This is a great restaurant. The food is spectacular. Our waiter, Zachary, was the best.

We did my son's rehearsal dinner here and Carmello's did not disappoint. The food was amazing (Lombo de Vaca, Ravioli Alla Rose, Chicken Piedmontese, Risotto Fritters, Calamari Fritti, Mini Beef Wellington). The dessert Italian Tiramisu and Crème Brûlée was delicious. But the best was the great service by Danny and the crew. If you want an amazing event call Peter and let him setup up a dinner you'll never forget. read more

I have come to Carmello's for NYE for at least the last 5 years, and last night was the worst experience I've ever had. We arrived on time for our reservation and were told to wait a few minutes. While waiting, it became clear that everyone else waiting also had reservations. Over the next 10 minutes, other people arrived for their reservation and were also told to wait. The hosts didn't seem to have any idea what they were doing, there were empty tables available and nobody was being seated. After waiting 15 minutes, we were seated at this tiny table next to an empty booth. I had requested a booth when I made the reservation and I inquired if we could take the booth. This guy tried to argue with me, then said he would 'go check.' He comes back 5 minutes later and says 'yeah, that's your table,' meaning the tiny table. I was tired of arguing so we sat down. Despite a continuous crowd in the waiting room, the booth stayed empty for over half an hour. The server was fine and the food was fine, but we have already decided to go somewhere else next year after being so disrespected. When I told the host I had requested a booth, he asked when I made my reservation, and also said that requests cannot be honored on New Years Eve. Again, I've done this the last 5 years! It was obvious the people handling seating were inexperienced and non apologetic about it. I came to Carmello's for ambiance, food, and the general upscale vibe but that was seriously lacking last night. read more

Went for Mother's day, Manager changes menu mid April from a buffet to a menu. We made reservations in March, for 10 am, they changed the reservations to 1030 and did not call yo let us know. We made reservations over the phone, we confirmed it was buffet and found out it was not after we got there. We got the all American breakfast, 3 eggs, only got 2, ham, 1 sausage link, 2 pieces of bacon, 1 slice of toast and 2 roasted potatoes, not worth the money. In total they shorted us 6 egg for the table. Biscuits for biscuits and gravy were hard as a rock. We have been going for mother's day for a few years because it was a buffer, we won't be back. read more

The appetizers were amazing but disappointed by my entree. The beef tips were amazing to me but my husband didn't enjoy it. I also enjoyed the mushroom and pomegranate with asparagus and the clams. The seafood with pasta was only okay. Clams were a bit small and it was an amalgamation of seafood but for some reason it didn't have strong flavor at all. It also needed more sauce. Someone else in our party had the fish and that dish was good. read more

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Beautiful location in Old Town Manassas! My son took me here for Mother's Day. ** Pass the restaurant for parking** short walk to the entrance. They did a nice job with decor and maximizing the use of the space. Waiter was very personable and friendly. Very large wine selection. They also have a bar that has a separate entrance. Food as amazing! My son had the pork special that was super tender. I went for the Agnolotti con Formagio pasta with juicy grilled shrimp on top. Pasta was filling and we didn't have room for desert. Noticed all the awards on the wall on my way out. Plan on visiting again to try more dishes! read more

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As you can see from my last review my family of seven really enjoyed our dinner here last year. This was my second time visiting here with my smaller family of only four for our 5:15 PM dinner reservation on a Friday evening. Carmello's and Monza in Manassas, VA, are sister restaurants and are owned by the same company. Both establishments are owned by Alice Pires. Carmello's opens at 5 PM. We were the first customers to arrive. A second and third group of customers arrived about 5-10 minutes after us. They offered us a table for four in the center. I requested a booth, which they obliged me. We were seated to the right side in a nice booth. We noticed the movable wall was closed between the two sections of the restaurant. I assume they had fewer customers than last time, when we were here on Mothers Day. The restaurant was packed on Mothers Day. I enjoyed my two Black Stags up with Makers Mark, bitters, lemon juice, blackberry syrup and soda for $13 each or $26 for both. I also enjoyed my seafood linguine pescatora for $46. I was charged a 3% credit card surcharge. My total bill was $297 excluding gratuity. Javier V. served us very well although a bit slow at times considering the fact the place was not packed with customers. I would rate this place slightly less than my last rating of 4 stars down to 3.5 stars. More to come regarding our flights tomorrow from IAD to ORD. read more

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After several years, we returned to Carmello's to give it another try. We did not have a great experience when we visited and we were hoping that our experience would be a lot better this time around. Carmello's is the fine dining restaurant in Old Town Manassas and has been in the area for years. Unlike most restaurants, the front area looks more like a living room and not a reception area. At first we were confused on who to approach but a staff member appeared after a minute or two and got us seated immediately. The restaurant looks like a grandma's dining room - and it's not an insult. However, we could see some spots that may need to be improved - again, this is expected as the restaurant has been in operation for a while. While waiting for our food, we had red wine and warm bread (which was obviously not house made, but it was okay). For appetizers, we had Folhados de Bife, Chicken Cauliflower Soup, and Insalata Cesare. The Folhados de Bife is filet mignon tips on sticks - tender but tiny. The Chicken Cauliflower Soup (which I now realized was the same soup I had in my first visit) was delicious but the bowl it was served in makes it challenging to eat. The Insalata Cesare is meh. For main entrees, we had Filetto Di Pesci Alla Sabatino (Mahi-Mahi on Parmesan Risotto) and Costellas de Cordeiro (Lamb Rack) and we were quite disappointed. The sauce on the mahi-mahi was runny and the temperature on the risotto was inconsistent - some spots on my plate was even cold. The lamb rack was similar, and came with less lamb rack than what we expected. The only positive thing (aside from the soup) was the service. I'm really not sure where the accolades come from but this restaurant really needs to reassess their menu given their price point. There are too many restaurants opening in the area that are taking their food and service seriously that I would rather go to those places and spend good money than return to Carmello's. read more

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I came all the way from Miami to try Carmello's for my employer's Holiday Party near our main office, and can say it was worth the trip! Located in a historic building in Old Town Manassas's restaurant row, the building retains some features like the the classic red brick wall, in its more modern wine cellar (which by the way has some great reds). The dim lighting and jazzy / holidayish tunes were perfect for our celebration. Our group had a preset menu in the aforementioned private dining area, and started with a (mostly) tasty looking appetizer: arancini, beef wellington empanadas, and shrimp. I informed our servers on my food allergy, and he was able to accomodate a plate with just the empanadas as that was not cross contaminated with the shrimp. The space was well ventilated to the point I wasn't triggered by my coworkers who partook in seafood. For my mains, I ordered their Garden salad with fresh greens & chickpeas. I was also able to sub out the creamy Italian dressing for my preferred balsamic. My main was their tasty chicken piedmont. This tasty cutlet was topped with melted cheese, tomatoes and red peppers, and accompanied with roasted potatoes and green beans were both healthy and tasty. The creme Brulee was perfect with its lightly crispy crust and custard. Besides the aforementioned red, I enjoyed a glass of Angel's Envy to help me thaw out from the 30 degree weather. We also had the option of coffee or tea (black Americano for me). The space was big enough for our group to celebrate the year with speeches from management as well as our white elephant gift exchange! (I ended up with a pretty good gift). In addition to the catered / fix menu, I noticed there's also a "regular" dining room I would definitely check out next work trip. read more

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This was a spiritual experience (I little dramatic I know) but this by far, is one of the best fine dinning experiences I've had so far, though the restaurant is simple, class is something is not lacking. I came on a Wednesday evening, was almost empty and it felt quiet and silence, I like busy places but I really enjoy the quietness of the restaurant that day. Starting with the sangria, delicious!!!! I order the polenta and pork belly and the flavor will explode in your mouth, sublime fruity and sweet flavor in every bite. I had the paella as an entree, I've had jaw-drop paellas before, even though this one is not the top 3 I've had, is definitively a very good paella, good amount of see food and the rice was cooked to perfection. Come to this cozy restaurant if you want a fine dining experience and delight your taste buds with this culinary encounter. read more

Carmello's - Paella - Italian Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

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Went on a Saturday night. Was seated right away. Waited 25 minutes for someone to acknowledge us. Another 15 minutes later to get our drinks . Food arrived faster than expected so that was a plus . The wait staff looked like they were hustling all night. I don't know what the issue was with the hold up. The poor people next to us still hadn't gotten their food an hour after they ordered. I assume it's because of an issue in the kitchen. Hopefully they can get their act together. Again- wait staff seemed to definitely be pretty busy with all of their tasks . read more

To say I'm obsessed with this place is an understatement. My parents have been coming here for over 30+ years so I grew up in this restaurant for special occasions. It's now become a staple for my husband and I for date night. Javier is an absolutely wonderful person and server. He introduced us to a tasting of their Vinho Verde and I have to get a bottle every time we're there. From the interior ambiance to the music, I always am put in a relaxed mood and ready to eat. My absolute FAVORITE dish is the lobster agnolotti. I'm happy to see it stay on the menu for the past 1-2 years now because it's that good. Both sides of my family are full blood Italian so as an Italian-American, pasta and sauces are a normal household food staple for me. It's hard for me to really enjoy elsewhere and this is the place I adore for it. If you're looking for a flavorful, satisfying dinner for a special occasion or date night, this is a great place to check out. Nothing disappoints! read more

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I enjoyed dinner here last night with my husband! We spend a lot of time in Old Town Manassas, and although we have eaten at so many other restaurants and Monza (partner restaurant), we had never tried going here. The service, food, and drinks were all on point! The vibe is upscale and cozy, which we loved. We started the meal with complimentary glasses of rosé and bread, which were both great. We shared the baked squid appetizer (yum!!!) and each got a seafood entree. All of the food was fabulous and the portion sizes were nice. We have a new date night spot for sure. read more

Carmello's - Italian Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

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Went with family on Dec 26, restaurant not crowded so no excuses. Sorely disappointed. 3 of 5 dinners arrived cold. Had to go find host to inform. Then had to ask to speak to manager a second time because bill did not reflect the fact that he had indicated they would reduce charge due to the cold food and then re heated food served. Their level of concern over such unacceptable situation was not very high. I felt like were being treated as unreasonable. This is a very expensive restaurant and I expected quality all around that aligns with that. Did not even come close. I was embarrassed because I had told my visiting family how great this place is and my father in law had agreed to pay for all of us and it was such a mess! I will not go back. Do not recommend. read more

We love Carmello's for date night, with delicious food, a nice bottle of wine, and expert service. It is nostalgic for us, as well, since our first date was there. A+ read more

Beautiful room, kind and attentive service, delicious food, and awesome wine list. A true classic and great experience.

Excellent fine dining. Delicious food. Impeccable service. Lovely dining room. From starters and salads to mains and dessert, everything was delicious and plated beautifully. We started with complimentary Portuguese wine. I ordered lamb chops (excellent!). My mother had the clamb chowder and escargot and enjoyed both. Husband really enjoyed his angliotti with lobster and crab. Brother loved the veal scallopini with gnocchi. We shared the creme brulle and the peach cobbler. Our waiter was one of those rare professionals that ensures your evening is perfect. Lovely gentleman that really took care of us. Highly recommend Carmello's for an excellent dining experience! read more

Good service, delicious food, and surprisingly reasonably prices. The only downside is not their fault, it can be hard to find parking nearby, but that's Old Town Manassas for ya! Definitely check it out, especially if you're interested in Portuguese cuisine. (And if you're not, you should be, it's one of those often-overlooked gems of the world.) read more

We hadn't been to Carmello's in Old Town Manassas in several years, so we recently went back with friends. They offer a corking fee, we were told it was $20 when we called, but when we got the bill, it was $25, which isn't too bad, as we brought 2 bottles to share. Everything about the experience was excellent! Our server, Brian (Hispanic guy with longer hair tied back) was very very good! I'm calling him out, because they need to ensure all their servers are of his quality and training. He was spot-on with taking care of our table, corking and pouring our wine, making recommendations and telling us about their menu, etc. His great service definitely made the meal and experience that much better! All the items we got were great! Yes, the prices are a little high for PWC, but once you see the platings and taste the food, you'll agree that it's worth it! We'll definitely return! read more

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This is my all time favorite American restaurant . We came here Sunday night rainy day . Our waitress was super nice and polite . First we ordered wine , cocktails and Oyster Rockefeller and Mini Beef Wellington . Superb beef melts in your mouth also the sauce too . Then we ordered our dinner entree Beet salad very nice .Lobster and beef which was house special was too good . The lobster tasted so yummy sweet .Beef was soft & tender . My fish was so tasty . Overall a very good experience . They must have a very good chef . read more

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We received a basket with warm bread and butter that I always appreciate. We ordered Oysters Rockefeller as appetizer and they were delicious. As Main entree I got the Filete de Bronzini which came with little pieces of sweet potato and my husband got the ribs, both were good. We received 2 complementary glasses of wine. Later I ordered a delicious pomegranate non-alcoholic drink. When we made the reservation they asked us if we were celebrating something. We said our 33 anniversary. At the end of the meal they gave us a cream brulle in a big plate that read Happy 33 Anniversary. It was a nice touch. We are looking forward to go back and try other dishes. read more

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I hosted my daughter's bridal shower at Carmello's. Alice, Peter, and staff did a wonderful job, as always. Their prices are more reasonable for daytime events than other venues in the area (and you get so much more). They are very accommodating, easy to work with, and the food and service are great. I highly recommend. read more

Service was fine and food came out quickly. Food was good and drinks (wine/mixed drink) were well made.

I've been a customer for almost 40 years, and Carmello's consistently provides delicious food and impeccable service. Their wait staff is first-class and does everything wonderfully and professionally. We had a group of 20 at our dinner and the staff took care of everything with smiles on their faces and impeccable attention to every detail. Carmello's always delivers a fantastic experience! read more

This tiny Italian restaurant is nestled in downtown Manassas. Our friend recommended it so we did a double date here last night. They offer open table reservations but it didn't look like a lot of people made them. Steven was our waiter for this magical experience. Our party decided that desert looked really delicious, and we wanted to ensure we had room for it - so we ordered it first! The crème brulee and limoncello cake were on my side of the table, so naturally I favored those two! Steven brought out complimentary white wines for our table to try. I figured it tasted pretty good so I got a glass. For entree's I ordered a capellini with rosa sauce (combination of the three sauces they have) and scallops with a side of broccolini. My husband ordered and appetizer it was meat rolled up like a cigar with mozzarella cheese inside. They gave him four pieces for around $13. Our dates ordered a pasta dish and the avocado and strawberry salad. The restaurant is very quaint. The seating rooms is fairly small and tucked and navigating around tables is tight. I felt the service was exceptional. We always had water refills and were able to order new things when our dishes finished. The food quality was great! Taste, atmosphere and company was epic! We would definitely come back. read more

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Easter Brunch was very good. Nice offering of food and the service was excellent. It was also reasonably priced.

Still awesome, I used to come here 25+ yrs ago while on business travel. Came back last week and wasn't disappointed, Carmello's may actually be better now (and it was amazing before) so that's saying a lot. We had a party of 10, tried almost everything on the menu, big favorites were the seafood pasta special, rack of lamb, and all the appetizer were great. Wine list is massive and well thought out, we had a few Barolo's all were terrific. Very attentive and friendly staff!! Everyone had a great experience! read more

Way too expensive for the food. Chicken Marsala for $38.00 - really?? Service was fantastic but prices ridiculous and food quality mediocre at best. read more

The bread was delicious ! The service was also good. Our food had amazing presentation. The Applewood flatbread was also delicious. I believe the desserts were the best part! The apple cobbler was amazing. read more

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Had dinner here tonight - 2nd time dining here - both times were amazingly good! When you sit down you're are greeted with a complimentary glass of champagne. I started with the snails - Trastevere Lumache - very good but wanted a hint more garlic. Wife had the Oysters Rockefeller - they were amazingly delish! Had a great selection of wines - from dry to not so dry to mellow and then some jammy and others earthy. I had several tastes of different wines and they had something for every pallet. For entrees, I had the Bucatini Fruta Di Mare - great balance of flavors and had a hint of lemon across the plate - enjoyed every bite. My wife had the rack of lamb - again very delish - everything was spot on. The pace of service was correct - the food was great - and the cocktails and wine were spot on. Highly recommended. read more

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Carmello's is worth it! Worth the drive in rush hour traffic and worth it for the price. I enjoyed an incredible meal with some friends on a Friday night. Our waiter was very nice and gave great recommendations. We tried the scallop appetizer, oysters Rockefeller, rack of lamb entree, paella, agnolotti, and marscapone mousse at his suggestion. Everything was fantastic and the entire group left stuffed and happy. read more

My husband and I went to Carmello's on a date night and were quite impressed. We began with their complimentary bread/butter and aperitif. The menu had many delectable choices. We ordered the Paelha Valenciana and the Filetto di Pesce Alla Messinese. The paella had a generous amount of seafood; all cooked perfectly. The salmon dish was divine; lots of baby shrimp and one of the best salmon filets I've ever had. We asked our waiter for wine recommendations, and both paired beautifully. He returned a few times to ensure our satisfaction. For dessert we decided on the New York cheesecake, which wasn't too sweet or heavy - just delightful. My decaf coffee was good (and actually decaf), and my husband tried the yummy 20 year port with dessert, a perfect ending. Carmello's atmosphere was quiet and charming, the food was fantastic, and the staff well-versed and attentive. An all-around excellent dining experience that upstages a certain bistro in Occoquan. read more

To be honest I wasn't expecting too much when my parents wanted us to make a trip out Old Town Manassas but I was very pleasantly surprised! Service: 5/5 - Our servers, Stephen and Chris, were both very friendly, respectful, and attentive! Very knowledgeable about the food and wines and provided great recommendations. Food: 4/5 - Their bread rolls are fresh out of the oven with a crispy exterior and warm, fluffy insides - delicious with their flavored butters which are changed out periodically! For appetizers we got the shrimp bisque (a hit with the table!) and grilled octopus (cooked very well, super tender, but the accompanying vegetables/olives were a bit lacking). For entrees we got the swordfish (which also came with scallops and a jumbo head-on shrimp!), lamb chops with potato gratin (delicious), and the angel hair pasta with jumbo shrimp and shredded squash ("Gamberi Griglia Genovese" which was creamy, well balanced, and flavorful). For dessert we got the profiterole cake, which was just okay. The layer of chocolate mousse was good but the layer of chocolate cake at the bottom and profiteroles on top were a bit dry. Overall 4.5/5 stars - a great place to come for date night or special occasions. Looking forward to coming back to try more dishes! read more

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We had the pleasure of dining at Carmellos last weekend for my daughter's wedding shower. It was an outstanding experience all around! Right from day one, we were met with professionalism with prompt communications, and personalized care to design a custom brunch menu and beautiful mimosa bar. On the day of the event, the elegant ambiance, top notch service, and fabulous food made the shower extra special. I am immensely thankful to Carmellos, their staff and the events coordinator for working hard behind the scenes to make a day full of happy memories. read more

Went there for a Birthday. Nice free dessert! The specials were very good. The pasta dishes were tremendous. Great inside. Felt like I was in Italy. Our server and all the folks were great! A good time for all! Highly recommend. We will be back for sure! read more

Had the pleasure of celebrating our 23 year Anniversary at Carmello's tonight. The food, wine and service was excellent. Our waiter Nick was so attentive and made the best recommendations. The scallops appetizer and our main courses of Paella and rack of lamb were so delicious. Perfect spices in the food. The manager also came by to make sure we enjoyed our evening. The creme brûlée desert was also delish. Highly recommend and we will be back. Thank you for making our anniversary special! read more

Attended a financial literacy dinner here and enjoyed a pre-fixe of dinner of green salad which was small and fresh already dressed with a vinaigrette dressing. Warm little wheat and while bread rolls and butter. Husband has a beautifully prepared and well seasoned medium steak with onions and mushrooms and two sides, steamed broccoli and mashed potato. I had the salmon which was good, a tiny bit overcooked for me, but well seasoned and drizzled with dill lemon sauce with a side of steamed broccoli and roast potatoes which were well seasoned. Since we had another couple at our table we did not take pics. The service was okay since it was a timed dinner - everyone was served at the same time once presentation was complete. We sat in a long rectangular room with several tables. The space is well cared for. Linens and glasses clean and appearance of servers as expected for a restaurant like this. The restaurant is on the other side and we peeked into the restaurant and it looks very inviting with linen tables and dark wood interior. It is a cosy looking space and we will be going back there for our son's birthday dinner. They seem to have an extensive collection of wines. It looks like a fine dining establishment for the little Old Town Manassas. I am excited to return and experience the full restaurant service. read more

Beautiful setting, great staff, and delicious food. Parking was easy to find. Loved the sample of the wine before dinner. read more

Carmello's - Italian Near Me - Manassas, Virginia

I had the pleasure of being served by Brodie during my recent visit, and she truly made the experience exceptional. Besides the great food and atmosphere, Brodie was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu and offered great recommendations that didn't disappoint. The southern fried chicken BLT was apparently her favorite, and now mine too! We felt well taken care of throughout the meal. It's clear Monza takes pride in providing excellent service. I'll definitely be coming back, thanks to Brodie's outstanding hospitality!" read more

The food was good, not great. The service was ok for upscale dining but not for Fine Dining. The one thing that was stomach churning was the dirt and a bug I spotted on the floor. Not what I expected for the money. read more