Carmines di Vega — Restaurant in New Haven

My friend and I came around 515 pm to have dinner .We were waited on by a waiter who had very poor communication skills and could not answer clearly what we asked about the menu. When we did order and the food was brought to us we were surprised to get a salad with the meal as we were told we would not get a salad included in the meal. My friend ordered soup as she was told no soup or salad with her meal. When our food finally came after waiting a very long time another couple came in to eat. We noticed he was giving them specials of the night! We asked him why were not given the opportunity to see the special and he shouted you ordered what u ordered! The food was very bland and tasted old . The food was also overpriced ! When I only could eat two mouthfuls of my food I told the waiter I would like to talk to the manager! He claimed he was the manager . I then told him about the food was very bland and tasted old and I was unable to eat it . He said you ordered it and I am not going to anything about it. I then told him I would never be back and told him I would also advertise how bad the food , service was to my other friends. He told me good and don’t come back! I do not recommend this place to anyone . The manager was not only rude but could not communicate with us in English . I have never gone to a Resturant and been treated so poorly ,food was not good and overpriced! There is other places very good in New Haven that are much better and are real Italian restaurants.There were only 2 other people in the restaurant and we had to wait so long for our food. I can see why there was only 2 people in this place! It was awful! Save your money for a better Italian place and do not go here! The waiter /manager did not follow any Covid standards and did not wear a mask!...

I’ve lived in New Haven for over 8 years and have always wanted to dine in at this place, as my cousin never seems to stop talking about it. Finally, after 8 years, I decided to stop in with my family. We arrived at 6:30PM, and ordered everything by 6:40. By 8:10, we were watching other tables be served their meals, while still waiting for ours to arrive. By 8:20, we had finally had enough of waiting and canceled our order. The atmosphere of this place seems great, but staff cannot seem to handle running a proper dinner service. Food doesn’t show up, you ask about it , they insure you that it’s being cooked and then another 30-40 minutes go by and you get the same excuse. Seems that this isn’t the first time they haven’t been able to get food out on time and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

After not eating all day, we decided to cancel our order and go eat at the bar down the road instead. When we asked for the bill, we were given a receipt that was charging us for the food we never got. After getting them to correct the bill, they tried one additional time to slip a food item on to it without our noticing. On the third attempt , we finally got our server to charge us for the drinks that were ran to the table.

There is no good reason that food should ever take more than 45 minutes to get to a table. I’m not sure if these guys were short staffed or just weren’t prepared for a Saturday night dinner service: either way, the dinner we never received could’ve been great and it’s a shame I’ll never know how good / bad the food...

Dining at Carmine's di Vega is always a pleasure, and easily one of the most consistent and comforting restaurant experiences I’ve had. The quality of the food is exceptional—each dish is thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and full of rich, authentic flavor. Whether it’s your first visit or your tenth, the culinary standard never wavers.

The service is equally impressive. The staff is professional, attentive, and knowledgeable about the menu. They create a seamless dining experience from start to finish, with just the right balance of friendliness and professionalism.

As someone with food allergies, dining out can often be stressful—but not here. The chefs at Carmine's di Vega are conscientious and understanding, taking the time to ensure every meal I receive is completely safe, without compromising on taste. I’m always impressed by their ability to deliver delicious, worry-free dishes that meet my dietary needs.

The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with a relaxed yet refined vibe that makes you feel instantly at home. What truly sets this place apart, though, are the owners. They are genuinely welcoming, always present, and clearly passionate about what they do. Their warmth and hospitality elevate the experience and make every visit feel personal.

Carmine's di Vega isn’t just a great restaurant—it’s a place you'll look forward to returning to time and again....