One of my favorite restaurants in Richmond! Carmela's has become our go-to restaurant in the downtown / Shockhoe area. Every time we come here our experience has been incredible (including outdoor dining in December during covid). The food is fresh and tasty, we have had everything on the appetizer menu from meatballs to charcuterie boards and has always been great. I recommend sharing appetizers as those with the pizza / entree can be a lot of food. The pizzas are delicious - I usually order the Classico or margherita, and my girlfriend will order the prosciutto and arugula. It is the best tasting pizza we have had in the city of Richmond. It has a thin crust, cooked perfectly, and is very lite as far as pizzas go - ideal for eating out or for before going out for the night. It is in a great location - the square always has a lot of events and there are plenty of other places in the area to grab drinks to continue your night after eating. It is also walkable from a few walking trails around the river and canal and a good spot to stop and relax after a day near the water. Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone. When people are visiting from out of town and are in the downtown area, this is one of the first places we suggest.
Lydia A.
Hidden gem!! Carmela's is tucked in the old 17th Street farmers market, a small Italian and pizza joint with beautiful decor and amazing food. The Bianca pizza is probably the best pizza I've ever had. Also great, the Gorgonzola salad and huuuuge meatballs! Service is amazing, such an inviting atmosphere and warm vibes. Love this place.
Jeff Hanlon
The husband and I stumbled upon Carmela's before a show at Fallout last week. We were running late and frantic to try to find something to eat before the show and the Mexican place we were hoping to visit was closed. Carmela's is a tiny space, but we were able to find a couple of seats at the bar. At first, I let a busy day tell me that the service was too slow, and then my carefully crafted cocktail arrived and we just chilled. One of our favorite vacations was driving around Italy, and once we settled in and just slowed down and listened to the bossa nova playing quietly on the restaurant speakers, we were instantly transported. We ordered the Piccante pizza and the heat tickled our throats perfectly. I would go back for that pizza alone! We can't wait!
Tricia Hoover Maurer
I’m hesitant to write this because the secret will be out! :-) this place is amazing. The pizza, the desserts (get the cannoli!), the cocktails, etc.! The service is great. They made a bourbon cream special for the husband to go with his espresso. The happy hour prices are fantastic.
Jess Greenberg
Absolutely perfect. My husband and I finally got out from Raleigh and what a GEM! The Manhattan was smooth and the Old Fashion perfectly fashioned. The ambiance was so cool, perfectly lit and decor on point. The meatball antipasto was DELISH. The pizza dough was totally untouchable. Service (blonde dude with curls) was impeccable. Being able to watch the pizza makers was super nostalgic for me personally, and totally made me miss my pizza tossing days. If we had a mini fridge in our hotel, we would've absolutely have gotten a pizza each to enjoy leftovers. Noticed a ton of take out going down, so locals must know the deal already. The bartenders even remembered us and waved at a bar we were at much later in the evening lol.. just cool. Thanks guys.
Jessica Greenberg
Absolutely perfect. My husband and I finally got out from Raleigh and what a GEM! The Manhattan was smooth and the Old Fashion perfectly fashioned. The ambiance was so cool, perfectly lit and decor on point. The meatball antipasto was DELISH. The pizza dough was totally untouchable. Service (blonde dude with curls) was impeccable. Being able to watch the pizza makers was super nostalgic for me personally, and totally made me miss my pizza tossing days. If we had a mini fridge in our hotel, we would've absolutely have gotten a pizza each to enjoy leftovers. Noticed a ton of take out going down, so locals must know the deal already.
Nicole Nankoo-Nikolis
One of our favorite places! The food is amazing. I’ve never had anything I didn’t like. The service is fast and friendly. It’s so nice to sit outside and watch whatever is happening in the courtyard or watch amazing food come out of a tiny kitchen inside. An absolute gem! Recommend here a million times over!
Destiny Pleasant
The vibes were perfect, the staff was friendly, and service was quick even near closing hours on a Saturday night. And the food. Oh the food was wonderful. I got the prosciutto and argula pizza to share and I savored every crispy bite. So much so that I almost forgot to grab a pic until we were near halfway through!More than reasonably priced when you're sharing a pizza, I'm really looking forward to going again soon.
Marianny Mata
This place was so great! I had the Bianca pizza and tried the Pesto one. Both of them were really good, and ready within minutes. The staff was super friendly. Our server Ogden was so nice and cute. Definitely will visit this place again.
David B.
We started with the meatballs app. So good, I will say they were the best I've ever eaten. The perfect amount of sauce and cheese. We ordered three pizzas and were. It disappointed. I feel like that is the best sauce we've ever had. I'm pretty confident everything on the menu is equally amazing. The service and staff was very friendly and good.
I don't recommend. My boyfriend and I ordered carry out because I had a taste for real pizza (not a typical change restaurant). There wasn't enough cheese on either pizza, the sauce didn't have more flavor, and the cheese and pepperoni tasted weird. I feel like I wasted my money here.
Hanine C.
Absolutely delicious. We got the burrata salad and The Carmela pizza and couldn't stop raving about both. The flavors were so intense and paired so well together.
Joshua Cheung
Delicious food, reasonable prices, and amazing staff. Highly recommend!
Nicholas Gammon
Carmela’s might be the best pizza in Richmond. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve ever had pizza here that even comes close. The flavors in the pizza are really well thought out and balanced. The cannoli is excellent. And the atmosphere is great.
Jason A.
Alex the owner was great. Takes passion in what he does. Food was excellent. Fun atmosphere.
One of my favorite restaurants in Richmond! Carmela's has become our go-to restaurant in the downtown / Shockhoe area. Every time we come here our experience has been incredible (including outdoor dining in December during covid). The food is fresh and tasty, we have had everything on the appetizer menu from meatballs to charcuterie boards and has always been great. I recommend sharing appetizers as those with the pizza / entree can be a lot of food. The pizzas are delicious - I usually order the Classico or margherita, and my girlfriend will order the prosciutto and arugula. It is the best tasting pizza we have had in the city of Richmond. It has a thin crust, cooked perfectly, and is very lite as far as pizzas go - ideal for eating out or for before going out for the night. It is in a great location - the square always has a lot of events and there are plenty of other places in the area to grab drinks to continue your night after eating. It is also walkable from a few walking trails around the river and canal and a good spot to stop and relax after a day near the water. Would definitely recommend this spot to anyone. When people are visiting from out of town and are in the downtown area, this is one of the first places we suggest.
Hidden gem!! Carmela's is tucked in the old 17th Street farmers market, a small Italian and pizza joint with beautiful decor and amazing food. The Bianca pizza is probably the best pizza I've ever had. Also great, the Gorgonzola salad and huuuuge meatballs! Service is amazing, such an inviting atmosphere and warm vibes. Love this place.
The husband and I stumbled upon Carmela's before a show at Fallout last week. We were running late and frantic to try to find something to eat before the show and the Mexican place we were hoping to visit was closed. Carmela's is a tiny space, but we were able to find a couple of seats at the bar. At first, I let a busy day tell me that the service was too slow, and then my carefully crafted cocktail arrived and we just chilled. One of our favorite vacations was driving around Italy, and once we settled in and just slowed down and listened to the bossa nova playing quietly on the restaurant speakers, we were instantly transported. We ordered the Piccante pizza and the heat tickled our throats perfectly. I would go back for that pizza alone! We can't wait!
I’m hesitant to write this because the secret will be out! :-) this place is amazing. The pizza, the desserts (get the cannoli!), the cocktails, etc.! The service is great. They made a bourbon cream special for the husband to go with his espresso. The happy hour prices are fantastic.
Absolutely perfect. My husband and I finally got out from Raleigh and what a GEM! The Manhattan was smooth and the Old Fashion perfectly fashioned. The ambiance was so cool, perfectly lit and decor on point. The meatball antipasto was DELISH. The pizza dough was totally untouchable. Service (blonde dude with curls) was impeccable. Being able to watch the pizza makers was super nostalgic for me personally, and totally made me miss my pizza tossing days. If we had a mini fridge in our hotel, we would've absolutely have gotten a pizza each to enjoy leftovers. Noticed a ton of take out going down, so locals must know the deal already. The bartenders even remembered us and waved at a bar we were at much later in the evening lol.. just cool. Thanks guys.
Absolutely perfect. My husband and I finally got out from Raleigh and what a GEM! The Manhattan was smooth and the Old Fashion perfectly fashioned. The ambiance was so cool, perfectly lit and decor on point. The meatball antipasto was DELISH. The pizza dough was totally untouchable. Service (blonde dude with curls) was impeccable. Being able to watch the pizza makers was super nostalgic for me personally, and totally made me miss my pizza tossing days. If we had a mini fridge in our hotel, we would've absolutely have gotten a pizza each to enjoy leftovers. Noticed a ton of take out going down, so locals must know the deal already.
One of our favorite places! The food is amazing. I’ve never had anything I didn’t like. The service is fast and friendly. It’s so nice to sit outside and watch whatever is happening in the courtyard or watch amazing food come out of a tiny kitchen inside. An absolute gem! Recommend here a million times over!
The vibes were perfect, the staff was friendly, and service was quick even near closing hours on a Saturday night. And the food. Oh the food was wonderful. I got the prosciutto and argula pizza to share and I savored every crispy bite. So much so that I almost forgot to grab a pic until we were near halfway through!More than reasonably priced when you're sharing a pizza, I'm really looking forward to going again soon.
This place was so great! I had the Bianca pizza and tried the Pesto one. Both of them were really good, and ready within minutes. The staff was super friendly. Our server Ogden was so nice and cute. Definitely will visit this place again.
We started with the meatballs app. So good, I will say they were the best I've ever eaten. The perfect amount of sauce and cheese. We ordered three pizzas and were. It disappointed. I feel like that is the best sauce we've ever had. I'm pretty confident everything on the menu is equally amazing. The service and staff was very friendly and good.
Restaurantji Recommends
I don't recommend. My boyfriend and I ordered carry out because I had a taste for real pizza (not a typical change restaurant). There wasn't enough cheese on either pizza, the sauce didn't have more flavor, and the cheese and pepperoni tasted weird. I feel like I wasted my money here.
Absolutely delicious. We got the burrata salad and The Carmela pizza and couldn't stop raving about both. The flavors were so intense and paired so well together.
Delicious food, reasonable prices, and amazing staff. Highly recommend!
Carmela’s might be the best pizza in Richmond. I’m honestly not sure if I’ve ever had pizza here that even comes close. The flavors in the pizza are really well thought out and balanced. The cannoli is excellent. And the atmosphere is great.
Alex the owner was great. Takes passion in what he does. Food was excellent. Fun atmosphere.