Carmelo's Ristorante

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504 E Fifth St
Austin, TX 78701

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(512) 477-7497
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Reviews
( 21 )
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( 1 )
( 6 )
( 8 )

Best

Can't believe some of the negative reviews I read about Carmelo's. But then again, there are folks in the world who will never be pleased with much of anything. As for us? We...

Worst

Ive been here three times, for same occasion...prom. And it is always packed and the crowds are tremendous. If you like this atmosphere great, if not leave. The food is good, but ...

Italy, TX 5/2/2005

A group our friends could not decide which of the many fabulous Austin restaurants to try. I was not feeling like Italian that night until I was coerced into trying Carmelo's. From the moment I was out of the car I entered Italy. I am a HUGE building freak, and Carmelo's is set in a renovated train depot hotel from 1870's. The food, ambience, wine, service (never is a water glass half empty in Carmelo's), DESSERT!!!, all OUTSTANDING! Pros: Quality, Parking, Location more
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THE WORST SERVICE 8/21/2004

I was disgusted with the service at Carmelos. The waiters were rude and had complete disregard for the patrons. Our table ended up spending over 300 for 7 people- so ridiculous for the quality of food. GO down the street to Eddie V's if you'd like top-notch service, Carmelos is NOT WORTH IT. Pros: location Cons: , service more
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Good food, poor service 6/28/2004

My fiance and I really wanted to like Carmelo's, but... The food was billed as ""authentic Italian"", but it should really be called ""American Italian"". The caprese salad was OK. The pastas were very good, as were the desserts. The SERVICE left something to be desired. We were seated promptly, but it took forever for our waiter to greet us and take our wine/drink order. Our first wine choice, we were told, was out; we waited about 10 minutes before someone told us our next choice was out too. Our third choice eventually arrived with our salads. The waiter was very brusque and rushed. We won't return to Carmelo's anytime soon. The food is not good enough to make up for the poor service. We don't mind shelling out a bit more for quality food, but we expect good service to come with it! Pros: good food Cons: , expensive more
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""For those who don't know better"" 2/26/2004

My friend Chip refers to Carmelo's as ""for people who don't know better"", and I must agree, as snobbish as that sounds. Who would dare use tiny FROZEN shrimps, the kind you get in a bag in the freezer at HEB, in their linguine & seafood? And _then_ overcook them so bad they're like little pieces of shoe leather? You guessed it: Carmelo's. I think I am a bit unkind to pan Carmelo's so hard after just one visit. But for the price, there is NO excuse for them to get it SO wrong. I'm not going to risk spending that kind of money again for such mediocre food. For the same money, go to La Traviata or Asti Trattoria for much much better Italian cuisine. Indeed, Vinny's, on Barton Springs, blows Carmelo's away at a fraction of the price. more
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Magnificent!! 8/14/2003

When I made the reservation, I told them that we were coming to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. All they said was, ""we'll take care of it."" That simple exchange was all it took to set up a fantastic evening. The atmosphere was wonderful and the service was warm, personal, and prompt. The food was outstanding and the bananas foster were artfully prepared and incredibly delicious. The entire evening was simply magical. It was the most perfect dining experience I've ever had. Pros: Great Atmosphere, Romantic Cons: Pricey but worth it more
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Carmelo's 6/21/2003

Ive been here three times, for same occasion...prom. And it is always packed and the crowds are tremendous. If you like this atmosphere great, if not leave. The food is good, but the prices are really expensive, four ppl is 120 dollars. What upset me was they come by and refill u're sodas,drinks, w/o asking and they charge you for it. Bil for drinks last prom was 20 dollars! They need waiters who speak english. Pros: Ambience, Food, Romantic Cons: Pricey, Too crowded more
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Give me a break 5/1/2003

I don't understand why Carmelo's is consistently rated well. The food is mediocre and VERY inconsistent, and definitely not worth the outrageous prices they charge. Service is terrible (dinner for two took two hours, in part because we waited over 20 minutes just to get the check). You can eat a lot better (and more cheaply) at La Traviata, Vespaio, or Siena--all of which are more authentic. Cons: outrageous prices, food, service more
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TOO BAD, I COULD BE GOOD 3/5/2003

What a crying shame, such a beautiful building, such a nice romantic setting, but the food is horrible. Perhaps I'm too criticle but believe me there's no reason to go other than look around. Pros: Building, Location, Parking Cons: FOOD more
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Better than a frozen dinner . . . . 1/11/2003

My husband and I are from NY, and so I took him to Carmelo's for his b'day - for a good, down-home Italian meal. What a mistake. The food was lame. It was like diner food. And how exactly does an italian restaurant not serve Eggplant Parmesan - a traditional, italian dish? The calamari - it was chewy and yucky. The marinara was like water. It was really expensive and the service was beyond terrible. They made zero effort. This place needs to get its act together. Pros: Seated right away, good veal parmesan Cons: awful service, expensive, lame food more
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Viva Carmelo's 12/19/2002

This is THE place to eat on a special occasion, or in my case ANYTIME! Absolutely can not go wrong with the Filet Pepe D'Nero (if you like spicy foods!) The staff, food and atmosphere are always 10s Pros: Food, Atmosphere Cons: Expensive, Bad Parking more
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Lobster Bisque 11/25/2002

The lobster bisque is still one of the best things I've ever tasted. I thought the service was fine as well, and the ambience (there was a harp player) nice. more
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Oh Yeah 11/12/2002

My Wife and I came to Carmelo's for our 1st anniversary and of all the experiences I have had I would without a doubt say that it was excellent. The service was very professional and everything was done in a very timely manner. Me and my wife look forward to having a great time and a great meal when we eat at Carmelo's. Pros: Quiet, Romantic, Valet Cons: Expensive more
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JUST MY OPINION!!! 10/16/2002

I read the reviews and also read what they say about ""charlie"" . and I just want to say that they were short of things to say about him..I met Charlie about 6 years ago; when he planned our wedding which by the way was perfectlty planned and executed by Charlie and the waitstaf. my housband and I miss him a lot. He became our friend and helped us to stablish a relationship with your restaurant. I would like to find out where he is now, so I can say one more time ""THANK YOU CHARLIE"" AND THANK YOU CARMELO'S FOR BEEN THE VERY BEST THER IS"" Pros: honesty, grat food, great ambiance more
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""Thank you and fare well Charlie"" 10/14/2002

""Carmelo's is the best place to have dinner; in Texas"" I would like to thank Mr.Charlie Sesmas for been such a wonderful host. My wife and I had dinner there last night and he was so polite and made our dinning experience the best ever. we met Charlie a few Years ago, and we are allways talking about how he made us feel like if we were in our very own restaurant. Sadly we found out last night that he does not work there no more, well; dinner will not be the same withou him at Carmelo's. Pros: service, parking, security more
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one word....PERFECT!! 10/3/2002

Carmelo's is an experience I will never forget. My boyfriend took me there for my birthday, I would recommed it to anyone looking for a romantic setting, excellent service, and exquisite food. Two thumbs up! Pros: Romantic, Wonderful Food, Service Cons: Parking more
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The besta of the pesta 8/15/2002

From the parking to the food it is not only the best Italian Resturant, bar none in Austin, it is also one of the best period. Usually, befor you order, the chef has something brought out for you to try. more
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Special Date place 8/14/2002

Carmello's is a perfect atmosphere for that special occasion or date. I love the atmosphere and service, not to mention the food and wine. On occasion they have the accordian out and singing! Pros: Valet Parking Cons: Dark more
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romantic food 5/28/2002

Carmelo's is a romantic restaurant with wonderful food, fantistic service, and polite servers. The food was wonderful classic Italian and the desearts are to die for. Pros: parking, wonderful food, great desearts Cons: little expensive more
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Menu for Carmelo's Ristorante


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Editorial

  • In Short
    With large paintings, black-suited waiters and piped-in Italian music, the atmosphere only lacks an appearance by Marlon Brando's Don Corleone. Adding to the old-fashioned luster...

  • 3/26/2007 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Mon. - Fri. 11am - 2am;Sat. - Sun. 5pm - 10pm
  • Payments: Diner's Club, American Express, Master Card, Visa, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Downtown
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