I usually don't write reviews but I left feeling so disappointed after spending over $100 for literal butter noodles and rubbery chicken. The tagliatelle apparently had truffle in it but had no taste of truffle and the noodles tasted like cardboard. After spending so much money I will not be returning. Mom and pop Italian restaurants are the way to go. read more

Dined here last night for the first time and I'm thrilled that we had a great experience. Carmela's opened five months ago - so wonderful for the east Hollywood area to have such an elegant restaurant serving such good food. We didn't order much, just ran out to get a quick bite, but I can't wait to go back. First, the place is beautiful, with a stunning chandelier by the front door and a full length mirror on the wall that makes the place look double its size. They have a full, huge bar that's very pretty to look at (which is fortunate, because the seating against the wall looks straight at the bar). Service (Antonia) was attentive and friendly but not intrusive. We ordered two pasta dishes - they make their own pasta daily. We had the rigatoni and the Mafalda. The rigatoni is a vegetarian dish, mildly spicy and in a pink sauce. The basil flavor was phenomenal. Very delicate sauce and not at all what you normally think of when you think of a rigatoni dish. The Mafalda was much heartier, with pork Ragu in a red sauce. I have never had mafalda or even heard of it for that matter. It is a flat ribbon pasta where the edges flare up almost like a ruffled skirt. The pork was super tender and there was a generous portion of it, they did not skimp on the meat but nor was it overly meaty. I also ordered a side of rapini with garlic. Slightly disappointing because it was overly garlicky and needed salt (which was not on the table, I don't know why fine restaurants don't accommodate guests with salt and pepper on the table... I hear it's a bit of chef arrogance). But I ate it just the same and it was cooked well, still bright green and not mushy at all (some restaurants tend to overcook it). We were so full but still made room for dessert. The coconut cake and with cream cheese frosting was absolutely divine. Five stars for all the food, regardless the garlic factor in the rapini (I'm sure plenty of people like it that way anyway, and it is listed as rapini with garlic). I'm so happy for downtown Hollywood- we have not had a good Italian restaurant since the closing of Fulvio's and Vino (neighboring restaurant and wine bar by the same owners, and Carmela's is on the site of Vino). Meanwhile I just discovered Carmela's is also owned by the same family. I always found Fulvio's to have great food but was overpriced and stuffy...and we really didn't like the atmosphere. Hard to get your head around spending a ton of money to eat out when you don't love the environment. Carmela's is pricey, but the atmosphere is so lovely and elegant and the food so tasty, it was worth it. The only cons I can think of don't affect my rating at all. I thought the music was a little loud but it was a Monday night and hardly any tables so the music wasn't muffled at all - three cheers for the restaurant being open on a Monday night, frankly! And the music wasn't obnoxious, just a little on the loud side and not my style but pleasant enough. Also, and this is admittedly kind of silly, but I just looked at the website and I think they could do a little better with some of the photos they display. On the "experience" tab you have multiple shots of scantily clad sexy women. It makes the place look like a South Beach club, which is fine if that's what you're aiming for, but doesn't give the impression of a "fine dining" establishment. Love all the other photos of the food, decor, the cocktails and wine, the bar, the chef's preparation, and oh that chandelier... But all of the pretty girls posing in their little dresses? Didn't seem to reflect the restaurant at all. That was not the "experience" we had at this place and if we did, we probably wouldn't stay because it made it look like a party-party type place. Hopefully that's not what it is. Will report back when we return on a busier night. read more

See all

This is our first time trying our Carmela's. We sat on the patio with our pups, and form the very beginning the service was friendly, welcoming, and still very professional. We had a few glasses of wine, apps, and wonderful entrées. We finished off the meal with a pistachio chocolate cake and coffee and overall had a wonderful time. The highlights of their menu are definitely the pasta dishes. I had a steak which was prepared with a special sauce, but it was not the best I've had, for a little more than I would've paid anywhere else. That being said, the carbonara we ordered was fantastic, and I surmise the other pasta dishes are just wonderful. The atmosphere is wonderful, the street is not as busy as Hollywood Ave, and all in all, it was a great time. read more

Last second invite last evening to meet an old friend in Hollywood. Short drive from my house but parking aside from the city lot next door is challenging especially with the construction going on on Harrison street right now. Really difficult to find as signage is non existent but you can follow the crowd to the inside / outside "Carmela's the off breed off Sardelli's as their newest location. Not a large place quite narrow with tables along the walls, high tops in the middle and tables outside as well. Beautiful night and everything was occupied so our only option was a high top near the open kitchen back side of the bar. The bar is very nice and the design I would consider modern. Menu is very small and our server went over the specials more on that later. NO bread is served unless you order their house garlic bread which we did but was also just ok. Wine list is 100% Italian and I have to be honest was not aware of any of their wines on the list. Waiter was kind enough to offer me a taste from their by the glass menu which we then ordered a bottle of. Split their famous "Meatballs" and it was good size order of which I just had a little bit of. They were very good, (Not Mine or Moms LOL) but very good. Moving on to entrees my buddy had the home made past in vodka sauce which was unlike any vodka sauce I ever had. It lended itself to more of a tomato base rather than a vodka pink base. Everything was hot and fresh but in my opinion was really not a vodka sauce. I had the house prime sirloin pan seared with the porcini rub and sauteed mushrooms on top. This was excellent $50.00 ala carte. A little pricey but very good. No sides or deserts or coffee were had. Later found out our server missed half the specials which were actually up on the blackboard above the bar who knew? Not sure I would have ordered something else but it would have nice to been offered. Crowd seemed familiar with staff and ownership so the vibe was good as well. Food was very good and fresh a step up from Sardelli's which I don't particularly like but I'd go back again if the situation arises. read more

This place has the potential to be a high quality go-to restaurant and not just an overflow restaurant with % 85 vacant tables on a busy holiday weekend. The food is suburb. The design, simple post-mo-mo chandelier fabulous. We've been eating there for years as longtime Hollywood residents. Yet beneath this incredibly well executed and fantastic menu there is one simple fact that after years of visiting: it is never more than filled to 20% capacity. Herein belies the truth: the owners clearly have no motive to be a welcoming establishment. My husband and I were assigned the absolutely worst table in an almost entirely empty dining room by an overweight overzealous concierge who confuses himself in his lot in life as a doorman of a hot night club in the 1989's New York. Clearly, after years of loyalty, my husband and I were consigned to the only high top table in an empty dining room as clearly, despite being loyal Hollywood residents and customers, I was wearing the wrong shirt or maybe it was anti homosexual night. I reached out to the owners via their email and gave them the opportunity to explain on how on a holiday weekend night we were shunned to the backwaters of an empty clearly unsuccessful restaurant which, without a response from the owners, I only can ascribe to a violation of the City of Hollywood's perfect rating in diversity. As I am partially handicapped, sitting uncomfortably at a high top in an empty dining room which remained empty from 7:30 pm to 9:30 when we left on Sunday September 3rd 2023 Labor Day Weekend, was either some quite clear message to the handicapped or the gays that unfabulous people clearly unwelcome. Fabulous restaurants are fabulous as they welcome the particularly unfabulous. Kind off the whole point this fat dude clearly never quite understood until I left a tip of "Absolutely $0" along with my card so that when I emailed them they would remember exactly who I was and why i wasted a wonderful holiday Sunday with some dumb fat dude. Please do not patronize this restaurant. It is not an addition to our City Beautiful and needs to run out its lease and capital so a better restaurant, any restaurant, can take its place. Hollywood: Hostility Unwelcome. read more

We were excited to try this new place after seeing so many positive reviews. Which makes me skeptical who wrote them bc sofla has so many great Italian restaurants. We ordered a bottle of wine and 2 entrees. Once the entrees came out we each took a bite and looked at each other. I know al dente pasta, this was sticking in my teeth it's was so undercooked. Waitress came out to ask how it was and I was honest about it. She took it back happily and said they would get me a new one. Comes back 5 mins later with a steaming plate it food and the same black pepper I had put on it. Hmmmm. They microwaved it! You cannot cook pasta further in a microwave. I was starving so I suffered through a couple bites. Where's the truffle flavor in the dish I ordered? Oh that's right they brought me the wrong food. It's was butter cheese and pepper pasta. The waitress was completely unapologetic. They did take the entree of the tab as they should have but I felt a visit from the manager was in order after all that. The waitress actually had the balls to tell us maybe we don't like pasta with eggs in it bc that's typically harder then other pastas. Sorry hun that's the other way around, fresh pasta is made with egg, boxed crap that you can undercook doesn't have eggs. I'm thinking this was boxed, and they use lots of other canned ingredients that they don't even hide next to the bathroom. Too many good Italian places in the general area to come here in my opinion. Hollywood seems like it's on the up and up but it's still super seedy with lots of druggies walking around as well. $15 bottle of wine marked up to $50 and 2 $20 entrees with no meat, it's overpriced and over positively reviewed here. read more

If you are looking for fresh homemade pasta this is the place to go. The meatballs are fantastic! Chicken parm is so big it can easily feed two people. Super friendly staff! They have a nice back patio or seats inside for a more intimate experience. read more

Best ambiance, bar service and best chef ever. Will accommodate most requests. The bar servers Paige and Marco are remarkably friendly and helpful. read more

I rate the interior of this restaurant at five! But everything else leaves a lot to be desired. Since the restaurant is new we booked a table in advance as there are a lot of people there on Friday night. We booked a table for 8 people (the largest and most beautiful table) but one couple did not come. We thought they would give us a smaller table and were even a little upset but the hostess put us at a large table and we were very happy, thank you! By the way the bartender at the bar is amazing. His name is ... Marco. Thank you very much, Marco, for the great cocktails and for the interesting conversation. Waiter ... Service in this restaurant is a big problem. The waiter did not know the menu, was confused and very rarely came up. When we asked him about the dishes he answered one thing but in fact he brought us a completely different dish. The food tasted quite ordinary but on the check it was very expensive. I don't think I will come to this restaurant again for dinner just if I have a couple of cocktails! At the end the owner came up to us and asked for forgiveness for everything that was happening. He poured us all a shot of tincture and said that he knew about all problems and would fix everything soon. I hope for his word of honor and put 4 star. read more

See all

The bar has amazing cocktails. You want to have dinner in a place where you are considered family? This is your place. The atmosphere and music here is everything! The concept and design really make this restaurant special. Made reservations for a party 4. We were quickly seated & greeted by server. We started with the Burrata appetizer. I have never been a zucchini fan until today! The burrata comes with olive oil & vinegar covered grilled zucchini. Trust me, order it! My martini was served in a copper cup and it was actually very yummy. All the dishes were simply exquisite and full of flavor. Food came out in a timely manner. I can not wait to return here for dinner. read more

See all

Another Sardelli gem- CARMELA's named of after mama Sardelli of course! This place is moody, sexy, and inviting. The decor is simple, pretty and screams come in and lets play, I mean let's EAT!. There are daily specials besides the delicious meals on the menu. We started with drinks at the bar with Adam, he makes you feel like you have know each other forever and you probably have. He has been around the Sardelli family for years. We sat down for dinner and even thou it is a large room, you can hear each other's conversation whilst hearing your favorite music in the background. This place is warm and inviting to all. I saw large groups, two person tables and singles at the bar. There is something for everyone who comes here. Lets dig into to the delicious eats; we started with the Arancini and Calamari, then the Tagliatelle, Spicy Rigatoni, Tonarelli and Chicken parmigiana. All pastas are fresh of course cooked to perfection and the chicken parmigiana tender and juicy. Our server Antonia was very attentive, provided excellent service and made us feel like family. Beautiful restaurant Sardelli's; congratulations Fangul!!!! read more

It is a small restaurant with very loud music, it was impossible to talk to my family members and the waiter had to repeat the specials because we could not understand him, he really tried going around the table and repeating himself, we were four people. The calamari appetizer was good and tasty, the rest was bland, not edible, no one finished their meals and we did not take nothing home. Prices were high for what we got. It felt like there was no cook in the kitchen. Not coming back for sure. read more

Carmela's was amazing. The food, the ambiance, the service. I sat at the bar and Marco served me and went above and beyond. Will definitely return. I had the rigatoni and I wanted to add some prosciutto on top which Marco had no problem doing! read more

Carmela’s - Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

See all

We went to Carmelo's couple of weeks ago on a Saturday night around 8:15. We had been there a few times and it was really good and we were looking forward to a great meal. Across the street is a great wine bar and we tasted several wines, bought a few bottles and took one to dinner. When we made the reservation, they asked what we would like and we mentioned a veal chop. When we got there, there was no veal chop so we settled for a chicken Parm. The waitress ran to the back and came back telling us there were no more chickens. We asked for the manager and he explained we're a small restaurant and we don't have a walk-in cooler so they did not have many chickens. We ordered the steak market price cooked medium. Before the steak we ordered fried calamari. When the calamari came out, it was a baby's portion so I called the manager to complain. He looked at it and offered to bring us a bigger order. When the state came out, it was so well done. I couldn't eat it. Call the manager again and he said there was nothing he could do about it. we ended up eating shrimp scampi with a larger portion of calamari. The best part of the meal was the wine. It's just very frustrating to see a great place fall like that. Please excuse the grammar as I'm dictating this on my cell phone. We won't be going back. There are plenty more restaurants out there. read more

Outstanding. This place is no joke. Not cheap and well worth it. You have to get the stuffed ravioli appetizer. Bad ass. read more

Carmela’s - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

We were expecting mediocre Italian food but were blown away. We are world travelers and have eaten a so many restaurants around the world and this, by far, has become one of our favorite spots. Its quaint and sexy vibe will make you stay after you're finished with your meal. The staff was fantastic and the music from the lounge next door made it even better (we sat outside) 2 thumbs up for sure! read more

Carmela’s - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

This place was amazing. Came in for Mother's Day and had the rigatoni and chicken parm and it tasted great. The homemade pasta was delicious. The server Mabel and the Manager Frank were extremely attentive and provided great service. My mom was happy which was the best part of the day. I have recommended this place to my family and friends. The atmosphere was very cozy which I love. U won't be disappointed coming here. read more

Nice ambiance. Good presentation. Some food very good, some good. We had a very DISAGREEABLE EXPERIENCE. The special, for which they did not tell price was sea bass-the people who had it said it was good, not superb. When I got the bill, I was shocked--really priced over twice as high as good restaurant comparables I've seen recently. The waitress apologized repeatedly for not telling us the price. The manager gave a CYA response- they don't say the price so as not to embarrass people!!! With the price as high as it was (substantially MORE than a filet), it wouldn't be reasonable for a customer to expect this. Bad answer and attitude. Spoiled the evening. read more

A gem for Italian food and wine in the heart of downtown Hollywood, Fl. With excellent service, nice mood. A lovely place for a date, a family dinner or just to enjoy your self for am Italian wine and a gourmet treat on the bar attended by Marco, who made our night a delight with his excellent service. Definitely recommend the place. read more

Carmela’s - A glass of an amazing Nero d' Avola... with the bar at Carmela's as background. - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

I walked in during the week without a reservation and luckily I was able to get seated. Wow you look around and think am I in downtown Hollywood. This place is exactly what the area desperately needed. GOOD FOOD! Wow I started out with an eggplant appetizer that was amazing and so delicious. For my entrée I got a fresh pasta dish in a spicy sauce like a vodka sauce. The bread was rusty and delicious, For dessert I got their homemade limoncello. Its a nice vibe a great place for the weekend, next time I will make a reservation in advance because I heard on the weekend this place is busy. Good thing they have a ton of outside tables too. 6 stars service was excellent forgot waiter name he was nice. read more

Wow! What an amazing place! From the moment we walked in to the minute we walked out we were given the most wonderful service. The cocktails made by Page were exquisite with every sip tasting the different Ingredeints made in house by the best mixologist behind the bar Marco. Thank you to everyone! read more

Carmela’s - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

See all

A little gem! Family ran business with Great food, service and ambiance! I will definitely go back!

Atmosphere- 10 but loud Drinks - 10 Service - friendly and welcoming Food - 7 Sadly the food is just OK. The chicken parm was way underwhelming - read more

Soo good the food! The bar tender was fabulous wonderful cocktail artist. Frankie is super nice making sure everything is going great. Got the chicken parm, linguini carbonara, mozeralla w the ragu and tiramisu read more

This place is amazing! Danielle our server was awesome. Recommend dishes and she wasn't wrong. Frank the manager sat and chatted with us and told us how this place came about. Then Anthony the chef chatted with us. The atmosphere was amazing !The music which was Chill station was great. Couldn't ask for a better place. Was actually in walking distance from our hotel. All we can say is Well Done!!Amazing Specials read more

Found this swanky gem last night. In a word "SPECTACULAR". Wait am I in Hollywood, FL? Had reservations but wanted to sit at the bar and check out the craft cocktails. The bartenders knocked it out of the park! We ended up sitting at a white linen tablecloth with amazing ambience of House music and garlic sense teasing us! We ordered Scampi clam & cherry tomato wine appetizer and Sausage Cubanelle pepper with garlic toast points. Dinner amazing Pinot Grigio house wine to accent my Linguini with Garlic infused white clam sauce, my hubby always goes with traditional spaghetti and meatball to test Italian restaurant! Amazing in every way we definitely will be back! So beautiful and so much staff to take care of every need! Our new go to sweet spot in Hollywood Florida. read more

The service was very slow, there were not enough waiters. The chicken was just drowned in a greasy sauce and was too salty, garlic was also not spared, even my eyes were burning. The menu is quite poor, only pasta. read more

Great food presented by a long time Hollywood family with all their heart invested to give you the best dinning experience ever. You will not be disappointed. read more

Hidden gem with delicious food and great ambiance. Ordered the scampi and calamari to start..excellent. And two pastas (forgot which two exactly) and they were both delicious. read more

I came a bit late on a weekday evening, I had mistaken the hours but they were accommodating! Everyone was friendly, helpful and attentive. My friends and I shared some appetizers, all were delicious and tried pasta for our mains. While eating we had wine and finished off with an espresso martini and tiramisu which was a perfect ending. A delicious place with great food, you can definitely tell there is thought and care going into every dish A new favorite local spot read more

We came to Carmela's Saturday night after making a reservation same day. The service was amazing and the food was delicious. We had the spicy rigatoni and cacio e Pepe. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you're craving Italian! We will definitely be back! read more

I was excited to go. My wife and her friends have gone to Carmela's several times. We made reservations for Valentine's Day to celebrate a birthday. I understand the 2 hour limit on reserved tables due to sales. However, it took 15 minutes for the first drink order to be taken, then 17 minutes for the drinks to arrive. The waiter then fairly rudely informed us that the Chef will require the complete order including dessert to be given at one time. i u destined the need due to the kitchen needs, but the waiters approach for a supposed higher class restaurant was inappropriate. When the Risotto appetizer finally showed up, the center was still ice cold. it had to:be re made. by the time the main course showed up we had been in the restaurant for 1 hour and 40 minutes. At the 2 hour mark the manager came up and told us he had another reservation and we needed to leave. I would have told the customer that we would like to buy them a drink at the empty bar to get them to leave the table. instead he rudely told us we needed to leave. had he taken my approach we would have stayed and had several more drinks. instead we left and went next door and spent an additional few hundred. Over all the food quality was BELOW AVERAGE. It was edible, but not what you would expect from a great Restaurant. The overall experience was terrible. we will not return. When the manager asked about our experience, my guest who had owned as well as worked at several fine dining establishments gave him a polite opinion and the manager agreed and ended the conversation. read more

The pasta is mediocre, I find it absolutely ridiculous you do not offer high chairs for children. The service was very slow and food was mid. Season your sauce & salt your water before cooking pasta. Your selection of wine was very depressing. read more

I never write reviews. I just never find a place that really stands out that I feel the need to take time out of my life to write a restaurant review. We came here for a special date night and the vibe was great but what we'll always remember was the food!!! First the service by the bartender Paige was great, pleasant and lovely woman. We went for the burrata appetizer and it was decadent with great flavors. 10/10. Then we had spaghetti and meatballs and rigatoni alla vodka as entrees. My bf's spaghetti was great (slightly undercooked), good sauce and the MEATBALLS were so tender, they were the perfect blend of whatever is in there. Juicy and amazing. My rigatoni (suggestion by Paige) was heavenly, a very luscious sauce, perfectly cooked pasta. We go for dessert because why not. HOUSE made cannolis and tiramisu. Now I don't like thick creamy desserts, the cream in the cannoli and tiramisu was airy and light as a feather and delicious. Perfect. The food was spot on, perfectly balanced. Carmela's deserves the 5 min it took to write this. The people need to know. read more

See all

Excellent service and great food! All of the staff are wonderful and the dishes are what you would expect from an authentic Italian restaurant. Great ambiance as well. read more

We came on a very busy Saturday night and even though we had to wait about 45min after our reservation time it was well worth the wait!! The service and food was amazing!! We chose the steak and cheese on garlic toast with an endive salad for appetizers. The steak and cheese was sooo good! The endive salad would have been better if perhaps it had a citrus vinaigrette dressing . For entrees we choose the pappardelle with duck ragu and casarecce pasta with pork sausage. Both were amazing!!! The kids raved about their spaghetti with bolognese sauce which like most kids is not an easy task. Can't forget about dessert! We chose the tiramisu and chocolate pistachio cake. Like everything else it was very good! Overall we truly enjoyed our experience and can't wait to come back. Thank you!! read more

See all

Came here to try out what I saw on Instagram I came by myself and every staff member made me feel like I knew them all, Joseph was my main server and was amazing kept my drinks full and even though I was complicated and ordered the "frothy drink from Instagram" they made it happen and Marco mad it amazingly ! It really is a home-ey place I had just met the manager Laura and it felt like I'd known her forever same with Vincenzo and the rest of staff, all checking on me and waving from the kitchen asking if I'd enjoyed the meal! 10/10 come here you won't be disappointed the food was to die for. And it was a half hour drive for me WORTH IT I PROMISE ! I started with the Burata and it was amazing THE OLIVE OIL WAS JUST ALONE SO GOOD then I followed with t he Mafalda and omg needless to say I was more than happy with my meal! Thank you Carmela's expect me there often ! read more

Carmela’s - Amazing Mafalda - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

See all

I was pleasantly surprised by this new addition to downtown Hollywood. To open in the middle of a pandemic piqued just interest and they definitely have what it takes in the kitchen and behind the bar to be here for many years to come. Excellent service and the linguini can't be beat. read more

Carmela’s - Top shelf all around with excellent prices. - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

Wow what a hidden gem! I was so impressed with Carmela's, I'm Italian so I don't often like Italian restaurants but they know what they're doing here! The spicy rigatoni was excellent (SO much better than Carbones and half the price....). The staff was also amazing and truly cares about your dining experience. I can't wait to go back! read more

Carmela’s - Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Hollywood, Florida

Came on a Wednesday to celebrate closing on our new home with friends and family and had such a wonderful experience. Service was incredible as was the dinner and the cocktails. We just moved to the area and want to come and hang out the bar with these beautiful people ASAP! read more