Carmella’s Pizza Grill Montford Review: One of Charlotte’s Best Pizzerias

Another Carmella’s Location, Another Five-Star Review

This is my second Carmella’s Pizza Grill review for Charlotte Vibes, and once again, I'm giving the restaurant an easy five stars. My first review covered the South Tryon location, a restaurant I've visited numerous times because it's closer to home. This time, I'm visiting Carmella’s on Montford Drive, where the pizza is every bit as good, but the overall experience has a personality of its own.

Montford generally feels livelier to me, although that isn't to say South Tryon lacks energy. I've visited the South Tryon restaurant when it was packed with customers, and the atmosphere was just as enjoyable. A lot depends on the day and time you go. On a busy night, either restaurant can be full of people eating, drinking, and enjoying themselves.

Still, I find something especially appealing about the Montford location. The standalone building, bar, outdoor seating, and neighborhood setting give it a different character. I wouldn't necessarily choose one restaurant over the other based on the food, but I can understand why someone might prefer Montford for a night out with friends.

What Makes Carmella’s Montford Different?

Carmella’s occupies a recognizable standalone building on Montford Drive, surrounded by an area known for restaurants and nightlife. Unlike a typical storefront restaurant, this location has its own exterior identity, outdoor seating areas, and an interior that feels like a neighborhood hangout.

When I walk into the Montford restaurant, it feels more original to me. There's a steady mix of customers coming through, and I enjoy meeting new people. The restaurant feels social and comfortable without being overly formal, making it a good choice for a casual meal, a beer at the bar, or dinner with friends.

For me, the atmosphere is as important as the food when I'm deciding where to spend an evening. A restaurant doesn't need expensive decorations or a complicated concept to deliver a great experience. Comfortable seating, friendly people, and a welcoming environment go a long way.

A Lively Restaurant With a Neighborhood Bar Atmosphere

The bar is one of the features that helps distinguish Carmella’s Montford from a traditional pizza shop. It's a place where customers can sit down for food and drinks, watch sports, and socialize. For anyone looking for a casual Charlotte restaurant with an active bar scene, this location is worth considering.

I appreciate that Carmella’s attracts different types of customers. You can visit for lunch, bring family or friends for dinner, or stop by in the evening and enjoy the atmosphere. The setting isn't limited to one kind of dining experience, which makes the restaurant useful for different occasions.

The customers and staff are also part of what I enjoy. I've encountered friendly faces here, and those interactions make the experience more memorable. There's something to be said for a restaurant where you feel comfortable staying a little longer rather than leaving immediately after finishing your food.

Some of the Best Pizza in Charlotte? I Think So

I'm willing to go further than simply saying Carmella’s makes good pizza. In my opinion, Carmella’s Pizza Grill makes some of the best pizza in Charlotte. Agree or disagree, that's my opinion, and I own it. I know everyone has their favorite pizza restaurant, and I'm certainly not suggesting that every person in Charlotte will agree with me.

I'm also not alone in feeling this way. Carmella’s has developed a following among customers who appreciate its New York-style pizza and casual restaurant experience. After visiting the South Tryon location many times and eating at Montford, I can say that my appreciation for its pizza isn't limited to one restaurant.

The menu features both 14-inch and 18-inch pizzas, along with individual slices. Customers can order a traditional cheese pizza or choose from an assortment of specialty combinations. The range includes familiar options such as Supreme and five-meat pizza, as well as more distinctive choices featuring spinach, feta, Alfredo sauce, and other ingredients.

New York-Style Pizza and Specialty Pies

Carmella’s offers several specialty pizzas that go beyond the standard toppings found at most neighborhood pizza shops. The Supreme features pepperoni, ham, sausage, green peppers, black olives, green olives, and red onions. The five-meat pizza combines pepperoni, ham, sausage, bacon, and ground beef.

One of the more unusual choices is the Spanikopizza, made with spinach and feta on an Alfredo base. The Athenian includes feta, onions, black olives, pepperoncini, and fresh tomatoes. Other specialty options include Hawaiian, Vegetarian, White Pizza, Picnic Pizza, Loaded Cannon, and the Philly-inspired PCS pizza.

According to the supplied Montford menu, a standard cheese pizza starts at $15 for a 14-inch pie or $17 for an 18-inch pie. Specialty pizzas cost more depending on the selection. For customers who want something smaller, Carmella’s also offers individual slices and weekday lunch specials.

Appetizers, Wings, Sandwiches, and Pasta

Although pizza is the main reason I recommend Carmella’s, the restaurant has a much larger menu than you might expect. Appetizers include mozzarella sticks, jalapeño cheddar poppers, mac and cheese bites, deviled eggs, pierogies, baked garlic bread, and baked spinach footballs.

The baked spinach footballs are a particularly interesting appetizer. They're made with spinach and feta folded into phyllo triangles and served with Alfredo sauce. It's an option worth considering if you want something different from the usual mozzarella sticks or wings.

For wings, the menu includes hot, mild, BBQ, teriyaki, Thai chili, garlic Parmesan, and Barbalo flavors. Customers can order wings in different quantities, making them suitable for an individual meal or sharing with a group.

The sandwich selection features Italian heroes, Philly cheesesteaks, chicken Philly sandwiches, Reubens, chicken parmigiana, and meatball parmigiana. Carmella’s also serves burgers, pita sandwiches, strombolis, calzones, salads, and several pasta dishes, including spaghetti, lasagna, and baked penne.

The History of Carmella’s Pizza Grill

Carmella’s Pizza Grill traces its origins to the Carmel Road area of South Charlotte. The company's official website identifies 2003 as its establishment year and describes the restaurant's beginnings at its Carmel Road location. Over time, Carmella’s expanded into additional communities around the Charlotte area.

The Montford restaurant opened in February 2017 at 1513 Montford Drive, occupying the former Maverick Rock Taco location. The standalone building brought Carmella’s into an established dining and nightlife district, giving the restaurant a different setting from its South Tryon counterpart.

Today, the company lists three restaurants, including two Charlotte locations and one in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The Montford and South Tryon restaurants serve different parts of Charlotte, while the Fort Mill location extends the brand south of the state line.

Carmella’s Montford Compared With South Tryon

Having visited both Charlotte locations, I can say that neither restaurant disappoints me when it comes to food. South Tryon is more convenient for me, so that's where I tend to go more often. I've had numerous enjoyable meals there, and it's a restaurant I know well.

Montford, on the other hand, is where I'd go when I'm particularly interested in the neighborhood atmosphere. The building feels more distinctive, the surrounding area is active, and there's a social quality to the restaurant that I appreciate.

That doesn't mean South Tryon is always quieter. I've seen it operating at full capacity, with plenty of people enjoying themselves. Ultimately, my preference depends on convenience and what kind of experience I'm looking for. I rate both restaurants five stars, and I'm happy to recommend either one.

For a closer look at my other experience, read my Carmella’s Pizza Grill South Tryon review.

Take a Look Inside Carmella’s Montford

The video below offers a look inside Carmella’s Pizza Grill on Montford Drive, including the casual interior and neighborhood restaurant environment. If you're considering visiting for the first time, it provides a better sense of the setting than photographs alone.