Little Napoli

Dolores St, Carmel-By-The-Sea, CA 93921, United States
+1 831-626-6335
$$$ Italian restaurant
(1679 Reviews)
Price Range $30–50

Nestled in the charming streets of Carmel-By-The-Sea, Little Napoli is a delightful Italian restaurant that effortlessly marries authentic Italian cuisine with a warm and inviting atmosphere. This culinary gem offers a myriad of delicious dishes that capture the essence of Italy, each crafted with passion and precision.

As you step inside, the ambiance immediately transports you to a quaint Italian eatery, complete with rustic decor and a lovely patio adorned with vibrant flowers, creating a picturesque setting perfect for a romantic dinner or a friendly family gathering. The sounds of laughter mingle with the tantalizing aroma of garlic and fresh herbs in the air, promising a memorable dining experience.

Little Napoli prides itself on its diverse menu, showcasing a range of scrumptious appetizers perfect for sharing or savoring solo. Treat your taste buds to their exquisite Heirloom Caprese or indulge in the light and flavorful Calamari Fritti. The Meatball Lollipops and Truffled Gnocchi are customer favorites that showcase the kitchen's attention to taste and quality.

When it comes to pasta, your options are plenty, but do not miss the renowned 1944 Lasagna, a tribute to tradition, or the rich Ragù Bolognese "Obama"—each bite is a delightful homage to authentic Italian cooking that will linger on your palate. For those who love a good vegetarian option, the Brown Butter Sage Ravioli is an absolute must-try.

Your experience would not be complete without sampling one of their wonderfully crafted pizzas, such as the Mushroom Truffle Pizza, perfectly crispy and topped with earthy flavors. Pair your meal with one of Chef Pepe’s signature cocktails for a truly indulgent outing.

Little Napoli is highly praised by guests, and reviews consistently mention the exceptional service. Diners appreciate the attentiveness of the staff—like Nikhil, who highlighted how the service made their experience memorable. Others, like Suman, were pleasantly surprised by the welcoming atmosphere after a day exploring the area.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure to visit Little Napoli. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an invitation to indulge, laugh, and enjoy the comforts of delicious Italian food. Don’t forget to reserve a table, as this cozy spot is known to fill up quickly!

For inquiries, you can reach them at +1 831-626-6335. Enjoy your culinary journey at Little Napoli!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers delivery
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Highlights
Has fireplace
Serves great cocktails
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great wine list
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves small plates
Serves spirits
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Romantic
Trendy
Upmarket
Crowd
Good for groups
Popular with tourists
Planning
Dinner reservations recommended
Accepts reservations
Usually has a wait
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

4:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Saturday

11:30 AM - 3:00 PM

Sunday

11:30 AM - 9:00 PM

1679 Reviews
Suman Hazra

15 Sep 2025

I absolutely loved this place. I have to admit this was not our first choice. We went on a long weekend for dinner without any reservation. After getting turned away from multiple restaurants on our list, we were getting desperate and were randomly going to every restaurant, we could see. This one was totally a pleasant surprise. It was pretty late in the night, but the restaurant was still quite full. Our server was the sweetest lady. We were seated indoors which is a very basic, but relaxing and rustic atmosphere. They also have an outdoor area which looks very nice in night with all the lights. The menu is classic, Italian. The prices are average for the area and the portion sizes are extremely generous, making it a good deal. I started with the Caesar salad, which was freshly made. It actually had whole anchovies and not just in the sauce, which I found to be quite unique. For my mains, I got a chopinno, which is a San Francisco style seafoods stew. The seafood was fresh, and it was delicious. It came with cheesy toast, garlic bread, which is unusual pairing, but it went along perfectly. I also tried the pesto pasta, which was creamy and very herby. Everything was delicious and overall, it was such a great dinner . A few of our friends were vegetarian, and even they walked away, fully satisfied and happy.

Nikhil “Nik” Pratap

07 Sep 2025

Just a short walk from the inn we were staying, the place was fantastic. Food was excellent and came out reasonably quick. The service was fantastic, our waitress constantly checking in to make sure we were okay and taken care of. We had the garlic break, steak, some pasta and a couple of small pizzas. They had a couple vegan and gluten free options, the steak was perfect for someone with lactose intolerance. They are dog friendly and you can bring you pup with you!!

Raul Piscoya

30 Aug 2025

Decided to try out some Italian after day at the beach. The service was super friendly and fast! Got the calamari the strawberry gorgonzola salad and the Sinatra. Everything was amazing super light batter in the calamari, a lot of really good strawberries and the pasta was just right! Will definitely be back for the pizza and other dishes that caught my attention. It is a cashless restaurant so that was the only thing I didn't like. Other than that it's great place!

Bochog

28 Aug 2025

Your palate will dance to the flavors of the meal you ordered. The lamb is so extraordinary, the pasta, great, the gnocchi very good. Staff are very courteous and prompt to your needs. A place for a romantic dine-in. Place is in the heart of Carmel downtown. A must visit whenever in the area.

James N.

22 Aug 2025

Decor is all Italian, sat in Sinatra room. Plenty of tables inside and out. Pizza was very good, nice chewy crust and perfect as an app. Coppino is worth trying, lots of seafood. Wild boar pasta also a recommendation. Chef Pepe's barrel aged cocktails were excellent, and you can buy the bottles

Negin Nadali

16 Jun 2025

Delicious food with Italian vibes. The atmosphere is amazing, they have both indoor and outdoor area. They have beautiful bar area as well. We had Mushroom truffle pizza with Lasagna, the Lasagna’s receipt was for chef’s grandfather for World War II. Both really delicious with a lot of different tastes in the mouth. We had the brownies with ice cream as dessert and it was yummy. I didn’t like the service though, they were not precise, gave table late, forgot to bring menu for 15 minutes and mess about the birthday surprise. I loved the restaurant though because the atmosphere was friendly and cozy

Rahul Somani

06 Jun 2025

Cute spot in the middle of Carmel where parking can be a little tricky to find. Their ambiance and location is perfect to enjoy the town. We were able to get reservations for a party of six and were served in a timely manner. We tried quite a few of their items and enjoyed them all thoroughly. We had the gnochi, pea pasta, and the vegetarian pizza. Service and food were high quality and we were well taken care of.

Bhaumik Mistry

02 Jun 2025

This Italian restaurant is an absolute gem, truly a cozy and lovingly decorated place that transports you straight to Europe. Its location is absolutely charming, nestled on a corner street with one entire wall adorned with beautiful pink flowers on a vine – a truly picturesque sight! Step inside, and you'll discover a cozy patio at the center of the building, decorated so thoughtfully that it immediately evokes the feeling of being in Italy. The entire place is so nicely crafted and decorated, it effortlessly transports you back in time and across the ocean. The food is just as amazing as the ambiance. From the delicious bruschetta to the flavorful garlic bread and the fantastic pizza, everything we tried was simply wonderful. Our daughter had a great time, and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite. The only reminder that we were still in the USA was the baseball and American football playing on the TV; otherwise, we were completely immersed and transported back to Italy. This is a must-try place for anyone seeking an authentic, delightful Italian dining experience in a truly enchanting setting!

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