Last Updated: 6 days ago
Phone: (212) 686-5252
Address: 250 5 AVENUE 10001
Elegant French-Italian fine dining in a beautiful hotel setting, perfect for celebrations with acclaimed dishes like exceptional risotto.
Experience the refined elegance of Cafe Carmellini, a French-Italian fine dining establishment nestled within the revamped Fifth Avenue Hotel. Patrons rave about the sumptuous ambiance, making it a top choice for romantic dinners and special celebrations. While the food garners frequent praise, particularly the acclaimed risotto and innovative fusion dishes, some find the menu slightly less exciting than the opulent surroundings.
Cafe Carmellini offers a fine dining experience with a blend of French and Italian cuisine. The food is frequently lauded, with standout mentions of their risotto, described by one user as the best in NYC, and unique dishes like 'Oysters à la pomme'. Some customers find the menu and food quality to be just 'OK' or not as exciting as the restaurant's ambiance, though others highlight creative use of seasonal produce and impressive dishes like halibut with caviar. The restaurant is also noted for its steak and a $65 lunch tasting menu.
"Highly recommended dishes include the risotto, halibut with caviar, and the snap pea and almond tart. The 'Oysters à la pomme' are also noted as a unique and surprisingly good option."
Customers generally have a very positive view of Cafe Carmellini, often praising its beautiful ambiance and suitability for special occasions. While the food receives frequent acclaim, with specific mentions of risotto, oysters, and French/Italian fusion dishes, a few reviews note that the menu or food quality might not be as exciting as the decor. There are also a few mentions of negative service experiences.
Important Note
One review mentioned that the service was terrible. Another noted that while the space is gorgeous, the food and menu are not exciting.
"The commenter believes the chicken dish at Cafe Carmellini is very good and would be suitable for bringing a child."
Positive"The commenter is planning to visit Cafe Carmellini soon and is asking for recommendations on what to order."
Neutral"This restaurant was recommended as a fine dining option for a date night in NYC."
Positive"This user agrees with the previous comment about Cafe Carmellini, noting that while the space is gorgeous, the food and menu are not exciting."
Neutral"This user found the space at Cafe Carmellini beautiful and the downstairs Portrait Bar fun, but was not impressed with the menu or food quality, stating it was just 'OK'."
Neutral"Cafe Carmellini is mentioned as a fantastic French/Italian restaurant that is à la carte only and aiming for a Michelin star, with a romantic vibe."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is consistently excellent and compared favorably to the now-closed Del Posto."
Positive"Had a phenomenal lunch experience at Cafe Carmellini."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is highly praised for its quality and is noted to be excellent, potentially gunning for a Michelin star."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is suggested as a dining option."
Positive"This user found the food slightly better at Portale, but preferred the vibe at Cafe Carmellini, noting the excellent service on their wedding night and suggesting a pre-call for special notes."
Positive"This commenter recommended Cafe Carmellini as the top choice among the options provided."
Positive"This user and their wife enjoyed both The Bazaar and Cafe Carmellini. They noted The Bazaar is more lively, suggesting Cafe Carmellini for a quieter experience. Staying at the nearby Fifth Avenue Hotel makes Cafe Carmellini a convenient option."
Positive"This commenter found both Cafe Carmellini and Portale to be good, but considered Cafe Carmellini to be more memorable."
Positive"This commenter has Cafe Carmellini on their list as a special occasion spot, describing it as aesthetically beautiful and hearing good things about the food."
Positive"Café Carmellini was suggested as a potential dining spot."
Neutral"Recommended as one of the best restaurants in the city, with a high price point."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is suggested as a special occasion restaurant."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is suggested as a dining option."
Positive"Cafe Carmellini is recommended as a romantic and dressy Italian restaurant."
Positive
