Carmello's Restaurant & Wine Bar has been a Charlottesville favorite for 25 years. We specialize in northern Italian cuisine in a rustic fine dining atmosphere. Our extensive wine list features some of the best wines worldwide. We made our mark with with the traditional, rustic northern Italian recipes of the restaurant's founders; Bill and Stella Hedges.
He maintains his mother's traditional recipes, while introducing new ideas in the rotating dinner specials each night. If you are in the Charlottesville area and you want excellent food and want to be treated like family Carmello's is the place for you! A place where that will truly never let you down.
He maintains his mother's traditional recipes, while introducing new ideas in the rotating dinner specials each night. If you are in the Charlottesville area and you want excellent food and want to be treated like family Carmello's is the place for you! A place where that will truly never let you down.
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Carmello's Restaurant & Wine Bar has been the best Charlottesville Italian Restaurant for 25 years. We made our mark with with the traditional, rustic northern Italian recipes of the restaurant's founders; Bill and Stella Hedges. We specialize in Northern Italian Cuisine in a rustic and fine dining atmosphere.
Carmello's has been a Charlottesville favorite since 1992. We made our mark with with the traditional, rustic northern Italian recipes of the restaurant's founders, Bill and Stella Hedges. We opened Carmello's a few years before that, however, in Old Town Manassas of Northern Virginia in 1987. Carmello's was founded by Bill and Stella Hedges in Old Town Manassas in 1987.
Two baby artichokes, cored and loaded with mozzarella cheese. Lightly breaded and fried, served on a bed of our house tomato sauce. Shitake, crimini, and button mushrooms sauteed and finished with warm mascarpone cheese, then piled high on toasted bread. Fresh Prince Edward Island mussels sauteed in butter and cream with fennel, garlic, diced tomatoes and Pernod liquor.
We are all in this together. We are all responsible for keeping our community safe during these uncertain times. As always, our customers and employees are our number one priority and your safety is very important to us. For this reason, we would like to announce the following temporary changes in our restaurant.
Reviews (20)
Carrie S.
Jan 20, 2022
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The food at Carmello's is really good. More than the food, I would recommend the yummy desserts. Carmello's is a great place to bring a large group for dinner. It's also a go-to spot when I'm craving good Italian food. I give it 4 stars because at times it can have an outdated feel to it and the service can be slow.
Sam P.
Dec 16, 2021
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Please visit Carmellos!! What a lovely establishment with great food and the kindest staff. I visited Carmello's tonight and had calamari, chicken parm, tiramisu, and lobster ravioli. All dishes were excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by the table. The bread at the start of the meal was incredibly fresh, and the salad before the pasta dishes arrived was an excellent balance. I believe our waiter was Mike (may have gotten the name wrong, unfortunately), but he was incredibly attentive and very hospitable. I am so happy with my dinner choice and very glad I finally got to visit Carmello&apos
Layne R.
Dec 12, 2021
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Fantastic Bread, Wine, and Mixed Drinks, Great Entrees
This place is hidden and tucked away near the Lidl. It doesn't look like much at all, but it's actually really excellent. I went with a large group of friends after we spent literal HOURS debating over which Italian place to go to. Eventually, I convinced everyone to try Carmello's.
When you sit down at Carmello's, the first things which impress you are the decor and the BREAD. Both are warm and inviting. Let me reiterate something. The BREAD! Go to Carmello's for the bread if for nothing else!
The calamari appetizer
This place is hidden and tucked away near the Lidl. It doesn't look like much at all, but it's actually really excellent. I went with a large group of friends after we spent literal HOURS debating over which Italian place to go to. Eventually, I convinced everyone to try Carmello's.
When you sit down at Carmello's, the first things which impress you are the decor and the BREAD. Both are warm and inviting. Let me reiterate something. The BREAD! Go to Carmello's for the bread if for nothing else!
The calamari appetizer
Kate M.
Oct 23, 2021
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I made a pick-up order for manicotti and cannolis which my husband picked up for me (pregnant, having cravings). The manicotti was fine. Tasted good, but it was a fairly small portion for $17. Opened the foil to eat the cannolis and realized it was actually garlic bread. Pretty disappointing. My husband also said he had to wait for that specifically, and they still put the wrong thing in the bag.
Mistakes happen. But the worst part of this experience was when I called to tell them about the mistake. The first guy on the phone was really apologetic, but then some other dude (manager?) got on the
Mistakes happen. But the worst part of this experience was when I called to tell them about the mistake. The first guy on the phone was really apologetic, but then some other dude (manager?) got on the
William R.
Sep 18, 2021
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Tj M.
Sep 09, 2021
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Good reviews. In neighborhood wanted some home style Italian. Walk in and place has 10 tables with people at them . No hostess. Waiter says I need to sit in a certain spot Bc he is only person waiting. No menu. I sit down. Waiter disappears. I hear table next to me complain they haven't even gotten bread. How can you have one waiter on a Thursday night at 6pm. With a home football in town this weekend. Awful. I left.
Kim K.
Aug 25, 2021
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Been dining, by delivery, for about 2 years now and especially during the pandemic. Their food is consistent, delicious, and excellent.
The Chicken Parmigiana is the best I've had in C-ville, and while I've tried others while this restaurant is closed, they don't compare to the perfect simple flavors of this classic dish. I also regularly get the Shrimp Gamberi for the spouse and he loves it.
The Chicken Parmigiana is the best I've had in C-ville, and while I've tried others while this restaurant is closed, they don't compare to the perfect simple flavors of this classic dish. I also regularly get the Shrimp Gamberi for the spouse and he loves it.
Samantha T.
Aug 05, 2021
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Loren M.
Jul 23, 2021
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I'm really sad that every time I've gone back to this place, it has gotten more and more disappointing. I think I am done hoping it will get better. This past time, the service was poor. The drinks were horrible. The food was not great to say the least.
The service and drinks/food is just not what it used to be :(
The service and drinks/food is just not what it used to be :(
Krista B.
Jul 17, 2021
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Chris S.
Jun 18, 2021
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This is a small very quaint fine dinning atmosphere restaurant. We were happily greeted and seated well spaced from others. They actually have the suggested wine to meal parings that were quite nice. I had the Chicken Marsala with a Italian Red. It was great. We will definitely be back when in the area.
Jorge M.
Mar 29, 2021
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Megan D.
Dec 31, 2020
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Bread was amazing and tortellini soup was really good. however, we ordered a pasta dish that was supposed to have a bit of wine in it but it was REALLY strong. it did not seem to be reduced enough. the pasta was also over cooked. the under reduced wine dish was okay, it just wasn't as up to par as our other really good dishes.
Robyn R.
Nov 29, 2020
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John Penn T.
Nov 22, 2020
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Jennifer N.
Oct 21, 2020
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We thoroughly enjoyed our dinner here! Mike was attentive, funny, and thoughtful even though he was busy. Caprese appetizer was delicious and I would certainly order that again. My husband and I both thought the house salad with homemade house dressing was great. Italian white wine he recommended was perfect. And desserts were awesome. Thank you!!
Jessica U.
Oct 17, 2020
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Mama Stella (the owner) is pure magic. She will treat you like you are family when you are at one of her tables. If you're lucky, you may even hear her singing from the kitchen. I've been going here for many years and have never been disappointed with my meal. Give yourself plenty of time, as the pacing is somewhat relaxed--but rest assured it will be time well spent and in good company.
Ryan K.
Oct 03, 2020
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Bland, disappointing food. We ordered takeout from Carmello's Restaurant during the Coronavirus pandemic. I ordered the sauteed calamari and the Carne Carmello. The calamari was decently flavored but the presentation was appalling. It was swimming in so much sauce that it was more like a soup than a saute where each calamari had to be delicately fished out. The chicken was not overcooked in the Carne Carmello, but the sauce itself was quite bland and not as flavorful as many marsala sauces that I have enjoyed. I would not recommend Carmello's restaurant in any capacity.
Marylee B.
Jun 16, 2020
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Where do I begin?
It starts with a bread plate and their own seasoned butter. The bread is nice and warm and the butter is amazing.
I got the Shrimp Scampi served over broccoli to keep it low carb. It was absolutely delicious. The sauce was thicker than I expected for a scampi but delightful. We also had the lobster ravioli with crabmeat and no caviar. The sauce has a sweet after-tone and very filling. Lastly, we ordered linguine pescatore. This plate is a culinary overload - but in a good way. There is so many different flavors in it, you won't be disappointed.
I paired my dinner with
It starts with a bread plate and their own seasoned butter. The bread is nice and warm and the butter is amazing.
I got the Shrimp Scampi served over broccoli to keep it low carb. It was absolutely delicious. The sauce was thicker than I expected for a scampi but delightful. We also had the lobster ravioli with crabmeat and no caviar. The sauce has a sweet after-tone and very filling. Lastly, we ordered linguine pescatore. This plate is a culinary overload - but in a good way. There is so many different flavors in it, you won't be disappointed.
I paired my dinner with
Lorna D.
Feb 17, 2020
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Two words. Pretty awful. As we passed a waiting couple on our way out, my husband warned them to save themselves! Ours was a special occasion dinner and we'd been looking forward to it for a while. So very disappointed. The first problem of the night was seating. I was squished in next to the wine cabinet so everytime a server retrieved a bottle I was jostled. The lady one table over took one look at her spot and told the host she'd need to use the bathroom before getting wedged in. The waiter was stressed, rushed and ignored us much of the night. The food was just bad. Our calamari
