Little Napoli

I travel a lot for business and love to use it as an excuse to try and review local restaurants across the country. This weekend, I made it into Carmel, CA and was urged to go try what is known as the best Italian restaurant in Carmel. From the momen ... more

I travel a lot for business and love to use it as an excuse to try and review local restaurants across the country. This weekend, I made it into Carmel, CA and was urged to go try what is known as the best Italian restaurant in Carmel. From the moment I walked in, I was able to smell my Nonna's cooking again. I went for a dinner, did not have a reservation and was seated within 10 minutes. From the moment I got there, it was the first time in all of my years of traveling that I finally felt at home away from home. With the wonderful staff like Stephanie and Nico, I forgot that I had a table for one and was soon joined by the owner himself, Pepe. I tried his wine from Atlas Peak in Napa Valley, Pepe Vesuvio - delicious! Then I had the garlic bread with the marinara dipping sauce, even though I didn't need to dip it much at all. For my entree, I had the Cannelloni with the Marinara, Pesto and Alfredo sauces. I've been to Italy twice, and I have to admit that this could challenge many restaurants in Italy for the perfection of Italian home cooking. I ended the night with a deliciously home-made Cannoli which Pepe said he made himself. It was to die for! With the great service, the warm, welcoming ambiance of home, I could not give this restaurant anything but a perfect score. I will have to make another trip to Carmel just for this restaurant! less

Can I review a review, home style? Fishermen? Dying breed? First, I have never eaten at a home in Italy so I really do not have an opinion on this remark, there were many restaurants like this when fishermen first came to Monterey, no way, when fishe ... more

Can I review a review, home style? Fishermen? Dying breed? First, I have never eaten at a home in Italy so I really do not have an opinion on this remark, there were many restaurants like this when fishermen first came to Monterey, no way, when fisherman first came I am sure there were no restaurants similar. How would you now anyhow, that was so long ago, besides when fishermen first came I am sure the place was largely unpopulated. That said here goes. I have ate at Little Napoli many, many, times. You will not be eating with fisherman, you will be rubbing elbows with the very rich as well as tourists from around the world. Some how I doubt the previous review had been to Little Napoli. The decor is nothing less than five star, beautiful wood floors and tables, 25 foot ceilings with magnificent beams, beautiful paintings of Italy, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin playing in the background. So many little touches to describe its best not to, just take my word the atmosphere is great. The fine china, crystal wine glasses, beautiful silverware, everything is perfect. The food is the best, I have barely made it past the spaghetti and meatballs. I can go on and on. What you need to know is simple, Little Napoli is known by the locals as the best Italian restaurant in town. Make a reservation, if you do not get there early expect a hour and thirty minute wait. Little Napoli is not the last of a dying breed. Restaurants of this caliber never die. less

This is a true homestyle Italian restaurant. Unlike many larger cities which have something more akin to the Olive Garden, which isn't bad for what it is, Little Napoli is the last of a dying breed. When the Sicilian fishermen first came to neig ... more

This is a true homestyle Italian restaurant. Unlike many larger cities which have something more akin to the Olive Garden, which isn't bad for what it is, Little Napoli is the last of a dying breed. When the Sicilian fishermen first came to neighboring Monterey, restaurants like Little Napoli were common. But due to high rents and and increasing flood of tourist traffic, chain restaurants started taking over. Cafe Napoli has an excellent restaurant for lunch and dinner and they have another location which caters to coffee and pastries and is one of the earliest places to get such fare in late rising Carmel. less