Andrew Carmellini’s cooking is soulful and flavorful, rustic and refined. It’s a style that reflects his American roots, his work in some of the best kitchens, and his travels across the globe. He started working in restaurants at age fourteen and before making his way to New York, Carmellini worked in some of Europe’s finest restaurants, including Michelin two-star San Domenico in Emilio-Romagna. In New York, he worked at Lespinasse and Le Cirque, followed by Café Boulud in 1998 as the opening Chef de Cuisine. During his tenure, he was awarded twice by the James Beard Foundation and named one of Food & Wine Magazine’s “Best New Chefs,” among many other accolades. Members of his kitchen brigade would also go on to become some of today’s brightest culinary talents, leaving Andrew’s own set of prints on the era that followed.
In 2009, he opened Locanda Verde in The Greenwich Hotel, which earned two stars by The New York Times and a James Beard Foundation nomination for Best New Restaurant. In 2011, Carmellini opened The Dutch, a roots-inspired American restaurant in SoHo, which was named as The New York Times’ Best New Restaurant of the Year.
The following decade brought the opening of Lafayette, a French grand café and bakery, and Bar Primi, a casual pasta shop, in the heart of NoHo, in addition to Leuca, a Southern Italian neighborhood restaurant in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and Carne Mare, an Italian chophouse in New York City’s historic South Street Seaport.
In 2023, when Carmellini opened his signature restaurant, Café Carmellini, it was the first of his career with his name on the door. Café Carmellini marks his return to fine dining while distilling his 30-year New York City career into an extraordinary culinary experience. The restaurant earned a spot on New York Times’ Best New Restaurants and The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City, as well as Esquire’s Best New Restaurants in America, among other accolades. Located within The Fifth Avenue Hotel in NoMad, a luxury property awarded two Michelin Keys, Café Carmellini debuted alongside The Portrait Bar, an elegant cocktail bar with sophisticated drinks and refined bar fare. In 2025, The Portrait Bar was recognized on North America’s 50 Best Bars list.
Carmellini is also the author of two cookbooks: Urban Italian and American Flavor.
Photo: Nicholas Karlin