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Locavore New American restaurant serving inventive dishes in a sophisticated setting.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 310 E Main St, Carrboro, NC 27510
Phone: (984) 234-0054
Website: https://oakleafnc.com/
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Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
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Oakleaf | Sophisticated Farm to Table Dining in Carrboro, NC
OAKLEAF is now open for dinner Monday-Saturday beginning at 5:00 PM. We are able to accept carryout orders on Monday-Thursday only.
Oakleaf | Carrboro NC – Facebook
Oakleaf. Every day we go to the market to see whatś amazing, make fresh pasta, and choose the freshest fish because the dish we make is only as good as the …
Book Your Oakleaf Reservation Now on Resy
About Oakleaf. Hippie fine dining. Market driven cuisine with a focus on Carolina seafood and hand made pasta. Oakleaf. 310 East Main Street. Carrboro, NC 27510.
Reviews
Juliana NB
The service was bad. The waitress never pour us the wine we ordered and we had to ask for water several times. We ordered several appetizers (autumn salad, oysters, burrata, baguette) and all of them were very ok. Burrata was fresh, but the size was super small, the oysters were fried and flavor was just very oily, and the salad missed character and nuts! Regarding the entrees, we ordered the duck and halibut. Both were better than the appetizers, but lacked flavor and character. The only amazing dish was the pappardelle. There are so many good restaurants in the area, that I don’t think it’s worth coming back.
… moreSonja Miltner
11/10 would recommend their vegan tasting menu! They source fresh, local, seasonal ingredients and create food art for each course. I loved sitting outside on their patio with lots of fresh herbs planted by the tables. I am a vegan private chef in Denver and definitely make time to stop here any time I am in NC. Such a treat!!
… moreDoctor D at UNC
Oakleaf delivered an extraordinary dining experience that transformed my birthday into something truly special. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and thoughtfulness of Chef Brendan Cox and his team shone through – they surprised me with complimentary sparkling wine and a handwritten birthday card complete with a lit candle, setting the tone for an evening of exceptional hospitality.
We indulged in the 5-course tasting menu, and every dish was a revelation. The journey began with an amuse-bouche of perfectly crispy tempura shrimp, followed by an exquisite tuna crudo bathed in a sauce that achieved the perfect balance of flavors.
The goat cheese ravioli that came next was pure comfort – pillowy pasta enveloping creamy cheese in a rich, deeply flavorful sauce that had us savoring every bite.
The snapper filet was cooked to perfection, but the true showstopper was the steak crowned with foie gras – an absolutely decadent combination where the buttery richness of the foie gras melted into the tender, perfectly seasoned beef. Each bite was an explosion of umami and luxury.
The meal concluded beautifully with a palate-cleansing blueberry-lime sorbet that was intensely flavored and refreshing, followed by a delightful cheesecake with crumble that provided the perfect sweet ending.
The wine pairing deserves special mention – we enjoyed a bottle of Frappato, a Sicilian red that Chef Cox personally discovered during his travels in Italy. It’s these personal touches that put Oakleaf beyond typical fine dining.
Service throughout the evening was impeccable – attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and genuinely friendly. Fresh cutlery appeared with each course, and our server’s recommendations and descriptions enhanced our appreciation of each dish.
The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance of elegant and comfortable, with warm lighting creating an intimate ambiance that makes you want to linger.
While the tasting menu was phenomenal, I must also recommend their “Dirt Candy” – a celebration of local vegetables that showcases the kitchen’s creativity and commitment to local ingredients. It’s become a must-order for us on every visit.
Oakleaf isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that lingers in your memory long after the last bite. Chef Brendan Cox and his talented team have created something special in Chapel Hill / Carrboro – a restaurant that combines technical excellence with genuine hospitality.
Best if all, even when things don’t go perfectly (its happened once before to me): They own it and will make things right no matter what. And that’s… priceless!
… moreWe indulged in the 5-course tasting menu, and every dish was a revelation. The journey began with an amuse-bouche of perfectly crispy tempura shrimp, followed by an exquisite tuna crudo bathed in a sauce that achieved the perfect balance of flavors.
The goat cheese ravioli that came next was pure comfort – pillowy pasta enveloping creamy cheese in a rich, deeply flavorful sauce that had us savoring every bite.
The snapper filet was cooked to perfection, but the true showstopper was the steak crowned with foie gras – an absolutely decadent combination where the buttery richness of the foie gras melted into the tender, perfectly seasoned beef. Each bite was an explosion of umami and luxury.
The meal concluded beautifully with a palate-cleansing blueberry-lime sorbet that was intensely flavored and refreshing, followed by a delightful cheesecake with crumble that provided the perfect sweet ending.
The wine pairing deserves special mention – we enjoyed a bottle of Frappato, a Sicilian red that Chef Cox personally discovered during his travels in Italy. It’s these personal touches that put Oakleaf beyond typical fine dining.
Service throughout the evening was impeccable – attentive without being intrusive, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and genuinely friendly. Fresh cutlery appeared with each course, and our server’s recommendations and descriptions enhanced our appreciation of each dish.
The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance of elegant and comfortable, with warm lighting creating an intimate ambiance that makes you want to linger.
While the tasting menu was phenomenal, I must also recommend their “Dirt Candy” – a celebration of local vegetables that showcases the kitchen’s creativity and commitment to local ingredients. It’s become a must-order for us on every visit.
Oakleaf isn’t just a meal; it’s an experience that lingers in your memory long after the last bite. Chef Brendan Cox and his talented team have created something special in Chapel Hill / Carrboro – a restaurant that combines technical excellence with genuine hospitality.
Best if all, even when things don’t go perfectly (its happened once before to me): They own it and will make things right no matter what. And that’s… priceless!
Amy W
We had a 5-star experience, dining with another couple for dinner. Nice variety of food on the menu, good drink choices, professional and capable service. Two of us had very tasty pasta dishes, one had gnocchi, one the duck. Duck serving was on the small side. Shrimp pasta could have used a couple more. Bread costs $$. Broccolini and sweet potato appetizers were very good. We were stuffed but managed to enjoy a couple of desserts, too! Ambience is comfortable, not too loud, conversation was easy.
… moreIsabella Grandic
Fantastic, flavourful dinner in a low-light environment. Ambient and perfect for conversation.
Please get an order of focaccia for every two people. It is exceptional and elevates the rest of the dishes. The EVOO is a highlight, the focaccia is warm and moist yet has an impressive crisp. It has a subtle garlic flavour on top because they added slices of roasted garlic. It’s a gorgeous thing, really.
Appetizer highlights were Fois Gras (wow.), “Il toast” and farro. The fois gras had an incredible sauce (I think a red wine reduction ?) that was beautiful with the focaccia.
The summer salad was cold and it was awkwardly brought out during our second set of appetizers. In the future, I think it should be brought out first.
The mussels were good, but mostly because of the toast underneath and the sauces.
Dirt candy was nice and one of the best cost-for-volume deals on the menu. The pistachio pesto is lovely. It’s just missing some spice or a meaningful kick. Just tasted like roasted veg, not much more.
We ordered 3 pastas for 4 people and I think that was 1 too many. They called them “half sized” but I really think they were regular upscale dining pasta sized ! Maybe 80% size? Anyway, the Pappardelle is a must. Especially, and I repeat for emphasis, with the focaccia.
I thought the tagliatelle had too much lemon (it was unbalanced). And then that the agnolotti was lacking some acidity and spice… however, the pasta itself is clearly crafted with care and the ingredients feel delicious and fresh.
For the mains we split the scallops and the duck. Both were nice! Scallops etc were very fresh, but again, lacking a little kick or depth of flavour (maybe some lemon?). The duck was great. My one picky thing is they mayo sauce was too strong in that it distracted from the other flavours.
For dessert we went with the cheesecake (highlight), chocolate – tart – type – thing (good, would be better with dark / richer chocolates), peanut butter gelato (meh) and coffee (honestly it tasted like a not good Americano…). I was still happy with how we ended the meal! It was delish and a perfect quench to my sweet tooth.
Overall, in terms of food, this restaurant shines in the small plates. Order more of those and less of the pasta/mains. We also had wine throughout and it was really nice.
Despite the food being a great success (many 10/10 dishes and several 9/10 with some 7/10’s), I was disappointed with our server. She did not seem interested in serving us at all, she forgot to bring sparkling water but did bring wine, she recorded the wrong pasta order, and took our desert order without specifying which gelato we wanted, so she essentially chose the flavour for us. It felt a little dismissive and rushed and judgemental. She made us feel pressed to order more wine. And finally, it felt a little bit difficult to get her attention. She was nice, and it was fine service (especially given how busy the restaurant was), but it did feel like she didn’t like us and was choosing to be less attentive. Not warm and welcoming like the food or ethos.
Nonetheless, don’t let that discourage you. This is a wonderful spot for a memorable, wholesome meal. I had a great evening.
… morePlease get an order of focaccia for every two people. It is exceptional and elevates the rest of the dishes. The EVOO is a highlight, the focaccia is warm and moist yet has an impressive crisp. It has a subtle garlic flavour on top because they added slices of roasted garlic. It’s a gorgeous thing, really.
Appetizer highlights were Fois Gras (wow.), “Il toast” and farro. The fois gras had an incredible sauce (I think a red wine reduction ?) that was beautiful with the focaccia.
The summer salad was cold and it was awkwardly brought out during our second set of appetizers. In the future, I think it should be brought out first.
The mussels were good, but mostly because of the toast underneath and the sauces.
Dirt candy was nice and one of the best cost-for-volume deals on the menu. The pistachio pesto is lovely. It’s just missing some spice or a meaningful kick. Just tasted like roasted veg, not much more.
We ordered 3 pastas for 4 people and I think that was 1 too many. They called them “half sized” but I really think they were regular upscale dining pasta sized ! Maybe 80% size? Anyway, the Pappardelle is a must. Especially, and I repeat for emphasis, with the focaccia.
I thought the tagliatelle had too much lemon (it was unbalanced). And then that the agnolotti was lacking some acidity and spice… however, the pasta itself is clearly crafted with care and the ingredients feel delicious and fresh.
For the mains we split the scallops and the duck. Both were nice! Scallops etc were very fresh, but again, lacking a little kick or depth of flavour (maybe some lemon?). The duck was great. My one picky thing is they mayo sauce was too strong in that it distracted from the other flavours.
For dessert we went with the cheesecake (highlight), chocolate – tart – type – thing (good, would be better with dark / richer chocolates), peanut butter gelato (meh) and coffee (honestly it tasted like a not good Americano…). I was still happy with how we ended the meal! It was delish and a perfect quench to my sweet tooth.
Overall, in terms of food, this restaurant shines in the small plates. Order more of those and less of the pasta/mains. We also had wine throughout and it was really nice.
Despite the food being a great success (many 10/10 dishes and several 9/10 with some 7/10’s), I was disappointed with our server. She did not seem interested in serving us at all, she forgot to bring sparkling water but did bring wine, she recorded the wrong pasta order, and took our desert order without specifying which gelato we wanted, so she essentially chose the flavour for us. It felt a little dismissive and rushed and judgemental. She made us feel pressed to order more wine. And finally, it felt a little bit difficult to get her attention. She was nice, and it was fine service (especially given how busy the restaurant was), but it did feel like she didn’t like us and was choosing to be less attentive. Not warm and welcoming like the food or ethos.
Nonetheless, don’t let that discourage you. This is a wonderful spot for a memorable, wholesome meal. I had a great evening.
Michel Benjamin
Went here with some friends on a Saturday night recently and overall we were disappointed. The server acted like she was in general not interested in being there, and had no recommendations at all from the menu. The wine pours were sooooo small and the food portions were also equally tiny and not amazing. If you’re going to charge $30 for pasta, it better be amazing. Well, it wasn’t. Nice atmosphere but definitely would not recommend or return.
… moreNichole Gantshar
I had one of my top three meals in the Triangle at this restaurant. Everything about it was impeccable. The service was great. The cocktail menu was inventive (And if you like spicy ask for something with a ghost pepper tincture). The menu possesses a nice range, And I love that the portion sizes are small enough you can order more than one thing. The squash salad was one of the best appetizers I’ve ever had. The bartender talked me into dessert, and it was worth every calorie.
… moreKatie Chai
Such a cute American / pasta restaurant!! Definitely get the corn pasta if it’s available. Also the server team is incredible. A little price for the portion sizes, but I’ve been ~3 times and it’s always such a good experience. Their fish / seafood has been a little disappointing, but everything else is great!!
… moreMorgan H
We had the chefs menu and it was absolutely amazing. I’ve never had a chefs menu before but this place skyrocketed my standards. Each dish was well portioned for the price and you can taste the passion put into each dish. Absolutely would come again!
… moreTy lee
Nice restaurant ambience with friendly service. I tried the chef menu and it was delicious. The server would explain each dish that was served. Each course was well paired with wine. Will return to try other dishes.
… more