From our cocktails to our desserts we could not have imagined how they could do any better! Their staff is outstanding. They made our dinner so special because of how they provide service. We had the Filet Mignon and a special, Orange Ruffey. The steak was perfectly cooked, one of the best I have had. The fish was fresh, prepared perfectly, and oh so flavorful. We also tried their cannolis and cheesecake. Both were delicious and we would recommend. The ambiance is nice and relaxing. read more

Always fantastic FOOD & PERSONAL SERVICE Would eat there (7) nights a week. ..... BUT... They are closed on Sundays read more

We spent an evening on the patio celebrating a birthday. The weather was cool, but patio heaters kept our party comfortable. There was a solo saxophonist playing a blend of classical and hip-hop music at a reasonable sound level, so we could still enjoy easy conversation. We had a few classic and signature cocktails and started with the burrata appetizer. It was superb, nicely layered with prosciutto, toasted bread, and arugula, then dressed with a balsamic glaze. Since we were indecisive but didn't want to over-order, we agreed to order two mains and a few hearty sides to share among the three of us, which was more than enough. We landed on the Bocconcini alla Marsala (filet marsala, truffle mashed potatoes, and broccolini) and Penne alla Vodka, plus a side of meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, and a Caesar salad (no anchovies). We did pay the additional fee to have the filet dish split, and between the two mains and the sides, there was plenty to go around and we got a great sample of the menu. The filet was ultra-tender, and the marsala sauce tasted fresh, with mushrooms cooked just enough to hold up to all the sauces and textures on the plate. I'm a sucker for truffle and really enjoyed the truffle mashed potatoes, delicious on their own, but incredible paired with the filet. The fettuccine Alfredo was some of the best we've had: tender pasta and generously sauced. I'm so glad we didn't miss it, and I love that we could order it as a side. The meatballs were excellent and would have gone well with either the Alfredo or the Penne alla Vodka. To finish the meal, they brought a cute little cannoli for the birthday (and no wild singing, thank goodness). We can't wait to go back! read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

Amazing food and service will definitely come again. We didn't have reservation but but they were able to situate us read more

Carmelo's - Bocconcini Bocconcini Bocconcini Bocconcini Bocconcini Bocconcini - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

We went to Carmelo's for a birthday celebration. None of us had been there before. First of all, the service, from the minute you step in the door, is unmatched!! Amazing attention to details from every single employee. They are beyond courteous! Our server, Carlo, was the BEST. Just the right amount of humor and professionalism. We loved him! The food was incredible, beginning with the appetizer made at our table! Every single thing was delicious! I can't recommend this place enough!!! read more

We went to Carmellos last night. It was great. I had chicken Parmesan with eggplant. Amazing. My husband had seafood tea Diavolo. That was perfect too. Great night with great friends. read more

Where do I start, fabulous server (Linda), appetizers, meals, dessert and atmosphere. The best Italian restaurant between Venice FL and Punta Gorde.!! read more

This review is for the takeout-only pizza business that Carmelos does in their side building. Easy parking and a nice shaded spot to wait. Most delicious pizza in Punta Gorda, with a perfect crust, premium cheese(s), and I love the named combinations equally. The vegetariana has roasted peppers and eggplant that rivals the best. My only issue is that they stopped answering the phone and only deal with a 3rd party Slice app. Bleh, I'd rather talk to them directly and add my salad order, and pay with my cash or card in person. read more

What a difference. Had 1 bad experience here in the past but decided to try again. Last night the authentic Sicilian food, the friendly expert staff, and a romantic ambiance was just wonderful! Thanks! read more

We were visiting my daughter in North Port, we went to Fisherman's Village to see the Christhmas display and decided on this place afterwards. Although we were asked if we has reservation, we opted to wait about 30 minutes, I'm glad we did. Reservations are recommended, it is a big restaurant with sitting inside and out, but it was packed. We sat outside in a very large courtyard, very well illuminated and with heat lamps, it is South Florida but the evening was getting a bit cool.we were provided with water and the waiter came over to introduce himself and went through the restaurant history, telling us that Carmello was the head chef and was always there. We were provided with fresh hot rolls with an olive oil and herb mixture, it was very tasty. soup and salad come with the main courses, we opted for the special lentil and house made sausage. We did not have any drinks , but they do have a full bar and beer offerings. We order Calamari Friti, it was very well executed. For the main courses we has Bone in Pork Chop Adrianna, Shrimp and Scallops Limoncello and the Sachettino. I highly recommend this restaurant, everything was very well done, options were generous and service was very good and attentive. I do recommend making reservations, specially during high season. read more

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I went back and, once again LOVED it! While tempted to order the same thing I did last time, I resisted and tried different things on the menu. For our appetizer we had the prosciutto and cantaloupe, which was drizzled with a balsamic glaze. The combination might sound weird but it's the perfect combination of sweet and savory. For my entree I had the shrimp and scallops limoncello with parpadelle pasta. SO GOOD! It's hard to describe, but it had a hint of sweetness (due to the limoncello), which contrasted well with the artichokes. The scallops were cooked to perfection. Once again, our dinner was 10/10. Service was also superb, and this time we managed to score a reservation, so definitely plan ahead. You won't be disappointed! read more

Carmelo's - Prosciutto E Melone - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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Went there tonight and had the pleasure of listening to a crying infant through my entire meal. The help was little help, and then after I thought that was enough, the actual hillbillies with the infant actually came to my table and threatened to beat me up in the parking lot. Do yourself a favor if you're gonna eat there, ask if they have any infants in nearby where you're going sit, outrageous my whole night was ruined by these inconsiderate, rude people who don't know how to leave an infant with a babysitter instead of annoying patrons. read more

Nice restaraunt with great food and options to customize for vegetarians (pear sacchetini was wonderful) and excellent service. We have had difficulty getting a reservation online, but recently we called in and were given better options. We enjoyed a celebratory Birthday dinner on the patio and almost everything was great (other than conversations held by other customers which is not the fault of the restaurant.) We sat inside last time, which is nice but outside was more peaceful. They do have a small bar with limited seating as well. Servers/bartenders were all friendly and exceptional. We enjoyed this place and will definitely be back. read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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Their food is delicious and fresh. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting with a really wonderful staff. If you don't like something in a dish, they will modify it without any issue. Family owned and you can tell. Everyone is so kind. We enjoyed our food so much that we decided to try their takeout pizza a few days later and it was the best pizza I've ever had. As someone who is from the Chicagoland area, I never thought I'd find good pizza in Florida. Boy was I wrong! read more

Carmelo's - Take out only lasagna pizza. - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

I'd really like to give Carmelo's a bad rating so the crowd would diminish somewhat but it's just a really good meal with great service in a big, old house. Often hard to get a table especially on short notice. read more

To the entire Carmelo's family, We are writing to express our deepest gratitude for the exceptional personal and professional service provided by your entire staff on Saturday night. From the moment we arrived, we were treated to the finest service possible. Our phenomenal waiter, Anthony C., truly made our experience unforgettable. He not only explained the dishes in detail but also shared insights into their preparation methods. More importantly, he made my family feel welcomed and engaged in meaningful conversations that extended beyond the culinary experience. Every dish we ordered was a culinary delight. We started with the carpaccio and calamari appetizers, which were simply phenomenal. For our entree, I opted for the night's special, lobster tails with bucatini. It was an absolute delight. My son devoured his Cacio D' Pepe, despite the generous portion. My husband, on the other hand, had the Shrimp and Scallops Limoncello, an absolutely fabulous and authentic Italian dish not found in many restaurants. To cap off our truly enjoyable dinner, we indulged in the exquisite Tiramisu. It was the perfect ending to a memorable evening. As Miami natives, we have had the privilege of dining at some of the finest restaurants in Miami, South Beach, and Wynwood. However, none of them compare to the exceptional service and exquisite cuisine offered at Carmelo's. We wish you and the entire staff continued success and eagerly anticipate our return to your establishment. read more

Carmelo's is always busy, and that's because the secret isn't very well-kept. The food is incredible, the ambiance is friendly and inviting, and the staff is spectacular. A PG favorite! read more

Absolutely fantastic from start to finish! Although we didn't have reservations, the staff was more than accommodating and seated us despite the hour plus wait. We started at a small spot near the bar, where we ordered a bottle of wine to enjoy while waiting. Once two seats opened up at the bar, we moved over, and it was the perfect spot. We decided to start with the arancini with vodka sauce as an appetizer, and it did not disappoint. The portion was huge for two people and incredibly filling. The waiter recommended the vodka sauce, and he was spot on--it paired perfectly with the crispy, flavorful arancini. When we moved to our table, our waiter, who was from Venice, provided exceptional service. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and made the experience even more enjoyable. The alfredo sauce was creamy and rich, and the fresh bread they served was a must-try. The fresh caesar dressing and salad was another stand out. Overall, the dinner was absolutely fantastic, and we almost came back on Saturday night! If you're in the area, this restaurant is a MUST try. Highly recommend! read more

Carmelo's - Arancini with vodka sauce - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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This is truly an amazing place to dine in. Have been here several times and have never had a disappointing meal. Everything is always amazing including the staff. Had the burrata app and also the mussels with the white wine sauce. You can put anything in that sauce and it would be amazing. For dinner had the filet in the Marsala wine sauce and again a 10 out of 10. A must to place to eat if your in the area read more

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Everything was delicious Servises wonderful our waiter. Joshua was great! Others who helped tending to our table removing dishes, replacing the silverware. They were all very cordial respectful, and Service oriented all my friends, and I were reminiscing over that meal till today! I would gladly recommend Carmelo's to anyone. The ambience is very accommodating and reflective of the culture. read more

This is one our favorite restaurant in Punta Gorda. We enjoyed our favorite bada bing appetizer. I tried the Lobster Ravioli and it was amazing. It had just the right amount of seafood flavor and vodka sauce. We also ordered a new wine- Teanum Favugne Nero di Troia and it was a perfect universal wine for everyone's meal. For dessert, I had the blueberry mascarpone cake for dessert. It had a good flavor but next time I'll try something else. My boys had the lava cake and they enjoyed it. read more

Carmelo's - Bada Bing appetizer - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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This place is simply amazing! It's our family go to for special occasions. It's pretty loud inside because everybody's having a good time and it shows by all the multiple conversations. They have an excellent wine selection and everything on the menu comes out cooked perfectly and a very authentic Italian restaurant. From pizzas to the pasta and the steak you will not be disappointed. Service is always good. You can tell the folks love working there. Business owners are on site. read more

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Coming from NY my parents treated us here for my 45th Birthday Celebration. Such a beautiful ambiance, attentive staff and the food is amazing ! Our server Giannni was very charming, personable and created a memorable dining experience! Thank you and hope to visit again! read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

We used Carmelo's for catering our Annual Christmas Party this year "2025" and it was awesome, a big success. Best party ever ! We had a hugh party with so many of our wonderful friends and catering the main dishes from Carmelo's was just perfect. Everyone especially loved Carmelos Baked Ziti, Chicken Piccata and Sausage & Peppers which paired nicely with our many side dishes, desserts and beverages. Such a amazing holiday party, with wonderful friends and delicious food! An absolute fabulous time was had by all. Merry Christmas 2025 ! read more

It was everything we hoped for on our anniversary dinner with friends. The food and service were amazing.

Authentic Italian with a nice vibe. I had the lobster pasta ravioli it's a little pricey, but considering how fresh the food is, I don't mind. I've ordered takeout but plan on dining in next time. read more

We were a group of 13, 3 of the group were celebrating their Birthdays. Carmelo's from the bar service, while we waited for our group to arrive were extremely accommodating with beverages. Professional, cordial, attentive! When we were directed to our beautiful table in the garden the decor and ambiance was warm, welcoming and very comfortable. Johnny our server immediately as we sat, welcomed all of us to Carmelo's. Inquiring who had dine there previously and those who had not. Johnny started a great orientation of expectations of what was to come from the culinary art from the Chef and staff. Our drinks replenished, fresh water in several bottles at the table, The appetizers once we settled in was a myriad of delights. Calamari, Barrata (mozzarella)with Prosciutto over crostinis and balsamic drizzle. Antipasto, glorious salads of different combinations, pasta faglio soups, etc. All scrumptiously delicate. Dinner entrees consisted of lasagna, seafood over pasta, osso bucco, other delicate pasta with meatballs or sausage, each entree display was phenomenal. Our three birthday 2 ladies, 1 gentleman did receive a cannoli with a candle along with a rendition of the Happy Birthday song . Carmelo's is a step above all else in service, good and ambiance. If you haven't been, you are totally missing a great dining experience . read more

Excellent food and prices. We had group of 7 all had different entrees and they were all great. My veal Saltimbocca was perfectly done. Appetizers were excellent. Desserts delicious. Service was perfect. Never had to ask for refills. Food served hot. No problem with 7 separate checks either. An outstanding Italian restaurant. Do need a reservation most night though. read more

Absolutely the best Italian food!! Definitely a place to go on special occasions. Service is impeccable read more

I wish I could give this 6 or 7 stars. This is perhaps the best Italian food I've ever had; and I've been to Tuscany. The service was also possibly the best I've ever had. Johnny was perfectly attentive, great energy, great recommendations. The ones he recommended were phenomenal, especially the pasta with shrimp, pear and Gorgonzola, which is not a combination I would normally try. Out of this world. And the deserts were unreal. The pistachio mascarpone with Oreo crust and ricotta was divine. And the tiramisu was possibly the best I've had. And they seated us in a quiet back corner that was very quiet and romantic. I hope to eat here again some time (we're visiting from out of state). My compliments to the chef and the waitstaff read more

This restaurant was absolutely amazing. The food was phenomenal. Our server. Josh was extremely attentive and probably one of the best servers we've ever had would highly recommend this place will be back soon. read more

Spent $30 at the bar for two cocktails with tip. We ordered bucatini amatriciana with sausage added and spaghetti con polpette. The meals included salads and hot rolls which were enjoyable. Neither of us enjoyed the pasta entrees. The bucatini was heavily sauced and spicy rendering it not enjoyable. The spaghetti sauce was very bitter and the meatballs were not flavorful. We each ate about half our meals and opted for no dessert. Our bill was $79 (including one more cocktail) plus a tip. This was our first time at Carmelo's and can say we won't be returning. The food at River City Grille and/or Italia is much better. The outdoor seating was plentiful and would have been more enjoyable had it not begun to rain just before our meals were served. Very disappointing overall and even more so since it was a birthday celebration. read more

This restaurant was definitely worth the wait! We ended up having dinner at the bar and the bar staff is so attentive and nice!! We had the gnocchi tartuffo as an appetizer to share (a must have!!) and Arancine Sicilliano (it was so good, light crispy and tasty inside). The porkshank ossobuco melted in your mouth, yum! And the shrimp and scallops limoncello was good but I think they forgot to put the lemon. I highly recommend this place and can't wait to go again to Carmelo's! read more

Best pasta dishes we have ever tasted! So fresh, beautiful presentation, and the seafood was excellent. Our server was most attentive to our needs and each dish was presented timely! High recommend the beautiful venue for small or large gatherings! read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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Very nice Italian restaurant in Punta Gorda. The service was great and the outside area was beautiful. Our server was super helpful and visited the table often. We had multiple rounds of drinks, appetizers, entrees, and desserts because we were celebrating a graduation. They had a nice congratulations card on the table for her! The food was good as well with great presentation. The gnocchi bolognese was my favorite, and portions sizes were great. Almost everyone had some leftovers and our server boxed everything up for us (even our extra rolls). I will be back for sure! read more

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My go to when dining out is usually Italian. This dish was cooked to perfection and the sauce was just as perfect. The sauce had just enough cream to balance the lemon. The pasta was made fresh and there is no way another restaurant will top this dish. I will be back on if I do find a place that's comparable. Look at all of the choices for dessert! Finished off the evening with the turtle cheesecake that is definitely the best around. Will visit frequently, call ahead for reservations, at least two weeks in advance. read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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Try the Botta Bing. Top restaurant in Punta Gorda. Good ambiance. Good service. Located in a remodeled large home. Separate rooms. We generally go for birthdays etc. read more

Great food. Authentic Italian dishes. Waitress was friendly and the place was clean. Also had the sangria. It was great. read more

Carmelo's - Stuffed Rigatoni - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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Damn. Who thought you would need reservations in summer at 5 o'clock? This is our second time dining at Carmelo's. It is definitely a five star experience. The service is outstanding. The food is delicious and the prices are very reasonable. You just can't go wrong. My wife had the lobster ravioli, and I had some sort of fresh pasta that I can't describe, but it was crazy delicious! read more

Carmelo's - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

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I'm extremely disappointed with the service I received at the front of the restaurant. When I arrived, the front waitress was dismissive and immediately told me there was no space since I didn't have a reservation without checking anything or making any effort to help. It was an unnecessarily rude interaction and not what I would expect from an establishment of this level. As I was walking out a very kind gentleman whose name I believe is Jack went back inside to see if there was actually seating available. That small gesture was all I was hoping for from the start: just a bit of effort and basic courtesy. A customer should never feel unwelcome. read more