The Carmello's Story
Introduction
Carmello's has been a Charlottesville favorite since 1992. We made our mark with with the traditional, rustic northern Italian recipes of the restaurant's founders, Bill and Stella Hedges. We opened Carmello's a few years before that, however, in Old Town Manassas of Northern Virginia in 1987.
The Early Years
Carmello's was founded by Bill and Stella Hedges in Old Town Manassas in 1987. It became an immediate success, receiving rave reviews by the local papers and people, major publications like the Washington Post Magazine, celebrities. As a result, Carmello's received the Silver Spoon Award and "Best Italian" category for five consecutive years.
Moving to Charlottesville
Bill and Stella Hedges fell in love with the Central Virginia and the city of Charlottesville in particular during a visit in the early 90's. They decided that it was the perfect place for them to raise their children. The decision to move the family and Carmello's to Charlottesville was made. The restaurant in Manassas was sold to a Portuguese family who maintained the name and character of Carmello's as well as Portuguese Cuisine. Carmello's of Charlottesville was established in May of 1992 and became a big hit within the town and the University of Virginia.
Today
Since April 2014, Executive Chef George Hedges, who has taken over the kitchen since 2013 after graduating from Le Cordon Blue Culinary Institute has blended the traditional elements of his mother's cuisine and rotates new ideas through dinner specials each night. The result is a delightfully unique array of flavors and presentation, an intimate connection to the land that produces our food, and a wonderful selection of wines spanning the Piedmonts from central Virginia to northwestern Italy and beyond.

Our Emmet Street location is where Charlottesville got to know us!
What Others Have Said About Carmello's
"We have become part of the family since we've dined at Carmello's since '92. Stella has stayed past closing hours to accommodate us on a good number of occasions. You don't find such service easily!"
Garrett Smith
"If you are in the Charlottesville area and you want excellent food and want to be treated like family Carmello's is the place for you! A place where that will truly never let you down. Buon appetito!"
Annita DiSabatto
Hours Of Operation
Monday
Closed
Tuesday - Friday
Lunch: 11:30am - 2:00pm Dinner: 5:00 - 9:30pm
Saturday
Lunch: Closed Dinner: 5:00 - 9:30pm
Sunday
Dinner: 5:00 - 9:00pm
Connect With Us
Carmello's Restaurant & Wine Bar
400 29th Place Ct, Charlottesville, VA 22901
Phone: (434) 977-5200
Fax: (434) 823-1407
E-mail: info@carmellosrestaurant.com
Our Latest News
- Announcing Early Bird Dinner Hours September 19, 2016
- Graduation Weekend 2016 Menu May 19, 2016
- Sign-Up For Our Newsletter January 14, 2016
- Get Carmello’s Delivered To Your Front Door! January 13, 2016
- Welcome To Our New Website January 12, 2016