Carmine's - 5th Avenue

My husband and I visited Carmine’s on 5th for our anniversary last night and we had the most incredible evening. The space is stunning, we were lucky enough to be seated in the chandelier room, it was romantic and well through out. The service was incredible from the front of house, to the coat check, to the servers. They were the most professional, friendly staff. Nicole, our server, was well knowledgeable about the menu, wine pairings, and the space. She was so kind and really made our night special. The food is out of this world. I ordered the lobster pasta and it was so buttery and rich. My husband ordered the braised veal ravioli. It tastes like heaven, you could tell the sauce was made with love and it felt like the sauce was simmering for days. The food came out quickly for being so fresh. I highly recommend their craft cocktails, made with fresh ingredients. The attire was smart casual, you can definitely dress up for this space and not feel out of place. Fur coats, long dresses, etc. We were able to park in the Bank of America parking garage for a very low price of $10 for 3 hours and take the elevator up to the 1 st floor where you follow the signs for Carmine’s. For 2 cocktails, an appetizer, two entrees, and a $125 bottle of wine, the total for dinner came out to $400. An extraordinary value for the ambiance, service, and quality of food. I couldn’t recommend Carmine’s enough for a special evening out.

As someone who’s dined here 5+ times, my recommended must-try’s: ravioli di ossobuco, lobster pappardelle, risotto of the day (can’t go wrong), panne caldo, gnocchi, tiramisu, pistachio cheesecake (when available). There’s validated parking as well as valet, and walk-ins are welcome when there’s space up at the bar or dining area - though don’t expect to roll up during peak dinner hours and be seated. Vast majority nights are now completely booked out in advance, especially with the holidays. This isn’t a small cafe, nor is it a hotel restaurant. This is an institution that brings together the best of Seattle - you’ll likely notice the architecture, design, landscaping (there’s a gorgeous olive tree centering the space), marble work, linens, flowers, fresh bread, upholstery, wood work. What you may not realize is that every detail showcases a member of this community who’s been part of a 40+ year journey to craft intimate dining experiences and serve the wonderful people of Seattle for all special occasions. The team (chef, cooks, bartenders, wait staff, hosts, expeditors, wine curator, management, valet group, etc etc) are still in the very early days of getting a massive operation running smoothly with each and every detail ironed to perfection, so some grace should be extended by any guest who wants to experience the restaurant in its first weeks. I think it should be stated here (given these are the early days) that anyone who truly wills the success of this city’s local businesses and wants to be a steward of this restaurant or any dining establishment should elect to provide feedback directly to management. This is a standard courtesy for any small business that many folks seem to disregard in favor of inflammatory negative feedback blasted on social media, especially in the early days when a single negative view can make or break the morale of those working tirelessly to get operations in motion. Whether it’s attention seeking or some other motive is beyond me. As a local resident and frequent reviewer, I prefer knowing my feedback is being delivered and received in a respectful and productive manner. This restaurant is truly a gem that the city has needed for a long time. It’s so heartwarming to see diners dressed to the nines enjoying the restaurant and making a day out of the experience - with Nordstrom bags, plans to see a show nearby, dropping in for a work lunch, celebrating a loved one’s birthday. A special thank you to everyone who’s been a part of this journey, especially Seattle’s families who’ve dined at the restaurants for generations. To many more wonderful meals and cherished memories!!

I had such a great dinner here! The paccheri alla vodka is incredible. Easily my favorite dish on the menu. The atmosphere is lovely, with lots of cute nooks throughout the restaurant. It’s cozy for a date night but also works perfectly for a business meeting. Delicious food and such a great vibe. I’ll be back.

I went tonight with my family for dinner because of the good reviews online. The restaurant inside was beautiful and upscale the way I like. The food was disappointing because it was not as delicious as I would think this type of upscale expensive restaurant would offer. The salad was just lettuce and not enough dressing and my fetuchini had two medium sized prawns in it. My husband who loves pasta didn't even finish his plate. I would not come there again and surprised to see good food reviews from others.

Carmine’s is the kind of Italian restaurant that instantly makes you feel at home. From the moment you walk through the door, there’s a warm, welcoming energy that wraps around you. The ambiance is truly divine—soft lighting, elegant details, and a cozy atmosphere that feels both refined and comforting, making it perfect for a special night out or a relaxed dinner. The food is absolutely delicious, with rich flavors that taste authentic and thoughtfully prepared. Every dish feels made with care and pride. What truly sets Carmine’s apart, though, is the service. The staff’s attention to detail is next level—attentive without being overbearing, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind. They make sure every part of the experience is seamless. Carmine’s isn’t just a place to eat; it’s a place to savor, relax, and enjoy exceptional Italian hospitality.

Carmine’s in Seattle carries the kind of quiet charm that settles over you the moment you step inside. The space feels polished yet welcoming — soft lighting, warm wood, and that gentle hum of conversations that makes you feel like you’ve joined a room full of people savoring life one plate at a time. It’s Italian dining without the theatrics; just thoughtful cooking and a team that knows how to make you feel taken care of. I opened the meal with the Calamari Fritti (4/5). Lightly golden, crisp, and clean-tasting, it set a confident tone — not overly seasoned, not oily, just a well-executed classic that eases you into the evening. Then came the Wild Mushroom dish (4.5/5), and this one was such a pleasant surprise. The mix of textures and deep, earthy aromas felt like a forest walk translated into a plate. Every bite was layered and warm, almost meditative. But the moment the Gnocchi Ripieni (5/5) arrived, everything shifted into high gear. These soft, filled little pillows were easily the highlight of the night. They carried this gentle richness that never overwhelmed — the kind of dish that makes you close your eyes for just a second because your brain is trying to memorize the flavor. Truly outstanding. The Bistecca Tagliata (5/5) sealed the deal. Beautifully cooked, perfectly sliced, and full of that deep, savory confidence a good steak should have. You can taste the care in the sear, the seasoning, the tenderness — it’s a plate that doesn’t need to prove anything; it simply is excellent. Portions lean generous, so sharing is encouraged, but everything is balanced enough that you never feel weighed down. Service stays attentive from start to finish — warm smiles, helpful recommendations, and timing that makes the meal feel unhurried. It’s the kind of hospitality that blends into the background while quietly elevating the whole experience. Carmine’s doesn’t chase trends; it leans into quality, technique, and heart. In a city packed with Italian spots, this one stands out for its consistency and its ability to make a dinner feel like an occasion. If you’re in Seattle and craving Italian that feels both comforting and refined, Carmine’s is absolutely worth a visit. 🍷✨

Ambience: Front of house has beautiful decor and chandeliers and provides an atmosphere of romantic and intimate dining. The back of house is for larger parties and provides an atmosphere of ballroom ball with beautiful ceiling architecture but not as appealing as the front. Service/Operations: They will hold reservations up to 15 minutes and if you try to call in they will not pick up for traffic or uber delays due to incorrect gps routes since the place is so new. They do not provide courtesy calls to check which is unusual for a marketed higher end restaurant. The service quality was lack luster while observing the majority of staff did not look like they want to be there or have high end dining service experience. The main manager even struggled opening a wine bottle and lacked hospitality training which would explain the overall standards. The service uniforms looked like repurposed science lab coats with a scouts badge sewn on the left shoulder in an attempt to portray high end blazers. The saving grace is a server in all black was the only person who seemed experience in providing expected hospitality and professionalism. The co-owner and chef made time to come and check up and received feedback which was a great gesture, but I’m not the type of diner that expects discounts, but there is a level of expectation I have give a restaurant’s price point and hype. Drinks took over an hour to arrive for our overall table which likely means they were understaff for launch. Food: For $50-$70 entrees the taste was within reason but nothing that will wow you if you have fined dined in Vancouver B.C, LA, San Diego, San Fran or New York. The presentation of food was lack luster, I think I put more level of care in the food I serve my kids. The plating choice made me recall how I’d be served food on an airplane. The presentation of food will down play the actual taste of food. Drinks: Sadly, I think Dave and busters made better drinks for the price point. I’m an old fashion and whiskey sour fanatic and the drinks are underwhelming as well for all my friends. Overall, I was disappointed as I was hyped up for the Carmine brand however this location’s soft launch was a miss besides the decor and atmosphere. For this price point, you are better off going to other local high end Italian restaurants until they polish the operations, service quality and food presentation.

I was very excited to try the new restaurant. Upon arrival, I was in wonderland. The lighting is spectacular and the main dining room is gorgeous. Sadly, for us, we were directed to a table in the other room. It was as if the designer gave up. It was seemingly an entirely different restaurant with OK lighting and several badly placed tables. You could see the disappointment on people’s faces when they were shown their tables. The service was very attentive, but the wait time was long. This didn’t bother me since the restaurant is new. The restrooms are located outside the restaurant and not seemingly managed by the restaurant and was very messy. You need to present a barcode to enter. I knew because my dinner date already struggled with this. It’s not clear and I had to scan my card several times before I was granted access. The food was good, but only good. I’ll definitely try it again, but will wait fir the main dining room.