Caffe Venice

Deli · Murray Hill

1

@infatuation

"Sometimes Italian restaurants feel like clones of each other. There’s white tablecloths, candlelight, and chandeliers shipped over from Venice. And while the more upscale places can be great, there’s something special about the cozy and casual places that give you the warm feeling of a family dinner. That’s just what Café Carmela offers—along with great Italian food and one of the best cheesesteaks in town. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Located in a strip mall in Northeast Philly, the walk-in only spot attracts larger crowds than Spirit Halloween in October (and it can get just as frantic). But once inside, they pull off that classic Italian ambiance: a chatty neighborhood crowd that treats it like their second home, kids stretching out long strands of cheese, and grandfathers complaining that Stallone’s Rocky accent was more New York than South Philly. You’ll feel like you can linger and take your time here—and you should, since the flavorful family-style dishes are so large. Dive into a rich bowl of rigatoni while you watch pizza dough get tossed, and consider joining the staff pictured on the walls so you can eat like this for the rest of your life. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Come here to crack open a chianti, have a cheesesteak or pizza good enough to invade your dreams, and indulge in a restaurant meal that feels more like Thanksgiving at your aunt’s (and is just as welcoming). Food Rundown photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Fried Mozzarella These crispy nuggets are delightfully creamy. The San Marzano sauce is so good that you’ll want to pour it on anything. But since that can get messy, just dunk these plump and crispy squares of mozzarella in them. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Mamma Leuzzi Pie The Mama Leuzzi has more accessories than an Italian wedding party—it’s topped with fresh hand-pulled fior di latte, whole milk mozzarella, baby arugula, prosciutto, balsamic, and an EVOO drizzle. But it hasn’t gone overboard—it makes for a bite that is creamy, earthy, and has a sweet- saltiness from the prosciutto. Order it for the table. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO American Boy Pizza This isn’t just your regular cheese pizza. For starters, like all pizza here, the crust has the ideal bubbly-to-airy-to—crispy ratio. Also, it’s an upside down pie. After the pizza dough gets layered with creamy mozzarella, it gets a saucy bath of sweet red sauce. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Drunken Rigatoni Cafe Carmela knows pasta. Especially the classics, like this rigatoni in vodka sauce. The sauce is made with San Marzano tomatoes, cream, and Stateside Vodka. The sauce is rich, it’s all topped with mozzarella and basil, and we’d consider leaving our significant other for the chef if it meant we could eat it daily. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Cheesesteak One thing we (and the city) can’t get enough of is the Don Cheech’s Steak—it’s the perfect combination of thick-sliced ribeye, melty Cooper Sharp, and fried onions on a seeded roll. We’re considering writing it a love letter (or at least texting it a bunch of heart emojis)." - Candis R. McLean

Café Carmela Review - Northeast Philly - Philadelphia - The Infatuation
NICOLE GUGLIELMO

596 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016 Get directions

caffevenice.getsauce.com

1 Postcard

See full details

More Places For You

Bungalow Bar

Bar & grill · Rockaway Beach

Nestled on the waterfront, Bungalow Bar is a chill spot with a lively deck, offering a tempting array of American dishes, refreshing drinks, and live music.

8 Postcards

Anfora

Wine bar · West Village

Sibling to nearby Dell'anima, this wine bar offers interesting glasses, plus beers, spirits & apps.

4 Postcards

Altro Paradiso

Restaurant · SoHo

In a chic, wood-accented space with a marble bar, this Italian eatery serves delightful pasta and charming dishes that invite a relaxed dining experience.

32 Postcards

il laboratorio del gelato

Ice cream shop · Lower East Side

Il Laboratorio del Gelato is a chic LES spot offering an ever-changing array of inventive gelato and sorbet flavors, like cheddar cheese and Thai chile chocolate, all crafted on-site, which you can scoop up for a steal.

5 Postcards

Atoboy

Korean restaurant · Midtown East

Atoboy serves an inventive four-course prix-fixe of modern Korean dishes paired with carefully curated wines in a chic, minimalist space.

45 Postcards

The Palm - Palm West

Steak house · Midtown West

The Palm brings high-end steakhouse vibes with its classic menu and welcoming service, perfectly situated for a pre-theater dinner in NYC.

4 Postcards

Van Đa

Vietnamese restaurant · East Village

At Van Đa in the East Village, enjoy refined Vietnamese bites and creative cocktails in a cozy, artsy space that celebrates diverse regional flavors.

16 Postcards

Lucien

French restaurant · East Village

At this beloved East Village bistro, enjoy classic French comfort food amidst a vibrant Parisian-inspired atmosphere and a lively crowd that's always in the mood for people-watching.

6 Postcards

Em Vietnamese Bistro

Vietnamese restaurant · DUMBO

Em Vietnamese Bistro in Dumbo dazzles with stylish decor and an enticing menu of banh mi, pho, and delectable seafood, making it a must-try spot.

9 Postcards

99¢ Delicious Pizza

Pizza restaurant · Midtown West

Grab a slice at this lowkey pizzeria near the Empire State Building, where you can enjoy crispy crusts, hip-hop decor, and budget-friendly prices.

3 Postcards