for a wonderful night out.

Photo of Jesse Pitkin Jesse Pitkin
Apr 3, 2022 5

The salmon is out of this world! Absolutely flavorful and juicy! The chicken is amazing too! Highly recommend!

Photo of Michael Dilley Michael Dilley
Aug 20, 2021 5

Great true Italian food. Generous portions. Staff very friendly and quick service. Indoor or outdoor tables.

Photo of Denene Mozzachio Denene Mozzachio
Sep 19, 2021 5

Delicious soup and salad. Will come again when in Raleigh. Close to museum and shopping. Didn’t expect such good Italian food but was happy we found this gem.

Photo of Joel Gates Joel Gates
Jan 12, 2022 5

Simply wow! Found this place by accident and it was amazing! What a happy accident. The ambiance is cozy and comfortable, even the music is spot on in the background. The staff is welcoming and friendly and the food is out of this world!!!!

Photo of jenny walsh jenny walsh
Feb 18, 2022 5

Went here for Valentine's day with my bf. They were very busy, but the service was still great! We ordered the mushrooms, shrimp, and lamb tapas... all amazing!! We split the Montepulciano bottle and a pasta dish ( i forget the name.) The environment is pretty casual, and feels like a true restaurant in Italy, but I do recommend they could make it feel a bit more upscale and intimate if the lighting was dimmed a bit and the music was turned up, but maybe that's just more of my vibe. Regardless, I recommend this pace for great food and wine :)

Photo of Adolfo Lambert Adolfo Lambert
Mar 3, 2022 5

This place is makes delicious food From their salads (berry, berry spinach salad my absolutely favorite) , their dinner plates and tapas are delicious. The meat ball tapas remind me of my grandma’s meatballs. The staff is friendly and professional with amazing service. I am definitely delighted with this restaurant. I will give it 10 stars. Thank you for great food and awesome service 👏🏾😎

Photo of Dub Karriker Dub Karriker
Jan 22, 2021 4

One of my favorite local eateries. Best tiramisu in the area!

Photo of Andy Reidler Andy Reidler
Jan 15, 2021 5

Had a great carry out meal from Melo. Chicken Parmesan and house salad. Great flavor, they included bread and the staff could not have done a better job. Great place for excellent food.

Photo of dan morgan dan morgan
Dec 11, 2020 5

We have dinner once a week feel safe with the virus rules for safety.

Photo of Alina Barnett Alina Barnett
Dec 26, 2020 4

The lamb chops were fantastic! Wines and service were also excellent. Generous entree portions.

Photo of Andy Reidler Andy Reidler
Oct 27, 2020 5

Ordered the chicken Parmigiana, salad and desert to go and it was well prepared, great taste and plenty of food. One of the better take out meals I have had recently. In fact I returned the next day and got the Italian sausage and penne pasta meal with salad. Two great meals two days in a row.

Photo of Bonnie Batterson Bonnie Batterson
Oct 8, 2020 5

Went for dinner with my daughter and son.We decided on tapas so could have variety.Lambchops were so good ordered an extra plate of them.Our waiter was great. My salad was delicious with shrimp and my friend had pesto pasta also with shrimp. The place was packed on a Tuesday night so call ahead, you might actually need reservations.

Photo of Jay Lessans Jay Lessans
Sep 11, 2020 4

Excellent taste and abundant portions, met our needs while staying at nearby hotel.

Photo of Ciro Mcalpine Ciro Mcalpine
Sep 3, 2020 5

Eight old (yes, really) college friends returning for a football outing enjoyed good food and drink, friendly staff, and an environment which allowed lots of catch-up conversation without bothering others or competing with a loud music system. The decor says 'comfortable family-style place - enjoy.'

Photo of Sonia Blalock Sonia Blalock
Aug 15, 2020 5

Great food and great service! You feel so welcomed and appreciated! Love the quaint feel inside. There’s outside seating as well.

Photo of Cherie Wilson Cherie Wilson
Aug 17, 2020 5

Great food & service, as always. Outside dining and "socially distanced" table placement in dining room. Staff in masks. Thanks! 😊

Photo of Joni Orcurto Joni Orcurto
Aug 15, 2020 5

Great food and service. Seated promptly and food arrived quickly. Got 2 tapas; lamb chops are yummy and the mushrooms in cream/ butter sauce are a nice addition to them. Hubby got the lasagna and enjoyed it more with every bite. He was full 3/4 through it but insisted on finishing it cause it tasted so good. Its right off of Rt. 85. It's worth the stop for a good meal.

Photo of Jessi Jessi
Aug 8, 2020 5

Would give 10 STARS if I could; Hands down THE BEST Italian restaurant in the triangle. Melo's served me THE BEST lamb chops I've ever eaten in my life! Our experience dining at Melo's was wonderful. The waitresses we had were extremely prompt, personable and friendly. The owner is hilarious and friendly as well. The restaurant is very clean and all of the ingredients were fresh. Everything we ordered was absolutely superb -- did I mention the lamb chops? The lamb was perfectly seasoned and cooked to that perfect temperature that just melts in your mouth. I mean, just WOW! I ate some of the most delicious pasta I have had in a very long time as well. This locally owned restaurant is a total gem and I HIGHLY recommend. Skip the chain italian restaurants and come eat here -- Melo's is a million times better! Thank you for an absolutely wonderful experience Melo Trattoria & Tapas! We will be back soon!

Photo of Charles Simon Charles Simon
Jun 2, 2020 5

Excellent food with great service. Friendly atmosphere. Will go again soon!.

Photo of Mike Hardison Mike Hardison
Sep 17, 2019 5

Delicious tapas and great atmosphere!

Photo of Matthew Cloues Matthew Cloues
Jul 28, 2018 4

Good spot featuring a number of pasta dishes as well as a tapas menu, a number of entrees, and salads. The tapas items are very good, but it is a fairly limited tapas menu with a few items being things I really wouldn't consider tapas. Several really good items though. Pasta dishes are good and big. Entrees are good too. Not necessarily spectacular, like pasta not made in house, but good comfort food. Space itself is nice enough despite being in strip mall. Not fancy by any means, but it has a nice welcoming feel. Service is attentive. I wouldn't put this restaurant on same level as say Gocciolina, but it is good food. Kid friendly as well.

Photo of Marc Becker Marc Becker
Mar 9, 2020 5

One of the best small plate experiences in Durham. Everything on the menu is simple and delicious.

Photo of Wilmer Gregg Wilmer Gregg
Jan 17, 2020 5

have no problem with restaurants that are not the most appealing on the outside, or small and tight on the inside, or incredibly long waits due to their popularity, as I've experienced this literally all over the country! It's charming to a certain extent! On MLK Day, this was certainly the experience as I visited for the first time!

Photo of David Garwood David Garwood
Dec 21, 2019 5

Food and service was very good.

Photo of Alex Rodriguez Alex Rodriguez
Dec 14, 2019 5

They take orders to go. Delicious tiramisu and cannoli

Photo of Ken Smith Ken Smith
Oct 29, 2019 5

A wonderful neighborhood bistro with great food and friendly service. It's like a visit to an European village bistro.

Photo of Nancy Pickrell Nancy Pickrell
Oct 24, 2019 4

The good was amazing as always! However, it service wasn't great. Not sure if she was new or what. We had to ask for a drink, a drink menu, dessert menu, bag for leftovers.

Photo of James LaCorte James LaCorte
Aug 15, 2019 5

Always great food and service. Wonderful Italian food. Wish they did pizza as well.

Photo of Joyce Arcus Joyce Arcus
Sep 21, 2019 5

Wow, fresh nicely cooked fish for Friday supper. Service was fantastic for a great evening with friends.

Photo of Melissa Veasey Melissa Veasey
Aug 15, 2019 4

We had a family dinner there with about 15 people. It was handled very well by the waiter. The food was great. And it was a good environment.

Photo of S Taylor S Taylor
Oct 15, 2019 5

Great little place to eat...I got into town late one night and they were just closing. I turned to leave but they took me in and served me a quick dinner. Rarely do I find such friendly service and the food was great. Thanks Melo.

Photo of Jack McCauley Jack McCauley
Jun 9, 2022 4

Good service, great food, reasonably priced, good atmosphere. Enjoyed family birthday dinner !

Photo of Timothy Ferguson Timothy Ferguson
Aug 16, 2022 5

The food is always very good and the prices are reasonable. Good outside dining.

Photo of Dustin Ruben Dustin Ruben
Aug 13, 2022 5

I drove almost 40 minutes away for quite possibly some of the best chicken Parm I’ve ever!

Photo of William Fields William Fields
May 8, 2022 5

Good food as usual, good atmosphere , the family will be back!

Photo of Tanya Peterson Tanya Peterson
Feb 12, 2022 5

We only are able to come twice a year (Valentines & our anniversary) because we live an hour and 20 mins away but no matter how much we spend or how casual we are dressed (currently tshirt and blue jeans with ball caps) we are treated like a millionaires! Curly and the staff are pleasant and accommodating…not to mention all with a a smile in theirs eyes (COVID…masks). Highly recommend reservations, they usually don’t make same day reservations. This place is the triangle’s hidden gem. Always packed always great food, always good service…always.