Melo Trattoria & Tapas
Phone: (919) 384-9080
Here, there's drool-worthy Italian cuisine with Spanish influences tucked away in a strip mall. You'll find classics like bolognese and spaghetti alla puttanesca, along with a globally inspired tapas menu.
Cuisines
- American
- Casual Dining
- International
- Italian
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
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
Map
Google Rating
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Visited from out of town to see family. Went for dinner. Monday evening, not too crowded. Pleasantly surprised to have the same Server who we've had in the past for family events in Durham.
The atmosphere was quiet with pleasing decor and artwork giving off a Tuscan vibe as Italian music plays quietly in the background.
Service outstanding as always. Prices are extremely reasonable for how tasty and large the entrees are. Freshly baked focaccia bread is served and went well with the cocktails.Had the Chicken Alfredo and a cosmopolitan to drink . Both were mouthwatering and delicious. This is a small , quaint little restaurant but delivers a great experience. Next time I'll be sure to get the Server's name. He's pictured in one the photos I included. Highly recommend and will return when I'm in Durham again, as this is my new favorite place to eat. -
Enjoyed a nice birthday dinner at Melo. To start, the bread, I think foccacia, was really good. Their mozzarella sticks are huge and some of the best. Two people commented they didn't need the marinara they were so good. We all shared in some capacity. The hubs got the NY Strip which had beautiful and tasty veggies along with the good steak. I got a few tapas versus an entre. The sautéed spinach with the bacon for salt and an interesting dried cranberries for sweet were great.. not soggy or overcooked. The Shrimp in lemon was amazing! I could have just drank the sauce. Great for bread dipping. And of course the baked cheese was a winner. Service started a little slow because we had 7 folks and I didn't call ahead to warn them, but when we were finally settled the service was great.
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My wife and I come here occasionally. The food and service have always been great. I'm just disappointed that they (like many other restaurants) have chosen to pass on their costs to their customers. What I'm referring to is that if you use your credit card, you pay more than you would with cash (there are two prices on their menu. One for credit and one for cash). This is simply your cost of doing business. It's not right to pass it on to your customers. Right or wrong, when I see this, I tip less, so this impacts your wait staff. You need to reconsider what you're doing.
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Some of the best Italian food I have had in my life. Highly recommend the vodka bolognese ravioli. Great free focaccia bread. I wish the tiramisu portion was bigger for the price ($9). Good service, highly recommended!
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I’ve been to Melo a number of times. My first trip I was shocked by how good the food was. Being Italian and having prepared most of these meals from scratch myself it is rare that a restaurant impresses me, but this one did.
Both the exterior and interior are wildly unassuming, but the moment that first bite hits your mouth everything changes gears and you’re swept away to authentic Italian dining. Every sauce is prepared fresh to order. The vodka sauce is amazing and it’s something so many places with higher prices and a fancier air about themselves struggle to get right and keep consistent.
My best friend often meets me here when I travel down to Durham and he has been doing the tour of the menu. He orders a different item every time and intends to try it all. He has not been disappointed once and as a former professional chef and a fixer of problem restaurants, his opinion is gold.
I have had a few items on the menu but the penne vodka is so good I often can’t talk myself into NOT getting it.
The fresh bread is fantastic and the calamari is surprisingly good for somewhere so far inland.
Service has always been exceptional and personal. The staff is always the same and they don’t ever let you want for anything. Accommodating, polite, friendly and prompt, they are on the ball and the kitchen staff is too.
If you’ve been craving something indulgent and want to treat yourself or a special someone in your life give Melo a chance and leave with a happy belly and a soiled tongue.
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