Carmella's Cafe and Dessert Bar — Restaurant in Charleston

3.5 stars-chose to end my birthday celebration here after the many great reviews. surprised to find it felt more like a dark noisy bar rather than a dessert shop. headed toward the light-the refrigerated bakery case at the rear. gorgeous looking cakes and pastries. the cakes are easily more than two people could eat for dessert and leftovers are not easily handled by travelers. plus who needs more calories. why not offer a slice also? so two can share. nope, not an option. also, why refrigerate everything? i know, it's to extend the shelf life and avoid waste. but it deadens the flavor and dries out the cake. why not offer some cake at room temp for folks to eat in and sell the cold ones to people looking to take out or just pig out onsite? so cake was out for us but they offered some belgian waffle creations with gelato and fancy toppings. not knowing for sure how big they were we asked the counter man-over the ridiculously loud music-what he thought of them. said they were really good and not too big. chose to order the campfire. this included chocolate gelato, marshmallow cream, graham cracker, and whipped cream. imagine our surprise when i noticed that the waffles are not made to order. probably not even made on site. commercial premade waffles heated i a warming oven! quite disappointing, especially for the price. and unfortunately the counter man seemed to lose track of the timing and they came out a good bit over done. but let me now say that the finished product was really delicious. the chocolate gelato may have been one of the most delicious and flavorful i've ever had. so rich. add the gooey, runny from the warm waffle marshmallow cream, the whipped cream and the crisp grahams and you really felt like it was a decadent smore. perfect size for two people. we cleaned the plate on that one. so with all the reservations if are looking for something sweet...

In the realm of mixological expertise, the figure of Jason emerges as a luminary whose profound aptitude in the craft of bartending warrants extensive commendation. Nestled within the vibrant ambience of Carmella’s. Jason assumes the mantle of not merely a bartender, but a paragon of mixological finesse and customer service excellence.

Jason's dexterity behind the bar is manifestly commendable, evidenced by his seamless orchestration of complex libations that transcend mere cocktails to embody crafted works of liquid art. His meticulous attention to detail ensures each drink is a symphony of flavors, harmoniously tailored to suit even the most discerning palate.

Beyond his technical prowess, Jason exudes a rare charisma that effortlessly captivates patrons. His affable demeanor and attentive disposition create an atmosphere of conviviality, elevating the bar experience from a mere transaction to a memorable encounter enriched with warmth and hospitality.

Moreover, Jason's acumen extends beyond the realms of mixology and interpersonal finesse; he demonstrates an admirable proficiency in the nuances of customer preferences and dietary restrictions, ensuring each guest is catered to with bespoke recommendations and a genuine enthusiasm for enhancing their overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, Jason distinguishes himself not only as a bartender par excellence but also as a consummate professional whose unwavering commitment to culinary artistry and customer satisfaction sets a superlative standard within the industry. Patrons of Carmella’s are privileged to partake in his creations and bask in the radiance of his consummate...

A beautiful dessert bar located on East bay street.

Honestly, I could rave about this dessert bar I am so happy I went!! I had been wanting to try Carmella's for a while now it's been on my foodie Charleston list. I have a sweet tooth and Carmella's did not disappoint!

I went here after my birthday dinner because my group and I wanted to get some cake. One of my friends recommended to go to Carmella's. I am so glad we did! The staff were professional and sweet. They were quick and served us with excellent customer service.

While in line it was packed but the southern hospitality radiates throughout this place! The place is also very pretty and the lighting isn't too harsh. It was crowded when we went but that was expected considering the popularity of Carmella's.

I ordered a chocolate peanut butter cake because I am a die hard chocolate peanut butter fan. While in line also I was looking at the desserts behind the glass they all looked incredible! My best friend got the vanilla bean cheesecake and my other girl friend got the blueberry cheesecake. The presentations of all three were beautiful the staff even gave us some boxes at the counter so we can carry them out.

What I ordered was exceptionally excellent and beyond wonderful. It was really rich and yummy. The little peanut butter chips on top was a nice touch and it had chocolate on top. It was so good. I difdn't finish it all though but there's room for leftovers and I'm not complaining. Leftover cake at 3am hits the spot.

Wonderful experience and hope to...