Carmelo's Restaurant

Great service. Nice vibe. Average food at best. Everything we ordered lacked flavor. It wasn't bad, it just didn't taste like much of anything. The dishes all looked delicious when delivered to the table but the taste didn't match the presentation. It was a one and done for us, unfortunately.

We landed on Carmelo’s after scoping out a few Italian spots—and we chose wisely. The menu is full of great options. The food can be on the pricier side, but overall an ideal spot for a more luxurious date night. Our waiter was friendly and on top of everything we needed. They explained the service, menu, and walked us through the experience without any issues. We were well taken care of from the time we sat down until we signed the check (and got free mints). The mozzarella appetizer got my wife’s European Seal of Approval, so it’s a must have in my opinion. The crispy garlic alfredo was a bit heavy on the garlic for us, but still solid. My 101-layer (didn’t count, but probably not accurate) lasagna held its own, and the meatballs were a hit with both of us. We wrapped it up with tiramisu and gelato—no regrets. We plan to stop by again when we’re in the area.

This is one of the best Italians we have had in both Covington and downtown Cincinnati areas. We loved the vibe of the place. The portion sizes are pretty good and larger than what most restaurants offer. The shareables selection is pretty good and offers unique choices which are different from the regular Italian restaurans. We started with the mozzarella. It is served with focaccia which on its own is pretty good too. The garlic soup is a must try especially on a cold winter evening. For our mains we got the 101 Layer lasagna. I was happy to see a vegetarian lasagna option. Absolutely delicious. My husband ordered the mushroom Marsala and that was also top notch. We absolutely loved everything that we ordered. It is difficult to pick a favourite. We were there to celebrate my birthday and I was kind of disappointed that we never got the birthday dessert with candles which they said they do offer But neverthe less we loved everything else so no complaints. We would love to be back to try other things on the menu.

Carmelo’s Restaurant To start we ordered the Handlulled Mozzarella with focaccia and an olive oil infused with rosemary. Also the meatballs. The starters were phenomenal, the focaccia was so beautifully light and toasted, we topped it with the mozzarella and drizzled the oil and my husband may have cried a little from happiness. The meatballs were so tender, the red sauce was a wonderfully balanced and fresh sauce and the drizzle of pesto was next level. I could live off of those meatballs till my dying day. For the main course our table ordered the Oxtail Ragu, this dish was delicious. The sauce had lots of depth to it and the Oxtail was tender. Also the Tomahawk fried Pork was absolutely wonderful. The vodka sauce was a great addition as well as the hand pulled mozzarella. The Crispy Garlic Alfredo was rich and delicious that could have been bottomless lol. And the spaghetti and meatballs I mean come on you just can’t go wrong. And lastly we got the potatoes as an additional treat to share. For dessert our table was excited to try the golden Gelato options. We requested the Lemon Sorbet, Strawberry Sorbet and the Mint chocolate chip. And if those weren’t enough our lovely and phenomenal server who took us on one hell of a food journey surprised us with their House made Budino, which is a hazelnut chocolate pudding topped with toasted hazelnuts and a house made whipped cream. This experience was beyond anything we could have imagined and I cannot wait for our next visit to this lovely restaurant. The ambience was modern matched with rustic Italian. If you’ve yet to check out Carmelo’s I highly suggest you book your reservation now.

After seeing so many wonderful reviews we had to try Carmelo's. They did not disappoint!! Arrived 15 mins early so we went to the bar and ordered drinks. Both bartenders were very friendly and answered all of our questions. As soon as we paid for the drinks, they told us our table was ready so we were seated. The waitress was very upset that we already had drinks and she let us know. Ordered the calamari, it had a very light breading, which is rare, and some of the best we've had (top 3 out of all of the places we have ordered calamari). Mozzerla with focaccia bread was absolutely divine. Spaghetti and meatballs were very good (note that their spaghetti sauce has no sweetness, but it is very good). A lot of people seem to like the sweet spaghetti sauces. Also had the Crisp Garlic Alfredo - wowza!!!! One of the best Alfredo dishes we've ever had that did not include a protein. It was very evident they used fresh garlic and the Alfredo was perfect. Dipped what was left of focaccia bread in the garlic sauce and wow!!! Delicious. We didn't have any dessert, by this time we were stuffed but it was all so delicious we had to eat every bite. We will definitely be back in the future.

Loved our time at Carmelo’s! The food was delicious and service was super attentive. The New York style feel of the interior gave a cozy and welcoming atmosphere that married old world with modernity - which is promised by the restaurant’s concept. I took my dad here for dinner and he’s a big lasagna connoisseur…he definitely recommends Carmelo’s, it was the perfect blend of traditional with some new depths of flavor. I had the mushroom marsala, which was also super yummy. Great cocktails too, the 1919 sour I had was impeccably crafted. Overall a great experience, even on a packed Friday night!

The BEST Italian you can get in the Cincinnati area. The mozzarella appetizer is an amazing start. The polenta appetizer is a silent threat. You need to get it. Have tried all entrees, and can say with ALL certainty that the mushroom pasta and ox tail ragu are the best options on the menu. If looking for a wine selection, you must do the Super Tuscan. “Due Genme”. This restaurant is at the top of my list when looking for a night out.

Excellent all around. Service was friendly, prompt, and helpful. The mozzarella appetizer was excellent. Enjoyed all the food and especially the green beans. Vibe and atmosphere was relaxed but still upscale. We will be going again.

I have heard great reviews, and I've come to agree with all of them. Dinner was exceptional. We dined on a crowded Saturday night. Parking was right across the street and the building had older charm with romantic vibes. We started with the Italian 75 and it was perfect. We ordered the mozzarella with focaccia and the Caesar salad to split for appetizers. Both were delicious. For entrees we ordered shrimp pasta, oxtail ragu, and the redfish. The pasta was cooked al dente and the shrimp pasta had great spice. The oxtail ragu was rich and comforting. The fish, however, was the STAR of the show. I WILL come back for the fish. 10/10. Flavor and texture were absolutely on point. Wine selection was great for those who love Italian reds. For dessert we tried the Budino and the tiramisu. Both were pretty good. I think some more variety on their dessert menu would be my only suggestion. (There are so many wonderful Italian desserts and ingredients to utilize). The after dinner espresso martini was made perfectly. I will be back to try more. Highly impressed. Service was also very good for a busy night. If you haven't been yet or have been unsure, GO! Thanks for a great evening, Carmelo's.

Recently came in for dinner. This is a recent addition to Covington, so had not been here before. The bar area looked very nice, and the overall vibe of the restaurant is nice. Not too fancy, but a nice intimate ambiance. I tried their garlic soup for an appetizer. Excellent! The garlic doesn't overpower the soup, while it gives a lot of flavor. For my entree I tried their garlic soup tomahawk fried pork. Think bone-in schnitzel covered with vodka sauce and cheese. The pork was very tender, and this was delicious! Opted for a side of noodles Alfredo. These were very good also. I ended my dinner with a slice of their tiramisu. I'll be honest, I've had better tiramisu. It was fine, but not on par with my entree. Our server was very good, with excellent drink recommendations for our party, and kept things coming out in a timely manner. Overall, a solid addition to the northern Kentucky dining scene.

I wanted to be excited about this place but there were so many missteps that unless there's a shift in menu planning both culinary and drink wise, we probably won't return. When we arrived I was dying for a martini after a grueling day and ordered a gin martini to find out that their options were only about three varieties. I ordered it to immediately see the bartender use a jigger to measure he ingredients which for the price I paid expected more than a three ounce drink. Two sips and it was done. The olives actually dwarfed the tiny glass it was served in. We tried a couple of glasses of wine before dinner that seemed to either past their prime or actually corked. This was a disappointing experience. The worst part is their wine list. They bragged about the all Italian offerings but there wasn't a single bottle under $50. Nothing in the $25-$40 range so you committed to having only one bottle because the list is really expensive. The server also needed to be trained on how to open wine. Now the food. The menu is small. We tried some appetizers. The calamari was fried but seemed unbreaded which gave it a rubbery texture. My oxtail ragu was served with penne that was undercooked and a number of dishes like the simple green salad were all buried under mountains of micro planed cheese. Cauliflower app. Buried in cheese. It was pretty crazy. In this economy, hitting all the marks is imperative to keeping a business thriving but if you aren't giving options for folks who can't shell out $75 for a bottle of white wine or execute a menu that requires you to add sides to actually complete the meal, your longevity will be jeopardized.

Our birthday celebration...and this place was highly recommended. We try every new restaurant in town and were excited to eat here. Food - fantastic. A variety of things to choose from! Very homemade feeling. The owner even delivered and cut up our appetizer! What a great touch!! We were thrilled. Mozzarella! Lasagna is great. Tiramisu is fabulous. Even a birthday treat! Atmosphere- hip and trendy without making you feel like you aren't hip and trendy enough. Very comfortable and cozy. Service - I won't go into detail in a review but the service was a dealbreaker for us. In the nicest possible way - the hostess was indifferent and our server really needed more attention than we could provide them. It was exhausting listening to them talk when we just wanted to visit with each other.

Loved the ambiance. Harris was an over the top amazing server. one of the best ever! The lasagna and green beans were to die for! The mushroom marsala was okay but i sure wish they made our favorite, chicken marsala. The mozzarella bread was amazing! And the tiramisu was undoubtedly the best ever! Eric poured us all a little bubbly cheer for a toast before dinner that was very good....better than most champagnes i have had and lucky for me, three of the people with us gave me theirs!! My only complaint, and why I didn't give 5 stars is the chairs. Absolutely horrible and so uncomfortable! Okay, we are old. I know that! But I would think even young people like a well cushioned seat and back and one that doesn't feel like it is going to slip right out from underneath you and with a bigger seat...I definitely will go back...with my seat cushion and ask for Harris

I was really disappointed with this visit for a few reasons. First our server was pretty distant, didn't check up on us, or give us recommendations for the night. We were seated almost immediately with our reservation which we appreciated, and the place was full on a Monday night. After already placing our order our server informed us that the fried pork was 86'ed for the night (don't know why we didn't lead with that). The mozzarella was good, but it could definitely use a little salt- the focaccia itself was amazing. The garlic alfredo was super buttery tasting which turned me off, although the chili flakes were a good addition to the dish. I was BUMMED to find out you couldn't customize the meals- you couldn't substitute a sauce (red sauce for spicy vodka), and you couldn't add protein to your pasta. The spaghetti and meatballs dish was good, but the meatball (singular) was bland and left what was similar to like a film on the roof of my mouth, which maybe it was just oily? The sauce itself was creamy and really delicious I will give them that. I will say you receive a generous amount of food with each dish. The space is really nice, but personally don't recommend this place. I was super bummed to be in town and trade my favorite (pepp & dolores) to try this place- don't think I'll be back.

It just wasn't that great. Decent service. Spaghetti and meatballs I would never order again. Cauliflower is great and tiramisu 4/5. Wished for more

We had an incredible time eating at Carmelo's. The vibe was warm, cozy, and intimate. Our waiter did an excellent job describing the menu to us, and after hearing about the oxtail ragu, I decided to try it. I was so glad that I did! The meat was tender, the noodles of the pasta were the perfect consistency, and the sauce pulled everything together. We also tried the cauliflower appetizer which I would definitely order again. If you like chocolate, then you should try the budino for dessert. It was decadent and topped off our meal perfectly!

Plan to make reservations as this place is HOT. Have been to Carmelo's twice now and the service has been great each time. If possible try to get seated next to the kitchen so you can see the magic being made. The bathrooms are a bit lackluster but get the job done. We enjoyed all parts of the meal but the budino was the most memorable. The lasagna has a lot of basil going on but overall nice flavor. The Oxtail was so tender and full of flavor. Was a bit loud but was also very busy.

First time visiting at Carmelo's was amazing! Kristen was fantastic! She was extremely knowledgeable and made our experience so amazing. The oxtail ragu and spaghetti and meatball were perfect and we will definitely be back! The entire staff was kind and greeted/thanked us when we walked in/out.

Great spot for homemade pasta. Good drinks and service too. Great carry out service too.

Went to Carmelo's for the first time tonight and it exceeded expectations. We had been wanting to go for a while now and got a last minute reservation. They sat us slightly later than our reservation. Time in the manager made it a point to give us a free appetizer, which was not necessary, but showed they take great care of customers. Each food item was better than the last. I recommend anyone and everyone go check out Carmelo's. You won't be disappointed.

Great atmosphere, food, drinks, and service. The calamari was phenomenal. Definitely recommend and will be back!

We have another amazing Italian restaurant, and it lives up to the hype! Everything we had was so great, and I think Carmelo's is up there with Pepp and Delores. The ceasar salad was so punchy and cheesy, highly recommend that and the mozzarella to start. The pasta portions are plentiful, and the layered lasagna was a hit. The ambiance was great as long and the service , we would love to return.

Was finally able to snag a Saturday night reservation! The staff were friendly and attentive and the food was delicious. We had a wonderful experience! The lasagna and meatballs were our favorite. We'll be back with friends next time.

I really enjoyed my first dining experience here. The space is beautiful and divided which keeps the ambience delightful and not too loud. After planning to only have an entree so I could enjoy my full meal, I was sucked in to every course because... FOMO. The mozzarella appetizer had a fantastic seasoned bread. The garlic soup did not disappoint. I tasted my friends green salad which had a tangy well paired dressing. The star was my 101 layered lasagna which had a surprising and welcome KICK to the sauce (i took half home by this point). And then the milk gelato to round out the meal was the perfect choice for me. I was really in the moment and do not have any photos to share. Sometimes you gots to keep your phone off the table and just enjoy the meal, the space and, your company:)

I've been dying to dine here. I love the little nooks and rustic modern decor. The service was excellent and very warm. We both had cocktails and enjoyed them. Started with soup, mozzarella with grilled focaccia. The soup was good. Cheese and bread delicious. I do prefer grilled vs the standard that seems to be, charred. I really do not like the burned taste with the bread. Many places are doing this and I realize this is the way, I'd just like it grilled as in grilled cheese preparation. We split the ceasar, loved it. One had spaghetti and one the oxtail pasta. I loved the sauce on the spaghetti, had a little kick. Although my friend felt her pasta was a little over. My oxtail pasta was good but I wish it had the same kick as the spaghetti. We both enjoyed but we were not blown away. I'd most definitely come again.

Finally made it in to try Carmelo's and it did not disappoint. Our service was fantastic and the food was on point. Love the rustic interior with various art work. Can't wait to come back and try new dishes.

Overall, our experience was great with room for improvement. The space itself is beautiful with soft lighting and upscale decor. Perfect atmosphere for a special occasion or date night. The entire restaurant was busy and packed full, and we arrived without a reservation, but we were able to find seats at the bar quickly. Our bartender was fantastic throughout the night -- offered great suggestions from the menu, knowledgeable, and checked in on us at appropriate intervals. We started with the cauliflower for apps, and it was delicious. Perfectly crisp, nutty and savory, and came out blazing hot. We had the lasagna and mushroom pasta for mains. The portion sizes were generous. The lasagna, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. The sauce was good, but the noodles themselves were thick and overcooked (mushy texture), and was lacking any distinctive flavor within the layers. On the other hand, mushroom pasta was delicious -- on the verge of being cooked past al dente, but the mushrooms and cream sauce worked so well together. Finished the night with Tiramisu. Again, portion size was generous (good to share between two people). It wasn't too sweet and the texture was good, but there is a bitterness that overtook most of the dish. I can see how some people would enjoy the bitterness, but it was a bit strong for our tastes. All in all, positive experience. Worth trying if you're in the area! Recommend the cauliflower and mushroom pasta.

Italian is my favorite food, and so when a new restaurant opened in Covington, we knew we had to try it out. The vibe is very classy and quite nice (but maybe a tad too dim). We ordered the potatoes for an appetizer and the Oxtail Ragu and Mushroom Marsala with a side of focaccia to--as our server said--soak up the remnant sauce from our pasta. The garlic confit crispy potatoes came out a bit later, accompanied by a Calabrian Chili Mayo (I LOVE Calabrian chilis). It was so good. Spicy and creamy, but calabrian chilis add a touch of sweetness and richness that made every bite exquisite. Then the pasta arrived. My wife and I are prone to splitting/sharing our dishes, but we know what we prefer, so I dove into the oxtail ragu and she took the mushroom marsala. And we both really enjoyed them. We swapped to try the other's dish, and... Found that we both liked the other person's dish better. The oxtail ragu was meaty, salty, and hearty, really good stuff. But the mushroom marsala was--and I don't say this lightly--perfectly seasoned. Tons of herbs, a flavorful creamy sauce, and tons of mushrooms. the focaccia strips were also very good. This will likely be our go-to Italian spot in the future. Not the cheapest option out there, but not breaking the bank either. A nice spot for a date night.

Finally made it here and it's so good My pictures didn't turn out very well This place is phenomenal Our service was exceptional Keshaun was our server and we were friends by the end of the evening he was a friend Now the food Oxtail Ragu oh my goodness So good so tender My hubby got spaghetti and meatballs Our friends got the starter of mozzarella and the lasagna One pound of lasagna crazy This place is wonderful

We went to celebrate my mom's 76th birthday. No surprise, It was fantastic. Morgan, our server was so attentive and competent. We of course, had the mozzarella...it was fantastic, but the focaccia helped make it! Also at the table, which we all took bites out of, was the garlic soup, which was more complex tasting, than I could imagine. The meatballs, were delectable. Apparently the oxtail ragu is a favorite. The meat melted in your mouth with a sauce that complimented it, but didn't take away from the star. The 1 lb lasagna... obviously enough for many days of leftovers. Finished up with the most amazing tiramisu and espresso martini. I was surprised by how large the restaurant is and Beautiful. The architecture of the brick and arches are breathtaking. Definitely make a reservation. You will not be disappointed.

5/5 recommend this cute gem in Covington! I recently visited Carmelo's for a girls night out and I'm glad I did. Everyone loved their meals and drinks. I tried the Oxtail Ragu with gluten free noodles, cauliflower and calamari. All of it was sooo good. This was some of the best cauliflower I've had and the sauce on it was a hit! My friend tried the Caesar salad which she loved as well but was disappointed that she couldn't add a protein to the salad. That would be our only recommendation if additions are made to the menu in the future. We failed to make a reservation but were quickly sat at the bar and all of the servers were super engaging and fun to talk to! We will definitely be returning!

Just loved our experience which was delicious and filling. They accommodated my vegan meal request with a pasta and vegetable dinner. The chef even sent out two different small bowls to complement my meal. The herbal mixture and red pepper sauce were not needed as my meal was very flavorful. I did try them and loved them. My boyfriend got spaghetti and a meatball dish. The dish was topped with lots of finely shredded cheese. He commented on the light red sauce as unique and he couldn't quite determine if he enjoyed it or not. Finally decided it was just different than what he's had before. We felt like the meal needed bread. We looked on the menu but it wasn't available to be ordered and none was offered. I highly recommend making it an option to order if not complimentary. Just needed it. Our server Kristen was very good and explained the menu to us. The atmosphere is lovely and it appeared to have been that way for quite sometime but in a conversation with one of the owners we knew that it was band new. Well done. Highly recommend and we will definitely return. Perhaps they will expand the menu and offer bread for order as an option. Thank you for a great meal.

This was my first time here. Jenna was great. Lots of great suggestions and helpful hints. Food was absolutely delicious! If you get a salad - share it! They are a great portion. Crispy Garlic Alfredo was amazing. Quaint enough for a date night or spacious enough for a large party. The atmosphere was elegant but casual. The room was very inviting and not too crowded. Will return again!

I wanted to love this place, but we found nearly everything we ordered to be lacking in flavor. In addition, the restaurant is incredibly loud. My partner and I had to yell to one another to have a conversation. Still, I'd be willing to give Carmelo's a second shot.

Had a top tier dinner last night at Carmelo's. The vibes are top level. Someone has invested a large sum of money into this place. The restaurant is quite large, much bigger than I expected. Beautiful decor with good music playing over the system. service was attentive without being annoying. Had their take on a Negroni to drink and it was gin forward and bitter in a nice way. Started with the mozzarella and it was fantastic. The bread they serve with it takes it over the top. The garlic soup is unlike anything I've ever had and I don't know of anywhere else in Cincy that makes something like it. Great textures and the chili crisp on top is a great touch. Not spicy. The pastas were rich and delicious. I loved all the parm on top of everything. Can't wait to go back.

We ordered: meatball app, mozzarella app with focaccia, Caesar salad, simple green salad, 101 layer lasagna and Alfredo pasta Meatballs were excellent! Also ordered an amaretto sour to drink which was good too. The pastas were a bit salty for us, music was super loud inside too. Would recommend the apps for sure! Tiramisu cake for dessert was nicely creamy, bitter and not overly sweet. Server was Grace and she super nice and attentive!

We made a reservation through Resy and went on a Tuesday evening. The restaurant is beautiful and really adds to the Italian experience. My absolute favorite was the cauliflower shareable. I can't wait to go back and order one just for myself. ;) The 101-layer lasagna didn't disappoint either. If that sounds like a lot of layers you should think of it more like a lasagna croissant of pasta. It wasn't heavy, but it is a LARGE portion. The Oxtail pasta was a welcome option to short ribs. A bottle of Cottanera Rosato is a must for your meal. Don't forget to top it all off with some Carabello's espresso(we opted for decaf) and another large portion, the tiramisu.

I am in town for family function and found myself alone for dinner. As per my hotel bartenders recommendation I walked up the street and found a great seat at the corner bar, which was pure luck because the restaurant was packed with a few groups of patrons waiting for tables. I ordered the Sea bass and side of kale it was so delicious. I was jealous of my bar mates sitting next to me had the ox tail ragu looked amazing. I'd love to go back and sample the menu another time.

This place is amazing! It's so hard to find really good Italian food and this is it. The inside is beautiful and the staff were so nice. They have amazing drinks and cocktails and everything we ate was delicious. The pasta was super fresh. We will be back!

Where to begin! This place was great from start to finish, we started with the appetizer, going in with no idea that it wasn't going to be mozzarella sticks caught me off guard in a good way!! The rosemary olive oil infused mozzarella was amazing. Followed by the Ceasar which was pretty good nothing out of the ordinary... unlike the lasagna, which was top 3 lasagnas i've ever had!! and it was vegetarian. It was creamy the sauce complemented the cheese so well. the mushroom pasta was delicious as well i cannot lie!! 10/10 experience.

We had the best dinner at Carmelo's! From the food to the drinks to the service by Kristen, it was fabulous! Started the meal with a delicious red wine, and the mozzarella and cauliflower appetizers. The mozzarella was melt in your mouth good, and the cauliflower was packed with flavor and a nice crisp finish. I would have never ordered the cauliflower if it weren't for the suggestion of the server and table next to us but oh so good! Then we went with the Oxtail Ragu and Spaghetti and Meatball entrees. The gravy on the Spaghetti was so good! The Oxtail Ragu also delicious and a bit of a reminder of short rib flavor if you haven't had Oxtail before. We were full after all the food so we saved dessert for our next visit and had espresso martinis as a nice finish to our night!

Carmelo's offers great service and ambiance to its customers. The staff is friendly and attentive, and both the interior and exterior design is really charming. The food does not sell short as well.

Absolutely delicious! You can really taste the difference in their homemade food and fresh ingredients. Every dish feels like it was made with care -- rich flavors, perfect portions, and that authentic, comforting Italian touch. The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, and the service makes you feel like family. If you're craving real Italian food, Carmelo's is a must-try!

Although the portion of Eggplant Parmesan that I ordered was huge, the taste left a lot to be desired. The top layer was indeed delicious with plenty of cheese and breading. Unfortunately the bottom layers were tasteless gray eggplant. The sauce was an uninspiring red, devoid of the seasonings that make the best Italian food. The side of pasta that accompanied the eggplant was slightly too well al dente for my taste. Sadly it was covered in the same underwhelming red sauce. The bread was dry and plain, and not worth eating more than one slice. Given the steep price tag for one entrée I won't be back. Unfortunately for those trapped at the hotel next-door, there are not a lot of food options within walking distance. Next time I'll consider a delivery service.

Great service and a nice atmosphere. The spaghetti and meatballs was just OK, but my daughter enjoyed her crispy garlic Alfredo. I felt as if the pasta could be a little more al dente.

Ooooof this place I thought was going to be so good but it didn't live up to the expectations at all. It's not like the food was bad, but it definitely was not great. First off it was 5:30 pm when we had a reservation and we got seated at that time, and we were seated in a room with one other table there and we were placed right next to them. It's not like we were just placed next to another table, but it was like I was sitting right next to them and they were in our party because I was sitting in a booth next to another person. I could hear everything they were saying, and when their waiter was serving them water and food, it's like they were all up in our food. Very crammed and I did not enjoy that. Besides that our server just did not give us good vibes at all, they were friendly, but we're very standoffish. They also offered us a free birthday dessert after they let us look at the dessert menu and told them know. I feel like common courtesy at a restaurant would've been to let us know and bring us out the dessert without even asking!!! Either or we rejected the free dessert because we just wanted to get out of there. I will say that the mozzarella and focaccia bread was outstanding. The Alfredo was fine but it almost just tasted like butter noodles, like I can make that at home myself. I was very disappointed in the lasagna because I thought it supposed to be really good based off of that's what they recommend on the menu. However, when I received it instead of it being a thick piece of lasagna, it was a very thin and sad spread out piece of lasagna. It says it's a 101 layered lasagna and obviously I knew it wasn't supposed to be 101 layers but come on they should've added some more to it. All they did was beat it up with a bunch of Parmesan to make it look like it was more than it was, but I promised you it was not. I was not impressed with the way that the noodles were cooked either. I thought this was supposed to be housemaid pasta however it was all very chewy not cooked to al dente at all. And the lasagna reminded me of chef Boyardee can pasta. Safe to say I won't be returning here.

The ambiance of Carmelo's is perfect for date night , several vegetarian options and full drinks list. Service was great throughout the nice, our waitress explained our vegetarian options and was attentive with filling up our water. The Appalachian sour was balanced nicely and not too sour. We started with the garlic soup which was potato based, creamy with punches of garlic, it was nice of them to split it for us. We enjoyed the 101 layer lasagna which was crispy and saucy however would have liked more flavor overall. We also ordered the eggplant parm which was served like long eggplant fries. While presented nicely I thought the dish was overly fried to where it was dry. It could use more sauce , I didn't taste the eggplant as much because there is a lot of fried breading. The tiramisu is out of this world yumm! Airy, creamy and so tasty. All in all may return for drinks and dessert or occasional special dinner to try out some of the other vegetarian options.

We were able to get a last minute reservation. Apparently, this is the new hot spot in Covington. The ambience is fantastic. What a beautiful restaurant. We were incredibly pleased with everything about our experience. The mozzarella appetizer seemed like it would be a boring option, but it was outstanding, but as good as it was the garlic soup we shared was even better (the chef's sister happened to be sitting next to us and recommended both). We got the lasagna and the sausage plate. Both were very good. The sausage was a very unique plate and I enjoyed that more than the lasagna. All-in-all this is a fantastic restaurant with great food, service, atmosphere.

Went here based of chow down reviews. Appetizers were good-we got cauliflower and mozzarella. Good but not excellent. Bread from the mozzarella app was very good-9.5/10. Entrees-got the oxtail based off the multiple recommendations off the chowdown group. Also got the sausage based off the recommendation from server (who was great.) The oxtail was so salty we both were unable to eat it-And we are not sensitive to salt or weird about that. Sausage was bland, but red sauce was good. Cocktail menu was hyped up and it was so lame imo. Love to support local, but def was overhyped.

Wanted to kick off the New Year with trying a new restaurant and my friends and I got a reservation at Carmelo's! We were running a bit behind due to the weather and they were great to accommodate us. The staff in general and our server especially was so friendly, he had great recommendations and a great sense of humor, and was super attentive. We loved everything we got- the mozzarella is to die for! The polenta was also really good. The entrees are a great size and you've GOT to end the night with some tiramisu. Can't wait to come back here! Great vibes. I would also say Carmelo's is reasonably priced compared to other spots in town! :)

Luckily snagged an early dinner reservation for a Saturday night at Carmelo's for a holiday dinner. First, the service was amazing. The server provided recommendations and coursed out all the food. We started with the potatoes and mozzarella to share. The potatoes were crispy on the outside, but so soft on the inside. I ordered the oxtail ragu for my entree and the portion was large enough to take home leftovers. Highly recommend ordering the tiramisu for dessert!

Carmelo's is a winner! Great Italian food and drinks! We had a party of 6 on July 5. Our server, Harris, was fantastic! She was knowledgeable about the menu and very personable and professional. We never had an empty glass and our food was fantastic! Get the calamari. It's the best! The mozzarella is to die for! The spicy shrimp pasta is delicious. Same with the garlic Alfredo. Don't skip the tiramisu or gelato! We will be back, for sure!

I've never been a meatball guy. Just a food guy. Will try most anything. On my first visit to Carmelo's, picked up an order of the meatball appetizer to go (along with a bunch of other stuff.) The cauli appetizer was delish, mozzarella fantastic. But the meatball. . . what dreams are made of. On our next trip, my wife's idea, I ordered spaghetti and meatball. Pretty sure the last time I ordered that, I was like 8 years old. Let me just say that I now dream of this dish. So simple, yet amazing. The meatball, firm, moist, hearty, just a big ball of delicious. Add to is the pasta, gravy and cheese. Wow. My mouth is watering just typing these words. When chef and owner Mitch stopped by our table I shared my love for these meatballs. So happy to have these in my life. I can say that I will judge all other meatballs against these. I'm sure there's other stuff worth eating, but only if I taste it on my wife's plate!

Went last and it was fabulous from start to finish. Eggplant Parmesan was the best I've ever had and I've had it A LOT! Sister had lasagna and raved about it. Wife went with meatballs and eggplant app. Shared a wonderful Caesar. The fresh mozzarella and bread should be mandatory.

We tied Carmelo's for our anniversary dinner after hearing a lot of hype. Overall, the place is pretty good. We really enjoyed the appetizers. The meatballs, mozzarella, and eggplant are all tasty. We got the lasagna and the mushroom Marsala for dinner and they were solid. Tiramisu was similar. The ambience and service were excellent. Carmelo's is a quality addition to the Cincy restaurant scene. Overall a good, but probably a step below the top tier Italian in the city

This is a really pretty restaurant in downtown Covington. It's a comfortable space broken into several dining rooms. The noise level was low and it was easy to have a conversation. Service was attentive without being overbearing. We were a table of 5 celebrating a birthday. The cauliflower appetizer was amazing--fresh, hot and beautifully seasoned and presented. I could have made a meal of it. Most of the table ordered the Alfredo and, while they said it was good, no one really was excited about it. I had the lasagna--it was good but not that special. They did make a decaf espresso martini for one of our party and it was a nice special touch. I ordered a martini that was--for the price--on the puny side and served in a wine glass. Everything on the menu is a la carte--even the bread--so it does get a bit pricy. It was certainly above average across the board in terms of food, service, and ambiance but it left me feeling kind of meh...

I really wanted to love this place, as it's getting a lot of hype. Sadly, I just think there is better Italian food in the area. Our server was super friendly and the food came out quickly. I had the green salad, which was huge and very tasty, but at $13 it should be noted that it would have made two servings. I split the spicy shrimp pasta and the lasagna with a friend, both were fine but not really outstanding. When a dish has spicy in the name, I really expect to taste some spice, there was not any. The lasagna would be better with meat in it. I'm glad we tried ths spot, the space is lovely, but I'm not in a big hurry to go back.