From the kitchen of Italy to your dining table, we bring you the finest of authentic cuisine to Bradenton. Freshly prepared as you order, Carmen captures the flavors of his homeland to share with Bradenton locals. With a quaint and romantic ambiance, you surely will feel as if you are spending the evening in Sicily.
Let us help you to escape for the night with a savory meal and a glass of wine. Born and raised in Palermo, Sicily, Carmen found passion in the art of cooking. For generations, the bakers and chefs of Carmen's family have passed on their kitchen secrets. It is these family traditions that inspire Carmen to put his own twist on the recipes that he now brings to you.
Let us help you to escape for the night with a savory meal and a glass of wine. Born and raised in Palermo, Sicily, Carmen found passion in the art of cooking. For generations, the bakers and chefs of Carmen's family have passed on their kitchen secrets. It is these family traditions that inspire Carmen to put his own twist on the recipes that he now brings to you.
Reviews (27)
Randy K.
Jan 26, 2022
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Walked Out
We used to go to Carmen's for great Italian food. However, last night we had a terrible experience. We had a 6:00 PM reservation for four, and, at 7:45, we still hadn't received our entrées. Our server, the owner's daughter, was delightful and very friendly. However, the kitchen, obviously, could not keep up with the orders placed. We got our starter salads (they were fine) and drinks, but nothing else. The restaurant was fairly busy. Our server apologized for the delay, when we hadn't gotten our food 45 minutes after the salads arrived. At 7:45, we walked up to
We used to go to Carmen's for great Italian food. However, last night we had a terrible experience. We had a 6:00 PM reservation for four, and, at 7:45, we still hadn't received our entrées. Our server, the owner's daughter, was delightful and very friendly. However, the kitchen, obviously, could not keep up with the orders placed. We got our starter salads (they were fine) and drinks, but nothing else. The restaurant was fairly busy. Our server apologized for the delay, when we hadn't gotten our food 45 minutes after the salads arrived. At 7:45, we walked up to
Kevin N.
Jan 23, 2022
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Don't waste your money! Where to start...the pop and tea is all watered down, the service was so-so. We were a party of 6 with only two other tables occupied. The lasagna was only one layer, the sausage on the spaghetti tasted old and the fish was chewy. Waited almost an hour for food and was told everything was made to order. Way too expensive for the quality.
There was a young boy, that was obviously related to an employee, that ran around the restaurant, was behind the bar and in and out of the kitchen. I definitely do not recommend this place.
UPDATE: This restaurant should be shut down as
There was a young boy, that was obviously related to an employee, that ran around the restaurant, was behind the bar and in and out of the kitchen. I definitely do not recommend this place.
UPDATE: This restaurant should be shut down as
J. W.
Jan 17, 2022
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Karen England
Jan 14, 2022
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Sandy Fleming
Jan 11, 2022
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Angelina Murphy
Jan 02, 2022
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First time visiting. The hostess asked if we had reservations. We said no and she yelled at the guy server and said no reservation where can they sit. There was hardly anyone there. We asked for a booth. But was told no cause they was packed. We sat for 2 hours and no one came in. Our food was so hot that we had to take it home.The food was not that good for the price. Waitress was friendly
Greg B.
Dec 25, 2021
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I have to say the food was absolutely fabulous our waiter Mike was absolutely fabulous what was not fabulous was the wait we got there and got appetizers pretty fast but the main dishes were at least an hr later. what happen was they had a lot of takeout orders and they came before people that were actually sitting in the restaurant that's not the way to make customers happy or come back.
Lisa Shepard
Dec 24, 2021
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Gloria L.
Dec 21, 2021
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Someone suggested trying Carmen's for Italian food. We're always looking for good Italian so came here one evening to try it.
Carmen's sat us. Karen and Vinny were helping with menus and serving drinks and food. It was happy hour so we tried the house red- Mezzacorona Cabernet Sauvignon. It was good and the fill was large.
We ordered Fried Calamari (you can get fried or Sauteed) The marinara dipping sauce is sweet but good with calamari. My husband ordered the Linguini Pescatore for entrée. This sauce, also, was sweet. He didn't think it worked with the seafood. Too bad
Carmen's sat us. Karen and Vinny were helping with menus and serving drinks and food. It was happy hour so we tried the house red- Mezzacorona Cabernet Sauvignon. It was good and the fill was large.
We ordered Fried Calamari (you can get fried or Sauteed) The marinara dipping sauce is sweet but good with calamari. My husband ordered the Linguini Pescatore for entrée. This sauce, also, was sweet. He didn't think it worked with the seafood. Too bad
Gavin M.
Nov 19, 2021
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Christina Lavack
Nov 14, 2021
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Michael Di Benedetto
Nov 01, 2021
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I’ve known Carmen for 10 years. In this time I have had numerous five-star meals. Carmen is not only the owner-operator but he is the primary chef who prepares the most incredible dishes you’ve ever had. These are original Italian dishes that are not replicable anywhere else in Florida. If you are looking for an amazing dinner and wonderful service, please visit Carmen’s this weekend. I highly recommend it as this is Service, and food beyond compare.
Mike M.
Oct 23, 2021
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We haven't been here in quite a while. Service in the past was rough. We decided to come back tonight. I have to say it was great. The service was top notch. The food was just amazing. I had the pasta carbonara and my wife had a chicken breast with zucchini. I have to say the pasta was some of the best I have had ever. It is the best I have had in this area that is for sure. We will be back soon. If you haven't been here before of if it has been a while since you have been here, try it again.
Tiffany H.
Oct 02, 2021
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Food was absolutely amazing! Definitely not your run of the mill chain restaurant. Food is made as it's ordered. The wait was a little longer than normal but we enjoyed the time talking, drinking wine, and eating appetizers. I will recommend this place to my friends and will come back. We ordered the grouper, chicken marsala, baked ravioli, and chicken parmesan. I ate the chicken marsala (this is my favorite meal) and it's the best I've ever had!
Kay Schwob
Sep 03, 2021
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Food was good. Service was not so much. Waitress was very nice, but overworked and the only one. Took 10 minutes to get iced tea. We ordered meatballs as an appetizer and they were very tasty, cooked wonderfully cooked. Salad was over dressed but the flavor of the dressing was good. I had penne alle vodka - phenomenal dish. Very rich and creamy with lots of bacon. Hubby had eggplant parmesan which was okay, spaghetti and tomato sauce came as a side and were great. I only have this 3 stars because it took almost 2 hours to eat.
Kathi C.
Jun 07, 2021
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Had a wonderful dinner and experience at Carmen's tonight.
My husband had Veal Marsala and I had Spaghetti and Meat sauce. Both were b great. As an Appitizer we had the special, which was Meatballs with sauce and Mozzarella cheese...TO DIE FOR!
Also, save room for the lemon Chello cake. YUM.
Thank you Carmen and Kerry for a great evening.
My husband had Veal Marsala and I had Spaghetti and Meat sauce. Both were b great. As an Appitizer we had the special, which was Meatballs with sauce and Mozzarella cheese...TO DIE FOR!
Also, save room for the lemon Chello cake. YUM.
Thank you Carmen and Kerry for a great evening.
J. S.
Feb 11, 2021
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I really hate to write a review with circumstances the way they are and business not doing as well, all would like for them to do. The problem with this place is Management, not allowing for enough help in the service areas and in the kitchen. What a great little place this could be, if it was handled properly.The food was just OK.
All you have to do is just read the one and two star reviews, All are just about the same.
All you have to do is just read the one and two star reviews, All are just about the same.
Anderson G.
Dec 14, 2020
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Ask M.
Nov 22, 2020
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Sally L.
Aug 23, 2020
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My husband and I made reservations here for 730, got there a little early and were seated... Given menus... And then forgotten. Waited over 20 minutes and didn't even have a glass of water or a hello from the waitress. She continue to get drinks and then bring appetizers for another table. Then went back to that same table to take an order totally ignoring us. After 20 minutes of being ignored needless to say we walked out. Another table that came in right after us, didn't even have menus silverware or water either. I don't think she even had walked up to that table. With service
Emily K.
Apr 15, 2020
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Brock R.
Feb 20, 2020
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Went for a friends bday party and it was a mess from the get go.
The bar tender did not know her products. We had to guess as to which beer and wine to select. Oh wait, she knew they were out of Miller Lite. That was my first clue because that beer is cheap and should be fully stocked.
Service - waitress didn't know the specials or sauces, but we knew more about her artistic abilities.
Food - nothing noteworthy. My friend, who always takes her leftovers, did not ask for a to go box. That was telling.
So for me, it's on the Do Not Return list.
It was a Wednesday evening. Few
The bar tender did not know her products. We had to guess as to which beer and wine to select. Oh wait, she knew they were out of Miller Lite. That was my first clue because that beer is cheap and should be fully stocked.
Service - waitress didn't know the specials or sauces, but we knew more about her artistic abilities.
Food - nothing noteworthy. My friend, who always takes her leftovers, did not ask for a to go box. That was telling.
So for me, it's on the Do Not Return list.
It was a Wednesday evening. Few
Donald D.
Feb 15, 2020
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Took my Wife to Carmens for what was to be a wonderful Valentine's Day dinner experience. Wrong! The experience began with the waitress reading off of a limited menu, as customers at two other tables were given full menus to peruse and make selections. The calamari was fried beyond well done. The salad was very small, my Wife's entree was cold and my medium prime rib dinner (which was not what I had in mind for an Italian Restaurant) was well done, inedible and returned.
Considering the restaurant was known for its Martini Bar, we ordered two Cosmopolitans. They weren't very good
Considering the restaurant was known for its Martini Bar, we ordered two Cosmopolitans. They weren't very good
Cindy E.
Feb 02, 2020
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We are currently here and have been for 2 hours. We still have not received our food. Another couple got "refrigerator cold" food. This is ridiculous it took more than 2 hours to get our incredibly overpriced food. Never had a manager apologize or give any discount on the bill. There are 6 of us here. We will not be back. The owner finally came out and came to our table, only because one of us called him over. Not only was he not apologetic, he insulted us and lied about how long we were waiting. We were not out of there until 10:00. Do NOT give this place your hard earned
Chris K.
Feb 02, 2020
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We ate at this restaurant last night and had a horrible experience. The service was terrible. The food did not show up for close to two hours. When it arrived we realized that one meal was incorrect and many of the mussels on the plate were refrigerator cold. The server was rude and there were no explanations for the failures. No one asked how our meal was and no one cared. The table next to us had the same issues. They had not received their food by the time we left. My wife did not finish her meal because her dinner was cold. We shall not return. It was a waste of our money.
Fred H.
Jan 25, 2019
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Thought I would check out this cafe that is close to home. Arrived at about 7 pm and there were very few people inside. First words out of the bus person who greeted us was "got a reservation?" Not good evening. I said "no, are they required?" as I again scanned to try to find more than the one table with people. There is a martini bar room to the right. It is also relatively empty.
We were seated. And waited as wait staff walked passed our table. Not sure where they were going as there were only two tables now that had people at it. Finally someone came by, filled our
We were seated. And waited as wait staff walked passed our table. Not sure where they were going as there were only two tables now that had people at it. Finally someone came by, filled our
Bone Tactical
Sep 11, 2018
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Carmen has made some of the best Italian food in Bradenton for many years. Recently it would appear he has been having trouble finding good help (like many of us small business owners). You could get your food in 10 minutes, or two hours. It’s difficult to say here. Atmosphere will likely be good, food will be great, martinis are good, wait staff will likely be average at best.
