Modified surfaces with graphene coatings were evaluated experimentally to enhance nucleate boiling performance on an orientated surface, from upward to downward (0 degrees, 45 degrees, 90 degrees, 120 degrees, 135 degrees, 150 degrees, 160 degrees, and 170 degrees). Two-dimensional (2D) laminate and three-dimensional (3D) porous graphene were prepared for surface modification, and their boiling heat transfer coefficient (BHTC) and critical heat flux (CHF) values were evaluated according to orientation angle. Moreover, their boiling structures were observed and analyzed using high-speed visualization. The results showed that the surfaces coated with 2D and 3D graphene had enhanced BHTC and CHF performance in comparison with the bare surface with no graphene modification. The 2D graphene surface showed increased nucleate site density and early onset of nucleate boiling, resulting in enhanced BHTC, by 40%, in the downward condition. The enhancement ratio of CHF was 40% on 2D graphene and 20-25% on 3D graphene. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.