Carmine Giardini is the founder of Carmine's La Trattoria and Carmine's Pizzeria, establishments recognized for their authentic Italian cuisine and brick oven pizzas.
Insights
BrunchItalianPizzaFrenchModerateLunchDinnerCasualWine Bar
Last updated: 8/28/2026, 4:04:07 AM
Key Information
Carmine's La Trattoria transports diners to Vittorito, Italy, Carmine’s hometown, offering authentic Italian dishes in Palm Beach Gardens. It features an extensive wine list and is complemented by a large, impressive market next door, providing a comprehensive Italian culinary experience.
Customer Perception
Customer perception is mixed but generally positive. Many praise the consistently good food and service, highlighting specific dishes like spaghetti and meatballs. The attached market is frequently mentioned as a significant draw. However, some reviews note that the restaurant can be loud, and a few customers found certain dishes bland or overpriced, with occasional inconsistencies in service quality.
Additional Details
Carmine's La Trattoria has been celebrating over 54 years in business, establishing itself as a long-time local favorite. It is known for its large, impressive market located next door, offering a wide array of fresh foods and Italian specialties.
No specific peak times are mentioned, but the restaurant can be loud. Early dinner, possibly during happy hour, or quieter times for a more peaceful dining experience, might be ideal.
Awards & Recognition
Palm Beach Post "Best of the Best" Community Choice Awards • 2019
Did a solo birthday lunch here and they didn’t disappoint. Food was very good, the staff was so nice. I have been back with my family since. Great food, it’s a bit loud inside but the food is good.
Posting my review while it is fresh in my mind, went for HH early dinner today 12.03.2025. Food: Arancini was good; Alfredo sauce was watery like milk. Service: I asked the "bartender" (gray-haired dude on the right in picture #3) three times for a menu, he did not respond nor look at me. Alex (young man on left in picture #3), stepped in and gave me a menu, took my order, and got me a side of fettucine alfredo which was not on the menu, very sweet of him! He was very attentive except I asked for a wine pairing which he gave me a recommendation but never delivered the wine - oh well! I also had another waiter standing by the bar ask me if I wanted grated cheese added to my alfredo, very nice of him. I went to Carmine's huge market next door to pick up tiramisu for take home dessert. Very impressive market with tons of fresh foods, steaks looked amazing. Again I asked a store clerk where the desserts were, he said "back there" and never looked up. Found the dessert counter, the woman plopped my tiramisu into a box. Took it to the young clerk who was very disengaged with her job and did not charge me the correct price but it was less and, because of the horrible attitudes I was subjected to, I took it. With the exception of Alex and his professionalism, I could get just as good or better at Olive Garden. I do not agree with the "Best Restaurant" accreditation. You get what you give! Not impressed!
1
Surprisingly bland. I felt like I'd bought and was eating a can of chef boy-r-d for 99 cents at walmart, except I paid ..$38. Maybe I'm a food snob, but I don't think so. I've traveled the world and been exposed to a lot of amazing cuisine. This is definitely not it. I think people just don't understand what great food is anymore. Ihave no idea how this restaurant can have more than two or three stars and attract the number of diners that it does. This is an absolute mystery to me.
2
First time at Carmines restaurant. Had a soup as an appetizer it was okay. Then I was hoping to have some exquisite Margherita pizza (which I’ve had plenty of times in the past at other places) and I was pretty disappointed. I double checked with the server to make sure it was the correct pizza and he confirmed it was. This was probably one of the most un-appealing Margheritas pizzas I’ve had , if it even was the correct pizza because it tasted just like a regular plain cheese pizza. (I boxed it and took the picture at home with added cheese otherwise I couldn’t finish it) The Crème brûlée was good. Also great atmosphere. Some friends had other pasta dishes but Overpriced in my opinion for the taste .
5
There are very few restaurants that I give five stars to, but this one is absolutely deserving. I visited it upon recommendation from the bartender at the Hilton garden inn when I asked him where the best Italian food in town could be found. It's a lovely little market with lots of goodies attached to a beautiful little restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating. The restaurant was fairly quiet which I appreciated to read my book over dinner. They had an excellent $30 special which included salad or soup and an entree. Now, I have never been to Italy and I am not Italian so I have no place to be saying whether something is authentic or not. What I can say, is that this was the best spaghetti and meatballs I have ever had in my life. The meatballs were well cooked and well seasoned, and huge! The pasta is handmade in house, and you can taste it. The sauce was slightly sweet and perfectly balanced. And the profiteroles were absolutely delicious, soft creamy and sweet without being overwhelmingly sugary. And the waiter was the perfect amount of attentive while still giving space to enjoy my meal, And everything between the bread, the salad, and the entree came out in perfect timing (restaurant serving is a lost art nowadays it seems so this was greatly appreciated). As someone who lives on the road for work, places like this are hard to come by and make the night so much more enjoyable when you can have a good meal and a peaceful environment with great service. Will definitely be returning regularly whenever I'm in town! Highly recommend trying it out. Next time I'm in town I will definitely be coming a little earlier to shop their market beforehand because I saw so many yummy treats on my walk through to the restaurant.
