This Kentucky Italian Restaurant Inside An 1850s Building Was Just Voted The No. 2 New Restaurant In America

A pound of lasagna with 101 layers gets pan-seared until crispy, then lands on your table with red gravy and parmesan. I’d go just for that.

The building serving it dates to 1856. Its old walls have hosted a boxing arena, a vaudeville theater, and even a roller rink in the 1950s.

Now it holds one of the most talked-about Italian dinners in Kentucky. Readers across the country just voted it the No. 2 best new restaurant in America.

It amazes me that a place this young already feels this rooted.

I believe the best restaurants feel like family dinners with better lighting. This one was built on that exact idea.

America Just Handed This Newcomer A Silver Medal

Second place in the whole country sounds pretty great for a restaurant that opened in late 2024. Carmelo’s Restaurant in Covington earned that spot in the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best New Restaurant.

The results came out on January 2, 2026. That’s a fast climb for a place barely past its first birthday.

Here’s how the contest works. A panel of food and travel experts first picks the nominees.

They look at things like menu execution, hospitality, and the overall dining experience.

After that, the public takes over. Fans vote online, and the final ranking comes down to those votes.

So this honor reflects real love from real diners, not just a few critics.

Kentucky has plenty of proud food spots, so standing out nationally is no small feat. I like that the award came from both experts and everyday eaters.

That combo feels more honest than a single opinion.

For you, the takeaway is simple. Book ahead, because national attention tends to fill tables quickly. A shiny new ranking rarely makes reservations easier to grab.

You’ll find the restaurant at 434 Madison Ave, Covington, Kentucky.

The Walls Have Seen Boxing, Skating, And A Famous General

Few dinner spots can claim a Civil War general as a former guest. The restaurant sits inside the Odd Fellows Hall, built in 1856 for the Odd Fellows fraternity.

Its history reads like a wild scrapbook. Local leader Amos Shinkle reportedly planned the Cincinnati-Covington Suspension Bridge within these walls.

After the Civil War, the hall hosted a welcome reception for Union General Ulysses S. Grant.

That’s a pretty impressive guest list for any building.

Then things got even more colorful. The space later worked as a vaudeville theater and a Prohibition-era nightclub.

During the Depression, it became a boxing arena. In the 1950s, it turned into a roller-skating rink.

I can’t imagine the sound of skates rolling where pasta now gets twirled.

Over time, parts of the building became offices. The team behind Carmelo’s renovated that office space extensively to create the restaurant you see now.

Knowing all this makes dinner feel a little different. You’re eating in one of Covington’s most storied rooms.

Ask your server about the history, because it’s a fun story worth hearing.

A Sicilian Great-Grandfather Inspired Every Warm Welcome

Carmelo Caserta never saw this dining room, yet his spirit runs it. He was a first-generation Sicilian immigrant and the great-grandfather of co-owner Billy Grise.

Carmelo once owned a neighborhood tavern and grocery store. He was known for welcoming everyone like family, no matter who walked through the door.

Billy grew up working in his family’s restaurant, so hospitality comes naturally. He teamed up with Chef Mitch Arens to open Carmelo’s Restaurant.

The pair built their place around Carmelo’s values. Think generosity, warmth, sincerity, and good humor.

The goal is a dinner-at-Nonna’s-house feeling.

I like how specific that mission is. Plenty of restaurants say guests are family.

Fewer name the actual relative who set the standard.

That idea shapes the whole evening. The owners want you leaving full, relaxed, and maybe a little spoiled.

It’s the kind of treatment a great-grandparent would insist on.

If you’re celebrating something, this background makes it a natural fit. A birthday or anniversary feels right in a room built on family pride.

Mention the occasion when you book.

Brick Arches And Soft Light Make The Room Feel Like A Villa

Exposed brick, grand arches, and soaring ceilings set the scene inside. Patched plaster adds a sense of age, like the walls are quietly showing off their past.

The overall look lands somewhere between modern and rustic. Many describe it as feeling like an Italian villa, which suits the menu perfectly.

Soft lighting keeps things cozy. That matters in a space with ceilings this tall.

Without it, the room could feel more like a train station than a dinner party.

The layout helps too. A front room holds a bar and booths.

Beyond it, three separate dining rooms break the space into smaller, friendlier pockets.

An open kitchen lets you see the action. Watching cooks work is basically dinner theater, minus the awkward audience participation.

Upbeat Italian disco sometimes plays in the background. That’s a fun twist I didn’t expect from an 1850s hall.

It keeps the mood lively instead of stuffy.

Date night fits here easily. So does a group dinner with friends.

The design works hard to feel intimate, even when the room is busy.

Good Luck Saying No To 101 Layers Of Lasagna

One hundred and one layers. Read that again, because the lasagna at Carmelo’s Restaurant is no ordinary square of pasta.

It weighs a full pound. The kitchen pan-sears it until crispy, then serves it with red gravy and parmesan.

That crispy edge is the clever part. Lasagna usually stays soft all the way through.

Searing it gives you crunch and tenderness in the same bite.

Honestly, it’s the kind of dish that becomes tomorrow’s lunch too. A pound of pasta is a serious commitment.

Sharing is a smart move if you want room for other plates.

The menu leans into Italian-American comfort food with modern technique. Lasagna fits that idea perfectly.

It’s familiar, but it’s been given a fresh personality.

Pasta here is hand-rolled, which adds care to every dish. You can taste the difference between pasta made with patience and pasta from a box.

If you only try one showpiece, many folks pick this. I understand why.

A dish this tall practically begs for a photo before the first forkful.

Start With Mozzarella Pulled By Hand And A Bowl Of Garlic Soup

Fresh mozzarella tastes best when someone just pulled it by hand. Carmelo’s serves it with grilled focaccia and olive oil, which makes an easy, crowd-pleasing opener.

Tear off some bread, add cheese, and drizzle the oil. That’s about as close to perfect as starters get.

Garlic soup is another favorite on the menu. Garlic fans should circle this one twice.

It’s comfort in a bowl with a bold personality.

Flash-fried cauliflower shows up as a starter too. It’s a nice choice if your table wants something crispy before the pasta arrives.

My tip is to order a few starters to share. The menu works well when everyone grabs a bite of something different.

Herbs come from Root House Farms, a local grower. I love seeing a restaurant point out where its ingredients come from.

It shows real care for flavor.

Starting this way also sets the tone for the meal. You slow down, pass plates, and chat.

That’s exactly the family-table feeling the owners want you to have.

Your Pasta Bowl Might Start An Argument At The Table

Picking one pasta here can feel unfair to the others. The menu at Carmelo’s Restaurant offers several standouts, and each has its own loyal fan base.

Oxtail ragu is among the most talked about. It’s rich, slow-braised, and built for chilly Kentucky evenings.

Crispy garlic Alfredo takes a classic in a bolder direction. It comes topped with Calabrian chili garlic crunch, adding heat and texture to a creamy sauce.

Mushroom marsala casarecce is great for mushroom lovers. Then there’s spaghetti and meatballs, the dish every Italian-American kitchen gets judged on.

Spicy shrimp with spaghetti and eggplant parmesan round things out. So the menu covers meat lovers, seafood fans, and veggie eaters.

Many dishes come from a wood-fired oven too. That adds smoky depth you can’t fake with a regular stove.

Sides change with the seasons. Look for Tuscan kale, garlic-confit potatoes, or green beans with almond crunch.

My advice? Bring friends and order family style.

Then nobody has to suffer from pasta envy all night.

You Can Walk Here From Cincinnati Over A Historic Bridge

Crossing a river for dinner sounds fancy, and here it’s actually easy. Carmelo’s sits roughly a five-minute walk from downtown Cincinnati by way of the Roebling Bridge.

That’s a fun connection, since the bridge was reportedly planned inside this very building. History loves a good full-circle moment.

It stands on the corner of Madison Avenue and Fifth Street.

That corner is one of the main entry points into downtown Covington. Look for the bright vermillion sign marking the spot.

The exterior looks fairly modest. The real wow factor waits inside, so don’t judge it from the sidewalk.

The restaurant is also next to a major development on the former IRS site. That means this part of Covington keeps growing and changing.

I like pairing dinner with a stroll. Northern Kentucky has a riverfront and historic streets worth exploring.

Plan a little extra time before or after your meal to wander and soak in the neighborhood.

Plan Ahead, Because Six Weeks Out Is Not Too Early

Timing is everything at a restaurant ranked second in the nation. Reservations at Carmelo’s typically open about six weeks ahead, and weekends fill up fastest.

So set a reminder on your phone. Future you will be grateful.

Carmelo’s Restaurant serves dinner nightly starting at 4 pm. It closes at 9 pm most nights and stays open until 10 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Groups have solid options too. The restaurant offers private and semi-private dining rooms for gatherings and events.

That makes it a smart pick for rehearsal dinners, birthdays, or a big family night. The space was designed to handle different group sizes comfortably.

I think this is where the family theme really shines. A long table full of people you love feels right in a room honoring a welcoming great-grandfather.

For Kentucky locals and out-of-towners alike, this spot deserves a spot on your list. Book early, arrive curious, and save room for dessert.

With 101 layers of lasagna waiting, you’ll want every bit of appetite you can spare.