Loved the decor and vibe of this place but the food just fell short. We were really excited to give this place a try! We started out with the lovely lady and manmosa. The drinks were good and we enjoyed them. We both ordered the buttermilk fried chicken and biscuits. Big mistake. The biscuits were literally as hard as a rock. You couldn't cut through them with a knife. The chicken was over cooked and very crispy/burnt on the edges. Maybe just a bad brunch day for this place? read more

See all

Stopped during restaurant week and was pleasantly surprised by the menu and service. First time for my boo here - he was hesitant because the menu is complex - I asked him to trust me. Carmella's didn't disappoint. He loved how quaint the atmosphere is and how nice the staff was. The beer list - unreal!!! So hard to decide but we settled on two fruit inspired drafts. The appetizer was small but packed a delicious punch. The bucatini was fantastic. The homemade noodles were cooked perfectly. Ended with the bold cherry pie tart. Loved it!!! read more

See all

Was looking for a last minute date night place for my wife and I, and I stumbled upon Carmella's. When we arrived, we noticed it was a very narrow restaurant where you enter into the bar and make your way towards the back to dining area. From the looks of the bar, and the menu, if you're looking for a unique drink, or a flight of whiskey, Carmella's is the place to go. On this night, we opted to skip the bar and grab some bite bites. When you enter the dining area, it takes you on a journey where you feel as if you're in a European chalet in the countryside. The rustic feel is definitely accented in the menu; rustic plates with a modern twist. We started off with the roasted oysters and wow, were they good. My only complaint is the small amount of bread served with them. The bread is not o my the vessel to eat the oysters with, but to sop up the delicious sauce the oysters are bathing in. I opted for the filet and my wife went with the butter poached lobster and shrimp. I ordered my steak med rare and it came out rare. Understanding what establishments are dealing with, I couldn't complain. Maybe if it was over cooked I would have sent it back, but I opted to keep it and it was definitely tasty. The highlight was the purée it sat atop. The purée with romessco, cauliflower and beet were the perfect compliment to the steak. As for my wife's lobster and shrimp. It was mediocre. Definitely over cooked, but none-the-less tasty. The service was average, but our server had a lot going on, so I can't fault her, or the restaurant in that. In another time I would, but this day and age I'm thankful for the service and food we got. We will definitely be back sometime in the future when we are back in Pittsburgh! read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Filet with a bourbon romessco, celery root purée, roasted beet and cauliflower confetti. - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

I've indulge in drinks here before but I've never tried their dinner menu before. I love Carmella's decor and atmosphere. We were lucky enough to be able to seat about the fire place table which was wonderful! A friend and I went for restaurant week so we got to chose three courses from a prefixed menu. For my first course I choose the arancini balls. The fried outer shell balanced great with the soft middle. For my entree I got the lamb shank which was delicious! However, I did have order envy because my friend ordered the duck and it was amazing. For dessert I got the raspberry hand pie. It was good dessert but not spectacular. I will definitely be back to Carmella's to try there regular dinner menu! read more

See all

Fantastic spot to enjoy delicious food and company. It was a Saturday night and this place was hopping with energy and happiness. It was packed but we were able to find 2 spots at the bar and had a really nice time. I had their Waygu Burger and it was the best burger I have ever had. Perfect temperature, juicy, flavorful..just thinking about it makes me want to go get another one. We also tried the Oyster Fry and that was really nice as well. The ambiance, atmosphere and really nice bar tenders along with the fabulous food made this the perfect place to go. Can't wait to go back! read more

I'm not quite sure what to make of this place. First off, it was nearly empty on a Friday night. The decor is a bit odd in the back room, with various knick knacks and taxidermy. Given the name, we expected a casual spot to grab a bite and a drink, but when we were seated we realized the menu (and the prices) did not match our impression from the name. I ordered the caprese salad as my meal, but it definitely was not an entree size as expected for $14. It was more of an appetizer, but it was tasty. The service was subpar as well. Unfortunately I left unsatisfied. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Back dining room - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Such a great atmosphere. It's a cozy little vibe good for drinks and hangout. Of course I just preface this review with the fact that I couldn't eat anything what so ever. No vegan options . "The coffee is super sexy." - Abby Wasserman Heads up if you check-in you get a nice $4 off coupon for a fruit infused shot. What you see below are all recommendations from friends I brunched with ( watch eat) Carmella's Breakfast - Delicious. It has bacon, brioche, eggs, and baked hash. While it was very flavorful it wasn't hot at all. The fact that the bread is grilled is interesting. In fact it also has a "burgery" smell Steak and Egg Tostado - 10/10 This friend loves it so much and each time she comes she always order it and is never disappointed. I can admit it looked and smelled absolutely delicious. Breakfast sandwich - It was delicious. Also said that they wish the food was hot, particularly the baked hash. It was a high end meat. The bacon was a very thick cut. Pros: - Relaxed vibe - Great service Cons: - No vegan options obviously - They have dessert options but they are on a completely different menu so I didn't get the chance to check it out because I didn't see it. Would definitely come back for a chill drink at the bar. Happy Brunch'in read more

See all

Wonderful food, terrific service from Tabitha who offered suggestions and small of our questions! The ambiance is so homey and pretty, like a pub you'd see in Europe. The pork belly and pirogi appetizer was delicious. Our first time visiting but we will be back! read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Loved the service! The food was great. We went for restaurant week and were starving. I was a little surprised to see how small the portions were. Other than that, I would highly recommend this place for anyone! read more

Food portions were fair and tasty. Appetizers were small portion. Ambiance is excellent. City pricing. Friendly service but a bit of a wait to get food. Good experience read more

We reserved here for Restaurant Week primarily because I reviewed all the menus and, as is usually the case with these prix fixe situations, there's not a lot for a vegetarian. This place made a point calling out V and also GF options which was nice, and also has outdoor seating on East Carson which is my definite preference due to the rise in Covid again, so they were my pick. The restaurant was full in the cozy indoor dining area, and we had to wait five minutes or so in line at the hostess stand in the middle of the restaurant to be told we could go outdoors to any table and seat ourselves. We did that, and waited a fair amount of time for everything -- to be started with drinks and for each course (the dinner course especially). Desserts and the check did come swiftly and our server was apologetic that it was so busy, and attentive to asking if we needed anything each time he passed. There were also a couple of hiccups that were a downer on the meal. When I got my glass of wine, there was a pronounced lipstick stain on one side. I feel so bad for small businesses and their staffing situations these days, and I frequently have this lipstick situation at home myself even after a good washing of my cups, so I simply decided to say nothing, wipe it off and drink from the other side of the glass which otherwise looked clean. I was actually glad for this decision later when a bug ended up in my glass. I was simply going to ask for a spoon to fish it out (another small detraction is that we got one fork, one knife to carry us through all three courses, with the server putting them back on the table if left on your plate) and the hostess -- maybe the owner or a manager as she seemed very invested and was honestly doing a great job of keeping many things running, including putting down clean paper tops on outdoor tables between parties -- offered to strain it for me, but then came back with a new, full glass instead, which was classy and appreciated. The first course (we both got mozzarella arancini) and my blueberry/lemon buckle dessert were fantastic. However, my companion's pork chop was a thick, quality piece of meat that was sadly overcooked and dry, and their strawberry shortcake was also dry and a disappointment. The entrée I was so excited about and specifically reserved here for, a mushroom risotto with local corn and heirloom tomatoes, may have had a mushroom sauce base but not a single mushroom and, instead of heirlooms, a few basic cherry tomatoes. I was so disappointed in this dish. I liked enough about this restaurant and felt that they truly tried so hard that I will probably give them another try sometime. But for $40 a meal and a $110 total check including our wine, I returned home feeling disappointed in the overall experience. read more

See all

Love Carmella's perfect place to take the parents or an avid bourbon/whiskey fan! Important to note they have wild game days which you should absolutely go to if you are looking for something unique. Carmella herself is so kind and friendly so don't be shy to say hello. Beautiful bar and cozy space with fire places and gorgeous wood work. I believe at one time it had won most beautiful bar in the area. Whether you are stopping in for a pint or want to try out some food, easily one of the best places still left in the Southside! read more

See all

On a scale of romances to documentaries, Carmella's is a writer's getaway. While a lot of the South Side is devoted to more grungy bars, Carmella's is a sophisticated bar and restaurant that likely enchants the old at heart. Paid parking is available along Carson, but if you park on a backstreet, you're likely to find free parking. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

We reserved here for brunch while visiting Pittsburgh. Seating options include bar area, restaurant area, and outside on the front sidewalk. You pass through the front bar area room to get to the restaurant area. The bar area has a lot of character and a fun feel. The restaurant area is super cute and quaint with limited seating. There's a fireplace in the middle of the room and stained glass windows. I ordered a Manhattan to start and my partner ordered coffee. The Manhattan came with a large ice cube, which I love, and a dense tasty cherry. The coffee was super cute and came on a slab of slate in a french press with a little hourglass timer when it was ready. To eat I ordered the southern fried chicken sandwich and my partner the peaches and cream waffle. The southern fried chicken sandwich comes with house hot sauce, lettuce, house pickles, and roasted garlic aioli on a toasted bun and duck fat fries. The sandwich was so good. I couldn't tell if the chicken was dark meat or not it was so juicy and tender. The house hot sauce was a tasty buffalo with slight heat. The house pickles really pulled everything together - they're crunchy and packed with vinegar dill flavor. The duck fat fries were thick with a crispy outside. I ordered a side of mayo to go along with the fries. Delicious. The peaches and cream waffle was also very, very good. It had caramelized peaches, oat crumble, and bourbon syrup. The peaches were a delicious flavor, and everything was executed very well. Overall, our service was excellent, the ambiance is fun and eclectic, and the food was amazing! read more

See all

It was fine. The decor was kind of weird and dark. Like eating in an antique shop. We wanted more of an upscale meal, but the food was just okay. Drinks: -I got the greyhound, and I didn't really like it that much. -my dad loved his strawberry jalapeño margarita Appetizers: -I got brussel spouts (I always get sprouts, so I'm a bit of a snob.) These we're pretty good, a little greasy but well seasoned. -Mac and cheese: my dad really liked it Mains: -my mom thought the quinoa risotto was fine. Nothing special, but good. -salmon: a bit overcooked, I thought it needed a side or something. It was meh -ribeye: my dad had no complaints Verdict: my dad would happily come back but my mom and I were less fond of the food. Probably not a repeat visit in our future read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Brussel sprouts - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Following up the brunch post with a dinner take on Carmella's! We came on a Saturday evening and it wasn't too crowded but the ambience and energy of this restaurant was still great! There's high top seating up front and larger tables in the back. Food: would 10/10 recommend the crispy Brussels and wagyu bolognese! The cheese board can easily be shared by 5 people. Price-wise: The dishes are on the upper end prices, so I wished that the quantity was a little more! Items to share for the table are the way to go, but the entrees are definitely sufficient. Parking: there's a lot right next to the restaurant or street parking (both are paid options) read more

See all

I've been to Carmella's about 5-6 times over the last few years. I have to say my latest visit was probably one of the best! Ben was our server (he is Carmella's brother) and was fantastic. His recs for drinks and overall friendly attitude are what make places like this succeed. I had the Makers Mark Mash and the banana bourbon old fashioned. The thing I liked best about both of these bourbon drinks was that the flavor was SO smooth. Sometimes bourbon bites you in the throat, but these were carefully crafted. My friend and I split the brussel sprouts to begin and those were super yum-town. I had the veal & Wagyu bolognese gnocchi which was absolutely amazing. The ambiance here is dark and moody and the fireplace table in the middle of the room really brings something special to this joint. Can't wait to bring the hubs here again soon! read more

Had a great dinner here this past weekend with my mom. Food and drink service was quick, and very delicious. We loved our pastas, clearly handmade pasta with very tender and delicious scallops, and our cocktails were well balanced. The space inside is so cozy, and there's almost always live music playing just enough to enjoy without being over powering. Hope to go back soon! read more

Pictured is the coconut curry shrimp and grits and wow what a combo. Also pictured is the beet salad with goat cheese which was one of our appetizers alongside charcuterie. My friend's duck was also amazing and they were able to adapt to some allergies and make replacements extremely easily! I def will be going back soon. (Also for my espresso martini fam they had a really good one and it was STRONG!) read more

See all

This is a little cozy spot Traveling with my team we dropped in for some good food. The fried deviled eggs was different, in order to get the true blend of all the ingredients you have to eat the entire egg together. Not my favorite, but glad I tried it Hanger Steak was cook great I was hoping the steak was a lot bigger. The secret sauce is really what gives this meal the great flavor. Brussel sprouts were really good with the bacon, a must try. The drawback, took to long to get our food. Not a bad spot but could be better. read more

See all

BARTENDER VERY RUDE We stopped in yesterday afternoon, Sunday, June 11... We had never been there before, so didn't know that they didn't have domestic beers, but when we ordered a Miller light, he said "we don't have Miller light l, we have Coors lite" We agreed on two Coors lites. The bartender gave us two glasses of water and said "here's your Coors lite" He totally insulted us as soon as we walked in... Just because we don't prefer to drink craft beers he could've suggested something that was similar to a Miller light instead of being so rude. We had planned to have lunch there, and stay for a band that was playing later, but decided to leave after he was so rude to us... Never again. There was probably only four people in the building, and he chose to chase two of them out with his rudeness. Damn read more

I visited this place for dinner for the first time ever and WOW - I was impressed. I've been here before, but it was simply to share a cheese plate and a few brews with friends at the bar pre-pandemic. First, I NEED to acknowledge the fact that Carmella herself is the one running the host stand ...on a Friday night. Now, if you don't work in the food industry, this might not be a big deal to you, but as a 13 year industry veteran, I can say FOR SURE that owners are virtually NEVER present after dark. And, Carmella is pleasant, personable, and I don't want to objectify this woman, but also STUNNING. The dining room is partitioned socially distant, dark and comfy. Food was delicious, and our server was warm and knowledgeable. Service was a wee bit slow, but they were super busy, so I can't complain. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Guinness, chopped salad, Buffalo Sprouts, and Porcini Pappardelle - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

When I visit my son in Pittsburgh, this is my favorite place to come for a meal or just drinks. Today was my first visit since Father's Day and is my was great to be back for their Sunday brunch. Had the Steak and Eggs which consisted of steak, two eggs and duck fat fries. The portion sizes were perfect. For a starter, I ordered the Old Forester Old Fashioned made with 100 proof Old Forester Bourbon from a hand picked barrel. Finished with the hand press coffee. Again, my favorite place in Pittsburgh. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Steak and Eggs - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

This is a great spot to drink. The food is mediocre . The built in gratuity was a little shady the way they did it. Didnt honor our half flight deal. read more

Service was fantastic and so was the food. I wish the menu had a few more entree choices. Their happy hour special goes to 6:30 which is nice and was extended to the main dining room not just the bar. Lobster Risotto was delicious! read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Lobster & Shrimp Risotto - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

We tried Carmella's Plates & Pints on the South Side for our Easter brunch ... beyond delicious! This place is one of my new favs now! The pics can't even show how cool this place was! We can't wait to go back! If you have not been here, it's a must go! From the moment we walked in, we were taken care! The ambiance ...from the decor to the music playing, set me in a calm happy mood! The food was amazingly delicious and just beautiful to look at lol! If I could give Carmella's 10 stars, I would! Knocked it out of the park on all levels!! Thank you! read more

See all

After years of wanting to check this place out, I finally did... and was super impressed! I stopped here for a few drinks, and appetizers.. but can not wait to come back for dinner. The space itself is lovely. Contemporary, but historic (space used to be an old beauty parlor) the bar is beautifully decorated and well lit (and they have tons of booze) nice wine and beer selection, and even have a massive Moscow mule (4 people minimum) which seems super fun. The bartender was very nice, and the patrons around us were fantastic as well. This place just has a great feel! The food that we got was not a huge portion but they were prepared perfectly. The "devilish eggs" are a must try! And their Brussel sprouts were out of this works. I will definitely be back! ---- I updated my review on dinner experience. I wasn't very happy with the bar items, and to be honest I thought my salmon would have been better. If I didn't have such a great first experience I may have had to give a 3 star. read more

See all

My hidden gem of Southside. They have a great atmosphere and very good drinks. They also have a good food menu as well. Great spot for a date night or to grab a drink and a meal. read more

First time here. Excellent, friendly staff. Food was very good, and the meal was well-paced. Cozy place with noise level just right.

We went there for brunch with reservation. We didn't have to wait and was seated right away. However the service really slow down after that. It took them a while to take an order and a long while (30 mins) to get the food or check. Food - 4/5 I really like the fried chicken. The breakfast was just okay. Drink - 2/5 We ordered the Blue Moon and Manmosa and we couldn't tell the difference Overall I would give this 3.5/5. I might go back just to try their happy hours read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Carmella's Breakfast** - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

See all

Came here on a Tuesday night and surprisingly it was busy in the restaurant! We had reservations for 11 and were seated right away. We did ask to pull another table up so it wouldn't be to crowded and they were fine with us doing that. The ambiance feels like your in a cabin in the middle of nowhere. They had a huge moose head and some unique decors to look at. Not to mention the huge fireplace in the middle of the restaurant. I had been here once previously for brunch and remembered the food not being great. I ordered the special for my appetizer, which was pan seared scallops with purée green pea. I got two pieces of scallops and It was good but I wish there was at least one more scallop. For my main dish I ordered the Wagyu Bolognese. The pasta was soft and chewy! I would have liked more wagyu in it. I felt like it didn't have enough bolognese or cheese. I liked it but it didn't have much flavor to it. I barely taste any meat. Someone ordered the special Beef Cheeks! It tasted like comfort food. It was served with mash potatoes and reminded me of a traditional American pot roast dinner! It was good. The drinks were good and came out fast from the bar. We also ordered bread service and it was nothing special. For that bread they served they should just offer it for free because there was nothing special about it. This is a nicer scale restaurant so I was surprised they charged for bread service. The tiramisu was delicious but pricey! Service was excellent! The waitress was super friendly and knowledgeable about the menu. read more

See all

Top 10 of my favorites in the city! Step back in time BEAUTIFUL decor, gorgeous stained glass windows with a circular fireplace. I am not a fan of the animal heads hanging on the walls but the food is DELECTABLE and amazingly prepared. The Bar selection is one of the BEST i have seen. The cocktails are expertly crafted. The owners and staff welcome you with open arms and hearts. The infusion cocktail SOUTH SIDE has been and will always be my favorite! The extensive menu collection and selection is epic with only the best and quality ingredients available. The addition of sidewalk summer seating on E Carson Street is a perfect way to start your evening. You might think you are on Champs-Elysees in Paris. Go tonight! read more

Rolling up on a Sunday, you may hear very loud acoustic musicians from the front bar. Fear not, Sunday diners, as they have a really nice dining room in the back far from the din of the bar area. Their menu is super interesting and inventive and the décor of the dining area is sort of lux hunting lodge? There are huge animals mounted on the walls and a really cool fire pit in the middle of the room. It's sort of rustic and nicely done. The food was really good and the service was very friendly and attentive. We tried the Devilish Eggs, the Beet Salad, and the Wild Boar Bolognese. My favorite was the beet salad. The eggs were pretty good too although sort of a strange texture thing going on. Loved the Bolognese noodles and how fresh the sauce tasted. This place is really run well and fun to visit. I love the small plate/sharing concept and lingering over some of their drink options. We will be back to try out their Sat/Sun Brunch from 11-3. read more

See all

My husband and I only had one day in Pittsburgh for the first time, and we are so glad we chose Carmella's for our dinner. The vibe is so cozy and warm! Fire pit in the dining room and stained glass windows. Perfect date night spot before our show. We were very happy with our meal choices. Our server Ben was very attentive and so sweet! read more

See all

First of all - where the heck does it say in that name that they have the most insane collection of whiskey? It was restaurant week and I opted out of that inanity and got the steak of the day - 13oz ribeye? Yes please! Old forester Ole Fashioned was great too. Casual, small, local place that I would be at all the time if I lived here! FYI the ribeye was cooked and seasoned very well and totally hit the spot! read more

Every time I come here for dinner I get one of their salads because they're so good! My boyfriend usually gets the salmon and the portions are a little smaller. The wine options they have are great. I've also come for brunch and it was pretty good as well! The vibe is kinda dark and rustic I'd say with a hint of fancy. It's a very cute, unique spot to grab a meal or a drink. I always make reservations so I'm not sure if I'd recommend just walking in, but I'm sure there wouldn't be a long wait. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Chopped Salad - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Right after Christmas I had a really enjoyable evening here with a couple friends. The space is so interesting, unique, and inviting. The food is always solid and Carmella and her staff are wonderful! This would be a great spot for really any occasion. read more

See all

I love the ambiance of this establishment, and the service is ALWAYS top notch. Additionally, I've only ever had 5 star cocktails and drinks. The reason I only give them 3 stars is because the food just doesn't live up to expectations. The appetizers are a great option, specifically the cheese board and the shishito peppers. I've been here 3 or 4 times now to have dinner and the entrees have consistently let me down. However, I recently tried the ribeye and can honestly say it was a solid 9 out of 10. Overall I would stick with going here for brunch or for appetizers and drinks with friends. read more

Carmella's Plates & Pints - Hand Cut 18oz Prime Free Range Ribeye* - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Based on the pictures and the website, not what it should have lived up to overall. So, basically, underwhelming. When we first walked in, the server pushed us to "talk to the host;" however we just wanted a seat at the bar--it is very nice with all the liquor options... but going forward to ordering and the experience, overall, became underwhelming. To start, we ordered drinks, myself a spicy one (supposedly), and it wasn't at all. Moving on, the suggested apps (octopus & muscles) which weren't very good either--avoid because the muscles would have been good last month, sad to say. This is a definite spot to see; but I wouldn't go out of the way to get there. I apologize because the bar has a ton of potential. read more

A meal to remember! The service was great and the food was outstanding! Loved the atmosphere in this restaurant! read more

See all