Carmela's Cucina
About This Spot
Stepping into Carmela's Cucina feels like entering a cherished, sunlit corner of Italy nestled in the heart of Cambridge. This intimate Italian restaurant welcomes you with the warmth of a family kitchen, where the pace slows just enough to savor both conversation and the aroma of fresh herbs melting into slow-simmered sauces. The cozy, unpretentious space hums quietly with the gentle rhythm of genuine hospitality—a place where neighbors and visitors alike find themselves settling in with the easy comfort of longtime friends.
Behind the scenes, the kitchen lovingly brings together traditional flavors that speak of homemade recipes and thoughtfully sourced ingredients. Plates arrive thoughtfully crafted but unpretentious, each bite revealing the care invested in everything from the crisp garlic bread to the rich, satisfying layers of a perfectly baked eggplant rollatini. Whether you choose a vibrant Caprese salad shimmering with fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes, or a hearty helping of Chicken Marsala tender with sauce subtly sweetened by wine, the food encourages a slower pace and shared moments around the table.
It's a place where authentic Italian dishes—often family favorites—are paired with friendly service that feels as personal as the recipes themselves. The modest size of the dining room only enhances the homey atmosphere, making every visit feel like part of a local tradition rather than just a meal out. Even in the bustle of a busy evening, the attentive team balances efficiency with a warm smile, ensuring the experience stays grounded in genuine connection.
For those who yearn for a welcoming spot that respects the unspoken art of comfort and flavor, Carmela's Cucina offers a quiet invitation to slow down, share stories, and enjoy the simple joy of real food made with heart.
What’s Available Here
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Outdoor seating
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Takeaway
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Dine-in
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Fast service
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Great dessert
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Great wine list
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Serves local specialty
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Solo dining
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Wheelchair-accessible car park
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Wheelchair-accessible entrance
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Wheelchair-accessible seating
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Wheelchair-accessible toilet
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Alcohol
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Beer
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Coffee
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Comfort food
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Healthy options
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Quick bite
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Small plates
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Vegetarian options
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Wine
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Lunch
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Dinner
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Dessert
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Seating
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Table service
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Toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Family friendly
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Groups
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Tourists
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Credit cards
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Debit cards
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NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
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High chairs
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Kids' menu
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Free of charge street parking
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Free parking lot
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Parking
Location & Hours
| Monday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Tuesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Wednesday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Thursday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Friday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | Closed |
Duane Brisson 12 Jan 2026
We have drove by a few times and then we saw all the good reviews. We stopped in and had dinner there and everything was amazing. Best chicken parm I’ve had in a long time . The fried raviolis were awesome and you could tell they make them fresh. I definitely recommend them .
Emerson Chang 07 Dec 2025
Quaint, homey feeling little restaurant with great food and service. Food was served hot, made to order, large portions and fast. The chicken marsala was great, nice sweeter wine was used and chicken was juicy. The fried ravioli was ok, fried well, just didn't pop, but the sauce helped. The fresh garlic on the garlic bread was nice touch. Looks like it can get a little crowded since it's a small place, so largest party I'd imagine fitting comfortably is 6 people. You'd have to split up into different tables beyond that. Service was great, people are nice and attentive. Would come again to try their other dishes.
Timothy Miller 02 Dec 2025
This is a fantastic tiny little freestanding authentic Italian restaurant run by a husband and wife team in the super quaint Maritime town of Cambridge. I'd like to say I discovered it myself, but actually I just googled best Italian restaurant near me and it came up. So everybody locally already knows it's a great place. It's a very fun cozy little restaurant to eat in. There are just two small rooms with nice wooden tables and beautiful casual Italian decorations with black and white checkered curtains and heavy natural wood tables. You can see the cooks cooking in the kitchen. They do a large carryout business also and that action is going on on the side. Our waitress Reese was super friendly and very skilled. She made great recommendations in terms of what to choose and also how to split it up. Obviously, we had a lot of leftovers and Reese very nicely wrapped them up for us in cardboard boxes and then a nice quilted carrying bag. The portions are absolutely enormous and she was very helpful in telling us how many people to split each dish with. The antipasto salad was delicious. The cheese and meats were rolled and sliced very thinly, which gave them a nice texture. The sweet pickled peppers were delicious on the antipasto. I ordered the eggplant rollatini which I have never even heard of. It was absolutely delicious. Eggplant rolled with ricotta, spinach, and mozzarella with a tomato sauce over it. My mother ordered the crab spaghetti which she said was delicious. My brother-in-law got the pasta classico with shrimp, which he loved. We shared a nice bottle of Chianti, and for dessert we had freshly made cannolis which were absolute perfection. So if you're looking for a great place for a family meal or a nice romantic date, fairly casual and moderately priced, this is your place. I only wish it was in my home town .
Kaitlin Fernandez 30 Nov 2025
Delicious pizza and garlic bread. Clean establishment. Very friendly service!
Miss DivaDoll 11 Nov 2025
Delicious authentic Italian food. We had a large group and they were very accommodating. They do not have a lot of seating, but the 15 of us were able to get a private section. The bathroom is in that section, but that was not a problem. The food was delicious. I ordered Shrimp Alfredo, but everyone enjoyed their food (pizza, veggie wrap, eggplant, and more). What was most enjoyable was the chef's hospitality. He brought a dessert to our table that was authentic and told us the story behind the dessert. It was good as well. This was a great time with delicious food.
Colleen L. 10 Oct 2025
We love this spot! This is where you go when you want old school Italian food that's made with love. The pizza is always fresh (with a wide variety of by- the-slice options), the sandwiches are overflowing with goodness, the entrees are infinitely craveable (looking at you, lasagna...chicken parm...and piccata), and do yourself a favor and get a cannoli. The only difficult thing about eating here is deciding which delicious dish to get.
Jason Schuchardt 05 Oct 2025
Lovely place to sit down and enjoy a great meal. The pizza was fantastic. Great crust. Meatballs are seasoned well. Pasta is like can I have one of everything please
Krispy P 20 Sep 2025
This family owned gem is delightful. The relaxed atmosphere reminded me of being at home except tonight I didn't have to make dinner. The employees were smiling and friendly. The food portions are huge and delicious. The service was that off a high end restaurant without the pricing. I can't wait to come again!!