Carmelina's

I really enjoyed the atmosphere here. We visited on a Sunday, and they mentioned there might be a bit of a wait, possibly around 45 minutes, but assured us that people tend to eat quickly. We left our name, and they kindly texted us for confirmation. To our delight, we only had to wait about 8 minutes. The entire experience was quite pleasant. The service was exceptional, with our server offering excellent recommendations on the dishes. The bread and olive oil were particularly delightful, some of the best we’ve had. While the food wasn’t exactly our preferred style of pasta, it was still tasty. I enjoyed it, though I found the Scampi a bit too soaking, which I believe is their style rather than my personal taste. We also tried the Penne Capricciose, which was really good. Overall, the food was decent, and the service was outstanding. The dishes weren’t quite the pasta we were hoping for, but we still had a lovely time.

Just had a really lovely dinner here! We made the reservations so far in advance and it was absolutely worth it. I am definitely adding this place to my notable list of restaurants in the North End.

For starters, the meatballs are a must. Truly some of the best I’ve had—the sauce was incredible and the meat was so tender. My favorite entree might have been the mushroom penne. The breadcrumbs were amazing and it was rich. They didn’t skimp on the mushrooms either!

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One of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Boston, hands down. The food at Carmelina’s was absolutely amazing—every dish was on point. The staff was warm, attentive, and made the whole night feel effortless, and the atmosphere struck that perfect balance between lively and intimate.
Pro tip: book your reservation well in advance. Even sitting at the bar was an experience in itself—watching the chefs cook in the open kitchen was honestly magical. If you’re looking for a memorable meal in Boston, Carmelina’s is a must.

What a superb dining experience! Our rental car agent at the airport recommended Carmellina's. I owe her a huge "Thank You!" The Little Italy area of Boston is stuffed with so many great looking Italian restaurants. We feel like we struck gold with our choice.
New England Trip, January 2026. Day 4. Woke up to light snow. Started the day off with one final breakfast at the Waldo Emerson Inn. Avocado Toast and a yogurt parfait. Drove down to Boston, checked in to our hotel, and then had a late lunch/early dinner in Little Italy in downtown Boston. Our rental car clerk had recommended that we visit Carmellina's Restaurant. Wow! What a divine dining experience! My wife started off with some sangria as I sipped a Peroni. For appetizers, we had the Tuna Arrabbiata and a garden salad. For the main course, Dao had the Scampi, and I had Tonno Siciliano. Every dish was cooked to perfection, and the service was impeccable, even though the restaurant was packed, and there was a line waiting outside as we left. I highly recommend making a reservation if you are coming after 4:00 PM.

This place is a must try, we sat down and in 30 seconds had steaming hot bread in front of us with a delicious seasoned dipping oil. We got the garlic shrimp that were tender and flavorful and full of fresh sliced garlic. Then we got the sunday pasta and crazy Alfredo. Both came out steaming hot and fresh. The pasta dishes were full of flavor and generous portions. The service was great and very attentive. Can't wait to come back to Boston to try some other menu items! Thanks for the great food!