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Welcome to Café Carmela

Café Carmela, located in Philadelphia, is a family-owned Italian restaurant known for its delicious pasta dishes, pizza, and a variety of Italian specialties. Customers rave about the fried mozzarella, whipped ricotta appetizer, and hot honey chicken sandwich. The cozy atmosphere and friendly service make it a perfect spot for a casual dining experience. The menu may not be extensive, but it offers unique and flavorful items like the Bianco pizza and limoncello gelato. Whether you're craving a classic Italian dish or looking to try something new, Café Carmela is a must-visit for an authentic taste of Italy.

LOCATIONS
  • Café Carmela
    2859 Holme Ave Philadelphia, PA 19152
    2859 Holme Ave Philadelphia, PA 19152 Hotline: (215) 821-2584

Welcome to Café Carmela, a delightful haven of Italian culinary bliss nestled in the heart of Philadelphia at 2859 Holme Ave. This charming pasta shop, famed for its pizza and authentic Italian dishes, has quickly become a go-to destination for both locals and visitors alike. As you step inside, you are greeted by a cozy ambiance that invites you to savor each bite with friends and family.

What makes Café Carmela stand out is its unwavering commitment to quality. Every plate is crafted with care, featuring locally sourced ingredients that resonate with the flavors of Italy. The menu may not be extensive, but it’s packed with interesting and delicious options that will satisfy any palate. From the grilled chicken to the delightful sides like side long hots and roasted sweet peppers, each dish compliments the next and encourages exploration.

Customer reviews depict a consistent theme of satisfaction and joy. One diner raved about the Buffalo Chicken Cheesesteak, praising its rich flavors and generous portion. Another highlighted the Fried Mozzarella and delectable Cannoli Cake as must-try items. The Pizza Bianco is another gem—light, crispy crust topped with fresh ingredients that tantalize your taste buds at every crunch.

Café Carmela is also renowned for its outstanding service. Customers appreciate the accommodating staff that works tirelessly to ensure a pleasant dining experience. Whether you’re seated indoors or finding a spot on the patio, the lively atmosphere adds to the overall charm of the place.

If you're a fan of Italian cuisine, Café Carmela is where flavors come alive. From the captivating aromas that waft from the kitchen to the tantalizing menu that offers something for everyone, this cafe is a little slice of Italy right in Philly. It's been noted multiple times that it’s the perfect spot for those craving a true taste of Italian comfort food with a touch of homely warmth. So grab your loved ones, maybe a bottle of your favorite vintage (as it's a BYOB), and experience the culinary delights that await at Café Carmela.

START YOUR REVIEW OF Café Carmela
Chung S.
Chung S.

I stopped here while visiting my sister. Her boyfriend highly recommended it. I love Italian food, pasta in general and tiramisu. We each had something different. Everything was delicious! Will be back.

Anton F.
Anton F.

Oh The Goodness! This place is full of all kinds of deliciousness. Was in town during our National Convention in May and this was a must try recommended by all the local folks for a good cheesesteak but there is so much more to try and enjoy. A family owned Italian restaurant serving all the goodies. Not an extensive menu but has some interesting items. I can't track the photos but what I remember that was so scrumptious were the fried mozzarella, my coworker ordered a peach pizza that was amazing, full of flavor and of coarse the cheesesteak which was one of the best I tried while in Philly, comes with onions and your choice a cheese, I had the cooper sharp. Wow! There is a cannoli cake for the sweet tooth that is really tasty. The service was great for a packed house. It was a little noisy but great atmosphere.

Micaelly A.
Micaelly A.

Great as always! This time we tried some new items from the menu - the Bianco pizza, the Cesar salad, fried mozzarella, limoncello gelato, and the affogato. All of it was absolutely amazing but my personal highlights were the fried mozzarella and the affogato, which I was craving again about 5 minutes later. My husband had the limoncello and thought it was good. The service as always was awesome and the ambiance is as always very cozy. Highly recommend.

Susie R.
Susie R.

What a cute little place. The staff and service was excellent. No wait time at all and we went for dinner. It's a BYOB. We tried their version of the cheesesteak and it was really good actually! I love the bread they use. The whipped ricotta appetizer was to die for! Loved the hot honey chicken sandwich too! Overall would come back. The only reason I'm giving it a 4 star instead of 5 is because we were seated right by the AC and it was dripping on us.

Bill P.
Bill P.

I got the Steak Sandwich with onions and sharp provolone cheese. Plenty of very tasty rib eye was in it. I will be going back.

Natalia K.
Natalia K.

My coworkers and I got recommended this place and boy did it deliver! One of the tastiest cheese steaks I've had in years. Plus the service was extremely friendly and fast. The restaurant does a lot of takeaway, but the sit down portion was very cozy. 10/10 would come back again if I'm in the area!

Neferteri G.
Neferteri G.

We went on a Friday around 3 PM and it wasn't busy, but by the time we left service was picking up. The fried mozzarella was delicious. The marinara sauce is so fresh and tasty. They were also hot so the cheese was cheeeessyyyy, just how I like it. My boyfriend got the Italiano with hot peppers. He enjoyed the sandwich but the hot peppers were a little too hot for him; so be mindful if that's not your thing. I ordered the Joey's hot honey. I really loved the chicken and the prosciutto. But... the mozzarella was not good at all. It was cold so I think that threw me off a little bit. Next time I would order it without that on top. Overall, nice place to go for lunch. I would like to try their other location in Huntington Valley.