Little Napoli — Restaurant in Carmel-by-the-Sea

From the moment we stepped into this remarkable culinary gem, we were enveloped in an atmosphere that exudes both warmth and refinement. The attention to detail, from the masterful hand of the chef to the thoughtfully curated decor by the owner, creates a truly immersive dining experience that engages all the senses.

Our gastronomic journey began with the Diavola pizza, a dish that effortlessly showcased the perfect marriage of a well-crafted crust and a boldly flavored topping. The pie itself was masterfully baked to achieve that delicate balance between crispiness and chewiness, while the spicy salami imparted a depth of flavor that elevated each bite. The rich tomato sauce, subtly seasoned, and the creamy mozzarella further enhanced the overall harmony of the dish, making it an absolute delight.

Following this, we indulged in the truffle milkies, a creation that can only be described as decadent. Each morsel carried an intoxicating aroma of truffle, mingling seamlessly with the luscious texture of the dish. The velvety smoothness and umami richness made them truly unforgettable—an essential choice for any lover of refined flavors.

The arancini, another highlight of the evening, were nothing short of exceptional. Each bite revealed a golden, crisp exterior that gave way to a beautifully seasoned, creamy risotto interior. The balance of flavors was impeccable, with just the right hint of herbs and cheese to create a deeply satisfying experience.

Accompanying our meal was the house red wine, a robust and well-rounded selection that provided a perfect pairing for our dishes. Its rich tannins and balanced acidity complemented both the spice of the pizza and the indulgence of the truffle dish. Meanwhile, the cocktail my wife selected was an absolute triumph—expertly crafted with a sophisticated blend of flavors that made each sip a pleasure.

Beyond the extraordinary cuisine, the service was of the highest standard. Our server displayed a keen sense of attentiveness, always present when needed but never intrusive. Their knowledge of the menu and warm demeanor added an extra layer of enjoyment to our visit, making us feel genuinely welcomed and valued.

In sum, this restaurant delivers a sumptuous dining experience that seamlessly combines culinary artistry, elegant ambiance, and impeccable service. Every element, from the inspired dishes to the inviting setting, coalesces into an evening of pure indulgence. Without a doubt, this is a place that warrants not only a return visit but enthusiastic recommendation to all who appreciate the finer...

I want to start off by saying we love Little Napoli's! The calamari was tender and cooked to perfection, the garlic bread did come out cold this time around, but we still liked it enough to enjoy it. The San Vito pizza was delicious with lovely flavors from the house sausage and the sweetness from the peppers were divine!

I'm compelled to write a review this time because last night's dinner (Saturday 3/8) started off extremely off-putting with the host. We showed up around 7:30pm, was notified that there weren't any openings but the bar area is first come first serve. The bar was currently full, so we waited outside the door so we won't disturb the other patrons. Around 7:50pm, 4 people were leaving the bar area. We were waiting for them to walk out on the right side of the door (we were by the menus the entire time) when the hostess goes on the left side and tells the people that had just walked up with no reservation "it looks like a table just freed up in the bar area if you want to grab it" and ushers them in and directs them to that freed up bar table.

We're easy going people, and I wouldn't be giving this review 2 stars for service if the host hadn't said anything to the group and just let the bar area be "first come first serve". We were upset because we were outside in the cold waiting for 20 minutes by the menus 6 feet away from her and she 100% knows this, yet she still made the conscious decision to help out the other group over us. We can't help but think "were we just profiled?" because why else would a host pick and choose who to help seat in an open area? Not a good look and makes us feel disregarded.

Because we enjoyed our previous trips to Little Napoli's in the past, we decided to give it another few minutes and found a spot at the bar (the bartenders were lovely and attentive!) and the rest of the night was amazing. Hope this review helps - we will definitely make reservations next time to avoid something like this...

I'll start by saying that we didn't have the opportunity to eat here, so Little Napoli wasn't able to earn anything higher than a 1 star. I treated my daughter to a girl's getaway, and we stayed in Carmel. I was excited to treat her to a special dinner out. We arrived around 7:45 on a Thursday and while there was a steady stream of patrons, it was by no means slammed. A sign directed us to seat ourselves. No problem. We sat ourselves at an open table which was covered in bits of food, but none of the open tables we saw had been cleaned. We waited about 5 min with not even a greeting or acknowledgement from staff. I had to seek someone out to ask if table service was being offered, for menus and for the table to be cleaned. A couple moments later someone brought us menus and wiped the table down but didn't introduce himself as server, ask how our evening was going, welcome us in, take drink orders of offer waters, none of the interactions you would hope for when you're about to spend a pretty penny on a meal, he just rushed off without a word. We reviewed the menu, decided on what we wanted and waited about 10 more min with not one staff acknowledging us further. I let the bartender know we were leaving due to lack of service. I know places are short staffed and busy, I can work with that, but at the very least you have to train your staff to acknowledge their patrons and make them feel welcome, and if it's going to be a wait due to circumstances out of your control, just communicate that. But we just left feeling they didn't really care for our business. Again, this was supposed to me a special meal. We were hungry and tired, so we ended up calling it a night and getting takeout from Pizza My Heart (casual pizza joint in Monterey). Their staff were great. Hope it was just a fluke, so if we have the opportunity and decide to give them a second chance, I will gladly adjust the review if we make it past...