Had dinner here Wednesday night with my wife and another couple. This is the most welcoming and friendly restaurant I have been to in FL since we moved here 6 hrs ago. From the time we approached the front door to when we left everyone had a smile and greeted us warmly. Inside was very cozy, almost like being home but waited on. Food was very good, portions were fine and a nice variety of food. Wines were reasonable too. Service was excellent and food was served promptly. We will definitely be back to try other dishes. You must try the House Special Cavatelli Bada Bing. I had it cooked tableside by the owner's father who is from Syracuse (Siracusa), Sicily! And the house made desert was amazing too! Give Carmelo's a visit, but make a reservation in advance. They book up quickly. PS. They told us their business has not slowed down all summer. The word is out, this place has good food and very talented staff. Can't beat that combo. read more

The food was amazing. A little slow to come out, but well worth the wait! Would definitely visit again when in the area.

The place was loud with the tables being close to one another. The inside appeared larger than initially thought with plenty of décor resembling Italy and the city of Sicily. The menu had a vast number of options as well as specials. The service was appreciated. The meal was started off with some bread and oil with Italian seasonings. It was a pleasant start to the meal. The calamari agro dolce ($13) was ordered as an appetizer. It was fried squid with a cherry pepper garlic sauce over arugula. The calamari was hardly covered with any of the sauce, which was disappointing because it was appetizing. I went with the pork shank ossobuco for my meal ($28). It also came with a salad with their house dressing. It was nicely presented and the dressing was fabulous. It was braised with tomatoes, vegetables, red wine, veal stock, and herbs with pan fried gnocchi. It was interesting to pair the pork shank with a veal stock, and it went well with one another. The pork was extremely tender and hardly had fat. The meat came straight off the bone. The gnocchi was a little hard, but the brown sauce was great. I also tried the shrimps and scallops limoncello which was with artichokes, capers, sun dried tomatoes, and garlic with a basil limoncello sauce. It was over pappardelle pasta. The sauce was something I never had before and I enjoyed it. It was not too creamy and no flavor overpowered the other. For dessert, the stracciatella gelato ($7) was tried. It was a hearty portion. I just thought it tasted like vanilla ice cream. I did not really taste the chocolate. Will I go back? Yes. read more

See all

We are from NY where the food is amazing so we dont go to FL for their food, but I will tell you - this place is amazing. It may be one of the best meals weve had in FL! We had a great time and again the food was fantastic! We are working with Jack to put together a private rehearsal dinner/party now and hes been great as well. read more

Food was excellent! Service was friendly and professional. We sat on the porch which was a bit warm , but it was a lovely evening.

Perfect Restaurant great staff delicious food. Plenty of parking. Very clean. This is as authentic as it gets

As locals, we've been here a few times for dinner and it never disappoints. Last night, we decided to come in just for dessert (love the desserts-especially crème brûlée and chocolate torte) and coffee. Shout out to the hostess who offered seats at the bar and to the bartender who served our cappuccinos and suggested the special raspberry/lemoncello cheesecake. read more

We could not get reservations for Carmelo's but lucked out and walked in early on a Saturday evening. The staff was friendly and attentive and we started with prosciutto melone. We selected a Brunello from an ample electronic wine list and settled into the comfortable setting for an unplanned date night. After some super fresh cantaloupe wrapped in fine prosciutto and bathed in balsamic glaze we selected entrees. She went with a pasta carbonara while I opted for a special that paired half-moon shaped pasta with mushrooms, veal and a light marsala sauce. Of course we shared and had a hard time deciding which we liked best. Both were flavorful and had their own unique flavors. For desert we shared a chocolate pistachio sponge cake the waiter told us was made exclusively for Carmelo's. Wow - that's all I can say! We definitely plan to return when we are back in Punta Gorda. But we will make sure the reservations are placed well in advance! read more

Enjoyed a wonderful dinner with two couples tonight. The calamari and brushetta apps were flavorful and generous. My salmon tommaso was perfectly cooked and accompanied with truffle mashed potatoes, a 10! My partner had scallops and shrimp Limoncello, a house specialty, she couldn't finish it. The dessert choices are as varied as the menu, all made in-house. We ordered the bread pudding, so light and tasty. The menu is wonderful and priced fairly, Our server, Nathen, was very attentive and professional. I asked to see the manager to complement our evening. Steve Brown came over and we had a great conversation, etc. This was our second visit and I can't wait to return. One of my best restaurant experiences in recent memory. read more

Reservation system is anti customer. Can't even order a round table for our group. They just lost an approx $300 order. Automation is not always favorable to the customer Addendum Today is 11/28 - Went out 2weeks to the 13th and still couldn't get a reservation for 6at 6:00 or 5:30. "Nothing available at that time. ". And YOU CANNOT GET A LIVE VOICE. read more

You must make reservations at least two weeks ahead Jan-April. Excellent food very popular. Garden seating is delightful. Highly recommend for charming evening. Fast service, great food. I love eating early 4 o'clock. read more

Service when we went was horrible. We sat outside in the heat because they were packed. Food was mediocre and there was no ambiance. Felt like I was at a church picnic. Won't go back. read more

Wonderful Italian restaurant. Sat at a high top in the bar area. Service was outstanding! Feels like you're eating at a Tuscan Villa. Ali, at the bar, took care of us and she was amazing. Megan and Matt were also servers who were excellent as well. Recommend the Sacchetini and Shrimp & scallops Limoncello Signature Entrees are highly recommended. Definitely will be back! read more

Excellent food and great atmosphere in beautiful Punta Gorda, FL. The place has a tremendous following so be sure to make a reservation!

I love this place!! The food is consistently delicious the service is top notch and the atmosphere is beautiful!! This restaurant is family owned and if you work there and you not family, you're welcomed to their family!! I highly recommend this restaurant!! read more

Best restaurant in Punta Gorda by far! Great food. A bit noisy and can be hot in some areas.

Everything was superb. Food was prepared perfectly, our server, Ben, was great. Very attentive, informative. Went out of his way several times for one of the members of my party who needed a gluten-free diet. We chose the outdoor seating, which only enhanced our experience that night. Just very warm, cozy, and beautiful. We will DEFINITELY be back many times. Thank you Chef Carmelo!! read more

Great menu reservations recommended and needed. Al fresco delightful. Chairs in comfortable

This is the place everyone loves in town. I was sorely disappointed. The service was so bad we left after our appetizer. I think we were there an hour and a half just to get that. One and done. read more

We have dined at Carmelo's for almost 10 years. The food used to be top notch as well as the service. Things have definitely gone steadily downhill over the years. We had 5:15 pm reservations last night for 7 of us as we were celebrating my dad's 82nd birthday. We were seated promptly but that's where the positives end. We were asked if we wanted water by our waitress, Donna. We said yes and asked for lemons. Water was served cool with no ice. We asked for ice and once again lemon for our water. We received ice but still no lemons. Service continued on a significant downhill spiral. It took forever to order our appetizers. It is delivered by a "runner". We didn't see our server again foe some time. Finally, we ordered our dinners. After about 2 hours and 15 minutes, we received dinner. They were warm at best as they must have been waiting for an available "runner" to bring it out. No steam came from any of the dishes. My son in law's fettuccine Alfredo was dry on top and not creamy, I had veal marsala. In 5 bites I was done. It was literally about a 2 oz portion (for $33). It wasn't hot either. Two other dinners were mediocre because they were just warm. My husband's dinner was supposed to ve chicken parm with eggplant on top and a side of penne. The runner placed chicken parm with spaghetti in front of him. When we stated it was supposed to be penne, the runner removed his meal. We asked if he could just get him the proper side so we could eat together, he said "no because this must belong to someone else". This dinner was already on the table and even just for sanitary reasons, it shouldn't have been taken back. My husband sat for 30 MINUTES WITH NO DINNER while we had ours. I asked our server and she said "it will be right out" and did her disappearing act again. I got up, went inside, and asked for a manager. When I began telling him how unacceptable this special dinner was going, he cut me off and said "let me check on your husband's dinner and then we will address the rest of your issues". In the meantime, the waitress said to my husband, "your dinner is sitting back there, should I pack it up". What!!!! Well, finally the manager brought the wrong dinner to my husband and said "I'll take it off the bill". He NEVER returned to me where I was waiting for him inside to discuss our disappointing evening. On the way out, I saw the useless manager and said, "thanks for coming back to discuss the evening". His response was "i took his meal off the bill". Carmelo's used to care about their customer's experiences but now they have just gotten too big for their britches. We are full timers, we eat out all year when they don't have the benefit of snowbirds dining. I'm sure the owner wouldn't be happy to hear about how uninterested his manager is in listening to the restaurant's shortcomings. That was our last time. There other delicious Italian restaurants around that we will give our business to. Their management staff has actually come to our tables to see how our dinners were. They will be happy to have us dine with them. read more

I'm the pickiest eater on earth. I like what I like. I asked the waitress a million questions. She was great and answered them all honestly. Loved this place. We are coming back very soon!!!! read more

See all

Very nice place and food is very good- short and simple review but really thats all thats necessary

First time here and we'll be back!!! So, so good. The atmosphere is amazing, live music and food outstanding. We had amazing service and Toya was the best. We'll request to be in her section when we're back. We'll done Carmelo's!! read more

See all

HOLY CRAP! This place rocks. We saw the Badda Bing being created tableside and it was very impressive! I had the Sacchettine (no Walnuts please) and it was FANTASTIC! My lady friend had the Lasagne, also FANTASTIC! Caesar salad was perfect. Bread with oil was delicious. Service was spot on! The accordion player was very kind to both adults and children and he played some very nice music as he wandered around the venue. There are multiple courtyard and seating areas and people were enjoying outdoor dining as well (it was too chilly for us). This was our first time and we will be back. Fantastic. The service personnel were masked for the protection of the clientele. This place rocks! You better be smart and make a reservation a week in advance for weekend dining. We did and were so happy we did. We arrived an hour early and checked-in. Had a drink at the bar and 30 minutes later were seated and dining. Manga Manga! read more

the food was great, outside seating was perfect with the heaters and our server was on the ball and took care of us. great experience as always read more

On Thursday night ordered 48.00 ribeye steak. Asked for it to be cooked med/rare. Came out medium. Asked for sub of penne pasta instead of potatoes, ice cold. Caesar salad was good. Very disappointed. read more

We had such a lovely experience at Carmelo's! John met us at the door and when we told him it was our first time there , he explained the family history of the restaurant and showed us around a little before seating us! The service and the meal were both incredible! We will definitely be back! read more

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

See all

First time dining at Carmelo's. Service and food below average compared with many other Italian Restaurants we have been . Atmosphere ok, but there was an uncomfortable sign of arrogance from the server and the manager, making us feel it was a privilege dining there. Hope they were off tonight, we will not be back though. read more

The food at Carmelo's is always delicious. Food is hot and flavorful. Service is exceptional. With a lot of tables in the room, it can get a little noisy. There is a musician that walks around the tables singing. My favorite Italian restaurant by far! read more

Carmelo's - Spaghetti with Italian Sausage - Italian Near Me - Punta Gorda, Florida

See all

Super service Excellent food A special occasion restaurant for us and we take our out of town guests here! Recommend Pork Shank Oso Bucco, Sacchettini, every appetizer and house labeled wine. read more

So delicious and the atmosphere is always perfect! The special birthday dessert my brother ordered for me was big enough to share with seven people and it was amazing! read more

Food is great! You need to make a reservation 2-3 weeks out because all the old people book all the tables every single day between 530-7 pm so u can eat there at 445p or 830p in the alley. Service is great and if it's not hot sit outside! The only negative is trying to get a reservation. read more

The most delicious Italian food - the smell,presentation, taste, portions, flavors and the staff are amazing. Thank you Carlo and Brandon for your attentive and professional service. I appreciate that you never disappoint! Oh you should try the ricotta berry pie- light and tasty. read more

As usual the service and the food was perfect. Party of 4 and we each had something different and loved it,

Fabulous food and service !!! Great for celebrations ! Atmosphere inside and out is top notch ! Food selection and quality is excellent . Parking is easy . One of Downtown Punta Gorda's best ! read more

I was away on active duty for the Air Force and called to make a reservation a couple weeks ago as a surprise for my wife who has never been to a really nice Italian restaurant. They refused to take reservations over the phone even though I told them I was trying to set up a surprise for my wife for Valentine's Day, since I wouldn't be home until a few days before. They said I had to use their website even though I told them I had horrible internet service where I was. The website kept giving an error to try again later. I called several times last week before getting home Friday, but nobody answered the phone. I tried the site a few more times and it said try again later. Today I tried to make the reservation again on the site and it worked, but there are no tables for 2 now. Thanks for nothing guys! Anyone know of a really nice Italian restaurant I can get into for Valentine's Day with this short of notice? read more

Wow! This is my all-time favorite restaurant in Punta Gorda. The food is fabulous. Everything is fresh and homemade the service is excellent and they have live music in the beautiful patio area on Saturday nights I love the salmon tomasso and the fillet! Pastas and salads are awesome and the desserts are outrageous I love Mariela at the takeout counter, she always remembers my name, And active and her son Carmelo who creates amazing food! read more

Had dinner with 10 people who live in Florida from Naples to Venice who are all from Westerly, RI. What a great night! Drinks were very good with an ample pour. Food was top shelf. Every dish was hot and very flavorful. Waitstaff (Celeste) was very attentive and did a wonderful job for all of us. One caution, the appetizer as outstanding and quite large. Order a couple and share with others at your table. Great place for a wonderful evening!! read more

I have been to Carmelo's many times and usually love my meal and can't wait to go back. Tonight was a different story. My boyfriend and I made a reservation at Carmelo's to celebrate our anniversary as it's usually one of our favorite places. Tonight it took a very long time for us to get our drinks, my boyfriend asked for lemon for his water that he had never received. We then got our appetizer after a little while of waiting, which was fine. After we saw tables around us who were seated after us receiving their bread, we then had asked for ours because we never received it. After maybe a little over an hour of being at the restaurant we got our food. I got the shrimp and scallop limoncello, which I have gotten many times there. It had diced tomatoes in it that were uncooked (along with the usual sun dried tomatoes) and this wasn't something that was changed on the menu, if it was I would have asked for it to be left out of the dish. The sauce also seemed to be extremely watery tonight. Eventually our waiter boxed up our food and asked if we wanted dessert, we got one and asked for it to be for to go and for the check. At this point we have been here for an hour and a half. He brings the check and we put the card immediately in as we are sick of sitting outside and waiting. The waiter proceeded to take the bill and talk to the table next to us for over 10 minutes with our bill in hand. No exaggeration. Just five minutes short of being at our table for 2 hours is when we finally were able to leave, as we had a 7pm reservation. Maybe this was an off night for Carmelo's, I really hope it's not the new normal here, and I may just be exceptionally frustrated as we had sat there waiting for a lot longer than we had ever experienced at Carmelo's before. We saw many tables of two that arrived after us come and go before we had even received our check. read more

Service was excellent. The attention to detail was above and beyond food was delicious and new people that I brought of me are looking forward to returning. read more