You know those places that don't scream for attention... but quietly earn it the second the pizza hits the table? That's Da'Carmines. We rolled in with a Slice Mob crew, small group, six of us, but honestly, that just meant more time to really dial in on what matters: the pizza. Let's start with the crust, because that's where this place separates itself. * Thin, but not fragile * Crisp on the bottom with a clean snap * Light enough that you don't feel weighed down after a few slices * And just enough chew to remind you this dough was treated right You get that subtle char, nothing overdone, nothing bitter, just enough to bring out that deep, slightly smoky flavor that good apizza lives on. The undercarriage holds up. No flop, no soggy middle. You can fold it, but you don't have to. Now... the star of the show for me: White broccoli rabe and sausage. This is one of those combinations that can go sideways fast if it's not balanced right. Too bitter, it's harsh. Too much sausage, it gets heavy. Too much cheese, it turns into a mess. They nailed it. * The broccoli rabe brings that clean, slightly sharp bitterness * The sausage delivers a rich, savory backbone with just the right amount of fat * The cheese smooths everything out into this creamy layer without drowning the pie * And there's a light touch of garlic that sits in the background and ties it all together Every bite hits a different note, but it all works as one. That's not easy to pull off. And while that was my go-to, the rest of the table wasn't quiet about their picks either. We had a mix, reds, whites, even a seafood pie, and across the board the feedback was the same: this place knows what it's doing. No weak links. No throwaway pies. But here's the part that really sticks with you... It's not just the food. It's the feel. Fran and Carmine run this place like you're walking into their home. No attitude, no rush, no "turn the table." Just genuine hospitality that you don't see enough of anymore. You come in for pizza... you leave feeling like you found a spot you'll keep coming back to. Bottom line: Da'Carmines isn't chasing hype. They're just making really good pizza... and letting that do the talking. And honestly? That's exactly how it should be. Slice Mob approved. Peace through pizza. read more

See all

The pizza is so delicious and the restaurant is cozy yet spacious. Such friendly and lovely owners who have perfected their pizza. A must try that consistently serves top notch food read more

I visited this restaurant for the first time yesterday to get a to go order of meatballs. If their meatballs represent the rest of their menu, it's one of the best in town. These meatballs taste homemade and while I know restaurants make their own meatballs, many of them continue to have more of a mass quantity /restaurant expected taste whereas these taste like someone's grandmother made them. The sauce that they're in equally tastes like someone's grandmother made it. I'm looking forward to trying the rest of their menu and recommend you do too! read more

What a great local pizza and Italian restaurant. I ordered a small mozzarella pizza that was absolutely delicious. It was very thin crust, cooked to perfection. The cheese and the sauce was also very good. It was light enough for me to eat the entire pizza for lunch. They also have many luncheon specials, which I am going to try later in the week. They also sell pizza by the slice. They have plenty of off street parking and the owner was very nice. read more

See all

I had a cheese pizza with onion strips & it was really good. I also enjoy their stuffed breads. I recommend this place for good eating.

LOVE they're Penne alla vodka!! I always get it with chicken cutlet. However, one time they mixed it with grilled and chicken cutlet which was disappointing but I ate it anyway. Their sauce is good. Homemade you can tell not from a jar & it's very creamy. I also love the 5 cheese pizza. I'm from Long Island. We call it white pizza so It's all the cheeses. It's delicious! They're stuffed breads all great too. read more

Food was terrible and extremely over priced! Do your self a favor and go to New Haven for good pizza. We ordered two pizzas, an app, and a soda and it was over $70. The calamari was so soggy and soaked in sauce - it was inedible. The pizza was subpar with little to no meat or flavor and also soggy. Would not recommend this restaurant at all. read more

Da Carmine's - Calamari - Pizza Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

See all

Recently checked out Da Carmine's on our pizza tour of the area. We got some mozzarella sticks which were decent and I had a pepperoni pizza and my bf his normal small cheese. The pizza was good. Thin crust and nice chew. Nice to have another option in the area. Would give a 3.5. read more

Da Carmine's - Pepperoni pizza. - Pizza Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

The food was amazing and the customer service was fantastic I will definitely be coming back here again.

Tried it recently. Been getting my pizza here ever since. love the pizza ! My favorite in Branford .

I ordered buffalo tenders that were 1499 and it came with three of them and some fries. They were burnt and not edible, very disappointed. The pizza was good though. read more

Da Carmine's - Expensive burnt buffalo tenders - Pizza Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

Overpriced and poor quality. Next time I'll just go to Big Y and grab something from the frozen section.

Pizza is good but pick it up! Delivery sucks came ice cold both times and when I said something cocky response. Not ordering from them again! read more

Ordered for the first time yesterday. Happy to share that the pizza was delish! Will definitely return and recommend to others. It's also nice that they're open on Monday read more

Had never been here before- picked up a pizza- was prompt and pizza was delicious- had that real pizza oven flavor- definitely will order again! read more

"Not bad" is the best way I would describe their pizza. If this place were located anywhere outside of New Haven County I'd probably bump my description up to "stellar". Sauce, cheese, and crust were all OK, just not mind blowing (or is that taste buds blowing?). The pizza was way more salty than what I would have liked. Da' Carmine is of the Napoli school of pizza. That means they likely get most of their ingredients from Napoli Foods...and that means their pizza will taste like 70% of other local pizza joints out there. The easiest way to spot a Napoli pizza joint is by its pizza box; the company logo is printed on the topside and the company address is printed on the bottomside. Like I said, I'm guessing about 70% of New Haven's local pizzerias use Napoli ingredients. That's not a bad thing because Napoli ingredients are actually pretty good, but it doesn't create much variety for us customers if every pizza joint uses the same ingredients. I sort of feel bad for the family working behind the counter because they seem like really nice people. Unfortunately for them, other than myself, they didn't have any other customers on a 6:00 PM evening. That's a real shame because they have plenty of tables and chairs and a menu jamb packed with lots of affordable Italian dishes (many priced around $11). I think much of that is due to the location of this place in the Branford Hill. It gets lost among the other stores in a long continuous strip mall. Plus, its sparce business is probably due to the fact that Branford has a lot of other choices for pizza and Italian food. Like most towns along the shoreline there's a lot of competition in this category. read more

Da Carmine's - Pizza Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

See all

How You Doin?? ya. i eat a lotta pizza. i had pizza for lunch. im gonna have pizza for dinner, what you gonna do about it? yah i thought so. So in my travels as a journeyman beer quality control agent I stumble upon a name I had seen before, but had not yet experienced so i decide to stop in for a slice or two. Last time I saw Da' Carmine it was down the street a way and was not open any longer. I think that location is a fancy burger joint down there now, but who cares about burgers - we're talking about slices. These cheese slices were OK. I was in late, they were obviously reheated. Some pizza has oil dripping from it and its a byproduct of nastyness. I swear here the oil was an ingredient to behold. Da Carmine makes a ecent thin crust slice, a bit on the oil side, nice cheese and a kinda flimsy crust probably because it was a reheat. Next time in, I plan on getting a fresh pie. Nice little place, friendly guy behind the counter talking Italian on the phone .. the way it should be. Not fancy wood or coal, not a crazy italian marble oven, straight up decent slices and a HUGE menu with tons of "not pizza". read more

See all

Absolute favorite Spot for Meat Lasagna.! Just Like Nonna's!! Equally great are the Stuffed Shells..THANK YOU ! Da-Carmines' for Making my "nites-off-from-cooking" So Good!! read more

Stopped in for the 5$ two slices and a soda... So glad I did... wonderful..nice pie.. I will come back read more

I went into the plaza to do some shopping at dollar tree and couldn't decide if I wanted five guys or pizza. I stumbled into Da'Carmines and was met with a warm welcome from the young woman behind the counter. I ordered a buffalo chicken stuffed bread, antipasto and chicken parm with pasta to go, wait wasn't too long about 15 minutes and the fact that they had foxon park was a plus! Reasonable prices and seating to wait for your order. Next time I do my shopping on the hill I'll order ahead of time and just pickup when I'm done because of the easy convenient location close to everything. A++ read more

Nice neighborhood spot.. Owners are gems. Food is not bad.

Have ordered before and was impressed. But tonight's shrimp scampi was way over cooked and very little "scampi" flavor..couldn't detect garlic in what little sauce there was on the linguini. Garlic knots good but dripping in oil/butter. Might want to try pizza as friends say it is good, but feeling skeptical. read more

I usually stop in to get food to go on my way home and the owner always remembers my order and gets me in and out

Their pizza is soo good! Like ermagerd! I also like literally everything on the menu. Like, all I can say is wow!!!!!!!!. -T

We just had a 5-cheese pizza and garlic knots. Really delicious and fresh tomato sauce on the pizza. Garlic knots were best I've ever had. We'll definitely be back to Da'Carmine's Pizzeria! read more

This is the best place to come for any Italian dish and/or pizza. Everything on the menu is to die for! Great people and great food!

I've been going here since they opened, the pizza is to die for and the meals are just as delicious. Highly recommend over all other pizza places in Branford. read more

Just got my third delivery really quick and kept hot !! IMO pie is OUTSTANDING , Ive tried a few others in the area since moving here (about 3 yrs.) and this is definitely my go to place from now on. Have also tried the eggplant dinner and Carmine special wrap both awesome ! I never write reviews for anything but thought this place really deserved one !! read more

Best pizza i've ever tried!!! Everything from the food to the service was phenomenal. Crust was perfect, cheese was perfect (not chewy like most of these places in the area) if you are in the area and order from anywhere else you are making a big mistake. Try it now if you haven't!!!!! You will most definitely thank me later. A friend told me about this place and I will definitely be a regular now! read more