Executive Chef Michael Cirafesi now brings to Hilton Head Island and the Lowcountry, one of the area's most acclaimed Italian restaurant and bar, OMBRA Cucina Italiana. Since opening, OMBRA has quickly become a local favorite and top rated restaurant destination for its regional Italian cooking, contemporary style, and true to the Italian culinary traditions.
Michael Cirafesi is one of Hilton Head's top executive chefs, garnering awards and recognitions in culinary excellence for his authentic Italian cuisine with innovative flair. Most recently Chef Michael has been awarded the Best Chef on Hilton Head award by Hilton Head Monthly Reader's Choice Awards in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, 2018, & 2019.
Michael Cirafesi is one of Hilton Head's top executive chefs, garnering awards and recognitions in culinary excellence for his authentic Italian cuisine with innovative flair. Most recently Chef Michael has been awarded the Best Chef on Hilton Head award by Hilton Head Monthly Reader's Choice Awards in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, 2018, & 2019.
Services
OMBRA Cucina Italiana creates special events to entice and engage foodies and wine enthusiasts in the ever evolving conversation of good Italian cuisine and wine. Chef Michael and his dedicated staff are your host ensuring that your guests receive impeccable service and a one of a kind, customized experience.
Reviews (19)
Donna S.
Jan 29, 2022
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Christopher R.
Jan 20, 2022
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Sara O.
Jan 16, 2022
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Lauren W.
Dec 27, 2021
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Excellent! The food, the atmosphere and especially the service. Worthy of a 5-star review, for sure.
Our family went with a large group of 7 so we got to try a large array of the menu and that still was not enough to try all the delicious looking options. The off-menu veal Parmesan was a stand out hit. One of the nightly specials -- the Spaghetti Scolio -- was a close second, served with an abundant amount of seafood, including a lobster tail and claw. And the halibut with pine nuts was one of the most flavorful white fish dishes I have ever encountered. Out of the 7 of us (2 picky eaters) not
Our family went with a large group of 7 so we got to try a large array of the menu and that still was not enough to try all the delicious looking options. The off-menu veal Parmesan was a stand out hit. One of the nightly specials -- the Spaghetti Scolio -- was a close second, served with an abundant amount of seafood, including a lobster tail and claw. And the halibut with pine nuts was one of the most flavorful white fish dishes I have ever encountered. Out of the 7 of us (2 picky eaters) not
Noelle N.
Dec 21, 2021
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Adam B.
Dec 18, 2021
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One of the most beautiful restaurants, we've been to, with fantastic service and food.
We have been coming to Ombra for well over a decade, on an annual trip to Hilton Head from Atlanta. It is a visit we look forward to and one that seldom disappoints. The interior is decorated with warm Tuscan colors, and rich woods. There is a room-length bar, with a skillful bartender, in the entry area, which also has a few tables. All tables have white tablecloths and comfortable seating. Bread service, with luxurious EVOO, arrives as you are perusing the menu.
The menu has a nice selection of
We have been coming to Ombra for well over a decade, on an annual trip to Hilton Head from Atlanta. It is a visit we look forward to and one that seldom disappoints. The interior is decorated with warm Tuscan colors, and rich woods. There is a room-length bar, with a skillful bartender, in the entry area, which also has a few tables. All tables have white tablecloths and comfortable seating. Bread service, with luxurious EVOO, arrives as you are perusing the menu.
The menu has a nice selection of
Brian P.
Nov 23, 2021
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Alexis F.
Nov 20, 2021
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My husband said to give this place a 5 star review, and I agree with him! We found out about it through our hotel, the Westin, and drove the short distance to it. From the outside, it doesn't look like much, and it is tucked away in a shopping center. When we walked in, it was packed with people, but we were able to sit at the bar at two bar seats. The bartender immediately greeted us and asked us what we would like. I wanted a red wine, so he recommended an Italian Cabernet. My husband ordered the old fashioned. The drinks were so good we ended up with a second round! For dinner, my husband
Kim T.
Oct 04, 2021
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First of all...ALWAYS get reservations here. This is my favorite romantico dining experience in HH. And the best seat is at the bar (make reservations!). The second best seat is in Eddies section.
My favorite meal is the seafood soup, or the halibut special. The menu and the wine list have something for everyone, and the atmosphere is perfect here.
Always a pleasure dining here. You cant go wrong with anything.
My favorite meal is the seafood soup, or the halibut special. The menu and the wine list have something for everyone, and the atmosphere is perfect here.
Always a pleasure dining here. You cant go wrong with anything.
Bonita M.
Sep 12, 2021
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Initially we could only get 5:45p reservations so we stopped by the restaurant and spoke with Manny the manager he was so wonderful to work spacing out to get us a table at our preferred time 8:30p From the service to the meal everything was incredible one friend had the veal Marsala another friend the ravioli and I had the fusilli alla puttanesca all our meals were incredible
Definitely a go back to restaurant every time we're in HH
Definitely a go back to restaurant every time we're in HH
Tiffany T.
Aug 26, 2021
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LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!! I don't know where to begin..
We sat at a high top at the bar. The place is very nice inside. The staff is great! Our waiter was amazing. He was so helpful with the menu. There was so much I wanted to try and he made it happen. The beet salad was delicious, the Gnocchi was very good.... the cheese ravioli was THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD!!!!!! So light and fluffy and delicious. I'm so sad that this restaurant is so far away from me b/c I wish I could have the ravioli all the time.
Also, great wine selection and one of the only places we found that actually chills
We sat at a high top at the bar. The place is very nice inside. The staff is great! Our waiter was amazing. He was so helpful with the menu. There was so much I wanted to try and he made it happen. The beet salad was delicious, the Gnocchi was very good.... the cheese ravioli was THE BEST I'VE EVER HAD!!!!!! So light and fluffy and delicious. I'm so sad that this restaurant is so far away from me b/c I wish I could have the ravioli all the time.
Also, great wine selection and one of the only places we found that actually chills
Claudia E.
Aug 23, 2021
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Goodness this place was so extremely excellent. A friend of mine went on a date here and was raving about the place for weeks, I had to try it out for myself. I saw they had an early bird menu where you could get a 3 course meal for a lower price and I wanted to take advantage of that. I was able to be seated right away, since I came in early, and let me tell you about how much I thoroughly enjoyed my meal.
I started with the Amalfitana cocktail. I don't think I would order this one again, I was hoping it would be a bit sweeter and less liquor-tasting. The sugar-rimmed martini glass was great
I started with the Amalfitana cocktail. I don't think I would order this one again, I was hoping it would be a bit sweeter and less liquor-tasting. The sugar-rimmed martini glass was great
Alexa K.
Jul 15, 2021
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Some things about this restaurant are promising, but overall it was not restaurant I would come back to. My review is three stars based on our service outside and bang for your buck.
Food:
-Special appetizer (Burrata): 8/10
-Vitello alla "Piedmontese": 7/10 "flavor was meh, wasn't bad, but wasn't great for the price"
-Penne Buongustaio: 8/10 my mom loves peas
-Tagliatella alla Bolognese : 9/10
-Penne Buongustaio (but asked for it spicy): 7/10 "flavor was average"
-daily ravioli (veal + spinach + mushroom): 8.5/10
-Scaloppine do Vitello al' Limone e
Food:
-Special appetizer (Burrata): 8/10
-Vitello alla "Piedmontese": 7/10 "flavor was meh, wasn't bad, but wasn't great for the price"
-Penne Buongustaio: 8/10 my mom loves peas
-Tagliatella alla Bolognese : 9/10
-Penne Buongustaio (but asked for it spicy): 7/10 "flavor was average"
-daily ravioli (veal + spinach + mushroom): 8.5/10
-Scaloppine do Vitello al' Limone e
Deanna V.
Jul 07, 2021
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Chef Michael outdid himself with this one. We started w the burrata & prosciutto appetizer special which came served over a bed of arugula & roasted red peppers and the carpaccio which was perfection. For dinner we had the fresh squid ink pasta served w lump crab meat & cherry tomatoes in a white wine sauce and the gnocchi, both were out of this world. For dessert, we had warm chocolate lava cake paired w a cordial of limoncello. A must visit when on Hilton head! Make reservations in advance, this place is booked !
Lici B.
May 29, 2021
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Angela N.
Apr 22, 2021
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So happy to find another restaurant that's not just fried, fast food or a chain. My in-laws recommended the veal sausage with beans, so we thought we'd try it out. Not disappointed. We had the tuna carpaccio (with arugula and truffle), the veal sausages and beet salad as appetizers. All good - beets were marinated.
We both had the branzino and the sauce was perfect with the cherry tomatoes, olives, capers and a tiny kick of spice. Will be back to try the pastas & other entrees...the veal was calling my name but opted for fish. Everything was presented beautifully!
We both had the branzino and the sauce was perfect with the cherry tomatoes, olives, capers and a tiny kick of spice. Will be back to try the pastas & other entrees...the veal was calling my name but opted for fish. Everything was presented beautifully!
Vanni T.
Aug 30, 2020
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Ombra is a 5-star place through and through (they're so good I booked a reservation for my birthday dinner as soon as I got home).
They were practicing excellent safety protocols by providing hand sanitizer and napkins at the entrance, requiring all staff to wear masks, and spaced the tables at least 6 feet apart outside.
This was the first time that we've ordered our meals entirely from the daily specials. And no, it wasn't "special," as in, we've got a bunch of ingredients going bad so let's throw them all together and make a dish out of it, but SPECIAL
They were practicing excellent safety protocols by providing hand sanitizer and napkins at the entrance, requiring all staff to wear masks, and spaced the tables at least 6 feet apart outside.
This was the first time that we've ordered our meals entirely from the daily specials. And no, it wasn't "special," as in, we've got a bunch of ingredients going bad so let's throw them all together and make a dish out of it, but SPECIAL
Adam B.
Jul 07, 2020
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Sometimes the best experiences happen to us by accident. This was absolutely the case when I dined at Ombra on my final night during my vacation to the Lowcountry.
We had planned to go to Publix and get a couple of sandwiches. But when we walked up to the deli, the only meat they had was turkey. That killed it. We headed back west on 278 and turned into a strip mall looking for one restaurant, but then we saw this one place with these outdoor tables and it looked pretty inviting.
I reviewed the menu outside and was drawn into the early diner special menu that was priced at $30 per person. It
We had planned to go to Publix and get a couple of sandwiches. But when we walked up to the deli, the only meat they had was turkey. That killed it. We headed back west on 278 and turned into a strip mall looking for one restaurant, but then we saw this one place with these outdoor tables and it looked pretty inviting.
I reviewed the menu outside and was drawn into the early diner special menu that was priced at $30 per person. It
Mechelle C.
Nov 10, 2019
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OMBRA is an authentic Italiana resturante! Unknown to us, if you arrive between 4:30-5:30they offer a 3 course meal for $29!
Upon entering the ambiance is romantic with the white linen tablecloths to beautiful silverware . The staff are very welcoming and friendly, explaining the menu to us.
I started with a beet salad. Picked yellow and red beets with pickled red onions and goat cheese on top of a small bed of arugula . Drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
As an entree I ordered the veal. It was tender, covered in gravy with mushrooms and kalamata olives. Creamed potatoes and spinach Devine.
For
Upon entering the ambiance is romantic with the white linen tablecloths to beautiful silverware . The staff are very welcoming and friendly, explaining the menu to us.
I started with a beet salad. Picked yellow and red beets with pickled red onions and goat cheese on top of a small bed of arugula . Drizzled with balsamic vinegar.
As an entree I ordered the veal. It was tender, covered in gravy with mushrooms and kalamata olives. Creamed potatoes and spinach Devine.
For
