Greenwood Avenue off the main Bukit Timah Road is a favorite among the residents who live near here because of its relaxed vibe and ample eateries—from cafés serving Western and Japanese cuisine, to a seafood restaurant and even a curry place. But our favorite is Donna Carmela (by the same people behind Mamma Lucia) which stands out for its traditional home‑styled Italian/Brazilian cooking.
Yes, there’s also Brazilian churrasco to be had at Caipirinha—the Brazilian counterpart of one and the same restaurant. Donna Carmela boasts a wide selection of pastas and pizzas that will make your head spin (there are more than 50 choices here). We tried the signature tagliatelle pasta—the Alla Donna Carmela, which came with minced Italian pork sausage, and fresh chili in tomato and cream sauce. It was quite a steal as the portion was generous, and the mix of tomato and cream sauce was a nice blend that was rich but not too filling.
We also liked the signature pizza, also named Alla Donna Carmela—arguably one of the best pizzas we’ve ever had. The crust was thin and crispy, and its topping of fresh bufala mozzarella (which was very fresh indeed), arugula, Parma ham, cherry tomato, oregano and parmesan cheese was a delightful cacophony of flavors. The saltiness and chewiness of the Parma ham mixed with the chunky mozzarella and arugula provided just the right amount of textural crunch.
For desserts, we had the Cassata Cioccolato, which was a vanilla and chocolate ice‑cream mixed with fruit candy. We were slightly disappointed that the place ran out of its other more interesting signature desserts when we were here (considering that it was only lunch time), but overall, good food and service render Donna Carmela another visit.
